Chronological Bible Reading Plan - Day 244
Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Ezekiel 18-20 To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Highlight Passage: Ezekiel 18: 1-3; 10-13; 19-21; 30-32 : [NLT] … 1 Then another message came to me from the LORD: 2 “Why do you quote this proverb in the land of Israel: ‘the parents have eaten sour grapes, but their children’s mouths pucker at the taste’? 3 As surely as I live, says the Sovereign LORD, you will not say this proverb anymore in Israel. 4 For all people are mine to judge—both parents and children alike. And this is my rule: The person who sins will be the one who dies. …
10 “But suppose that man has a son who grows up to be a robber or murderer and refuses to do what is right. 11 And suppose that son does all the evil things his father would never do—worships idols on the mountains, commits adultery, 12 oppresses the poor and helpless, steals from debtors by refusing to let them redeem what they have given in pledge, worships idols and takes part in loathsome practices, 13 and lends money at interest. Should such a sinful person live? No! He must die and must take full blame. …
19“ ‘What?’ you ask. ‘Doesn’t the child pay for the parent’s sins?’ No! For if the child does what is right and keeps my laws, that child will surely live. 20 The one who sins is the one who dies. The child will not be punished for the parent’s sins, and the parent will not be punished for the child’s sins. Righteous people will be rewarded for their own goodness, and wicked people will be punished for their own wickedness. 21 But if wicked people turn away from all their sins and begin to obey my laws and do what is just and right, they will surely live and not die. 22 All their past sins will be forgotten, and they will live because of the righteous things they have done. …
30 “Therefore, I will judge each of you, O people of Israel, according to your actions, says the Sovereign LORD. Turn from your sins! Don’t let them destroy you! 31 Put all your rebellion behind you, and get for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O people of Israel? 32 I don’t want you to die, says the Sovereign LORD. Turn back and live!
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Highlight Passage: Ezekiel 19: 1-2; 14 : [NLT] … 1 “Sing this funeral song for the princes of Israel: 2 ‘What is your mother? A lioness among lions! She lay down among the young lions and reared her cubs. …
14 A fire has come from its branches and devoured its fruit. None of the remaining limbs is strong enough to be a ruler’s scepter.’ This is a funeral song, and it is now time for the funeral.”
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Highlight Passage: Ezekiel 20: 1-4; 23-26; 39-40 : [NLT] … 1 On August 14,£ during the seventh year of King Jehoiachin’s captivity, some of the leaders of Israel came to request a message from the LORD. They sat down in front of me to wait for his reply. 2 Then this message came to me from the LORD: 3 “Son of man, give the leaders of Israel this message from the Sovereign LORD: How dare you come to ask for my help? As surely as I live, I will tell you nothing. This is the word of the Sovereign LORD! 4 “Son of man, bring judgment against them and condemn them. Make them realize how loathsome the actions of their ancestors really were. …
23 But I took a solemn oath against them [i.e., the ancestors of the Jews in Ezekiel’s times] while they were in the wilderness. I vowed I would scatter them among all the nations 24 because they did not obey my laws. They scorned my instructions by violating my Sabbath days and longing for the idols of their ancestors. 25 I gave them over to worthless customs and laws that would not lead to life. 26 I let them pollute themselves with the very gifts I had given them, and I allowed them to give their firstborn children as offerings to their gods—so I might devastate them and show them that I alone am the LORD. …
39 [From God, Ezekiel’s message to the people of Judah in captivity] … “As for you, O people of Israel, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: If you insist, go right ahead and worship your idols, but then don’t turn around and bring gifts to me. Such desecration of my holy name must stop! 40 For on my holy mountain, says the Sovereign LORD, the people of Israel will someday worship me, and I will accept them. There I will require that you bring me all your offerings and choice gifts and sacrifices.
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Cross Reference Passage: Romans 1: 18-32 : [NLT] … To study this passage, go to this link -
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Cross Reference Passage: Romans 12: 1-2 : [NLT] … To study this passage, go to this link -
My Journal for Today: Oh how God, in and through Ezekiel as His Prophet (captured in Chapters 18-20 of Ezekiel’s book), wanted His recalcitrant children captured in Babylon to get His word to repent in faith and be saved. And how Ezekiel, desperately pleading to these Jews with God’s message, wanted them to hear the truth. However, as I read today’s chronological reading passages in Ezekiel, it again reminded me of the pleas of the Apostle Paul to the mostly Jewish Christians in Rome of his day [see the cross reference passages to which I’ve linked readers here in my journaling today].
But Paul had a definite one-up on Ezekiel; and that was the reality of the life, death, and resurrection of the One Who had come, The Messiah, to fulfill all the prophesies and promises of the Old Covenant. Yet, even in Paul’s day, as is true today, there are those who just didn’t get it; and they reverted, as do so many today, to the ways of self and the flesh, just as the wayward Jews had done in all ages of history.
And even today, all around us, we see people who’ve heard the Gospel message and they hear watchmen on the wall, trumpeting the truth of God; and yet, some, who even call themselves “christian,” yet live lives of idolatry and default to hearts of sinfulness. And it is so sad, but true, that these unrepentant, small “c,” christians, like the unrepentant Jews of Ezekiel’s day, will march into hell because they were unable to believe and declare the Lordship of Christ in their lives (as Paul also preached in Romans 10: 9-13).
My friend, I stop here today; and give Paul’s warning from God in Romans 1: 18-32 [linked above]; and I exhort any who read here to Paul’s exhortation in Romans 12: 1-2 [also linked above]. And then I plead with you to believe and declare the truth in Romans 10: 9-13 (which you’ll have to find on your own). Because if you believe those truths and stand with me, having believed in faith in the saving grace given through Christ on the cross, you will join me and we will spend eternity with Christ TOGETHER in glory.
And if you believe and declare this; and are living the life of repentance and faith … I think I sense a very loud, ”HALLELUJAH!!!”
My Prayer Today: … Oh, Lord, those are my feelings this day … HALLELJUAH!!!! Amen
Friday, August 31, 2012
Thursday, August 30, 2012
August 30, 2012 … He’ll Do Whatever It Takes
Chronological Bible Reading Plan - Day 243
Blogger’s Note: To any readers here: Before you read through my journal entry today, please take a few minutes and listen to one of the most personally powerful songs I’ve ever heard, by Phillips, Craig and Dean. Use this link to view/hear this deeply moving sing as a set up for today’s devotional journal entry below. Thank you!
Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Ezekiel 16-17 To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Highlight Passage: Ezekiel 16: 1-3; 13; 15-16; 20-21; 35-39; 49-51 : [NLT] … 1 Then another message came to me from the LORD: 2“Son of man, confront Jerusalem with her loathsome sins. 3 Give her this message from the Sovereign LORD: You are nothing but a Canaanite! Your father was an Amorite and your mother a Hittite! … 13 And so you were made beautiful with gold and silver. Your clothes were made of fine linen and were beautifully embroidered. You ate the finest foods—fine flour, honey, and olive oil—and became more beautiful than ever. You looked like a queen, and so you were! … 15 “But you thought you could get along without me, so you trusted instead in your fame and beauty. You gave yourself as a prostitute to every man who came along. Your beauty was theirs for the asking! 16 You used the lovely things I gave you to make shrines for idols, where you carried out your acts of prostitution. Unbelievable! How could such a thing ever happen? … 20 “Then you took your sons and daughters — the children you had borne to me — and sacrificed them to your gods. Was it not enough that you should be a prostitute? 21 Must you also slaughter my children by sacrificing them to idols? … 35 “Therefore, you prostitute, listen to this message from the LORD! 36 This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Because you have exposed yourself in prostitution to all your lovers, and because you have worshiped detestable idols, and because you have slaughtered your children as sacrifices to your gods, 37 this is what I am going to do. I will gather together all your allies—these lovers of yours with whom you have sinned, both those you loved and those you hated—and I will strip you naked in front of them so they can stare at you. 38 I will punish you for your murder and adultery. I will cover you with blood in my jealous fury. 39 Then I will give you to your lovers—these many nations—and they will destroy you. … 49 Sodom’s sins were pride, laziness, and gluttony, while the poor and needy suffered outside her door. 50 She was proud and did loathsome things, so I wiped her out, as you have seen. 51 “Even Samaria did not commit half your sins. You have done far more loathsome things than your sisters ever did. They seem righteous compared to you! … 59 “Now this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will give you what you deserve, for you have taken your solemn vows lightly by breaking your covenant. 60 Yet I will keep the covenant I made with you when you were young, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you.
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Highlight Passage: Ezekiel 17: 19-24 : [NLT] … 19 “So this is what the Sovereign LORD says: As surely as I live, I will punish him for breaking my covenant and despising the solemn oath he made in my name. 20 I will throw my net over him and capture him in my snare. I will bring him to Babylon and deal with him there for this treason against me. 21 And all the best warriors of Israel will be killed in battle, and those remaining in the city will be scattered to the four winds. Then you will know that I, the LORD, have spoken these words. 22 “And the Sovereign LORD says: I will take a tender shoot [i.e., The Messiah] from the top of a tall cedar, and I will plant it on the top of Israel’s highest mountain. 23 It will become a noble cedar, sending forth its branches and producing seed. Birds of every sort will nest in it, finding shelter beneath its branches. 24 And all the trees will know that it is I, the LORD, who cuts down the tall tree and helps the short tree to grow tall. It is I who makes the green tree wither and gives new life to the dead tree. I, the LORD, have spoken! I will do what I have said.”
My Journal for Today: I hope you took my lead above by listening to the You Tube piece, playing the poignant song by my favorite Christian singing group, Phillips, Craig, and Dean. If you haven’t done so; and you’re reading here, please use the link above and watch/hear that piece because it says what Ezekiel was prophesying over 600 years before the One Whom he wrote of, The Messiah, reached out to save Christ’s bride, Judah, who had prostituted herself and would be punished for her sin; but God, in His infinite love and mercy, would not – no, could not – go back on the vows He had made to Judah, His Bride. No, if you read through the imagery in Chapter 16 & 17 of Ezekiel above, you’ll see that Judah went about as far away from God’s Old Covenant as one could; but God, the Bridegroom, would never leave, nor forsake His Bride; and as the song you’ve been encouraged to hear sings, He, God, went way far out of His way to love and patiently bring His Bride back to Him. God made a promise of fidelity; and even with Judah’s horrible infidelity, God was willing to send His redeemer to save His Bride.
My fellow seeker, do you see yourself, as I do, in this story, my friend? Because I REALLY do!
In my case, God went way far out of His way to pursue me and to make me part of His Bride (the Church). My testimony is way too long to repeat here; but God took me out of my prostitution, reaching down into a sin-dead life and bringing me back to life. So, I know just how far our God is willing to go to save one He has made a covenant to save. I pray you know that too.
My Prayer Today: … My Lord and Bridegroom, with tears of gratefulness cascading down my cheeks, I thank You for allowing me to repent and become Your Bride … forever. Amen
Blogger’s Note: To any readers here: Before you read through my journal entry today, please take a few minutes and listen to one of the most personally powerful songs I’ve ever heard, by Phillips, Craig and Dean. Use this link to view/hear this deeply moving sing as a set up for today’s devotional journal entry below. Thank you!
Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Ezekiel 16-17 To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Highlight Passage: Ezekiel 16: 1-3; 13; 15-16; 20-21; 35-39; 49-51 : [NLT] … 1 Then another message came to me from the LORD: 2“Son of man, confront Jerusalem with her loathsome sins. 3 Give her this message from the Sovereign LORD: You are nothing but a Canaanite! Your father was an Amorite and your mother a Hittite! … 13 And so you were made beautiful with gold and silver. Your clothes were made of fine linen and were beautifully embroidered. You ate the finest foods—fine flour, honey, and olive oil—and became more beautiful than ever. You looked like a queen, and so you were! … 15 “But you thought you could get along without me, so you trusted instead in your fame and beauty. You gave yourself as a prostitute to every man who came along. Your beauty was theirs for the asking! 16 You used the lovely things I gave you to make shrines for idols, where you carried out your acts of prostitution. Unbelievable! How could such a thing ever happen? … 20 “Then you took your sons and daughters — the children you had borne to me — and sacrificed them to your gods. Was it not enough that you should be a prostitute? 21 Must you also slaughter my children by sacrificing them to idols? … 35 “Therefore, you prostitute, listen to this message from the LORD! 36 This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Because you have exposed yourself in prostitution to all your lovers, and because you have worshiped detestable idols, and because you have slaughtered your children as sacrifices to your gods, 37 this is what I am going to do. I will gather together all your allies—these lovers of yours with whom you have sinned, both those you loved and those you hated—and I will strip you naked in front of them so they can stare at you. 38 I will punish you for your murder and adultery. I will cover you with blood in my jealous fury. 39 Then I will give you to your lovers—these many nations—and they will destroy you. … 49 Sodom’s sins were pride, laziness, and gluttony, while the poor and needy suffered outside her door. 50 She was proud and did loathsome things, so I wiped her out, as you have seen. 51 “Even Samaria did not commit half your sins. You have done far more loathsome things than your sisters ever did. They seem righteous compared to you! … 59 “Now this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will give you what you deserve, for you have taken your solemn vows lightly by breaking your covenant. 60 Yet I will keep the covenant I made with you when you were young, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you.
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Highlight Passage: Ezekiel 17: 19-24 : [NLT] … 19 “So this is what the Sovereign LORD says: As surely as I live, I will punish him for breaking my covenant and despising the solemn oath he made in my name. 20 I will throw my net over him and capture him in my snare. I will bring him to Babylon and deal with him there for this treason against me. 21 And all the best warriors of Israel will be killed in battle, and those remaining in the city will be scattered to the four winds. Then you will know that I, the LORD, have spoken these words. 22 “And the Sovereign LORD says: I will take a tender shoot [i.e., The Messiah] from the top of a tall cedar, and I will plant it on the top of Israel’s highest mountain. 23 It will become a noble cedar, sending forth its branches and producing seed. Birds of every sort will nest in it, finding shelter beneath its branches. 24 And all the trees will know that it is I, the LORD, who cuts down the tall tree and helps the short tree to grow tall. It is I who makes the green tree wither and gives new life to the dead tree. I, the LORD, have spoken! I will do what I have said.”
My Journal for Today: I hope you took my lead above by listening to the You Tube piece, playing the poignant song by my favorite Christian singing group, Phillips, Craig, and Dean. If you haven’t done so; and you’re reading here, please use the link above and watch/hear that piece because it says what Ezekiel was prophesying over 600 years before the One Whom he wrote of, The Messiah, reached out to save Christ’s bride, Judah, who had prostituted herself and would be punished for her sin; but God, in His infinite love and mercy, would not – no, could not – go back on the vows He had made to Judah, His Bride. No, if you read through the imagery in Chapter 16 & 17 of Ezekiel above, you’ll see that Judah went about as far away from God’s Old Covenant as one could; but God, the Bridegroom, would never leave, nor forsake His Bride; and as the song you’ve been encouraged to hear sings, He, God, went way far out of His way to love and patiently bring His Bride back to Him. God made a promise of fidelity; and even with Judah’s horrible infidelity, God was willing to send His redeemer to save His Bride.
My fellow seeker, do you see yourself, as I do, in this story, my friend? Because I REALLY do!
In my case, God went way far out of His way to pursue me and to make me part of His Bride (the Church). My testimony is way too long to repeat here; but God took me out of my prostitution, reaching down into a sin-dead life and bringing me back to life. So, I know just how far our God is willing to go to save one He has made a covenant to save. I pray you know that too.
My Prayer Today: … My Lord and Bridegroom, with tears of gratefulness cascading down my cheeks, I thank You for allowing me to repent and become Your Bride … forever. Amen
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
August 29, 2012 … Who Will Be Saved When the Hammer Falls?
Chronological Bible Reading Plan - Day 242
Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Ezekiel 13-15 To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Highlight Passage: Ezekiel 13: 1-3; 10-12; 17-18 : [NLT] … 1 Then this message came to me from the LORD: 2 “Son of man, speak against the false prophets of Israel who are inventing their own prophecies. Tell them to listen to the word of the LORD. 3 This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Destruction is certain for the false prophets who are following their own imaginations and have seen nothing at all! …
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Highlight Passage: Ezekiel 14: 1-7; 12-16 : [NLT] … 1 Then some of the leaders of Israel visited me, and while they were there, 2 this message came to me from the LORD: 3 “Son of man, these leaders have set up idols in their hearts. They have embraced things that lead them into sin. Why should I let them ask me anything? 4 Give them this message from the Sovereign LORD: I, the LORD, will punish the people of Israel who set up idols in their hearts so they fall into sin and then come to a prophet asking for help. 5 I will do this to capture the minds and hearts of all my people who have turned from me to worship their detestable idols. 6 “Therefore, give the people of Israel this message from the Sovereign LORD: Repent and turn away from your idols, and stop all your loathsome practices. 7 I, the LORD, will punish all those, both Israelites and foreigners, who reject me and set up idols in their hearts so they fall into sin, and who then come to a prophet asking for my advice.” ... 12 Then this message came to me from the LORD: 13 “Son of man, suppose the people of a country were to sin against me, and I lifted my fist to crush them, cutting off their food supply and sending a famine to destroy both people and animals alike. 14 Even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were there, their righteousness would save no one but themselves, declares the Sovereign LORD. 15 “Or suppose I were to send an invasion of dangerous wild animals to devastate the land and kill the people. 16 Even if these three men were there, the Sovereign LORD swears that it would do no good—it wouldn’t save the people from destruction. Those three alone would be saved, but the land would be devastated.
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Highlight Passage: Ezekiel 15: 6-8 : [NLT] … 6 “And this is what the Sovereign LORD says: The people of Jerusalem are like grapevines growing among the trees of the forest. Since they are useless, I have set them aside to be burned! 7 And I will see to it that if they escape from one fire, they will fall into another. When this happens, you will know that I am the LORD. 8 And I will make the land desolate because my people have been unfaithful to me, says the Sovereign LORD.”
My Journal for Today: Wow! Ezekiel (and the other God anointed prophets) had a tough gig; and in these three chapters in Ezekiel’s journal from God’s word, we read of this one prophet being sent to proclaim God’s truth to the false prophets, the leaders of God’s chosen, and to the idolatrous and recalcitrant Israelites themselves. And most certainly I look around in these times and I see parallels where God’s warnings and call to repentance applies directly today, just as Ezekiel was called to prophesy in those days before Christ came.
Ezekiel, in Chapter 13 prophesied destruction for the false teachers; and most certainly today there are those who declare they are bringing God’s truth to the people; and all they are doing is speaking falsehoods to soothe the people, rather than faithfully knowing and speaking the hard truths from God’s Word [The Bible]. ... ____________ is a false teacher today; and I’ll let you put a name or names into that blank. It’s certainly not difficult for me to submit a bunch of names; and just as God declared judgment on such people in Ezekiel’s day, when the hammer of judgment falls, those false prophets in Ezekiel’s day and those today will be consumed by God’s wrath. Therefore, current day prophets, represented by preachers, teachers, and missionaries of the Gospel, must bring truth to the people; because if they do their thing for selfish purposes or misrepresent God’s truth (i.e., The Bible), they will be held accountable before God for their false teachings,
Then, in Chapter 14 Ezekiel is asked to take a message to the religious leaders of his day; and these leaders, represented by Elders, Ministers, Pastors, and the like today, are charged to lead God’s people by following the Lord closely and carefully. And yes, if they don’t do what Jesus charged in Luke 9: 23 (I hope you know that one by heart by now), then spiritual leaders of God’s people will be held to a VERY HIGH standard of Godliness; and if/when – in any era – religious leaders lead God’s people astray, the hammer of judgment will fall on them hard. In the 14th chapter above, three such leaders, Noah, Daniel, and Job are cited as example of the type of leader who will be spared if/when God’s hammer falls; and they will be spared God’s high standards of judgment and His wrath because of their faithfulness in following God and leading others to Him.
Then, all through these chapters, but especially in Chapters 14-15, no one is spared from God’s wrath if they have turned from The LORD and served their own desires rather than the desires of God. Yes, my fellow Christian, the only way to be spared death and given life when the hammer of judgment falls is to be faithful to The Messiah, either in Old Testament times or in the age of grace in which we find ourselves now. To know, believe in, and follow Christ, Yeshua HaMashiach, is the only way that one will be spared unto eternal life when God’s wrath, His eternal hammer, falls. I pray that all who read with me here will be spared.
My Prayer Today: … Lord, I thank You for providing Your way, in You, Jesus, for me to be spared and live with You forever. Amen
Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Ezekiel 13-15 To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Highlight Passage: Ezekiel 13: 1-3; 10-12; 17-18 : [NLT] … 1 Then this message came to me from the LORD: 2 “Son of man, speak against the false prophets of Israel who are inventing their own prophecies. Tell them to listen to the word of the LORD. 3 This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Destruction is certain for the false prophets who are following their own imaginations and have seen nothing at all! …
10 “These evil prophets deceive my people by saying, ‘All is peaceful!’ when there is no peace at all! It’s as if the people have built a flimsy wall, and these prophets are trying to hold it together by covering it with whitewash! 11 Tell these whitewashers that their wall will soon fall down. A heavy rainstorm will undermine it; great hailstones and mighty winds will knock it down. 12 And when the wall falls, the people will cry out, ‘Where is the whitewash you applied?’ …
17 “Now, son of man, also speak out against the women who prophesy from their own imaginations. 18 This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Destruction is certain for you women who are ensnaring the souls of my people, both young and old alike. You tie magic charms on their wrists and furnish them with magic veils. Do you think you can trap others without bringing destruction on yourselves? ============
Highlight Passage: Ezekiel 14: 1-7; 12-16 : [NLT] … 1 Then some of the leaders of Israel visited me, and while they were there, 2 this message came to me from the LORD: 3 “Son of man, these leaders have set up idols in their hearts. They have embraced things that lead them into sin. Why should I let them ask me anything? 4 Give them this message from the Sovereign LORD: I, the LORD, will punish the people of Israel who set up idols in their hearts so they fall into sin and then come to a prophet asking for help. 5 I will do this to capture the minds and hearts of all my people who have turned from me to worship their detestable idols. 6 “Therefore, give the people of Israel this message from the Sovereign LORD: Repent and turn away from your idols, and stop all your loathsome practices. 7 I, the LORD, will punish all those, both Israelites and foreigners, who reject me and set up idols in their hearts so they fall into sin, and who then come to a prophet asking for my advice.” ... 12 Then this message came to me from the LORD: 13 “Son of man, suppose the people of a country were to sin against me, and I lifted my fist to crush them, cutting off their food supply and sending a famine to destroy both people and animals alike. 14 Even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were there, their righteousness would save no one but themselves, declares the Sovereign LORD. 15 “Or suppose I were to send an invasion of dangerous wild animals to devastate the land and kill the people. 16 Even if these three men were there, the Sovereign LORD swears that it would do no good—it wouldn’t save the people from destruction. Those three alone would be saved, but the land would be devastated.
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Highlight Passage: Ezekiel 15: 6-8 : [NLT] … 6 “And this is what the Sovereign LORD says: The people of Jerusalem are like grapevines growing among the trees of the forest. Since they are useless, I have set them aside to be burned! 7 And I will see to it that if they escape from one fire, they will fall into another. When this happens, you will know that I am the LORD. 8 And I will make the land desolate because my people have been unfaithful to me, says the Sovereign LORD.”
My Journal for Today: Wow! Ezekiel (and the other God anointed prophets) had a tough gig; and in these three chapters in Ezekiel’s journal from God’s word, we read of this one prophet being sent to proclaim God’s truth to the false prophets, the leaders of God’s chosen, and to the idolatrous and recalcitrant Israelites themselves. And most certainly I look around in these times and I see parallels where God’s warnings and call to repentance applies directly today, just as Ezekiel was called to prophesy in those days before Christ came.
Ezekiel, in Chapter 13 prophesied destruction for the false teachers; and most certainly today there are those who declare they are bringing God’s truth to the people; and all they are doing is speaking falsehoods to soothe the people, rather than faithfully knowing and speaking the hard truths from God’s Word [The Bible]. ... ____________ is a false teacher today; and I’ll let you put a name or names into that blank. It’s certainly not difficult for me to submit a bunch of names; and just as God declared judgment on such people in Ezekiel’s day, when the hammer of judgment falls, those false prophets in Ezekiel’s day and those today will be consumed by God’s wrath. Therefore, current day prophets, represented by preachers, teachers, and missionaries of the Gospel, must bring truth to the people; because if they do their thing for selfish purposes or misrepresent God’s truth (i.e., The Bible), they will be held accountable before God for their false teachings,
Then, in Chapter 14 Ezekiel is asked to take a message to the religious leaders of his day; and these leaders, represented by Elders, Ministers, Pastors, and the like today, are charged to lead God’s people by following the Lord closely and carefully. And yes, if they don’t do what Jesus charged in Luke 9: 23 (I hope you know that one by heart by now), then spiritual leaders of God’s people will be held to a VERY HIGH standard of Godliness; and if/when – in any era – religious leaders lead God’s people astray, the hammer of judgment will fall on them hard. In the 14th chapter above, three such leaders, Noah, Daniel, and Job are cited as example of the type of leader who will be spared if/when God’s hammer falls; and they will be spared God’s high standards of judgment and His wrath because of their faithfulness in following God and leading others to Him.
Then, all through these chapters, but especially in Chapters 14-15, no one is spared from God’s wrath if they have turned from The LORD and served their own desires rather than the desires of God. Yes, my fellow Christian, the only way to be spared death and given life when the hammer of judgment falls is to be faithful to The Messiah, either in Old Testament times or in the age of grace in which we find ourselves now. To know, believe in, and follow Christ, Yeshua HaMashiach, is the only way that one will be spared unto eternal life when God’s wrath, His eternal hammer, falls. I pray that all who read with me here will be spared.
My Prayer Today: … Lord, I thank You for providing Your way, in You, Jesus, for me to be spared and live with You forever. Amen
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
August 28, 2012 … God’s Temple Is Holy
Chronological Bible Reading Plan - Day 241
Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Ezekiel 9-12 To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Highlight Passage: Ezekiel 9: 1-5 : [NLT] … 1 Then the LORD thundered, “Bring on the men appointed to punish the city! Tell them to bring their weapons with them!” 2 Six men soon appeared from the upper gate that faces north, each carrying a battle club in his hand. One of them was dressed in linen and carried a writer’s case strapped to his side. They all went into the Temple courtyard and stood beside the bronze altar. 3 Then the glory of the God of Israel rose up from between the cherubim, where it had rested, and moved to the entrance of the Temple. And the LORD called to the man dressed in linen who was carrying the writer’s case. 4 He said to him, “Walk through the streets of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of all those who weep and sigh because of the sins they see around them.” 5 Then I heard the LORD say to the other men, “Follow him through the city and kill everyone whose forehead is not marked. Show no mercy; have no pity!
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Highlight Passage: Ezekiel 10: 1-2; 18-19 : [NLT] … 1 As I looked, I saw what appeared to be a throne of blue sapphire above the crystal surface over the heads of the cherubim. 2 Then the LORD spoke to the man in linen clothing and said, “Go in between the whirling wheels beneath the cherubim, and take a handful of glowing coals and scatter them over the city.” He did this as I watched. …
18 Then the glory of the LORD moved from the door of the Temple and hovered above the cherubim. 19 And as I watched, the cherubim flew with their wheels to the east gate of the LORD’s Temple. And the glory of the God of Israel hovered above them.
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Highlight Passage: Ezekiel 11: 1-2: 5-6;14-17; 23-24 : [NLT] … 1 Then the Spirit lifted me and brought me over to the east gateway of the LORD’s Temple, where I saw twenty-five prominent men of the city. Among them were Jaazaniah son of Azzur and Pelatiah son of Benaiah, who were leaders among the people. 2 Then the Spirit said to me, “Son of man, these are the men who are responsible for the wicked counsel being given in this city. …
5 Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon me, and he told me to say, “This is what the LORD says to the people of Israel: Is that what you are saying? Yes, I know it is, for I know every thought that comes into your minds. 6 You have murdered endlessly and filled your streets with the dead. …
14 Then this message came to me from the LORD: 15 “Son of man, the people still left in Jerusalem are talking about their relatives in exile, saying, ‘they are far away from the LORD, so now he has given their land to us!’ 16 Therefore, give the exiles this message from the Sovereign LORD: Although I have scattered you in the countries of the world, I will be a sanctuary to you during your time in exile. 17, the Sovereign LORD, will gather you back from the nations where you are scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel once again. …
23 Then the glory of the LORD went up from the city and stopped above the mountain to the east. 24 Afterward the Spirit of God carried me back again to Babylonia, to the Judeans in exile there. And so ended the vision of my visit to Jerusalem. 25And I told the exiles everything the LORD had shown me.
============
Highlight Passage: Ezekiel 12: 1-3; 8-12; 26-28 : [NLT] … 1 Again a message came to me from the LORD: 2 “Son of man, you live among rebels who could see the truth if they wanted to, but they don’t want to. They could hear me if they would listen, but they won’t listen because they are rebellious. 3 So now put on a demonstration to show them what it will be like to go off into exile. Pack whatever you can carry on your back and leave your home to go on a journey. Make your preparations in broad daylight so the people can see you, for perhaps they will even yet consider what this means, even though they are such rebels. …
8 The next morning this message came to me from the LORD: 9 “Son of man, these rebels, the people of Israel, have asked you what all this means. 10 Say to them, ‘this is what the Sovereign LORD says: These actions contain a message for Zedekiah in Jerusalem£ and for all the people of Israel.’ 11 Then explain that your actions are a demonstration of what will soon happen to them, for they will be driven from their homes and sent away into exile. 12 “Even Zedekiah will leave Jerusalem at night through a hole in the wall, taking only what he can carry with him. He will cover his face, and his eyes will never see his homeland again. …
26 Then this message came to me from the LORD: 27 “Son of man, the people of Israel are saying, ‘His visions won’t come true for a long, long time.’ 28 Therefore, give them this message from the Sovereign LORD: No more delay! I will now do everything I have threatened! I, the Sovereign LORD, have spoken!”
============
Cross Reference Passage: Matthew 21: 11-13 : [NLT] … To study this passage, go to this link -
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Cross Reference Passage: Mark 11: 15-17 : [NLT] … To study this passage, go to this link -
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Cross Reference Passage: John 2: 13-17 : [NLT] … To study this passage, go to this link -
My Journal for Today: Four more chapters in Ezekiel this morning; and studying through them I was reminded of a scenario in the New Testament which was captured in three of the Gospel accounts; and besides trying to copy the essence of Ezekiel, Chapters 12-15 above, I’ve also linked you to the three passages in the NT which describe Jesus returning to the Temple in Jerusalem and in righteous anger, at what He discovered there, took a whip and cleared the Temple of those who had desecrated His Father’s House.
In these chapters in Ezekiel, the Prophet was given a Spirit-tour vision of God, leaving His Temple in Jerusalem, because it had been desecrated by idolatrous and rebellious Israelites. If you read through these chapters, see if it doesn’t remind you of the righteous anger exhibited by Jesus, God’s Son, seeing that God’s rebuilt Temple had been perverted by greedy money-changers and con-men who worshipped money more than their God. And seeing this desecration, Christ angrily purged the Temple.
Well, in these chapters in Ezekiel’s journal, we read of God’s righteous anger being visited upon those who had horribly desecrated His earthly dwelling place – The Temple in Jerusalem; … and so, God was brought to purging that place completely and moving out of the Temple to the Mount of Olives, while Ezekiel was then charged to go back and give this picture of prophesy to the Israelites in Babylon.
My friends, I hope you realize that we now have the Temple of the Holy Spirit of God residing in our hearts as Christians (see 1st Cor. 6: 19-20); and our Lord demands that we keep that temple pure and holy; and if we desecrate God’s temple in our hearts with impurity and idolatry, God is going to be forced to come in an purify His place of residence; and that scene in our lives WILL NOT BE PRETTY!
Oh, how there are times when I let in attitudes of greed and impurity into my heart – God’s holy temple; and it is only when I confess that His place can be cleansed and made holy again (see 1st John 1: 9). I pray today that we’re all keeping God’s temple – our hearts – pure and doing all we can to prevent desecration of His Temple.
My Prayer Today: … Lord, You know my heart. As Jeremiah said {Jer. 17: 9), my heart, Your Temple, can be a desperately wicked place. So, I plead that You do whatever You must do to help me keep Your Temple pure. Amen
Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Ezekiel 9-12 To study these chapters, go to this link -
============
Highlight Passage: Ezekiel 9: 1-5 : [NLT] … 1 Then the LORD thundered, “Bring on the men appointed to punish the city! Tell them to bring their weapons with them!” 2 Six men soon appeared from the upper gate that faces north, each carrying a battle club in his hand. One of them was dressed in linen and carried a writer’s case strapped to his side. They all went into the Temple courtyard and stood beside the bronze altar. 3 Then the glory of the God of Israel rose up from between the cherubim, where it had rested, and moved to the entrance of the Temple. And the LORD called to the man dressed in linen who was carrying the writer’s case. 4 He said to him, “Walk through the streets of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of all those who weep and sigh because of the sins they see around them.” 5 Then I heard the LORD say to the other men, “Follow him through the city and kill everyone whose forehead is not marked. Show no mercy; have no pity!
============
Highlight Passage: Ezekiel 10: 1-2; 18-19 : [NLT] … 1 As I looked, I saw what appeared to be a throne of blue sapphire above the crystal surface over the heads of the cherubim. 2 Then the LORD spoke to the man in linen clothing and said, “Go in between the whirling wheels beneath the cherubim, and take a handful of glowing coals and scatter them over the city.” He did this as I watched. …
18 Then the glory of the LORD moved from the door of the Temple and hovered above the cherubim. 19 And as I watched, the cherubim flew with their wheels to the east gate of the LORD’s Temple. And the glory of the God of Israel hovered above them.
============
Highlight Passage: Ezekiel 11: 1-2: 5-6;14-17; 23-24 : [NLT] … 1 Then the Spirit lifted me and brought me over to the east gateway of the LORD’s Temple, where I saw twenty-five prominent men of the city. Among them were Jaazaniah son of Azzur and Pelatiah son of Benaiah, who were leaders among the people. 2 Then the Spirit said to me, “Son of man, these are the men who are responsible for the wicked counsel being given in this city. …
5 Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon me, and he told me to say, “This is what the LORD says to the people of Israel: Is that what you are saying? Yes, I know it is, for I know every thought that comes into your minds. 6 You have murdered endlessly and filled your streets with the dead. …
14 Then this message came to me from the LORD: 15 “Son of man, the people still left in Jerusalem are talking about their relatives in exile, saying, ‘they are far away from the LORD, so now he has given their land to us!’ 16 Therefore, give the exiles this message from the Sovereign LORD: Although I have scattered you in the countries of the world, I will be a sanctuary to you during your time in exile. 17, the Sovereign LORD, will gather you back from the nations where you are scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel once again. …
23 Then the glory of the LORD went up from the city and stopped above the mountain to the east. 24 Afterward the Spirit of God carried me back again to Babylonia, to the Judeans in exile there. And so ended the vision of my visit to Jerusalem. 25And I told the exiles everything the LORD had shown me.
============
Highlight Passage: Ezekiel 12: 1-3; 8-12; 26-28 : [NLT] … 1 Again a message came to me from the LORD: 2 “Son of man, you live among rebels who could see the truth if they wanted to, but they don’t want to. They could hear me if they would listen, but they won’t listen because they are rebellious. 3 So now put on a demonstration to show them what it will be like to go off into exile. Pack whatever you can carry on your back and leave your home to go on a journey. Make your preparations in broad daylight so the people can see you, for perhaps they will even yet consider what this means, even though they are such rebels. …
8 The next morning this message came to me from the LORD: 9 “Son of man, these rebels, the people of Israel, have asked you what all this means. 10 Say to them, ‘this is what the Sovereign LORD says: These actions contain a message for Zedekiah in Jerusalem£ and for all the people of Israel.’ 11 Then explain that your actions are a demonstration of what will soon happen to them, for they will be driven from their homes and sent away into exile. 12 “Even Zedekiah will leave Jerusalem at night through a hole in the wall, taking only what he can carry with him. He will cover his face, and his eyes will never see his homeland again. …
26 Then this message came to me from the LORD: 27 “Son of man, the people of Israel are saying, ‘His visions won’t come true for a long, long time.’ 28 Therefore, give them this message from the Sovereign LORD: No more delay! I will now do everything I have threatened! I, the Sovereign LORD, have spoken!”
============
Cross Reference Passage: Matthew 21: 11-13 : [NLT] … To study this passage, go to this link -
============
Cross Reference Passage: Mark 11: 15-17 : [NLT] … To study this passage, go to this link -
============
Cross Reference Passage: John 2: 13-17 : [NLT] … To study this passage, go to this link -
My Journal for Today: Four more chapters in Ezekiel this morning; and studying through them I was reminded of a scenario in the New Testament which was captured in three of the Gospel accounts; and besides trying to copy the essence of Ezekiel, Chapters 12-15 above, I’ve also linked you to the three passages in the NT which describe Jesus returning to the Temple in Jerusalem and in righteous anger, at what He discovered there, took a whip and cleared the Temple of those who had desecrated His Father’s House.
In these chapters in Ezekiel, the Prophet was given a Spirit-tour vision of God, leaving His Temple in Jerusalem, because it had been desecrated by idolatrous and rebellious Israelites. If you read through these chapters, see if it doesn’t remind you of the righteous anger exhibited by Jesus, God’s Son, seeing that God’s rebuilt Temple had been perverted by greedy money-changers and con-men who worshipped money more than their God. And seeing this desecration, Christ angrily purged the Temple.
Well, in these chapters in Ezekiel’s journal, we read of God’s righteous anger being visited upon those who had horribly desecrated His earthly dwelling place – The Temple in Jerusalem; … and so, God was brought to purging that place completely and moving out of the Temple to the Mount of Olives, while Ezekiel was then charged to go back and give this picture of prophesy to the Israelites in Babylon.
My friends, I hope you realize that we now have the Temple of the Holy Spirit of God residing in our hearts as Christians (see 1st Cor. 6: 19-20); and our Lord demands that we keep that temple pure and holy; and if we desecrate God’s temple in our hearts with impurity and idolatry, God is going to be forced to come in an purify His place of residence; and that scene in our lives WILL NOT BE PRETTY!
Oh, how there are times when I let in attitudes of greed and impurity into my heart – God’s holy temple; and it is only when I confess that His place can be cleansed and made holy again (see 1st John 1: 9). I pray today that we’re all keeping God’s temple – our hearts – pure and doing all we can to prevent desecration of His Temple.
My Prayer Today: … Lord, You know my heart. As Jeremiah said {Jer. 17: 9), my heart, Your Temple, can be a desperately wicked place. So, I plead that You do whatever You must do to help me keep Your Temple pure. Amen
Monday, August 27, 2012
August 27, 2012 … God’s Wrath Immanent
Chronological Bible Reading Plan - Day 240
Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Ezekiel 5-8 To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Highlight Passage: Ezekiel 5: 1-4; 7-8; 11-13 : [NLT] … 1 [God to Ezekiel] “Son of man, take a sharp sword and use it as a razor to shave your head and beard. Use a scale to weigh the hair into three equal parts. 2 Place a third of it at the center of your map of Jerusalem. After acting out the siege, burn it there. Scatter another third across your map and slash at it with a sword. Scatter the last third to the wind, for I will scatter my people with the sword. 3 Keep just a bit of the hair and tie it up in your robe. 4 Then take a few of these hairs out and throw them into the fire, burning them up. A fire will then spread from this remnant and destroy all of Israel. …
7 So this is what the Sovereign LORD says: Since you have refused to obey my laws and regulations and have behaved even worse than your neighbors, 8 I myself, the Sovereign LORD, am now your enemy. I will punish you publicly while all the nations watch. …
11 “As surely as I live, says the Sovereign LORD, I will cut you off completely. I will show you no pity at all because you have defiled my Temple with idols and vile practices. 12 A third of your people will die in the city from famine and disease. A third of them will be slaughtered by the enemy outside the city walls. And I will scatter a third to the winds and chase them with my sword. 13 Then at last my anger will be spent, and I will be satisfied. And when my fury against them has subsided, all Israel will know that I, the LORD, have spoken to them in my jealous anger.
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Highlight Passage: Ezekiel 6: 8-10 : [NLT] … 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 grieved I am by their unfaithful hearts and lustful eyes that long for other gods. Then at last they will hate themselves for all their wickedness. 10 They will know that I alone am the LORD and that I was serious when I predicted that all this would happen to them. …
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Highlight Passage: Ezekiel 7: 10-11: 19-20 : [NLT] … 10 “The day of judgment is here; your destruction awaits! The people’s wickedness and pride have reached a climax. 11 Their violence will fall back on them as punishment for their wickedness. None of these proud and wicked people will survive. All their wealth will be swept away. …
19 “They will throw away their money, tossing it out like worthless trash. It won’t buy their deliverance in that day of the LORD’s anger. It will neither satisfy nor feed them, for their love of money made them stumble into sin. 20 They were proud of their gold jewelry and used it to make vile and detestable idols. That is why I will make all their wealth disgusting to them. …”
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Highlight Passage: Ezekiel 8: 5-6: 17-18 : [NLT] … 5Then the LORD said to me, “Son of man, look toward the north.” So I looked, and there to the north, beside the entrance to the gate of the altar, stood the idol that had made the LORD so angry. … 6 “Son of man,” he said, “do you see what they are doing? Do you see the great sins the people of Israel are doing to drive me from my Temple? But come, and you will see even greater sins than these!” …
17 [After God showed Ezekiel many forms of sin and idolatry in Jerusalem] … “Have you seen this, son of man?” he asked. “Is it nothing to the people of Judah that they commit these terrible sins, leading the whole nation into violence, thumbing their noses at me, and rousing my fury against them? 18 Therefore, I will deal with them in fury. I will neither pity nor spare them. And though they scream for mercy, I will not listen.”
============
Cross Reference Passage: Romans 1: 18-32 : [NLT] … To study this passage, go to this link - ============
Cross Reference Passage: 2nd Peter 3: 9 : [NLT] … To study this passage, go to this link -
My Journal for Today: Look around. Is the world today that much different from the world and the times in which Ezekiel lived? How much longer can we expect God to be merciful and hold back His wrath, desiring that as many of His children as possible see the truth, repent, and become part of the remnant of believers He will save from His coming wrath (see the two passages in Rom. 1: 18-32 and 2nd Peter 3: 9 to which I’ve linked readers above)?
The message from God to Ezekiel was [my own summary], “The time of wrath is upon My chosen, but disobedient, ones.” Yes, as you read Ezekiel, Chapter 5-8, as I hope you do, you’ll see that the time had come; and that was to be Ezekiel’s message to the captive Jews in Babylon, for God’s people to see the extent of His anger for their disobedience. And I can’t help but wonder if we are not experiencing – to a certain extent – an exhibit of God’s selective abandonment, with the Lord having lifted His hand of protection and allowed more of the forces of evil (i.e., Satan’s minions) to be loosed on this world. Hence, we see the horrors of abortion, the unloosing of corporate greed, and the plague of pornography and sexual sin becoming rampant in our world. I keep referring to Romans 1: 18-32 as a New Testament prophesy from Paul about God’s church and the world during the age of God’s grace, in which we find ourselves today just as in the first century AD.
Yes, as these chapters in Ezekiel confirm, God will always be with and protect the remnant of believers who hold on to their faith in God’s redemptive plan and His promises - or the reality - of Messiah. However, when the rain (of God’s wrath) falls, as it did in the days of the OT Prophets, like Ezekiel, it will fall on the good AND the evil. Most certainly, even if one of the faithful remnant of believers dies, that one will be protected by eternal salvation; … BUT … when God looses Satan’s forces to do what they do – creating havoc and destruction – even the remnant will feel the pain; and we are feeling that pain in many of the horrors I just mentioned above.
So, we need to realize that God’s call for repentance – as it was visited on His children by Ezekiel and other of the prophets – is still going forth today, … from the truth of God’s word in the New Testament, from some (not enough!) of the pulpits of America, from the word of missionaries, who go forth from the Great Commission, and from puny voices like mine this morning, calling for all of us to declare – AND LIVE OUT – God’s will and His ways from His word.
My Prayer Today: … Lord, help me to spread Your word and fight the good fight every day and in every way I can. Amen
Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Ezekiel 5-8 To study these chapters, go to this link -
============
Highlight Passage: Ezekiel 5: 1-4; 7-8; 11-13 : [NLT] … 1 [God to Ezekiel] “Son of man, take a sharp sword and use it as a razor to shave your head and beard. Use a scale to weigh the hair into three equal parts. 2 Place a third of it at the center of your map of Jerusalem. After acting out the siege, burn it there. Scatter another third across your map and slash at it with a sword. Scatter the last third to the wind, for I will scatter my people with the sword. 3 Keep just a bit of the hair and tie it up in your robe. 4 Then take a few of these hairs out and throw them into the fire, burning them up. A fire will then spread from this remnant and destroy all of Israel. …
7 So this is what the Sovereign LORD says: Since you have refused to obey my laws and regulations and have behaved even worse than your neighbors, 8 I myself, the Sovereign LORD, am now your enemy. I will punish you publicly while all the nations watch. …
11 “As surely as I live, says the Sovereign LORD, I will cut you off completely. I will show you no pity at all because you have defiled my Temple with idols and vile practices. 12 A third of your people will die in the city from famine and disease. A third of them will be slaughtered by the enemy outside the city walls. And I will scatter a third to the winds and chase them with my sword. 13 Then at last my anger will be spent, and I will be satisfied. And when my fury against them has subsided, all Israel will know that I, the LORD, have spoken to them in my jealous anger.
============
Highlight Passage: Ezekiel 6: 8-10 : [NLT] … 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 grieved I am by their unfaithful hearts and lustful eyes that long for other gods. Then at last they will hate themselves for all their wickedness. 10 They will know that I alone am the LORD and that I was serious when I predicted that all this would happen to them. …
============
Highlight Passage: Ezekiel 7: 10-11: 19-20 : [NLT] … 10 “The day of judgment is here; your destruction awaits! The people’s wickedness and pride have reached a climax. 11 Their violence will fall back on them as punishment for their wickedness. None of these proud and wicked people will survive. All their wealth will be swept away. …
19 “They will throw away their money, tossing it out like worthless trash. It won’t buy their deliverance in that day of the LORD’s anger. It will neither satisfy nor feed them, for their love of money made them stumble into sin. 20 They were proud of their gold jewelry and used it to make vile and detestable idols. That is why I will make all their wealth disgusting to them. …”
============
Highlight Passage: Ezekiel 8: 5-6: 17-18 : [NLT] … 5Then the LORD said to me, “Son of man, look toward the north.” So I looked, and there to the north, beside the entrance to the gate of the altar, stood the idol that had made the LORD so angry. … 6 “Son of man,” he said, “do you see what they are doing? Do you see the great sins the people of Israel are doing to drive me from my Temple? But come, and you will see even greater sins than these!” …
17 [After God showed Ezekiel many forms of sin and idolatry in Jerusalem] … “Have you seen this, son of man?” he asked. “Is it nothing to the people of Judah that they commit these terrible sins, leading the whole nation into violence, thumbing their noses at me, and rousing my fury against them? 18 Therefore, I will deal with them in fury. I will neither pity nor spare them. And though they scream for mercy, I will not listen.”
============
Cross Reference Passage: Romans 1: 18-32 : [NLT] … To study this passage, go to this link - ============
Cross Reference Passage: 2nd Peter 3: 9 : [NLT] … To study this passage, go to this link -
My Journal for Today: Look around. Is the world today that much different from the world and the times in which Ezekiel lived? How much longer can we expect God to be merciful and hold back His wrath, desiring that as many of His children as possible see the truth, repent, and become part of the remnant of believers He will save from His coming wrath (see the two passages in Rom. 1: 18-32 and 2nd Peter 3: 9 to which I’ve linked readers above)?
The message from God to Ezekiel was [my own summary], “The time of wrath is upon My chosen, but disobedient, ones.” Yes, as you read Ezekiel, Chapter 5-8, as I hope you do, you’ll see that the time had come; and that was to be Ezekiel’s message to the captive Jews in Babylon, for God’s people to see the extent of His anger for their disobedience. And I can’t help but wonder if we are not experiencing – to a certain extent – an exhibit of God’s selective abandonment, with the Lord having lifted His hand of protection and allowed more of the forces of evil (i.e., Satan’s minions) to be loosed on this world. Hence, we see the horrors of abortion, the unloosing of corporate greed, and the plague of pornography and sexual sin becoming rampant in our world. I keep referring to Romans 1: 18-32 as a New Testament prophesy from Paul about God’s church and the world during the age of God’s grace, in which we find ourselves today just as in the first century AD.
Yes, as these chapters in Ezekiel confirm, God will always be with and protect the remnant of believers who hold on to their faith in God’s redemptive plan and His promises - or the reality - of Messiah. However, when the rain (of God’s wrath) falls, as it did in the days of the OT Prophets, like Ezekiel, it will fall on the good AND the evil. Most certainly, even if one of the faithful remnant of believers dies, that one will be protected by eternal salvation; … BUT … when God looses Satan’s forces to do what they do – creating havoc and destruction – even the remnant will feel the pain; and we are feeling that pain in many of the horrors I just mentioned above.
So, we need to realize that God’s call for repentance – as it was visited on His children by Ezekiel and other of the prophets – is still going forth today, … from the truth of God’s word in the New Testament, from some (not enough!) of the pulpits of America, from the word of missionaries, who go forth from the Great Commission, and from puny voices like mine this morning, calling for all of us to declare – AND LIVE OUT – God’s will and His ways from His word.
My Prayer Today: … Lord, help me to spread Your word and fight the good fight every day and in every way I can. Amen
Sunday, August 26, 2012
August 26, 2012 … A Watchman on the Wall
Chronological Bible Reading Plan - Day 239
Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Ezekiel 1-4 [NLT] To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Highlight Passage: Ezekiel 1: 1-6; 15-18; 26-28 : [NLT] … 1 On July 31 of my thirtieth year, while I was with the Judean exiles beside the Kebar River in Babylon, the heavens were opened to me, and I saw visions of God. 2 This happened during the fifth year of King Jehoiachin’s captivity. 3 The LORD gave a message to me, Ezekiel son of Buzi, a priest, there beside the Kebar River in the land of the Babylonians, and I felt the hand of the LORD take hold of me. 4 As I looked, I saw a great storm coming toward me from the north, driving before it a huge cloud that flashed with lightning and shone with brilliant light. The fire inside the cloud glowed like gleaming amber. 5 From the center of the cloud came four living beings that looked human, 6 except that each had four faces and two pairs of wings. …
15 As I looked at these beings, I saw four wheels on the ground beneath them, one wheel belonging to each. 16 The wheels sparkled as if made of chrysolite. All four wheels looked the same; each wheel had a second wheel turning crosswise within it. 17 The beings could move forward in any of the four directions they faced, without turning as they moved. 18The rims of the four wheels were awesomely tall, and they were covered with eyes all around the edges. …
26 Above the surface over their heads was what looked like a throne made of blue sapphire. And high above this throne was a figure whose appearance was like that of a man. 27 From his waist up, he looked like gleaming amber, flickering like a fire. And from his waist down, he looked like a burning flame, shining with splendor. 28 All around him was a glowing halo, like a rainbow shining through the clouds. This was the way the glory of the LORD appeared to me. When I saw it, I fell face down in the dust, and I heard someone’s voice speaking to me.
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Highlight Passage: Ezekiel 2: 1-5 : [NLT] … 1 “Stand up, son of man,” said the voice. “I want to speak with you.” 2 The Spirit came into me as he spoke and set me on my feet. I listened carefully to his words. 3 “Son of man,” he said, “I am sending you to the nation of Israel, a nation that is rebelling against me. Their ancestors have rebelled against me from the beginning, and they are still in revolt to this very day. 4 They are a hard-hearted and stubborn people. But I am sending you to say to them, ‘this is what the Sovereign LORD says! ’ 5 And whether they listen or not — for remember, they are rebels — at least they will know they have had a prophet among them.
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Highlight Passage: Ezekiel 3: 1-4; 10-11; 14; 15-17 : [NLT] … 1 The voice said to me, “Son of man, eat what I am giving you — eat this scroll! Then go and give its message to the people of Israel.” 2 So I opened my mouth, and he fed me the scroll. 3 “Eat it all,” he said. And when I ate it, it tasted as sweet as honey. 4 Then he said, “Son of man, go to the people of Israel with my messages. …
Highlight Passage: Ezekiel 4: 1-3 : [NLT] … 1 “And now, son of man, take a large brick and set it down in front of you. Then draw a map of the city of Jerusalem on it. 2 Build siege ramps against the city walls. Surround it with enemy camps and battering rams. 3 Then take an iron griddle and place it between you and the city. Turn toward it and demonstrate how the enemy will attack Jerusalem. This will be a warning to the people of Israel. [Followed by God’s instructions for Ezekiel’s demonstration to illustrate the punishment God would inflict through the Babylonians on Jerusalem for their over 400 years of disobedience.]
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Cross Reference Passage: Joshua 1: 1-9 : [NLT] … To study this passage, go to this link -
My Journal for Today: Big, BIG gulp from the fire hydrant of truth today – the first four books in Ezekiel’s journal of his prophetic mission/ministry to the captive peoples in Babylon after God’s people in Judah had been conquered and some of them dispersed to Babylon.
In Chapter ONE, we read of Ezekiel, this man who had been trained to be a Priest in Judah, receiving a vision of God’s glory and heaven; and in this vision (Chapter TWO), Ezekiel is given a charge by God to go and preach repentance and hope to the Jewish captives in Babylon, people that God warned would be hard-hearted and rebellious. And God’s Spirit (in Chapter THREE) gives this priestly prophet encouragement as well as instructions on taking in God’s word himself and then carrying the message faithfully and obediently to the people – much as the WATCHMAN for God’s people. And then (in Chapter FOUR), God’s Spirit guided Ezekiel on how to demonstrate – with Ezekiel’s commitment – repentance and the only hope that these people had, which was to turn around and follow God’s word to find His will.
And as I was reading/studying these chapters in Ezekiel’s Spirit-inspired journaling today, especially in Chapter 3, I was reminded of God’s earlier call to Joshua after Moses had died, which I’ve linked you to study if you’re reading along with me here. Remember how God somehow appeared to Joshua and gave him a threefold word of challenge and encouragement in Joshua 1: 1-9; and God did the same thing for Ezekiel as well, calling the Prophet to a specific task, and promising His servant, that if he consumed and stayed in God’s word that Ezekiel, like Joshua, would be successful in carrying out God’s will (see Joshua 1: 8 and Ezekiel 3: 10-11).
And my dear ones, we are also called to be God’s watchmen on the walls of His kingdom. God, through Christ, has given us His charge of discipleship and His mission to follow as well (see Luke 4: 18-19, Luke 9: 23, Acts 1: 8, and Matt. 28: 19-20). And His promise – just like the promise to Joshua and Ezekiel, is that He – our God – will be with us, providing us His enabling grace, as long as we stay obedient to His word and stay true to His will.
And so, in meditating on Ezekiel’s vision and calling this morning, I’ve been led – by God’s Spirit I believe – to ask myself if I’m being COMPLETELY obedient to God’s calling on my life to be His watchman and His witness to His people. Are you, as you read this, consuming God’s word and taking the truths of Scripture to not only the lost, but to the wayward believers of this world as well? I believe we’re all – as Christians – called to be, or become, God’s watchmen (and women) on the walls of His kingdom.
So … ARE WE?
My Prayer Today: … Lord, I know Your calling for me to be Your Watchman. I pray that I am doing so for Your glory! Amen
Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Ezekiel 1-4 [NLT] To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Highlight Passage: Ezekiel 1: 1-6; 15-18; 26-28 : [NLT] … 1 On July 31 of my thirtieth year, while I was with the Judean exiles beside the Kebar River in Babylon, the heavens were opened to me, and I saw visions of God. 2 This happened during the fifth year of King Jehoiachin’s captivity. 3 The LORD gave a message to me, Ezekiel son of Buzi, a priest, there beside the Kebar River in the land of the Babylonians, and I felt the hand of the LORD take hold of me. 4 As I looked, I saw a great storm coming toward me from the north, driving before it a huge cloud that flashed with lightning and shone with brilliant light. The fire inside the cloud glowed like gleaming amber. 5 From the center of the cloud came four living beings that looked human, 6 except that each had four faces and two pairs of wings. …
15 As I looked at these beings, I saw four wheels on the ground beneath them, one wheel belonging to each. 16 The wheels sparkled as if made of chrysolite. All four wheels looked the same; each wheel had a second wheel turning crosswise within it. 17 The beings could move forward in any of the four directions they faced, without turning as they moved. 18The rims of the four wheels were awesomely tall, and they were covered with eyes all around the edges. …
26 Above the surface over their heads was what looked like a throne made of blue sapphire. And high above this throne was a figure whose appearance was like that of a man. 27 From his waist up, he looked like gleaming amber, flickering like a fire. And from his waist down, he looked like a burning flame, shining with splendor. 28 All around him was a glowing halo, like a rainbow shining through the clouds. This was the way the glory of the LORD appeared to me. When I saw it, I fell face down in the dust, and I heard someone’s voice speaking to me.
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Highlight Passage: Ezekiel 2: 1-5 : [NLT] … 1 “Stand up, son of man,” said the voice. “I want to speak with you.” 2 The Spirit came into me as he spoke and set me on my feet. I listened carefully to his words. 3 “Son of man,” he said, “I am sending you to the nation of Israel, a nation that is rebelling against me. Their ancestors have rebelled against me from the beginning, and they are still in revolt to this very day. 4 They are a hard-hearted and stubborn people. But I am sending you to say to them, ‘this is what the Sovereign LORD says! ’ 5 And whether they listen or not — for remember, they are rebels — at least they will know they have had a prophet among them.
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Highlight Passage: Ezekiel 3: 1-4; 10-11; 14; 15-17 : [NLT] … 1 The voice said to me, “Son of man, eat what I am giving you — eat this scroll! Then go and give its message to the people of Israel.” 2 So I opened my mouth, and he fed me the scroll. 3 “Eat it all,” he said. And when I ate it, it tasted as sweet as honey. 4 Then he said, “Son of man, go to the people of Israel with my messages. …
10 Then he added, “Son of man, let all my words sink deep into your own heart first. Listen to them carefully for yourself. 11 Then go to your people in exile and say to them, ‘this is what the Sovereign LORD says!’ Do this whether they listen to you or not.” …
14 The Spirit lifted me up and took me away. I went in bitterness and turmoil, but the LORD’s hold on me was strong. ...
15 Then I came to the colony of Judean exiles in Tel-abib, beside the Kebar River. I sat there among them for seven days, overwhelmed. 16 At the end of the 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, pass it on to the people immediately.
============Highlight Passage: Ezekiel 4: 1-3 : [NLT] … 1 “And now, son of man, take a large brick and set it down in front of you. Then draw a map of the city of Jerusalem on it. 2 Build siege ramps against the city walls. Surround it with enemy camps and battering rams. 3 Then take an iron griddle and place it between you and the city. Turn toward it and demonstrate how the enemy will attack Jerusalem. This will be a warning to the people of Israel. [Followed by God’s instructions for Ezekiel’s demonstration to illustrate the punishment God would inflict through the Babylonians on Jerusalem for their over 400 years of disobedience.]
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Cross Reference Passage: Joshua 1: 1-9 : [NLT] … To study this passage, go to this link -
My Journal for Today: Big, BIG gulp from the fire hydrant of truth today – the first four books in Ezekiel’s journal of his prophetic mission/ministry to the captive peoples in Babylon after God’s people in Judah had been conquered and some of them dispersed to Babylon.
In Chapter ONE, we read of Ezekiel, this man who had been trained to be a Priest in Judah, receiving a vision of God’s glory and heaven; and in this vision (Chapter TWO), Ezekiel is given a charge by God to go and preach repentance and hope to the Jewish captives in Babylon, people that God warned would be hard-hearted and rebellious. And God’s Spirit (in Chapter THREE) gives this priestly prophet encouragement as well as instructions on taking in God’s word himself and then carrying the message faithfully and obediently to the people – much as the WATCHMAN for God’s people. And then (in Chapter FOUR), God’s Spirit guided Ezekiel on how to demonstrate – with Ezekiel’s commitment – repentance and the only hope that these people had, which was to turn around and follow God’s word to find His will.
And as I was reading/studying these chapters in Ezekiel’s Spirit-inspired journaling today, especially in Chapter 3, I was reminded of God’s earlier call to Joshua after Moses had died, which I’ve linked you to study if you’re reading along with me here. Remember how God somehow appeared to Joshua and gave him a threefold word of challenge and encouragement in Joshua 1: 1-9; and God did the same thing for Ezekiel as well, calling the Prophet to a specific task, and promising His servant, that if he consumed and stayed in God’s word that Ezekiel, like Joshua, would be successful in carrying out God’s will (see Joshua 1: 8 and Ezekiel 3: 10-11).
And my dear ones, we are also called to be God’s watchmen on the walls of His kingdom. God, through Christ, has given us His charge of discipleship and His mission to follow as well (see Luke 4: 18-19, Luke 9: 23, Acts 1: 8, and Matt. 28: 19-20). And His promise – just like the promise to Joshua and Ezekiel, is that He – our God – will be with us, providing us His enabling grace, as long as we stay obedient to His word and stay true to His will.
And so, in meditating on Ezekiel’s vision and calling this morning, I’ve been led – by God’s Spirit I believe – to ask myself if I’m being COMPLETELY obedient to God’s calling on my life to be His watchman and His witness to His people. Are you, as you read this, consuming God’s word and taking the truths of Scripture to not only the lost, but to the wayward believers of this world as well? I believe we’re all – as Christians – called to be, or become, God’s watchmen (and women) on the walls of His kingdom.
So … ARE WE?
My Prayer Today: … Lord, I know Your calling for me to be Your Watchman. I pray that I am doing so for Your glory! Amen
Saturday, August 25, 2012
August 25, 2012 … God’s Mercy … New Every Morning
Chronological Bible Reading Plan - Day 238
Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Lamentations 3-5 To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Highlight Passage: Lamentations 3: 1-3; 13-15; 19-23; 25-27; 31-33; 37-40; 52-57 : [NLT] … 1 I am the one who has seen the afflictions that come from the rod of the LORD’s anger. 2 He has brought me into deep darkness, shutting out all light. 3 He has turned against me. Day and night his hand is heavy upon me. …
13 He shot his arrows deep into my heart. 14 My own people laugh at me. All day long they sing their mocking songs. 15 He has filled me with bitterness. He has given me a cup of deep sorrow to drink. … 19 The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words. 20 I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. 21 Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: 22 The unfailing love of the LORD never ends! By his mercies we have been kept from complete destruction. 23 Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each day. 24I say to myself, “The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” …
25 The LORD is wonderfully good to those who wait for him and seek him. 26 So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the LORD. 27 And it is good for the young to submit to the yoke of his discipline. …
31 For the Lord does not abandon anyone forever. 32Though he brings grief, he also shows compassion according to the greatness of his unfailing love. 33 For he does not enjoy hurting people or causing them sorrow. …
37 Can anything happen without the Lord’s permission? 38Is it not the Most High who helps one and harms another? 39 Then why should we, mere humans, complain when we are punished for our sins? 40 Instead, let us test and examine our ways. Let us turn again in repentance to the LORD. …
52 My enemies, whom I have never harmed, chased me like a bird. 53 They threw me into a pit and dropped stones on me. 54 The water flowed above my head, and I cried out, “This is the end!” 55 But I called on your name, LORD, from deep within the well, 56 and you heard me! You listened to my pleading; you heard my weeping! 57 Yes, you came at my despairing cry and told me, “Do not fear.”
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Highlight Passage: Lamentations 4: 1-2; 6; 11-13; 20 :[NLT] … 1 How the gold has lost its luster! Even the finest gold has become dull. The sacred gemstones lie scattered in the streets! 2 See how the precious children of Jerusalem,£ worth their weight in gold, are now treated like pots of clay. …
6 The guilt£ of my people is greater than that of Sodom, where utter disaster struck in a moment with no one to help them. …
11 But now the anger of the LORD is satisfied. His fiercest anger has now been poured out. He started a fire in Jerusalem that burned the city to its foundations. 12 Not a king in all the earth—no one in all the world—would have believed an enemy could march through the gates of Jerusalem. 13 Yet it happened because of the sins of her prophets and priests, who defiled the city by shedding innocent blood. …
20 Our king, the LORD’s anointed, the very life of our nation, was caught in their snares. We had foolishly boasted that under his protection we could hold our own against any nation on earth!
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Highlight Passage: Lamentations 5: 1-2; 14-15; 19-22 :[NLT] … [Jeremiah’s prayer in anguish] 1 LORD, remember everything that has happened to us. See all the sorrows we bear! 2 Our inheritance has been turned over to strangers, our homes to foreigners. …
14 The old men no longer sit in the city gates; the young men no longer dance and sing. 15 The joy of our hearts has ended; our dancing has turned to mourning. …
19 But LORD, you remain the same forever! Your throne continues from generation to generation. 20Why do you continue to forget us? Why have you forsaken us for so long? 21 Restore us, O LORD, and bring us back to you again! Give us back the joys we once had! 22 Or have you utterly rejected us? Are you angry with us still?
My Journal for Today: No wonder they call Jeremiah, “the weeping prophet.” Reading through this poetic proclamation of Jeremiah’s – in Chapters 3-4 today - the prophet’s declaration of grief and his prayer of anguish - in Chapter 5, it’s impossible to miss how utterly overwhelmed Jeremiah was with grief and remorse over how God’s children had disobeyed God’s word and allowed themselves to fall into the condition of captivity (to the Babylonians) and horror in which they found themselves when Jeremiah was writing this acrostic poem [Chapter 1-4] and his prayer [Chapter 5].
But there’s one beam of hope, one passage of light which shines through all the expressions of anguish expressed by the weeping prophet; and that is found in Verses 22-23 of Chapter 3, which I’ve highlighted in bold and underlined test above. This is one of my favorite passages to remember and pray back to God when I’m feeling down about my own failings or when I see, as did Jeremiah, God’s children rejecting and rebelling against His loving desire to protect and restore His children.
Go above and recite – out loud – the words of truth uttered by Jeremiah. …. Do it again – here, let me repeat them in another translation (the NKJV), which I have memorized years ago: 22 Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness!
Doesn’t that truth lift anyone out of the pits of despair and onto the solid ground of faith. And as I meditate on this passage I recall the words of the great hymn, Great Is Thy Faithfulness, which was written to put this truth from God’s word into song. Here’s a version of that great hymn to which I link you for your meditation if you’re reading here as we realize that our God’s mercy is endless; and it’s new – and GREAT – every morning when the sun rises; … or should I say when “The SON rises.”
If you’re feeling down or depressed by your circumstances or what you see happening in the world now, take some time to mediate on your blessings and declare to our Lord, ”Great is Thy Faithfulness!!!”
My Prayer Today: … On yes, Lord, … Your mercies are new every day. And we so need Your grace and love to shine in these dark times. Amen
Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Lamentations 3-5 To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Highlight Passage: Lamentations 3: 1-3; 13-15; 19-23; 25-27; 31-33; 37-40; 52-57 : [NLT] … 1 I am the one who has seen the afflictions that come from the rod of the LORD’s anger. 2 He has brought me into deep darkness, shutting out all light. 3 He has turned against me. Day and night his hand is heavy upon me. …
13 He shot his arrows deep into my heart. 14 My own people laugh at me. All day long they sing their mocking songs. 15 He has filled me with bitterness. He has given me a cup of deep sorrow to drink. … 19 The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words. 20 I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. 21 Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: 22 The unfailing love of the LORD never ends! By his mercies we have been kept from complete destruction. 23 Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each day. 24I say to myself, “The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” …
25 The LORD is wonderfully good to those who wait for him and seek him. 26 So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the LORD. 27 And it is good for the young to submit to the yoke of his discipline. …
31 For the Lord does not abandon anyone forever. 32Though he brings grief, he also shows compassion according to the greatness of his unfailing love. 33 For he does not enjoy hurting people or causing them sorrow. …
37 Can anything happen without the Lord’s permission? 38Is it not the Most High who helps one and harms another? 39 Then why should we, mere humans, complain when we are punished for our sins? 40 Instead, let us test and examine our ways. Let us turn again in repentance to the LORD. …
52 My enemies, whom I have never harmed, chased me like a bird. 53 They threw me into a pit and dropped stones on me. 54 The water flowed above my head, and I cried out, “This is the end!” 55 But I called on your name, LORD, from deep within the well, 56 and you heard me! You listened to my pleading; you heard my weeping! 57 Yes, you came at my despairing cry and told me, “Do not fear.”
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Highlight Passage: Lamentations 4: 1-2; 6; 11-13; 20 :[NLT] … 1 How the gold has lost its luster! Even the finest gold has become dull. The sacred gemstones lie scattered in the streets! 2 See how the precious children of Jerusalem,£ worth their weight in gold, are now treated like pots of clay. …
6 The guilt£ of my people is greater than that of Sodom, where utter disaster struck in a moment with no one to help them. …
11 But now the anger of the LORD is satisfied. His fiercest anger has now been poured out. He started a fire in Jerusalem that burned the city to its foundations. 12 Not a king in all the earth—no one in all the world—would have believed an enemy could march through the gates of Jerusalem. 13 Yet it happened because of the sins of her prophets and priests, who defiled the city by shedding innocent blood. …
20 Our king, the LORD’s anointed, the very life of our nation, was caught in their snares. We had foolishly boasted that under his protection we could hold our own against any nation on earth!
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Highlight Passage: Lamentations 5: 1-2; 14-15; 19-22 :[NLT] … [Jeremiah’s prayer in anguish] 1 LORD, remember everything that has happened to us. See all the sorrows we bear! 2 Our inheritance has been turned over to strangers, our homes to foreigners. …
14 The old men no longer sit in the city gates; the young men no longer dance and sing. 15 The joy of our hearts has ended; our dancing has turned to mourning. …
19 But LORD, you remain the same forever! Your throne continues from generation to generation. 20Why do you continue to forget us? Why have you forsaken us for so long? 21 Restore us, O LORD, and bring us back to you again! Give us back the joys we once had! 22 Or have you utterly rejected us? Are you angry with us still?
My Journal for Today: No wonder they call Jeremiah, “the weeping prophet.” Reading through this poetic proclamation of Jeremiah’s – in Chapters 3-4 today - the prophet’s declaration of grief and his prayer of anguish - in Chapter 5, it’s impossible to miss how utterly overwhelmed Jeremiah was with grief and remorse over how God’s children had disobeyed God’s word and allowed themselves to fall into the condition of captivity (to the Babylonians) and horror in which they found themselves when Jeremiah was writing this acrostic poem [Chapter 1-4] and his prayer [Chapter 5].
But there’s one beam of hope, one passage of light which shines through all the expressions of anguish expressed by the weeping prophet; and that is found in Verses 22-23 of Chapter 3, which I’ve highlighted in bold and underlined test above. This is one of my favorite passages to remember and pray back to God when I’m feeling down about my own failings or when I see, as did Jeremiah, God’s children rejecting and rebelling against His loving desire to protect and restore His children.
Go above and recite – out loud – the words of truth uttered by Jeremiah. …. Do it again – here, let me repeat them in another translation (the NKJV), which I have memorized years ago: 22 Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness!
Doesn’t that truth lift anyone out of the pits of despair and onto the solid ground of faith. And as I meditate on this passage I recall the words of the great hymn, Great Is Thy Faithfulness, which was written to put this truth from God’s word into song. Here’s a version of that great hymn to which I link you for your meditation if you’re reading here as we realize that our God’s mercy is endless; and it’s new – and GREAT – every morning when the sun rises; … or should I say when “The SON rises.”
If you’re feeling down or depressed by your circumstances or what you see happening in the world now, take some time to mediate on your blessings and declare to our Lord, ”Great is Thy Faithfulness!!!”
My Prayer Today: … On yes, Lord, … Your mercies are new every day. And we so need Your grace and love to shine in these dark times. Amen
Friday, August 24, 2012
August 24, 2012 … Grieving for Our World
Chronological Bible Reading Plan - Day 237
Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Lamentations 1-2 To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Highlight Passage: Lamentations 1: 1; 9; 19-20; 22 :[NLT] … 1 Jerusalem’s streets, once bustling with people, are now silent. Like a widow broken with grief, she sits alone in her mourning. Once the queen of nations, she is now a slave. are in mourning, no longer filled with crowds on their way to celebrate the Temple festivals. The city gates are silent, her priests groan, her young women are crying—how bitterly Jerusalem weeps! …
9 She [i.e., Judah] defiled herself with immorality with no thought of the punishment that would follow. Now she lies in the gutter with no one to lift her out. “LORD, see my deep misery,” she cries. “The enemy has triumphed.” …
19 [Jeremiah identifies with Judah in the first person] … “I [Judah] begged my allies for help, but they betrayed me. My priests and leaders starved to death in the city, even as they searched for food to save their lives. 20 “LORD, see my anguish! My heart is broken and my soul despairs, for I have rebelled against you. In the streets the sword kills, and at home there is only death. …
22 “Look at all their [Babylon’s] evil deeds, LORD. Punish them, as you have punished me for all my sins. My groans are many, and my heart is faint.”
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Highlight Passage: Lamentations 1: 5-7; 11; 18-19; :[NLT] … 5 Yes, the Lord has vanquished Israel like an enemy. He has destroyed her forts and palaces. He has brought unending sorrow and tears to Jerusalem. 6 He has broken down his Temple as though it were merely a garden shelter. The LORD has blotted out all memory of the holy festivals and Sabbath days. Kings and priests fall together before his anger. 7 The Lord has rejected his own altar; he despises his own sanctuary. He has given Jerusalem’s palaces to her enemies. They shout in the LORD’s Temple as though it were a day of celebration. …
11 I have cried until the tears no longer come. My heart is broken, my spirit poured out, as I see what has happened to my people. Little children and tiny babies are fainting and dying in the streets. …
18 Cry aloud before the Lord, O walls of Jerusalem! Let your tears flow like a river. Give yourselves no rest from weeping day or night. 19 Rise during the night and cry out. Pour out your hearts like water to the Lord. Lift up your hands to him in prayer. Plead for your children as they faint with hunger in the streets.
My Journal for Today: Staying with our author, Jeremiah, but moving on to his poetry of grief in his psalms of death which we know of as the book of Lamentations, we read, in Chapters 1-2, why Jeremiah was called the “weeping prophet.” These songs and poetry call attention to the prophetic grief experienced and expressed by Jeremiah after Judah and God’s chosen peoples had been defeated and decimated by the Babylonians. And Jeremiah wailed with grief at what he observed as God’s Temple, the temple of worship David had planned and Solomon had built, was torn asunder; and the people, even the children were killed. It was more than he could take; and Jeremiah wept uncontrollably.
When we see thousands upon thousands of babies being killed by abortion; … when we see millions of children growing up without fathers; … when we see millions of Christian men becoming addicted to pornography; and … when see churches turning away from the Gospel and the truth of God’s word, DO WE WEEP or at least grieve genuinely? Really that’s where I’m going to leave these journal comments today. Examine your attitude about the horrors in our culture. Do we grieve as did Jeremiah in his day?
Personally – this morning – I have come to grieve over my lack of empathy and my insensitivity to the culture of death which spreads the darkness of sin in our times. Truly I have been touched and my grief activated by reading Jeremiah’s journal and poetry. I pray you have too.
My Prayer Today: … Lord, forgive my insensitivity to the sinfulness of our day. Help me to see the anguish and to reach out to be your voice and light in this dark world. Amen
Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Lamentations 1-2 To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Highlight Passage: Lamentations 1: 1; 9; 19-20; 22 :[NLT] … 1 Jerusalem’s streets, once bustling with people, are now silent. Like a widow broken with grief, she sits alone in her mourning. Once the queen of nations, she is now a slave. are in mourning, no longer filled with crowds on their way to celebrate the Temple festivals. The city gates are silent, her priests groan, her young women are crying—how bitterly Jerusalem weeps! …
9 She [i.e., Judah] defiled herself with immorality with no thought of the punishment that would follow. Now she lies in the gutter with no one to lift her out. “LORD, see my deep misery,” she cries. “The enemy has triumphed.” …
19 [Jeremiah identifies with Judah in the first person] … “I [Judah] begged my allies for help, but they betrayed me. My priests and leaders starved to death in the city, even as they searched for food to save their lives. 20 “LORD, see my anguish! My heart is broken and my soul despairs, for I have rebelled against you. In the streets the sword kills, and at home there is only death. …
22 “Look at all their [Babylon’s] evil deeds, LORD. Punish them, as you have punished me for all my sins. My groans are many, and my heart is faint.”
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Highlight Passage: Lamentations 1: 5-7; 11; 18-19; :[NLT] … 5 Yes, the Lord has vanquished Israel like an enemy. He has destroyed her forts and palaces. He has brought unending sorrow and tears to Jerusalem. 6 He has broken down his Temple as though it were merely a garden shelter. The LORD has blotted out all memory of the holy festivals and Sabbath days. Kings and priests fall together before his anger. 7 The Lord has rejected his own altar; he despises his own sanctuary. He has given Jerusalem’s palaces to her enemies. They shout in the LORD’s Temple as though it were a day of celebration. …
11 I have cried until the tears no longer come. My heart is broken, my spirit poured out, as I see what has happened to my people. Little children and tiny babies are fainting and dying in the streets. …
18 Cry aloud before the Lord, O walls of Jerusalem! Let your tears flow like a river. Give yourselves no rest from weeping day or night. 19 Rise during the night and cry out. Pour out your hearts like water to the Lord. Lift up your hands to him in prayer. Plead for your children as they faint with hunger in the streets.
My Journal for Today: Staying with our author, Jeremiah, but moving on to his poetry of grief in his psalms of death which we know of as the book of Lamentations, we read, in Chapters 1-2, why Jeremiah was called the “weeping prophet.” These songs and poetry call attention to the prophetic grief experienced and expressed by Jeremiah after Judah and God’s chosen peoples had been defeated and decimated by the Babylonians. And Jeremiah wailed with grief at what he observed as God’s Temple, the temple of worship David had planned and Solomon had built, was torn asunder; and the people, even the children were killed. It was more than he could take; and Jeremiah wept uncontrollably.
When we see thousands upon thousands of babies being killed by abortion; … when we see millions of children growing up without fathers; … when we see millions of Christian men becoming addicted to pornography; and … when see churches turning away from the Gospel and the truth of God’s word, DO WE WEEP or at least grieve genuinely? Really that’s where I’m going to leave these journal comments today. Examine your attitude about the horrors in our culture. Do we grieve as did Jeremiah in his day?
Personally – this morning – I have come to grieve over my lack of empathy and my insensitivity to the culture of death which spreads the darkness of sin in our times. Truly I have been touched and my grief activated by reading Jeremiah’s journal and poetry. I pray you have too.
My Prayer Today: … Lord, forgive my insensitivity to the sinfulness of our day. Help me to see the anguish and to reach out to be your voice and light in this dark world. Amen
Thursday, August 23, 2012
August 23 2012 … Our God Reigns !!!
Chronological Bible Reading Plan - Day 236
Blogger’s Note: Before reading here, please go to this link and take a few minutes to worship our God, …. Who Reigns !!! …
Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Jeremiah 51-52 To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Highlight Passage: Jeremiah 51: 1-2; 5-6; 11-12; 17-19; 33; 51-53; 59 :[NLT] … 1 This is what the LORD says: “I will stir up a destroyer against Babylon and the people of Babylonia. 2 Foreigners will come and winnow her, blowing her away as chaff. They will come from every side to rise against her in her day of trouble. …
[To the remnant of Jews in Babylon and the people of Babylonia] 5 For the LORD Almighty has not forsaken Israel and Judah. He is still their God, even though their land was filled with sin against the Holy One of Israel.” 6 Flee from Babylon! Save yourselves! Don’t get trapped in her punishment! It is the LORD’s time for vengeance; he will fully repay her. …
11 Sharpen the arrows! Lift up the shields! For the LORD has stirred up the spirit of the kings of the Medes to march against Babylon and destroy her. This is his vengeance against those who desecrated his Temple. 12 Raise the battle flag against Babylon! Reinforce the guard and station the watchmen. Prepare an ambush, for the LORD will fulfill all his plans against Babylon. [see Joel’s prophesy in Joel 3: 9-10] …
[From Jeremiah’s song of praise to God] 17 Compared to Him [YAHWEH], all people are foolish and have no knowledge at all! They make idols, but the idols will disgrace their makers, for they are frauds. They have no life or power in them. 18 Idols are worthless; they are lies! The time is coming when they will all be destroyed. 19 But the God of Israel is no idol! He is the Creator of everything that exists, including his people, his own special possession. The LORD Almighty is his name! …
33 For the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Babylon is like wheat on a threshing floor, about to be trampled. In just a little while her harvest will begin.” …
[God, through Jeremiah to the remnant in Babylon] 51 “We are ashamed,” the people say. “We are insulted and disgraced because the LORD’s Temple has been defiled by foreigners.” … 52 “Yes,” says the LORD, “but the time is coming when Babylon’s idols will be destroyed. The groans of her wounded people will be heard throughout the land. 53 Though Babylon reaches as high as the heavens, and though she increases her strength immeasurably, I will send enemies to plunder her,” says the LORD. … 59 The prophet Jeremiah gave this message to Zedekiah’s staff officer, Seraiah son of Neriah and grandson of Mahseiah, when he went to Babylon with King Zedekiah of Judah. This was during the fourth year of Zedekiah’s reign.
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Highlight Passage: Jeremiah 52: [NOTE: Chapter 52 is an historical journal/chronicle of the destruction of Jerusalem and the captivity of 4600 of God’s chosen who were taken into Babylon.]
My Journal for Today: I’m not going to write much in my journal entry today. These last two chapters of Jeremiah’s journal (book) are mostly reflections on Babylon and how they destroyed the Temple [Chapter 52]; and Chapter 51 is God’s message to the people of Babylon and for the Jewish remnant captive there to trust in the God of Jacob, Who would utterly destroy Babylon for having destroyed God’s Holy Temple. And we know from history and the Bible how God raised up the Medes, in alliance with the Persians, under King Cyrus, to consume the much more powerful Babylonian empire.
And the message, at least to this humble student of God’s word in this chronological trek through the Bible today, was … OUR GOD REIGNS! And I hope you’ve taken the link to the You Tube piece with Chris Tomlin and Christy Nockels, singing their tribute to our sovereign God. If you can make it through that piece, with an attitude of worship with no tears (of joy), you are a stronger – or much less emotional – person than I.
These chapters today are the last in the book of Jeremiah, who really was given a mega-challenge by God to bring His truth to a people who were recalcitrant, rebellious, and idolatrous; and though Jeremiah’s ministry extended to the people surrounding Judah, including their ultimate captors, Babylon, the primary emphasis was for believers and the remnant of faithful in Judah, from which would ultimately bring forth our Messiah.
Jeremiah had a tough gig as a minister of God’s word; and we should use him as a hero and model as we, who are charged by the Great Commission, to take God’s light to a very dark world (i.e., Matthew 5: 16; 28: 19-20). Jeremiah, who was ridiculed, jailed, beaten, and almost killed, just kept bringing God’s truth to the people. No wonder he was called “the weeping Prophet.” But Jeremiah’s credo was … God calls … God leads … I follow! And that should be our mantra of calling and personal ministry as well.
My Prayer Today: … To my dying day, Lord, I will follow You! Amen
Blogger’s Note: Before reading here, please go to this link and take a few minutes to worship our God, …. Who Reigns !!! …
Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Jeremiah 51-52 To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Highlight Passage: Jeremiah 51: 1-2; 5-6; 11-12; 17-19; 33; 51-53; 59 :[NLT] … 1 This is what the LORD says: “I will stir up a destroyer against Babylon and the people of Babylonia. 2 Foreigners will come and winnow her, blowing her away as chaff. They will come from every side to rise against her in her day of trouble. …
[To the remnant of Jews in Babylon and the people of Babylonia] 5 For the LORD Almighty has not forsaken Israel and Judah. He is still their God, even though their land was filled with sin against the Holy One of Israel.” 6 Flee from Babylon! Save yourselves! Don’t get trapped in her punishment! It is the LORD’s time for vengeance; he will fully repay her. …
11 Sharpen the arrows! Lift up the shields! For the LORD has stirred up the spirit of the kings of the Medes to march against Babylon and destroy her. This is his vengeance against those who desecrated his Temple. 12 Raise the battle flag against Babylon! Reinforce the guard and station the watchmen. Prepare an ambush, for the LORD will fulfill all his plans against Babylon. [see Joel’s prophesy in Joel 3: 9-10] …
[From Jeremiah’s song of praise to God] 17 Compared to Him [YAHWEH], all people are foolish and have no knowledge at all! They make idols, but the idols will disgrace their makers, for they are frauds. They have no life or power in them. 18 Idols are worthless; they are lies! The time is coming when they will all be destroyed. 19 But the God of Israel is no idol! He is the Creator of everything that exists, including his people, his own special possession. The LORD Almighty is his name! …
33 For the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Babylon is like wheat on a threshing floor, about to be trampled. In just a little while her harvest will begin.” …
[God, through Jeremiah to the remnant in Babylon] 51 “We are ashamed,” the people say. “We are insulted and disgraced because the LORD’s Temple has been defiled by foreigners.” … 52 “Yes,” says the LORD, “but the time is coming when Babylon’s idols will be destroyed. The groans of her wounded people will be heard throughout the land. 53 Though Babylon reaches as high as the heavens, and though she increases her strength immeasurably, I will send enemies to plunder her,” says the LORD. … 59 The prophet Jeremiah gave this message to Zedekiah’s staff officer, Seraiah son of Neriah and grandson of Mahseiah, when he went to Babylon with King Zedekiah of Judah. This was during the fourth year of Zedekiah’s reign.
============
Highlight Passage: Jeremiah 52: [NOTE: Chapter 52 is an historical journal/chronicle of the destruction of Jerusalem and the captivity of 4600 of God’s chosen who were taken into Babylon.]
My Journal for Today: I’m not going to write much in my journal entry today. These last two chapters of Jeremiah’s journal (book) are mostly reflections on Babylon and how they destroyed the Temple [Chapter 52]; and Chapter 51 is God’s message to the people of Babylon and for the Jewish remnant captive there to trust in the God of Jacob, Who would utterly destroy Babylon for having destroyed God’s Holy Temple. And we know from history and the Bible how God raised up the Medes, in alliance with the Persians, under King Cyrus, to consume the much more powerful Babylonian empire.
And the message, at least to this humble student of God’s word in this chronological trek through the Bible today, was … OUR GOD REIGNS! And I hope you’ve taken the link to the You Tube piece with Chris Tomlin and Christy Nockels, singing their tribute to our sovereign God. If you can make it through that piece, with an attitude of worship with no tears (of joy), you are a stronger – or much less emotional – person than I.
These chapters today are the last in the book of Jeremiah, who really was given a mega-challenge by God to bring His truth to a people who were recalcitrant, rebellious, and idolatrous; and though Jeremiah’s ministry extended to the people surrounding Judah, including their ultimate captors, Babylon, the primary emphasis was for believers and the remnant of faithful in Judah, from which would ultimately bring forth our Messiah.
Jeremiah had a tough gig as a minister of God’s word; and we should use him as a hero and model as we, who are charged by the Great Commission, to take God’s light to a very dark world (i.e., Matthew 5: 16; 28: 19-20). Jeremiah, who was ridiculed, jailed, beaten, and almost killed, just kept bringing God’s truth to the people. No wonder he was called “the weeping Prophet.” But Jeremiah’s credo was … God calls … God leads … I follow! And that should be our mantra of calling and personal ministry as well.
My Prayer Today: … To my dying day, Lord, I will follow You! Amen
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
August 22, 2012 … No Evil Escapes God’s Wrath
Chronological Bible Reading Plan - Day 235
Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Jeremiah 49-50 [NLT] To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Highlight Passage: Jeremiah 49: 1-2; 7-8; 15-16; 23-24; 28; 34-35 :[NLT] … 1 This message was given concerning the Ammonites. This is what the LORD says: “What are you doing? Are there no descendants of Israel to inherit the land of Gad? Why are you, who worship Molech, living in its towns? 2 I will punish you for this,” says the LORD, “by destroying your city of Rabbah. It will become a desolate heap, and the neighboring towns will be burned. Then Israel will come and take back the land you took from her,” says the LORD. … 7 This message was given concerning Edom. This is what the LORD Almighty says: “Where are all the wise men of Teman? Is there no one left to give wise counsel? 8 Turn and flee! Hide in deep caves, you people of Dedan! For when I bring disaster on Edom, I will punish you, too! … 15 This is what the LORD says: “I will cut you down to size among the nations, Edom. You will be despised by all. 16 You are proud that you inspire fear in others. And you are proud because you live in a rock fortress and hide high in the mountains. But don’t fool yourselves! Though you live among the peaks with the eagles, I will bring you crashing down,” says the LORD. … 23 This message was given concerning Damascus. This is what the LORD says: “The towns of Hamath and Arpad are struck with fear, for they have heard the news of their destruction. Their hearts are troubled like a wild sea in a raging storm. 24 Damascus has become feeble, and all her people turn to flee. Fear, anguish, and pain have gripped her as they do a woman giving birth. … 28 This message was given concerning Kedar and the kingdoms of Hazor, which were attacked by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. This is what the LORD says: “Advance against Kedar! Blot out the warriors from the East! 34 This message concerning Elam came to the prophet Jeremiah from the LORD at the beginning of the reign of King Zedekiah of Judah. 35 This is what the LORD Almighty says: “I will destroy the archers of Elam — the best of their marksmen.
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Highlight Passage: Jeremiah 50: 1-3; 17-20; 32; 44-46 :[NLT] … 1 The LORD gave Jeremiah the prophet this message concerning Babylon and the land of the Babylonians. 2This is what the LORD says: “Tell the whole world, and keep nothing back! Raise a signal flag so everyone will know that Babylon will fall! Her images and idols will be shattered. Her gods Bel and Marduk will be utterly disgraced. 3 For a nation will attack her from the north and bring such destruction that no one will live in her again. Everything will be gone; both people and animals will flee. … 17 “The Israelites are like sheep that have been scattered by lions. First the king of Assyria ate them up. Then King Nebuchadnezzar£ of Babylon cracked their bones.” 18 Therefore, the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Now I will punish the king of Babylon and his land, just as I punished the king of Assyria. 19And I will bring Israel home again to her own land, to feed in the fields of Carmel and Bashan, and to be satisfied once more on the hill country of Ephraim and Gilead. 20In those days,” says the LORD, “no sin will be found in Israel or in Judah, for I will forgive the remnant I preserve. … 32 O land of pride, you will stumble and fall, and no one will raise you up. For I will light a fire in the cities of Babylon that will burn everything around them.” … 44 “I will come like a lion from the thickets of the Jordan, leaping on the sheep in the pasture. I will chase Babylon from its land, and I will appoint the leader of my choice. For who is like me, and who can challenge me? What ruler can oppose my will?” 45 Listen to the LORD’s plans against Babylon and the land of the Babylonians. Even little children will be dragged off, and their homes will be empty. 46 The earth will shake with the noise of Babylon’s fall, and her cry of despair will be heard around the world.
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Reference Study Passage : Isaiah 53: 6 [NLT] To read/study, go to this link
Reference Study Passage : Romans 1: 18-32 [NLT] To read/study, go to this link
Reference Study Passage : John 3: 16 [NLT] To read/study, [You know this one!]
My Journal for Today: I hope you’ll take the time and effort to read through the two chronological chapters in Jeremiah today which I was led to study; because if you do, you’ll come away with the message which is the title of my journal entry today: ” No Evil Escapes God’s Wrath”.
As Christians, knowing and believing the Apostle Paul’s declaration in Romans 3: 23, … “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God,” … we know that we’re all evil-doers and deserving of God’s wrath of judgment. But as Isaiah prophesied and Jesus fulfilled, you can read from the link above in Isaiah 53: 6, that our faith in Christ’s full atonement for our evil is our eternal hope (seeing also John 3: 16, which I’m pretty sure you know).
But today’s highlight passages (copied above) lay out, prophetically and very systematically, that God, in Jeremiah’s prophetic times (and sometime thereafter) would be on a rampage of wrath against ALL who had become succumbed by pride and idolatry. And if you look at the underlined references above to the various peoples involved, one-after-another, including mighty Babylon, they all were prophesied by Jeremiah to fall; and from history, we know that they all did fall.
And when the Medo-Persians, under Darius (also called “Cyrus”) defeated the Babylonians, it really didn’t make any temporal or military sense at the time because the Babylonians were so much more powerful than were the Persians whom Babylon had controlled for decades. It was a God thing, for sure! The prideful and arrogant and pagan Babylonians deserved God’s wrath, even after He used them to discipline the Israelites; and God’s wrath they got!
And, my friend, God will have His way … no matter what seems obvious to us. Today, as it says in my link to Romans 1: 18-32, God is allowing evil to flourish for a season. He has lifted His protective grace – to a certain degree – and is allowing evil to seemingly thrive. But make no mistake about it; … EVIL WILL NOT REIGN when Jesus’ wrath falls upon His return for His Bride. And this prophetic truth is a clear prophetic reference in these two chapters of Jeremiah. God will punish and eradicate evil forever when Yeshua Ha’Mashiach, … i.e., Jesus, The Messiah, … returns to establish His eternal kingdom, … the New Jerusalem, on earth.
And at that time, He will destroy all evil and His Kingdom will prevail forever!!! And do I sense an enthusiastic ”Hallelujah!!!” or possibly a Praise the Lord!! from my followers here.
My Prayer Today: … That’s my expression of praise, Lord; and I pray you come soon for Your Bride. Amen
Blogger’s Added Worship Note: To worship on the truth of what I’ve written above, may I refer you to this musical selah this morning … Go to this link …
Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Jeremiah 49-50 [NLT] To study these chapters, go to this link -
============
Highlight Passage: Jeremiah 49: 1-2; 7-8; 15-16; 23-24; 28; 34-35 :[NLT] … 1 This message was given concerning the Ammonites. This is what the LORD says: “What are you doing? Are there no descendants of Israel to inherit the land of Gad? Why are you, who worship Molech, living in its towns? 2 I will punish you for this,” says the LORD, “by destroying your city of Rabbah. It will become a desolate heap, and the neighboring towns will be burned. Then Israel will come and take back the land you took from her,” says the LORD. … 7 This message was given concerning Edom. This is what the LORD Almighty says: “Where are all the wise men of Teman? Is there no one left to give wise counsel? 8 Turn and flee! Hide in deep caves, you people of Dedan! For when I bring disaster on Edom, I will punish you, too! … 15 This is what the LORD says: “I will cut you down to size among the nations, Edom. You will be despised by all. 16 You are proud that you inspire fear in others. And you are proud because you live in a rock fortress and hide high in the mountains. But don’t fool yourselves! Though you live among the peaks with the eagles, I will bring you crashing down,” says the LORD. … 23 This message was given concerning Damascus. This is what the LORD says: “The towns of Hamath and Arpad are struck with fear, for they have heard the news of their destruction. Their hearts are troubled like a wild sea in a raging storm. 24 Damascus has become feeble, and all her people turn to flee. Fear, anguish, and pain have gripped her as they do a woman giving birth. … 28 This message was given concerning Kedar and the kingdoms of Hazor, which were attacked by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. This is what the LORD says: “Advance against Kedar! Blot out the warriors from the East! 34 This message concerning Elam came to the prophet Jeremiah from the LORD at the beginning of the reign of King Zedekiah of Judah. 35 This is what the LORD Almighty says: “I will destroy the archers of Elam — the best of their marksmen.
============
Highlight Passage: Jeremiah 50: 1-3; 17-20; 32; 44-46 :[NLT] … 1 The LORD gave Jeremiah the prophet this message concerning Babylon and the land of the Babylonians. 2This is what the LORD says: “Tell the whole world, and keep nothing back! Raise a signal flag so everyone will know that Babylon will fall! Her images and idols will be shattered. Her gods Bel and Marduk will be utterly disgraced. 3 For a nation will attack her from the north and bring such destruction that no one will live in her again. Everything will be gone; both people and animals will flee. … 17 “The Israelites are like sheep that have been scattered by lions. First the king of Assyria ate them up. Then King Nebuchadnezzar£ of Babylon cracked their bones.” 18 Therefore, the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Now I will punish the king of Babylon and his land, just as I punished the king of Assyria. 19And I will bring Israel home again to her own land, to feed in the fields of Carmel and Bashan, and to be satisfied once more on the hill country of Ephraim and Gilead. 20In those days,” says the LORD, “no sin will be found in Israel or in Judah, for I will forgive the remnant I preserve. … 32 O land of pride, you will stumble and fall, and no one will raise you up. For I will light a fire in the cities of Babylon that will burn everything around them.” … 44 “I will come like a lion from the thickets of the Jordan, leaping on the sheep in the pasture. I will chase Babylon from its land, and I will appoint the leader of my choice. For who is like me, and who can challenge me? What ruler can oppose my will?” 45 Listen to the LORD’s plans against Babylon and the land of the Babylonians. Even little children will be dragged off, and their homes will be empty. 46 The earth will shake with the noise of Babylon’s fall, and her cry of despair will be heard around the world.
============
Reference Study Passage : Isaiah 53: 6 [NLT] To read/study, go to this link
Reference Study Passage : Romans 1: 18-32 [NLT] To read/study, go to this link
Reference Study Passage : John 3: 16 [NLT] To read/study, [You know this one!]
My Journal for Today: I hope you’ll take the time and effort to read through the two chronological chapters in Jeremiah today which I was led to study; because if you do, you’ll come away with the message which is the title of my journal entry today: ” No Evil Escapes God’s Wrath”.
As Christians, knowing and believing the Apostle Paul’s declaration in Romans 3: 23, … “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God,” … we know that we’re all evil-doers and deserving of God’s wrath of judgment. But as Isaiah prophesied and Jesus fulfilled, you can read from the link above in Isaiah 53: 6, that our faith in Christ’s full atonement for our evil is our eternal hope (seeing also John 3: 16, which I’m pretty sure you know).
But today’s highlight passages (copied above) lay out, prophetically and very systematically, that God, in Jeremiah’s prophetic times (and sometime thereafter) would be on a rampage of wrath against ALL who had become succumbed by pride and idolatry. And if you look at the underlined references above to the various peoples involved, one-after-another, including mighty Babylon, they all were prophesied by Jeremiah to fall; and from history, we know that they all did fall.
And when the Medo-Persians, under Darius (also called “Cyrus”) defeated the Babylonians, it really didn’t make any temporal or military sense at the time because the Babylonians were so much more powerful than were the Persians whom Babylon had controlled for decades. It was a God thing, for sure! The prideful and arrogant and pagan Babylonians deserved God’s wrath, even after He used them to discipline the Israelites; and God’s wrath they got!
And, my friend, God will have His way … no matter what seems obvious to us. Today, as it says in my link to Romans 1: 18-32, God is allowing evil to flourish for a season. He has lifted His protective grace – to a certain degree – and is allowing evil to seemingly thrive. But make no mistake about it; … EVIL WILL NOT REIGN when Jesus’ wrath falls upon His return for His Bride. And this prophetic truth is a clear prophetic reference in these two chapters of Jeremiah. God will punish and eradicate evil forever when Yeshua Ha’Mashiach, … i.e., Jesus, The Messiah, … returns to establish His eternal kingdom, … the New Jerusalem, on earth.
And at that time, He will destroy all evil and His Kingdom will prevail forever!!! And do I sense an enthusiastic ”Hallelujah!!!” or possibly a Praise the Lord!! from my followers here.
My Prayer Today: … That’s my expression of praise, Lord; and I pray you come soon for Your Bride. Amen
Blogger’s Added Worship Note: To worship on the truth of what I’ve written above, may I refer you to this musical selah this morning … Go to this link …
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
August 21, 2012 … God Cares for ALL
Chronological Bible Reading Plan - Day 234
Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Jeremiah 46-48 [NLT] To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Highlight Passage: Jeremiah 46: 1-2; 27-28 :[NLT] … 1 The following messages were given to Jeremiah the prophet from the LORD concerning foreign nations. 2 This message concerning Egypt was given in the fourth year of the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, the king of Judah, on the occasion of the battle of Carchemish when Pharaoh Neco, king of Egypt, and his army were defeated beside the Euphrates River by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. … 27 “But do not be afraid, Jacob, my servant; do not be dismayed, Israel. For I will bring you home again from distant lands, and your children will return from their exile.Israel will return to a life of peace and quiet, and no one will terrorize them. 28 Do not be afraid, Jacob, my servant, for I am with you,” says the LORD. “I will completely destroy the nations to which I have exiled you, but I will not completely destroy you. I will discipline you, but with justice; I cannot let you go unpunished.”
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Highlight Passage: Jeremiah 47: 1; 4 :[NLT] … 1 This is the LORD’s message to the prophet Jeremiah concerning the Philistines of Gaza, before it was captured by the Egyptian army. … 4 “The time has come for the Philistines to be destroyed, along with their allies from Tyre and Sidon. Yes, the LORD is destroying the remnant of the Philistines, those colonists from the island of Crete. ============
Highlight Passage: Jeremiah 48: 1-2a; 7; 11-13; 29-31; 46-47 :[NLT] … 1 This message was given concerning Moab. This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: “What sorrow awaits the city of Nebo; it will soon lie in ruins. The city of Kiriathaim will be humiliated and captured; the fortress will be humiliated and broken down.2 No one will ever brag about Moab again, … 7 Because you have trusted in your wealth and skill, you will be taken captive. Your god Chemosh, with his priests and princes, will be exiled to distant lands! … 11 “From her earliest history, Moab has lived in peace. She is like wine that has been allowed to settle. She has not been poured from flask to flask, and she is now fragrant and smooth. 12 But the time is coming soon,” says the LORD, “when I will send troublemakers to pour her from her jar. They will pour her out, then shatter the jar! 13 At last Moab will be ashamed of her idol Chemosh, as Israel was ashamed of her gold calf at Bethel. … 29 We have heard of the pride of Moab, for it is very great. We know of her loftiness, her arrogance, and her haughty heart. 30 I know about her insolence,” says the LORD, “but her boasts are false; they accomplish nothing. 31 Yes, I wail for Moab; my heart is broken for the men of Kir-hareseth. [A city in Moab] … 46 “O Moab, your destruction is sure! The people of the god Chemosh are destroyed! Your sons and daughters have been taken away as captives. 47 But in the latter days I will restore the fortunes of Moab,” says the LORD. This is the end of Jeremiah’s prophecy concerning Moab.
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Reference Study Passage : John 3: 16 [NLT] For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Reference Study Passage : 1st Peter 5: 7 [NLT] Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.
My Journal for Today: After reading through and studying the three chapters in Jeremiah presented for my Chronological Bible reading assignment today [Chapters 46-48 in Jeremiah’s journal], it was pretty easy to see a theme title for these passages, which you can read I penned above - God Cares for ALL!
And I capitalized the “ALL” because, as a New Covenant Christian, having the entire New Testament available to me and the entire Bible giving me God’s full story, I can see – and do believe – the truth of the two reference citations I’ve copied above from John 3: 16 (which you probably have memorized) and 1st Peter 5: 7, both of which clearly declare that God loves ALL of humanity, which was His ultimate creation.
And so we read Jeremiah documenting how God, the caring heavenly Father, prophesied to nations who were not only His chosen peoples, i.e., Israel and Judah, but caring enough to call out even the enemies of His people, the Jews. In these three chapters we read of God’s word to three of what were arch enemies of the Israelites … Egypt, Philistia, and Moab. And yes, certainly these were prophesies about the coming demise of these nations at the hands of the Babylonians; but as you can read in the last verse of Chapter 48 concerning the Moabites, the ancestors of Lot, God’s prophesy also included His promise of restoration, which was primarily directed toward any – and there were a few – who had held on in faith to the commands and promises which had come down to all of God’s children through Moses.
Here’s what my Parson’s Commentary says about what God laid out for these non-Jewish nations in Chapter 46: “In this chapter, we gain several insights about God and his plan for this world. (1) Although God chose Israel for a special purpose, he loves all people and wants all to come to him. (2) God is holy and will not tolerate sin. (3) God’s judgments are not based on prejudice and a desire for revenge but on fairness and justice. (4) God does not delight in judgment but in salvation. (5) God is impartial—he judges everyone by the same standard.”
And that’s what we always need to remember when we’re either called to the mission fields or convicted to support those who go in response to the Great Commission or Acts 1: 8, … i.e., those who are called to be agents of God’s love of the world, again as we read in John 3: 16. I do hope (and pray) that we all have a Christian WORLD VIEW of God’s love, especially when we feel the oppression of so many enemies of Christianity who do all they can to persecute or even kill the concept or reality of Christianity in our culture. But God does love ALL of humanity; and He desires that ALL come to know Him as their Savior.
My Prayer Today: … Lord, You love the world and ALL of Your peoples; and so, help me to do likewise!!! Amen
Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Jeremiah 46-48 [NLT] To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Highlight Passage: Jeremiah 46: 1-2; 27-28 :[NLT] … 1 The following messages were given to Jeremiah the prophet from the LORD concerning foreign nations. 2 This message concerning Egypt was given in the fourth year of the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, the king of Judah, on the occasion of the battle of Carchemish when Pharaoh Neco, king of Egypt, and his army were defeated beside the Euphrates River by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. … 27 “But do not be afraid, Jacob, my servant; do not be dismayed, Israel. For I will bring you home again from distant lands, and your children will return from their exile.Israel will return to a life of peace and quiet, and no one will terrorize them. 28 Do not be afraid, Jacob, my servant, for I am with you,” says the LORD. “I will completely destroy the nations to which I have exiled you, but I will not completely destroy you. I will discipline you, but with justice; I cannot let you go unpunished.”
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Highlight Passage: Jeremiah 47: 1; 4 :[NLT] … 1 This is the LORD’s message to the prophet Jeremiah concerning the Philistines of Gaza, before it was captured by the Egyptian army. … 4 “The time has come for the Philistines to be destroyed, along with their allies from Tyre and Sidon. Yes, the LORD is destroying the remnant of the Philistines, those colonists from the island of Crete. ============
Highlight Passage: Jeremiah 48: 1-2a; 7; 11-13; 29-31; 46-47 :[NLT] … 1 This message was given concerning Moab. This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: “What sorrow awaits the city of Nebo; it will soon lie in ruins. The city of Kiriathaim will be humiliated and captured; the fortress will be humiliated and broken down.2 No one will ever brag about Moab again, … 7 Because you have trusted in your wealth and skill, you will be taken captive. Your god Chemosh, with his priests and princes, will be exiled to distant lands! … 11 “From her earliest history, Moab has lived in peace. She is like wine that has been allowed to settle. She has not been poured from flask to flask, and she is now fragrant and smooth. 12 But the time is coming soon,” says the LORD, “when I will send troublemakers to pour her from her jar. They will pour her out, then shatter the jar! 13 At last Moab will be ashamed of her idol Chemosh, as Israel was ashamed of her gold calf at Bethel. … 29 We have heard of the pride of Moab, for it is very great. We know of her loftiness, her arrogance, and her haughty heart. 30 I know about her insolence,” says the LORD, “but her boasts are false; they accomplish nothing. 31 Yes, I wail for Moab; my heart is broken for the men of Kir-hareseth. [A city in Moab] … 46 “O Moab, your destruction is sure! The people of the god Chemosh are destroyed! Your sons and daughters have been taken away as captives. 47 But in the latter days I will restore the fortunes of Moab,” says the LORD. This is the end of Jeremiah’s prophecy concerning Moab.
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Reference Study Passage : John 3: 16 [NLT] For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Reference Study Passage : 1st Peter 5: 7 [NLT] Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.
My Journal for Today: After reading through and studying the three chapters in Jeremiah presented for my Chronological Bible reading assignment today [Chapters 46-48 in Jeremiah’s journal], it was pretty easy to see a theme title for these passages, which you can read I penned above - God Cares for ALL!
And I capitalized the “ALL” because, as a New Covenant Christian, having the entire New Testament available to me and the entire Bible giving me God’s full story, I can see – and do believe – the truth of the two reference citations I’ve copied above from John 3: 16 (which you probably have memorized) and 1st Peter 5: 7, both of which clearly declare that God loves ALL of humanity, which was His ultimate creation.
And so we read Jeremiah documenting how God, the caring heavenly Father, prophesied to nations who were not only His chosen peoples, i.e., Israel and Judah, but caring enough to call out even the enemies of His people, the Jews. In these three chapters we read of God’s word to three of what were arch enemies of the Israelites … Egypt, Philistia, and Moab. And yes, certainly these were prophesies about the coming demise of these nations at the hands of the Babylonians; but as you can read in the last verse of Chapter 48 concerning the Moabites, the ancestors of Lot, God’s prophesy also included His promise of restoration, which was primarily directed toward any – and there were a few – who had held on in faith to the commands and promises which had come down to all of God’s children through Moses.
Here’s what my Parson’s Commentary says about what God laid out for these non-Jewish nations in Chapter 46: “In this chapter, we gain several insights about God and his plan for this world. (1) Although God chose Israel for a special purpose, he loves all people and wants all to come to him. (2) God is holy and will not tolerate sin. (3) God’s judgments are not based on prejudice and a desire for revenge but on fairness and justice. (4) God does not delight in judgment but in salvation. (5) God is impartial—he judges everyone by the same standard.”
And that’s what we always need to remember when we’re either called to the mission fields or convicted to support those who go in response to the Great Commission or Acts 1: 8, … i.e., those who are called to be agents of God’s love of the world, again as we read in John 3: 16. I do hope (and pray) that we all have a Christian WORLD VIEW of God’s love, especially when we feel the oppression of so many enemies of Christianity who do all they can to persecute or even kill the concept or reality of Christianity in our culture. But God does love ALL of humanity; and He desires that ALL come to know Him as their Savior.
My Prayer Today: … Lord, You love the world and ALL of Your peoples; and so, help me to do likewise!!! Amen
Monday, August 20, 2012
August 20, 2012 … Lawlessness When God Lifts His Grace of Protection
Chronological Bible Reading Plan - Day 233
Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Jeremiah 41-45 [NLT] To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Highlight Passage: Jeremiah 41: 1-3; 7; 10-14 :[NLT] … 1 But in mid-autumn [in the seventh month, of the Hebrew calendar in October and November 586 B.C.], Ishmael son of Nethaniah and grandson of Elishama, who was a member of the royal family [of Judah], arrived in Mizpah [a Judean town near Jerusalem] accompanied by ten men. Gedaliah invited them to dinner. While they were eating, 2 Ishmael and his ten men suddenly drew their swords and killed Gedaliah, whom the king of Babylon had appointed governor. 3 Then they went out and slaughtered all the Judean officials and Babylonian soldiers who were with Gedaliah at Mizpah. …
7 But as soon as they were all inside the town, Ishmael and his men killed all but ten of them and threw their bodies into a cistern. …
10 Then Ishmael made captives of the king’s daughters and the other people who had been left under Gedaliah’s care in Mizpah by Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard. Taking them with him, he started back toward the land of Ammon. 11 But when Johanan son of Kareah and the other guerrilla leaders [another band of rogue Jews from occupied Judah] heard about Ishmael’s crimes,12 they took all their men and set out to stop him [Ishmael]. They caught up with him at the large pool near Gibeon. 13 The people Ishmael had captured shouted for joy when they saw Johanan and the other guerrilla leaders. 14 And all the captives from Mizpah escaped and began to help Johanan.
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Highlight Passage: Jeremiah 42: 1-3: 10-11; 19-22 :[NLT] … 1 Then all the guerrilla leaders, including Johanan son of Kareah and Jezaniaht son of Hoshaiah, and all the people, from the least to the greatest, approached 2 Jeremiah the prophet. They said, “Please pray to the LORD your God for us. As you can see, we are only a tiny remnant compared to what we were before. 3 Pray that the LORD your God will show us what to do and where to go.”...
10 [God’s response to Jeremiah’s prayer] ‘Stay here in this land. If you do, I will build you up and not tear you down; I will plant you and not uproot you. For I am sorry about all the punishment I have had to bring upon you. 11 Do not fear the king of Babylon anymore,’ says the LORD. ‘For I am with you and will save you and rescue you from his power. …
19 [Jeremiah’s prophetic response to Johanan and the band of Jews who’d asked him to pray for them] “Listen, you remnant of Judah. The LORD has told you: ‘Do not go to Egypt!’ Don’t forget this warning I have given you today. 20 For you were not being honest when you sent me to pray to the LORD your God for you. You said, ‘Just tell us what the LORD our God says, and we will do it!’ 21 And today I have told you exactly what he said, but you will not obey the LORD your God any better now than you have in the past. 22 So you can be sure that you will die from war, famine, and disease in Egypt, where you insist on going.”
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Highlight Passage: Jeremiah 43: 1-3: 7; 10 :[NLT] … 1 When Jeremiah had finished giving this message from the LORD their God to all the people, Azariah son of Hoshaiah and Johanan son of Kareah and all the other proud men said to Jeremiah, “You lie! The LORD our God hasn’t forbidden us to go to Egypt! Baruch son of Neriah has convinced you to say this, because he wants us to stay here and be killed by the Babylonianst or be carried off into exile.” …
7 The people refused to obey the LORD and went to Egypt, going as far as the city of Tahpanhes. … 10 [God through Jeremiah] … Then say to the people of Judah, ‘the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: I will surely bring my servant Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, here to Egypt. I will set his throne on these stones that I have hidden. He will spread his royal canopy over them.
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Highlight Passage: Jeremiah 44: 1-2; 7-8; 26-28 :[NLT] … 1 This is the message Jeremiah received concerning the Judeans living in northern Egypt in the cities of Migdol, Tahpanhes, and Memphis,t and in southern Egyptt as well:2 “This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: You saw the calamity I brought on Jerusalem and all the towns of Judah. They now lie deserted and in ruins. …
7 “And now the LORD God Almighty, the God of Israel, asks you: Why are you destroying yourselves? For not one of you will survive—not a man, woman, or child among you who has come here from Judah, not even the babies in your arms. 8 Why arouse my anger by burning incense to the idols you have made here in Egypt? You will only destroy yourselves and make yourselves an object of cursing and mockery for all the nations of the earth. …
26“But listen to this message from the LORD, all you Judeans now living in Egypt: I have sworn by my great name, says the LORD, that my name will no longer be spoken by any of the Judeans in the land of Egypt. None of you may invoke my name or use this oath: ‘As surely as the Sovereign LORD lives!’ 27 For I will watch over you to bring you disaster and not good. You will suffer war and famine until all of you are dead. 28 “Only a small number will escape death and return to Judah from Egypt. Then all those who came to Egypt will find out whose words are true, mine or theirs!
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Highlight Passage: Jeremiah 45: 4-5 :[NLT] … 4 [Jeremiah to his scribe, Baruch] … “Baruch, this is what the LORD says: ‘I will destroy this nation that I built. I will uproot what I planted. 5 Are you seeking great things for yourself? Don’t do it! I will bring great disaster upon all these people; but I will give you your life as a reward wherever you go. I, the LORD, have spoken!’”
Reference Study Passage : Romans 1: 18-32 [NIV] To study these chapters, go to this link -
My Journal for Today: Another big gulp from the Prophet Jeremiah’s journal (i.e., Book in the Bible), which relates historically what happens when a formerly God-honoring people fall away from seeking God’s will and relent to pursuing their own will and ways instead of God’s protective commands.
In Chapters 41-45 of Jeremiah we read of a band of the Jewish underground, remaining in Judah (near Jerusalem) during the times of the Babylonian captivity, who came in to Mizpah, a town near Jerusalem, and, like a gang of marauders in the old west, wiped out the designated Governor of Judah and the Babylonians living there. But then, being the foolish and selfish rebels they were, they went to Jeremiah, who was still in Judah, for God’s blessing through the Prophet. And Jeremiah gave them God’s word that this band of Jewish fighters should remain, protected by God, in Judah. However, they were intent upon hearing that they could/should go to Egypt; and they rejected Jeremiah’s prophesy, setting out for Egypt anyway, taking Jeremiah as a captive with them. Well, as we read in these chapters, God left them to their own desires; but the Lord took care of them, as He had prophesied through Jeremiah; and they were ultimately consumed by God’s wrath of abandonment as the Lord allowed Nebuchadnezzar to prune these rebels from God’s kingdom when they were in Egypt.
And as I read these historical passages, dictated by Jeremiah, 600+ years before Christ, and penned by his scribe, Baruch (see Chapter 45), my mind was taken to a New Testament passage, Romans 1: 18-32, where much the same warning is given by the Apostle Paul to New Covenant believers as was given through Jeremiah to Judah in his times.
THE WARNING: If we CHOOSE to do life OUR OWN WAY, God will visit His wrath of abandonment on those who mock or rebel against His will and His ways from His word.
And it’s scary for me to see how much of our country fits in to the ways and warnings of the passage in Romans, which you can study using the link I’ve provided for you above. Just like the Judean rebels in Jeremiah’s day, so much of the world, and that includes even the so-called “church,” will not listen to the clear warnings from God through His prophetic teachers/preachers. They will not seek, let alone follow His word, the only real and practical source of God’s truth. And because of this, God will do exactly what He did to those rebels in Jeremiah’s day in Judah or what Paul warns us about in the passage in Romans 1.
Oh, how I pray – as I do so often – that we’ll get the warnings, … that our leaders will surrender to God’s will and follow His ways, … and that God’s people in this country will be captivated by His word and follow the Lord again. The prognosis, unfortunately, seems grim; but God’s promise of deliverance always provides hope. So, we must continue to pray for God’s merciful deliverance in these days of evil.
My Prayer Today: … Lord, that is my prayer today … that You would have mercy on this country and deliver the remnant of believers into a time of revival of seeking Your will and Your ways from Your word. Amen
Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Jeremiah 41-45 [NLT] To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Highlight Passage: Jeremiah 41: 1-3; 7; 10-14 :[NLT] … 1 But in mid-autumn [in the seventh month, of the Hebrew calendar in October and November 586 B.C.], Ishmael son of Nethaniah and grandson of Elishama, who was a member of the royal family [of Judah], arrived in Mizpah [a Judean town near Jerusalem] accompanied by ten men. Gedaliah invited them to dinner. While they were eating, 2 Ishmael and his ten men suddenly drew their swords and killed Gedaliah, whom the king of Babylon had appointed governor. 3 Then they went out and slaughtered all the Judean officials and Babylonian soldiers who were with Gedaliah at Mizpah. …
7 But as soon as they were all inside the town, Ishmael and his men killed all but ten of them and threw their bodies into a cistern. …
10 Then Ishmael made captives of the king’s daughters and the other people who had been left under Gedaliah’s care in Mizpah by Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard. Taking them with him, he started back toward the land of Ammon. 11 But when Johanan son of Kareah and the other guerrilla leaders [another band of rogue Jews from occupied Judah] heard about Ishmael’s crimes,12 they took all their men and set out to stop him [Ishmael]. They caught up with him at the large pool near Gibeon. 13 The people Ishmael had captured shouted for joy when they saw Johanan and the other guerrilla leaders. 14 And all the captives from Mizpah escaped and began to help Johanan.
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Highlight Passage: Jeremiah 42: 1-3: 10-11; 19-22 :[NLT] … 1 Then all the guerrilla leaders, including Johanan son of Kareah and Jezaniaht son of Hoshaiah, and all the people, from the least to the greatest, approached 2 Jeremiah the prophet. They said, “Please pray to the LORD your God for us. As you can see, we are only a tiny remnant compared to what we were before. 3 Pray that the LORD your God will show us what to do and where to go.”...
10 [God’s response to Jeremiah’s prayer] ‘Stay here in this land. If you do, I will build you up and not tear you down; I will plant you and not uproot you. For I am sorry about all the punishment I have had to bring upon you. 11 Do not fear the king of Babylon anymore,’ says the LORD. ‘For I am with you and will save you and rescue you from his power. …
19 [Jeremiah’s prophetic response to Johanan and the band of Jews who’d asked him to pray for them] “Listen, you remnant of Judah. The LORD has told you: ‘Do not go to Egypt!’ Don’t forget this warning I have given you today. 20 For you were not being honest when you sent me to pray to the LORD your God for you. You said, ‘Just tell us what the LORD our God says, and we will do it!’ 21 And today I have told you exactly what he said, but you will not obey the LORD your God any better now than you have in the past. 22 So you can be sure that you will die from war, famine, and disease in Egypt, where you insist on going.”
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Highlight Passage: Jeremiah 43: 1-3: 7; 10 :[NLT] … 1 When Jeremiah had finished giving this message from the LORD their God to all the people, Azariah son of Hoshaiah and Johanan son of Kareah and all the other proud men said to Jeremiah, “You lie! The LORD our God hasn’t forbidden us to go to Egypt! Baruch son of Neriah has convinced you to say this, because he wants us to stay here and be killed by the Babylonianst or be carried off into exile.” …
7 The people refused to obey the LORD and went to Egypt, going as far as the city of Tahpanhes. … 10 [God through Jeremiah] … Then say to the people of Judah, ‘the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: I will surely bring my servant Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, here to Egypt. I will set his throne on these stones that I have hidden. He will spread his royal canopy over them.
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Highlight Passage: Jeremiah 44: 1-2; 7-8; 26-28 :[NLT] … 1 This is the message Jeremiah received concerning the Judeans living in northern Egypt in the cities of Migdol, Tahpanhes, and Memphis,t and in southern Egyptt as well:2 “This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: You saw the calamity I brought on Jerusalem and all the towns of Judah. They now lie deserted and in ruins. …
7 “And now the LORD God Almighty, the God of Israel, asks you: Why are you destroying yourselves? For not one of you will survive—not a man, woman, or child among you who has come here from Judah, not even the babies in your arms. 8 Why arouse my anger by burning incense to the idols you have made here in Egypt? You will only destroy yourselves and make yourselves an object of cursing and mockery for all the nations of the earth. …
26“But listen to this message from the LORD, all you Judeans now living in Egypt: I have sworn by my great name, says the LORD, that my name will no longer be spoken by any of the Judeans in the land of Egypt. None of you may invoke my name or use this oath: ‘As surely as the Sovereign LORD lives!’ 27 For I will watch over you to bring you disaster and not good. You will suffer war and famine until all of you are dead. 28 “Only a small number will escape death and return to Judah from Egypt. Then all those who came to Egypt will find out whose words are true, mine or theirs!
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Highlight Passage: Jeremiah 45: 4-5 :[NLT] … 4 [Jeremiah to his scribe, Baruch] … “Baruch, this is what the LORD says: ‘I will destroy this nation that I built. I will uproot what I planted. 5 Are you seeking great things for yourself? Don’t do it! I will bring great disaster upon all these people; but I will give you your life as a reward wherever you go. I, the LORD, have spoken!’”
Reference Study Passage : Romans 1: 18-32 [NIV] To study these chapters, go to this link -
My Journal for Today: Another big gulp from the Prophet Jeremiah’s journal (i.e., Book in the Bible), which relates historically what happens when a formerly God-honoring people fall away from seeking God’s will and relent to pursuing their own will and ways instead of God’s protective commands.
In Chapters 41-45 of Jeremiah we read of a band of the Jewish underground, remaining in Judah (near Jerusalem) during the times of the Babylonian captivity, who came in to Mizpah, a town near Jerusalem, and, like a gang of marauders in the old west, wiped out the designated Governor of Judah and the Babylonians living there. But then, being the foolish and selfish rebels they were, they went to Jeremiah, who was still in Judah, for God’s blessing through the Prophet. And Jeremiah gave them God’s word that this band of Jewish fighters should remain, protected by God, in Judah. However, they were intent upon hearing that they could/should go to Egypt; and they rejected Jeremiah’s prophesy, setting out for Egypt anyway, taking Jeremiah as a captive with them. Well, as we read in these chapters, God left them to their own desires; but the Lord took care of them, as He had prophesied through Jeremiah; and they were ultimately consumed by God’s wrath of abandonment as the Lord allowed Nebuchadnezzar to prune these rebels from God’s kingdom when they were in Egypt.
And as I read these historical passages, dictated by Jeremiah, 600+ years before Christ, and penned by his scribe, Baruch (see Chapter 45), my mind was taken to a New Testament passage, Romans 1: 18-32, where much the same warning is given by the Apostle Paul to New Covenant believers as was given through Jeremiah to Judah in his times.
THE WARNING: If we CHOOSE to do life OUR OWN WAY, God will visit His wrath of abandonment on those who mock or rebel against His will and His ways from His word.
And it’s scary for me to see how much of our country fits in to the ways and warnings of the passage in Romans, which you can study using the link I’ve provided for you above. Just like the Judean rebels in Jeremiah’s day, so much of the world, and that includes even the so-called “church,” will not listen to the clear warnings from God through His prophetic teachers/preachers. They will not seek, let alone follow His word, the only real and practical source of God’s truth. And because of this, God will do exactly what He did to those rebels in Jeremiah’s day in Judah or what Paul warns us about in the passage in Romans 1.
Oh, how I pray – as I do so often – that we’ll get the warnings, … that our leaders will surrender to God’s will and follow His ways, … and that God’s people in this country will be captivated by His word and follow the Lord again. The prognosis, unfortunately, seems grim; but God’s promise of deliverance always provides hope. So, we must continue to pray for God’s merciful deliverance in these days of evil.
My Prayer Today: … Lord, that is my prayer today … that You would have mercy on this country and deliver the remnant of believers into a time of revival of seeking Your will and Your ways from Your word. Amen
Sunday, August 19, 2012
August 19, 2012 … From Frustration to Faith
Chronological Bible Reading Plan - Day 232
Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Habakkuk, Chapters 1-3 [NLT] To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Highlight Passage: Habakkuk 1: 1-4 :[NLT] … 1 This is the message that the prophet Habakkuk received from the LORD in a vision. 2 How long, O LORD, must I call for help? But you do not listen! “Violence!” I cry; but you do not come to save. 3 Must I forever see this sin and misery all around me? Wherever I look, I see destruction and violence. I am surrounded by people who love to argue and fight. 4 The law has become paralyzed and useless, and there is no justice given in the courts. The wicked far outnumber the righteous, and justice is perverted with bribes and trickery.
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Highlight Passage: Habakkuk 3: 1-2; 17-19 [plus the note to choir director] :[NLT] … 1 This prayer was sung by the prophet Habakkuk: 2 I have heard all about you, LORD, and I am filled with awe by the amazing things you have done. In this time of our deep need, begin again to help us, as you did in years gone by. Show us your power to save us. And in your anger, remember your mercy…. 17 Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vine; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, 18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation. 19 The Sovereign LORD is my strength! He will make me as surefooted as a deer and bring me safely over the mountains. (For the choir director: This prayer is to be accompanied by stringed instruments.) .
My Journal for Today: Well, today in my Chronological Reading Plan for this year, I was take to the writings of my favorite OT Prophets; and that is Habakkuk. Oh, it’s easy to like Jeremiah, Daniel, or Ezekiel, all BTW who were contemporaries of Habakkuk and who were those so-called MAJOR prophets because of the extent of their writings or the drama they encountered in their lives which seems so pertinent to today’s times. But the so-called MINOR prophets, who, like Joel or Nahum or Habakkuk, didn’t write as extensively; and the length of their books, poems, or journaling in what became the Jewish Bible is the only reason they are called “MINOR” Prophets.
But Habakkuk is one of the easiest prophets, I believe, with whom we can identify. Read the first few verses of the lyrics of the song Habakkuk penned, … those in Habakkuk 1: 1-4; and you’ll see how human Habakkuk seems, expressing his confusion and questions directly to God over what he was observing in his culture and times, especially with regard to the sin and degradation Habakkuk observed in God’s chosen people, who had so obviously rebelled from God’s will and were unwilling to follow, or even to read, God’s word. I look around and see what is going on in our world/culture today, and it’s so easy for me to go to God with my frustration, just as Habakkuk did, crying “Why, Lord; Why!!!”
But God didn’t leave Habakkuk hanging. After Habakkuk cried out to God, going first to God with his complaints, The LORD was there for this frustrated man of God. Yahweh noted that His man had comet to the Lord up-front-and personally, rather than keeping all his frustration bottled up inside himself. And, as you can read [mostly in the first two chapters of Habakkuk’s song, by using the links provided for God’s response] Habakkuk got an answer from God which was not easy to take. And I see what’s going on in our world today, taking my confusion to God; and His word comes back to me in NT passages like Romans 1: 18-32 and Romans 8: 28; and God gives me answers that are true, but still troubling [and if you don’t know these messages, please take the time to look them up!”] And from God’s very word, I hear the Lord saying to me, as He did to Habakkuk, “Bill, … if you think things are bad now, wait on Me, because things are going to get WAY WORSE before they get WAY, WAY BETTER.”
God told Habakkuk to go to a high place, to wait and watch, and to write down this song, which became the “song of Habakkuk’s faith” for the Jewish Bible. And God tells me, as He did Habakkuk, to wait on Him and trust Him that “all things work together for my good,” because I’m one of His faithful remnant, i.e., those who God will never abandon and will ultimately save. And Habakkuk finally got this incredible message of hope and faith from God; because when we go to the Lord’s word with our prayers of frustration, God will always provide His answers, either through His word directly or through discerning, Spirit-led, men like Habakkuk so that we can wait on God and not lose our faith.
That’s the message of Habakkuk’s prayer and song in Chapter 3 of the book by Habakkuk’s name, from which you can read the key verses above which I’ve copied for your study. And in Verses 17-19 of Chapter 3, copied above, are some of the most uplifting and faith-filled verses in all of the Bible, especially when you consider all the horror which was to be visited on God’s people as the Babylonian hoards were to consume Judah. Habakkuk ends up being able to write – and probably sing – his song of faith, which he instructed to be accompanied by music and which become a song of faith for God’s people.
What’s your song (and prayer) today? Is it a prayer of frustration; because if it is, as in Chapter 1 of Habakkuk, take your complaints directly to God. And let God turn your frustrations into a prayer (or song) of thanksgiving, trust, and faith in our Lord, Who will always be there for His remnant of faithful who await His plan to be worked out in our times or in glory.
My Prayer Today: … Lord, even in my frustration I wait on You in faith. Amen
Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Habakkuk, Chapters 1-3 [NLT] To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Highlight Passage: Habakkuk 1: 1-4 :[NLT] … 1 This is the message that the prophet Habakkuk received from the LORD in a vision. 2 How long, O LORD, must I call for help? But you do not listen! “Violence!” I cry; but you do not come to save. 3 Must I forever see this sin and misery all around me? Wherever I look, I see destruction and violence. I am surrounded by people who love to argue and fight. 4 The law has become paralyzed and useless, and there is no justice given in the courts. The wicked far outnumber the righteous, and justice is perverted with bribes and trickery.
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Highlight Passage: Habakkuk 3: 1-2; 17-19 [plus the note to choir director] :[NLT] … 1 This prayer was sung by the prophet Habakkuk: 2 I have heard all about you, LORD, and I am filled with awe by the amazing things you have done. In this time of our deep need, begin again to help us, as you did in years gone by. Show us your power to save us. And in your anger, remember your mercy…. 17 Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vine; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, 18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation. 19 The Sovereign LORD is my strength! He will make me as surefooted as a deer and bring me safely over the mountains. (For the choir director: This prayer is to be accompanied by stringed instruments.) .
My Journal for Today: Well, today in my Chronological Reading Plan for this year, I was take to the writings of my favorite OT Prophets; and that is Habakkuk. Oh, it’s easy to like Jeremiah, Daniel, or Ezekiel, all BTW who were contemporaries of Habakkuk and who were those so-called MAJOR prophets because of the extent of their writings or the drama they encountered in their lives which seems so pertinent to today’s times. But the so-called MINOR prophets, who, like Joel or Nahum or Habakkuk, didn’t write as extensively; and the length of their books, poems, or journaling in what became the Jewish Bible is the only reason they are called “MINOR” Prophets.
But Habakkuk is one of the easiest prophets, I believe, with whom we can identify. Read the first few verses of the lyrics of the song Habakkuk penned, … those in Habakkuk 1: 1-4; and you’ll see how human Habakkuk seems, expressing his confusion and questions directly to God over what he was observing in his culture and times, especially with regard to the sin and degradation Habakkuk observed in God’s chosen people, who had so obviously rebelled from God’s will and were unwilling to follow, or even to read, God’s word. I look around and see what is going on in our world/culture today, and it’s so easy for me to go to God with my frustration, just as Habakkuk did, crying “Why, Lord; Why!!!”
But God didn’t leave Habakkuk hanging. After Habakkuk cried out to God, going first to God with his complaints, The LORD was there for this frustrated man of God. Yahweh noted that His man had comet to the Lord up-front-and personally, rather than keeping all his frustration bottled up inside himself. And, as you can read [mostly in the first two chapters of Habakkuk’s song, by using the links provided for God’s response] Habakkuk got an answer from God which was not easy to take. And I see what’s going on in our world today, taking my confusion to God; and His word comes back to me in NT passages like Romans 1: 18-32 and Romans 8: 28; and God gives me answers that are true, but still troubling [and if you don’t know these messages, please take the time to look them up!”] And from God’s very word, I hear the Lord saying to me, as He did to Habakkuk, “Bill, … if you think things are bad now, wait on Me, because things are going to get WAY WORSE before they get WAY, WAY BETTER.”
God told Habakkuk to go to a high place, to wait and watch, and to write down this song, which became the “song of Habakkuk’s faith” for the Jewish Bible. And God tells me, as He did Habakkuk, to wait on Him and trust Him that “all things work together for my good,” because I’m one of His faithful remnant, i.e., those who God will never abandon and will ultimately save. And Habakkuk finally got this incredible message of hope and faith from God; because when we go to the Lord’s word with our prayers of frustration, God will always provide His answers, either through His word directly or through discerning, Spirit-led, men like Habakkuk so that we can wait on God and not lose our faith.
That’s the message of Habakkuk’s prayer and song in Chapter 3 of the book by Habakkuk’s name, from which you can read the key verses above which I’ve copied for your study. And in Verses 17-19 of Chapter 3, copied above, are some of the most uplifting and faith-filled verses in all of the Bible, especially when you consider all the horror which was to be visited on God’s people as the Babylonian hoards were to consume Judah. Habakkuk ends up being able to write – and probably sing – his song of faith, which he instructed to be accompanied by music and which become a song of faith for God’s people.
What’s your song (and prayer) today? Is it a prayer of frustration; because if it is, as in Chapter 1 of Habakkuk, take your complaints directly to God. And let God turn your frustrations into a prayer (or song) of thanksgiving, trust, and faith in our Lord, Who will always be there for His remnant of faithful who await His plan to be worked out in our times or in glory.
My Prayer Today: … Lord, even in my frustration I wait on You in faith. Amen
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