The Power of The Cross ~ Raul Ries

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing,
but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
1 Corinthians 1:18

A few years ago the President of Harvard said that while it was okay for ancient man to believe in a divine anointing Christ, modern man had outgrown that idea. However, R.A. Torrey responded to this man’s claim by saying, “Preach and Christ but a crucified Christ, and you will not draw men for long.”

The Bible says that the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to those who believe, it is the power of God!

Thought for the Day:

“There is a great difference between realizing. ‘On that cross He was crucified for me,’ and ‘On that cross, I am crucified with Him.’ The one aspect brings us deliverance from sin’s condemnation, the other from sin’s power.”

--John Gregory Mantle

Walk Worthy of God's Calling ~ WOW the Bible in 7 minutes a day

Walk Worthy of God's Calling

1Thessalonians 1-3; Psalm 119:57-60; Proverbs 21:19

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God. For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.

And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything. For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain. But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict. For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit.

But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts. For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness-God is witness. Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.

You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe. For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans, who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are contrary to all men, forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always to fill up the measure of their sins; but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost.

But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire. Therefore we wanted to come to you-even I, Paul, time and again-but Satan hindered us. For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy.

Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone, and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith, that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know. For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain.

But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, as we also to see you-therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith. For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.

For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God, night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith?

Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you. And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.

1 Thessalonians 1-3

WORSHIP

You are my portion, O LORD;
I have said that I would keep Your words.
I entreated Your favor with my whole heart;
Be merciful to me according to Your word.
I thought about my ways,
And turned my feet to Your testimonies.
I made haste, and did not delay
To keep Your commandments.
Psalm 119:57-60

WISDOM

Better to dwell in the wilderness,
Than with a contentious and angry woman.
Proverbs 21:19

The Reality of Heaven ~ Chuck Swindoll

Revelation 21:1-6

The same Bible that develops the subject of hell also reveals the truth about heaven. What is heaven like? Playing harps all day? Lounging around on Cloud Nine? Living in enormous mansions along solid gold streets? Does it mean we'll all have long white robes with matching sandals, glowing halos, and big flapping wings? Hardly!

Heaven is an actual place. A prepared place, designed for God's redeemed people, those who have accepted God's free gift of His Son.

"Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also." (John 14:1–3)

According to this and other New Testament verses, heaven will be a place of beauty, peace, constant health, and happiness, filled with people from all the earthly ages who have one thing in common: faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who took away the sin of the world.

In heaven we'll have a face-to-face, exclusive relationship with our Savior, gloriously enjoyed without interruption or heartache or grief or sin or the threat of death. God promised that He would make all things new in heaven,

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband . . .Then He said to me, "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. (Revelation 21:1–2, 6)

Heaven will be the destiny of those who take God at His Word, believing in His Son, Jesus Christ, and coming, by faith, to salvation . . . without cost.

Can something this good really be free? Even free of works? You decide after reading these Scripture verses.

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8–9)

Being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus. (Romans 3:24)

Yes, salvation comes to us "free and clear" of any hidden charges or religious deeds or human effort. We come to God through Christ . . . lost, sinful, without hope, and deserving of hell. In grace, He sees us in Christ and in grace loves us, forgives us, accepts us into His family, and promises us an eternal home with Him in heaven, the ultimate destination of all His people.

Salvation is the single most important issue in all of life. Yet, if we are not careful, we'll put it off until later; we'll even put it completely out of our minds. Salvation is an urgent matter and is yours for the taking.

I ask you, will you do so today?

Moses Refusing Egypt and Choosing God's People, by Faith~Bob Hoekstra

By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin. (Hebrews 11:24-25)

The natural tendency of humanity is to desire privilege and pleasure. These two were certainly available to Moses in Egypt. Yet, he refused Egypt and chose God's people, demonstrating the far reaching impact of trusting in the Lord.

When the daughter of Pharaoh discovered baby Moses, she decided to raise him as her child. "Moses was born…and he was brought up in his father's house for three months. But when he was set out, Pharaoh's daughter took him away and brought him up as her own son" (Acts 7:20-21). As an offspring of the palace, Moses had access to the very best of human education, and he became proficient in all that was provided for him. "And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and deeds" (Acts 7:22). In terms of conventional earthly perspectives, Moses was guaranteed a life of privilege and pleasure.

However, when he reached the age of relative maturity, his heart was drawn in a distinctively different direction. "But when he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren, the children of Israel" (Acts 7:23). The wording implies that he had been taught of his link with the Israelites as he was growing up in Pharoah's household. Eventually, his heart was stirred by this connection, and he made a life-shaping decision, by faith. "By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter." He decided to renounce his place of privilege in Pharoah's family and to identify himself with God's people. He was aware that this choice was a renunciation of a pleasure-filled life and would inevitably lead to suffering: "choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin."

To commit to the palace would have been pleasurable, but sinful. Furthermore, those sinful pleasures would have been temporary. On the other hand, the blessings of following the leading of the Lord would last forever. Moses' heavenly perspective was much like the Psalmist. "For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand [that is, in anyplace else]. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness" (Psalm 84:10).

Heavenly Father, help me to discern whenever the offer of human privilege is competing with Your will for my life. Please give me a heart to identify with Your people, even though inconvenience or suffering might result. Strengthen my faith to choose eternal blessings over the passing pleasures of sin, Amen.

Heart for the Lost ~ Mark Balmer

Based on “The Reality of Hell” by Pastor Mark Balmer; 10/24-25/09,

Message #MB394; Daily Devotional #6 - “Heart for the Lost”

Preparing the Soil (Introduction): During one of my last trips to New York City, the splendid weather allowed me and my sister to walk along the busy sidewalks. On one particular day, we were on a mission to eat lunch at a lovely restaurant which received nothing but praise from friends and acquaintances alike. We had one problem; we did not know how to get there from lower Manhattan. We asked a man on the street for directions. He provided directions, and we believed his word. Yet, after walking for fifteen minutes, my sister and I knew we were misguided and lost. At this crossroad, we asked a woman for directions. She kindly told us we were traveling in the wrong direction and gave us the correct directions. Then, she went even further and actually walked us to the restaurant. This was a selfless and kind gesture. Yes, at first we were traveling on the wrong road, but a thoughtful woman came beside us and helped us arrive at our final destination.

Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): As Christ followers, we must make sure we are receiving our directions from God and not from man. Many people do not understand God’s Truth and are misguided. When providing guidance to others, these people do not intentionally mislead others, but that is the end result. I am certain the man in New York did not intentionally give us wrong directions. But regardless of his intentions, the result was the same; my sister and I remained lost. In the spiritual world, we must remember that Satan’s desire is to lead us away from God and keep us lost. And when Satan deceives one person, his desire is that other people will listen to that person and ultimately be separated from God forever. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. (John 10:10) Satan exists. Hell exists. Satan does not want the world to believe in the realities of hell. Many think they are right with God, but they are not. Many think they are headed to heaven, but in reality, they are headed to hell. Just think of the common and accepted lies in today’s world. Satan’s lie: “You don’t need to believe in Jesus. You just have to be a good person and you will go to heaven.” God’s Truth: But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. (Romans 3:21-24) Satan’s lie: “A loving God won’t send someone to hell.” God’s Truth: For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23) Satan’s lie: “There are many roads to heaven.” God’s Truth: Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) Satan’s lie: “In the end, all people worship the same God.” God’s Truth: Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous god. (Exodus 34:14)

Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): Think of the people in your life who are misguided, think they are going to heaven, but are headed to hell. That may sound harsh, but Jesus spoke of it. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ (Matthew 7:22-23) Our loving God does not want anyone to spend eternity in hell. 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. (John 3:16) That is exactly why He sent Jesus to the earth. We must lay down our lives and have a heart for the lost. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost. (Luke 19:10) Every day, Christ followers must be certain to be the influencers, rather than the influenced. We need to change our world, rather than have our world change us. This includes more than talking. What do we really need to do? We need to make sure our walk with God is authentic. We must pray to God and read His Word. We must pray for, look for, and expect open doors. God will provide open doors. Just like the woman helped me and my sister in New York City, we must be willing to come alongside the lost searching for answers, and walk with them. Answer their questions. Invite them to a service or small group. Invite them over for dinner. Let your life speak to them so they say, “You know what? I want what you have. What makes you different?” Then, you can share the Good News with them. This is what we need to do as Christ followers every day. And when a person accepts Jesus Christ as his personal Savior, we have great reason to celebrate! ‘For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. (Luke 15:24) Let’s change our world for the Kingdom of God!

Cultivating (Additional Reading): Romans 10:17

Circumference of God ~ Jon Courson

By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.
-Hebrews 11:30

To claim the Promised Land, God’s strategy for His people was fairly simple: drive a wedge through the middle, dividing the north from the south. There was only one problem, however. To do this, they had to take Jericho — a city which seemed absolutely impenetrable because of the thick double walls surrounding it. Certainly as the Israelites marched around the walls once a day for six days, the people in Jericho must have looked down on them and laughed. ‘That’s their army?’ they must have scoffed. ‘That’s their strategy?’ On the seventh day, however, the heretofore impenetrable walls came down.

Listen, gang, the walls came down not brick by brick, but by faith.

‘There’s a wall between my eighteen-year-old daughter and me’ cries the brokenhearted mother. ‘We’ve gone to counseling; we follow the workbooks; we try all the techniques — and, although a brick or two might get chipped away, within a month there are three more in their place.’

‘The walls between my son and I are keeping me out of the Promised Land of what I know a Christian family should be,’ says the weary father. ‘I try to reason with him, but there’s a wall between us.’

Perhaps you are looking at a wall in your own family which seems impenetrable, a wall which appears as though it will never come down. The key? Not counseling, not dialoguing, not role-playing. The key is faith.

‘But I’ve been marching around, working on, going through this situation for a long time,’ you say.

Great — because the longer the wall has been up between you and your husband, or you and your father, or you and your daughter — the more you know it can’t be brought down by your own effort. Walls come down when God moves in — but until God moves in, you’ll just chip away, and frustration will fill your heart. Have faith in God, for when you finally realize that human skill or ability is insufficient, when you finally say, ‘Lord, if anything’s going to happen, it’s going to be because of You,’ — that’s when the wall will fall.

Oh, it might take a week or a month, a year or a decade. But by faith in God, the wall will come down. How? In a way you would never have guessed, planned, or predicted. The older I get, the less impressed I am with people's abilities to solve problems, and the more amazed I am at God’s faithfulness if we’ll just believe Him. If you think that’s a cop-out, join the jeerers of Jericho. But if you want to see a miracle, march with the Lord, and see what He’ll do.

Develop a Lifestyle of Giving ~ Joyce Meyer

For God so loved the world that He gave.
— John 3:16

God is working amazing financial miracles for us so that we can operate the world ministry that we now have. But even in the earlier years of our lives, when we went through hard times financially, we still sowed the tithe. We just had enough to pay our bills and then we had to believe God for everything else that came in.

When I look back, some of those leaner times hold my best memories and were the most fun times for us. I had a little prayer book that I kept and one time I wrote down, "Dear Father, I need twelve new dishtowels and I don't have the money to buy them. Please provide those dishtowels." One day, a friend of mine rang the doorbell and said, "I hope you don't think I am totally insane, but I believe God told me to bring you a dozen dishtowels."

The excitement of God hit me and I almost knocked her over as I screamed with delight and shouted, "That's God!" Who gets that excited over dishtowels these days? But excitement comes into your life when you begin to live God's way.

If you need financial miracles, don't be afraid to obey God concerning your finances. Begin proving God's power to bless you by tithing and then giving even beyond that. As a couple, Dave and I are both trying to live a lifestyle of giving, and we enjoy giving away more every year. As we obey God and give when He leads us to do so, somebody always gives back to us and keeps us in that realm of exciting miracles. We actually search for ways to give. We don't wait for some great feeling to come over us; we give on purpose and with purpose. As a result, our joy and prosperity are always increasing.

Famous First Words ~ Bob Coy

And He said to them, "Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?" Luke 2:49 (NKJV)

These are the first recorded words of Jesus, and their context commands our careful consideration. As was customary for many Jewish families in that day, Jesus-who was only 12 years old-and His parents made the pilgrimage to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover.

Once the celebration ended, it was time for the family to make the 65-mile return trip to their hometown of Nazareth. Travelers would often make these treks in large groups for safety's sake. Imagine the throng of faithful followers, fresh from their festivities, pouring out of the Holy City and clogging the roadways that led to faraway places. Somehow, there was a miscommunication between Jesus and His parents. They thought He was with a group of relatives or neighbors when, in fact, He had never left the temple in Jerusalem.

When Joseph and Mary realized their son wasn't with them, they made a mad dash back to Jerusalem. After three days of searching for their Son, (and if you're a parent you're starting to sweat), they finally found Him. He was in the temple, amidst the religious leaders of the day. The Bible tells us that He was discussing spiritual things with them, and that these aged men were amazed by the wisdom of this 12-year-old boy.

Understandably, Jesus' parents demanded an explanation. Which brings us to His famous first words. Notice that they're actually a couple of questions, which sets the tone for the remainder of His life-as Jesus would frequently use questions to communicate spiritual truths.

Nothing opens the heart and mind quite like questions. They cause people to do some soul searching as they stop to consider what's being asked of them. And when the Lord is the one asking the questions, even as a 12-year-old boy, they're always declaring more than they're asking.

Discuss the question you would most like to ask Jesus. What is one question you think He might ask of you?

Dig into Luke 2:39–52. What does this tell you about Jesus? Share with your group why you are seeking Jesus.

Decide as a group to make this month a season when you rekindle a passion for prayer. Make the next thirty days an adventure in intercession, gratitude, confession and praise. Individually, and as a group, commit to praying through each day’s prayer challenge.

Twitter Proverbs from Rick Warren

• Thanks to all you pastors who joined in our noisy conference call this AM. What fun! YOU are truly a group of radicals!10:33 AM Oct 30th from web

• The world is hungry for humble people with absolute confidence in God. Obedience,not ego, is the source of true confidence10:22 AM Oct 30th from web

• I have zero confidence in myself but unlimited confidence when obeying what God has clearly commanded all of us all to do.10:16 AM Oct 30th from web

• PASTORS: Our next CONFERENCE CALL IS IN 10 MIN. at 10am PST. If u get PD CONNECTION email rw@saddleback.com 4 ACCESS CODE8:54 AM Oct 30th from web

• ALL Pastors subscribed to PD CONNECTION email me rw@saddleback.com 4 your ACCESS CODE 2 our next Conference call on Friday!3:28 PM Oct 29th from web

• "Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled & aflame! Be alert servants of the Master." Rom.12:11(Msg)10:48 AM Oct 29th from web

• "Be content with who u are &don't put on airs.God's strong hand is on u;he'll promote u at the right time"1Peter5:6(Msg)10:47 AM Oct 29th from web

• It is impossible to exxagerate God! "Christ's love is so great you'll never fully understand it" Eph3:19 NLT10:45 AM Oct 29th from web

• RT @shawnmichael Rick, you are officially cool. You just got a shout out from Bono ion stage at the Rise Bowl,12:20 AM Oct 26th from web

• RE:Web Flamers "Warn a DIVISIVE person once,then warn him a second time. After that,have NOTHING to do with him."Titus3:104:01 AM Oct 24th from web

• God so loved the world he gave his only begotten system, so that whosoever believes could argue over interpretation. NOT!7:07 PM Oct 23rd from web

• When believers focus on loving Jesus,differences melt away.When we focus on anything else,the more divided we are.Gal.3:286:58 PM Oct 23rd from web

• "The world of the generous gets larger & larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller & smaller." Proverbs 11:24(Message)10:25 AM Oct 23rd from web

• Do ur giving while living! "If I should die with more than 10 pounds wealth, may every man call me a liar & a thief"Wesley10:14 AM Oct 23rd from web

• “When u hear a nightingale u hear an excellent preacher.He exhorts with this Gospel,not merewords but by deed&example”Luther10:08 AM Oct 23rd from web

• Success is the stewardship of great ideas. If you don’t write them down, you’ll lose them."Write down the vision" Hab.2:211:26 AM Oct 22nd from web

• "The world is charged with the grandeur of God...Glory be to God for dappled things" Geral Manley Hopkins11:12 AM Oct 22nd from web

• "Better 2lie still &worry about one's spiritual welfare than roam a wonderworker while neglecting ur spiritual life" aKempis10:59 AM Oct 22nd from web

• Preaching is all about bridging THEN(interpretation)& NOW(application).The bridge is the Timeless Principle.Study Rom.15:48:17 PM Oct 21st from web

• Pt3 When I preached thru Romans-took 2 1/2 yrs.Easy!Far harder to give whole counsel on a subject. Must memorize Scripture!8:00 PM Oct 21st from web

What .Rights. When We Sin? ~ Kay Arthur

Jeremiah, Part 1 (Return To Me)
Program 25 – What .Rights. When We Sin?

God said about Israel, .=What right has My beloved in My house when she has done [all] these vile deeds…?‘. (Jeremiah 11:15) Let’s translate that. If you are a child of God, this body is God’s house. Let me ask you a question, are you doing vile deeds in this house? Or do you want everything in this temple to say “glory to the Lord”? If you do, you are living according to the new covenant.

Well, Beloved, we have looked at idols in Jeremiah chapter 10. We have looked at the covenant in Jeremiah chapter 11. And I want us to continue that, and I want us to see what happens to God’s Beloved, what happens to God’s inheritance, and how it breaks His heart to do what He has to do. I pray that as we do this study on Jeremiah, that you will understand that it is the last of the last days for Israel in the land. I mean, all the prophecies from Deuteronomy are now about to come to pass in respect to what God said in Deuteronomy 28, 29, and 30, of what would happen if they did not keep His covenant. He had set before them life and death, blessing and cursing. He had told them: Choose life.] (PARAPHRASE, Deuteronomy 30:19) But instead they were choosing death.

Somehow, they thought, “As long as I keep going through the ritual, as long as I keep bringing my sacrifices, and coming to the temple, God’s not going to send me out of the land like He is saying through Jeremiah. It’s what the other prophets say. [They’re prophesying peace, peace.” But listen, Beloved, there is no peace to the wicked. ] (PARAPHRASE, Jeremiah 6:14) And you and I have to understand this. We cannot flaunt our sin in the face of God and get away with it, because we are a covenant people. Even as Israel was a covenant people under the old covenant, so you and I, as Christians, I mean true Christians, are under the new covenant.

So taking that, and putting those truths together, let’s look at Jeremiah chapter 11 where we left off in our last lesson. And this is what He says, He’s telling Jeremiah, “Don’t pray for these people.” Verse 14, .=…Nor lift…a cry or prayer for them; for I will not listen when they call to Me…,‘. now listen, .=…because of their disaster.‘. (Jeremiah 11:14) In other words, they have refused to return.

That’s what I want you to understand. If they had returned, He wouldn’t be doing this. If they had repented, He wouldn’t have been doing this. If they had come to Him and said, “Oh Lord, heal my unfaithfulness,” He would have responded. He would have healed. But they have not. And so, listen to what He says, .=What right has My Beloved in My house…?‘. And He’s talking about the temple there in Jerusalem. .=What right has My beloved…,‘. and I love that term, My beloved, .=…in My house when she has done many vile deeds? Can the sacrificial flesh take away…your disaster, so that you can rejoice?‘. (Jeremiah 11:15)

In other words, can you sin like this, then make a sacrifice and just get away with it? I mean, it’s like right now, if you’re in a crisis can you just pay God off? Maybe give a Little bit to the church, or to a charity, and then expect God to come in with His abounding supply? Oh no, your heart has to be right. It says, .The LORD called your name…,. He called you. .…=A green olive tree, beautiful in fruit and form‘; with [a] noise of a great tumult He has kindled fire on it….. (Jeremiah 11:16)

Here you are a green tree, and He’s bringing fire on you. .…And its branches are worthless. The LORD of hosts, who planted you, has pronounced evil against you because of the evil of the house of Israel…,. the Northern Kingdom. .…and…the house of Judah, which they have done to provoke Me…offering up sacrifices [for] Baal.. (Jeremiah 11:16-17) Once again there is their idolatry which we started looking at in a greater depth at the beginning of this week. Then it says this, .Moreover, the LORD made…known to me and I knew it; then You showed me their deeds.. (Jeremiah 11:18) He’s talking about their deeds. .Moreover, the LORD made it known to me and I knew it; and you showed me their deeds. But I was like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter…I did not know that they had devised plots against me….. (Jeremiah 11:18-19) I was unaware that they were planning on taking my life. They said, .…=Let us destroy the tree with its fruit…let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name [may] be remembered no more.‘. (Jeremiah 11:19) We don’t like this prophet. Let’s get rid of him. And see Jesus talked about this.

Let’s look at Matthew chapter 24. I want you to see the parallels because they are there, and they are so apparent. But in Matthew chapter 23, Jesus in His last trip into the temple of the Lord, the one built under Herod that God is again going to destroy. And He destroys it the very same day that He destroys Solomon’s temple. It says, .=Therefore, behold, I am sending you prophets and wise men and scribes; some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in [the] synagogues, and persecute from city to city, so that upon you may fall the guilt of…the righteous blood shed on [the] earth….‘. (Matthew 23:34-35)

God sent them prophet, after prophet, after prophet, but they wouldn’t listen. And now they want to get rid of Jeremiah. They want to get rid of Jeremiah because they don’t like what he is saying. And Jeremiah said, .But, O LORD of hosts, who judges righteously….. (Jeremiah 11:20) Now that’s what you have to remember: If you belong to God, under the new covenant, the Holy Spirit is in you. Your body is His temple. And you cannot sin and not have God judge you. It says in Hebrews 12, .=…Whom the Lord loves He… [scourgeth] every son whom He receives.‘ It is for discipline that you endure…for what Son is there whom [the] Father does not discipline?. (Hebrews 12:6-7)

So we have to understand, He’s disciplining Israel; He will discipline us. He’s disciplining these that did not listen to His Word. If you are walking in sin and yet, paying a token of obedience to the Lord, or speaking about Him, or saying, you know, “I’m a Christian,” and that, but you’re not living it. You’re just giving Him a token sacrifice. It’s not going to cover the sinful situation that you’re in. And so, then He says, .…Let me see Your vengeance on them, for to You I have committed my cause. Therefore thus says the LORD concerning the men of Anathoth, who seek your life….. (Jeremiah 11:20-21)

Now if you go back to Jeremiah chapter 1, you know that Jeremiah is from Anathoth. It’s this small little village, so to speak, compared to Jerusalem, where priests lived. And here are these priests that are corrupt, the men of Anathoth and the others in that village, that want to put Jeremiah to death. It says, .=…do not prophesy in the name of the LORD…,‘. they are saying that to Jeremiah. .=…so that you will not die at our hand.‘. (Jeremiah 11:21) In other words, “You shut up, we don’t want to hear this message.”

Now, I want to stop. And I want to commend you for sticking with me with Jeremiah. It is not an easy message, but you’re going to see next week how important it is that you stick with it now, so that you can compete with the horses that are coming, with the trials and the tribulations and the testings that are going to come upon us and upon our nation. He says, .Therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts, =Behold, I am about to punish them…!‘. (Jeremiah 11:22) They are not gonna get away with what they are doing to you. And I want you to know that everyone that has persecuted you unjustly is going to be held accountable to God, Precious One.

So He says, “I am going to punish them.” .=…The young men will die by the sword, their sons and daughters will die by famine; and a remnant will not be left to them, for I will bring disaster on the men of Anathoth—the year of their punishment.‘. (Jeremiah 11:22-23) And so he turns around and he says, .Righteous are You, O LORD, that I would plead my case with You….. (Jeremiah 12:1)

What God has shown him is: In My righteousness, because I’m a covenant-keeping God, I am going to have to deal with this nation. I’m going to have to bring judgment on this nation. But I also want you to know, Jeremiah, that I am going to bring judgment on those individuals that treat My servants, My prophets this way. This, in a sense, brings relief to Jeremiah, but then it pushes him a little bit more as he talks with God. Now as you read this all the way down through verse 6, what you want to do is you want to color code every reference to “Jeremiah” so you know that the “I” is not God and the “You” is not the people in Judah, but it is God and Jeremiah right now.

As a matter of fact, I have written at the top in pencil, in my Bible, Jeremiah to God. He says, .…Indeed I would discuss matters of justice with You: Why has the way of the wicked prospered? Why are all those who deal in treachery at ease?. (Jeremiah 12:1) And in all the crisis that you’ve been going through in the United States, it seems like people get away with it. One of the things that just distressed me was here, a man who is an open homosexual runs for office. I can’t remember if it was a senator or a congressman, and the people elected him knowing that he was walking in disobedience to God. Or maybe false prophets were saying, “Hey, that’s not true. God’s not against homosexuality.” Listen, God’s against homosexuality; God’s against adultery and immorality. We’ll talk about it when we come back.

Do you ever think: If God is God, if He is all powerful, then why do the wicked get away with what they get away with, and not only that, but why do they prosper? There’s a whole Psalm written on that and it’s Psalm 73. And you might want to write it down, and then read it after the program.

But listen to what Jeremiah is saying to God about the wicked. .You…planted them, they have also taken root….. (Jeremiah 12:2) Now all of this goes back to Jeremiah chapter 1, because He’s talking about Jeremiah that He is going to plant, and also that He is going to uproot. And so he’s saying, “God, here are the wicked. You planted them. They grow. They even produce fruit. You are near to their lips. They are talking about you. It’s just like 2 Timothy 3, [These wicked men have a form of godliness, but they know nothing of the power thereof.] (PARAPHRASE, 2 Timothy 3:5) He says, .…You are near to their lips, but [You] are far from their mind.. (Jeremiah 12:2) They never think about you. .But You know me…LORD; You see me…You examine my heart‘s attitude toward You….. (Jeremiah 12:3) Now remember, he’s having it rough, and the wicked are at ease. He says, .…Drag them off like sheep for the slaughter…set them apart for [the] day of carnage!. (Jeremiah 12:3) Get ’em God. You know what? God says, “I’m going to.” .How long…,. he says, .…is the land to mourn and the vegetation of the countryside to wither? For the wickedness of those who dwell in it, animals and birds have been snatched away….. He says, .…because men have said, =He will not see our…ending.‘. (Jeremiah 12:4) They don’t pay any attention. They think that they can be wicked and they can get away with it. But just know this, judgment begins at the house of God, but it doesn’t end there. God will judge the wicked. 2 Thessalonians chapter 1 makes that very clear. (See 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10)

But listen to what He says. And God says to him, .=If you have run with footmen and they have tired you out, [how] then…can you compete with horses? If you fall down in [the] land of peace…,‘. he says, .=…how will you do in the thicket of the Jordan?‘. (Jeremiah 12:5)

I’m going to teach this to you next week because I believe it is such a critical, vital message for the days in which we are living. But He says, .=…Even your brothers and the household of your father, even they have dealt treacherously with you, even they have cried aloud after you….‘. (Jeremiah 12:6) Even your own family is against you. That’s hard. .=…Do not believe them, although they…say nice things to you.‘. (Jeremiah 12:6) And then listen to what He says, .=I have forsaken My house, I have abandoned My inheritance…,‘. (Jeremiah 12:7) “My house, My inheritance, My Beloved,” we’ve heard. .=…I have given the beloved of My soul into the hands of her enemies. My inheritance has become to Me like a lion in the forest; she has roared against Me; therefore I have come I‘ve come to hate her. Is My inheritance like a speckled bird of prey to Me? Are the birds of prey against her on every side? Go, gather all the beasts of the field, [and] bring them to devour!‘. (Jeremiah 12:7-9) I’ve had it. My righteousness, My justice demands that I judge. Go to Deuteronomy chapter 28, because I told you that I set before you life and death, and blessing and cursing. (See Deuteronomy 30:19) I want you to know that I am going to have to carry this out. I am a covenant-keeping God. You made a covenant with Me. And you said, .=…All that the LORD has [said] we will do…! [We will obey.]‘. (Exodus 19:8) You agreed that it was right.

But now listen, in Deuteronomy chapter 28, He’s saying in verse 49, .=The LORD will bring a nation against you from afar, from the end of the earth, as the eagle swoops down, a nation whose language you [do] not understand….‘. (Deuteronomy 28:49) He’s talking about Babylon. .=…A nation of fierce countenance who will have no respect for the old, nor show favor to the young. Moreover, it [will] eat the offspring of your herd…the produce of your ground until you are destroyed, who also leaves you no grain, new wine, or oil, nor the increase of your herd or the young of your flock until they have caused you to perish. It shall besiege you in all your towns….‘. (Deuteronomy 28:50-52)

“Besiege” is a keyword. Remember He says, “The siege is coming.” .=…Until your high and fortified walls…which you [have] trusted [in] come down throughout your land…it shall besiege you in [your] all your towns throughout [the] land which the LORD your God has given you. Then you shall eat the offspring of your own body….‘. (Deuteronomy 28:52-53) And He goes on to talk about the siege and the distress. And He talks about what’s going to happen.

And then we move from there over to chapter 30, in verse 14. And listen to what He says, .=…The word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may observe it. See, I have set before you life and prosperity…death and adversity; in that I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways…to keep His commandments….‘. (Deuteronomy 30:14-16) And He says, .=But if your heart turns away and you will not obey, but [you were] drawn away and worship other gods and serve them, I declare to you…that you [will] surely perish. You will not prolong your days in the land [which] you are crossing [to] the Jordan to enter and [to] possess it.‘. (Deuteronomy 30:17-18) That is about to come to pass. And so that’s what He says, “I have done this to My people.”

He says in verse 10 of Jeremiah 12, .=Many shepherds have ruined My [land] they have trampled down My field; they have made My pleasant field a desolate wilderness. It has [become] a desolation, desolate, it mourns before Me; the whole land has been made desolate….‘.(Jeremiah 12:10-11) It’s just like He said in the covenant. It’s the result of breaking the covenant. He says, “Why does it happen?” .=…Because no man lays it to heart. On all the bare heights in the wilderness destroyers [are coming] for [the] sword of the LORD is devouring from one end of the land…to the other….‘. (Jeremiah 12:11-12) The enemy is come. The siege is started. .=…There is no peace for anyone. They have sown wheat and…reaped thorns, they have strained themselves to no profit…be ashamed of your harvest because of the fierce anger of the LORD.‘ Thus says the LORD concerning all [the]…wicked neighbors who strike at [My] inheritance….. (Jeremiah 12:12-14) All these that have come against you, with which I have endowed My inheritance that I’ve given to My people Israel. .…=Behold I am about to uproot them….‘. (Jeremiah 12:14) They’re going to be My rod of judgment, but I’m going to uproot them.

And remember, Jeremiah was to talk about this to the nations and you see this in Jeremiah 47 to 49. .…=[I] will uproot the house of Judah from among them…it will come…that after I have uprooted them, I will again have compassion on them…,‘. on those nations. .=…I will bring them back, each one to his inheritance….‘. (Jeremiah 12:14-15) There’s hope for Edom and Moab and all of these, each one to his land. .=Then if they will really learn the ways of My people…,‘. if they will learn from Israel, .=…to swear by My name, .As the LORD lives,. even as they taught My people to swear by Baal, they will be build up in the midst of My people. But if they will not listen…I will uproot that nation, uproot and destroy it,‘ declares the LORD.. (Jeremiah 11:16-17)

Precious One, do you know how holy, how righteous, how just God is? If so, you as His Beloved, are going to want everything in this temple to say, “Holy to the Lord.”

Leaning at the doorway ~ Daily Bread

MORNING

Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.

Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us.

A continual burnt offering throughout your generations at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD: where I will meet you, to speak there unto thee. - In all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.

Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

The hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit. - Pray without ceasing.

ISA. 9:6. Luke 11:2,3. Prov. 8:1,4 6,14. Isa. 28:29. -Jas. 1:5. -Prov. 3:5,6.

EVENING

His name shall be called Counsellor.

The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and under-standing, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge, and of the fear of the LORD. And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD.

Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice? Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man. O ye simple, understand wisdom: and ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things. Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.

The LORD of hosts ... is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working. - If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. - Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

PROV. 8:34. Psa. 123:2. Exo. 29:42. Exo. 20:24. Matt. 18:20. John 4:23,24. Eph. 6:18. -I Thes. 5:17.

Ezekiel 1:1-3:15 ~ Hebrews 3:1-19 ~ Psalm 104:1-23 ~ Proverbs 26:24-26 ~ One Year Bible Blog

Ezekiel 1:1-3:15 ~ Hebrews 3:1-19 ~ Psalm 104:1-23 ~ Proverbs 26:24-26
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Old Testament - Today we begin the book of the prophet Ezekiel! Ezekiel is a prophet whose name means "God strengthens" - which is clearly a good thing for those in the prophet business. We've recently wrapped up the book of Jeremiah and are well aware of the challenges facing a prophet. The interesting thing to note is that Jeremiah was prophesying in Judah, whereas Ezekiel was prophesying in Babylon to the exiles from Judah. These two were doing their work at about the same time, but in different geographies. Ezekiel gets his call to be a prophet in probably his 30th year of life - the age when most of the priestly line were called to be priests. Instead, Ezekiel was called to be a prophet - which, is probably a good thing because he is living in exile in Babylon - so wouldn't have been able to perform the priestly duties at the Temple in Jerusalem. Ezekiel's call comes in 593 B.C., which is 7 years prior to the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple. Ezekiel's ministry goes until 571 B.C., at the age of 52. (which is 2 years beyond what most priests would have served - from ages 30 to 50). Below is a portrait of Ezekiel by artist Guy Rowe:

~ Ezekiel ~
Author: Ezekiel
Date: Sixth century B.C.
Content: Ezekiel, who grew up as a priest, was carried off to Babylon with the Jewish exiles deported in 597 B.C., and there he became a prophet of God. His message was one of coming judgment for those remaining in Jerusalem, but his preaching was not well received by the Jews who were with him in captivity. When his dire predictions came true in 586 B.C. with the destruction of Jerusalem, the people listened then on with great earnestness. His message changed at this point from being one of unbending judgment to one of comfort and hope for the future. The worst had come; it was now time to make plans for beginning again. Ezekiel saw himself as a shepherd and watchman over Israel. As a shepherd, he was to protect the people, but as a watchman, he was to warn of danger ahead.
Theme: The message of Ezekiel is based upon the unchangeable holiness of God. This is both a promise and a warning. It is a warning because God has promised to remain faithful to his people and this will not change. The book of Ezekiel shows God’s unbreakable promise fulfilled in both respects: the city fell according to promise because of Judah’s sin, and the city would be restored according to promise because of God’s faithfulness. The lives of God’s people determined how God would treat them. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” p. 14) A wonderful commentary on the book of Ezekiel by Bob Deffinbaugh is at this link. Below is a sculpture of Ezekiel by German sculptor Johann Josef Christian (1706 - 1777):

In today's readings, chapter 1 is an incredible vision and call that Ezekiel receives! Obviously the flying creatures with 4 faces and wings are a highlight of this vision. What is up with these you ask? Good question. They are called "cherubim" later in the book of Ezekiel (chapter 10) and are also thought to be the creatures in Isaiah called seraphs - and they show up again in the book of Revelation. If you get a vision, and you see these creatures, you know something big is going on... :) The interesting thing about these creatures is that their four faces representing a human, lion, ox and an eagle have many interpretations, which all basically relate to the nature of God. An interesting interpretation I read was that these 4 represent the 4 Gospels - Matthew being the lion, Mark being the ox, Luke being the human and John being the eagle. You'll have to pick up a commentary to read more on why these analogies have been made.... (just trying to get everyone to dive into books beyond this blog... :) Below is the artist Rafaelo's oil painting of "The Vision of Ezekiel" from the year 1518 (Galleria Palatina (Palazzo Pitti), Florence)-

Ezekiel Chapter 2 is God's Call and Commission of Ezekiel. Don't we all wish that God could be this clear with us about the purpose of our lives sometimes? :)

Ezekiel Chapter 3 has the great narrative of Ezekiel eating the scroll of God. And it tasting like honey - even though it had words of doom upon it. In Ezekiel 3:3 we read: “Then he said to me, "Son of man, eat this scroll I am giving you and fill your stomach with it." So I ate it, and it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth.” Can we eat of the Word of God? Does the Word nourish us? How does the Word nourish us? Is the Word nourishing you today? Is it as sweet as honey? Is the Word literally spiritual food? Will you eat of God’s Holy Word, the Bible, today – and every day of your life?

Then, in Ezekiel 3 verse 15 ends with a very appropriate line I believe- "I sat there among them for seven days, overwhelmed." Think you'd be overwhelmed if you experienced chapters 1 & 2?? Whew. I am looking forward to us starting the book of Ezekiel! Thanks for joining me on this journey! Below is one final image of Ezekiel from the artist Michelangelo. This one's in the Sistine Chapel in Rome:

New Testament - Hebrews chapter 3 today is a great look at the lives of Moses and Jesus. The text today doesn't really dive into this point, but something I heard recently that is worth remembering - Moses introduced to Israel the Old Covenant (testament) via the Ten Commandments and laws. Whereas, Jesus ushers in the New Covenant to Israel and all of the world. So, this chapter goes into why Jesus is greater than Moses. Probably this Old Cov v. New Cov point alone would prove this to be true - but, obviously Jesus is also God in the flesh. Moses was simply a man. (albeit a great man in many ways!)

Today in Hebrews 3:13 we read: “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.” When was the last time you encouraged someone in their walk of faith? Will you encourage someone today? How does encouragement help us avoid sin’s deceitfulness? Do you realize that sin is indeed deceitful? (sin sells you nothing but lies) Do you realize that sin can harden your heart? Do you realize that one of the best ways to be free of the bondage of sin and a hardened heart is through encouragement of others in your church community? Sin is too strong for us to battle on our own. We need Jesus. We need each other. We need to be actively involved in a church community each week. Don’t attempt to make a go of this life alone. . . it’s far too risky.

Verse 15 is repeated twice in today's readings, so it probably is something important for us to remember - "But never forget the warning: "Today you must listen to his voice. Don't harden your hearts against him as Israel did when they rebelled."" Are you listening to God's voice? How is the soil of your heart toward God? Will you let him plant new life within you? Will you let him pull the weeds that need to be pulled?

Psalms - Psalm 104 is a beautiful hymn to the Creator! I like all of the verses - verse 19 stands out to me because I can find some great images related to this verse on the web! :) "You made the moon to mark the seasons and the sun that knows when to set."

Proverbs - Proverbs 26:24-26 is another good reminder to look beyond simply the "kind words" that we may hear... get to know the underlying motives... "People with hate in their hearts may sound pleasant enough, but don't believe them. Though they pretend to be kind, their hearts are full of all kinds of evil. While their hatred may be concealed by trickery, it will finally come to light for all to see." Someone could end up being two-faced if we're not careful. Let us also make sure that we ourselves are never two-faced toward others!

Worship God: Hebrews 3:13 today reminds me of the Jonny Diaz song "A More Beautiful You." Here's his thought provoking video for the song, which reminded me of the Dove "Evolution" video, which is also below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ks3R2BwyO0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYhCn0jf46U

Do you know our Beautiful God? Click here to get to know Him!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture this week: "Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs." Psalm 100:1-2 (NIV)

Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you from today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

Grace, love, peace, and joy!
Mike