And He said to me, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, 'O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!" 'Thus says the Lord God to these bones: "Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the Lord." (Ezekiel 37:4-6)
In the book of Ezekiel, God uses his prophet, who is around the same age as Daniel, to prophesy the destruction and eventual rejuvenation of Judah, after its destruction by Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians. The invasion occurred at 3 separate times, the first where Daniel and his friends were taken captive, the second when king Jehoiakim and Jehoiachin rebelled and brought further punishment, and the 3rd time when the city was laid to waste.
This passage is when God begins to outlie His plan for bringing life back into the -desolation of Judah. Considering the destruction that took place, it would seem so unlikely that it would ever take place. However, we should always rely on the truth of God's word and not doubt, as Paul describes in Acts 26:8-"Why should it be thought incredible by you that God raises the dead?"
Friday, April 24, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Keep your eyes on the finish line
"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:1-2)
Many years ago, when I was fat and couldn't run to save my life, I used to race my nephew's dad, who was in awesome shape. He would let me stay ahead until the very end, and then he would smoke me, just when I finally thought I'd beat him. One thing he always said to me was "It's not where you start out, it's where you end up." That's something we need to take to heart in our relationship with God. Discouragement will come and go, but it's what we do when that time comes that makes the difference. Many times I don't feel like praying or reading the Word, but I do it anyways, because love is a committment, not a 'feeling'.
Tonight I've been helping my roommate study for a test for his Western Religions class, which surprise, surprise, is about Christianity. It was a blessing beyond words to be able to talk about God in the open like that with him, and it's awesome to see how fascinated he is by God and Christianity (even if he hates the way the class is taught, which I understand). To see proof in front of me that my prayers are being answered is just the kind of encouragement I need (not that it was my doing, God is the one giving!).
Remember always what Jesus says to Peter, "Do you Love Me?...Tend My sheep." (John 21:16). Jesus could have said, "Don't fail Me" or "You better have a perfect track record". But He didn't, so we must stick to showing and attaining love in our actions, knowing that when our race is fully run, our faith will finally be perfect. Amen.
Many years ago, when I was fat and couldn't run to save my life, I used to race my nephew's dad, who was in awesome shape. He would let me stay ahead until the very end, and then he would smoke me, just when I finally thought I'd beat him. One thing he always said to me was "It's not where you start out, it's where you end up." That's something we need to take to heart in our relationship with God. Discouragement will come and go, but it's what we do when that time comes that makes the difference. Many times I don't feel like praying or reading the Word, but I do it anyways, because love is a committment, not a 'feeling'.
Tonight I've been helping my roommate study for a test for his Western Religions class, which surprise, surprise, is about Christianity. It was a blessing beyond words to be able to talk about God in the open like that with him, and it's awesome to see how fascinated he is by God and Christianity (even if he hates the way the class is taught, which I understand). To see proof in front of me that my prayers are being answered is just the kind of encouragement I need (not that it was my doing, God is the one giving!).
Remember always what Jesus says to Peter, "Do you Love Me?...Tend My sheep." (John 21:16). Jesus could have said, "Don't fail Me" or "You better have a perfect track record". But He didn't, so we must stick to showing and attaining love in our actions, knowing that when our race is fully run, our faith will finally be perfect. Amen.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Finger pointing works both ways
Romans 1:17-29
For all the Jewish scribes and the Pharisees who may have shouted 'Amen' in the first chapter against the Pagans and non-believers, they now get a taste of the less-than-righteous medicine themselves.
"You therefore, who teach one another, do you not teach yourself?...For "The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you," as it is written." (21..24)
Despite being scribes and well-versed in the scriptures, those Paul talks about are not above the law themselves. They succumb to the same faults that possess those they profess to teach.
"And will not the physically uncircumcised, if he fulfills the law, judge you who, even with your written code and circumcision, are a transgressor of the law?" (27)
For some reason, reading this makes me think of George W. Bush being surrounded in a room by Kim Jong-Il, Mahmoud Ahmedinejahd, and Saddam Hussein, all pointing at him. I dunno, but I ache to understand what grace really means, and it is not found in the law, at least not in itself (as a temporary means of guidance until the coming of Jesus Christ, yes). The moment we get wrapped up in the things we did or didn't do, we move away from grace. These verses remind us that having grown up in the church, or done this or that for God doesn't make us any more worthwhile. His love is the same today and forever. It is the glory given back to Him that comes with our pure hearts and deeds, and that should drive what we do, not a balance sheet for a check we never deserved in the first place.
For all the Jewish scribes and the Pharisees who may have shouted 'Amen' in the first chapter against the Pagans and non-believers, they now get a taste of the less-than-righteous medicine themselves.
"You therefore, who teach one another, do you not teach yourself?...For "The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you," as it is written." (21..24)
Despite being scribes and well-versed in the scriptures, those Paul talks about are not above the law themselves. They succumb to the same faults that possess those they profess to teach.
"And will not the physically uncircumcised, if he fulfills the law, judge you who, even with your written code and circumcision, are a transgressor of the law?" (27)
For some reason, reading this makes me think of George W. Bush being surrounded in a room by Kim Jong-Il, Mahmoud Ahmedinejahd, and Saddam Hussein, all pointing at him. I dunno, but I ache to understand what grace really means, and it is not found in the law, at least not in itself (as a temporary means of guidance until the coming of Jesus Christ, yes). The moment we get wrapped up in the things we did or didn't do, we move away from grace. These verses remind us that having grown up in the church, or done this or that for God doesn't make us any more worthwhile. His love is the same today and forever. It is the glory given back to Him that comes with our pure hearts and deeds, and that should drive what we do, not a balance sheet for a check we never deserved in the first place.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
"But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiners fire and like launderer's soap." (Malachi 3:2-3)
It is an awesome testimony to the Lord that neither Moses, Saul, or Isaiah stood before Him, just chillin' and shooting the breeze. No, they hid their faces in fear, dropped to their knees in utter terror, and fell over as one dead. Even if we don't see God's face directly for a while yet, should we not have that same semblance of awe knowing He is always near? I believe it really comes down to faith. I feel like it's been something I've been lacking, in seeing that I am just a piece of clay in the hands of the master. When I get discouraged, I need to make sure that my heart knows this is only temporary. Jesus endured crucifixtion for 'the joy that was set before Him' (Hebrews 12:2). God knows our hearts; if our greatest desire is not to be with Him, the Holy Spirit will ensure we come to put Him first!
It is an awesome testimony to the Lord that neither Moses, Saul, or Isaiah stood before Him, just chillin' and shooting the breeze. No, they hid their faces in fear, dropped to their knees in utter terror, and fell over as one dead. Even if we don't see God's face directly for a while yet, should we not have that same semblance of awe knowing He is always near? I believe it really comes down to faith. I feel like it's been something I've been lacking, in seeing that I am just a piece of clay in the hands of the master. When I get discouraged, I need to make sure that my heart knows this is only temporary. Jesus endured crucifixtion for 'the joy that was set before Him' (Hebrews 12:2). God knows our hearts; if our greatest desire is not to be with Him, the Holy Spirit will ensure we come to put Him first!
Monday, April 20, 2009
Blessed are the pure of heart
Romans 1
This first chapter of perhaps Paul's most read book (Martin Luther himself thought it was 'the purest of the gospels') is a serious heavy hitter, and makes no false pretenses about the sanctimonious followers of the Lord, who bear nothing but wickedness in their actions, thoughts, and feelings.
"For I long to see you...that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me." (11-12)
I know I am slipping away from the heart of God when I no longer seek to be around my brothers and sisters in Christ, and am no longer drawn by their 'mutual faith' and in relating to their similar struggles and weaknesses. A lot of times I just give in to this inferiority complex I have and 'exchange the truth of God for the lie' (25). Like some fiendish heroin addict or rebellious teenager I deny the truth that is staring me down, and deny how badly I really need God in every moment. We should want to be around each other, 'and all the more as you see the day approaching' (Hebrews 10:25).
"Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man-and birds and four-footed beasts and creeping things." (22-23)
One image that comes to mind is the picture of Darth Vader atop the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. This is the result of letting God become something transitory, that flows along with pop culture, rather than the sovereign, unchanging heavenly host that He is.
This first chapter of perhaps Paul's most read book (Martin Luther himself thought it was 'the purest of the gospels') is a serious heavy hitter, and makes no false pretenses about the sanctimonious followers of the Lord, who bear nothing but wickedness in their actions, thoughts, and feelings.
"For I long to see you...that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me." (11-12)
I know I am slipping away from the heart of God when I no longer seek to be around my brothers and sisters in Christ, and am no longer drawn by their 'mutual faith' and in relating to their similar struggles and weaknesses. A lot of times I just give in to this inferiority complex I have and 'exchange the truth of God for the lie' (25). Like some fiendish heroin addict or rebellious teenager I deny the truth that is staring me down, and deny how badly I really need God in every moment. We should want to be around each other, 'and all the more as you see the day approaching' (Hebrews 10:25).
"Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man-and birds and four-footed beasts and creeping things." (22-23)
One image that comes to mind is the picture of Darth Vader atop the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. This is the result of letting God become something transitory, that flows along with pop culture, rather than the sovereign, unchanging heavenly host that He is.
I pray that everyone reading this sees how easy it is to slip away from the Lord. Were it not for His Holy Spirit and a constant reminder in our hearts that there is none greater than He, we too could end up making such wicked and callous mistakes. Men with the best of intentions can become the next Jim Jones if they stop looking to God for guidance. Know your own heart I implore you (I say this also to myself), because God is worth fighting every struggle in our hearts for!
Sunday, April 19, 2009
51:41 “See how Babylon 90 has been captured!
See how the pride of the whole earth has been taken!
See what an object of horror
Babylon has become among the nations! 91
51:42 The sea has swept over Babylon.
She has been covered by a multitude 92 of its waves. 93
51:43 The towns of Babylonia have become heaps of ruins.
She has become a dry and barren desert.
No one lives in those towns any more.
No one even passes through them. 94 (Jeremiah 51:41-43)
Many associate Babylon with America, and while there is a great deal of conjecture to what extent we should relate the two, it is kinda scary to think of America being taken hostage and 'the land of the free' no longer being the superpower it once was. Whatever role our country may play in the end times, it is certain that God did everything He said was going to happen. Jerusalem was eventually destroyed despite Jeremiah's warnings for the people to repent, and King Zedekiah had his eyes gouged out and thrown in prison for the rest of his days. Just like an infected limb that is beyond any other recourse but surgery, the people of Jerusalem were decimated and all but a few poor were left as 'vinedressers and farmers' (52:16). We read the Old Testament and begin to think that God somehow relishes destruction, but it is truly His last resort when His people are so hard of hearing that nothing else works!
It is kinda ironic that the very first book of the bible I began writing about for these blogs I just finished now at the near end of the semester! (Ah well, I did a lot of jumping around!).
See how the pride of the whole earth has been taken!
See what an object of horror
Babylon has become among the nations! 91
51:42 The sea has swept over Babylon.
She has been covered by a multitude 92 of its waves. 93
51:43 The towns of Babylonia have become heaps of ruins.
She has become a dry and barren desert.
No one lives in those towns any more.
No one even passes through them. 94 (Jeremiah 51:41-43)
Many associate Babylon with America, and while there is a great deal of conjecture to what extent we should relate the two, it is kinda scary to think of America being taken hostage and 'the land of the free' no longer being the superpower it once was. Whatever role our country may play in the end times, it is certain that God did everything He said was going to happen. Jerusalem was eventually destroyed despite Jeremiah's warnings for the people to repent, and King Zedekiah had his eyes gouged out and thrown in prison for the rest of his days. Just like an infected limb that is beyond any other recourse but surgery, the people of Jerusalem were decimated and all but a few poor were left as 'vinedressers and farmers' (52:16). We read the Old Testament and begin to think that God somehow relishes destruction, but it is truly His last resort when His people are so hard of hearing that nothing else works!
It is kinda ironic that the very first book of the bible I began writing about for these blogs I just finished now at the near end of the semester! (Ah well, I did a lot of jumping around!).
Look, I am your Father....arrogance is futile!
II Kings 19:34-36
“Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim and Hena and Ivah? Indeed, have they delivered Samaria from my hand? Who among all the gods of the lands have delivered their countries from my hand, that the Lord should deliver Jerusalem from my hand? But the people held their peace and answered him not a word; for the king’s commandment was: ‘Do not answer him.’”
During the siege of Jerusalem by the Assyrians about 690 BC, they were annihilated by ‘the angel of the Lord…and killed…185,000. ‘ (19:35). Were it not for Hezekiah’s humility before the Lord after hearing the words spoken above by a servant of King Sennacherib (of the Assyrians), it may never have happened. This is why Paul tells us to pray unceasingly, for we never know what power our prayers may have unless we pray with faith on a regular basis. I don’t like to place prayers on the same level as lottery, but the more times you roll in the Lord’s court the more likely we are to hit the jackpot!
What I like about these verses is that it shows me who futile arrogance is. When we boast in our successes like we are so high and mighty, it may just be because we haven’t seen the meaning of true resistance. Of course the gods of Hamath and Hena haven’t done anything; they don’t exist! So why should we boast in our accomplishments when God is on our side letting them come into fruition? If we lived in a world where God did not exist, nothing, even in His common grace, would be any longer, like life itself.
“Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim and Hena and Ivah? Indeed, have they delivered Samaria from my hand? Who among all the gods of the lands have delivered their countries from my hand, that the Lord should deliver Jerusalem from my hand? But the people held their peace and answered him not a word; for the king’s commandment was: ‘Do not answer him.’”
During the siege of Jerusalem by the Assyrians about 690 BC, they were annihilated by ‘the angel of the Lord…and killed…185,000. ‘ (19:35). Were it not for Hezekiah’s humility before the Lord after hearing the words spoken above by a servant of King Sennacherib (of the Assyrians), it may never have happened. This is why Paul tells us to pray unceasingly, for we never know what power our prayers may have unless we pray with faith on a regular basis. I don’t like to place prayers on the same level as lottery, but the more times you roll in the Lord’s court the more likely we are to hit the jackpot!
What I like about these verses is that it shows me who futile arrogance is. When we boast in our successes like we are so high and mighty, it may just be because we haven’t seen the meaning of true resistance. Of course the gods of Hamath and Hena haven’t done anything; they don’t exist! So why should we boast in our accomplishments when God is on our side letting them come into fruition? If we lived in a world where God did not exist, nothing, even in His common grace, would be any longer, like life itself.
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