“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations."
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭1:5‬ ‭ESV‬

It’s been said, “God doesn’t call the equipped; He equips the called.” This is exactly what is happening in this passage, as the Word of the LORD comes to Jeremiah (still a young boy) and tells him that he is going to be a prophet to kings.

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“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
‭‭John‬ ‭1:5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

John opens his Gospel with a poem that takes us back to the creation story. In it, he reveals that Jesus was the Word spoken by YHWH that brought forth all life.

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“The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.”
‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭12:13‬ ‭ESV‬‬

What are we supposed to do when life doesn’t make sense? When it doesn’t fit into our formulas or systems or boxes? Or even more - when it seems as if God isn’t keeping His Word to us?

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“I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119:11‬ ‭ESV‬‬

We’ve been taught that “hiding God’s Word in our heart” is memorizing Bible verses. While this is good and important, this ISN’T what this verse is talking about. That’s hiding God’s Word in our heads.

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“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭10:23‬ ‭ESV‬‬

The readers this letter was addressed to were desperate to draw near to the presence of God. But they had been expelled from the Temple, and couldn’t participate in the Temple worship. What did this mean for them?

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“But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.”
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The Bible warns us that the world will become more and more corrupt; that society will not follow Christ. How are we to live in this world?

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“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29:11‬ ‭ESV

Understanding the context of the verse doesn’t change the hope that it provides. We are all exiles living in a foreign land. We are to live our lives with honor and obedience to our God and King, looking forward to the promised return to our land where our Messiah will reign in righteousness.

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“A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭18:24‬ ‭ESV‬‬

We throw around the word “friends” too lightly today. What is a true friend? Why do they matter?

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“Do nothing out of selfishness or conceit, but with humility consider others as more important than yourselves, looking out not only for your own interests but also for the interests of others.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:3-4‬ ‭TLV

The world teaches us that we have to look out for ourselves, because no one else will; that we should go for the top; exalt ourselves. But the Bible teaches the opposite. And Jesus Christ is the example.

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“The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭15:31‬ ‭ESV‬‬

The voices of criticism are all around us. Not all of them are speaking truth. How do we differentiate between the two?

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