Ezekiel 18-19; Psalm 106:32-48; Proverbs 27:10-14
…even though we still want to see them punished for the things they repented of (Ezekiel 18). God is more righteous than we are. Of course, God can see people’s hearts and know how sincerely they’ve repented, too—a distinct advantage in making the right decision on these things. But for those of us who trust God, we can go through life forgiving people (even if we suspect insincerity) because we have a God who knows their hearts and will not let the guilty go unpunished.
Lord God, thank You for being good to me in my repentance, rather than repaying me for the trouble I’ve caused and the sins I’ve committed. Thank You for sending Jesus to take my punishment, instead. Help me to rejoice when other people find that same grace—even if their sins hurt me personally. You are good, and You are trustworthy. We praise Your name.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Just Enough Time.
Ezekiel 16:42-17:24; Psalm 106:13-31; Proverbs 27:7-9
Just enough time to post the Scripture for the day. Today is a non-devotional-thoughts day. But I hope as always that, if you’re not reading God’s Word at any other time, that you join me in the reading I’ve been doing.
Grace and peace –
Matt
Just enough time to post the Scripture for the day. Today is a non-devotional-thoughts day. But I hope as always that, if you’re not reading God’s Word at any other time, that you join me in the reading I’ve been doing.
Grace and peace –
Matt
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
No One Can Save Us!
Ezekiel 14:12-16:41; Psalm 106:1-12; Proverbs 27:4-6
Noah was the man through whom God saved enough humans and animals to repopulate the earth after the world-wide flood of judgment. Daniel was the man through whom God saved all the Babylonian magicians when the king was ready to kill them all. Job was the man who endured Satan’s attacks and through whom God saved the friends who had come to comfort him, but who had instead attacked Job and spoken falsely about God. Now hear what God led Ezekiel to write:
The word of the LORD came to me: "Son of man, if a country sins against me by being unfaithful and I stretch out my hand against it to cut off its food supply and send famine upon it and kill its men and their animals, even if these three men--Noah, Daniel and Job--were in it, they could save only themselves by their righteousness, declares the Sovereign LORD.
"Or if I send wild beasts through that country and they leave it childless and it becomes desolate so that no one can pass through it because of the beasts, as surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, even if these three men were in it, they could not save their own sons or daughters. They alone would be saved, but the land would be desolate.
"Or if I bring a sword against that country and say, `Let the sword pass throughout the land,' and I kill its men and their animals, as surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, even if these three men were in it, they could not save their own sons or daughters. They alone would be saved.
"Or if I send a plague into that land and pour out my wrath upon it through bloodshed, killing its men and their animals, as surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, even if Noah, Daniel and Job were in it, they could save neither son nor daughter. They would save only themselves by their righteousness. – Ezekiel 14:12-20
The most righteous of men cannot save us from God’s wrath.
But God Himself wants to save sinners. And so He sent His divine Son, Jesus Christ—fully God—to earth. Jesus Christ came and lived among us—fully human—living a sinless life that far surpassed the righteousness of Noah, Daniel and Job. And Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. Then Jesus rose from the dead, proving that He is the Lord God, the only sinless man, the perfect one that death can’t keep hold of. And He lives to make peace between God the Father and us. What Noah, Daniel and Job could not do by their righteousness, Jesus did by His righteousness: He saved not just a few others, but all who will come to Him and confess that He is the Lord God Almighty and confess their sins and seek His merciful forgiveness. There is no way to the Father except through Jesus.
Father, may many put their faith in Jesus Christ today. And may those who already hope in Him find their faith renewed, their peace assured, and their service empowered.
Noah was the man through whom God saved enough humans and animals to repopulate the earth after the world-wide flood of judgment. Daniel was the man through whom God saved all the Babylonian magicians when the king was ready to kill them all. Job was the man who endured Satan’s attacks and through whom God saved the friends who had come to comfort him, but who had instead attacked Job and spoken falsely about God. Now hear what God led Ezekiel to write:
The word of the LORD came to me: "Son of man, if a country sins against me by being unfaithful and I stretch out my hand against it to cut off its food supply and send famine upon it and kill its men and their animals, even if these three men--Noah, Daniel and Job--were in it, they could save only themselves by their righteousness, declares the Sovereign LORD.
"Or if I send wild beasts through that country and they leave it childless and it becomes desolate so that no one can pass through it because of the beasts, as surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, even if these three men were in it, they could not save their own sons or daughters. They alone would be saved, but the land would be desolate.
"Or if I bring a sword against that country and say, `Let the sword pass throughout the land,' and I kill its men and their animals, as surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, even if these three men were in it, they could not save their own sons or daughters. They alone would be saved.
"Or if I send a plague into that land and pour out my wrath upon it through bloodshed, killing its men and their animals, as surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, even if Noah, Daniel and Job were in it, they could save neither son nor daughter. They would save only themselves by their righteousness. – Ezekiel 14:12-20
The most righteous of men cannot save us from God’s wrath.
But God Himself wants to save sinners. And so He sent His divine Son, Jesus Christ—fully God—to earth. Jesus Christ came and lived among us—fully human—living a sinless life that far surpassed the righteousness of Noah, Daniel and Job. And Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. Then Jesus rose from the dead, proving that He is the Lord God, the only sinless man, the perfect one that death can’t keep hold of. And He lives to make peace between God the Father and us. What Noah, Daniel and Job could not do by their righteousness, Jesus did by His righteousness: He saved not just a few others, but all who will come to Him and confess that He is the Lord God Almighty and confess their sins and seek His merciful forgiveness. There is no way to the Father except through Jesus.
Father, may many put their faith in Jesus Christ today. And may those who already hope in Him find their faith renewed, their peace assured, and their service empowered.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Weekly Sermons in Swanton: Find Peace in Christ
The message covered Philippians 4:2-9, and it can be heard via streaming audio at http://www.swantonalliance.org. We all ache for peace. We want peace with our families, friends, neighbors and co-workers; peace in our hearts when troubles come; peace with God Himself. Christ is our Peace—all the Peace worth having. Note: Past sermons can be accessed through the resources page.
Imaginative Faith
Ezekiel 12:1-14:11; Psalm 105:37-45; Proverbs 27:3
Over the last couple of days, I’ve been involved in a forum online, debating the question of whether homosexuality, let alone homosexual marriage, ought to be permissible in the United States of America. One of the most frustrating and uninformed arguments that some of my opponents have made is this: “God made us gay, so He must want us to be gay. So homosexual behavior and homosexual marriages are right.”
Now before you get too upset with them, let me explain a bit more about why this argument is frustrating to me. I get frustrated by this argument because I see the kind of faith it is based on being the kind of faith a lot of Christians use to make their daily decisions. It’s an imaginative faith rather than a faith that listens to God.
What do I mean? Well, many people have something that they call faith. And these people believe many different things, some of them better things than others. True faith says, “I’m going to listen to what God has to say by listening to people who are repeating God’s words found in the Scriptures, or by reading through the pages of Scripture for myself. Since God spoke, I’m going to let Him tell me what He thinks is good and what He thinks is bad.” Imaginative faith says, “I believe there’s a God. I’ve heard that He wrote the Bible through His servants, the apostles and prophets. But I don’t think I’m going to read it much, or let people who have read it tell me what He says. I have a pretty good idea about what God is like without putting that much work into listening to Him and His servants.” And those with imaginative faith then go and live their lives however they want to, justifying their behaviors by whatever character traits they imagine God to have.
The word of the LORD came to me: "Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who are now prophesying. Say to those who prophesy out of their own imagination: `Hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing! Your prophets, O Israel, are like jackals among ruins. You have not gone up to the breaks in the wall to repair it for the house of Israel so that it will stand firm in the battle on the day of the LORD. Their visions are false and their divinations a lie. They say, "The LORD declares," when the LORD has not sent them; yet they expect their words to be fulfilled. Have you not seen false visions and uttered lying divinations when you say, "The LORD declares," though I have not spoken? – Ezekiel 13:1-7
God has spoken. If we believe in God but refuse to listen to Him and trust in what He says, then we are fools on the path to destruction. A relationship with Him is just like any other relationship—it requires spending time listening to His words and His heart. If we refuse to listen to God, it doesn’t matter how well we pretend to know Him. We’ll end up just as disappointed as a man who pretends to have a relationship with one of Hollywood’s most famous celebrities—rejected and humiliated, our relationships shown to be nothing but a childish, imaginative fantasy.
Get a real relationship with God rather than living in fantasy. Listen to Him.
Over the last couple of days, I’ve been involved in a forum online, debating the question of whether homosexuality, let alone homosexual marriage, ought to be permissible in the United States of America. One of the most frustrating and uninformed arguments that some of my opponents have made is this: “God made us gay, so He must want us to be gay. So homosexual behavior and homosexual marriages are right.”
Now before you get too upset with them, let me explain a bit more about why this argument is frustrating to me. I get frustrated by this argument because I see the kind of faith it is based on being the kind of faith a lot of Christians use to make their daily decisions. It’s an imaginative faith rather than a faith that listens to God.
What do I mean? Well, many people have something that they call faith. And these people believe many different things, some of them better things than others. True faith says, “I’m going to listen to what God has to say by listening to people who are repeating God’s words found in the Scriptures, or by reading through the pages of Scripture for myself. Since God spoke, I’m going to let Him tell me what He thinks is good and what He thinks is bad.” Imaginative faith says, “I believe there’s a God. I’ve heard that He wrote the Bible through His servants, the apostles and prophets. But I don’t think I’m going to read it much, or let people who have read it tell me what He says. I have a pretty good idea about what God is like without putting that much work into listening to Him and His servants.” And those with imaginative faith then go and live their lives however they want to, justifying their behaviors by whatever character traits they imagine God to have.
The word of the LORD came to me: "Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who are now prophesying. Say to those who prophesy out of their own imagination: `Hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing! Your prophets, O Israel, are like jackals among ruins. You have not gone up to the breaks in the wall to repair it for the house of Israel so that it will stand firm in the battle on the day of the LORD. Their visions are false and their divinations a lie. They say, "The LORD declares," when the LORD has not sent them; yet they expect their words to be fulfilled. Have you not seen false visions and uttered lying divinations when you say, "The LORD declares," though I have not spoken? – Ezekiel 13:1-7
God has spoken. If we believe in God but refuse to listen to Him and trust in what He says, then we are fools on the path to destruction. A relationship with Him is just like any other relationship—it requires spending time listening to His words and His heart. If we refuse to listen to God, it doesn’t matter how well we pretend to know Him. We’ll end up just as disappointed as a man who pretends to have a relationship with one of Hollywood’s most famous celebrities—rejected and humiliated, our relationships shown to be nothing but a childish, imaginative fantasy.
Get a real relationship with God rather than living in fantasy. Listen to Him.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Accurate Reporting
Ezekiel 10-11; Psalm 105:16-36; Proverbs 27:1-2
… and I told the exiles everything the LORD had shown me. – Ezekiel 11:25
Just one thought—God’s people are called to tell God’s truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Good news and bad news. If the LORD has revealed it, we must faithfully proclaim it.
Grace and peace, everyone!
… and I told the exiles everything the LORD had shown me. – Ezekiel 11:25
Just one thought—God’s people are called to tell God’s truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Good news and bad news. If the LORD has revealed it, we must faithfully proclaim it.
Grace and peace, everyone!
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Survivor
Ezekiel 7-9; Psalm 105:1-15; Proverbs 26:28
Survivor’s always been an exciting and entertaining reality show. But really, the contestants are pretty well protected. You know? Sure, they face some challenges from one another and from the hard work it takes to stay somewhat comfortable in the wilderness. But they know their time on the “island” or wherever is limited, and they’ll be back home in their comfy (if not cushy) homes soon enough.
What if they took the show to a whole new level? What if it was a matter of life and death—a real survivor show? What would be the most dangerous possible location?
How about this? “Survivor: The Wrath of God”
Who would survive?
Now the glory of the God of Israel went up from above the cherubim, where it had been, and moved to the threshold of the temple. Then the LORD called to the man clothed in linen who had the writing kit at his side and said to him, "Go throughout the city of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament over all the detestable things that are done in it."
As I listened, he said to the others, "Follow him through the city and kill, without showing pity or compassion. Slaughter old men, young men and maidens, women and children, but do not touch anyone who has the mark. Begin at my sanctuary." So they began with the elders who were in front of the temple. – Ezekiel 9:3-6
In some situations, those who want to honor God are powerless to act. Powerless to persuade others to obey the King. Powerless to do anything more than maintain their own righteous lifestyles and mourn the sin they see around them.
In Survivor: The Wrath of God, believe it or not, that ability and willingness to mourn over sin counts for something. Those who refuse to fall into sinful patterns, those who turn away from sinning even if it means missing out on time with friends or family members, those who mourn for the friends and family members (and the rest of the community) that they see dishonoring the Lord Jesus Christ will survive. Everyone else will die.
Father, keep my heart soft. Help me to love You enough to listen and obey. Help me to love others enough to weep when I see them disobeying You, knowing that they are preparing to get themselves killed. And may I be able to endure the tension until Jesus Christ comes again.
Survivor’s always been an exciting and entertaining reality show. But really, the contestants are pretty well protected. You know? Sure, they face some challenges from one another and from the hard work it takes to stay somewhat comfortable in the wilderness. But they know their time on the “island” or wherever is limited, and they’ll be back home in their comfy (if not cushy) homes soon enough.
What if they took the show to a whole new level? What if it was a matter of life and death—a real survivor show? What would be the most dangerous possible location?
How about this? “Survivor: The Wrath of God”
Who would survive?
Now the glory of the God of Israel went up from above the cherubim, where it had been, and moved to the threshold of the temple. Then the LORD called to the man clothed in linen who had the writing kit at his side and said to him, "Go throughout the city of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament over all the detestable things that are done in it."
As I listened, he said to the others, "Follow him through the city and kill, without showing pity or compassion. Slaughter old men, young men and maidens, women and children, but do not touch anyone who has the mark. Begin at my sanctuary." So they began with the elders who were in front of the temple. – Ezekiel 9:3-6
In some situations, those who want to honor God are powerless to act. Powerless to persuade others to obey the King. Powerless to do anything more than maintain their own righteous lifestyles and mourn the sin they see around them.
In Survivor: The Wrath of God, believe it or not, that ability and willingness to mourn over sin counts for something. Those who refuse to fall into sinful patterns, those who turn away from sinning even if it means missing out on time with friends or family members, those who mourn for the friends and family members (and the rest of the community) that they see dishonoring the Lord Jesus Christ will survive. Everyone else will die.
Father, keep my heart soft. Help me to love You enough to listen and obey. Help me to love others enough to weep when I see them disobeying You, knowing that they are preparing to get themselves killed. And may I be able to endure the tension until Jesus Christ comes again.
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