Jeremiah 13:10-11
These wicked people, who refuse to listen to my words, who follow the stubbornness of their hearts and go after other gods to serve and worship them, will be like this belt—completely useless! For as a belt is bound around the waist, so I bound all the people of Israel and all the people of Judah to me,’ declares the Lord, ‘to be my people for my renown and praise and honor. But they have not listened.

 

I vividly remember listening to this sermon and to this day I haven’t found a more clear illustration in the Bible of what it’s like to cling to anything other than God and what actually happens when we do not live out our God given purpose. When the linen belt didn’t live out the purpose it was created for, it became useless! Read more…

Hebrews 10:36
For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise

 

Philippians 4:6-7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

At some point or another, we all experience change. Change is hard. I don’t think we talk about this enough or at all. Read more…

Genesis 17:18-19

And Abraham said to God, “If only Ishmael might live under your blessing!” Then God said, “Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him”.

It was by faith that Abraham left his place of comfort just trusting in God’s direction. This started the journey to what would be an everlasting covenant with God (Genesis 12:1-4). Read more…