November 17, 2012
God’s promise to Israel after it fell to Babylon. He promised them a spiritual heart transplant. This is fulfilled in Christ. We no longer have laws written on stone tablets, but Christ’s love written on our hearts. This is the prophecy of the New Covenant, which is ours in Christ.
November 10, 2012
God is still looking for men who will “stand in the gap” for their families, communities and nation. Who will it be?
November 8, 2012
God warned Israel through His prophet Ezekiel to repent before their sins destroyed them. Sin = suffering. As when we stick our hand in the fire, our skin blisters, so when we sin, there is pain. The sin itself brings its own judgment and ultimately death. Yet, God in His grace offers a way out through Jesus, His Son. He took sin’s suffering, separation and death, so that we could “Turn back and live!”
November 5, 2012
There is an idol that no one can see outwardly, but is just as surely built up and worshiped in the human heart. This idol of the heart comes between us and God. It causes a religious self-delusion and makes one susceptible to sin. It makes prayer ineffective. Remove the thing that has stolen your heart and taken first place ahead of loving God! Make God your first love.
November 1, 2012
Ezekiel saw his first vision when he was 30. The 30th year was significant in Jewish life: The Levites began Temple service at 30. Jesus began his public ministry at age 30. On July 12 of 1988 I turned 30. God used this verse in Ezekiel to confirm my call to preach. I thought I had waited too long, but God showed me that it was just the right time.
November 18, 2011
I like Ezekiel’s response: “Lord, You alone know.” When Ezekiel preached the Word and prayed for the Spirit to move, the bones put on flesh and breathed. The preaching of God’s Word still brings those dead in sin to life and reconciles those who are spiritually separated from God. Preach to the bones!
November 17, 2011
We have good intentions when we speak. We say ‘I’ll get around to it’ or ‘I hope to do it.’ But God does what He says. His Word is written for us to see. His Word will not return void. Do you depend on God’s Word? On what promise do you lean? Believe and do not doubt. God does what He says.
November 8, 2011
In the midst of God’s words of lament for Israel, He speaks of a new covenant. This new covenant fulfills the old. It offers salvation that cleanses sin, regenerates spiritually, and brings those far away from God, near. Salvation has a name, Jesus.
November 4, 2011
In the midst of Ezekiel’s vision of God’s Spirit leaving the Temple, he hears this prophecy. It points to the coming of the Christ who will die for us and put His Spirit within us, so that we become the temple of God.
November 1, 2011
Sometimes God teaches us something we don’t want to hear, something overwhelming. He is looking for one who will obey Him even in this.