Ez. 30, 31 [The Message]

God examines the conduct of leaders. The more people that are subject, the greater the consequences. Ezekiel had a stiff message for Pharaoh, king of Egypt.

Scripture warns against being the influence that causes people to break God’s commandments. [Matt. 5:19]

Ez. 29 [The Message]

God gave the Prophet Ezekiel messages to deliver to leaders of nations. Who’s to say that He doesn’t still do that?

As we pray for our leaders, imperfect though they are, we can trust that He is communicating with them. Billy Graham served as a spiritual consultant to many presidents during his lifetime. It’s quite possible that Franklin Graham, his son, could also be serving a similar role.

PRAYER; Lord, please forgive me for being critical of our nation’s leaders. Send your messengers to them to give any necessary adjustments to their thinking and decisions.In Jesus’ name for the sake of Your Kingdom.

Ez. 27, 28 [The Message]

Many people have sovereignly been given giftings and abilities that are exceptional. Lucifer was a prime example, but God said it went to his head. He became puffed up and tried to ascend upon God. MISTAKE!

When we us our gifts to serve the Lord and people, we are on point. When we try to draw attention to ourselves and consider ourselves better than others, we are moving towards expulsion. This is a lesson parents must teach children. Use your gift to serve others, not yourself.

Ez. 23-26 [The Message]

To this day, Ezekiel’s prophecies concerning cities are yet fulfilled. God knows the future and has the POWER to enact His decisions eternally.

There is a city, the NEW JERUSALEM, where His eternal kingdom will be set up. Whereas the old Jerusalem was such a disappointment, the new one will shine forever.

Ezekiel 19-22 [The Message]

As I listen to God’s indictment against Jerusalem, I can’t help but think of what He must think of our great city, New York. The Big Apple is guilty of gross sin and demonic influence to not only our nation but to the world. How long until it is judged?

No wonder God sent David Wilkerson and others such as Jim and Carol Cymbala to minister there. The Heavenly sound of the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir carries a mighty anointing through the voices of many who have no doubt been delivered and forgiven by the blood of Jesus.

Ezekiel 17, 18 [The Message]

The covenant was the Old Testament agreement between two parties whereby God is invoked as a witness. Christian marriage is a contemporary example of a covenant when two individuals call upon God as the witness to their vows. When the covenant is broken, not only does the offending party transgress upon their mate, they can incur a penalty from the witness.

Christ brought a new dynamic to the covenant relationship … forgiveness. He taught that we are to forgive those who transgress or trespass against us. in doing so, we fully qualify for Him to forgive us our trespasses if we confess them to him.

 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. [1 Jn. 1:9]

Ezekiel 14-16 [The Message]

As I listened to God’s indictment against Jerusalem for her idolatrous behavior, I kept thinking of how the U.S. has gone back on many of her ideals and become similarly idolatrous. Unless there is a wholesale repentance and turning, our nation is headed in a dangerous direction.

Our only solution is the advice God gave in 2 Chron. 7:14;

 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Ezekiel 12, 13 [The Message]

There were no doubt false prophets in Ezekiel’s day who garnered a following by telling the people what they wanted to hear. They tickled the ears of their audience … similar to many preachers and politicians of our day. Ezekiel’s messages were hard to receive because they contained judgement and hardship.

Football coaches who soft-pedal their message and promise victorious results with no hardship or pain are lying and dreaming. They are not preparing their players for a difficult battle ahead. The result … when hardship shows up, the players wilt.

This is no enlightened prediction of our future … but let’s face it, we’ve had it too good for too long. We may be wise to hunker down and prayerfully anticipate some hardship in our nation. The best preparation we can make is to strengthen our prayer and Bible-study habits. God is looking for men and women who listen to His every command and take seriously his warnings.

Christ said, “In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” [Jn. 16:33]

Ezek. 11, 12 [The Message]

As I listen to Ezekiel’s prophecy, I am impressed by his availability to hear God’s Voice and relate it to his audience. No doubt, God had selected him to be the blessed recipient of such impactful revelations. What about you and me? Are we also available to hear God and share His Word with those around us? I THINK SO!

Here’s a verse that changed my life: 

Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. [Pr. 8:34]

Watching daily: When we have a daily routine of seeking the Lord through prayer and study of His Word, we are ripe candidates to hear His Voice.

Waiting at the posts of (His) doors: My brother Gary had a Golden Retriever named “Josh.” After Josh had done his business in the back yard, he would lay on the ground with his head resting on his paws, looking intently at the back door of the house. He was “watching and waiting” for Gary. This needs to be US watching and waiting to hear God’s Voice.

Ez. 6-10 [The Message]

Ezekiel had several visions of God’s presence filling the Temple. God had dealt with the sin in Israel and had removed the offenders.

Let each of us examine ourselves and confess our sin. Then, let’s prayerfully ask God to reveal His Holy Presence in our gatherings. Let’s hunger and thirst for righteousness. Jesus promised we would be blessed and filled.  [Matt.5:6]