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LESSONS FROM THE TENTS OF THE RECHABITES PART 5B “PLANT NO VINEYARD” — WHEN PLEASURE COMPETES WITH PURPOSE

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LESSONS FROM THE TENTS OF THE RECHABITES PART 5B “PLANT NO VINEYARD” — WHEN PLEASURE COMPETES WITH PURPOSE Jeremiah 35:7 (KJV) “Neither shall ye… plant vineyard… but all your days ye shall dwell in tents; that ye may live many days in the land where ye be strangers.” Scriptural Focus “ Plant no vineyard ” was not a rejection of enjoyment or reward. It was a discipline of restraint. A vineyard represents long-term pleasure, reward, and personal enjoyment. God was not denying them fruit — He was preventing distraction. The Rechabites were taught not to organize their lives around pleasure. Meaning in Our Time and Dispensation Spiritual Dimension — When Pleasure Weakens Discipline Vineyards take time, care, and attention. Spiritually, they represent pursuits that slowly compete with devotion. Pleasure is not sinful — but unchecked pleasure can silence conviction. Lesson : Anything that weakens your hunger for God must be examined. Physical Dimension — Discipline Over Indulgence Vineyards ...
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LESSONS FROM THE TENTS OF THE RECHABITES PART 5A “BUILD NO HOUSE” — THE DANGER OF SETTLING TOO COMFORTABLY

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LESSONS FROM THE TENTS OF THE RECHABITES PART 5A “BUILD NO HOUSE” — THE DANGER OF SETTLING TOO COMFORTABLY Jeremiah 35:7 (KJV) “Neither shall ye build house… but all your days ye shall dwell in tents; that ye may live many days in the land where ye be strangers.” “ Build no house ” was not a condemnation of houses. It was a discipline of detachment. God was not afraid of buildings — He was guarding hearts. For the Rechabites, a house symbolized permanence, ownership, and settling down. Their instruction reminded them: “ You are strangers here. Don’t forget that.” Meaning in Our Time and Dispensation Spiritual Dimension — Guarding Against Spiritual Complacency A “ house ” today represents comfort that dulls hunger for God. When believers settle too comfortably, prayer sometimes weakens, urgency fades, and obedience becomes optional. The tent mindset says: “ I am passing through. I must stay spiritually alert.” Lesson : Comfort must never replace consecration. Physical Dimension — When S...
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LESSONS FROM THE TENTS OF THE RECHABITES PART 4 — “WE WILL DRINK NO WINE”: THE POWER OF GENERATIONAL DISCIPLINE

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LESSONS FROM THE TENTS OF THE RECHABITES PART 4 — “WE WILL DRINK NO WINE”: THE POWER OF GENERATIONAL DISCIPLINE Jeremiah 35:6 (KJV) “But they said, We will drink no wine: for Jonadab the son of Rechab our father commanded us, saying, Ye shall drink no wine, neither ye, nor your sons for ever.” In Part 3, we saw the Rechabites face temptation — wine offered openly in the house of the LORD. Now comes the decisive moment. Their answer is short, clear, and unwavering: “ We will drink no wine. ” This is obedience not to convenience, but to a principle handed down from their ancestor, Jonadab. Faithfulness crosses generations. Scriptural Focus The Rechabites’ refusal was rooted in instruction from their father. This was not blind tradition — it was deliberate, remembered, and respected. Their obedience was wholehearted, including sons and daughters. Generational discipline had become a lifestyle, not just a rule. Spiritual Dimension — Legacy of Obedience Obedience to God begins with faithful...
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LESSONS FROM THE TENTS OF THE RECHABITES PART 3 — WINE ON THE TABLE: THE TEST OF DISCIPLINE

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LESSONS FROM THE TENTS OF THE RECHABITES PART 3 — WINE ON THE TABLE: THE TEST OF DISCIPLINE Jeremiah 35:5 (KJV) “And I set before the sons of the house of the Rechabites pots full of wine, and cups, and I said unto them, Drink ye wine.” In Part 2, we saw the Rechabites brought into the house of the LORD — a sacred and visible place where integrity would be observed. Now comes the moment of choice. Cups are filled. Temptation is set before them. What seemed private now becomes a test. Obedience is no longer theoretical; it is practical, immediate, and tangible. Scriptural Focus God commanded Jeremiah to offer wine to the Rechabites — something they had been instructed never to drink. This was not a mere invitation; it was a test of their faithfulness, discipline, and loyalty. The Rechabites faced a choice: yield to convenience or honor ancestral instruction. Spiritual Dimension — Faith Tested by Opportunity Temptation often comes as an opportunity, not a threat. The Rechabites teach us ...
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LESSONS FROM THE TENTS OF THE RECHABITES PART 2 — BROUGHT INTO THE HOUSE OF THE LORD

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LESSONS FROM THE TENTS OF THE RECHABITES PART 2 — BROUGHT INTO THE HOUSE OF THE LORD Jeremiah 35:3–4 (KJV) “Then I took Jaazaniah the son of Jeremiah… and the whole house of the Rechabites;  And I brought them into the house of the LORD, into the chamber of the sons of Hanan… a man of God, which was by the chamber of the princes…” In Part 1, we saw that God begins correction by pointing to an example. Now, that example is no longer hidden. The Rechabites are brought into the house of the LORD — into a respected chamber, near leaders and authority. What was private obedience is now placed in public, sacred space. Integrity is about to be observed. Scriptural Focus Jeremiah gathers the entire household of the Rechabites and brings them into God’s house. This was deliberate. Obedience was not tested in isolation but in a place of honor, visibility, and expectation. God did not expose them to embarrass them. He exposed them to reveal them. Spiritual Dimension — Faith That Survives Expo...
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LESSONS FROM THE TENTS OF THE RECHABITES PART 1: WHEN GOD CALLS FOR AN EXAMPLE

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LESSONS FROM THE TENTS OF THE RECHABITES PART 1 — WHEN GOD CALLS FOR AN EXAMPLE Jeremiah 35:1–2 (KJV) “The word which came unto Jeremiah from the LORD in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, saying, Go unto the house of the Rechabites, and speak unto them, and bring them into the house of the LORD…” Not every correction comes as rebuke. Sometimes, God corrects a people by pointing to another people. In Jeremiah 35, Judah is deep in rebellion, idolatry, and spiritual fatigue. Yet God does not begin with thunder. He begins with contrast. He tells Jeremiah: “Go to the house of the Rechabites.” God chooses a living illustration. Scriptural Focus “ The word which came unto Jeremiah from the LORD…” (v.1) This story begins with God speaking. Judgment is never God’s first language — instruction is. Spiritual Dimension God speaks before He strikes. Silence from God is more dangerous than correction. “…in the days of Jehoiakim king of Judah…” This was a season of moral decay an...
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THE FREEZER, THE FRIDGE & THE HOLY OF HOLIES PART 5: THE FINAL LAP — LIVING PRESERVED IN A SPOILING WORLD

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THE FREEZER, THE FRIDGE & THE HOLY OF HOLIES PART 5: THE FINAL LAP — LIVING PRESERVED IN A SPOILING WORLD Part 1 warned us that not all preservation is protection. Things can look fine while quietly decaying. 📖 “ Be watchful .” (Rev. 3:2) Part 2 showed us the danger of staying in the Outer Court — busy, visible, but not intimate. 📖 “ These people draw near… but their hearts are far .” (Isa. 29:13) Part 3 brought us into the Holy Place — illuminated, nourished, prayerful — yet still required vigilance. 📖 “ Take heed lest you fall .” (1 Cor. 10:12) Part 4 carried us beyond the veil into the Holy of Holies — the place of full preservation. 📖 “ Abide in Me .” (John 15:4) Now comes the hardest part. The Final Lap — Carrying the Presence Out. The priest did not live in the Holy of Holies forever. He entered, encountered God, and then came out to serve. 📖 “ You shall be My witnesses .” (Acts 1:8 – key phrase) Preservation is not escape. It is empowerment. From Presence to Practice Th...
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JUMPSTARTING YOUR LIFE—THE POWER OF DIVINE CONNECTIONS PART 8:WHEN IT’S TIME FOR AN UPGRADE—LETTING GO OF THE OLD TO EMBRACE THE NEW

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THE STORY: A FRIEND FACED WITH A HARD DECISION Romans 1:11-12 (NIV) "I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. Welcome to Part 8 of our Series, Jumpstarting Your Life: The Power of Divine Connection.  In Part 7 , we saw how my landlady’s son, who had once been stranded, later became a helper to another driver stuck in the mud . We learned that helping others after receiving help is a key principle of life , and sometimes, we must recognize when we need assistance instead of struggling alone. But what if the real issue isn’t about getting help but knowing when to move on? PART 8: WHEN IT’S TIME FOR AN UPGRADE—LETTING GO OF THE OLD TO EMBRACE THE NEW THE STORY: A FRIEND FACED WITH A HARD DECISION I have a friend named Kwame who had been driving an old car for years . It wasn’t just any car—it had been his first car, filled with memories. One day, after heavy rain, he...
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JUMPSTARTING YOUR LIFE—THE POWER OF DIVINE CONNECTIONS PART 1: WHEN LIFE REFUSES TO START

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THE STORY: A CAR THAT WOULDN’T START Romans 1:11-12 (NIV ) "I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith." One early morning, I was in my room when I noticed my landlady’s son struggling with his car. No matter how many times he turned the key, it refused to start. Minutes later, a co-tenant arrived with a car battery, connected it to his, and in seconds— boom ! The engine roared to life. It hit me: Sometimes, we need external help to restart what isn’t working in our lives. HAVE YOU EVER FELT STUCK? Just like that dead battery , life can sometimes feel like it just won’t start: Spiritually – Your passion for prayer and the Word feels drained. (“ Apart from Me, you can do nothing.” – John 15:5) Physically – You’re constantly exhausted, no matter how much you rest. (“Even youths grow weary, but those who wait on the Lord renew their strength.” – Isaiah 40:30-31...
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DEALING WITH DIABETIC WOUNDS – A BALANCED DEVOTIONAL SERIES PART 1: RECOGNIZING THE WOUND – THE FIRST STEP To HEALING

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DEALING WITH DIABETIC WOUNDS – A BALANCED DEVOTIONAL SERIES PART 1: RECOGNIZING THE WOUND – THE FIRST STEP To HEALING Revelation 2:4-5 "You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first."  Not every wound bleeds. Some deteriorate quietly beneath the surface—unseen, unfelt, and unspoken—until it's too late . Just like a diabetic wound that looks minor at first but spreads when ignored , many of life's deepest issues— spiritual, emotional, physical, and even national—start small . But delay is dangerous . Healing begins when we are humble and honest enough to recognize the wound. Key Scripture: " You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first." – Revelation 2:4-5 LIFE APPLICATION: Two years ago, a friend called me, asking for blood donation for his father-in-law, who was scheduled for a leg amputation at the 3...
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