The halfbaked Bard

Ps:106:30 But Phinehas had the courage to intervene and the plague stopped.  Numbers:25. Phinehas the grandson of Aaron, the son of Eleazar. He was complimented by God Himself as someone who has the zeal for God. Seeing sin in front of his own eyes. Seeing rebellion in front of the eyes of Moses, their leader, the zeal pushes him instantaneously.  Even Moses (may be because of his old age) was left dumbstruck. Phinehas jumps out to stand for God. He voices out a loud statement out of his action. THAT GOD IS HOLY and HE ABHORS SIN.  What is it that I stand for? How zealous am I regarding things of God? A passive going along the currant is good. A currant which goes even Godward. You can follow. That's fair enough. But zeal pulls you to form the currant. It forces you to lead others to God. It forces you to say. WE ARE WRONG and WE HAVE TO MOVE TOWARDS THE LIGHT.  The antonym for zeal is apathy or indifference. So is passivity and running along the flow. Ev...

Jer:7:24 They went backward instead of forward.  You are expected to go forward Setting your eyes on the One Who created you: Who formed you: designed you That was the purpose; that was what you were bid for.  Why do you stay back?  To have a look at things which apparently allure.  Good on the outside; dirty on the inside Staying back will hold you back.  As you are held back, there is a tug to go backward Because of the more attractive distractions Because forward is your destiny The world is diametrically opposite.  The 180 degrees points to the contrast Between the God who called you And the world which pulls you God calls for eternal life; the world for eternal damnation.  You are called for a U turn If the love of the world is still in you The love of God is not in you That is a simple and blatant statement Deny: Flee: Resist: Say no.  Turn back: Return: Come back For that would be it.  The most productive turn of your life

Jer:7:22-24 When I led your ancestors out of Egypt, it was not burnt offerings and sacrifices I wanted from them. This is what I told them; obey me and I will be your God and you will be my people. Do everything as I say and all will be well. But my people would not listen to me. They kept doing whatever they wanted, following the stubborn desires of their evil hearts.  Oh! I would earn well and give a huge amount to ministry. And for God's kingdom. God doesn't need your money.  I will be successful (in the world's norms) and I want to be famous. I will do what I want to do and then give God credit. In that way I will be bringing glory to His name in whatever I do. God doesn't need your degrees, your professionalism nor your fame or success.  Oh! I will use all my talents for God. I will sing. I will write. I will draw for God. Upholding His name I will gain a name. God doesn't need your talents All these things are good on the outward. Pious and religio...

The observation: Jer:7:14 So just as I destroyed Shiloh, I will now destroy this temple that bears my name, this temple that you trust in for help, this place I gave to you and your ancestors.  The question: Wait.  What are you saying?  This can't be. Shiloh cannot be destroyed.  The contrast: Shiloh is the holy city where the Tabernacle is. It is the holy place where you are supposed to reaide among your people (in case you need to be reminded). Your presence is what makes the place and the nation different from others. We are your people separated from other sinful nations.  Why will you do it? Shiloh is your favorite right? It's people are all yours right? You are a loving God right? Why will you do it?  But God did destroy Shiloh, ultimately. Because of the entity that was ruling over the entire place - called sin. And the city was in wreck. What happened to the everlasting love of God? Well, He asks, what have you been doing with the attrib...

Jer:7:8-10 Don't be fooled into thinking that you will never suffer because the Temple is here. It's a lie. Do you really think you can steal, murder, commit adultery, lie and burn incense to Baal and all these other new gods of yours and then come here and stand before me in my Temple and chant, 'we are safe' - only to go right back to all those evil again?  The bard has nothing else to say other than this. Let the word convict us. So that we run back to Him repenting - Ashamed, helpless, seeking. Just saying Father forgive me. 

Man can see only what is outside. But God sees the heart. He looks at the motives.  Jer:7:5 But I will be merciful only if you stop your evil thoughts (1st) and deeds (2nd)  Outwardly there is politeness, there is humility and there is loving your neighbour as yourself. But inside, there is selfcentredness, there is rebelliom, there is pride.  As God reveals, I want to say, Lord I'm sorry for the selfish ways I've trodden. The idols that I've worshiped and held dear to my heart. Enable me to throw them off and seek your face continually. 

Ps:107:2 Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out.  Tell others He has redeemed you from your enemies.  Speak out. About the miracle. About the awesome thing that happened in your life. Why are you silent? Becauss it is not something significant for you? Is it list like any other unexciting myths? Proclaim for the Lord has done a marvelous thing in your life.  Redeem the word means to regain possession. God's redemptive work is because we were lost in our rebellion. And out of His own initiative, out of His own love, He has done this.  Though we do not deserve it, salvation has been offerred by His death on the cross. Jesus died as a penalty for your sins. Do not be silent. Proclaim. Speak out.