therefore, behold, days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when this place will no longer be called Topheth or the valley of Ben-hinnom, but rather the valley of Slaughter. Jeremiah 19:6

This is an interesting Chapter here because God is referring to the literal place valley of Ben-hinnom or “Gehenna”. This is the literal place Jesus talked about when he talked about “Hell” or original translation “Gehenna”

and have built the high places of Baal to burn their sons in the fire as burnt offerings to Baal, a thing which I never commanded or spoke of, nor did it ever enter My mind; Jeremiah 19:5

God declares this place is cursed, why? Lets look what happened here at Gehenna. Child sacrifice was a common practice here to the false gods of baal, tank, and molech. The bloodshed of innocent children has enraged God to the point he cursed this land. This place eventually became a fire pit where the Jewish people dumped and burned their garbage, discarded any dead bodies that were “unclean” or “unclaimed”

If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life crippled, than, having your two hands, to go into hell (Gehenna), into the unquenchable fire,  Mark 9:43

The original Greek word translated to “Hell” is “Gehenna” which is the valley of Ben-hinnom. When Jesus it talking about the “fires of Hell” he’s using the fires of Gehenna which is a literal place. A place that is cursed by God, that is total separation from God

Jesus uses Gehenna as a literal teaching for his audience because they are well aware of what this place is. The Lake of Fire is a literal place, anyone whos name is not written in the Book of Life is going there, make sure you have repented of your sins and made Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior!

Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.” John 20:29

Thomas spent over 3 years with Jesus in his inner circle. He witnessed many miracles performed, he even heard the direct teachings from Christ himself. However when Thomas heard from his fellow disciples that Jesus has risen from the dead, he would not believe them unless he saw Christ himself.

Because of this he received the nickname “Doubting Thomas”, was Jesus mad because Thomas asked him questions? No , because Jesus wants us to seek him, to seek truth! Its important to ask questions, and its important to seek answers.

Many will label Christians as not “Free Thinkers” or question how can you believe in something you haven’t seen? My question to them is “Have you ever investigated the historical evidence of Jesus?” “Have you ever studied the gospels and the historical reliability of the scriptures”? Most will say no, because the honest truth is they really are not seeking. Most people will just parrot what they see on the Internet or Social Media without giving it their own original thought

Do you believe in Love? Do you believe in the Wind? Do you believe the Earth is spinning around the Sun? These things we haven’t seen with our own eyes yet we believe them because they are true. We know these things are true because we have experienced them or we tested them.

It’s the same with Jesus, he is real and he has Risen to give you salvation. Will you seek him? Do you want to experience him? Have you tested his teaching from a historical reliability standpoint? Blessed as those who Trust in Jesus Amen!

You shall also say to this people, ‘Thus says the LORD, “Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death. Jeremiah 21:8

This scripture pretty much sums it up, God is the way between life and death. We like to believe that we can control our own destiny. We like to believe that we can save ourselves. However all of these are lies and self deception. To reject God is to reject your mortal soul!

A couple of Israelites (Pashur and Zephaniah) came to the prophet Jeremiah and told him “ Speak to God on our behalf, and tell him to destroy Babylon” How many of us today still do the same thing? We believe we can tell God what to do in our lives, we treat God like a genie to grant all of our wishes

However God had different plans, because the Israelites were so sinful and disobedient, he was going to allow the Babylonians to destroy them. Some might say “This is cruel” “How can God do this”, Israel never truly put their faith and trust in God. They only used him when they needed him.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. John 14:6

Fast forward to coming of Jesus Christ, who took the punishment for all our sins so we can be truly saved. God set the way of life and that is Jesus. Jesus is the only way to eternal life, all other ways lead to death!

God set before you the way, the truth, and the life Trust in Jesus Amen!

Why did I ever come forth from the womb To look on trouble and sorrow, So that my days have been spent in shame? Jeremiah 20:18

Jeremiah is known as the “weeping prophet” for good reason. He didn’t have an easy and luxurious life as a prophet, so much for prosperity gospel. In fact a high priest , Pashhur, had Jeremiah beaten and thrown in jail because he didn’t like what Jeremiah was saying (Jeremiah 20: 1-6)

People don’t like to hear the truth. People especially don’t like to hear the Word of God because it deals with our morality. Notice Pashhur is supposed to be a priest for God, yet he rejects the very words from God spoken through Jeremiah

O LORD, You have deceived me and I was deceived; You have overcome me and prevailed. I have become a laughingstock all day long; Everyone mocks me. Jeremiah 20:7

This has obviously taken its toll on Jeremiah. Everywhere Jeremiah goes to preach the Word of God, everyone mocks and laughs at him. His own family disowned him. Some of us might understand what Jeremiah is going through?

Often when we try to preach the Word of God, we find mockers and scoffers. Why? Because people have hardened their hearts to truth. People love their sin, they want to live in their sin, and they don’t want to hear anything about God

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. Matthew 16:24

Jesus said for his true disciples to “Take up their Cross and follow him”, Jeremiah bore his cross of humiliation and persecution. We must also do the same, we must not be afraid to risk it all, to speak the truth about God Amen!