PROTECTION AMID DISASTER

PROCLAMATION

“… For I will bring disaster on all people, declares The Lord, but wherever you go I will let you escape with your life.”  Jeremiah 45:5 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

These are the words of The Lord God which were spoken to the prophet Jeremiah and which he told to Baruch son of Neriah, who wrote the words that Jeremiah dictated to him which he later read to the people of Judah.  “The Lord, The God of Israel, says to you, Baruch: You said, ‘Woe is me’ for The Lord has added grief to my sorrow. (Jeremiah 45:1-3)  But The Lord has told me to say to you: “I will overthrow what I have built and uproot what I have planted … but wherever you go I will let you escape with your life.” (Jeremiah 45:2-5)

APPLICATION
When we obey The Word of God and do what He says for us to do, He will protect us, preserve us, and provide for us.  It does not matter what is happening around us.  If we focus on Him and not on the stormy chaos around us, then He will place a hedge of protection around us and keep us safe through the storm.  He will protect us from dangers seen and unseen.  There are many benefits and blessings that go along with being obedient to His Word.  So, let us obey God’s Holy Word and live.

BE ENCOURAGED AND COMFORTED AND LIVE WORTHY OF GOD

Proclamation:

“For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into His kingdom and glory.”  1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to the believers in the church at Thessalonica.  Paul offers an account of his ministry among them and describes the nature, manner, and success of it. (1 Thessalonians 2:1-6)  He also mentions how he treated them when he was with them. (1 Thessalonians 2:7-10)  He said that he encouraged them, comforted them, and urged them to live worthy of God.  Then he said that he thanked God that they received the gospel as The Word of God and that they also began to spread The Word. (1 Thessalonians 2:13-14)  He ended the second chapter of his letter by stating that he wanted to visit them but Satan had prevented that from happening. (1 Thessalonians 2:18)

Applications:

As believers we should cling closely to The Lord God.  We should seek comfort in, and be encouraged by His Holy Word.  We should also be committed to live a life which would be pleasing to God.  We should treat one another and speak to one another with loving kindness.  We should build each other up and not tear each other down.  When we point out errors or shortcomings, we should do so with caring constructive corrections and it should be done out of love for one another.  We should walk worthy and we should encourage others to also walk worthy. (Ephesians 4:1 and 1 Thessalonians 2:12)  We have the power to do so, we just need to exercise the commitment and do it. (John 1:12)  We should do it willingly, joyfully, and carefully.

SO THAT I MIGHT LIVE FOR GOD

Proclamation:

“For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God.  I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in The Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”  Galatians 2:19-20 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to the believers in the church at Galatia.  Paul begins this chapter by recounting his acceptance by the apostles. (Galatians 2:1-10)  He then recounts an episode where he confronts Peter for his non-Christ-like behavior. (Galatians 2:11-18)  Peter would eat and fellowship with the Gentiles until some of the other apostles arrived, then he separated himself from them and other believers, including Barnabas, followed his lead.  After this, Paul states that he is no longer under the law because Christ died and rose for him.  Now he lives his life for Christ and walks by faith in The Son of God.

Application:

As believers, our behavior is always under scrutiny, by non-believers and by other believers.  When we do wrong and sin, we can cause those who follow us to stumble and fall into sin, as Peter did.  We are not to return to our old ways and follow non-Christian customs in order to gain the favor of man. (Galatians 2:14)  We need to recognize The Spirit of God within us and to live our life as a good example of Christian behavior.  We are justified by our faith in Christ and not by our works or customs.  Christ was crucified once for all of us and for all of our sins.  There is no need for us to be crucified or to crucify Him again.  He died for us so that we could live with Him in the future.  So, let us live for Him now.