Jeremiah 33:3 2/26

I met our guest blogger, Teresa McNerlin, in Honduras at a missionary conference–we had an instant God-friendship. We had both adopted internationally, we were both working with Foster Care (in different capacities), we were both going through some similar struggles and both depending on God for some answers. I love how God brought our families together and I still treasure our friendship even though we now live many miles apart. Teresa loves others like Jesus and doesn’t mind doing the “dirty work” to share his love. She has the gifts of hospitality and encouragement; her life is a reflection of these. I hope your heart is as blessed as mine was from her words. Read below …

God’s Arms are Always Open

My sweet friend from Honduras asked me to write a bit about my favorite scripture.  I have several that have been my touchstones during my walk with the Lord.  One that means the world to me is Jeremiah 33:3. “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” I didn’t come to know the Lord until I was 40, although I was raised in the church. Crazy thing is; I had no idea a relationship with him was possible.  Once that relationship started, the Lord has been so kind to me, speaking in a way that I could understand.  Jeremiah 33:3 is one of those ways.  I need this assurance today more than ever because the place that I find myself in is uncharted territory for me.

My husband I have been married for 40 years.  We have literally been around the world, moved 23 times, raised both our children from a previous marriage, almost got divorced half way through our marriage, adopted 5 children from Russia as empty nesters and recently spent 4 years in Honduras on the mission field.  To say I’m tired, and maybe a bit confused might be an understatement.  I tell you that to tell you this…God’s arms are always open.  I know in times like these…He is there, always and forever with open arms ready to receive me in whatever state I’m in.  (literally and spiritually)

We have dear friends that spoke over us on 03/03/03.  And yes, it was Jeremiah 33:3.  “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” 

When I see the number 333, I know the Lord is speaking to me.  He has done it over and over for years and I am comforted.  I have enough stories to fill a book and when I share them, other people start seeing the same number also.  I don’t believe in numerology (the branch of knowledge that deals with the occult significance of numbers).  I don’t search the Bible and try to extract things that aren’t there.  I just know that when I see 333 I am reminded that God is always with me, even to the ends of the earth.  In the world we live in today, that is a great comfort to me.  There are many numbers in the Bible and the number 3 represents some amazing things.  Things I want to remember, study and cling to in times of uncertainty.  

 3 Symbolizes the triune nature of God. By no surprise, three can also represent completeness. Three may also represent God’s perfect design as there are three heavens (2 Cor. 12:2), three time frames (past, present, future), three points of measurement (beginning, middle, end), three kinds of sacrifice (sin, peace, and praise), three kinds of laws (moral, ceremonial, and civil), three things that were placed in the Ark of the Covenant (Ten Commandments, Aaron’s staff, and a jar of manna), three gifts of grace (faith, hope, and love), and three parts to salvation (justification, sanctification, and glorification)… (and many more) (cross-examined.org)

As God was speaking to Jeremiah about the promise of restoration (after he told him what He was going to do about the wickedness in the city) He said this:  33:6-9  “Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security.  I will bring Judah and Israel back from captivity and will rebuild them as they were before.  I will cleanse them from all the sin they have committed against me and will forgive all their sins of rebellion against me. Then this city will bring me renown, joy, praise and honor before all nations on earth that hear of all the good things I do for it; and they will be in awe and will tremble at the abundant prosperity and peace I will provide for it.” God had a plan, and a purpose for His people.  God was assuring Jeremiah that he only had to call on God and he would answer him.  When we ask, we are acknowledging that God and God alone can accomplish what we cannot.  Asking is also an act of humbleness on our part, knowing whatever His answers are, he has a plan for us also. 

I absolutely love the above verses.  I want my life to reflect them.  I am by no means a Bible scholar; I am a modest teacher and a lover of Jesus.  The older I get, the more I need Him and the more I realize He has so much more for  me.  Yet in the “more” I have to surrender more of  me.  More repentance, more prayer, more patience with others, more love (yes, that’s a big one), more pondering, more slowing down and more of whatever it is He wants me to do.  I know that He doesn’t ‘need’ me to do anything more.  I just want to do more because He has given me everything.  I always tell my girls, “I don’t have to…I get to.”  The main thing I believe He wants from me is not just “more of” but ALL of my heart.  Just as I want this from others, I believe it must start with me. 

I have thoughts, feelings, and questions brewing in me like I’ve never had before. I’ve been so sure the last 20 years about what God has called us to do.  I’ve seen him provide everything we need and infinitely more than we deserve.  Our adoptions were crazy yet a miracle…and our time in Honduras was difficult (personally) yet the most wonderful time of my life. 

My husband and I started a new “Freedom” Bible Study yesterday, and the group consisted of a few younger women, but most were in their 60’s through their 80’s.  I found that amazing…we are all bound up in some way or another, and God wants to set us free…completely free…at any age or stage of our lives.  John 10:10 tells us “The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy.  I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”  And in Galatians 5:1 He tells us, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.  Stand firm, then; and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

His arms are always open…ready to receive us.   To bring us back from the captivity that we have been in or find ourselves in currently.  His Word is true, there for us and the only place we can find true comfort, peace and joy.  No matter the circumstances, no matter the obstacles, no matter what life hands us, we have His promises and they are good! 

My heart is so full, yet I know there are things in there that need to be purged out in Jesus Name.  Things I have believed that are not true.  Scriptures that I misunderstood.  People that I have not loved the way Jesus has commanded me to do.  I truly believe that as those things are extracted from my heart, there will be more room for the goodness of God and the things He has for me and mine.  You’ve all heard the saying, “we are a work in progress”…praise God He knows and never ever gives up on us…even as we can give up on ourselves.  No matter where you are, no matter where you have been, none of that defines who you are, nor WHOSE you are.  I pray for each and every one of you to be set free in Jesus Name and to “Call to Him and He will answer you and teach you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”

All my love, tjmc