Jeff Klassen

Offering God's Gifts to Idols

Ezekiel 16:15-16 (NLT)
“But you thought your fame and beauty were your own. So you gave yourself as a prostitute to every man who came along. Your beauty was theirs for the asking.

God Hurts Over Our Idols

Ezekiel 6:9 (NLT)
Then when they are exiled among the nations, they will remember me. They will recognize how hurt I am by their unfaithful hearts and lustful eyes that long for their idols. Then at last they will hate themselves for all their detestable sins.

Seeking Great Things for Myself

Jeremiah 45:5 (NLT)
Are you seeking great things for yourself? Don’t do it! I will bring great disaster upon all these people; but I will give you your life as a reward wherever you go. I, the LORD, have spoken!’”

Wholeheartedness

John 6:9 (NLT)
“There’s a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?”

Boast Only That You Know God

Jeremiah 9:23-24 (NLT)
This is what the LORD says: “Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches.

God's "Broken" Heart

Jeremiah 3:19-20 (NLT)
“I thought to myself, ‘I would love to treat you as my own children!’ I wanted nothing more than to give you this beautiful land— the finest possession in the world. I looked forward to your calling me ‘Father,’ and I wanted you never to turn from me.

God Has Shown Us Ourselves (Act 3)

Isaiah 64:6-7 (NLT)
We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away like the wind.

Determined to do What God Says

Isaiah 50:7 (NLT)
Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I will not be put to shame.

Be Still and Know

Psalm 46:10 (NLT)
“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”

Stay Away From Idols

Hosea 14:3 (NLT)
Assyria cannot save us, nor can our warhorses. Never again will we say to the idols we have made, ‘You are our gods.’ No, in you alone do the orphans find mercy.”

Hosea 14:8 (NLT)
“OIsrael, stay away from idols! I am the one who answers your prayers and cares for you. I am like a tree that is always green; all your fruit comes from me.”

God, Not Mortal

Hosea 11:3-4 (NLT)
I myself taught Israel how to walk, leading him along by the hand. But he doesn’t know or even care that it was I who took care of him.

Hosea 11:8-9 (NLT)
“Oh, how can I give you up, Israel? How can I let you go? How can I destroy you like Admah or demolish you like Zeboiim? My heart is torn within me, and my compassion overflows.

Wholeheartedness

2 Chronicles 31:21 (NLT)
In all that he did in the service of the Temple of God and in his efforts to follow God’s laws and commands, Hezekiah sought his God wholeheartedly. As a result, he was very successful.

God is Moved Toward Mercy

Micah 7:18 (NLT)
Where is another God like you, who pardons the guilt of the remnant, overlooking the sins of his special people? You will not stay angry with your people forever, because you delight in showing unfailing love.

Don't Fear What Others Fear

Isaiah 8:11-13 (NLT)
The LORD has given me a strong warning not to think like everyone else does. He said,

Success Turns to Pride

2 Chronicles 26:15-16 (NLT)
And he built structures on the walls of Jerusalem, designed by experts to protect those who shot arrows and hurled large stones from the towers and the corners of the wall. His fame spread far and wide, for the LORD gave him marvelous help, and he became very powerful.

Wholeheartedness

2 Chronicles 25:2 (NLT)
Amaziah did what was pleasing in the LORD’s sight, but not wholeheartedly.

2 Chronicles 25:8 (NLT)
If you let them go with your troops into battle, you will be defeated by the enemy no matter how well you fight. God will overthrow you, for he has the power to help you or to trip you up.”

Wisdom is Better than Strength

Ecclesiastes 9:16-18 (NLT)
So even though wisdom is better than strength, those who are wise will be despised if they are poor. What they say will not be appreciated for long.

Fearing People is a Trap

Proverbs 29:25 (NLT)
Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the LORD means safety.

When Doubts Fill My Mind

Psalm 94:18-19 (NLT)
I cried out, “I am slipping!” but your unfailing love, OLORD, supported me.

God Cares About Details

Psalm 37:23-24 (NLT)
The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.

What God is Really Like

Psalm 103:8 (NLT)
The LORD is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.

God Brings Us Back

2 Samuel 14:14 (NLT)
All of us must die eventually. Our lives are like water spilled out on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. But God does not just sweep life away; instead, he devises ways to bring us back when we have been separated from him.

God Gives Rest

Psalm 127:2 (NLT)
It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones.

Quieting Myself

Psalm 131:1-2 (NLT)
LORD, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty. I don’t concern myself with matters too great or too awesome for me to grasp.

Psalm 86:5

Psalm 86:5 (NLT)
OLord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help.