Haiti Missionary Crime

   

Jesus Christ loves all the children of the world

The apostasy of the church is growing at unbelievable rates! God revealed it would in the last days. It saddens my heart that Central Valley Baptist Church, here in Meridian, Idaho, fully supports so-called missionaries who are imprisoned in Haiti and even have a fund established, “10 American Support Fund.” Please watch video:    http://www.ktvb.com/home/Meridian-pastor-releases-statement-about-detained-church-members-83688537.html  

I have to ask how much filthy lucre are these incarcerated people and Central Valley Baptist Church going to gain? Will it pay off Laura Silsby’s debts? Silsby was spearheading this mission. She has a reputation for not paying her employees and is due in court. “Silsby has been the subject of eight civil lawsuits and 14 unpaid wage claims. The $358,000 Meridian house at which she founded her nonprofit New Life Children’s Refuge in November was foreclosed upon in December. A check of Silsby’s driving record revealed at least nine traffic citations since 1997, including four for failing to provide insurance or register annually…Beer & Cain, a Boise law firm, filed a civil suit against Silsby in January this year. The suit says Silsby owes the firm $4,526.59 and interest for services rendered. ‘The demand for payment was made on May 20, 2008, February 4, 2009, and April 3, 2009,’ the suit says.’ ” http://www.idahostatesman.com/localnews/story/1067267.html  

God proclaims Christians are not to associate with anyone who is covetous or a swindler, 1 Corinthians 5:10, and I believe these incarcerated people fall into this category from all the distressing facts. Some may be innocent, but I don’t see how. I would assume they would have looked into the reputation of one taking them on such a mission. All these people attempted to take 2/3 of these children from their parents. “Most of the children were from the village of Callebas, where people said they handed the kids over because they couldn’t feed or clothe them. Their stories contradicted Silsby’s account that the children came from collapsed orphanages or were handed over by distant relatives.” Silsby’s account is what Central Valley Baptist Church proclaims regarding the highjacking of these orphans.  

These charged people were presenting a resort-like haven to parents so they would forfeit their children. Their pics to persuade included a photo of a nice swimming pool. They were advertising their wicked pursuits to take children unlawfully. Yes, it was unlawful and Silsby lied about having all the correct papers. I do not think it is wrong to assume that people were going to pay a hefty price to obtain so-called orphans, analyzing Silsby’s reputation.  

The Bible books of Acts, Timothy and Titus, make it abundantly clear regarding ministry leaders. Anyone who is placed to head any leadership endeavor in a church is to be a man and he must be one who is above reproach in every way. He must be one who maintains a heart like Stephen (Acts chapters 6-7). Stephen was not worldly-minded. He never brought stupid and silly ways into the church. He never came across as unwise and ungodly. Stephen was a powerful preacher who took the Gospel in shoe leather outside the doors of the church. He preached to the unsaved and convicted the unsaved of sin, resulting in this godly man greeting death. He was a deacon and he represents the heart of every true deacon.  

A deacon is an overseer of ministries under a pastor. Deacons must meet all the criteria stated in Scripture. This includes being full of the Spirit and of wisdom—knowing and applying the Scriptures. They cannot be divorced. They must have a good reputation in the community; having their households in order, etc. They cannot be sensually minded or flirtatious. Our congregations need countless Stephens to assure everything in the realm of the church is structured on a high Scriptural plane not on a carnal, fleshly level. Everything performed must be backed with the Word of God not the ways of society!  

Godly men must oversee all the missions of the church. Everything is to be executed in orderliness and in obedience to the apostles’ teachings—Acts 2:42, 2 Peter 3:2, 2 Thessalonians 2:15, etc.  

Women who serve under pastors and deacons must be shamefaced—dressing in modesty, in bashfulness towards men and in fear of God. They are not to be showing off their cleavage or legs. They are to be silent in the church, exampling a quiet and gentle spirit. They are to walk in total obedience to the Word of God without dissenting agendas.  

Biblical qualifications have been thrown out the door of America’s churches including Central Valley Baptist Church. May all our churches wake-up and turn to the Jesus Christ of the Bible, not a false christ of man’s making. The church is to shine brightly in this world that needs a Savior. 

 (1 John 5:10-13—the Bible)   http://vallee7.wordpress.com/2009/02/26/paradise/

Val Lee

Photo of children in Barbados by Val Lee

Northwest Nazarene University Promotes Buddhism

Dear Readers,

I am most grateful for one organization, Lighthouse Trial Publishers (I agree with a great deal of their articles) which is disturbing the wickedness that continually infiltrates Christianity. I know personally that Northwest Nazarene University is full of demonic agendas. They hated me (a juror) for complaining to them concerning one of their professors who defended a dangerous drunk driver in court. He endeavored to come across as Mr. Religious, being a professor at a Bible university. He attempted to show the police as incompetent. They were totally competent as the video of the incident revealed. The defendant was convicted as rightly guilty. The whole trial was ugly and the response from the college to me was cruel and undeserved. They treated me like a criminal for complaining.

Please read below. The video lecture is very demonic indeed. The Christian community requires a great deal of prayer for discernment and Biblical obedience.

I would also like to add that Philip Yancey, mentioned, is most liberal and endorses homosexuality as confirmed in his interview “Amazed by Grace.” http://www.acceptingevangelicals.org/yancey.htm and it is no wonder that Billy Graham has endorsed Yancey stating, “There is no writer in the evangelical world that I endorse and appreciate more.”  

Brian McLaren pens his own liberal gospel and supported Obama in his election campaign: http://www.brianmclaren.net/archives/blog/why-im-voting-for-obama-and-why.html Remember our president is for murdering unborn children before and after they are born (if unwanted):  http://www.nrlc.org/Election2008/obamarecord0608.pdf  http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1585647/babykiller_barack_obama_will_murder_born_babies_too/  Our president also desires to silence the voices of Bible adhering Christians, eliminating our freedom of speech.  

(1 John 5:10-13—the Bible)   http://vallee7.wordpress.com/2009/02/26/paradise/

Lighthouse Trails Publishers:

Buddhist/Universalist Sympathizer Woos Nazarene Students at NNU

Below is a link to a 2006* video lecture (just recently made public on the Internet) that took place at Northwest Nazarene University in Idaho, one of the Nazarene Universities that is strongly promoting the contemplative/emerging spirituality. The lecture, presented by NNU Thomas Oord and College of Idaho, Denny Clark, was given by Dr. Jay McDaniel, a self-proclaimed “Christian” Buddhist Universalist sympathizer who is greatly influenced by the late Catholic panentheistic monk, Thomas Merton. This is an 83-minute video, but for those who want to understand the paradigm shift that has occurred in the church and continues wooing millions with the mystical, Universalist spirituality, this video is well worth the watch. But we warn you, it is very disturbing. Here is are two quotes from Jay McDaniel in the video: “God has been … Luring all people in the world toward different forms of wisdom … And we don’t have to equate them. It’s possible that a Buddhist might know something that’s truly different from what a Christian knows and they might be complimentary rather than contradictory. “”I think everything is interconnected. That’s part of my Buddhism.” When asked by a student whether he believed that Jesus was “the way, the truth, and the life,” McDaniel stated that if Jesus had meant to say that He himself was the way, the truth, and the life, it would have been egocentric and arrogant of Jesus – He only meant to point people in the right direction – letting go of ego and grasping love. McDaniel stated also that Buddhist mindfulness (eastern meditation) is just as truth filled as doctrine and theology. He said there was an overemphasis in the church on doctrine calling it bibliolatry (idol worship of the Bible).*The date that the NNU lecture with Dr. Jay McDaniel took place is October 12, 2006. Because the Nazarene universities are continuing to move in the same direction (toward the new mystical spirituality) as they were then, we believe it is appropriate to post this video now.

http://sureynot.com/v/999/dr.-jay-mcdaniel.html

LTRP Note: Since the McDaniel lecture took place, NNU has continued to promote to their students the mystical New Spirituality including speaking events with emerging figure Brian McLaren (in 2008) and in 2010 contemplative proponent Philip Yancey.

ABC Abortion Censorship

Dear Readers,

We all know censorship surrounds the media and truth is often stifled. I just experienced this at an ABC blog discussion regarding abortion. I added the below and it disappeared after a short period of time. I thought, “Well, maybe I did something wrong” so I reposted even though I had signed in. Again, it was visible for a short period and then disappeared. The comments were posted according to time and I knew exactly where it should have been; however, I still scrolled through today’s blogs and it was not to be found.

God  hates murder and deception though He is quick to forgive the repentant one who accepts Jesus Christ as their Savior, 

Val Lee   (1 John 5:10-13—the Bible) http://vallee7.wordpress.com/2009/02/26/paradise/

____

The Bible speaks of the wicked seeking to kill the innocent (Psalm 10:8-9), shedding innocent human blood. Babies are the legal pawns of murder in our country and all facts must be fully exposed.

I must ask you, if all is right, then why must it be hidden? Abortion procedures are never telecasted to educate. If this medical procedure is perfectly wonderful and good, then why keep it behind closed doors? I challenge the media to broadcast actual abortions.

Babies are burned with saline solution, stabbed, beheaded, suctioned and on and on, all in the name of rights. They are the victims of the survival of the fittest mentality. The fittest takes their lives, as they are voiceless. They represent the “silent scream.” They are blameless, yet the casualties of selfishness.

If you look into abortion clinics, you will find some will murder babies up to birth such as this one that advertises up to 36 months: http://www.gracemedicalcare.com/?gclid=CPbNxbHQxZ8CFRQhnAodcXmO0w

God forthrightly declares life miraculously begins at conception (Psalm 139)
______

 Baby in womb surgery photo:  http://www.justfacts.com/news.strugglingphotographer.asp

Haiti—What Nations Give?

Dear Readers,

  

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/34911297#34909917  Please watch this encouraging child rescue video.  Be patient, don’t touch anything and it will appear after a period of time.  

 

We were informed in our church bulletin regarding God’s protection of missionaries in Haiti. Many miracles incite rejoicing. We also note the fact, God’s name is being uplifted even in secular media reporting. Yes, there are countless sad stories as well.  Massive grief is everywhere in this nation rated as one of the most corrupt in the world.  

Http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/HTML/nationworld/2010286412_apeucorruptionindexglance.HTML

It is also drenched in witchcraft and has suffered greatly over the years enduring many disasters especially hurricanes. Haitians need Jesus Christ and may this be a cause for many to turn to Him. 

 

Our Sunday School teacher pointed out today that Saudi Arabia is offering no aid to Haiti. He stated something to the effect that Islamic beliefs allow little regard for human life. Within the list of those providing aid, I did not note one single Muslim controlled nation.

 

It is clear, America still owns a heart of compassion for human life, believing it to be sacred, it is sacrificing the most in aid.  Yes, America is falling fast from its Christian heritage, but we still have much to give thanks for in this great country. Through our government causes us sadness through godless agendas, it still allows every American to give to disasters through taxation.   

 

Val Lee   (1 John 5:10-13—the Bible)   http://vallee7.wordpress.com/2009/02/26/paradise/  

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

International Aid to Haiti: Who’s Giving

Jan. 14. 2010

A Glance at Amounts of Money, Manpower and Other Assistance Pledged by Nations Worldwide

(AP)  Here’s a look at some of the international aid pledges for victims of the earthquake in Haiti:

•The U.S. Government is making an initial $100 million relief effort and is sending ships, helicopters, transport planes and 2,000 Marines.

 • Canada is sending $5 million Canadian (US$4.8 million) and matching contributions by individual Canadians to eligible charitable organizations up to a total of $50 million Canadian (US$47 million). Ottawa also is sending two navy ships, helicopters, transport planes and a disaster response team.  

 • The World Bank is providing a $100 million grant, and the U.N. Is sending $10 million.

 

• Britain is sending $10 million. A four-person government assessment team and 71 rescue specialists along with search dogs and heavy equipment arrived Thursday.

   

• Australia has pledged $9.3 million; Norway, about 30 million kroner ($5.3 million); Japan, up to $5 million; Italy, euro1 million ($1.46 million); and the European Commission, euro3 million ($4.37 million). 

 

• The Netherlands and the Italian bishops’ conference have each donated euro2 million. Denmark has donated 10 million kroner ($1.9 million) and Finland is giving euro1.25 million ($1.8 million). South Korea has pledged aid worth $1 million. 

 

• Irish telecommunications company Digicel said it would donate $5 million and help repair the phone network. 

 

• Spain has pledged euro3 million ($4.37 million), and sent rescue teams and 100 tons of equipment. Germany gave euro1.5 million ($2.17 million) and sent an immediate response team. 

 

• India and China will each donate $1 million and China is sending a 60-member relief team with sniffer dogs. 

• Sweden has offered 6 million kronor ($850,000), along with tents, water purification equipment and medical aid. It is also sending a team to build a new base to replace the U.N.’s destroyed headquarters. 

• Venezuela has sent doctors, firefighters and rescue workers. Mexico will send doctors, search-and-rescue dogs and infrastructure experts. French President Nicolas Sarkozy said 400 staff from the public security authority are being sent, as well a ship with two surgical operating units, 50 beds for injured and earth-moving equipment. 

• Iceland and Portugal are each sending more than 30 rescue workers. Taiwan has sent 23 rescue workers and two tons of aid and equipment. 

• Israel plans to open a field hospital and is sending 220 rescue workers. 

 

for Friday. is planned• A Swiss rescue team is arriving overland from the Dominican Republic. A flight carrying 40-50 tons of aid goods

  

 

  

 

 

Jeremiah Chapter 11—Latest Commentary Chapter

See Jeremiah commentaries 1-10 at this link:  http://vallee7.wordpress.com/2009/03/27/jeremiah-the-message-and-messenger/

One key thing in this chapter that must be understood is the fact this is not about Jeremiah, it is all about God and His convicting Biblical truths that are not fleshly-pleasurable. These are God’s authoritative words being set forth by Jeremiah and this is clearly understood through verses 1-3 of chapter 11. Who will argue with that? Well, most every person in the remaining southern kingdom, the area of Judah. Many so-called Christians question the entire Bible today, refusing to adhere to it because it is not tolerant and non-threatening. Pastors teaching through the Bible verse by verse is almost unheard of in this young millennium age. The hearts of men are indifferent to the Word of God because men like things their way and they have not changed through the ages.

Verse 3 emphasizes God’s supremacy and omnipotence, “Cursed is the man who does not heed the words of the covenant!” What is this covenant? What God commanded the forefathers of these Jewish people. Verse 4 is very calculating in exactness, as God graciously brought them out of the house of slavery, the iron furnace of Egypt, and they were to listen to God’s voice and obey. Very simple! However, man is desperately wicked and desires to do what is right in his own eyes, spiting God, feeling he knows what is best. He enjoys setting himself up as a god of authority.

We see the words covenant and oath repeated again and again in the first section of chapter eleven. The emphasis is on contracts that are not to be broken. A Scriptural covenant involves positive and negative promises by God. There are always dreadful consequences when men disavow the terms and conditions of obedience to the laws of God. Obedience to the Creator of life produces blessed fruitful repercussions. A covenant resembles an established law. If we are law-abiding citizens, obeying the covenants or laws of the land, we, in general, live in peace. If we determine to disobey the laws of the land, there are dreadful consequences. This is very true regarding God’s Word and its conditions as well.

The utmost covenant is the grace covenant. Under a new documentation, we possess the grace covenant that is total forgiveness of sins for the one who surrenders their life to Christ. Part of this covenant was revealed through the covenant God made with Adam, Eve and satan, though not an official listing. This was the first pledge regarding consequences of sin, specifically what Adam and Eve had to bear and all future generations. Here the Messiah is promised as the One who would bruise satan on the head and satan would bruise Christ on the heal; Genesis 3:15. When fulfilled, it ensured that the curse of sin would loosen its powerful grip on those who were reborn through Christ.

A covenant we witness continually is the rainbow covenant. It was unveiled to Noah for all humanity, and every living creature; Genesis 9:11-16. This covenant was enacted following the flood to reassure man that God would never again overflow the entire world with H2O. This covenant is totally immutable; man can do nothing to change it. No matter how great the sin of mankind, God will never violate His one-sided rainbow covenant.

The Abrahamic Covenant is an oath made by God to Abraham and his descendants, the Jews; Genesis 12:1-3. This covenant also included a Promise Land for Abraham’s descendants. Any nation that fortifies itself to harm Israel will suffer. This covenant is still operating and that is why America, at times, moves in caution regarding this nation. Christ will establish His kingdom and His throne in Jerusalem from which He will rule the globe. All is destined for this unveiling— Revelation chapter 20, Zechariah chapter 12, Psalm chapter 2, etc.

The Abrahamic Covenant also involved Abraham’s descendants outnumbering the stars Abraham could count; Genesis 15:5. This was fulfilled by the time Israel left Egypt. There were approximately 2.5 million departing Jews. However, God continued to multiply the Hebrew people, as He moves beyond what we can ask or think. Today there are approximately 13.2 million Jews in the world.

Another covenant, which we are most familiar with, is the covenant of the Ten Commandments. We have witnessed many sad legal battles concerning these words of God because the desire of men is to have them desecrated. We find these basic rules for living in Exodus 34:28f and various places where it is tucked within the Bible Scriptures including Jeremiah’s penning. The Ten Commandments are a portion of the Mosaic Covenant (all the laws bestowed upon the Jews) and they were to be obeyed by the Hebrews to receive benefits of security and well-being. Godly obedience produces blessings.

The Ten Commandments are repeated in the New Testament in various places, including Romans chapter 13, but the Sabbath command is excluded. The church meets on the first day of the week in remembrance of Christ’s resurrection—Acts 20:7 and 1 Corinthians 16:2. This is because believers are in the dispensation of the New Covenant of Christ’s blood—1 Corinthians 11:25 and 2 Corinthians 3:6. The church is to obey nine of the Ten Commandments. The church recognizes the strictness has increased as born again Christians possess the power of the Holy Spirit within.

When it comes to obeying the seventh commandment, not committing adultery, Christ made it clear that men are not even to lust after other women. Christian sisters are to aid men by dressing modestly—in a bashful, proper manner that doesn’t display tempting skin. Job was a tremendous example of not lusting, as he would not even gaze upon a virgin. He had made a covenant with his eyes; Job 31:1.

I include amongst the covenants, the Mosaic laws of consequence, simply dubbed by me. You locate these consequences by promise in Deuteronomy 28:15f. God has guaranteed penalties throughout His Word for disobedience. One of these comeuppances taught that Israel would be led away captive by a foreign nation or nations if Israel chose to worship other gods. Imagine that! God fulfilled His Word to the Jews in Jeremiah’s time and previous to. The rules of this pact included the withdrawing of blessings if the Jews packed away the Mosaic covenant as old fashioned; if they no longer heeded it as they trekked in uppity, self-reliant society.

In the New Testament God never declares the church will be removed to captivity if she rebels, but God does promise discipline in Hebrews 12 and other texts. Believers are told they will reap what they sow in Galatians 6:7. God created the world in such a logical way that if a farmer plants corn seed; he will reap corn, not mint or any other produce. No one gets away with disobedience to God. Yes, there is forgiveness and renewal, but consequences can remain. For example, if a man murders a person and becomes a Christian in prison, he is not automatically set free to rejoin society.

The Davidic Covenant entails David’s throne and it being everlasting. Christ is the final true King of the Davidic line who will rule over all the earth from Jerusalem as previously stated.

There is also the Marriage Covenant. In Proverbs 2:17 God speaks of marriage as a covenant made with Him, that of lifetime commitment—high fidelity. Christ reaffirmed this covenant of lifetime faithfulness in the New Testament.

The final approaching covenant is that of Jeremiah 31:31, where God reveals “This is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days, I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.”

In Jeremiah 11:5, we observe God reiterating His covenant of the Promised Land being theirs. Israel was once their homeland of milk and honey. A blessing they threw away, causing it to be transformed from an oasis to a desert as witnessed today. Jeremiah asserts this blessing of Holy Land ownership by proclaiming “Amen, O Lord.”

The church was once a place of blessed truth, but it has become a wasteland of doctrinal failure.

Verse 6 is God’s command to Jeremiah to be a street preacher or open-air evangelist. My husband I partook in open-air evangelism down south in Georgia and Tennessee in ‘82. We stood on street corners in cities presenting the Gospel to whoever would listen through preaching and testimonies. When we presented the Gospel outside the World’s Fair in Knoxville, the police wanted to arrest us, but could find no grounds. (No, I did not preach, simply gave my testimony; though I did teach children in housing projects) We didn’t cover as much territory as Jeremiah who had to proclaim God’s Word in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem and to many nations.

It is wonderful to proclaim God’s Word in the open-air. However, Jeremiah didn’t have a trained group of people assisting him. He was basically alone and always the unwanted one. He was not fashionably dressed, manicured, or prepped to impress. No one desired to hear His words from God, as they were not walking in the heavenly talk.

God stresses in verse 6, that they are not to be simply hearers of the Word but doers. This is reiterated in James 1:22 for us today.

God loves His people; this is why He consistently warned them to obey His voice; verse 7. He didn’t want to survey the Jews suffering the consequences of disobedience to His covenants and teachings.

God re-stresses His covenant in verse 8, which is over and over again presented in this section. God says these Jews are stubborn—never wanting to obey. We see they walked after the “imaginations of their evil heart.” This is Christianity today as well. Christians are commanded to dwell on truth, but they prefer the imagined. This is why they crave to be entertained. God says in the last days people will turn to fables. It is unbelievable the silly made up things I have heard taught in churches and how often fable Hollywood productions are referred to as if they are real. Yes, we live in a day like Jeremiah’s.

In Jeremiah’s era and in ours, we see men accepting men’s teachings and rejecting God’s. The Jews had a form of religion in Jeremiah’s time, as do many people in the world today. We have observed that the Jews were still worshipping on Saturday, sacrificing and tithing; but disobeying other areas of the covenant.

God continues in verses 9-10, addressing the fact the Jews were breaking His covenant, which stated they were not to set any other gods before them. God says it is “a conspiracy” because they conspire to break His holy law. These are strong words but very true whenever one finds ways to disobey God and justify it. It reveals the inner heart of disobedience as it devises ways to defy the Lord and His oracles. It all stems from pride in man believing his teachings and ways are superior to God’s. As I have dealt with the false doctrines in churches and elsewhere, it is obvious that it is a conspiracy against the God of the Bible. His power of truth removed from the scene is a deliberate conspiracy.

The Jews probably enlisted excuses to shun Jeremiah’s words, perhaps saying, “Well, that was what Moses wrote, but that was simply his opinion.” Such logic is proclaimed today when people want to disobey the New Testament. They will state, “Well, that was just Paul’s opinion.” When they contend the Bible, they never say, “Those are God’s words,” they just name Bible authors. They forget the Word is God-breathed not man-made. Many false movements are in Christendom today because they remove the true Author—God when disputing the Word. They may challenge by claiming that was Paul’s or John’s perspective; never saying, “That was God’s perspective” when in dispute with the Word.

We can tell by reading verse 10 how God is feeling about all this as these Jews turn back to pagan ways. It’s akin to society deciding it wants to live like ancient native Indians and follow the New Age religion, but everyone knows it is the old age religion of paganism with a new name. It’s the way of insanity.

God cannot understand why the Jews are desiring this sinful insanity, turning from Him to images; living as their crude ancestors lived. It all represents the broken covenant. Like one would break their marriage covenant so has Judah, desiring freedom and new lovers. The sadness of God can be assessed throughout these verses.

Verse 11 surges into God’s dealings as justice must be handed down from the Judge of judges. It is the sentence of inescapable disaster. When the unsaved stand before God at the close of earthly time (Revelation 20:11-15), they will also be handed a sentence of inescapable disaster. The people whom Jeremiah addressed are ones we will possibly see in the future, if we are allowed to view all judgments. John the Apostle may have seen some of them when he viewed the judgment seat of Christ as he stepped into the time tunnel of future events.

When the disaster of Babylonian invasion arises and God takes no heed of their cries, they will run to their lifeless gods, as there will be nowhere else to turn; verse 12. What a scene can be set before us as we envision the invading enemy and these Jews bowed before their little wooden people begging them to stop the conquering terror. Their gods were no different from the wooden carved toy soldiers of children’s play.

God, being the wise God that He is, lets the diminutive Jews know they cannot stop massive Babylon from invading. Now wouldn’t they know this? Well, time changes but not people. Jews then and believers today can believe you’re ok and I’m ok philosophies and proclaim them. However, in time of distress, positive thinking will not bring any comfort nor produce true answers. Repenting from the ways of society and only following Biblical doctrine is the answer to all adverse circumstances for all ages. Living on the fringe of drifting clouds of ever-changing agendas is endless fluff.

In verse 13 God addresses how many gods they serve; nothing escapes His notice. Today’s ecumenical movement encompasses all religions with many slants on believism. Judah claimed to follow God but all the other gods of other nations as well. It was tolerance then and it is still called tolerance today. If you go to the internet and research the World Council of Churches, you may readily read the Gospel. Unfortunately, as you continue on in your research, you will grasp their agenda that all religions on the earth are to be accepted. They want to sound Christian to lure you into the same falseness that reigned in Jeremiah’s time. Most false religions will spout a bit of the Gospel to appear to be true. We must beware of satan’s devices. There is only one true God and He is the God of the Bible with no additions and subtractions.

Wow, is verse 14 powerful or not? Jeremiah can no longer pray for his people; he can no longer intercede for their repentance or salvation! What a thing to be told as he so loves his fellow Jews. This is repeated from chapter 7, verse 16. Obviously, it is very tempting for one to desire to pray for those they love. It would be a hardship on me to be told this. When we studied chapter 7, we saw how the same command is taught in the New Testament in 1 John 5:16-17. These were obviously very wayward New Testament believers that John was referring to, not being spirit-filled and living only for Christ.

In verse 15, God says His beloved has no right in His house or temple. She, His people, were coming to His house unwashed, bearing hearts and minds filled with worldly vileness. They were filthy and lewd in their activities. Here we see an image of temple-life. They were coming to the temple sacrificing spotless lambs to cover their lewd sins and then rejoicing in forgiveness. God, however, was saying NO to forgiveness, being they had no change of heart; there was no turning away from the vile world and its lewd ways. The LORD knew they were not sincere. They did not desire their hearts to be washed, displaying purity. There was no pursuit to live lives in holiness and separation.

Our pastor relayed on Sunday the conversation between father and son when he was a tike and caught in transgression. When his father confronted him, he would humbly claim he was sorry. His wise father would respond with “Don’t be sorry, be different.” This is God’s desire for everyone when they come to Him admitting their sin and seeking forgiveness.

I heard a testimony of a former Catholic who had regularly attended a Catholic church drunk. He sometimes had to be carried forward to take the eucharist. He sadly revealed, sometimes he was so drunk they had to force it down his throat. He was so grateful to be set free of religiosity through Jesus Christ. Religion cannot save, only the Jesus Christ of the Bible can deliver from sin and save unto eternal life. Works and religiosity cannot save! People are empowered to obey God as they are saved; they receive the Holy Spirit who enables righteousness.

To gain more understanding of God’s hurt heart regarding the Jews in the book of Jeremiah, let us relate it to marriage. It would be similar to a husband coming home and finding his wife with other men on a continual basis. She, being a violator of their lifetime marriage covenant, would be thrown out with her lovers.

This actually occurred with Hosea, as we observe in the book of Hosea in the Bible. But he, holding a patient and enduring heart like God’s, never gave up on his adulterous wife and eventually she came home to only him. Ultimately, beloved Israel will come home to only one God in the millennial kingdom. The Lord’s faithful devotion to His people will blossom into true united love one day!

Verse 16 of Jeremiah chapter 11, speaks of the wondrous poetic love God had for Israel in His calling and choosing her as His nation that was to be an example of God’s truth. He testifies of her beauty comparing Israel to a green olive tree that bears beautiful fruit. This short, amiable poetic phrase of love states volumes of God’s fondness for Israel. This nation was to bear beautiful fruit of faithfulness for her gracious husbandman, but she refused. Removing this bad tree (Judah) is the only solution, ensuring God’s holy name will no longer be disgraced by rotten hypocrisy.

Matthew 7:15-20 speaks of God dealing with bad fruit, specifically the false prophets or teachers who will come into our churches bearing false doctrine that contradicts the Word of Truth. These can even be pastors. We must be learned believers so we recognize false doctrine when it is spoken by any person in a church or Christian setting. Congregations need to be studying the Word as much as possible, setting aside desires to be entertained and enticed by every trendy mode.

I have heard plenty of vile doctrine in my day from teachers and pastors in Bible-believing churches. It is usually spoon-fed to a congregation or class. I am always tremendously hurt when I hear congregational members who have been indoctrinated or brainwashed. They, like mocking birds, mimic the apostate teachings without question. They willingly turn from inerrant Scripture because they enjoy sinful man’s teachings or because they are totally ignorant of the Word and will believe anything a leader will speak. Church attendees today love to be enticed by fleshly men. Our churches need continual intercession for holy discernment so members can be a peculiar people to this world.

Christ proclaims in Matthew 7 that false teachers will be cut down and burned. Christ warns that we will know these false ones by their fruits. They will not be bearing righteous fruits of solid teaching. They will speak words that confuse, being out of alignment with the Bible. Those who follow them will also teach doctrines that contradict true Scripture and their lives will not be holy and conformed to true Bible theology. They will be as the confused world. The true and living God never rears confusion.

In Jeremiah, we are dealing with the false teachings that crept into the nation Israel. The common Jewish hearers allowed themselves to be influenced through compromise as seen in verse 17. They willingly followed the false deity—Baal—their main form of counterfeit worship. Their religious leaders would not condemn any idolatry, but also partook and propagated many false gods and doctrines.

Today pastors will not condemn Catholicism—a religion that worships idols and false deities. Catholicism is a mystic religion of idolatry. (Mysticism involves magical endeavors.) Unfortunately, the Catholic Church is prospering in America and around the world. It is growing in my area. It owns over a billion members and gains ten million converts a year. I am familiar with a Bible church that supported one of their members turning to Catholicism. It was a terrible incident of compromise. I have seen reputable (though not in my eyes) Christian organizations and famous Christians (so-called) implement Catholic writers and speakers. The Christian church is promoting Catholicism. This was unheard of over a half century ago. Catholicism was condemned for its idolatry in Bible teaching churches. I believe many are turning to this mystic cult because it is now uplifted by the Christian church in general. Demonic mysticism is being sought today in countless forms, as it was in Jeremiah’s day. Satan is having a heyday as he observes the apostasy of the church.

Turning back to Jeremiah, we observe the Jews would believe anything they heard from the temple preachers, excepting Jeremiah—the religious nut. What self-respecting religious person would ever want to associate with him? They wanted their idols, a liberal living mode and social acceptability. They did not desire to hear Jeremiah proclaim the condemning Word of God that is sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing deep within them to convict, as it is quick and powerful—more potent in intent than any experienced attacking warrior. It delves deep within, exposing the thoughts and intentions of the heart; Hebrews 4:12. It is intrusive!

We also perceive from this verse, that their lewdness was performed by choice as they did it against themselves knowingly. They were without excuse.

In verse 18, we enter a section that deals with a personal situation of Jeremiah’s, that of persecution. Jeremiah stands alone for God and His pure Word, resulting in the people desiring his demise. They want to do him in. One uncompromising voice is one too many in the eyes of these idolaters. I have noted that if there is only voice disputing evil, satan still wants it silenced and he will hit it with all his might.

God graciously lets Jeremiah in on the schemes of these wayward Jews. He identifies all our thoughts and desires. Not one of our thoughts escapes God’s notice. This is why we must take every thought captive in obedience to Christ. I know, I must confess my evil thoughts whenever they arise; those contrary to Christ’s righteous ways. I must not walk in mindless futility. I am thankful I serve a forgiving God who is full of mercy and grace.

Matthew 9:4 speaks of Christ knowing the evil thoughts of the scribes who desired to silence Him. These thoughts arose from their wicked hearts. Man is unable to keep anything from the Creator of all.

Jeremiah 11:19 addresses the humble scope of Jeremiah. He was a gentle lamb, yet his opponents were planning to lead him to the slaughter. We witness the gentle spirit of Jeremiah; he only desired God’s truth proclaimed. He held no desire for fame and fortune. He walked in meekness and lowliness of heart. Christ, being perfect, walked more humbly than Jeremiah on this earth.

Our God had to be led to the slaughter as a gentle lamb; it was part of His plan. When the Jews murdered Christ, they believed He would be remembered no more. He is worshipped now and will be through all eternity.

Though Jeremiah’s community desired he be led to the slaughter, it was not part of God’s plan. Jeremiah lived a long life though filled with persecution, pain and rejection. Jeremiah did not have true faithful members of a church to encourage him on, though He did have the LORD and He is more than adequate!

True Christians must uphold and encourage those who stand true to the Word. Such stamina is a difficult thing to maintain in this day and age. We do not desire that faithful believers fall by the wayside due to obstacles. All of us must make sure we are dressing in the full armor of God daily with the Sword of the Word outstretched; Ephesians chapter 6.

Jeremiah had no idea of the evil plan of these conspirators; verse 19. Here we see Jeremiah represented by a tree—a good tree that bears profitable fruit of righteousness. It was this good tree the Jews desired to cut down. It doesn’t look good if all the trees in an orchard are dead but one. This is not complete conformity. The odd one must be done away with even if it is the only one bearing fruit. Today the church must look like the world so it doesn’t appear separated or different. It must speak the rhetoric of the world; bear the sensual dress of the world, own the materialistic mentality, etc., even though the world is a dead tree that is going to burn along with all its paraphernalia. I have noted that if there is one live person in a dead church, the leadership and others will do all in its power to remove this righteous voice.

These Hebrews foolishly believe if they stifle Jeremiah and his godly preaching, his messages will be contemplated no more. However, whatever God desires to remain will remain. Jeremiah’s body has long gone to dust, though not by their hands. He is still remembered, his words are still preached and he is residing with the LORD in paradise. This cannot be stated of the Jews who followed false teachings of compromise.

Jeremiah wants God’s vengeance unleashed in verse 20. He wants his enemies avenged so life will be easier, so he doesn’t have to live in constant fear. The natural man always desires the easy, flowery path. Pain and rejection are not fun. It is not pleasurable having to look behind you continually, wondering if the person following you conceals a deadly knife. But all those who live godly are told they will be persecuted and Jeremiah greatly was. New Testament believers are taught to rejoice in deadly persecution; we are privileged to share in Christ’s pain.

Verse 21 addresses the pleasant and undisturbed life—just quit telling the truth of God and you will not be bothered. Jeremiah can choose this route, being hatefully offered by the men who live in his hometown of Anathoth. The people of Anathoth represent Jeremiah’s neighbors and family; this being where Jeremiah was raised; 1:1. This was where the priests resided. Jeremiah’s father was a priest and Jeremiah was part of the priestly line. It is Jeremiah’s own who want to bring forth his demise.

Jeremiah responds with a “no.” He will not succumb to their threats and promise of life for silence. He continues to expose the lies that contradict Scripture! He preaches the doom of the priests who live in Anathoth. They will pay for misrepresenting God and rejecting His prophet. This assured to Jeremiah by the LORD. His justice is coming and all those who desire Jeremiah’s demise will perish by the sword and their sons and daughters by famine. No one gets away with sin. God will not even permit a remnant to remain in the area of Anathoth.

In Revelation, believers will await the vengeance of God on those who persecuted them and it will come.

In the One who asks us to stand alone on the B-i-b-l-e,

Val