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When we founded this ministry in Arizona in the early 2000’s, it was at a time of a housing boom in Arizona. On any given morning, we could walk outside in the morning, and see a dozen cement trucks “spinning”, as well as a group of construction workers ready to pour the cement into a foundation of a new home. Think about it, a new house that someone will move into and turn the concrete, wood, and stucco into a home where they will raise their family and make memories.
The prophet Jeremiah saw such a day for the nation of Israel in Jeremiah 31:3-5 (NIV) ‘The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.
Again you will plant vineyards on the hills of Samaria; the
farmers will plant them and enjoy their fruit.
Again you will take up your timbrels and go out to dance with the joyful.
I will build you up again, and you, Virgin Israel, will be rebuilt.
God gave Jeremiah this vision at a time when there appeared to be only destruction. The Babylonian army had taken Israel into captivity. But God did not leave His children hopeless. This verse is a love poem from God, and a promise of a new covenant. The old covenant that God gave Moses was based on the observance of the law, but in this verse, God promises a new covenant which He will write into our hearts.
When we founded this ministry, we chose our founding verse to be about this new heart that God gives us. Ezekiel 36:26 (NIV)
‘I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. ‘
God puts His law inside of us so that we might be in fellowship with Him forever. At times, we have seen troubles we never could have imagined. Our hearts have been broken. But we found restoration in Jesus. Jesus loves us so much, and He wants us to be restored. Our favorite Bible teacher, Dr. J. Vernon McGee brings us this quote from the writer Cramer who wrote:
“The love of God toward us comes from love, and has no other cause above or beside itself, but is in God, and remains in God, so that Christ Who is in God is its Centre” (in Studies in the Prophecy of Jeremiah, G. Campbell Morgan, p. 167).
As one writer exclaimed, Jesus inaugurated this new covenant at the last supper. Jesus became the sacrifice so that we can have new hearts. Jesus proclaimed the new covenant in His body and His blood.
Where are you today? Are you lost? Do you feel that you need someone to show you love? Do you want a love that will never go away? God tells us “I have loved you with an everlasting love;
Try this love!
This video reminds us of the tremendous choir back at Green St. Presbyterian Church under the direction of “Miss D”
https://youtu.be/GLXeqvVsQ_s?si=uKNWqz25FlbR-gR-&t=15
We Love You,
Pastors Willie and Rochelle McIntosh
On Mission Every Day. Join us
- Learn the Word by reading our weekly blog.
- Write a comment, join us on social media or zoom meeting every Sunday at 2:30pm ET except the 2nd Sunday at 6:00PM (day subject to change).
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