My latest readings from my daily reading through the bible plan have been in Jeremiah. Now I know from my studies that Jeremiah was a prophet that proclaimed the word of God and never was able to see the people heed God's calling. However, as I was reading through Jeremiah, I kept thinking, whoa Jeremiah, maybe you shouldn't say that. You know they won't listen and it will only make people hate you.
Well...God doesn't call preachers and teachers and disciples to share his revelations and proclamations only when it is good for them. When God wants his servants to preach his word, the only right answer is, yes, okay, absolutely, done! I am typically not someone who is scared to confront or share the truth, but I have found myself clinging so much to the truth and my convictions that I lose ground on some relationships. And while someone who has been given the calling to preach the world of God must be careful and deliberate in not only what they say, but how they say it, they cannot be timid in delivering God's message.
I love my congregation at UCC and I have loved my two previous congregations as well. Jeremiah loved God's people. Jeremiah loved God. Therefore he spoke the word of God to a people who were in disobedience and idol worship because he loved them so much. I love God too! And what I learned from Jeremiah the prophet these past two weeks is that because I love God and His people I will be true to God and deliver his word.
Some days the word of God is what we want to hear. Some days it is exactly what we don't want to hear. But it is ALWAYS what we need to hear. I am a blessed man with a patient and loving church that loves me and my family. There is a lot of good in Conway, AR. I pray that God is using me and others in this town and this state to inspire, teach, challenge, and exhort God's people to glorify Him and journey with His Son in kingdom work.
Blessings to preachers and teachers who proclaim truth when it is easy and even when it
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