Jeremiah 2:1-9

Jer 2:1  The word of the LORD came to me, saying, 

Jer 2:2  “Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem, Thus says the LORD, “I remember the devotion of your youth, your love as a bride, how you followed me in the wilderness, in a land not sown. 

Jer 2:3  Israel was holy to the LORD, the firstfruits of his harvest. All who ate of it incurred guilt; disaster came upon them, declares the LORD.” 

Jer 2:4  Hear the word of the LORD, O house of Jacob, and all the clans of the house of Israel. 

Jer 2:5  Thus says the LORD: “What wrong did your fathers find in me that they went far from me, and went after worthlessness, and became worthless? 

Jer 2:6  They did not say, ‘Where is the LORD who brought us up from the land of Egypt, who led us in the wilderness, in a land of deserts and pits, in a land of drought and deep darkness, in a land that none passes through, where no man dwells?’ 

Jer 2:7  And I brought you into a plentiful land to enjoy its fruits and its good things. But when you came in, you defiled my land and made my heritage an abomination. 

Jer 2:8  The priests did not say, ‘Where is the LORD?’ Those who handle the law did not know me; the shepherds transgressed against me; the prophets prophesied by Baal and went after things that do not profit. 

Jer 2:9  “Therefore I still contend with you, declares the LORD, and with your children's children I will contend. 

Jeremiah 2:10-13

Jer 2:10  For cross to the coasts of Cyprus and see, or send to Kedar and examine with care; see if there has been such a thing. 

Jer 2:11  Has a nation changed its gods, even though they are no gods? But my people have changed their glory for that which does not profit. 

Jer 2:12  Be appalled, O heavens, at this; be shocked, be utterly desolate, declares the LORD, 

Jer 2:13  for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water. 

1 John 5:20-21

1Jn 5:20  And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. 

1Jn 5:21  Little children, keep yourselves from idols. 

Idolatry can take two forms:

1.

2.

Ask God to help you remember your own paper burning and ignite the flame of freedom in your own heart. 

When we put people, stuff, status, or anything to promote fulfillment in our lives, we are exchanging counterfeits for our wonderful God!!

John 4:13-14

Joh 4:13  Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 

Joh 4:14  but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” 

Jeremiah 51:17-19

Jer 51:17  Every man is stupid and without knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols, for his images are false, and there is no breath in them. 

Jer 51:18  They are worthless, a work of delusion; at the time of their punishment they shall perish. 

Jer 51:19  Not like these is he who is the portion of Jacob, for he is the one who formed all things, and Israel is the tribe of his inheritance; the LORD of hosts is his name. 

Martyred missionary Jim Elliott said:

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”