For [the manslayer] must remain in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest, but after the death of the high priest the manslayer may return to the land of his possession.

Numbers 35:9-34

For [the manslayer] must remain in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest, but after the death of the high priest the manslayer may return to the land of his possession. Numbers 35:28

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today - Numbers 35:9-34 - God spoke to Moses and gave him commands to pass on to the people to create cities of refuge for those who kill without intent.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God looks at the heart - at one's intent (v11).  See also 1 Samuel 13:14 and 16:7 where the LORD speaks to Samuel when he is searching among Jesse's sons to anoint a new king to replace Solomon.  God exhorts Samuel to examine David's heart.  Our heart condition matters.  Our heart condition works both ways, including sins of omission - we may not have had intent but we sin nonetheless - as this is our sinful nature since the Fall (Genesis 3).  Paul describes this spiritual struggle in Romans 7:15-20.  For the manslayer who has safety in a city of refuge, note how the manslayer must remain within the boundaries of the city of refuge - v28.  This seems to be an encouragement to abide in God, to remain in fellowship with Him because He is our refuge - see also Psalm 9:9-10, 46:1, 91:1–2.  God is also fair - as He allows for deliberate judgement, including witness corroboration (vv12, 30).  
• What do we learn from the text about people?: We are inclined to judge and seek vengeance on our own terms - yet God alone is the judge and we can rest in how all will be held accountable for their life and deeds. God knows this hence he created cities of refuge.  
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid judgement and vengeance - this is for God.  Claim and rest in the promise that on Judgement Day all will be held accountable for their lives and deeds and nothing is hidden.  Follow the example of Paul who recognized his internal spiritual struggle to do good, and sought to remain in Him for Him to live in His heart.  Abide in Him and seek God as your refuge. 

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who saves and who is my refuge during times of trouble.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of who You save and protect.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from and overcome such sin.  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 continue to 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.

The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Avenge the people of Israel on the Midianites."

 Numbers 28-31

The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Avenge the people of Israel on the Midianites." Numbers  31:1-2

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today - Numbers 28-31 - where, given the wide range of text, we see God's instructions to Moses and the people for daily, Sabbath, monthly Passover, feast offerings, instructions for how to handle vows, and instructions to Moses and the people to take vengeance on Midian.  The focus of my time this morning is God's vengeance on Midian.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God seeks for Israel (and all believers) to avoid sinful influences as He is jealous for Himself and His glory.  Numbers 25 describes how Israel "whore[d] with the daughters of Moab" and Midian, and yoked themselves to the pagan god Baal (Numbers 25:1-6).  God punished those who allowed themselves to be lured away from God into sin - see also Numbers 25:7-8.  In Numbers 25:16-18, we see how God instructed Moses and the people to harass and strike down Midian for how they "beguiled" Israel.  In chapter 31, we see God take His vengeance.  Once again, when God speaks that something will be done, we can be assured that it will be done as He is faithful.     
• What do we learn from the text about people?: When we see evil and sin in the world, many are tempted to take vengeance and punishment into their own hands.  God is clear that we are not to do this as vengeance is His alone - see Deuteronomy 32:35, Romans 12:17-19.  God will hold all - believers and non-believers alike - accountable for their deeds and sin.  In Romans specifically, God's Word shares how we are to live "peaceably" with others, including with those who hurt and persecute us - see also Matthew 5:43-48. 
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid taking vengeance on others - this belongs to the LORD.  Claim the promise that all are held accountable for their deeds upon judgement day and rest in this promise. Follow the example of Jesus who loves and prays for everyone including those who betray Him such as Peter.  Love and pray for those who persecute you.  

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin 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 continue to 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.

But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.

 Malachi 4:1-6

But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. Malachi 4:2

I continue my study of the last four books of the Old Testament, having already covered Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and most of Malachi.  My study leans on the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary series volume which covers these books. This morning I start a focus on an unassisted review of Malachi 4:1-6.  Here, the message from Malachi builds on God's warning for those who do not fear Him (see post yesterday). V1 describes this ominous warning: "the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the LORD of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch." For those who fear God, vv2-3 offers hope and also shares how they will see justice for the wicked.  We can take comfort that God knows all of our deeds, including our sin and the sin of those evildoers and wicked people who do not fear God.  We may feel that we languish in obscurity, faithfully straining to be obedient to God's Word and to fear, love and please Him.  Yet God sees our faithfulness while also seeing wickedness - believers will be rewarded and the evildoers and wicked will suffer in eternal damnation (Hell). V4 reminds us to hold fast to God's Word and for obedience to His Word.  See also Hebrews 12:1-2.  Vv5-6 shares how God will send Elijah before Judgement Day and how there will be an opportunity to repent and turn to the Lord before final judgement is rendered.  Believers hold fast to the faith!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who reigns and sees all - including my sin, my obedience, and the sin of the wicked and those who do not fear You.  You have saved me from eternal destruction and You will deliver justice perfectly.  Thank You Jesus for my salvation.  I am not deserving of how You save.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin 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 continue to 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.

From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.

Luke 11-13

From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. Luke 12:48

Day 299 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues as I move further into the New Testament - focusing on primarily Jesus' teachings, particularly on hypocrisy as the Pharisees and Jewish leaders questioned Jesus on matters of the law while they failed to follow key aspects of the law.  On the question of hypocrisy, Jesus gives us the Parable of the Watchful Servants (Luke 12) which talks to those of us in positions of leadership and influence - and John Piper has a warning for us: "[t]he more knowledge you have of God’s will, the more you are accountable for doing it."

As someone in a position of influence - at least in my own household - I am driven into the arms of Jesus as God can only equip and assist me if I remain (abide) in Him.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples." John 15:1-8

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has helped me produce good fruit and I know it is only because of You - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You have helped me produce good fruit - nor am I deserving of any of the blessings You pour out on me.  My sin continues...worry, distracted by the world, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin 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.

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

2 Kings 17-18

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. 1 Corinthians 12:12-14

Day 188 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues as this morning we see Israel's (northern kingdom) fall. My commentary* describes "one of the darkest hours of God's chosen nation" and how "[d]espite prophetic warnings, Israel still rejects God, and the end is at hand for the northern tribes. Last-minute desperation will lead to an alliance with Egypt in an effort to stave off Assyria, but the cause is hopeless. After a three-year siege, Samaria will fall and many of the people of Israel will be led captive to Assyria. Their lands and homes will be occupied by settlers sent in from Babylonia and other Eastern countries. These new Samaritans will become a hybrid people and will develop an unusual mixed religion."

*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®). Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition.

Detailed thoroughly in today's reading, there are many factors leading to Israel's fall, but in my mind lack of gratitude and humility are key - we must be thankful for all that God has done and that all that we are and have are from Him alone and not of our own doing.  We express our gratitude through daily worship and time with God.

I am struck with how BOTH Judah and Israel were complicit in Israel's fall.  From my reading this morning God "removed them from [H]is presence" (2 Kings 17:18, 23). We should never want this to happen!  Unity, encouragement of one another, and accountability in our faith are also important. 

God desires to get the attention of both kingdoms and so instead of a single kingdom as we see under David and Solomon, we get the divided kingdoms as today's reading refers back to 1 Kings 11 where Israel is "tore away" from Judah:

When he tore Israel away from the house of David, they made Jeroboam son of Nebat their king. Jeroboam enticed Israel away from following the Lord and caused them to commit a great sin. 2 Kings 17:21

Today's reading is also a stark reminder how the church and believers must remain united in love of the Lord.  See also 1 Corinthians 12:12:26.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has done so much for me and who continues to be with me - always!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a God.  I continue to sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin 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.

Amaziah, however, would not listen, for God so worked that he might deliver them into the hands of Jehoash, because they sought the gods of Edom.

2 Chronicles 24-25 and 2 Kings 12-14 

Amaziah, however, would not listen, for God so worked that he might deliver them into the hands of Jehoash, because they sought the gods of Edom. 2 Chronicles 25:20, 2 Kings 14:11-13

  

Day 165 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues with my study of the divided kingdoms of Judah and Israel as we see both hasten their spiritual decline.  Amaziah succeeds Joash as King of Judah and although "[h]e did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, [he did] not as his father David had done. In everything he followed the example of his father Joash. The high places, however, were not removed; the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there" (2 Kings 14:3-4).  In Israel, Jeroboam II succeeds Jehoash and "[h]e did evil in the eyes of the Lord and did not turn away from any of the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit" (2 Kings 14:24).

What strikes me today is how Godly wisdom is ignored.  Although Amaziah initially listens to Godly wisdom regarding the required strength of forces to defeat Edom (2 Chronicles 25:6-10) and destroys Edom, he brought back foreign gods and God's anger burned.  The same unnamed prophet challenges Amaziah about such worship and the prophet responds indicating "I know that God has determined to destroy you, because you have done this and have not listened to my counsel" (2 Chronicles 25:14-16).  Of course, Amaziah seeks to go to battle against Israel but is defeated. 

We all need our brothers and sisters in Christ to challenge, encourage, and even confront us when we sin. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me, and who has placed many men and women of faith in my life who have challenged, encouraged and even confronted me in my sin.  I am grateful that You have done this.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not deserving of such love.  My sin continues - particularly worry and anxiety.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin 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. 

But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him and consulted the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him.

2 Chronicles 10-11 and 1 Kings 12-13

But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him and consulted the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him. 1 Kings 12:8

 
Day 151 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) moves from Solomon's reign to that of divided kingdoms of Judah (and Benjamin) under Solomon's son Rehoboam, and of the remaining tribes of northern Israel under Jeroboam, who returns after being forced to flee to Egypt following a conspiracy against Solomon.

I've previously posted on Rehoboam's rejection of advice from the elders that served his father and how it is important to remain humble and accept the wise counsel of others - in particular that of our brothers and sisters in Christ who exist to help encourage us and to help us hold each other to account.

Of particular note here as well is how quickly things can go off the rails once we turn from God - a cautionary tale indeed.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has placed men and women of God who have encouraged and helped me grow immensely in my journey with Christ.  Thank You Jesus for these blessings - yet I am undeserving.  I sin...I am easily distracted by the world.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin 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.

All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

1 Peter 5

All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” v5

Arrogance is dangerous because one begins to think how we are more important than God, that God does not matter as much as ourselves, that we don't need God, or that we can accomplish things without God - all of which is foolish! 

Just as Jesus humbled Himself on the cross we should remain humble and allow God to work IN and through us.

 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God,
    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;

 
rather, he made himself nothing
    by taking the very nature of a servant,
    being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death—
        even death on a cross! Philippians 2:5-8

When we allow God to work in and through us, we also allow others to hold us accountable for the slide towards sin we may experience.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who helps me with my battle over arrogance and sin - thank You Jesus for the work in and through me - I know You are at work and You are not done yet.  Thank You Jesus for the sustenance, encouragement, training, etc.  I love You.  I am not deserving of such love and blessings.  I continue to sin.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin 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 and 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.

No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions.

Matthew 22

No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions. v46

Jesus encourages us to have a dialog with Him...to learn from Him, and to question Him based on doubts we have - having confidence that God can resolve all our doubts and give us faith, because we know Jesus is the source of our faith (see Ephesians 2:8-9).

However, here in Matthew 22 - the Sadducees and Pharisees sought to trap Jesus. We as believers often feel tempted to "test" Jesus - albeit perhaps in not the same way as the Sadducees and Pharisees.  We feel tempted to ignore God's words and test the boundaries of His grace by willfully sinning - feeling as if "no one" is watching.

Willful sin is dangerous.

We are not to put the Lord our God to the test.

Nothing is hidden from God.

We are all held accountable for our lives. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an amazing God You are that You give me faith, and You are SO full of grace for me - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such a God.  I daily miss the mark.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin 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.

Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Matthew 20

Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. v26-28

Today's passage reinforces yesterday's post on serving Him and others vs serving our own interests and desires.

James and John with their mother came to Jesus and she sought favor for her two sons - favor above the other disciples.  Regardless of what we may have done or think we may have done - it is not for us to feel deserving of recognition of reward - this is only for God to do.  

We will all be accountable for the lives we lead and judged only by God.  As I posted yesterday, we must be humble - and we must also learn to live with the end in mind.

For us men, we must live as "authentic men".

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who came to serve, including serving me!  I am not worthy of such service and love...I know what You did and do for me (some of this as I can't wrap my head around everything you've done and do).  I am undeserving.  I daily miss the mark.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin 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.

If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?” says the Lord Almighty.

Malachi 1

If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?” says the Lord Almighty. v6

Malachi is the last of Minor Prophets and his message from God is a word of warning for those who have ambivalent towards God, unbelieving that God will be what He says He is and do what He says He will do.

God wants all of our heart and 100% of our lives and devotion - He does not want us to hold back.

In response to questioning from the Jewish leaders regarding what the most important commandment is, Jesus responds love God with all of your heart, soul, and mind.

There is danger to holding back - including being held accountable for our actions on Judgement Day.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who gave everything for me - that I could have life and have it with abundance - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I get angry too quickly.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin 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.  Please 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.  Please 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.

I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will put them on trial for what they did to my inheritance, my people Israel, because they scattered my people among the nations and divided up my land.

Joel 3

I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will put them on trial for what they did to my inheritance, my people Israel, because they scattered my people among the nations and divided up my land. v2

God punished Judah for turning away from Him (see chapter 1-2) as an example of how we all face consequences for our sin.  While we are held accountable for our actions, it is not our role to judge others in their own sin.  Judah's neighbors were certainly not innocent - see v2-3,5 - but it is God's role to judge others.

Do not judge.

Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Matthew 7:1-2

...

Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. Romans 14:13

...

Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. Matthew 7:3-5

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who punishes me out of love - thank You Jesus!  Yet I am not worthy of Your love because I judge others.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin 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.

For the Israelites will live many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred stones, without ephod or household gods. Afterward the Israelites will return and seek the Lord their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the Lord and to his blessings in the last days.

Hosea 3

For the Israelites will live many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred stones, without ephod or household gods. Afterward the Israelites will return and seek the Lord their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the Lord and to his blessings in the last days. v4-5

All of us sin (Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8) and turn to other Gods from time to time.  Yet we have a God who welcomes us back with open arms – we must first repent and ask for His forgiveness.  God is full of grace and mercy and He will forgive us.  However, even though God forgives us, we will all be held accountable for our actions – either in this life or on the Day of Judgement when we die or when Jesus returns. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace, mercy and second chances – You forgive even though I am undeserving.  Thank You Jesus!  Yet I am undeserving of such forgiveness.  I worry.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from such sin 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.  Please 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.

Since they heard the sound of the trumpet but did not heed the warning, their blood will be on their own head. If they had heeded the warning, they would have saved themselves. But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes someone’s life, that person’s life will be taken because of their sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood.

Ezekiel 33

Since they heard the sound of the trumpet but did not heed the warning, their blood will be on their own head. If they had heeded the warning, they would have saved themselves. But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes someone’s life, that person’s life will be taken because of their sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood. v5-6

About a week ago, I posted about how we will all bow to Jesus as Lord, whether or not we accept Him as Jesus.  Because of this we all ultimately are personally held accountable for our actions.  

Today, I am reminded that when God gives us an opportunity to accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior and we take it, God will save us from the sting of BOTH sin and death.  Ezekiel's role as watchman (see also v7-9) is to blow the trumpet warning for people to repent to bow to God as sovereign over all.  Just as we are all personally held responsible for our actions, Ezekiel is also held accountable for  his role as watchman.  This is also true for church leadership, parents, etc - all who have a God given role with the church or home.  As spiritual head of my household, I don't take this lightly.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has saved me from the sting of sin and death.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I worry and I am often too harsh with my words and actions.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome such 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 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.

You will suffer the penalty for your lewdness and bear the consequences of your sins of idolatry. Then you will know that I am the Sovereign Lord.

Ezekiel 23

You will suffer the penalty for your lewdness and bear the consequences of your sins of idolatry. Then you will know that I am the Sovereign Lord. v49

God uses a parable of two adulterous sisters who prostitute themselves to communicate the wickedness of Israel.  In this chapter, we see how God reinforces the primacy of His reign.  Verse 36 further demonstrates that one way or another ALL MUST and WILL know God reigns and that all are held accountable.  See also my post of a few days ago.

Since you have forgotten me and turned your back on me, you must bear the consequences of your lewdness and prostitution. v36

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God full of love and compassion for me.  Thank You Jesus. I am not worth such love.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin 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 for 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.

But I the Lord will speak what I will, and it shall be fulfilled without delay. For in your days, you rebellious people, I will fulfill whatever I say, declares the Sovereign Lord.

Ezekiel 12

But I the Lord will speak what I will, and it shall be fulfilled without delay. For in your days, you rebellious people, I will fulfill whatever I say, declares the Sovereign Lord. v25

As Ezekiel continues to prophecy regarding the exile of the Jewish people to Babylon, he delivers a message from God intended to put to rest those who doubt God is in control and nothing can stop His will from being fulfilled.

Unfortunately, just as those in Ezekiel's time, we often live as if God's stated plans will not come to pass.  Above all, we must understand that we will all face judgement either when we die or when Jesus returns.  If we ignore this, we do so at our own peril.  

We should live with the end in mind, knowing that God holds all of us accountable for what we have done.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has rescued me from the sting of sin and death - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I miss the mark.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin 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.

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.

This is what the Lord says: I will overthrow what I have built and uproot what I have planted, throughout the earth. Should you then seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them. For I will bring disaster on all people, declares the Lord, but wherever you go I will let you escape with your life.

Jeremiah 46

Do not be afraid, Jacob my servant; do not be dismayed, Israel. I will surely save you out of a distant place, your descendants from the land of their exile.  Jacob will again have peace and security,
    and no one will make him afraid. Do not be afraid, Jacob my servant, for I am with you, declares the Lord. Though I completely destroy all the nations among which I scatter you, I will not completely destroy you.  I will discipline you but only in due measure; I will not let you go entirely unpunished. v27-28

God had made a promise to David that someone from his lineage would rise to the throne and this kingdom would last forever.  Although God's anger had grown and He would punish Israel, He would not wipe out Israel - Israel would be punished, but enough of a remnant would survive to create the basis for Christ to rise from Judah.  

We must understand that God holds us accountable for our sin either in this life or at the time of our judgement when we face Him at our death. Also, today's scripture is another example of how God always keeps His promises.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and whose promises ALWAYS come true - I am grateful for the promises You make to me and for the fruit of these promises when I remain faithful to You.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love as I often lack trust in You and lose faith.  Please forgive me Jesus for my worry and lack of trust!  Help me turn from such sin towards You and love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  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.

But you, Lord Almighty, who judge righteously and test the heart and mind, let me see your vengeance on them, for to you I have committed my cause.

Jeremiah 11

But you, Lord Almighty, who judge righteously and test the heart and mind, let me see your vengeance on them, for to you I have committed my cause. v20

Jeremiah serves as God's messenger to the Israelites - warning them of coming punishment.  Yet the Israelites plot against Jeremiah.  This reminds me of the townspeople's reaction to Jesus driving demons from pigs (and restores two men) - see Matthew 8 - "they pleaded with Jesus to leave their region".  When confronted with truth, including truth about my own sin, do I repent or do I run?  Just like the townspeople and Jesus, the Israelites plot against Jeremiah.

We all need brothers and sisters in Christ to call out sin in our lives and to be with us to support and pray for us in our time of need. We need the Nathans, Jeremiahs, etc. in our lives.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who provides me with brothers and sisters in Christ who support and pray for me - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  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.  Please 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.

Although you wash yourself with soap and use an abundance of cleansing powder, the stain of your guilt is still before me, declares the Sovereign Lord.

Jeremiah 2

Although you wash yourself with soap and use an abundance of cleansing powder, the stain of your guilt is still before me, declares the Sovereign Lord. v22

The Lord is angry with Israel for turning its back on Him.  We may believe that our sins are forgiven but they are not forgotten, nor are they hidden.  We are held accountable, either in this life or at Judgement Day, as God knows everything we have done - good or bad.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God that knows everything about me - good and bad - yet You came to save me anyway.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love as I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  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.