A Hammer On A Rock by Martin A. Cisneros February

Jeremiah 23:29  

“Is not My word like a fire?” says the Lord, “and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?”

A Hammer on a Rock

Hammers come in all shapes and sizes. There are jackhammers, sledgehammers, claw hammers and ball peen hammers, to name a few. Each one is designed with a certain task in mind. A jackhammer breaks up asphalt. A sledgehammer drives stakes into the ground. A claw hammer drives nails through lumber. A ball peen hammer is frequently used by machinists. But all hammers have one ultimate purpose: to enable the user to penetrate a hard substance.

As God viewed Israel in the time of Jeremiah, He saw a nation whose heart had become exceedingly hard. The kings (or shepherds) failed in their responsibility to lead the people as they ought. Instead of guiding them to green pastures, many of the kings led the people into the wilderness of idolatry and immorality (Jer. 23:1-2). Even the religious leaders, whose job was to exhort the people to righteousness, hardened their hearts against God. He declared that both prophet and priest were profane (v. 11). Something was needed to penetrate these callused hearts. That’s why God proclaimed that His Word would not only be like a fire to burn away the chaff, but also like a hammer, powerful enough to shatter the rock-hard hearts of His people.

The Bible tells us that sin hardens the heart (Eph. 4:17-19). The longer a person rebels against God, the harder his heart becomes. But we must never underestimate the power of God’s Word. Sometimes it touches our lives gently and brings comfort and healing. At other times it comes down like a sledgehammer with a blow that breaks our hearts into pieces. The more we choose to harden our hearts against God and His will, the more devastating the blow.

Ask God to reveal if your heart has become hardened toward Him. And if you sense it has, allow Him to use His Word to shatter any hardness you might find.

Better a shattered heart than a hardened heart.

God of The Second Chance by Martin A. Cisneros February 21- 28, 2010

Jeremiah 18:1-4     

The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying: “Arise and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause you to hear My words.” Then I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was, making something at the wheel. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make.

God of the Second Chance

Not long before she died in 1988, in a moment of surprising candor on television, Marghanita Laski, a well-known secular humanist and novelist, said, “What I envy most about you Christians is your forgiveness; I have nobody to forgive me.”

Jeremiah pointed God’s people toward this forgiveness as he shared his experience at the potter’s house. While watching the craftsman at his work, he noticed that the vessel became marred. Yet the potter didn’t throw away the clay. Instead, he took the flawed material and formed a different container. The same was true for Israel. God’s original intent for His people was severely marred by their sin, yet He still had plans for them. When forgiven, they could still serve Him, but in a different way.

Sin always causes havoc in people’s lives, including Christians. Sometimes the damage is so extensive that God cannot use those individuals as He originally desired, but He doesn’t discard them. When they turn to Him for forgiveness, He can take those misshapen lumps and mold them into vessels for His use…different, perhaps, from what would have been His perfect will, yet useful nevertheless. God is the God of a second chance.

If you are in this condition, marred from the sin that’s been in your life, don’t despair. Look to God for forgiveness and a second chance. He can remold your life so you can still serve Him as a vessel of His choosing.

The God who made us also can remake us.

Giving Good For Evil by Martin A. Cisneros February 20, 2010

1 Samuel 24:17-18

Then [Saul] said to David: “You are more righteous than I; for you have rewarded me with good, whereas I have rewarded you with evil. And you have shown this day how you have dealt well with me; for when the Lord delivered me into your hand, you did not kill me.”

Giving Good for Evil

A gentleman who had held many important positions in public life went to a friend in great anger over a real injury he had received from a prominent politician. He was considering how to react resentfully in the most effective manner. After relating the particulars to his friend, he asked if it would be manly to resent it. “Yes,” replied his friend, “it would most certainly be manly to resent it, but it would be godlike to forget it.”

David chose to let God be his example. When Saul entered a cave to attend to his needs, he didn’t know that David and his 400 men were hiding in the recesses of that cavern. David had him at a severe disadvantage and his men urged him to seize the opportunity to take revenge on his enemy. But David refused. Rather than seeking to repay Saul for the evil he had done him, he secretly cut off a piece of Saul’s robe (as proof of what he could have done) and allowed the king to leave without knowing how close he had been to death. Only later did Saul realize the mercy David had shown.

God’s way is to show mercy rather than extract vengeance. Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Even while we were God’s enemies, He had compassion for us and provided a way of salvation.

Are you thinking about getting even with someone? Don’t do it. Try God’s way instead. Return good for evil. Someday you’ll be glad you did.

Evil for evil is man’s way; good for evil is God’s way.

Jesus Miracles: The Story of Rich Sprinkler Feb. 8- 15, 2010

THIS IS A POWERFUL VIDEO!!!!

Having Godly Friends by Elaine Davenport Feb. 7-14, 2010

When I first became born again…most of my friends ran in another direction.  Not in reality…but in their actions..  The telephone stopped ringing, the cards stopped coming and the invitations dried up.  Yet, I missed them.  I knew in my heart of hearts that it would not work anymore.  Their views and habits were vastly different than the plan God had given me; yet I was still lonely.

I needed Godly friends and so that is what I prayed for.  It took three years for them to all come; but they are better friends than I’ve  ever had.  They are like my family.  They understand…I have a comfort when I am in their midsts and a peace…and wisdom.

But, wanted yo share this in regard to healing.  You see, when troubles arise in your body or mind, pull out your healing scriptures, stand in faith, read them and call your faith friends to pray with you and encourage you! Now that’s a prescription!

Matt 9:35

35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.