jeff warren Posts

Jeremiah- The Unwavering Prophet

16 Nov , 2009 2 Comments

Jeremiah in the cisternIf you’re life looks like this today, don’t give up!

Consider this: what if God called you to a ministry that would require you to present a very difficult message to people who did not want to hear what you had to say?  What if, in fact, some would want you dead as a result of hearing what you had to say?  What if you were to do this for forty years- and without a single convert?!  And perhaps worst of all, you were to do it all alone.  This was the life and ministry of Jeremiah.

No wonder he wrestled with discouragement, depression, and even despair.  I look at his life and think, “I have nothing to complain about.”  I’m inspired by his courage, his honesty, and his persistence.  I’m also reminded that one’s legacy is not determined by worldly “success”, but is only measured by obedience to God.

Jeremiah’s legacy was simple: mission accomplished.  He was faithful and unwavering to God’s call that came upon him in chapter one, all the way to the end.  He did not seek the approval of others, he didn’t pretend to be someone he was not. He preached God’s Word, regardless of what the people said or how they responded.

What will be your legacy?

Legacy is not something you finally think about when you’re near the end of your life.  It’s not something you hope will fall into place.  Your legacy is something that takes place today and you must be intentional about it.  Let me encourage you today to remain faithful, remain moldable, remain true to your calling and pray.  Many start out strong, but very few finish strong.  Will you?  Don’t give up today!

Listen to the word that came to Jeremiah (while he and the people were in exile):

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.  I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” Jeremiah 29:11-14

Lessons from the life of Hosea

07 Nov , 2009 1 Comment

HoseaThroughout the Old Testament one of the primary analogies/images of God’s relationship with His people is that of marriage.   In fact, the Jewish interpretation of the Sinai covenant is that of a betrothal ceremony- an interpretation that is found throughout the Old Testament (Jer. 2:2, 3:8-14, 31:32, Ez. 16:8).  Israel’s idolatry- their worship of other gods is most often referred to as “adultery”.  God says He will rejoice over His people as a groom rejoices over His bride. The Song of Songs is an entire book committed to the intimate marriage of God and His people.

In the Book of Hosea, God uses the prophet’s real life experiences and circumstances (namely his marriage) to “preach” His message to the people of Israel.  The terrible truth about Israel’s religious promiscuity and coming destruction is being played out in Hosea’s life for all to see.

Lessons from the life of Hosea

1.  Our relationship with God is like a marriage. This is a powerful and guiding thought for us all- singles, young people, and married adults- you will never find one like Jesus.

2.  God uses our struggles to display His power through us. If we truly live to bring glory to God, it changes everything.  Regardless of what life brings our way, God can be glorified if we remain faithful to Him.

3.  God uses our challenges in relationships to reveal His love to others. Jesus calls us to love our enemies- (anyone can love their friends).  If you’re in a difficult relationship, even now, God wants you to show others a real life parable of His stubborn, redeeming love.

4.  God calls us to love the unlovely- even those who have hurt us. God hates sin; it grieves His heart; He cannot condone it; His perfect righteousness and justice demand that He deal with it.  But He still loves the sinner and diligently seeks us out and offers us His loving forgiveness.  We need to love like that.  We need to forgive like that.  We need to drag the festering hurts we have been harboring in our hearts to the cross of Christ- where we laid our own burden of guilt one day and where we found God’s loving forgiveness- and we must leave them all there.  When we fully forgive, our minds are released from the bondage of resentment that has been building a wall between us, and we are free to grow in our relationships with each other.

5.  Our disobedience to God brings judgment and severe consequences. Clearly, the majority of the book of Hosea is about the coming judgment of God upon Israel.  Like He does with us, He gives them evidence of their unfaithfulness, He warns them of coming destruction, offers an opportunity for repentance, then He holds true to His word.

6.  God calls us into a covenant relationship with Him. It all starts as we realize how much God has done for us in Christ. Renew your covenant marriage to God.  If you have never entered into that eternal covenant (made possible only through the Cross of Christ), say, “I DO” right now.

The High Price for Delayed Obedience

02 Nov , 2009 No Comments
Jonah

Jonah is yacked up on the beach!

The story of Jonah reminds us that we do not set the agenda for God’s call our own lives.  You and I must get to the point where we answer God’s call on our lives with no strings attached.   Jonah shows us that delayed obedience can come with a huge price tag.  He said “no” to God then was caught in a storm, brought to a suicidal state, thrown into the sea, swallowed whole by a giant fish, and vomited up on the beach.  Just ask Jonah: When God speaks we need to respond immediately.

What are you currently going through that could be the result of delayed obedience?  Let Jonah remind us that God’s plans supersede our own plans and desires. When we chose not to obey, it doesn’t mean that God will not accomplish His purposes.  It does mean, however, that we don’t experience the joy of being used by Him.  In the end, (even though God used Jonah) it was Jonah who missed out.  There is a high price for delayed obedience!

Repenting for right-doing

30 Oct , 2009 1 Comment

One of the best known, engaging, and profound books in the Bible is the Book of Jonah. I’ve been living with Jonah for a couple of weeks and I’m stunned by the depth of this great story.  Most of us know of “Jonah and the whale” (great fish) but have you really considered the deep truths of the story.  Consider a few:

Lessons from the life of Jonah

1. I am called by God to bring His truth to the world- to be a witness for Him.  (1:1-2) Like Jonah, you and I have been called to be evangelists- we are all called to proclaim the great love and mercy of our great God.

2. I do not set the agenda for God’s call on my life. (1:3) You must answer God’s call on your life with no strings attached.

3. Delayed obedience can come with a huge price tag. (1:4-17) When God speaks we need to respond immediately.

4. The storms of my life will make you or break you. (2:1-10) It’s not whether or not you will go through a storm; it’s a matter of when. You’re either coming out of one, in one, or heading into one.  In the storm you will choose God’s salvation of not.

5. God’s plan for me supersedes my own plans and desires.  (3:1-10) As a Christ follower my only role is to trust and obey. Jonah wanted to decide for himself where to go and what to do.  He wanted to put discriminatory limits on God’s grace.  But unlike Jonah, God’s love is not bound my limits.

6. I may need to repent of my reasons for right-doing. (4:1-4) This is an amazing and troubling thing about this story: Disobedient Jonah was no better than obedient Jonah (in fact, he may have been worse).  He did what God wanted him to do but he loathed the people God sent him to and he loathed God throughout.  He is never positive about God, about the people, about his role… never!  He proclaimed the destruction of Nineveh and when it didn’t happen he is angry with God.  Imagine: he’s angry because God is so compassionate.  Jonah wanted God to prove that he was right.  He was using God to confirm that he was right, he wanted God to confirm his ministry, his existence- he wanted to use God for his own means.  Why do you do what you do?  What motivates you to do what you do as a Christian… really? Is it purely out of your love for God or do you have other motives?

Heart check: Am I truly grateful for all Christ has done for me? (4:5-11) At the heart of Jonah’s problem was his ingratitude.  Nothing satisfied him.  Ungrateful people are never positive people.  There is no such thing as a joyful, ungrateful person.  Jonah demanded mercy from God for himself but didn’t want the same for his enemies. Like us, while Jonah is consistently inconsistent, God is consistent throughout!  Don’t run.  Join God in what He’s up to in your life today!

Let Justice Roll

22 Oct , 2009 3 Comments

Our God is a God of justice. We often speak of His righteousness, but “righteousness” and “justice” are actually interchangeable words. Matthew 6:33 could be rendered, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His justice, and all these things shall be added to you as well.” Obviously, justice is a big deal to God. At it’s core, doing justice means doing the right thing. In so many ways we have missed the mark. Listen to the His words in Amos (an entire book on justice):

“I can’t stand your religious meetings. I’m fed up with your conferences and conventions. I want nothing to do with your religion projects, your pretentious slogans and goals. I’m sick of your fund-raising schemes, your public relations and image making. I’ve had all I can take of your noisy ego-music. When was the last time you sang to me? Do you know what I want? I want justice- oceans of it. I want fairness- rivers of it. That’s what I want. That’s all I want.” Amos 5:21-24 (The Message)

Are you just doing church or do you practice justice? Do you simply offer commentary on the plight of the poor, the oppressed, the under-resourced, or are you actually doing something about it? If so, then you are a kingdom person; if not, read those words above again- and again- until you’re moved to action. Let justice roll in your life.