Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living - The Global of the Nazarene's Foundry Publishing House in Kansas City, Missouri, United States for Tuesday, 24 July 2018 "A Friend of God" by Tim Gates - Jeremiah 31:10-20.

Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living - The Global of the Nazarene's Foundry Publishing House in Kansas City, Missouri, United States for Tuesday, 24 July 2018 "A Friend of God" by Tim Gates - Jeremiah 31:10-20.
Jeremiah 31:9 (10) Nations, hear the word of Adonai!
Proclaim it in the coastlands far away. Say:
“He who scattered Isra’el is gathering him,
guarding him like a shepherd his flock.”
10 (11) For Adonai has ransomed Ya‘akov,
redeemed him from hands too strong for him.
11 (12) They will come and sing on the heights of Tziyon,
streaming to the goodness of Adonai,
to the grain, the wine, the olive oil,
and the young of the flock and the herd.
They themselves will be like a well-watered garden,
never to languish again.
12 (13) “Then the virgin will dance for joy,
young men and old men together;
for I will turn their mourning into joy,
comfort and gladden them after their sorrow.
13 (14) I will give the cohanim their fill of rich food,
and my people will be satisfied with my bounty,” saysAdonai.
14 (15) This is what Adonai says:
“A voice is heard in Ramah,
lamenting and bitter weeping.
It is Rachel weeping for her children,
refusing to be comforted for her children,
because they are no longer alive.”
15 (16) This is what Adonai says:
“Stop your weeping, and dry your eyes,
for your work will be rewarded,” says Adonai.
“They will return from the enemy’s land;
16 (17) so there is hope for your future,” says Adonai.
“Your children will return
to their own territory.
17 (18) “I hear Efrayim bemoaning himself:
‘You disciplined me, and I took your discipline
like a young ox not used to a yoke.
Let me return, and I will return,
for you are Adonai, my God.
18 (19) Yes, I turned away;
but later I repented.
When I had been made to understand,
I struck my thigh in shame and remorse,
bearing the weight of the disgrace
acquired when I was young.’
19 (20) “Isn’t Efrayim my very dear son,
a child who delights me so?
I speak about him all the time,
I can’t help but recall him to mind.
In sum, I deeply yearn for him;
I will surely show him favor,” says Adonai. (Complete Jewish Bible)

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A young man faithfully led his family to church each week. One weekend they were invited to the lake to stay with friends. They enjoyed it so much they bought a cabin. Every weekend from May through September, it became all about the lake.
One day his nine-year-old daughter said, “Daddy, why is it that we love God all year long but we forget about him in the summer? Do you think he has forgotten us?” His heart was broken. He was convicted that he was teaching his family they could love and serve God part of the year and then put God on hold the rest. He realized that, though God had not forgotten him, he was teaching his family to forget God. He sold the cabin!
John 15:15 says, “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friend.” Be reminded today that God knows you and loves you and He knows your name. He is your friend. He remembers you even when, at times, you fail to remember Him.

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Hymn for Today: "The Love of God" by Frederick M. Lehman.
1. The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled,
And pardoned from his sin.
Refrain: Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
The saints’ and angels’ song.
2. When hoary time shall pass away,
And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,
When men who here refuse to pray,
On rocks and hills and mountains call,
God’s love so sure, shall still endure,
All measureless and strong;
Redeeming grace to Adam’s race—
The saints’ and angels’ song. Refrain: Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
The saints’ and angels’ song. 
3. Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky. 
Refrain: Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
The saints’ and angels’ song. 
Thought for Today: Then my enemy would say, “I was able to beat him”;
and my adversaries would rejoice at my downfall.
But I trust in your grace,
my heart rejoices as you bring me to safety.
I will sing to Adonai, because he gives me
even more than I need. (Psalm 13:5)! (Complete Jewish Bible)).

Please pray: For the development of Christian leaders in Nigeria.

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