And you will know that I am the Lord, for you have not followed my decrees or kept my laws but have conformed to the standards of the nations around you.

Ezekiel 11

And you will know that I am the Lord, for you have not followed my decrees or kept my laws but have conformed to the standards of the nations around you. v12

God gives Ezekiel a message to deliver to Jaazaniah and Pelatiah, leaders of the people and He is passing judgement on them for leading the city into sin.  In verse 12, God gets to the core of how Jerusalem is led into sin - by allowing wordly influences to play a greater role than God.  

God must be more, we and the world must become less.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 

He must become greater; I must become less.  John 3:30

We are foreigners in this world - citizens of Heaven.  As such, our allegiance lies with Jesus, not with the world.  We are to be set apart.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has transformed my heart, my mind, and my life - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I miss the mark.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

James 1

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. v27

James knows that although we are from this world we should not be of this world, echoing what is said elsewhere in scripture (John 15:19, 1 John 2:15-16, Romans 12:2, 1 Peter 2:11).  We are foreigners and strangers on this earth, with a home in heaven.  God created us of His own image to be holy and blameless in His sight.

My Prayer: Lord, only You are pure, holy and blameless.  I know that You see me that way but I know that I am broken and I sin and I desperately need You in my life.  You have transformed my heart and life and I have seen Your hand of miracles work in me and in others.  Thank You for coming to save me.  Please forgive me for not being content.  Help me Jesus overcome and turn from such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do. Help me grow in my faith.  Help me focus on heavenly rewards and on glorifying You and not on earthly rewards and desires.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa comfort, strength and freedom from pain and discomfort.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Please make this scan clear of all cancer and make surgery less of a need or none at all. I know You can do this.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply this message today and every day.

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

Philippians 3

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. v20-21

Much as I posted yesterday, God calls us forward, not backward.  Because we are called forward and today because we are citizens of heaven we are aliens in this world and not to become comfortable in the here and now...we have a job to do...and God calls us forward...pressing on.

My Prayer: Lord, You are an awesome God who is able to defeat the grave and one who is able to transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like Your glorious body!  How awesome You are!  I know You love me and for this I am deeply thankful and full of praise.  I am not worth such a love.  I am lazy, selfish, and disobedient.  Please forgive me Jesus! Help me overcome such sin and turn forward towards You instead!  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer. Help me serve and lead Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.