Just how serious am I?

As I continue through the old testament I reflect upon how I hope that I would be much different than the Israelites, but deep down I know that I probably am not. Probably?

Jeremiah 7:8-12 NIV "'But look, you are trusting in deceptive words that are worthless. Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal and follow other gods you have not known, and then come and stand before me in this house, which bears my Name, and say, "We are safe"-safe to do all these detestable things? Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers to you? But I have been watching!' declares the LORD. 'Go now to the place in Shiloh where I first made a dwelling for my Name, and see what I did to it because of the wickedness of my people Israel.'"

If you can, take a little bit of time and study this from another version or paraphrase. Let this scripture come to life in your heart and your mind. We are living in troubling times and I, for one, do not want my Lord and Savior to tell me, "depart from Me, Yolanda, I never knew you." I want to be found being obedient to His word and decree's.

Grab your own bibles and take a peek at verses 13,14, & 15 because this causes me to sit and weep in my heart. I ponder just how serious am I? Perhaps you are now pondering this question as well? How easy it is to point fingers at others, or even in my mind judge them, perhaps even from time to time voicing my thoughts all the while, I myself am not any better. Verse 19 from the NLT just hit me in the face as I read from this chapter. I pray that this falls afresh on you as well, that we would sharpen one another, like iron.

"Am I the one they are hurting?” asks the Lord. “Most of all, they hurt themselves, to their own shame.”

God tells us over and over, friends, to obey Him & repent. When we do, He will hear us and be our God and we will be His people. Warning us over and over to do as He says.

Father God, I praise You for You. You are more than enough, You are the creator of the world. You spoke and things came into existence. There is power in Your words, in the breath that You exhale. Allow me to inhale Your exhale. Lord, I'm sorry that I have fallen so short and I ask that You forgive me. I am blessed beyond measure because of Your grace and mercy. May I exhale that grace and mercy onto ALL others. Father, I desire for You to be my God and that I would be Your people. I praise You and may my actions today, honor You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Lovingly as I continue to reach for Higher Grounds,
Yolanda