Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

A Daily Devotional for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

12 August 2024

Reading From Jeremiah 23-25

“This is what the Lord Almighty says:

‘Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you;
    they fill you with false hopes.
They speak visions from their own minds,
    not from the mouth of the Lord.
They keep saying to those who despise me,
    ‘The Lord says: You will have peace.’
And to all who follow the stubbornness of their hearts
    they say, ‘No harm will come to you.’
But which of them has stood in the council of the Lord
    to see or to hear his word?
    Who has listened and heard his word’”

–Jeremiah 23:16-18

     One thing we know for sure is that God will never bless with peace those who despise Him unless they turn from their sinful ways and seek His forgiveness.  So when we hear prophets blessing those who curse God, we know they prophesy lies.  A true prophetic Word from the Lord does not have its origination in the sinful, fallen imaginations of men and women who crave money, power and the satisfaction of their own lusts.  God speaks and those who are faithful to listen may receive communication from Him and then share it with others. 

     Sometimes I know that a prophetic Word is from the Lord because it brings conviction of sin to my heart and inspires me to repent.  A message from someone’s flesh will not do that.  The sinful nature tells the sinful nature what the sinful nature wants to hear!  But our Father God will tell us not necessarily what we want to hear, but always what we need to hear and to apply to our lives in practical ways.  Yes, there are times when God sends encouragement to continue in the path we travel because we are following Him in obedience.  But as an imperfect human serving a perfect God, there are times when I need to be rebuked and a true prophet will do just that.

“Lord, thank You that You care enough about Your children to tell them the truth.  In fact, You are the Truth.  We need knowledge, wisdom and direction from Your Throne so that we can live our lives in such a way that pleases You and brings compassion and truth to others.  Convict us of sin, Holy Spirit.  Open our eyes to the aspects of our lives that do not please You that we would be guided to remove those things.  Replace the evil desires of our hearts with more and more of You.  Fill us up to overflowing with Your anointing we pray.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.

–II Timothy 4:3

Search me, God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
    and lead me in the way everlasting.

–Psalm 139:23-24

For no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

–II Peter 1:21