Ezekiel 37
10 So I spoke the message as he commanded me, and breath came into their bodies. They all came to life and stood up on their feet—a great army.
Bottom line here, folks: God’s Word breathes life into lifeless dry bones. Seasons in my life when I have gotten away from my regular Bible reading time dry me up into a lifeless shell of a man. I come to life when I break that bad habit and read my Bible like I should, I can literally feel the life spring up within me. It makes no sense for me to stray away from my daily reading of God’s Word. I need that spiritual nourishment. I need the Life that comes from God’s Word.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Remolding into His Image
Ezekiel 36
26 And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.
Ezekiel is prophesying about the restoration of Israel, but this verse reminds me of what happens when we surrender our lives to Christ. Having recently celebrating my 24th spiritual birthday, I can truly look back now and see how God has changed and is still changing my heart. I am a much more loving person than I was 24 years ago. I am a much more tender and responsive guy. I have a long ways to go to have a heart like Jesus, but I am much closer now than I was. May Jesus continue to mold me into His image. He still has a lot of work to do, but I am sure He can do it!
26 And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.
Ezekiel is prophesying about the restoration of Israel, but this verse reminds me of what happens when we surrender our lives to Christ. Having recently celebrating my 24th spiritual birthday, I can truly look back now and see how God has changed and is still changing my heart. I am a much more loving person than I was 24 years ago. I am a much more tender and responsive guy. I have a long ways to go to have a heart like Jesus, but I am much closer now than I was. May Jesus continue to mold me into His image. He still has a lot of work to do, but I am sure He can do it!
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Willful DISobedience
Jeremiah 42
5 Then they said to Jeremiah, “May the LORD your God be a faithful witness against us if we refuse to obey whatever he tells us to do! 6 Whether we like it or not, we will obey the LORD our God to whom we are sending you with our plea. For if we obey him, everything will turn out well for us.”
Oh if the people of Jerusalem had only meant what they said. They reneged on their vow, and they suffered the consequences, but l want to examine their vow today. They called upon the Lord God Almighty to be a witness against them if they refused to obey whatever HE told them to do. They proclaimed that whether they liked what they heard from Jeremiah or not, they would obey the LORD their God to Whom THEY were sending Jeremiah with their plea. They knew that Jeremiah was indeed a true prophet of the Most High God, and they desperately wanted to hear from God. They acknowledged that obedience to God equals everything turning out “well” for them. If only they had truly believed what they said, and if only they had obeyed God’s Word as proclaimed to them through Jeremiah. Now, before I condemn them for their stupidity, I need to remember that God’s Word still speaks to us today (it is called the Bible). Obedience is still the correct path to choose. So, why are so many of us who claim to be Christians not on the path of obedience? Do we not mean what we say? Do we not believe what we teach?
5 Then they said to Jeremiah, “May the LORD your God be a faithful witness against us if we refuse to obey whatever he tells us to do! 6 Whether we like it or not, we will obey the LORD our God to whom we are sending you with our plea. For if we obey him, everything will turn out well for us.”
Oh if the people of Jerusalem had only meant what they said. They reneged on their vow, and they suffered the consequences, but l want to examine their vow today. They called upon the Lord God Almighty to be a witness against them if they refused to obey whatever HE told them to do. They proclaimed that whether they liked what they heard from Jeremiah or not, they would obey the LORD their God to Whom THEY were sending Jeremiah with their plea. They knew that Jeremiah was indeed a true prophet of the Most High God, and they desperately wanted to hear from God. They acknowledged that obedience to God equals everything turning out “well” for them. If only they had truly believed what they said, and if only they had obeyed God’s Word as proclaimed to them through Jeremiah. Now, before I condemn them for their stupidity, I need to remember that God’s Word still speaks to us today (it is called the Bible). Obedience is still the correct path to choose. So, why are so many of us who claim to be Christians not on the path of obedience? Do we not mean what we say? Do we not believe what we teach?
Friday, August 28, 2009
The Lord Remains The Same
Lamentations 5
19 But LORD, you remain the same forever!
Your throne continues from generation to generation.
As Jeremiah laments the horrible conditions in Jerusalem, and the removal of God’s protection and seemingly God’s affection towards the people, Jeremiah once again stops to praise God for Who He is. God is eternal. He remains the same forever. This is the God I serve. No matter the circumstances of this life on planet earth, God remains the same. His love is constant, and I need the reminder that life here is not the be-all, end-all. So what if the United States of America does fall, as many fear these days? America is not God’s chosen people…Christians are. I will proclaim my allegiance to God through His One and Only Son, Jesus regardless of the political or cultural climate and regardless of the consequences that may come while I live on the earth. My Lord remains the same forever. Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, and I will serve Him to the best of my ability for as long as I have breath in my lungs!
19 But LORD, you remain the same forever!
Your throne continues from generation to generation.
As Jeremiah laments the horrible conditions in Jerusalem, and the removal of God’s protection and seemingly God’s affection towards the people, Jeremiah once again stops to praise God for Who He is. God is eternal. He remains the same forever. This is the God I serve. No matter the circumstances of this life on planet earth, God remains the same. His love is constant, and I need the reminder that life here is not the be-all, end-all. So what if the United States of America does fall, as many fear these days? America is not God’s chosen people…Christians are. I will proclaim my allegiance to God through His One and Only Son, Jesus regardless of the political or cultural climate and regardless of the consequences that may come while I live on the earth. My Lord remains the same forever. Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, and I will serve Him to the best of my ability for as long as I have breath in my lungs!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Celebrating My Birthday
Lamentations 3
22 The faithful love of the LORD never ends!
His mercies never cease.
23 Great is his faithfulness;
his mercies begin afresh each morning.
24 I say to myself, “The LORD is my inheritance;
therefore, I will hope in him!”
25 The LORD is good to those who depend on him,
to those who search for him.
26 So it is good to wait quietly
for salvation from the LORD.
On August 27, 1985, I was buried with Christ in baptism and raised to a new life in Him. Celebrating my 24th birthday today with this nugget of hope and inspiration in the midst of Jeremiah’s Lamentations reminds me that no matter how bad things may appear to be…no matter how much I have messed up…no matter the consequences of my sin while I am still on this earth, My Savior has it covered. I am still very much in the learning stage of waiting quietly for Him. I search for Him daily, and my hope is in Him alone. Not easy lessons, and I haven’t mastered them by any stretch, but God is patient with me, and that is one of a myriad of things for which I am so eternally grateful to my Lord and my God!
22 The faithful love of the LORD never ends!
His mercies never cease.
23 Great is his faithfulness;
his mercies begin afresh each morning.
24 I say to myself, “The LORD is my inheritance;
therefore, I will hope in him!”
25 The LORD is good to those who depend on him,
to those who search for him.
26 So it is good to wait quietly
for salvation from the LORD.
On August 27, 1985, I was buried with Christ in baptism and raised to a new life in Him. Celebrating my 24th birthday today with this nugget of hope and inspiration in the midst of Jeremiah’s Lamentations reminds me that no matter how bad things may appear to be…no matter how much I have messed up…no matter the consequences of my sin while I am still on this earth, My Savior has it covered. I am still very much in the learning stage of waiting quietly for Him. I search for Him daily, and my hope is in Him alone. Not easy lessons, and I haven’t mastered them by any stretch, but God is patient with me, and that is one of a myriad of things for which I am so eternally grateful to my Lord and my God!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Anger Could No Longer Be Restrained
2 Chronicles 36
15 The LORD, the God of their ancestors, repeatedly sent his prophets to warn them, for he had compassion on his people and his Temple. 16 But the people mocked these messengers of God and despised their words. They scoffed at the prophets until the LORD’s anger could no longer be restrained and nothing could be done.
The Lord God reminds us in His Word how we are to live, yet we reject Him at every turn. Oh, we play the game, but we don’t give Him our whole hearts. He will settle for nothing less than our all. We want to give Him our leftovers. How long will we try His patience? His Word shows what happens when the Lord’s anger could no longer be restrained. Help me, Father to be a whole-hearted follower of Yours, not simply going through the motions of “the game” called Christianity.
15 The LORD, the God of their ancestors, repeatedly sent his prophets to warn them, for he had compassion on his people and his Temple. 16 But the people mocked these messengers of God and despised their words. They scoffed at the prophets until the LORD’s anger could no longer be restrained and nothing could be done.
The Lord God reminds us in His Word how we are to live, yet we reject Him at every turn. Oh, we play the game, but we don’t give Him our whole hearts. He will settle for nothing less than our all. We want to give Him our leftovers. How long will we try His patience? His Word shows what happens when the Lord’s anger could no longer be restrained. Help me, Father to be a whole-hearted follower of Yours, not simply going through the motions of “the game” called Christianity.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Old Testament Comparison
Ezekiel 28
1 Then this message came to me from the LORD: 2 “Son of man, give the prince of Tyre this message from the Sovereign LORD:
“In your great pride you claim, ‘I am a god!
I sit on a divine throne in the heart of the sea.’
But you are only a man and not a god,
though you boast that you are a god.
3 You regard yourself as wiser than Daniel
and think no secret is hidden from you.
4 With your wisdom and understanding you have amassed great wealth—
gold and silver for your treasuries.
5 Yes, your wisdom has made you very rich,
and your riches have made you very proud.
6 “Therefore, this is what the Sovereign LORD says:
Because you think you are as wise as a god,
7 I will now bring against you a foreign army,
the terror of the nations.
They will draw their swords against your marvelous wisdom
and defile your splendor!
8 They will bring you down to the pit,
and you will die in the heart of the sea,
pierced with many wounds.
9 Will you then boast, ‘I am a god!’
to those who kill you?
To them you will be no god
but merely a man!
10 You will die like an outcast[j]
at the hands of foreigners.
I, the Sovereign LORD, have spoken!”
Many folks mistakenly compare America to the nation of Israel in the Old Testament. I submit that America is much more like Tyre as described in Ezekiel. Nuff said.
1 Then this message came to me from the LORD: 2 “Son of man, give the prince of Tyre this message from the Sovereign LORD:
“In your great pride you claim, ‘I am a god!
I sit on a divine throne in the heart of the sea.’
But you are only a man and not a god,
though you boast that you are a god.
3 You regard yourself as wiser than Daniel
and think no secret is hidden from you.
4 With your wisdom and understanding you have amassed great wealth—
gold and silver for your treasuries.
5 Yes, your wisdom has made you very rich,
and your riches have made you very proud.
6 “Therefore, this is what the Sovereign LORD says:
Because you think you are as wise as a god,
7 I will now bring against you a foreign army,
the terror of the nations.
They will draw their swords against your marvelous wisdom
and defile your splendor!
8 They will bring you down to the pit,
and you will die in the heart of the sea,
pierced with many wounds.
9 Will you then boast, ‘I am a god!’
to those who kill you?
To them you will be no god
but merely a man!
10 You will die like an outcast[j]
at the hands of foreigners.
I, the Sovereign LORD, have spoken!”
Many folks mistakenly compare America to the nation of Israel in the Old Testament. I submit that America is much more like Tyre as described in Ezekiel. Nuff said.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Is Anything Too Hard For God?
Jeremiah 32
27 “I am the LORD, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for me?”
The LORD asks this question through Jeremiah as the prophet is pronouncing the upcoming destruction of Jerusalem. As I think about this question that God asks about Himself, the “duh” answer of course is NO! However, if I say that I believe nothing is too hard for God, why don’t I live that way? Why do I sometimes try to “help” God take care of things instead of just following His lead. Man, I am as dumb as a rock! No, wait, I must be about as brilliant as a sheep. Hmmm…no wonder Scripture keeps referring to people as sheep. The hooves fit, for realz!
27 “I am the LORD, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for me?”
The LORD asks this question through Jeremiah as the prophet is pronouncing the upcoming destruction of Jerusalem. As I think about this question that God asks about Himself, the “duh” answer of course is NO! However, if I say that I believe nothing is too hard for God, why don’t I live that way? Why do I sometimes try to “help” God take care of things instead of just following His lead. Man, I am as dumb as a rock! No, wait, I must be about as brilliant as a sheep. Hmmm…no wonder Scripture keeps referring to people as sheep. The hooves fit, for realz!
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Jesus Makes All the Difference
Ezekiel 24
14 “I, the LORD, have spoken! The time has come, and I won’t hold back. I will not change my mind, and I will have no pity on you. You will be judged on the basis of all your wicked actions, says the Sovereign LORD.”
God makes it pretty plain what happens to those who fall under His judgment. God has not changed His mind, and there is no pity for those judged based on our wicked actions. I praise God for the fact that Jesus has taken my sins upon Himself so that I am no longer under a judgment of my wicked actions, but instead I will be declared to be NOT GUILTY in God’s Court. That is the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus, and it is the News we need to let everyone know. Without Jesus, God’s judgment is a terrible eternal punishment. With Jesus, judgment has already been made, and the verdict of not guilty has been proclaimed. May I do my best to help everyone with whom I come in contact understand the need to surrender their eternal lives to Jesus. The alternative is terrible, indeed.
14 “I, the LORD, have spoken! The time has come, and I won’t hold back. I will not change my mind, and I will have no pity on you. You will be judged on the basis of all your wicked actions, says the Sovereign LORD.”
God makes it pretty plain what happens to those who fall under His judgment. God has not changed His mind, and there is no pity for those judged based on our wicked actions. I praise God for the fact that Jesus has taken my sins upon Himself so that I am no longer under a judgment of my wicked actions, but instead I will be declared to be NOT GUILTY in God’s Court. That is the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus, and it is the News we need to let everyone know. Without Jesus, God’s judgment is a terrible eternal punishment. With Jesus, judgment has already been made, and the verdict of not guilty has been proclaimed. May I do my best to help everyone with whom I come in contact understand the need to surrender their eternal lives to Jesus. The alternative is terrible, indeed.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Help Me Be More Effective For You Lord
Ezekiel 24
18 So I proclaimed this to the people the next morning, and in the evening my wife died. The next morning I did everything I had been told to do. 19 Then the people asked, “What does all this mean? What are you trying to tell us?”
I can so relate to Ezekiel’s frustration here. Not the death of his wife part (nor do I ever want to be able to relate to that), but the part where he declares the Word of the Lord, and the people respond with: “What are you trying to tell us?” I’ve been in student ministry for 22 years, and so often feel like I am speaking to the walls. Dealing with adults in the church isn’t a whole lot different in that respect, either. One of my goals this year in our student ministry is to help our students fall so deeply in love with Jesus that they just can’t help but spend time in the Word every day, so that maybe, just maybe they don’t have the “what is he trying to tell us?” mindset. Lord, help me to be a more effective communicator of Your Word. Help those who hear me speak, to hear what YOU have to say, and may I not get in the way of Your Message, Lord.
18 So I proclaimed this to the people the next morning, and in the evening my wife died. The next morning I did everything I had been told to do. 19 Then the people asked, “What does all this mean? What are you trying to tell us?”
I can so relate to Ezekiel’s frustration here. Not the death of his wife part (nor do I ever want to be able to relate to that), but the part where he declares the Word of the Lord, and the people respond with: “What are you trying to tell us?” I’ve been in student ministry for 22 years, and so often feel like I am speaking to the walls. Dealing with adults in the church isn’t a whole lot different in that respect, either. One of my goals this year in our student ministry is to help our students fall so deeply in love with Jesus that they just can’t help but spend time in the Word every day, so that maybe, just maybe they don’t have the “what is he trying to tell us?” mindset. Lord, help me to be a more effective communicator of Your Word. Help those who hear me speak, to hear what YOU have to say, and may I not get in the way of Your Message, Lord.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Close Examination
Ezekiel 20
37 “I will examine you carefully and hold you to the terms of the covenant. 38 I will purge you of all those who rebel and revolt against me. I will bring them out of the countries where they are in exile, but they will never enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the LORD.”
God is pronouncing His judgment on the people of Israel in this passage. I wonder if God carefully examined the church in America today whether we would be found to be in compliance with the new covenant under which we are supposed to live? I wonder how we can dare to suppose that judgment is not due us? Every day as I read through this section in the Chronological One year Bible and as I finish up reading, “The Hole In Our Gospel” I am saddened and convicted. I am not passing judgment, because I am guilty, too. May God have mercy on us and may we return to Him fully.
37 “I will examine you carefully and hold you to the terms of the covenant. 38 I will purge you of all those who rebel and revolt against me. I will bring them out of the countries where they are in exile, but they will never enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the LORD.”
God is pronouncing His judgment on the people of Israel in this passage. I wonder if God carefully examined the church in America today whether we would be found to be in compliance with the new covenant under which we are supposed to live? I wonder how we can dare to suppose that judgment is not due us? Every day as I read through this section in the Chronological One year Bible and as I finish up reading, “The Hole In Our Gospel” I am saddened and convicted. I am not passing judgment, because I am guilty, too. May God have mercy on us and may we return to Him fully.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
The Need For Repentance
Ezekiel 18
23 “Do you think that I like to see wicked people die? says the Sovereign LORD. Of course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live. 24 However, if righteous people turn from their righteous behavior and start doing sinful things and act like other sinners, should they be allowed to live? No, of course not! All their righteous acts will be forgotten, and they will die for their sins.”
Peter reminds us that God doesn’t want “anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” I have much repentance to come to these days. As I continue to be convicted by Richard Stearns’ book, “The Hole In Our Gospel,” I read the following this morning:
My name is Scott (fill in your name here), and I am blind to the injustices and sins of omission committed by my own church. Open the eyes of my heart, Lord, to see the world as You see it. Let my heart be broken by the things that break Your heart. Give me the ability to see through our culture and to lead my people with Your vision, instead of the world’s.
It is sinful for those of us in the church to ignore the poor and the suffering in our communities and around the world. May God have mercy on us and help us to repent of this sin. May God have mercy on ME and help Me to repent of this sin.
23 “Do you think that I like to see wicked people die? says the Sovereign LORD. Of course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live. 24 However, if righteous people turn from their righteous behavior and start doing sinful things and act like other sinners, should they be allowed to live? No, of course not! All their righteous acts will be forgotten, and they will die for their sins.”
Peter reminds us that God doesn’t want “anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” I have much repentance to come to these days. As I continue to be convicted by Richard Stearns’ book, “The Hole In Our Gospel,” I read the following this morning:
My name is Scott (fill in your name here), and I am blind to the injustices and sins of omission committed by my own church. Open the eyes of my heart, Lord, to see the world as You see it. Let my heart be broken by the things that break Your heart. Give me the ability to see through our culture and to lead my people with Your vision, instead of the world’s.
It is sinful for those of us in the church to ignore the poor and the suffering in our communities and around the world. May God have mercy on us and help us to repent of this sin. May God have mercy on ME and help Me to repent of this sin.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Convicted
Ezekiel 14
6 “Therefore, tell the people of Israel, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Repent and turn away from your idols, and stop all your detestable sins.”
As I have chronicled here on several occasions, the church is the New Testament equivalent to Israel of the Old Testament. As I read this passage in Ezekiel, I cannot help but think about the idols the American Church has set up…idols of comfort, prosperity, and inward focus. I am also currently reading Richard Stearns’ (US President of World Vision) book, “The Hole In Our Gospel.” A quote Stearns has in the book from Paul Harvey continues to weigh heavily on me:
“We’ve drifted away from being fishers of men to being keepers of the aquarium.”
The more I pray and read and pray and read, the more I am convinced that we MUST reverse this sinful trend in the church in America. I also am convinced that it is my responsibility to start that reversal where I am. How could I possibly DARE to call others to action on this matter until I am fully immersed in it myself? Deep Sigh.
6 “Therefore, tell the people of Israel, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Repent and turn away from your idols, and stop all your detestable sins.”
As I have chronicled here on several occasions, the church is the New Testament equivalent to Israel of the Old Testament. As I read this passage in Ezekiel, I cannot help but think about the idols the American Church has set up…idols of comfort, prosperity, and inward focus. I am also currently reading Richard Stearns’ (US President of World Vision) book, “The Hole In Our Gospel.” A quote Stearns has in the book from Paul Harvey continues to weigh heavily on me:
“We’ve drifted away from being fishers of men to being keepers of the aquarium.”
The more I pray and read and pray and read, the more I am convinced that we MUST reverse this sinful trend in the church in America. I also am convinced that it is my responsibility to start that reversal where I am. How could I possibly DARE to call others to action on this matter until I am fully immersed in it myself? Deep Sigh.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Rebellious People
Ezekiel 12
1 Again a message came to me from the LORD: 2 “Son of man, you live among rebels who have eyes but refuse to see. They have ears but refuse to hear. For they are a rebellious people.”
The Lord is giving Ezekiel a prophecy against the people of Judah who are about to be taken away into exile at the hands of the Babylonians. I read this passage and cannot help but think about the church in America. We have been blessed with so much, yet we do so little. I’m reading Richard Stearns’ book, “The Hole In Our Gospel” these days and being more and more convicted in this matter. One of the chapter title page quotes for chapter ten in Stearns’ book is from Paul Harvey, who says, “We’ve drifted away from being fishers of men to being keepers of the aquarium.” Ouch. Guilty and convicted! Lord, save me from my rebellion, and let me see & hear what You want me to see & hear. May my actions match my words here today.
1 Again a message came to me from the LORD: 2 “Son of man, you live among rebels who have eyes but refuse to see. They have ears but refuse to hear. For they are a rebellious people.”
The Lord is giving Ezekiel a prophecy against the people of Judah who are about to be taken away into exile at the hands of the Babylonians. I read this passage and cannot help but think about the church in America. We have been blessed with so much, yet we do so little. I’m reading Richard Stearns’ book, “The Hole In Our Gospel” these days and being more and more convicted in this matter. One of the chapter title page quotes for chapter ten in Stearns’ book is from Paul Harvey, who says, “We’ve drifted away from being fishers of men to being keepers of the aquarium.” Ouch. Guilty and convicted! Lord, save me from my rebellion, and let me see & hear what You want me to see & hear. May my actions match my words here today.
Monday, August 17, 2009
God Means Business!
Ezekiel 6
8 “But I will let a few of my people escape destruction, and they will be scattered among the nations of the world. 9 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. 10 They will know that I alone am the LORD and that I was serious when I said I would bring this calamity on them.”
Ezekiel is prophesying about the destruction of Jerusalem and Judah because the people of God have abandoned Him completely. Yes, the God of LOVE is stamping out those who turn their backs on Him. This is the same God Who today gives mankind every chance in the world to turn to Him through Jesus. But, rest assured, those who do not will face far worse punishment that the people of Judah did in Ezekiel’s day. When will those of us who claim to follow Jesus repent of our indifference toward people who need Jesus? When will we start being the instrument of peace and justice for which we have been called? When will we truly know and acknowledge that God alone is the LORD and that He is serious about the business at hand?
8 “But I will let a few of my people escape destruction, and they will be scattered among the nations of the world. 9 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. 10 They will know that I alone am the LORD and that I was serious when I said I would bring this calamity on them.”
Ezekiel is prophesying about the destruction of Jerusalem and Judah because the people of God have abandoned Him completely. Yes, the God of LOVE is stamping out those who turn their backs on Him. This is the same God Who today gives mankind every chance in the world to turn to Him through Jesus. But, rest assured, those who do not will face far worse punishment that the people of Judah did in Ezekiel’s day. When will those of us who claim to follow Jesus repent of our indifference toward people who need Jesus? When will we start being the instrument of peace and justice for which we have been called? When will we truly know and acknowledge that God alone is the LORD and that He is serious about the business at hand?
Sunday, August 16, 2009
My Responsibility
Ezekiel 3
16 After seven days the LORD gave me a message. He said, 17 “Son of man, I have appointed you as a watchman for Israel. Whenever you receive a message from me, warn people immediately. 18 If I warn the wicked, saying, ‘You are under the penalty of death,’ but you fail to deliver the warning, they will die in their sins. And I will hold you responsible for their deaths. 19 If you warn them and they refuse to repent and keep on sinning, they will die in their sins. But you will have saved yourself because you obeyed me.
20 “If righteous people turn away from their righteous behavior and ignore the obstacles I put in their way, they will die. And if you do not warn them, they will die in their sins. None of their righteous acts will be remembered, and I will hold you responsible for their deaths. 21 But if you warn righteous people not to sin and they listen to you and do not sin, they will live, and you will have saved yourself, too.”
Ezekiel is given a heavy burden. He is to proclaim the Word of the Lord, and if he fails to do so properly and people die, their deaths will be upon his head. Hmmm. Reminds me of what James writes in the third chapter of his letter:
1Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
It is a sobering reminder of my responsibility as a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
16 After seven days the LORD gave me a message. He said, 17 “Son of man, I have appointed you as a watchman for Israel. Whenever you receive a message from me, warn people immediately. 18 If I warn the wicked, saying, ‘You are under the penalty of death,’ but you fail to deliver the warning, they will die in their sins. And I will hold you responsible for their deaths. 19 If you warn them and they refuse to repent and keep on sinning, they will die in their sins. But you will have saved yourself because you obeyed me.
20 “If righteous people turn away from their righteous behavior and ignore the obstacles I put in their way, they will die. And if you do not warn them, they will die in their sins. None of their righteous acts will be remembered, and I will hold you responsible for their deaths. 21 But if you warn righteous people not to sin and they listen to you and do not sin, they will live, and you will have saved yourself, too.”
Ezekiel is given a heavy burden. He is to proclaim the Word of the Lord, and if he fails to do so properly and people die, their deaths will be upon his head. Hmmm. Reminds me of what James writes in the third chapter of his letter:
1Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
It is a sobering reminder of my responsibility as a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
God's Glory Taken For Granted
Ezekiel 1
28b This is what the glory of the LORD looked like to me. When I saw it, I fell face down on the ground, and I heard someone’s voice speaking to me.
The description of God’s glory is contained in this first chapter of Ezekiel, but notice Ezekiel’s reaction to seeing it” “I fell face down on the ground…” I wonder how often we really consider what it would be like to see God’s glory? We sing songs that say, “Lord, let Your glory fall” and yet we far too often treat God like He is no big deal. How can we take the Creator of the universe lightly? In part because we choose not to think of God in those terms, and in part because we have become all too familiar with the idea of God. We sing, “I am a friend of God” (and we are), but God is not just another one of our pals to hang out with. God is the Holy Creator of Life itself! May I never be casual in my attitude towards God, and may I always give Him the awe, respect and honor due Him.
28b This is what the glory of the LORD looked like to me. When I saw it, I fell face down on the ground, and I heard someone’s voice speaking to me.
The description of God’s glory is contained in this first chapter of Ezekiel, but notice Ezekiel’s reaction to seeing it” “I fell face down on the ground…” I wonder how often we really consider what it would be like to see God’s glory? We sing songs that say, “Lord, let Your glory fall” and yet we far too often treat God like He is no big deal. How can we take the Creator of the universe lightly? In part because we choose not to think of God in those terms, and in part because we have become all too familiar with the idea of God. We sing, “I am a friend of God” (and we are), but God is not just another one of our pals to hang out with. God is the Holy Creator of Life itself! May I never be casual in my attitude towards God, and may I always give Him the awe, respect and honor due Him.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Song of Praise
15 The LORD made the earth by his power,
and he preserves it by his wisdom.
With his own understanding
he stretched out the heavens.
16 When he speaks in the thunder,
the heavens are filled with water.
He causes the clouds to rise over the earth.
He sends the lightning with the rain
and releases the wind from his storehouses.
17 The whole human race is foolish and has no knowledge!
The craftsmen are disgraced by the idols they make,
for their carefully shaped works are a fraud.
These idols have no breath or power.
18 Idols are worthless; they are ridiculous lies!
On the day of reckoning they will all be destroyed.
19 But the God of Israel[a] is no idol!
He is the Creator of everything that exists,
including his people, his own special possession.
The LORD of Heaven’s Armies is his name!
Just as Jeremiah had to stop in the midst of his prophecies against seemingly everyone to sing a song of praise to God, I need to stop the craziness of everyday life and do the same. Today, especially, I am praising God for my Bride Peggy, who celebrates a physical birthday today. Lord, thank You for sending Peggy to me. To say that my life is not complete without her is the understatement of the year, and I give You the glory for sending her to me!
and he preserves it by his wisdom.
With his own understanding
he stretched out the heavens.
16 When he speaks in the thunder,
the heavens are filled with water.
He causes the clouds to rise over the earth.
He sends the lightning with the rain
and releases the wind from his storehouses.
17 The whole human race is foolish and has no knowledge!
The craftsmen are disgraced by the idols they make,
for their carefully shaped works are a fraud.
These idols have no breath or power.
18 Idols are worthless; they are ridiculous lies!
On the day of reckoning they will all be destroyed.
19 But the God of Israel[a] is no idol!
He is the Creator of everything that exists,
including his people, his own special possession.
The LORD of Heaven’s Armies is his name!
Just as Jeremiah had to stop in the midst of his prophecies against seemingly everyone to sing a song of praise to God, I need to stop the craziness of everyday life and do the same. Today, especially, I am praising God for my Bride Peggy, who celebrates a physical birthday today. Lord, thank You for sending Peggy to me. To say that my life is not complete without her is the understatement of the year, and I give You the glory for sending her to me!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Lost Sheep
Jeremiah 50
6 “My people have been lost sheep.
Their shepherds have led them astray
and turned them loose in the mountains.
They have lost their way
and can’t remember how to get back to the sheepfold.
7 All who found them devoured them.
Their enemies said,
‘We did nothing wrong in attacking them,
for they sinned against the LORD,
their true place of rest,
and the hope of their ancestors.’"
This could easily be a promise God makes to Christians around the world today. Especially Christian Americans: we are lost sheep whose shepherds have led astray. We have plenty of preachers teaching stuff that is not found in the pages of the Bible and trying to convince people that their teachings are Truth. Others take passages from the Bible out of context to twist them for their own purposes. May I never do that, Lord. Keep me from the sin of making Your Word say what I want it to say. Instead, may my words line up with what Your Word says. May those of us who desire to follow Christ do so wholeheartedly and may we never forget how to get back to You, lest our enemies devour us.
6 “My people have been lost sheep.
Their shepherds have led them astray
and turned them loose in the mountains.
They have lost their way
and can’t remember how to get back to the sheepfold.
7 All who found them devoured them.
Their enemies said,
‘We did nothing wrong in attacking them,
for they sinned against the LORD,
their true place of rest,
and the hope of their ancestors.’"
This could easily be a promise God makes to Christians around the world today. Especially Christian Americans: we are lost sheep whose shepherds have led astray. We have plenty of preachers teaching stuff that is not found in the pages of the Bible and trying to convince people that their teachings are Truth. Others take passages from the Bible out of context to twist them for their own purposes. May I never do that, Lord. Keep me from the sin of making Your Word say what I want it to say. Instead, may my words line up with what Your Word says. May those of us who desire to follow Christ do so wholeheartedly and may we never forget how to get back to You, lest our enemies devour us.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Keeping It In Context
Jeremiah 29
10 This is what the LORD says: “You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. 14 I will be found by you,” says the LORD. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.”
I just wanted to give some context to one of the most often quoted verses from Jeremiah…chapter 29, verse 11. God spoke those words to the Jewish exiles in Babylon. Lots of folks want to take those words out of that context and force some kind of application for us today. While it is true that God knows everything about us, past present and future, we need to be careful not to try to force God’s Word to say something to us that it is clearly saying to a specific people in a specific time and circumstance. I believe that many Christians in America have been captured by the culture. It is my prayer that these Christians will awaken from the sleep sin has lulled them into, and that they will repent. Maybe then God will hear their prayers and restore them to Him.
10 This is what the LORD says: “You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. 14 I will be found by you,” says the LORD. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.”
I just wanted to give some context to one of the most often quoted verses from Jeremiah…chapter 29, verse 11. God spoke those words to the Jewish exiles in Babylon. Lots of folks want to take those words out of that context and force some kind of application for us today. While it is true that God knows everything about us, past present and future, we need to be careful not to try to force God’s Word to say something to us that it is clearly saying to a specific people in a specific time and circumstance. I believe that many Christians in America have been captured by the culture. It is my prayer that these Christians will awaken from the sleep sin has lulled them into, and that they will repent. Maybe then God will hear their prayers and restore them to Him.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Striking Similarities
Jeremiah 49
3 “Cry out, O Heshbon,
for the town of Ai is destroyed.
Weep, O people of Rabbah!
Put on your clothes of mourning.
Weep and wail, hiding in the hedges,
for your god Molech, with his priests and officials,
will be hauled off to distant lands.
4 You are proud of your fertile valleys,
but they will soon be ruined.
You trusted in your wealth,
you rebellious daughter,
and thought no one could ever harm you.
5 But look! I will bring terror upon you,”
says the Lord, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.
“Your neighbors will chase you from your land,
and no one will help your exiles as they flee.
6 But I will restore the fortunes of the Ammonites
in days to come.
I, the LORD, have spoken.”
Now HERE’S a passage from the Old Testament that could (notice I said COULD) apply towards the United States of America. As I have stated before the U.S. is not the modern-day equivalent of Judah and Israel, but this passage is a prophecy for the people of Ammon, and I believe it is quite appropriate for the people of the United States of America. We have turned away from God and towards our own idols of self-reliance, self-dependence, and self-indulgence, and we are reaping what we have sown.
3 “Cry out, O Heshbon,
for the town of Ai is destroyed.
Weep, O people of Rabbah!
Put on your clothes of mourning.
Weep and wail, hiding in the hedges,
for your god Molech, with his priests and officials,
will be hauled off to distant lands.
4 You are proud of your fertile valleys,
but they will soon be ruined.
You trusted in your wealth,
you rebellious daughter,
and thought no one could ever harm you.
5 But look! I will bring terror upon you,”
says the Lord, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.
“Your neighbors will chase you from your land,
and no one will help your exiles as they flee.
6 But I will restore the fortunes of the Ammonites
in days to come.
I, the LORD, have spoken.”
Now HERE’S a passage from the Old Testament that could (notice I said COULD) apply towards the United States of America. As I have stated before the U.S. is not the modern-day equivalent of Judah and Israel, but this passage is a prophecy for the people of Ammon, and I believe it is quite appropriate for the people of the United States of America. We have turned away from God and towards our own idols of self-reliance, self-dependence, and self-indulgence, and we are reaping what we have sown.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Who To Trust?
Jeremiah 17
5 This is what the LORD says:
“Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans,
who rely on human strength
and turn their hearts away from the LORD.
6 They are like stunted shrubs in the desert,
with no hope for the future.
They will live in the barren wilderness,
in an uninhabited salty land.
7 “But blessed are those who trust in the LORD
and have made the LORD their hope and confidence.
8 They are like trees planted along a riverbank,
with roots that reach deep into the water.
Such trees are not bothered by the heat
or worried by long months of drought.
Their leaves stay green,
and they never stop producing fruit.”
An awful lot of people want us to place our full trust, faith, and hope in the government. To them, I would simply point back to this passage from Jeremiah, and say that I will place my full trust, hope, and faith in the Lord God Almighty, thank you very much.
5 This is what the LORD says:
“Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans,
who rely on human strength
and turn their hearts away from the LORD.
6 They are like stunted shrubs in the desert,
with no hope for the future.
They will live in the barren wilderness,
in an uninhabited salty land.
7 “But blessed are those who trust in the LORD
and have made the LORD their hope and confidence.
8 They are like trees planted along a riverbank,
with roots that reach deep into the water.
Such trees are not bothered by the heat
or worried by long months of drought.
Their leaves stay green,
and they never stop producing fruit.”
An awful lot of people want us to place our full trust, faith, and hope in the government. To them, I would simply point back to this passage from Jeremiah, and say that I will place my full trust, hope, and faith in the Lord God Almighty, thank you very much.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Warning Against Pride
Jeremiah 13
15 Listen and pay attention!
Do not be arrogant, for the LORD has spoken.
16a Give glory to the LORD your God
before it is too late.
Jeremiah is warning Judah against the sin of pride. I love these words in verse 15 & 16, because I need to pay attention, and not be arrogant. All glory belongs to God. It is easy for those of us “in the spotlight” to sometimes get carried away with ourselves. Today’s Celebration Services at VCC were by far my favorite ever. Afterwards, several people lavished praise on what had occurred. Someone else wants me to come to his recording studio to lay down some vocal tracks. Someone else is excited about video work I can help them with. Blah, blah, blah! I need to listen and pay attention…I need to ALWAYS give the glory to God. I did so today, and continue to do so as I type this. I am nothing but a tool to be used by my Creator for His glory, honor and praise. When I dare to think that I am anything else, I have crossed the line towards pride. May it never be so.
15 Listen and pay attention!
Do not be arrogant, for the LORD has spoken.
16a Give glory to the LORD your God
before it is too late.
Jeremiah is warning Judah against the sin of pride. I love these words in verse 15 & 16, because I need to pay attention, and not be arrogant. All glory belongs to God. It is easy for those of us “in the spotlight” to sometimes get carried away with ourselves. Today’s Celebration Services at VCC were by far my favorite ever. Afterwards, several people lavished praise on what had occurred. Someone else wants me to come to his recording studio to lay down some vocal tracks. Someone else is excited about video work I can help them with. Blah, blah, blah! I need to listen and pay attention…I need to ALWAYS give the glory to God. I did so today, and continue to do so as I type this. I am nothing but a tool to be used by my Creator for His glory, honor and praise. When I dare to think that I am anything else, I have crossed the line towards pride. May it never be so.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
No One Like You
Jeremiah 10
6 LORD, there is no one like you!
For you are great, and your name is full of power.
7 Who would not fear you, O King of nations?
That title belongs to you alone!
Among all the wise people of the earth
and in all the kingdoms of the world,
there is no one like you.
On this 28th wedding anniversary of mine, I read this passage and want to echo Jeremiah in proclaiming God’s glory. I know he is prophesying the doom of idolatry in Judah. I am celebrating God’s 2nd greatest gift in my life: Peggy. My salvation through Jesus is the best gift (duh). Anyway, this passage also reminds me of a David Crowder Band song: “No One Like You.”
You are more beautiful
Than anyone ever
Everyday You're the same
You never change, no never
You are more beautiful
Than anyone ever
Everyday You're the same
You never change, no never
And how could I ever deny
The love of my Savior
You are to me everything
All I need forever
How could You be so good to me?
There is no one like You
There has never ever been anyone like You!
To that sentiment I can only add my hearty, “Amen!”
6 LORD, there is no one like you!
For you are great, and your name is full of power.
7 Who would not fear you, O King of nations?
That title belongs to you alone!
Among all the wise people of the earth
and in all the kingdoms of the world,
there is no one like you.
On this 28th wedding anniversary of mine, I read this passage and want to echo Jeremiah in proclaiming God’s glory. I know he is prophesying the doom of idolatry in Judah. I am celebrating God’s 2nd greatest gift in my life: Peggy. My salvation through Jesus is the best gift (duh). Anyway, this passage also reminds me of a David Crowder Band song: “No One Like You.”
You are more beautiful
Than anyone ever
Everyday You're the same
You never change, no never
You are more beautiful
Than anyone ever
Everyday You're the same
You never change, no never
And how could I ever deny
The love of my Savior
You are to me everything
All I need forever
How could You be so good to me?
There is no one like You
There has never ever been anyone like You!
To that sentiment I can only add my hearty, “Amen!”
Friday, August 7, 2009
I Won't --No I Can't Keep Quiet
Jeremiah 20
7 O LORD, you misled me,
and I allowed myself to be misled.
You are stronger than I am,
and you overpowered me.
Now I am mocked every day;
everyone laughs at me.
8 When I speak, the words burst out.
“Violence and destruction!” I shout.
So these messages from the LORD
have made me a household joke.
9 But if I say I’ll never mention the LORD
or speak in his name,
his word burns in my heart like a fire.
It’s like a fire in my bones!
I am worn out trying to hold it in!
I can’t do it!
Jeremiah 20, verse 9 is an oft quoted or at least oft partially quoted verse. But I want to keep it in context today. Jeremiah is complaining to God about the harsh treatment he gets every time he speaks out for the LORD. Jeremiah gets whipped, imprisoned, and his life is threatened on a regular basis. But, even in the midst of his complaint to God, Jeremiah proclaims that he is unable to keep from speaking what God would have him say! May my heart burn and my bones feel like a fire if I should dare to stop proclaiming His Word to this adulteress generation in America. Christians have sat passively by for far too long ignoring God’s clear commands to be salt and light. I pray that those of us who claim to follow Christ will behave like we are following Christ.
7 O LORD, you misled me,
and I allowed myself to be misled.
You are stronger than I am,
and you overpowered me.
Now I am mocked every day;
everyone laughs at me.
8 When I speak, the words burst out.
“Violence and destruction!” I shout.
So these messages from the LORD
have made me a household joke.
9 But if I say I’ll never mention the LORD
or speak in his name,
his word burns in my heart like a fire.
It’s like a fire in my bones!
I am worn out trying to hold it in!
I can’t do it!
Jeremiah 20, verse 9 is an oft quoted or at least oft partially quoted verse. But I want to keep it in context today. Jeremiah is complaining to God about the harsh treatment he gets every time he speaks out for the LORD. Jeremiah gets whipped, imprisoned, and his life is threatened on a regular basis. But, even in the midst of his complaint to God, Jeremiah proclaims that he is unable to keep from speaking what God would have him say! May my heart burn and my bones feel like a fire if I should dare to stop proclaiming His Word to this adulteress generation in America. Christians have sat passively by for far too long ignoring God’s clear commands to be salt and light. I pray that those of us who claim to follow Christ will behave like we are following Christ.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
No Idol Worship For This Ole Boy
Daniel 3
24 But suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, “Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?”
“Yes, Your Majesty, we certainly did,” they replied.
25 “Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!”
Most of us are familiar with this story from Daniel about three guys who get thrown into the fiery furnace because they refused to bow down to an idol, and while they are in the furnace, a 4th guy is with them, who looks like a “god.” It is so comforting to me to know that Jesus is with me in the midst of trials and tribulations. I will be labeled part of the “angry mob” by the current political administration in this country because I won’t bow down to the idol of socialism the politicians are trying to cram down our throats. Throw me in the furnace and whether God decides to rescue me from that furnace or simply walk with me through it, I will NOT bow down to the idols this country seems to be demanding of its citizens.
24 But suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, “Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?”
“Yes, Your Majesty, we certainly did,” they replied.
25 “Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!”
Most of us are familiar with this story from Daniel about three guys who get thrown into the fiery furnace because they refused to bow down to an idol, and while they are in the furnace, a 4th guy is with them, who looks like a “god.” It is so comforting to me to know that Jesus is with me in the midst of trials and tribulations. I will be labeled part of the “angry mob” by the current political administration in this country because I won’t bow down to the idol of socialism the politicians are trying to cram down our throats. Throw me in the furnace and whether God decides to rescue me from that furnace or simply walk with me through it, I will NOT bow down to the idols this country seems to be demanding of its citizens.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Obey the Whole Gospel
Jeremiah 36
21 The king sent Jehudi to get the scroll. Jehudi brought it from Elishama’s room and read it to the king as all his officials stood by. 22 It was late autumn, and the king was in a winterized part of the palace, sitting in front of a fire to keep warm. 23 Each time Jehudi finished reading three or four columns, the king took a knife and cut off that section of the scroll. He then threw it into the fire, section by section, until the whole scroll was burned up. 24 Neither the king nor his attendants showed any signs of fear or repentance at what they heard. 25 Even when Elnathan, Delaiah, and Gemariah begged the king not to burn the scroll, he wouldn’t listen.
King Jehoiakim is not unlike most of us who claim to be part of God’s Kingdom today. Lots of us choose to ignore or “cut out” the parts of God’s Word that don’t suit us. When we ignore those sections of Scripture or worse yet, when we deliberately live in the opposite way that we are supposed to, we are throwing those parts of the Holy Word of God into the fire of our own self-importance and delusion. Can anything but disaster await us just as it did King Jehoiakim and his followers? Lord, it is my desire to follow Your Word. Even, no especially the parts of Your Word that are difficult or that challenge my desire to be the boss of me. May I submit everything to You, Lord, and may I obey Your Whole Gospel.
21 The king sent Jehudi to get the scroll. Jehudi brought it from Elishama’s room and read it to the king as all his officials stood by. 22 It was late autumn, and the king was in a winterized part of the palace, sitting in front of a fire to keep warm. 23 Each time Jehudi finished reading three or four columns, the king took a knife and cut off that section of the scroll. He then threw it into the fire, section by section, until the whole scroll was burned up. 24 Neither the king nor his attendants showed any signs of fear or repentance at what they heard. 25 Even when Elnathan, Delaiah, and Gemariah begged the king not to burn the scroll, he wouldn’t listen.
King Jehoiakim is not unlike most of us who claim to be part of God’s Kingdom today. Lots of us choose to ignore or “cut out” the parts of God’s Word that don’t suit us. When we ignore those sections of Scripture or worse yet, when we deliberately live in the opposite way that we are supposed to, we are throwing those parts of the Holy Word of God into the fire of our own self-importance and delusion. Can anything but disaster await us just as it did King Jehoiakim and his followers? Lord, it is my desire to follow Your Word. Even, no especially the parts of Your Word that are difficult or that challenge my desire to be the boss of me. May I submit everything to You, Lord, and may I obey Your Whole Gospel.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
I Weep
Jeremiah 25
2 Jeremiah the prophet said to all the people in Judah and Jerusalem, 3 “For the past twenty-three years—from the thirteenth year of the reign of Josiah son of Amon, king of Judah, until now—the LORD has been giving me his messages. I have faithfully passed them on to you, but you have not listened.
4 “Again and again the LORD has sent you his servants, the prophets, but you have not listened or even paid attention. 5 Each time the message was this: ‘Turn from the evil road you are traveling and from the evil things you are doing. Only then will I let you live in this land that the LORD gave to you and your ancestors forever. 6 Do not provoke my anger by worshiping idols you made with your own hands. Then I will not harm you.’
7 “But you would not listen to me,” says the LORD.
Frustration is a natural response to years of seemingly fruitless preaching. Jeremiah is known as the Weeping Prophet, and he wept because of Judah’s stubborn refusal to listen to God’s Word. For 23 years Jeremiah has been bringing the people of Judah God’s Word, and (as verse 7 says) they would not listen. I’ve been involved in student ministry for 21 years now, and there are plenty of students who have chosen not to listen to the Word of the Lord. Others who have, and I praise God for them. However, I do weep over the numerous students with whom I have ministered over the years who simply refused to listen to God. Whether they listened to me or not is of no importance, but refusing to listen to God? I weep.
2 Jeremiah the prophet said to all the people in Judah and Jerusalem, 3 “For the past twenty-three years—from the thirteenth year of the reign of Josiah son of Amon, king of Judah, until now—the LORD has been giving me his messages. I have faithfully passed them on to you, but you have not listened.
4 “Again and again the LORD has sent you his servants, the prophets, but you have not listened or even paid attention. 5 Each time the message was this: ‘Turn from the evil road you are traveling and from the evil things you are doing. Only then will I let you live in this land that the LORD gave to you and your ancestors forever. 6 Do not provoke my anger by worshiping idols you made with your own hands. Then I will not harm you.’
7 “But you would not listen to me,” says the LORD.
Frustration is a natural response to years of seemingly fruitless preaching. Jeremiah is known as the Weeping Prophet, and he wept because of Judah’s stubborn refusal to listen to God’s Word. For 23 years Jeremiah has been bringing the people of Judah God’s Word, and (as verse 7 says) they would not listen. I’ve been involved in student ministry for 21 years now, and there are plenty of students who have chosen not to listen to the Word of the Lord. Others who have, and I praise God for them. However, I do weep over the numerous students with whom I have ministered over the years who simply refused to listen to God. Whether they listened to me or not is of no importance, but refusing to listen to God? I weep.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Roaring Lions
Zephaniah 3
1 What sorrow awaits rebellious, polluted Jerusalem,
the city of violence and crime!
2 No one can tell it anything;
it refuses all correction.
It does not trust in the LORD
or draw near to its God.
3 Its leaders are like roaring lions
hunting for their victims.
As I red this passage, I couldn’t help but remember what Peter wrote about a roaring lion:
1 Peter 5:8
“8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
Yes, the leaders of God’s city get the same designation as satan does. Leaders who move the people away from God and His Word are quite literally agents of satan. Be they religious leaders, political leaders, or family leaders. We have plenty of satan’s agents at work today, now is the time for Christ Followers to lead people back to the Book and back to Jesus!
1 What sorrow awaits rebellious, polluted Jerusalem,
the city of violence and crime!
2 No one can tell it anything;
it refuses all correction.
It does not trust in the LORD
or draw near to its God.
3 Its leaders are like roaring lions
hunting for their victims.
As I red this passage, I couldn’t help but remember what Peter wrote about a roaring lion:
1 Peter 5:8
“8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
Yes, the leaders of God’s city get the same designation as satan does. Leaders who move the people away from God and His Word are quite literally agents of satan. Be they religious leaders, political leaders, or family leaders. We have plenty of satan’s agents at work today, now is the time for Christ Followers to lead people back to the Book and back to Jesus!
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Joyful In God
Habakkuk 3
18b I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
19 The Sovereign LORD is my strength!
Toward the end of Habakkuk’s prayer comes this proclamation of praise. In the midst of disaster brought about from a refusal of God’s people to obey His Word, the prophet has to just stop and praise the name of the Lord Almighty. No matter how bleak things may seem, we need to praise God for His salvation and for the strength we can have through Him. May my life be a song of praise always. May my joy be evident to all.
18b I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
19 The Sovereign LORD is my strength!
Toward the end of Habakkuk’s prayer comes this proclamation of praise. In the midst of disaster brought about from a refusal of God’s people to obey His Word, the prophet has to just stop and praise the name of the Lord Almighty. No matter how bleak things may seem, we need to praise God for His salvation and for the strength we can have through Him. May my life be a song of praise always. May my joy be evident to all.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Not By Executive Order
2 Chronicles 34
31 The king took his place of authority beside the pillar and renewed the covenant in the LORD’s presence. He pledged to obey the LORD by keeping all his commands, laws, and decrees with all his heart and soul. He promised to obey all the terms of the covenant that were written in the scroll. 32 And he required everyone in Jerusalem and the people of Benjamin to make a similar pledge. The people of Jerusalem did so, renewing their covenant with God, the God of their ancestors.
Oh, that it were so easy. I mean to just have someone in a position of authority or power to make a decree and then have everyone follow the LORD from that point forward. It wasn’t that easy in Josiah’s case, and it is impossible today. It’s not how God works in the lives of people. No one can “force” anyone else to obey God’s commands. We Christ followers are not like the Muslims, who resort of coercion to mandate their belief system. No, we know that humans have free will. In order to convince people that following Christ is the ONLY right way to live, we must live right as an example for others to follow. No executive decree can accomplish that. Lives surrendered to Christ in obedience to the Gospel make all the difference. May my life make the difference for one person who is seeking Truth today.
31 The king took his place of authority beside the pillar and renewed the covenant in the LORD’s presence. He pledged to obey the LORD by keeping all his commands, laws, and decrees with all his heart and soul. He promised to obey all the terms of the covenant that were written in the scroll. 32 And he required everyone in Jerusalem and the people of Benjamin to make a similar pledge. The people of Jerusalem did so, renewing their covenant with God, the God of their ancestors.
Oh, that it were so easy. I mean to just have someone in a position of authority or power to make a decree and then have everyone follow the LORD from that point forward. It wasn’t that easy in Josiah’s case, and it is impossible today. It’s not how God works in the lives of people. No one can “force” anyone else to obey God’s commands. We Christ followers are not like the Muslims, who resort of coercion to mandate their belief system. No, we know that humans have free will. In order to convince people that following Christ is the ONLY right way to live, we must live right as an example for others to follow. No executive decree can accomplish that. Lives surrendered to Christ in obedience to the Gospel make all the difference. May my life make the difference for one person who is seeking Truth today.
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