1/11/13 Ezekiel 8-9
Ezekiel is taken to Jerusalem in a vision from God. In it he sees the abominations that Judah is committing. At the north gate is the idol of "jealousy" IN the court were carvings of unclean beasts and idols being worshiped by the 70 elders. At the gate of the Lord's house women were crying for Tammuz, a Syrian god. At the inner court 25 men turned their backs to the temple and worshiped the sun in the east. The Lord sums up this in 9:9 " The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is very, very great, and the land is filled with blood, and the city is full of perversion, for they say 'The Lord has forsaken the land and the Lord does not see!'"
The Glory of the Lord moves from the altar to the threshold of the temple. But before He leaves there is one more thing to be done. God sends a "man" to go through Jerusalem and mark the foreheads of the men who " sigh and groan over all the abominations which are being committed in its midst" These are spared, but all others are to be destroyed by the executioners.
Once again God proclaims that He will not pity or spare those who have rebelled against Him. "I shall bring their conduct upon their heads"
Too often in our culture people who have rejected God, lived selfish, unholy, sinful lives are deceived into thinking they can be spared God's judgement. God is Love. He is compassionate and good. How can He do evil by sending people to hell? But they fail to realize that God is perfectly Holy and Just. When we rebel and reject Him, when we do abominations before Him, thinking He does not see or that He is not here.... it is a sin that is very, very great in His eyes.
God will not leave the guilty unpunished. Period. But, He offers salvation by His Grace, through Jesus Christ. Our only Hope. "Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full into His wonderful face!"
God takes sin seriously. We need to see it through His eyes. Then we will fall on our faces and repent and ask Jesus to be our Saviour too. Thank you Lord for saving MY soul.
Friday, January 11, 2013
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
1/9/13 Ezekiel 6
4 times God declares "and you will know that I am the Lord". When all that God has said is fulfilled, they will know that He alone is Lord. When all their altars are broken down, when the remnant hate their own evil acts, when death is everywhere - by sword, plague, and famine; and when the land is desolate, a wilderness of waste. Judgement comes from God and His wrath will be spent. These results of judgement are clearly foretold and completed by God's Hand.
What would that look like to us today?
v 6 " In all your dwellings, cities will become waste and the high places will be desolate, .... that your idols may be broken and brought to an end, your incense altars may be cut down, and your works may be blotted out." Cities around the world, especially in the Middle East, are filled with bombed out, burned out buildings. Churches and Mosques are targets of terrorism. Sacred grounds are defiled. Would we see the many idols of Japan, India, China etc be swept away, perhaps like the destruction from the tsunami last year?
v9 " Then those of you who escape will remember Me among the nations to which they will be carried captive, how I have been hurt by their adulterous hearts which turned away from Me and by their eyes which played the harlot after their idols; and they will loathe themselves in their own sight for the evils which they have committed for all their abominations." Are there people even now that mourn their own evil actions? Could the high rate of suicide reflect the deep loathing of self for the evil acts that one has committed? Are those without hope in Jesus Christ wondering if God is punishing them and know that they deserve it?
v12 " He who is far off will die by the plague, and he who is near will fall by the sword, and he who remains and is besieged will die by the famine. Thus shall I spend My wrath on them" Death comes by one of these 3 avenues - disease, violence, or starvation. In America the top killers are heart disease, cancer, car accidents ( a sword of sorts?) In Africa disease and starvation have been rampant, but now violence has come to join forces against the people. In the Middle East violence is possible on any street, at any time, on any day.
V 13 says that when you find the dead slain among their idols... when they continue to worship the evil spirits in spite of the warnings.. they will die there. Many in our world worship the idols of drugs, alcohol, lust, etc. They go down that road of addictions and end up dead at the hand of these evils. Are these any different than the idols of ancient Israel?
Chapter 7 of Ezekiel repeats 5 times the idea that the judgement is "according to your ways". Their abominations will be brought upon them, according to their conduct and judgements they will receive back. They will reap what they have sown. Their wealth will not be able to rescue them, their pride will be turned to shame. It will be too late to find mercy and pity from the Lord. Position means nothing, for the king, priest, elder, or prince will tremble alike before the Lord's judgements.
"An end! The end is coming on the four corners of the land" v2. "The time has come, the day is near - tumult rather than joyful shouting on the mountains" v7
We also sense a nearing of the "end". A time when Christ shall return or a time when we leave this life for the next. We will face the Judge and He will "repay according to your ways" I tremble at the thought of facing the God Who is a consuming fire without the Righteousness of Jesus Christ to cover me. Oh wake up my friends and family who do not know the Lord Jesus Christ! Disaster is coming and without Christ there is NO pity and none will be spared. Listen to the Word of the Lord!
4 times God declares "and you will know that I am the Lord". When all that God has said is fulfilled, they will know that He alone is Lord. When all their altars are broken down, when the remnant hate their own evil acts, when death is everywhere - by sword, plague, and famine; and when the land is desolate, a wilderness of waste. Judgement comes from God and His wrath will be spent. These results of judgement are clearly foretold and completed by God's Hand.
What would that look like to us today?
v 6 " In all your dwellings, cities will become waste and the high places will be desolate, .... that your idols may be broken and brought to an end, your incense altars may be cut down, and your works may be blotted out." Cities around the world, especially in the Middle East, are filled with bombed out, burned out buildings. Churches and Mosques are targets of terrorism. Sacred grounds are defiled. Would we see the many idols of Japan, India, China etc be swept away, perhaps like the destruction from the tsunami last year?
v9 " Then those of you who escape will remember Me among the nations to which they will be carried captive, how I have been hurt by their adulterous hearts which turned away from Me and by their eyes which played the harlot after their idols; and they will loathe themselves in their own sight for the evils which they have committed for all their abominations." Are there people even now that mourn their own evil actions? Could the high rate of suicide reflect the deep loathing of self for the evil acts that one has committed? Are those without hope in Jesus Christ wondering if God is punishing them and know that they deserve it?
v12 " He who is far off will die by the plague, and he who is near will fall by the sword, and he who remains and is besieged will die by the famine. Thus shall I spend My wrath on them" Death comes by one of these 3 avenues - disease, violence, or starvation. In America the top killers are heart disease, cancer, car accidents ( a sword of sorts?) In Africa disease and starvation have been rampant, but now violence has come to join forces against the people. In the Middle East violence is possible on any street, at any time, on any day.
V 13 says that when you find the dead slain among their idols... when they continue to worship the evil spirits in spite of the warnings.. they will die there. Many in our world worship the idols of drugs, alcohol, lust, etc. They go down that road of addictions and end up dead at the hand of these evils. Are these any different than the idols of ancient Israel?
Chapter 7 of Ezekiel repeats 5 times the idea that the judgement is "according to your ways". Their abominations will be brought upon them, according to their conduct and judgements they will receive back. They will reap what they have sown. Their wealth will not be able to rescue them, their pride will be turned to shame. It will be too late to find mercy and pity from the Lord. Position means nothing, for the king, priest, elder, or prince will tremble alike before the Lord's judgements.
"An end! The end is coming on the four corners of the land" v2. "The time has come, the day is near - tumult rather than joyful shouting on the mountains" v7
We also sense a nearing of the "end". A time when Christ shall return or a time when we leave this life for the next. We will face the Judge and He will "repay according to your ways" I tremble at the thought of facing the God Who is a consuming fire without the Righteousness of Jesus Christ to cover me. Oh wake up my friends and family who do not know the Lord Jesus Christ! Disaster is coming and without Christ there is NO pity and none will be spared. Listen to the Word of the Lord!
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
1/8/13 Ezekiel 4 The siege of Jerusalem. Ezekiel is given instructions to build a model of Jerusalem under siege. Then he is bound by God to lie on his left side for 390 days! A day for each year of Israel's iniquity. After that he is to lay on his right side for 40 more days, indicating Judah's 40 years of iniquity. He is given instructions for food and water, a bread made of wheat, barley, millet, spelt, beans, and lentils. About 10 ounces of bread, of the lowest, coarsest type of bread and about 8 oz of water.. a day. Barely enough to keep one alive, illustrating what will happen in Jerusalem. Ezekiel willingly agrees to this taxing assignment, except for one thing, using human dung to cook his bread. He doesn't want to let this uncleanness into his life, yet he doesn't ask God for anything or doesn't call himself too good for it. But the Lord is gracious and allows cow dung to be used instead.
I can't imagine life for Ezekiel for this year + of laying on his side. Through the days and nights, through rain and cold, through the heat of summer. How many animals got into his store of meal? How did he deal with personal hygiene?
Ch. 5 Next Ezekiel is told to use a sword to cut the hair of his head and beard. A third is burned, a third is struck with a sword and a third is thrown to the wind. God is using this to illustrate what will happen in Jerusalem. Because of their rebellion and sin, their wickedness and rejection of His law and authority, judgement is coming. A third of the people will die by the plague or famine, a third will be killed by the sword, and a third will be scattered. The anger and wrath of God is like no other. Fathers will eat their children and children their fathers. Death will be everywhere. The nation will be a reproach, destruction, intense famine, wild beasts, plague, and bloodshed. And God states that He will have no pity and spare no one. He has spoken.
Worse than the holocaust. Worse than the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Worse than the disasters to hit Haiti or any other. This judgement was so severe and deadly. How is it that Israel has forgotten? How do they not fall before God even now and beg for forgiveness?
How does America not fear God's wrath? We are guilty of the same sins as Israel. We have rebelled against His ordinances and walked in wickedness. We have rejected His rule and reign. We have denounced His authority and His Son. Oh forgive us! Bring repentance to our land. And to Israel.
Reign Lord God! You are King and rule forever. Have pity, spare us, change our hearts. Thank You for your mercy and grace. For salvation through Jesus Christ. Be exalted our God! Amen.
I can't imagine life for Ezekiel for this year + of laying on his side. Through the days and nights, through rain and cold, through the heat of summer. How many animals got into his store of meal? How did he deal with personal hygiene?
Ch. 5 Next Ezekiel is told to use a sword to cut the hair of his head and beard. A third is burned, a third is struck with a sword and a third is thrown to the wind. God is using this to illustrate what will happen in Jerusalem. Because of their rebellion and sin, their wickedness and rejection of His law and authority, judgement is coming. A third of the people will die by the plague or famine, a third will be killed by the sword, and a third will be scattered. The anger and wrath of God is like no other. Fathers will eat their children and children their fathers. Death will be everywhere. The nation will be a reproach, destruction, intense famine, wild beasts, plague, and bloodshed. And God states that He will have no pity and spare no one. He has spoken.
Worse than the holocaust. Worse than the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Worse than the disasters to hit Haiti or any other. This judgement was so severe and deadly. How is it that Israel has forgotten? How do they not fall before God even now and beg for forgiveness?
How does America not fear God's wrath? We are guilty of the same sins as Israel. We have rebelled against His ordinances and walked in wickedness. We have rejected His rule and reign. We have denounced His authority and His Son. Oh forgive us! Bring repentance to our land. And to Israel.
Reign Lord God! You are King and rule forever. Have pity, spare us, change our hearts. Thank You for your mercy and grace. For salvation through Jesus Christ. Be exalted our God! Amen.
Monday, January 7, 2013
1/7/13 Ezekiel 1-3
Ezekiel is prepared for his ministry. It will be a ministry like no other. The preparation itself is powerful, overwhelming, and frightening. It begins with a vision of God sitting on His throne. With the 4 living creatures and their glowing, burning, awesome presence beneath the gleaming expanse, to the appearance of God Himself, this vision is so overpowering that Ezekiel can only fall on his face. As God begins to speak, the Spirit enters Ezekiel and lifts him to his feet.
Ezekiel is being sent to speak to Israel. Over and over God calls them rebellious, obstinate children. He tells Ezekiel that the people may or may not listen to his message, but that he should not fear them or be dismayed. He is to speak God's Word, nothing else. Ezekiel was given a scroll and told to eat it. Which he did. He was to fill his body, to take into his heart all the Words of God. To listen closely and tell what he hears from God.
Ezekiel is warned of the consequences for not speaking the Word when directed. If he doesn't warn a sinner and he dies in his iniquity, then Ezekiel will be guilty of his blood. But if he does warn him then, he is not guilty. His responsibility is to speak what God tells him to speak. Ezekiel is then made mute, unable to speak, except when God opens his mouth to speak His Word. If Ezekiel speaks then the listener can hear and obey or refuse and remain in his sin. The results are not up to Ezekiel.
We also have a responsibility to speak God's Word. We must take in His Word, into our lives and hearts. We must listen first! Then as the Lord's hand is upon us and He leads us by His Spirit, we must speak. Warning the wicked "from their wicked way" and warning the righteous when they commit iniquity.
To come into God's Presence as Ezekiel, Isaiah, and John did is unique. But we are told that we also can come boldly to the Throne of Grace. To enter in and commune with God through the Lord Jesus Christ is the great privilege of the believer. Oh what a day that will be when faith becomes sight!
Ezekiel is prepared for his ministry. It will be a ministry like no other. The preparation itself is powerful, overwhelming, and frightening. It begins with a vision of God sitting on His throne. With the 4 living creatures and their glowing, burning, awesome presence beneath the gleaming expanse, to the appearance of God Himself, this vision is so overpowering that Ezekiel can only fall on his face. As God begins to speak, the Spirit enters Ezekiel and lifts him to his feet.
Ezekiel is being sent to speak to Israel. Over and over God calls them rebellious, obstinate children. He tells Ezekiel that the people may or may not listen to his message, but that he should not fear them or be dismayed. He is to speak God's Word, nothing else. Ezekiel was given a scroll and told to eat it. Which he did. He was to fill his body, to take into his heart all the Words of God. To listen closely and tell what he hears from God.
Ezekiel is warned of the consequences for not speaking the Word when directed. If he doesn't warn a sinner and he dies in his iniquity, then Ezekiel will be guilty of his blood. But if he does warn him then, he is not guilty. His responsibility is to speak what God tells him to speak. Ezekiel is then made mute, unable to speak, except when God opens his mouth to speak His Word. If Ezekiel speaks then the listener can hear and obey or refuse and remain in his sin. The results are not up to Ezekiel.
We also have a responsibility to speak God's Word. We must take in His Word, into our lives and hearts. We must listen first! Then as the Lord's hand is upon us and He leads us by His Spirit, we must speak. Warning the wicked "from their wicked way" and warning the righteous when they commit iniquity.
To come into God's Presence as Ezekiel, Isaiah, and John did is unique. But we are told that we also can come boldly to the Throne of Grace. To enter in and commune with God through the Lord Jesus Christ is the great privilege of the believer. Oh what a day that will be when faith becomes sight!
Friday, January 4, 2013
1/4/13
Ezekiel 1 A vision of God. Ezekiel sees a vision, hears the Word of the Lord, and felt the Hand of the Lord upon him. Matthew Henry's Commentary notes that it is a great mercy for the Word of the Lord to come to us. Although the prophet and the others were captive in Babylon, they were not kept from God. "Ezekiel was employed in turning the hearts of the people to the Lord their God, and therefore he must himself see the visions of God" MHC To bring the knowledge and love of God to others we must first be well acquainted with Him ourselves and "much affected with what we know of Him" Ezekiel was prepared for the Word by the wind- the Spirit. Then he heard the voice of God - the Word in fulness, light and power. And he felt the power of God, "opening his eyes to see the visions, opening his ears to hear the voice, and opening his heart to receive both"
What do this Word say to me? Spirit come with power and mercy to prepare me, to open my eyes and ears to receive the Word of God. "Open my eyes Lord, I want to see Jesus, to reach out and touch Him, to say that I love Him"
The vision that is given to Ezekiel is mind-boggling, amazing, and glorious. Angels appear and then the Throne of God! Ezekiel falls on his face. God, the Consuming Fire, has come to him.
How innocently and naively we pray "Come Lord Jesus" . Do we really expect this? What great mercy our God shows to us.
Ezekiel 1 A vision of God. Ezekiel sees a vision, hears the Word of the Lord, and felt the Hand of the Lord upon him. Matthew Henry's Commentary notes that it is a great mercy for the Word of the Lord to come to us. Although the prophet and the others were captive in Babylon, they were not kept from God. "Ezekiel was employed in turning the hearts of the people to the Lord their God, and therefore he must himself see the visions of God" MHC To bring the knowledge and love of God to others we must first be well acquainted with Him ourselves and "much affected with what we know of Him" Ezekiel was prepared for the Word by the wind- the Spirit. Then he heard the voice of God - the Word in fulness, light and power. And he felt the power of God, "opening his eyes to see the visions, opening his ears to hear the voice, and opening his heart to receive both"
What do this Word say to me? Spirit come with power and mercy to prepare me, to open my eyes and ears to receive the Word of God. "Open my eyes Lord, I want to see Jesus, to reach out and touch Him, to say that I love Him"
The vision that is given to Ezekiel is mind-boggling, amazing, and glorious. Angels appear and then the Throne of God! Ezekiel falls on his face. God, the Consuming Fire, has come to him.
How innocently and naively we pray "Come Lord Jesus" . Do we really expect this? What great mercy our God shows to us.
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
1/2/13 Ephesians 6
Paul continues his examples of what it means to be "imitators of God".
To the wife it means to submit yourself to your husband's leadership and to respect him.
To the husband it means to love and sacrifice for your wife. To nourish and cherish her.
To the child it means to obey and honor your parents.
To the parent it means to bring up your children "in the discipline and instruction of the Lord"
To the slave/employee it means to obey the master with sincerity of heart.
To the master/employer it means treating those under you with justice and goodness.
"Doing the will of God from the heart" as a slave of Christ includes rendering service with good will and doing good things.
Paul's final admonition is for us to be "strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might" Why? Because we are in a battle against the enemy, the devil. There are rulers, powers, and spiritual forces of darkness and wickedness. We struggle with them and must be prepared to resist them in order to stand firm. God has provided the weapons of defense and offense for this battle.
Truth
Righteousness
Peace
Faith
Salvation
The Word of God
Prayer
Our orders are to stand firm, to resist, oppose, abide, hold up with truth, righteousness, and the gospel of peace. To extinguish the "flaming missiles of the evil one" with faith. To use the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, the Word and Prayer, to be on the alert with all perseverance. Persistently praying for all the saints.
Paul continues his examples of what it means to be "imitators of God".
To the wife it means to submit yourself to your husband's leadership and to respect him.
To the husband it means to love and sacrifice for your wife. To nourish and cherish her.
To the child it means to obey and honor your parents.
To the parent it means to bring up your children "in the discipline and instruction of the Lord"
To the slave/employee it means to obey the master with sincerity of heart.
To the master/employer it means treating those under you with justice and goodness.
"Doing the will of God from the heart" as a slave of Christ includes rendering service with good will and doing good things.
Paul's final admonition is for us to be "strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might" Why? Because we are in a battle against the enemy, the devil. There are rulers, powers, and spiritual forces of darkness and wickedness. We struggle with them and must be prepared to resist them in order to stand firm. God has provided the weapons of defense and offense for this battle.
Truth
Righteousness
Peace
Faith
Salvation
The Word of God
Prayer
Our orders are to stand firm, to resist, oppose, abide, hold up with truth, righteousness, and the gospel of peace. To extinguish the "flaming missiles of the evil one" with faith. To use the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, the Word and Prayer, to be on the alert with all perseverance. Persistently praying for all the saints.
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
1/1/13
A brand new year! Just freshly returned from 11 days with my beautiful daughter and her family. Filled with love and blessed with the sweetness of 2 precious grandsons! Virginia is just too far away from Florida! Ahhh!
Back to the Word! Eph. 5 " Be imitators of God as beloved children" How on earth do we imitate God? KJV says to be "followers" - Greek word is mimetes , from mimeomai - mimic. As a son mimics his daddy, we are to mimic our Father in Heaven. As He is holy, we are to be holy. As He is Good, we are to be good. As He loves, we are to love. As He is Light, we are to be light.
v 10 " trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord" v15 " Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise"
This walk is "in love", filled with the Spirit, being subject to one another "in the fear of Christ" It is in relationship with Jesus that is the example for the relationship of husband and wife. Christ is the example of true love - giving of Himself for the purpose of sanctifying the bride, his church. This is what we are to mimic in our personal relationships with our spouses. Only possible with the Holy Spirit!
New Year's resolutions? No! Better than that, this is a Life time resolution. To live as a child of the Father. A mimic of Jesus Christ, through the power of His Spirit working in me. May it be so!
A brand new year! Just freshly returned from 11 days with my beautiful daughter and her family. Filled with love and blessed with the sweetness of 2 precious grandsons! Virginia is just too far away from Florida! Ahhh!
Back to the Word! Eph. 5 " Be imitators of God as beloved children" How on earth do we imitate God? KJV says to be "followers" - Greek word is mimetes , from mimeomai - mimic. As a son mimics his daddy, we are to mimic our Father in Heaven. As He is holy, we are to be holy. As He is Good, we are to be good. As He loves, we are to love. As He is Light, we are to be light.
v 10 " trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord" v15 " Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise"
This walk is "in love", filled with the Spirit, being subject to one another "in the fear of Christ" It is in relationship with Jesus that is the example for the relationship of husband and wife. Christ is the example of true love - giving of Himself for the purpose of sanctifying the bride, his church. This is what we are to mimic in our personal relationships with our spouses. Only possible with the Holy Spirit!
New Year's resolutions? No! Better than that, this is a Life time resolution. To live as a child of the Father. A mimic of Jesus Christ, through the power of His Spirit working in me. May it be so!
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