Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest,~Bob Hoekstra

Once More on God's Promises and God's Rest

Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall after the same example of disobedience…And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit thepromises…And so, after he had patiently endured, heobtained the promise. (Hebrews 4:11; 6:11-12, 15)

Once again, God's promises and God's rest are in view. In these intriguing verses, two insightful terms are linked with the promises and the rest of God: diligence and patience. Although they sound contradictory, they are actually complementary.

For those who believe in the Lord Jesus, He promises spiritual rest. This rest begins with a divine rescue from the crushing burden of sin and guilt. Then, it is to develop into heavenly relief from the unbearable load of self-generated Christian living. Entering into this daily spiritual rest is neither an optional nor a casual matter. "Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest." The Lord wants to stir and maintain in us an eagerness for this daily rest in Him. He wants us toearnestly and attentively seek Him for the rest that He alone can give. Our God wants to bring us along in a maturing assurance (a growing confidence in His promises). "And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end." If we are unwilling to cry out to the Lord for such diligence in seeking His rest daily, we will eventually become spiritually lethargic:"that you do not become sluggish." God's rest is designed to produce spiritual fervency, not laziness: "not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord" (Romans 12:11).

Along with diligence in seeking God for the rest He promises, the Lord also wants to develop in us a patience regarding His promises."Imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises…And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise."God does not want our spiritual diligence to deteriorate into anxiety and impatience. Yet, how can we grow in diligence and patience at the same time? How is it that the two are not mutually exclusive? Well,diligence concerns what God promises to do. We are to earnestly seek such. Patience concerns when God may desire to fulfill His promises. We are to patiently trust Him for His prefect timing.

Lord, I praise You for the wonderful realities that You have made available through Your promises. I want to seek You diligently for their fulfillment in my life. Yet, dear Lord, if I must wait an extended time on various issues, as Abraham did for his promised son, help me to be patient, trusting in Your wise timing, Amen.

You need to talk about it!~Greg Laurie

You need to talk about it!

August 7th, 2009 Posted in Lost Boy Blog, Pastor's corner, essentials, lost boy, sermons | No Comments »

Hey everyone!

I will show my autobiographical film Lost Boy: The Next Chapter this weekend at Saddleback Church in Orange County. I will also speak after the screening.

This film has won two festival awards and has been nominated for a third. We have been amazed by its impact.

If you are in the area, I hope you can come and see it.

Why does God use people?

Now, back to the topic of sharing our faith.

Why do we need to tell others about Jesus? Why doesn’t God just poke His face out of the heavens and say, “Believe in Me!” Why does He want to used flawed people like us?

I don’t really know the answer to that, but I do know He does use people. In fact, the primary way God has chosen to reach people is through people. People like you and me.

Paul wrote, “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!’” (Romans 10:14-15 NKJV)

People need someone to show them the way

In Acts 8 is the story of a powerful, wealthy foreign dignitary searching for God. He had not found Him in the empty rituals of the dead Judaism of the time. But he did obtain a scroll containing Isaiah 53, where he read, “He was led as a sheep to the slaughter . . . “

Philip approached him and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” The Ethiopian responded, “How can I, unless someone shows me the way!”

That is what people need, and what many want–someone to show them the way. Someone like you.

You need to talk about it

And the primary way we are to share this message is verbally. That is not to say that you should not live it first, for indeed you should.

Some would say, “People will know that I am a Christian by the way I live. I don’t need to talk about it to others. Actually, you do.

Yes, by all means live it, but also engage people with the gospel message. We need to both initiate and verbalize our faith.

Paul tell us, “Since the world in all its fancy wisdom never had a clue when it came to knowing God, God in his wisdom took delight in using what the world considered dumb—preaching, of all things!—to bring those who trust him into the way of salvation” (1 Corinthians 1:21 MESSAGE).

You may not be called to be a “preacher,” per se, but every believer is called to preach the gospel. Ask the Lord for an opportunity to do that this weekend.

“Seek & Find”~Mark Balmer

Seek & Find

Posted:

“Under His Influence – The Design” by Pastor Mark Balmer; 8/1-2/09,
Message #MB383;

Daily Devotional #4 - “Seek & Find”

Preparing the Soil (Introduction): He approaches the line slowly, pulls his arm back, and then releases the ball. All ten pins go down as the score goes up. This may sound like bowling to you, but not the way you’re thinking. There’s no smoky air or smelly shoes, just a gaming system that looks and feels like the real sport, only simulated. People swing their arms to hit balls with rackets and shoot balls into baskets that don’t exist.

For many people this type of fantasy world is reality. They walk through life as they know it, rather than how God designed it to be. Their reality is virtual life—just a simulation and not the real thing.

Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth):

From birth to adulthood, Jesus had a mission.

God sent Him for one reason—to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). For those of you who have a personal relationship with the Lord, think back to the time of your salvation. Most likely you were operating under your own influence or the influence of the world around you. Your destination was uncertain, and life made no sense. You see, when we function outside of God’s blueprint our foundation is unstable and everything we build on it will crumble.

For those of you still trying to build your life without God, stop, look, and listen. Have you ever found yourself in a state of despair or bondage? Can you think of a time when a word from a friend or a song on the radio stirred something up your heart? Did you ever think that was a way God tried to get your attention? We live in a fallen world—one built on a crumbling, sinful foundation.

Deception and temptation meet us at every corner, and people dance with the devil. All the while God reigns supreme over the entire universe. How is it that people cannot see the One who came to seek and save them (1 Corinthians 2:14)?

This concept is hard to explain but easily changed: “By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.” (Hebrews 11:3). The physical elements around us are visible, tangible, and believable, but they are not eternal; our soul is invisible but will last forever.

We are spiritual beings living in a temporary, physical body.

Our physical being is a simulation of life—our spiritual being is the real thing. Jesus traveled from town to town teaching and doing miracles. Some did not believe, and there came a time when He left their town and moved on to another. He never stopped seeking those who wanted to accept the message of salvation, and His influence spread from the towns of Israel to the cities where you and I live. Because Jesus had such a profound effect to change the hearts and lives of the people around Him, by faith we can be changed today.

Christ followers are not only commanded to share the Gospel message, but they want others to know that they can build a new life that will never crumble, that they can have victory over their trials, and that they will spend eternity with their Creator. Amen?!

Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response):

How is God trying to get your attention?

Do you have friends who speak to you about Jesus, or have you ever heard a sermon that stirred up your heart?

Have you been in what you thought was the wrong place at the wrong time? God cares so much about your life that He sent His one and only Son in the flesh to show you who He is (Colossians 1:15, John 1:14).

For the short time Jesus walked the earth His influence is still spreading across the globe. Every Word God speaks is living and powerful (Hebrews 4:12), is more than we can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20), and never returns void (Isaiah 55:11). Think about your life for a moment. Are you going through the motions of virtual life, or are you trusting that God’s blueprint is the very best design? You don’t want to spend your life wondering what life could have been like. Jesus is still seeking.

Will you be found?

Cultivating (Additional Reading): Jeremiah 10:23; Mark 8:36: John 17:3

Judgment Brings No Pleasure to God~Bob Caldwell

Judgment Brings No Pleasure to God 18:23 "Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?" says the Lord GOD, "and not that he should turn from his ways and live?" 18:31-32 "Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies," says the Lord GOD. "Therefore turn and live!" That God's just judgment upon Israel was resolved by His grace and mercy has been a part of the prophetic declarations of Ezekiel as it is throughout the scriptures. God takes no pleasure at all that the wicked should die (v. 23). In chapters 17 through 19, God makes both His justice and His mercy clearly known. The judgment that is due Israel is described here again and again through parables, teachings, and lamentations. Here, in the parable concerning two great eagles, Israel's rebellious hearts are portrayed as not only against God, but against the "great eagle" of Babylon that God used to execute judgment on the nation. Israel had fully earned this judgment after countless warnings. They had completely disregarded God's will, as well as God Himself. But rather than turn back to God in humble repentance through the judgment that came upon them through Babylon, they did just the opposite. They turned to the powerful kingdom of Egypt, the other "great eagle." They made a political alliance with Egypt, believing Egypt would support Israel when they rebelled against their Babylonian captors. Israel's self-consumed rebellious and idolatrous hearts were not willing to turn to God in the judgment they were going through. Instead, they sought to rebel not only against God, against the Babylonian kingdom God used to judge their rebellious hearts (17:1-21). This irrational, blinded heart of rebellion against God is not unique to Israel. It is simply a parable in history that reveals a struggle we all share. We all, in some way, overtly or in secret, have nursed our own rebellion against God. Tragically, some of us will do so until our dying breath. But judgment is not God's desire. Mercy and restoration are His heart. God, therefore, offers the promise of a glorious hope and future. God promises to make the nation once again a "majestic cedar," an evergreen with an enduring future, a promise to the "remnant" or small group of faithful Jews during these hard times of judgment who chose to cling to Him (17:22-24). There is also great hope found in God's mercy for each individual. God promises each person that He will not bring judgment indiscriminately (18:1-22). A son will not be judged for the sins committed by his father. Each individual will stand ultimately alone to answer for his or her own life. No matter how bad things may be, we are invited—called by God—to embrace His grace. Both those who have maintained righteousness, as well as those who have forsaken their sin and rebellion turning their hearts to God, "shall surely live" (18:9, 21-22). For all who will come to Him, God promises He will remember our sins no more. In exchange, He promises new hearts and new spirits, something they did not in any way deserve (18:22, 31). Never believe that God finds any pleasure in our judgment. His pleasure is in our restoration and transformation.
Ezekiel 17:1-19:14 The Eagles and the Vine 1 And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 2 "Son of man, pose a riddle, and speak a parable to the house of Israel, 3 and say, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "A great eagle with large wings and long pinions, Full of feathers of various colors, Came to Lebanon And took from the cedar the highest branch. 4 He cropped off its topmost young twig And carried it to a land of trade; He set it in a city of merchants. 5 Then he took some of the seed of the land And planted it in a fertile field; He placed it by abundant waters And set it like a willow tree. 6 And it grew and became a spreading vine of low stature; Its branches turned toward him, But its roots were under it. So it became a vine, Brought forth branches, And put forth shoots. 7 "But there was another great eagle with large wings and many feathers; And behold, this vine bent its roots toward him, And stretched its branches toward him, From the garden terrace where it had been planted, That he might water it. 8 It was planted in good soil by many waters, To bring forth branches, bear fruit, And become a majestic vine."' 9 "Say, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "Will it thrive? Will he not pull up its roots, Cut off its fruit, And leave it to wither? All of its spring leaves will wither, And no great power or many people Will be needed to pluck it up by its roots. 10 Behold, it is planted, Will it thrive? Will it not utterly wither when the east wind touches it? It will wither in the garden terrace where it grew."'" 11 Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 12 "Say now to the rebellious house: 'Do you not know what these things mean?' Tell them, 'Indeed the king of Babylon went to Jerusalem and took its king and princes, and led them with him to Babylon. 13 And he took the king's offspring, made a covenant with him, and put him under oath. He also took away the mighty of the land, 14 that the kingdom might be brought low and not lift itself up, but that by keeping his covenant it might stand. 15 But he rebelled against him by sending his ambassadors to Egypt, that they might give him horses and many people. Will he prosper? Will he who does such things escape? Can he break a covenant and still be delivered? 16 'As I live,' says the Lord GOD, 'surely in the place where the king dwells who made him king, whose oath he despised and whose covenant he broke—with him in the midst of Babylon he shall die. 17 Nor will Pharaoh with his mighty army and great company do anything in the war, when they heap up a siege mound and build a wall to cut off many persons. 18 Since he despised the oath by breaking the covenant, and in fact gave his hand and still did all these things, he shall not escape.'" 19 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: "As I live, surely My oath which he despised, and My covenant which he broke, I will recompense on his own head. 20 I will spread My net over him, and he shall be taken in My snare. I will bring him to Babylon and try him there for the treason which he committed against Me. 21 All his fugitives with all his troops shall fall by the sword, and those who remain shall be scattered to every wind; and you shall know that I, the LORD, have spoken." Israel Exalted at Last 22 Thus says the Lord GOD: "I will take also one of the highest branches of the high cedar and set it out. I will crop off from the topmost of its young twigs a tender one, and will plant it on a high and prominent mountain. 23 On the mountain height of Israel I will plant it; and it will bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a majestic cedar. Under it will dwell birds of every sort; in the shadow of its branches they will dwell. 24 And all the trees of the field shall know that I, the LORD, have brought down the high tree and exalted the low tree, dried up the green tree and made the dry tree flourish; I, the LORD, have spoken and have done it." Ezekiel 18 A False Proverb Refuted 1 The word of the LORD came to me again, saying, 2 "What do you mean when you use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying: 'The fathers have eaten sour grapes, And the children's teeth are set on edge'? 3 "As I live," says the Lord GOD, "you shall no longer use this proverb in Israel. 4 "Behold, all souls are Mine; The soul of the father As well as the soul of the son is Mine; The soul who sins shall die. 5 But if a man is just And does what is lawful and right; 6 If he has not eaten on the mountains, Nor lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, Nor defiled his neighbor's wife, Nor approached a woman during her impurity; 7 If he has not oppressed anyone, But has restored to the debtor his pledge; Has robbed no one by violence, But has given his bread to the hungry And covered the naked with clothing; 8 If he has not exacted usury Nor taken any increase, But has withdrawn his hand from iniquity And executed true judgment between man and man; 9 If he has walked in My statutes And kept My judgments faithfully— He is just; He shall surely live!" Says the Lord GOD. 10 "If he begets a son who is a robber Or a shedder of blood, Who does any of these things 11 And does none of those duties, But has eaten on the mountains Or defiled his neighbor's wife; 12 If he has oppressed the poor and needy, Robbed by violence, Not restored the pledge, Lifted his eyes to the idols, Or committed abomination; 13 If he has exacted usury Or taken increase— Shall he then live? He shall not live! If he has done any of these abominations, He shall surely die; His blood shall be upon him. 14 "If, however, he begets a son Who sees all the sins which his father has done, And considers but does not do likewise; 15 Who has not eaten on the mountains, Nor lifted his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, Nor defiled his neighbor's wife; 16 Has not oppressed anyone, Nor withheld a pledge, Nor robbed by violence, But has given his bread to the hungry And covered the naked with clothing; 17 Who has withdrawn his hand from the poor And not received usury or increase, But has executed My judgments And walked in My statutes— He shall not die for the iniquity of his father; He shall surely live! 18 "As for his father, Because he cruelly oppressed, Robbed his brother by violence, And did what is not good among his people, Behold, he shall die for his iniquity. Turn and Live 19 "Yet you say, 'Why should the son not bear the guilt of the father?' Because the son has done what is lawful and right, and has kept all My statutes and observed them, he shall surely live. 20 The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself. 21 "But if a wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is lawful and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die. 22 None of the transgressions which he has committed shall be remembered against him; because of the righteousness which he has done, he shall live. 23 Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?" says the Lord GOD, "and not that he should turn from his ways and live? 24 "But when a righteous man turns away from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and does according to all the abominations that the wicked man does, shall he live? All the righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; because of the unfaithfulness of which he is guilty and the sin which he has committed, because of them he shall die. 25 "Yet you say, 'The way of the Lord is not fair.' Hear now, O house of Israel, is it not My way which is fair, and your ways which are not fair? 26 When a righteous man turns away from his righteousness, commits iniquity, and dies in it, it is because of the iniquity which he has done that he dies. 27 Again, when a wicked man turns away from the wickedness which he committed, and does what is lawful and right, he preserves himself alive. 28 Because he considers and turns away from all the transgressions which he committed, he shall surely live; he shall not die. 29 Yet the house of Israel says, 'The way of the Lord is not fair.' O house of Israel, is it not My ways which are fair, and your ways which are not fair? 30 "Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways," says the Lord GOD. "Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin. 31 Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel? 32 For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies," says the Lord GOD. "Therefore turn and live!" Ezekiel 19 Israel Degraded 1 "Moreover take up a lamentation for the princes of Israel, 2 and say: 'What is your mother? A lioness: She lay down among the lions; Among the young lions she nourished her cubs. 3 She brought up one of her cubs, And he became a young lion; He learned to catch prey, And he devoured men. 4 The nations also heard of him; He was trapped in their pit, And they brought him with chains to the land of Egypt. 5 'When she saw that she waited, that her hope was lost, She took another of her cubs and made him a young lion. 6 He roved among the lions, And became a young lion; He learned to catch prey; He devoured men. 7 He knew their desolate places, And laid waste their cities; The land with its fullness was desolated By the noise of his roaring. 8 Then the nations set against him from the provinces on every side, And spread their net over him; He was trapped in their pit. 9 They put him in a cage with chains, And brought him to the king of Babylon; They brought him in nets, That his voice should no longer be heard on the mountains of Israel. 10 'Your mother was like a vine in your bloodline, Planted by the waters, Fruitful and full of branches Because of many waters. 11 She had strong branches for scepters of rulers. She towered in stature above the thick branches, And was seen in her height amid the dense foliage. 12 But she was plucked up in fury, She was cast down to the ground, And the east wind dried her fruit. Her strong branches were broken and withered; The fire consumed them. 13 And now she is planted in the wilderness, In a dry and thirsty land. 14 Fire has come out from a rod of her branches And devoured her fruit, So that she has no strong branch— a scepter for ruling.'" This is a lamentation, and has become a lamentation.
Ezekiel 17:1-19:14 v. 2 a riddle – chiydah (Heb.) a puzzle, a trick, conundrum, dark saying, hard question, proverb parable – mashal (Heb.) a pithy proverb, usually of metaphorical nature; a simile (In this context: a metaphorical story) house of Israel – This phrase refers to the entire family of the God's people of promise descended from Jacob whose name God changed to Israel (Gen. 32:28). Jacob was the father of the 12 patriarchs of the tribes of Israel (Acts 7:8). 3 a great eagle – In this parable the first great eagle is allegorically representing Nebuchadnezzar who took Israel into captivity (v. 12) The second eagle, mentioned in verse seven, represents Egypt. Lebanon – allegorical for Jerusalem in this parable (v. 12) cedar the highest branch – Lebanon was famous for its high quality cedar trees. In this parable the highest branch of cedar represents the royalty of Jerusalem (v. 12). v. 4 cropped off its topmost young twig – symbolic here of the King of Babylon taking the King of Israel's offspring (v. 13) a land of trade…city of merchants – Babylon v. 5 seed – referring to Zedekiah, son of Josiah (2 Kings 23-24). planted it in a fertile field – The King of Babylon made Zedekiah a vassal king (2 Kings 24:17). abundant waters – More than enough water to provide growth and health. A possible reference to Tigris and Euphrates or merely speaking of the plentiful and prosperous environment of Babylon. like a willow tree – A tree that thrives and grows quickly when plenty of water is provided. v. 6 a spreading vine of low stature – No longer a tall cedar, Israel had been brought low but still alive and thriving. Its branches turned toward him – An allegorical depiction of the people of Israel dependent upon the king of Babylon (v. 14). put forth shoots – Though replanted in the foreign land of Babylon, Israel continued to grow and multiply. v. 7 another great eagle – Egypt (v. 15) this vine bent its roots…stretched its branches toward him – Israel violated its covenant with Babylon and looked to Egypt for help (v. 15). garden terrace – Matta` (Heb.) a place of planting, plantation, vineyard. Speaking of the well-cared-for surroundings of the vine of Israel now in Babylon. v. 8 planted in good soil by many waters – The prosperous land of Babylon. majestic vine – a splendid and flourishing plant v. 9 Will he not pull up its roots – The King of Babylon (the great eagle of verses 3 and 12) should rightfully destroy the majestic plant (Israel, v. 8) which he provided and cared for because it turned to another great eagle (Egypt, v. 7, 15). no great power or many people – It won't take a great army to destroy and uproot Israel. v. 10 east wind – The hot, dry wind which withers all vegetation (19:12) Here symbolic of Nebuchadnezzar and his Babylonian forces. v. 12 rebellious house – A major theme in this book. God sent Ezekiel to preach to Israel who had a long history of rebellion against all authority (2:3). the king of Babylon – Nebuchadnezzar, represented by the first great eagle of this parable (v. 3) Jerusalem – the capitol and royal city of Israel represented in this parable by Lebanon (v. 3) v. 13 the king's offspring – Zedekiah, son of King Josiah (2 Kings 23-24) made a covenant with him – Nebuchadnezzar made a covenant with vassal king Zedekiah and made him swear an oath of allegiance (2 Kings 24:17). v. 15 Can he break a covenant and still be delivered? – The point of this verse and chapter is that the rebellious house of Israel not only rebelled against the Lord and therefore was sent into captivity, but they then rebelled against the king whose hands God delivered Israel into. v. 16 As I live – A common biblical way of swearing a solemn oath assuring its fulfillment. This phrase is spoken by the Lord 16 times in the book of Ezekiel (Num. 14:21, Is. 49:18; Jer. 22:24; Rom. 14:11). in the midst of Babylon he shall die – Because vassal King Zedekiah violated his oath to Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon, Zedekiah would die in Babylon. v. 17 Nor will Pharaoh with his mighty…do anything in the war – Egypt's attempt to rescues Israel from Babylon would fail (2 Kings 24:7). v. 19 My oath…despised…My covenant…broke – The Lord Himself calls Israel's disregard of her covenant with Babylon as a despising of a covenant that God Himself had established since Israel's captivity in Babylon was God's judgment upon Israel (Jer. 27). v. 20 treason – Israel's rebellion against Babylon was considered by God as a rebellion against His chastening hand. v. 21 his fugitives –Israel's fleeing troops I, the LORD, have spoken – An absolute assurance that this judgment will come to pass (Num. 23:19). v. 22 the highest branches of the high cedar – A "Messianic" promise. God will some day take from the royal line of David and personally establish the future Messiah. a high and prominent mountain – Zion, Jerusalem. Jerusalem is "high and prominent" not necessarily in geographical elevation but in importance before God. v. 23 birds of every sort – Symbolic of the diverse nations of the world who will some day seek shelter under the Messiah's reign (Matt. 13:32). v. 24 all the trees of the field – A figure of speech representing all the nations of the world in this Messianic prophecy (Is. 55:12,13). Ezekiel 18 v. 2 proverb concerning the land of Israel – The following saying was frequently applied to Israel. The fathers have eaten sour grapes, And the children's teeth are set on edge – The basic meaning of this proverb is that the children suffer because of the parent's poor choices and sinful actions. v. 3 As I live – A common biblical way of swearing a solemn oath assuring its fulfillment (Num. 14:21; Is. 49:18; Jer. 22:24; Rom. 14:11). v. 4 souls – nephesh (Heb.) creature, living being, life, self, person soul who sins shall die – The main thrust of this statement in this context is that God will directly punish the sinner rather than the sinner's offspring. v. 5 just – tsaddiyq (Heb.) lawful, righteous v. 6 eaten on the mountains – A reference to eating meat sacrificed to idols on the shrines and high places (Eze. 6:3, 4; Hosea 4:13). idols of the house of Israel – Israel had become a place filled with a great variety of offensive idols. Many Hebrew people would seek help and guidance from these idols rather than God in violation to God's Law (Lev. 19:4; 26:1, 30). defiled his neighbor's wife – To commit adultery. A clear violation of God's Law (Ex. 20:14; Lev. 20:10; Deut. 5:18). Nor approached a woman during her impurity – To have sex with a woman during her menstrual period was forbidden by the Law of Moses (Lev. 20:18). v. 7 oppressed – yanah (Heb.) To suppress, treat violently, maltreat, vex, do wrong. A reference here to the rich taking advantage of the poor. restored to the debtor his pledge – To give back a possession to a person who gave it in a good faith loan. A good example from today's culture would be to return an item that had been "pawned" in a pawnshop after proper payment had been made for it. Robbed no one…given…covered – More obvious pictures of the actions of a just and righteous person. v. 8 not exacted usury – To make loans at interest. The Law of Moses forbade the charging of interest when lending to a fellow Hebrew (Deut. 23:19, 20). Nor taken any increase – to make profit from charging interest to the poor (Ex. 22:25; Lev. 25:35-37) iniquity – evel (Heb.) injustice, unrighteousness, wrong true judgment – In this context, to properly treat all men equally without prejudice of any kind. This was another principle of the Law of Moses (Lev. 19:15, 35; Deut. 1:16, 17; Prov. 31:8, 9; Is. 1:17). v. 9 walked – a lifestyle statutes – chuqqah (Heb.) something appointed, custom, manner, or ordinance judgments – mishpat (Heb.) justice, ordinance, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) just – tsaddiyq (Heb.) lawful, righteous. v. 10 If he begets a son who is – In context God is contrasting a righteous man who has an unrighteous son and does all the evil that his father did not do. Begets – yalad (Heb.) bear, bring forth (children, young), bring up v. 12 abomination – tow`ebah (Heb.) a morally disgusting or detestable thing v. 13 His blood shall be upon him – A biblical way of saying the punishment of his guilt will come upon him (Lev. 20:9, 11, 12, 16, 27). v. 17 He shall not die for the iniquity of his father – The point of this chapter. A righteous son or daughter will not be punished for the sins of his or her evil parents, nor shall an unrighteous son or daughter be exonerated from their sins because of the righteousness of his or her parents. v. 20 The soul who sins shall die – The main thrust of this statement is that God will directly punish the sinner rather than the sinner's offspring (v. 4) v. 21 wicked – rasha` (Heb.) morally wrong, guilty one, criminal statutes – chuqqah (Heb.) something appointed, custom, manner, or ordinance v. 22 transgressions – pesha (Heb.) rebellion, sin, trespass, breach of trust righteousness – tsedaqah (Heb.) honesty, justice, right acts v. 27 preserves himself alive – He will save his own life. v. 30 judge – punish Repent – shuwb (Heb.) to return, turn back v. 31 Cast away – shalak (Heb.) to throw out, down or away. new heart and a new spirit – God desires a work of transformation in their heart to take away the hardness against Him. (Repeated and developed in ch 36:26-32) Cp. Ps 51:10. Ezekiel 19 v. 1 princes of Israel – Israel's political leaders v. 2 What is your mother? A lioness – Allegorical language speaking of the origin of the princes of Israel. The Lioness could possibly allude to Jerusalem or the tribe of Judah whose banner was the lion. young lions – allegorically referring to the rulers of Israel keeping company with other strong and healthy rulers v. 3 one of her cubs – This is a reference to wicked King Jehoahaz who reined in Jerusalem only three months but in that time adopted oppressive policies and devoured men (2 Kings 23:31-34). v. 4 the land of Egypt – Referred to as Shallum here, Jehoahaz died in captivity in Egypt (Jer. 22:11, 12). v. 5 another of her cubs – Allegorically speaking of wicked king Jehoiachin raised up after Jehoahaz. Jehoiachin was conquered and taken captive to Babylon (v. 9). King Jehoiachin reigned only three months and was then taken into captivity to Babylon in 597 BC (2 Kings 24:8-12). v. 7 laid waste their cities – Jehoiachin wrought havoc in Israel until he was conquered and brought into captivity by Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon (v. 8-9). v. 9 a cage with chains… Babylon – Jehoiachin was imprisoned in Babylon for 37 years. v. 10 like a vine in your bloodline – A parallel parable to verses 2-9. Israel has often been portrayed by God as a vine (Eze. 15:2-8, 17:6; Is. 5:1-4; Matt. 21:33-41). fruitful and full…many waters – Israel was well provided for and carefully nurtured by the Lord. v. 11 scepters – shebet (Heb.) A rod used for fighting or punishment; staff, branch, offshoot, or club. At times, this word was even used to describe a tribe (Gen. 49:16). She towered in stature – The kingdom of Israel once stood out head and shoulders above the rest of the kingdoms. v. 12 east wind – Referring to the fury of Nebuchadnezzar and his army conquering Israel (17:10). v. 13 the wilderness – Babylon, compared to the Promised Land, seemed like a barren region to Israel. v. 14 Fire – God's wrath against Zedekiah who rebelled against God's chastening in the captivity of Babylon (2 Kings 24:20).
"Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?" says the Lord GOD, "and not that he should turn from his ways and live?" –Ezekiel 18:23 "Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies," says the Lord GOD. "Therefore turn and live!" –Ezekiel 18:31-32 It is such a powerful truth, God, that those who do not know You will die and suffer eternal separation from You. It matters not to You, God, whether we think we deserve Your offer of salvation or not. We know that, as Your word says, that You don't take pleasure in the death of any of Your children, no matter how sinfully they have acted. We pray today for those who do not know, that they would heed Your call to "turn and live!"
Youth Ministry It's been neat watching our kids develop a heart for outreach and the unsaved, inviting friends to youth group, and having a desire to go street witnessing. Summer camp was a blessing kids where genuinely transformed lives were touched by the Lord. Youth group is going through a season of change and a lot of new faces. We are excited to see what the Lord is going to do this next school year. Prayer Points that those who attend would know Jesus personally and deeply that those who are leading would be powerful vessels for the word of God to spread to these kids' hearts

A Faith Based on Facts ~Greg Laurie

A Faith Based on Facts

He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
--Acts 1:2--3

Christianity is not a feel-good belief system that asks you to accept some misguided fairy tale. It is based on reliable and documented evidence of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, thereby justifying His claims and promises. Granted there is an element of faith that is required to believe, but it is based on the clear facts.

Yet going back to the earliest centuries, there have been those who have suggested that Jesus never rose from the dead. Some have said it was a hoax, while others have said the disciples were just hallucinating. But Luke, writing about what he had seen, said that Jesus "presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God" (Acts 1:3).

The word Luke used for "seen" could be translated "eyeballed." The disciples "eyeballed" the risen Lord. Here was Jesus, who had been crucified and put to death. And He didn't just appear once or twice--He was popping up everywhere. Five hundred people saw him on a single occasion. That is no mass hallucination; that is evidence.

If this were a hoax the apostles dreamed up, certainly one of them would have broken ranks and admitted it. But they all died the death of a martyr except John, who survived an execution attempt and was banished to the island of Patmos. Not one of them broke ranks, because they could not deny what they knew was true.

Jesus was alive. They had seen Him. They eyeballed Him. It transformed their lives, and they had to share the gospel message with others. They were real people just like you and me. Yet God used them to change the world.

Swine Flu~Dry Bones

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Genocidal violence against Jews has been always been instigated by the spreading of demonizing lies and insane libels. And it continues to this day.

The bizarre antisemitic incitement by Palestinian officials (both in Hamas-controlled Gaza and the "moderate" Fatah-controlled Palestinian Authority on the "West Bank") continues.

In the very latest libel: Palestinian authorities have accused Israel of spreading AIDS, STDs, and supplying "Aphrodisiac chewing gum" to innocent Palestinian youth:

"Hamas police spokesman Islam Shahwan said recently that Israeli intelligence officers are behind the smuggling of sexually stimulating drops and chewing gum into Gaza to "weaken and destroy" Palestinian youth and the social structure, according to Palestinian news agency FPNP ("Firas- Palestine News Press")

Shahwan claimed that a parent had complained to police that his daughter had chewed the Israeli gum and suffered "side effects." He said that Hamas police had subsequently arrested the distributors, confiscated the aphrodisiacs and confirmed that the drugs had been supplied by Israeli intelligence.

This accusation is one more example of the continuing PA campaign by both Fatah and Hamas to demonize Israel based on libels by officials, who accuse Israel of trying to poison or corrupt Palestinian youth. For the last 10 years, the Palestinian Authority Fatah leaders have been disseminating the libel that Israel spreads AIDS and sexually-transmitted diseases among Palestinian youth, turns them into drug addicts and has a special intelligence unit devoted to distributing drugs to Palestinian teenagers.

One PA official even accused Israel of distributing sports shoes that cause the wearer to become paralyzed, and perfumes that cause drug addiction." -more

"Paralyzing Sports Shoes?"

-Dry Bones- Israel's Political Comic Strip Since 1973

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Ezra 4:24-6:22 ~ 1 Corinthians 3:5-23 ~ Psalm 29:1-11 ~ Proverbs 20:26-27

Ezra 4:24-6:22 ~ 1 Corinthians 3:5-23 ~ Psalm 29:1-11 ~ Proverbs 20:26-27
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture on DailyAudioBible.com (podcast) or OneYearAudioBible.org ~

Old Testament - We have great readings today in Ezra about the completion of the second Temple! Note that this second Temple, which was completed on March 12, 516 B.C., is the same Temple that existed during Jesus' ministry. This second Temple was then destroyed by Roman armies in 70 A.D. This second Temple was a lot smaller than the first Temple built by Solomon. And less ornate. And the big thing of course was that this second Temple did not have the Ark of the Covenant nor the tablets of the Law, as these were believed to have been destroyed when Nebuchadnezzar burned Jerusalem in 586 B.C. Nonetheless, the completion of the second Temple was a great cause of celebration for the Israelites who had returned from exile! Below is a model of this second Temple:

New Testament - This may be a somewhat of a controversial reflection here, but I'd like to put it out for discussion. Please feel free to let me know your thoughts in the Comments section of the blog below. Today's readings in First Corinthians made me think about all of our various Christian church denominations that we have in our world today. In our readings today, some followed Paul. Some followed Apollos. Some followed Peter. And in our churches today, some follow Calvin. Some follow Wesley. Some follow Knox. And so on. And I guess I just wonder would the church today look any differently today if we simply all followed Jesus? I don't mean to knock denominations here per se. I myself go to a church affiliated with a denomination. I just pray that each of us could look beyond our denominations and look fully toward Jesus. And that we come to realize that no matter what our denominations, we are brothers and sisters through faith in our Lord Jesus. We inherit eternal life through God's grace and our faith in Jesus. We all - no matter our denomination - are "the church" through our faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior. As Paul teaches us in First Corinthians 3:21-23 - "So don’t boast about following a particular human leader. For everything belongs to you—whether Paul or Apollos or Peter, or the world, or life and death, or the present and the future. Everything belongs to you, and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God."

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in First Corinthians titled "A Different Look at Leadership" is at this link and "A Call to Repentance" is at this link.

Psalms - Psalm 29 today is a beautiful hymn of praise to God the Creator! Verses 3 and 4 are awesome - "The voice of the LORD echoes above the sea. The God of glory thunders. The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty." And verse 2 is something for each of us to joyfully obey - "Give honor to the LORD for the glory of his name. Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness." Amen!

Proverbs: Proverbs 20:27 today is a powerful teaching: "The Lord’s light penetrates the human spirit, exposing every hidden motive." I love this thought! God's Light penetrates our human spirits, exposing our hidden motives. And this is a very good thing! I believe that most all of us have some "blind spots" in our lives. Blind spots meaning we have sins or issues or motives or bad habits that we don't even know we have! We're blind to them. And God's light - His Light of the world, Jesus - can expose these hidden things to us! I think sometimes this can happen via solitary prayer or worship. However, I think this can also often happen through brothers and sisters in Christ who we ask to point out any blind spots to us. Have you ever asked anyone in your life to point out a blind spot? Was this painful? Was it ultimately helpful to you? Do you think you have any blind spots in your life today? Will you ask someone who knows you well if you have any blind spots?

Worship God: Psalm 29 today seems like a great place to share this wonderful homemade video someone put together to Chris Tomlin's song "Indescribable." This is a powerful song and a nice video - see if you can catch any misspellings in the words that come up in this video... :)

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture this week: "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 (NIV)

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

God bless,
Mike

The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name~Daily Light

August 7
MORNING

The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name.

If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. - If ye ... being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? - Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. - Ye have not, because ye ask not.

When ... the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

They rebelled, and vexed his Holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and He fought against them.

JOHN 14:26. John 4:10. -Luke 11:13. John 16:23,24. -Jas. 4:2. John 16:13,14. Isa. 63:10.

EVENING

What think ye of Christ?

Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. - He hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

Unto you ... which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobed-ient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner. - Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; but unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ. - Lord, thou knowest all things: thou knowest that I love thee.

MATT. 22:42. Psa. 24:9,10. Rev. 9:16. I Pet. 2:7. I Cor. 1:23,24. Phi. 3:8. John 21:17.