Ezekiel 36: 21-23
God is concerned for His holy Name being profaned by Israel, so He will vindicate the holiness of My great Name ... when I prove Myself holy among you in their sight.
36: 24-38
Now He tells them how he will regather them from all the Nations into which they had been scattered, into their own land. Then (at some later time?) He will regenerate them, cleansing them, giving them a new heart, and His own Spirit; then they will obey Him and God will again bless them and multiply their numbers. And everyone will know that He is Lord (Boss).
Chapter 37
The "Valley of the Dry Bones;" the reuniting of the two kingdoms, northern Israel and southern Judah, under one King, David('s successor--Jesus).
God shared with Ezekiel His plan for His people Israel, all 12 Tribes, not just the two or the ten. He had this prophet write down for us to read today, what He will do with this People that He chose so long ago.
When God gets tired of His great Name being profaned because of the state of His "chosen people," He says that He will vindicate His reputation as God by bringing all of Israel from all the Nations where they have been scattered back to their own Land.
We see this today, that Hebrew people from all over the World are coming back to that tiny piece of real estate they originally had, and they are even recognized by the other Nations as Israel.
So the first part of this prophesy has been fulfilled in our day. Now we look for God to draw these Israelis to Himself for Salvation in their promised Messiah, and for this Messiah to return to this Earth to reign over them as their King.
Jesus was born of Mary, who traced her lineage back to King David through his son Nathan; and His legal father, Joseph, the husband of Mary, traced his lineage back to King David through the regal line of kings. Impressive.
Since the destruction of the Temple in 70 A.D. when all the genealogical records were burned, only God knows the identities of the members of the 12 Tribes of Israel today.
I am constantly amazed by the accuracy of God's Word when speaking of events and happenings that would not take place until hundreds of years later, down to tiniest details! God really is God, knowing all things because He is the One doing them.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Saturday, September 8, 2018
Friday, September 7, 2018
Do I Ponder Or Pour Out?
Proverbs 15: 28
The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
I can't count how many times I have let my mouth run off without thinking! If only I can learn to stop, pause to think, then reply in a more appropriate way.
O my Father, please teach me Your wisdom, that I may ponder how to answer, and not just open my mouth to pour out what will not be helpful.
Put Your guard on my mouth and my tongue, that I may pause to consider my words, my answer, before I speak it.
Grant me Your discretion in my thoughts, the ideas and concepts I share and how to present them with words that are acceptable to the hearers and encouraging to their hearts.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
I can't count how many times I have let my mouth run off without thinking! If only I can learn to stop, pause to think, then reply in a more appropriate way.
O my Father, please teach me Your wisdom, that I may ponder how to answer, and not just open my mouth to pour out what will not be helpful.
Put Your guard on my mouth and my tongue, that I may pause to consider my words, my answer, before I speak it.
Grant me Your discretion in my thoughts, the ideas and concepts I share and how to present them with words that are acceptable to the hearers and encouraging to their hearts.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Thursday, September 6, 2018
Is Achan's Sin Ours?
Joshua 6: 27 - 7: 1
So the Lord was with Joshua, and his fame was in all the land. But the sons of Israel acted unfaithfully in regard to the things under the ban, for Achan ...
We of mankind are so weak and foolish! God has showed us over and over again how weak and rebellious we are!
God has just done magnificent miracles--drying up the Jordan River while it was in the flood stage, and causing the walls of Jericho to just fall down flat! And still there has to be somebody who doesn't take God seriously!
Achan didn't think that what he did in secret would count. He didn't understand Who God is. And today there are so many who don't know God and consider wrong only when they get caught. Like Achan.
God took very drastic and decisive action then, with Achan and his household who were complicit with him, and the whole Nation feared His Name to purify their own lives; and the other Nations feared them.
O my Father, Your patience will last until all of Your sheep have been found and every creature has heard of Your Love to understand what You have accomplished on their behalf, and refused You.
I don't understand how anyone can refuse to believe the Truth that is right in front of them. How they can think You are less than You are? You are God! We are not, but we still think that we know better.
Father, Your goodness is drawing Your lost sheep into the fold, but the time is coming (and may be here) when Your wrath will be unleashed and poured out on the sons and daughters of Men who have refused to consider Who You are!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
So the Lord was with Joshua, and his fame was in all the land. But the sons of Israel acted unfaithfully in regard to the things under the ban, for Achan ...
We of mankind are so weak and foolish! God has showed us over and over again how weak and rebellious we are!
God has just done magnificent miracles--drying up the Jordan River while it was in the flood stage, and causing the walls of Jericho to just fall down flat! And still there has to be somebody who doesn't take God seriously!
Achan didn't think that what he did in secret would count. He didn't understand Who God is. And today there are so many who don't know God and consider wrong only when they get caught. Like Achan.
God took very drastic and decisive action then, with Achan and his household who were complicit with him, and the whole Nation feared His Name to purify their own lives; and the other Nations feared them.
O my Father, Your patience will last until all of Your sheep have been found and every creature has heard of Your Love to understand what You have accomplished on their behalf, and refused You.
I don't understand how anyone can refuse to believe the Truth that is right in front of them. How they can think You are less than You are? You are God! We are not, but we still think that we know better.
Father, Your goodness is drawing Your lost sheep into the fold, but the time is coming (and may be here) when Your wrath will be unleashed and poured out on the sons and daughters of Men who have refused to consider Who You are!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Wednesday, September 5, 2018
Reaching Forward
Philippians 3: 13-14
I do not regard myself as having laid hold yet, but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Paul wrote that he didn't think he'd "arrived" yet, but was still struggling to follow the road laid out before him. By not letting anything in the past deter him, he was totally focused on serving the Lord today to the best of his ability, stretching himself to strive to reach as far as he could to succeed in bringing as many souls to salvation as he possibly could.
And when he knew he was coming to the end of that road, he said to Timothy that he was, Ready to be offered [as a drink offering], the time of my departure [death] is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.
He didn't mean that he was perfect, but that, Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day. And not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing. (II Timothy 4:6-8.)
Paul knew that he wasn't unique in his service rewards, but that he would receive the same "crown" as everyone else who also longed and looked for Christ's Glorious Appearing. He remained humble to the end.
I'm sure he also will receive many accolaides and rewards for his exceptional service, sufferings, persecutions, and generosity he gave to all he ministered to. And he is still ministering to us even today, through his writings.
O my Father, I thank You so much for Who You are and what You have done! Thank You for sending Your own Son, Jesus, to be our Savior, to be my Savior, my Redeemer. Thank You for saving Saul of Tarsis, changing him into Paul the Evangelist, and giving him to all of Your church, Father, from the beginning all the way down to even today, and all the rest until we are called out.
Thank You for Your great Love wherewith You have loved us, that is far beyond my comprehension. Even when we are still rebelling against You as Your enemies, You still sent Your Son to take our sins upon Himself on that Cross, paying my debt in full; now You place His righteousness to my account, balancing Your books.
I need Your strength, Father, to work out this Redemption in my life; teach me to forget what lies behind and reach forward toward the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus! Strengthen me to stretch and reach forward; onward and upward; ever closer to You!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
I do not regard myself as having laid hold yet, but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Paul wrote that he didn't think he'd "arrived" yet, but was still struggling to follow the road laid out before him. By not letting anything in the past deter him, he was totally focused on serving the Lord today to the best of his ability, stretching himself to strive to reach as far as he could to succeed in bringing as many souls to salvation as he possibly could.
And when he knew he was coming to the end of that road, he said to Timothy that he was, Ready to be offered [as a drink offering], the time of my departure [death] is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.
He didn't mean that he was perfect, but that, Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day. And not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing. (II Timothy 4:6-8.)
Paul knew that he wasn't unique in his service rewards, but that he would receive the same "crown" as everyone else who also longed and looked for Christ's Glorious Appearing. He remained humble to the end.
I'm sure he also will receive many accolaides and rewards for his exceptional service, sufferings, persecutions, and generosity he gave to all he ministered to. And he is still ministering to us even today, through his writings.
O my Father, I thank You so much for Who You are and what You have done! Thank You for sending Your own Son, Jesus, to be our Savior, to be my Savior, my Redeemer. Thank You for saving Saul of Tarsis, changing him into Paul the Evangelist, and giving him to all of Your church, Father, from the beginning all the way down to even today, and all the rest until we are called out.
Thank You for Your great Love wherewith You have loved us, that is far beyond my comprehension. Even when we are still rebelling against You as Your enemies, You still sent Your Son to take our sins upon Himself on that Cross, paying my debt in full; now You place His righteousness to my account, balancing Your books.
I need Your strength, Father, to work out this Redemption in my life; teach me to forget what lies behind and reach forward toward the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus! Strengthen me to stretch and reach forward; onward and upward; ever closer to You!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Tuesday, September 4, 2018
Abide, Fruit, Ask, Love
John 15: 7, 8, 16, 17
If you abide in Me, and My Words abide in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you.
By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit ...
That you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask of the Father in My Name, He may give to you.
This I command you, that you love one another.
There is a string running through these: abiding, bearing fruit, receiving what we ask for, and loving one another. They're all connected. To do one is to do them all. We can't separate these.
If we're abiding in Christ with His Words abiding in us, then we will have love for one another, we will bear fruit, and we will receive what we ask for.
When God's Word lives in us from moment to moment and day by day, then what we want to ask for will be what God wants to give us. And we will love one another, and bear spiritual fruit that will last.
O my Father, teach me how to love You, how to love others as You love them. Let me bear fruit that will endure, to bring glory to You, Father.
I want to live this life You gave me according to the plans You made for me before You even made the World.
I want to understand Your ways, that are so far above and better than my ways that I would never find them without Your revelation. Teach me Your ways, Lord; draw me ever closer to Your face, that I may behold Your glory and be forever changed!
So that what I do will promote Your righteousness and further Your Program for this World, and that You will receive the credit, the glory, for everything You are doing in my life and in this World.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
If you abide in Me, and My Words abide in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you.
By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit ...
That you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask of the Father in My Name, He may give to you.
This I command you, that you love one another.
There is a string running through these: abiding, bearing fruit, receiving what we ask for, and loving one another. They're all connected. To do one is to do them all. We can't separate these.
If we're abiding in Christ with His Words abiding in us, then we will have love for one another, we will bear fruit, and we will receive what we ask for.
When God's Word lives in us from moment to moment and day by day, then what we want to ask for will be what God wants to give us. And we will love one another, and bear spiritual fruit that will last.
O my Father, teach me how to love You, how to love others as You love them. Let me bear fruit that will endure, to bring glory to You, Father.
I want to live this life You gave me according to the plans You made for me before You even made the World.
I want to understand Your ways, that are so far above and better than my ways that I would never find them without Your revelation. Teach me Your ways, Lord; draw me ever closer to Your face, that I may behold Your glory and be forever changed!
So that what I do will promote Your righteousness and further Your Program for this World, and that You will receive the credit, the glory, for everything You are doing in my life and in this World.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Monday, September 3, 2018
Sun And Shield, Grace And Glory
Psalm 84: 11-12
For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord gives grace and glory; no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. O Lord of Hosts, how blessed is the man who trusts in You!
The sun gives us light, God is our Light. He protects us as a shield. He gives us His unmerited favor, and gives us resplendent beauty and magnificence. When we live our lives uprightly He will shower upon us all the good things that give color and radiance to our lives.
O my Father, my Abba Daddy, I praise You for Your great wisdom in creating and forming this whole Universe; You gave Your light to the sun to give us life, and You set the planets in their orbits.
You work in and among the sons of men to accomplish Your good purposes, and You are accomplishing everything You have planned.
Thank You for revealing Your program to us in Your Word, for telling us what You are doing to prepare this World of men and the sons and daughters of men for the culmination and completion of Your great Plan of the Ages.
Thank You for strengthening and sustaining and holding us, Your children, in Your protective hand.
Thank You for Your light to perceive and understand Your doings.
Teach us to examine our own hearts, to cleanse out the wounds, the secret sins we cherish, to confess and forsake them; to live lives of righteousness and promote righteousness in our societies all over the World.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord gives grace and glory; no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. O Lord of Hosts, how blessed is the man who trusts in You!
The sun gives us light, God is our Light. He protects us as a shield. He gives us His unmerited favor, and gives us resplendent beauty and magnificence. When we live our lives uprightly He will shower upon us all the good things that give color and radiance to our lives.
O my Father, my Abba Daddy, I praise You for Your great wisdom in creating and forming this whole Universe; You gave Your light to the sun to give us life, and You set the planets in their orbits.
You work in and among the sons of men to accomplish Your good purposes, and You are accomplishing everything You have planned.
Thank You for revealing Your program to us in Your Word, for telling us what You are doing to prepare this World of men and the sons and daughters of men for the culmination and completion of Your great Plan of the Ages.
Thank You for strengthening and sustaining and holding us, Your children, in Your protective hand.
Thank You for Your light to perceive and understand Your doings.
Teach us to examine our own hearts, to cleanse out the wounds, the secret sins we cherish, to confess and forsake them; to live lives of righteousness and promote righteousness in our societies all over the World.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Sunday, September 2, 2018
Exhorting, Encouraging, Imploring
I Thessalonians 2: 11-12
... How we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the God Who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.
O my Father, teach me how to behave toward my own children, who are now grown, adults themselves; how to exhort, to encourage, and to urge them to live their lives in a manner that is worthy of Your kingdom and glory. Help me to understand these concepts, so that I can be careful to do these things.
Put a guard on my mouth; teach me to think before I open my mouth to speak, so that I will say only what is good, uplifting, and encouraging; that the law of kindness and mercy be under my tongue and my words will build up and not tear down.
Father, continue to mold and shape me into the very image, the character, of Your own dear Son, my Savior, my Redeemer, my Lord and my King.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
... How we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the God Who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.
O my Father, teach me how to behave toward my own children, who are now grown, adults themselves; how to exhort, to encourage, and to urge them to live their lives in a manner that is worthy of Your kingdom and glory. Help me to understand these concepts, so that I can be careful to do these things.
Put a guard on my mouth; teach me to think before I open my mouth to speak, so that I will say only what is good, uplifting, and encouraging; that the law of kindness and mercy be under my tongue and my words will build up and not tear down.
Father, continue to mold and shape me into the very image, the character, of Your own dear Son, my Savior, my Redeemer, my Lord and my King.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
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