Category Archives: Bible

August 19

1 Reply

Jeremiah 34:1-22, 39:1-18; 2 Kings 25:1-21; 2 Chronicles 36:15-21

We in America talk a lot about freedom. The United States of America was founded on freedom. Thousands of men and women have fought and died to protect our freedom.

But did you know everyone who has ever lived is given freedom no matter where they are born? Jeremiah 34 tells us about a God-given freedom. It’s the freedom to “fall by the sword, plague and famine.”

Gee, thanks God. Who would choose that?

God has granted all people everywhere the freedom to choose him or reject him. We can acknowledge the God of Creation, accept his Word to be true, or we can deny him and live by our own rules. God is plain to say there are blessings for those who follow him and consequences for those who don’t.

But there is something about freedom that we sometimes overlook. With freedom comes responsibility. We’ve seen freedoms erode here in the US because too many of us have not taken on the responsibility of making sure legislators aren’t chipping away at them. We’ve allowed our freedoms to disappear and have no one to blame but ourselves.

As Christians, we have the responsibility to obey God, to be holy as he is holy, and to share the gospel with everyone. Our freedom to choose God comes with the responsibility to live according to his Word.

Yes, we are free to choose. I pray that no one reading this blog will choose to fall by the sword, plague and famine by choosing to ignore God’s Truth. And I pray that all of us will take responsibility for the freedom we enjoy in Christ by reaching out to others in Jesus’ name so they can enjoy that freedom, too.

Holy God, I thank you for giving the human race the freedom to choose. I thank you that I am not a robot with no ability to choose for myself. Father, I choose you today. Help me to obey you. Give me the ability to share your Truth with someone today. I pray that my loved ones will choose that Truth. May my life stand apart as one who loves and obeys the One True God. And may I recognize that, as wonderful as the freedom I enjoy in Jesus, I have a responsibility to obey you. May you find me faithful.

August 18

2 Replies

Ezekiel 31:1-18; Jeremiah 32:1-33:26

The Old Testament Jews probably dreaded it when Jeremiah received another prophecy from God. Usually it was about God’s displeasure and the devastation that was coming because of their disobedience. But I have to think they welcomed what they heard in Jeremiah 33.

God is promising the Jews peace and prosperity. He is telling them they’ll get their city back, bigger and better than before. I can almost see the wives pouring over the latest Lowes catalog and picking out new granite countertops for the kitchens they were going to remodel when the money started rolling in.

But what is it that God is promising? History tells us the city of Jerusalem did regain prosperity. It was a seat of government and commerce. But when God promised a righteous Branch from David’s line he was not talking about a flesh and blood king. When he said Judah would be saved and Jerusalem would live in safety he was not promising the absence of war.

And when he promised a descendant of David’s would sit on the throne forever, he was not talking about a human king. 

Let’s not try to put these prophecies into a material box. The truth here is so much bigger. When history has played out according to prophecy, it was done for one reason… to demonstrate the spiritual truth, to show the world God is who he says he is.

God’s goal in telling the Jews what was ahead was not so they could plan how to spend their money. God’s goal in telling the Jews the future was so that when the future panned out the way God said, all people would recognize God as the One True God and be drawn to him. 

We know the Jews were still looking forward to having that human king take over the world when Jesus came on the scene. Some of them are still looking for that. But God’s kingdom is so much bigger. 

I believe every word in the Bible is true. And if we try to interpret these verses materially only, we miss out on the real message here. Let’s not spend so much time looking at the signs. Let’s look at the goal, accepting God for who he is and his Son as our Savior.

Jesus is on the throne. Forever. With him is peace. With him we have everything we need, more than we can ask for. We have God himself living in us!

Amen.

August 17

Leave a reply

Ezekiel 25:1-17, 29:1-16, 30:20-26; Jeremiah 37:1-38:28

King Zedekiah and the people of Judah paid no attention to the words of the Lord. Jeremiah had been telling them they needed to repent of their sins or disaster was coming. Nowhere do I read that Zedekiah repented but he sent a message to Jeremiah –  “Please pray to the Lord our God for us.”

Zedekiah didn’t want to experience God’s wrath but he didn’t want to obey God, either. So he must have figured if Jeremiah prayed for them, God would listen and they’d escape the trouble ahead.

If you are a Christian I imagine you’ve had more than one person ask you to pray for them. When your unsaved friends face disease or financial hardships or broken relationships, do they come to you and ask you to go to God on their behalf? They may even say “Pray for me” with a chuckle, like you have direct access to a celestial genie who can twitch his nose and make everything better.

I’m not telling you not to pray. But may I caution you how to pray? Remember God is undoubtedly using this hardship in your friend’s life to draw that friend to Jesus because, obviously, he or she hasn’t gone to the Lord in good times. Rather than praying for healing or success or relief, maybe we should pray that the Holy Spirit will find fertile ground through this hardship and drive our friend to his knees in repentance. 

The next time someone asks you to pray for them, I challenge you to let them know that, yes you will pray. But that you will pray that God will reveal himself through this challenge, that your friend will know the joy of sins forgiven, and that God’s will will be accomplished in the midst of the hardship. Let them know you will also pray that the disease will be healed or the money will come or emotional healing will occur if that is what God wants for them.

I do think we need to let our unsaved friends know how we are praying so that they will recognize God’s hand in their lives. Remember God wants to reveal himself to them and is working zealously for that to happen in every circumstance of life. If our friends come to us because they know we know God, let’s be sure to tell them how they can know him, too.

After all, that is the most important thing in life, more than health or wealth or a happy home. 

August 16

Leave a reply

Ezekiel 23:1-24:27, Jeremiah 21:1-14

So many times in the Old Testament God used the day to day lives of people to paint a spiritual picture. Take Ezekiel for example. God told Ezekiel he was about to lose the delight of his eyes but he was not to “lament or weep or shed any tears.” Then Ezekiel’s wife died, and he did what he had been told.

Why? Why would God ask him to groan quietly and not mourn for her? The point here seems to be the lasting result of living in sin. God warns that even losing things we once held dear doesn’t effect us the way it would have in the past.

I look at our society here in the US. Our children have lost their innocence, something our parents once held dear. Maybe we shake our heads when we hear of 13 year old moms or listen to the words of songs our eight year olds are listening to. But have we ourselves become accustomed to living in this sinful world to the point where we have become desensitized? 

Personally, I can watch something on TV today that would have shocked and saddened me a decade ago. And today I hardly give it a thought. I don’t like that in me. And I’m pretty sure God doesn’t like it, either.

Ezekiel warned Israel that they would waste away because of their sin. Is that what’s happening to the church?

I pray that we will not allow sin to become “no big deal”. May we recognize sin when we see it and stand up for what is right. We serve a holy God who demands holiness of us.

How are we doing?

August 15

2 Replies

Ezekiel 20:30-22:31

When you read Ezekiel you just can’t deny that God hates sin. Not only that but God punishes sinners. And everything he does is intended to show himself to the world as the One and Only God, the God to be feared and obeyed.

You know there can be only one Truth, right? Either God is who he says he is or all religions are true. You can’t have it both ways. Christianity can’t be one of many avenues to God. Nothing in the Bible even suggests that possibility.

So once again God is asking me if I really believe that. And if I do (which I do) then what am I going to do about it? Because the One True God who hates sin and will punish sin, loves sinners. He is not willing that any should perish or have to endure his wrath. He wants everyone to come to him through the precious blood of his Son Jesus. And he wants those of us who know him to allow ourselves to be used by him to draw others to the salvation he provides.

Let’s determine to live in obedience. The One True God is the God to fear. But he’s also the God who took on himself his own wrath so that we can walk with him as sons and daughters. Let’s enlarge our family today as we share God’s Truth with our loved ones, our neighbors and friends.

Father, may your people obey you today. May we put aside doubt or insecurities and share your Truth with boldness and love. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life and no one can get to you any other way except through Him. Help us to recognize that Christianity is as inclusive as it can be because you so loved the entire world you gave your son that whoever believes, no exceptions, will have eternal life. Show us where to go today and who is ready to hear your Truth. And may you find us faithful.

August 14

3 Replies

Ezekiel 17:1-20:29

I was raised in a Christian family. My mom was raised in a Christian family. I went to church three times a week and I had Christian friends. Went to a Christian college. Got involved in a Christian church and have pretty much lived a Christian life-style (some years I was better at that than others).

Being surrounded by believers my whole life has been a blessing I don’t take lightly. But in the end, God won’t look at the way I was raised or the people I held dear in this life time.

My dad was not raised in a Christian family. In fact, their life style was just about as ungodly as it could be. Dad came to know the Lord late in life. And when my dad died last September and met Jesus face to face, God did not read a list of the sins his family had committed. Dad was not required to account for his dad’s drunkenness or his grandfather’s unfaithfulness. 

Every one of us will face eternity based on what we did with Jesus in this life time. I won’t get a free pass because I was raised going to church and praying over meals. Dad won’t get a seat in the back because he wasn’t.

None of us will be able to point a finger at parents who raised us badly or people who have wronged us as an excuse why our walk with God wasn’t all it should have been. There won’t be an excuse if you were raised not going to church or if your parents took you to a church that didn’t claim the Truth of Scripture.

The question will be… do you know Christ as your Savior? Period. No excuses. No explanations. No exceptions. 

I pray that you have accepted Jesus’ work on the cross as your own. I pray that you value your relationship with him, that you talk to him, read his love letter to you. I pray that you are an obedient child of the King.

Because one day you will meet Jesus face to face. When you look into his eyes I pray you will see Someone who knows you personally and intimately. The love will be there. Ezekiel tells us God loves even those who don’t love him. But eternity with him is reserved for those who have decided for themselves to accept him.

Loving Father, I thank you for my family, for those who cleared the path for me to know you. I pray for those whose journey hasn’t been as smooth. But help us all grasp the importance of making a personal decision to follow you, to believe in Jesus and accept his provision of forgiveness. May we really understand that we are accountable for ourselves before a holy God. May we choose Jesus.

August 13

Leave a reply

Ezekiel 14-16

When I was reading about how God adorned the nation of Israel with jewels and beautiful clothes, when he fed them with fine flour, honey, and olive oil, when he washed them and protected them, I thought, “Wow! That’s what he’s done for me!”

He washed me with his blood, clothed me with his righteousness, set a crown of life on my head, and protects me, too.

But then I read on. Israel took what God had given her and turned it into something detestable. She trusted in her own beauty, became comfortable in God’s provisions, and prostituted herself. Worse than a prostitute, she paid others to be with her.

I am convicted today. What have I done, really, with the things God has given me? How have I used his salvation? How do I wear his righteousness? Am I so comfortable in the knowledge of my redemption I think I can do what I want and still be ok? Have I convinced myself that God loves me so he must accept me for who I am?

If that describes me I am the vilest of prostitutes. And Ezekiel reminds us what God thinks about that.

Father in Heaven, forgive me when I take you for granted. Forgive me when I squander away your provisions. May I remember what it cost Jesus to provide me with cleansing, forgiveness, eternal life. May I hold those things dear, use them the way they were intended to be used, and may I be grateful for the privilege of being your child. May you be honored through my life today.

August 12

1 Reply

Ezekiel 10-13

God had a lot to say about false prophets in Ezekiel’s vision. He calls them foolish and liars and says very plainly that he is against them. They may claim to have had a word from God, they may “whitewash” their message but the reality is they’re dressing up a flimsy wall that will come crashing down in the wind. Their lies just can’t stand up to the truth of Scripture.

Once again God is challenging me to identify what it is that I believe. Maybe it would do us all some good to sit down and define where we stand on the subjects of sin, of Jesus, of the accuracy of Scripture, of creation, of other religions, salvation, grace. 

There are false prophets yet today. There are luke-warm theologies. There is a politically correct version of the Bible. We need to know what we believe and why we believe it so that we don’t fall for Christian-sounding words straight from the mouths of Satan’s servants. 

My heart’s desire is that each of us would spend time in God’s Word, reading it for ourselves, praying over it and meditating on it, memorizing it, and talking about it. May we hold on to the truth as revealed in its pages so that we can recognize and reject Satan’s attempt to deceive us.

Please remember God is against false prophets and, in turn, those who follow them. Don’t let that be you.

August 11

1 Reply

Ezekiel 5:1-9:11

God had removed his blessing from Israel because of their disobedience. And Israel interpreted that as God not paying attention. They defied God’s instructions for worship and worshiped idols right in the temple behind closed doors, thinking God wouldn’t see them.

Dear One, let’s allow Ezekiel’s vision to remind us that God sees everything down to our innermost private thoughts and feelings. He sees what no one else can.

If you slow your car down when you see a cop ahead because you don’t want to get caught or if you wait until everyone is out of the office before you slip that paper clip in your pocket so your boss doesn’t see – you are worried about the wrong people.

How fast would you drive if Jesus was buckled up in the passenger seat? Would you take something that wasn’t yours if Jesus was looking over your shoulder? Would you go to that movie or tell that joke or drink that drink if Jesus was there?

Guess what. He is! Ezekiel’s vision makes it plain that God is paying attention. And he will get revenge for every deed committed against him.

The good news for us is that God’s revenge on believers is taken out on his Son, Jesus. I say good news because God’s revenge on sinners is devastating to say the least and those who will have to take it upon themselves will have an eternity of unspeakable agony.

My prayer is that all of you who read this today know Jesus as your Savior, that you live your life fully aware that he is right there with you 24/7. He sees. He knows. May we live our lives with that glorious truth as the reason we do what we do when others are around or when we are behind closed doors.

August 10

1 Reply

Ezekiel 1:1-4:17

Ezekiel saw the wheel – Way up in the middle of the air.

What do you make of Ezekiel’s vision? Some claim he was visited by aliens from outer space. What do you think?

God allowed Ezekiel to get a glimpse of Himself in all his glory. Was it a glimpse into heaven? John’s vision in Revelation was very similar. Are we to figure out a flesh and blood interpretation of wheels and wings and faces?

Personally, I am more interested in what God SAID to Ezekiel in this vision. Here’s what I believe God wants us to hear through Ezekiel:

1. God is who he says he is.
2. We are called to tell others about him.
3. They may not like what they hear but if we obey they will hear the Truth.
4. If we tell people about Jesus and they reject him – that’s on them.
5. If we don’t tell them, we will be held accountable for their eternal souls.

That’s the real purpose of Ezekiel’s vision and prophecy. Let’s not waste time trying to figure out what chrysolite represents or why there were faces of a lion, ox, and eagle.

Let’s get out there and share Jesus with lost souls. That’s the most important thing to take from Ezekiel’s vision.

Father, you created curious people so it’s natural that we would read an account like Ezekiel’s vision and want to know as much as we can. But I pray that your people will spend less time trying to figure out some hidden meaning and more time doing what you clearly told Ezekiel to do, that is to share you with our world. May we take your commission seriously and get out there and share the Gospel.