Reading: Daniel 5, 6, 7
My Verse: 5:27 "TEKEL. You are weighed in the balances and are found wanting."
I find it interesting here that Daniel made it a point to remind King Belshazzar of what happened to his father King Nebuchanezzar when, he, Nebuchanezzar's "heart was lifted up and spirit hardened" (5:20) And because of this he became like a wild animal "until he learned and knew that the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men and that He appoints and sets over it whomever He will."(5:21)
Daniel recalled this because "you, his son, O Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart and mind, though you knew all this." (5:22) Lord, this tells me that we need reminding so often even when we "know" something - we live as though we don't "know". We are so quick to forget or live as though we forget You. It is so easy to become so immersed in our own earthly pursuits that we live blindly.
Then the story of Kind Darius, who was so easily persuaded to exalt himself. Oh, Lord, pride ever crouches at the door and how we do fall! "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." (Proverbs 16:18) Belshazzar died the very night Daniel interpreted the writing on the wall. King Darius was given the opportunity to repent as God spared Daniel from the lion's den.
It is such a wonderful story - a story of God's mercy, righteousness and awesome power, of prideful living, of anguish (King Darius when he realized his foolishness), and finally of salvation!
Lord, I pray that I am not "wanting" when You take me home to be with You.
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
Friday, May 27, 2011
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Light Dwells With Him
Reading: Daniel 1-4
My Verse: 2:22 "He reveals the deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with Him!"
Thank You for this, Lord. It is a comfort to know that all is open to You. Thank You also for this book. It is so good to read of such men as Daniel, Meshach, Shadrach, and Abednego.
Those famous words, "If our God Whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning, fiery furnace, He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up!" (3:17,18) What wonderful resolve and steadfastness in the face of death. They knew You so well that they had no fear. What wonderful faith. I so need these kind of examples to look up to. They encourage me.
Then the example of Nebuchadnezzar's stubborn heart. You even provided him a warning dream. Daniel plead with him to repent. "Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you; break off your sins and show the reality of your repentance by righteousness and liberate yourself from iniquities. . . " (4:27) What a punishment the king received! But it worked and he did repent! "Now I, Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, Whose works are all faithful and right and Whose ways are just. And those who walk in pride He is able to abase and humble." (4:37) What a wonderful testimony.
It all points back to You, to Your love for us. You punish that we might "turn (be converted) and live!"
Thank You for not giving up on us. Thank You for Your omniscience.
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
My Verse: 2:22 "He reveals the deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with Him!"
Thank You for this, Lord. It is a comfort to know that all is open to You. Thank You also for this book. It is so good to read of such men as Daniel, Meshach, Shadrach, and Abednego.
Those famous words, "If our God Whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning, fiery furnace, He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up!" (3:17,18) What wonderful resolve and steadfastness in the face of death. They knew You so well that they had no fear. What wonderful faith. I so need these kind of examples to look up to. They encourage me.
Then the example of Nebuchadnezzar's stubborn heart. You even provided him a warning dream. Daniel plead with him to repent. "Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you; break off your sins and show the reality of your repentance by righteousness and liberate yourself from iniquities. . . " (4:27) What a punishment the king received! But it worked and he did repent! "Now I, Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, Whose works are all faithful and right and Whose ways are just. And those who walk in pride He is able to abase and humble." (4:37) What a wonderful testimony.
It all points back to You, to Your love for us. You punish that we might "turn (be converted) and live!"
Thank You for not giving up on us. Thank You for Your omniscience.
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Restoration
Reading: Ezekiel 40-48
My Verse: Revelation 21:1 "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more."
Ezekiel's final vision is of restoration - the restoration of Israel. This is so key. It is key to the culmination of all things here on earth.
Yes, the earth as we know it will come to an end, BUT - "Watch, therefore for you know neither the day nor the hour when the Son of Man will come." (Matthew 25:13)
I am so thankful we needn't be worrying about modern day false prophets. You tell us to always be ready for Your return. "You also must be ready, therefore for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not expect Him." (Matthew 24:44)
Jesus, You warned us, "Be careful that no one misleads you." (Matt. 24:4)
The great prophets - Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel - warned often of false prophets, spiritual shepherds that lead astray their flocks. Oh, Lord, that we would stay in Your Word where You lead us into truth!
It is all right there in Your Word. No One Knows when You are coming! You are pretty clear about that! "But of that [exact] day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." (Matt. 24:36)
So, thank you, Lord for the restoration of Israel. Thank you, that we can look up and forward to Your coming.
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
My Verse: Revelation 21:1 "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more."
Ezekiel's final vision is of restoration - the restoration of Israel. This is so key. It is key to the culmination of all things here on earth.
Yes, the earth as we know it will come to an end, BUT - "Watch, therefore for you know neither the day nor the hour when the Son of Man will come." (Matthew 25:13)
I am so thankful we needn't be worrying about modern day false prophets. You tell us to always be ready for Your return. "You also must be ready, therefore for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not expect Him." (Matthew 24:44)
Jesus, You warned us, "Be careful that no one misleads you." (Matt. 24:4)
The great prophets - Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel - warned often of false prophets, spiritual shepherds that lead astray their flocks. Oh, Lord, that we would stay in Your Word where You lead us into truth!
It is all right there in Your Word. No One Knows when You are coming! You are pretty clear about that! "But of that [exact] day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." (Matt. 24:36)
So, thank you, Lord for the restoration of Israel. Thank you, that we can look up and forward to Your coming.
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
Monday, May 23, 2011
Israel - Central to History
Reading: Ezekiel 37 - 39
My Verse: 37:28 "Then the nations shall know, understand and realize that I the Lord do set apart and consecrate Israel for holy use, when My sanctuary shall be in their midst forevermore."
God, You are the Master of object lessons. Phew! I was trying to visualize the bones taking on life as described! Kind of scarey to say the least.
But, the main idea I get from these chapters is the importance of the nation of Israel in the whole scheme of things. All of history revolves around the Israelites - Your chosen people. It is pretty hard to miss this fact as I read through the Bible. I realize how important it is for us as, Christians to keep this fact uppermost in our minds as we view world politics.
People, nations may deny this fact but in the end, "For it is written, As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God [acknowledge Him to His honor and to His praise]." Romans 14:12
You have exerted great punishment on them (Israel) for all their transgressions but in the end Your love for them breaks through, "Neither will I hide My face anymore from them, when I have poured out My Spirit upon the house of Israel, says the Lord God." (39:29) Such wonderful hope!
These chapters - most of Ezekiel are alarming and frightening - but I find a strange comfort in it all. Lord, I see Your consistent righteousness and love for us coming through it all. You do all this that we might know You!
"Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive the glory and the honor and dominion, for You created all things; by Your will they were [brought into being] and were created." (Revelation 4:11)
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
My Verse: 37:28 "Then the nations shall know, understand and realize that I the Lord do set apart and consecrate Israel for holy use, when My sanctuary shall be in their midst forevermore."
God, You are the Master of object lessons. Phew! I was trying to visualize the bones taking on life as described! Kind of scarey to say the least.
But, the main idea I get from these chapters is the importance of the nation of Israel in the whole scheme of things. All of history revolves around the Israelites - Your chosen people. It is pretty hard to miss this fact as I read through the Bible. I realize how important it is for us as, Christians to keep this fact uppermost in our minds as we view world politics.
People, nations may deny this fact but in the end, "For it is written, As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God [acknowledge Him to His honor and to His praise]." Romans 14:12
You have exerted great punishment on them (Israel) for all their transgressions but in the end Your love for them breaks through, "Neither will I hide My face anymore from them, when I have poured out My Spirit upon the house of Israel, says the Lord God." (39:29) Such wonderful hope!
These chapters - most of Ezekiel are alarming and frightening - but I find a strange comfort in it all. Lord, I see Your consistent righteousness and love for us coming through it all. You do all this that we might know You!
"Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive the glory and the honor and dominion, for You created all things; by Your will they were [brought into being] and were created." (Revelation 4:11)
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
Friday, May 20, 2011
Spiritual Shepherds Beware!
Reading: Ezekiel 34 - 36
My Verse: 34:2 "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them, even to the [spiritual] shepherds. Thus says the Lord God; Woe to the [spiritual] shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the sheep?"
It is interesting that as often as we are reminded that we each are responsible of our own response to You, Lord, You also warn spiritual leaders that "do not feed the sheep", "neither did My shepherds search for My sheep, but the shepherds fed themselves and fed not My sheep." (34:3,8)
Verses 3 and 4 of 34 are simply condemning: "You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you kill the fatlings, but you do not feed the sheep. The diseased and weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the hurt and crippled you have not bandaged, those gone astray you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought to find, but with force and hardhearted harshness you have ruled them."
The role of a spiritual leader is a huge responsibility. And these leaders can fall as we all can when we take our eyes off You. Your Word is replete with examples of very great leaders erring. The key is repentance and prayer! Paul pled with his followers to pray for him. "I appeal to you brethren, for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love [given by] the Spirit, to unite with me in earnest wrestling in prayer to God in my behalf." (Romans 15:30)
So, I must be faithful in prayer for my pastor, and for others that are in spiritual leadership roles. Afterall they are on the frontline of the battle!
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
My Verse: 34:2 "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them, even to the [spiritual] shepherds. Thus says the Lord God; Woe to the [spiritual] shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the sheep?"
It is interesting that as often as we are reminded that we each are responsible of our own response to You, Lord, You also warn spiritual leaders that "do not feed the sheep", "neither did My shepherds search for My sheep, but the shepherds fed themselves and fed not My sheep." (34:3,8)
Verses 3 and 4 of 34 are simply condemning: "You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you kill the fatlings, but you do not feed the sheep. The diseased and weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the hurt and crippled you have not bandaged, those gone astray you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought to find, but with force and hardhearted harshness you have ruled them."
The role of a spiritual leader is a huge responsibility. And these leaders can fall as we all can when we take our eyes off You. Your Word is replete with examples of very great leaders erring. The key is repentance and prayer! Paul pled with his followers to pray for him. "I appeal to you brethren, for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love [given by] the Spirit, to unite with me in earnest wrestling in prayer to God in my behalf." (Romans 15:30)
So, I must be faithful in prayer for my pastor, and for others that are in spiritual leadership roles. Afterall they are on the frontline of the battle!
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
Thursday, May 19, 2011
God's Word Cuts Deeply
Reading: Ezekiel 29 - 33
My verse: 33:31,32 "And they come to you as people come, and they sit before you as My people, and they hear the words you say, but they will not do them, for with their mouths they show much love, but their hearts go after and are set on their [idolatrous greed for] gain. Behold, you are to them as a very lovely song of one who has a pleasant voice and can play well on an instrument, for they hear your words but do not do them."
Wow! Your Word, Oh God, cuts deeply. "For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and the spirit, and of joints and marrow (of the deepest parts of our nature) exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart." (Hebrew 4:12)
This is a great truth but it is hard. I know, Lord, that You do know the heart of man. I do know there are many who claim to be Yours - but are not. They have allowed themselves to be deceived either by themselves or by others. "Your rowers have brought you out into great and deep waters; the east wind has broken and wreaked you in the heart of the seas." (27:26)
I am a bit overwhelmed here. Oh, Lord, too many live in a state of ignorance - blindly following the passions of their heart - keeping their souls locked up so that it withers away and becomes less and less responsive to You. Thank You, Lord, that this doesn't have to be! ""Blessed are they who keep His testimonies, and who seek, inquire for and of Him and crave Him with the whole heart." (Psalm 119:2)
"Oh God, You are my God, earnestly will I seek You; my inner self thirsts for You, my flesh longs and is faint for You, in a dry and weary land where no water is." (Psalm 63:1)
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
My verse: 33:31,32 "And they come to you as people come, and they sit before you as My people, and they hear the words you say, but they will not do them, for with their mouths they show much love, but their hearts go after and are set on their [idolatrous greed for] gain. Behold, you are to them as a very lovely song of one who has a pleasant voice and can play well on an instrument, for they hear your words but do not do them."
Wow! Your Word, Oh God, cuts deeply. "For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and the spirit, and of joints and marrow (of the deepest parts of our nature) exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart." (Hebrew 4:12)
This is a great truth but it is hard. I know, Lord, that You do know the heart of man. I do know there are many who claim to be Yours - but are not. They have allowed themselves to be deceived either by themselves or by others. "Your rowers have brought you out into great and deep waters; the east wind has broken and wreaked you in the heart of the seas." (27:26)
I am a bit overwhelmed here. Oh, Lord, too many live in a state of ignorance - blindly following the passions of their heart - keeping their souls locked up so that it withers away and becomes less and less responsive to You. Thank You, Lord, that this doesn't have to be! ""Blessed are they who keep His testimonies, and who seek, inquire for and of Him and crave Him with the whole heart." (Psalm 119:2)
"Oh God, You are my God, earnestly will I seek You; my inner self thirsts for You, my flesh longs and is faint for You, in a dry and weary land where no water is." (Psalm 63:1)
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Pride & A Haughty Spirit
Reading: Ezekiel 27, 28
My Verse: 28:17 "Your heart was proud and lifted up because of your beauty, you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor. I cast you to the ground; I lay you before kings, that they may gaze at you."
This is an amazing account of Tyre - that most beautiful city on the sea. That city that thought, "I am perfect in beauty." (27:3) Lord, thoughout history You record in Your word what happens to those that worship themselves instead of You . Pride is so dangerous. It creeps in and takes such a strong hold. Pride leads to destruction. "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." (Proverbs 16:18)
Such pride Tyre had in themselves, pride that lead to their ultimate downfall. "Therefore thus says the Lord God; Because you have imagined your mind as the mind of God, Behold, therefore, I am bringing strangers upon you . . . "(28:6, 7)
Then You include such incredible detail in this account of Tyre's downfall - detail that was fulfilled to the letter!
Oh, Lord, thank you for history such as this! We do not believe in an empty faith. You have provided so much evidence of Your Soveriegn Omnipotence! You, indeed, are God Almighty! You are Truth! "I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; on one comes to the Father except by Me." (John 14:6)
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
My Verse: 28:17 "Your heart was proud and lifted up because of your beauty, you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor. I cast you to the ground; I lay you before kings, that they may gaze at you."
This is an amazing account of Tyre - that most beautiful city on the sea. That city that thought, "I am perfect in beauty." (27:3) Lord, thoughout history You record in Your word what happens to those that worship themselves instead of You . Pride is so dangerous. It creeps in and takes such a strong hold. Pride leads to destruction. "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." (Proverbs 16:18)
Such pride Tyre had in themselves, pride that lead to their ultimate downfall. "Therefore thus says the Lord God; Because you have imagined your mind as the mind of God, Behold, therefore, I am bringing strangers upon you . . . "(28:6, 7)
Then You include such incredible detail in this account of Tyre's downfall - detail that was fulfilled to the letter!
Oh, Lord, thank you for history such as this! We do not believe in an empty faith. You have provided so much evidence of Your Soveriegn Omnipotence! You, indeed, are God Almighty! You are Truth! "I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; on one comes to the Father except by Me." (John 14:6)
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Stand In the Gap!
Reading Ezekiel 22 - 26
My Verse: 22:16 ". . . and you shall know (understand and realize) that I am the Lord."
Throughout this book that speaks of the dreadful consequences of sin - Lord, You constantly remind us that this is all done that we might know who You are! The 'consequences' or punishments are that we would turn back to You! Just like a parent punishing their child so that the child does not hurt themselves by doing wrong and dangerous things.
Another fascinating concept here is that You kept looking for someone to "stand in the gap before Me" (22:30) Sadly in that day You found no one. How I pray that we will be stong, bold, steadfast Christians to "stand in the Gap before You" - interceding for others.
Ephesians 6:18 tells us that we are to; "Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perservance, interceding in behalf of all the saints."
Oh, Lord, to be such a Christian - standing in the Gap before You on behalf of my fellow believers!
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
My Verse: 22:16 ". . . and you shall know (understand and realize) that I am the Lord."
Throughout this book that speaks of the dreadful consequences of sin - Lord, You constantly remind us that this is all done that we might know who You are! The 'consequences' or punishments are that we would turn back to You! Just like a parent punishing their child so that the child does not hurt themselves by doing wrong and dangerous things.
Another fascinating concept here is that You kept looking for someone to "stand in the gap before Me" (22:30) Sadly in that day You found no one. How I pray that we will be stong, bold, steadfast Christians to "stand in the Gap before You" - interceding for others.
Ephesians 6:18 tells us that we are to; "Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perservance, interceding in behalf of all the saints."
Oh, Lord, to be such a Christian - standing in the Gap before You on behalf of my fellow believers!
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
Monday, May 16, 2011
God's Plea
Reading Ezekiel 19, 20, 21
My Verse: 20:7 "Then said I to them, Let everyman cast away the abominable things on which he feasts his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am the Lord your God."
Oh, Lord, You continue to cry out this very same cry to us today. "I the Lord am you God; walk in My statues and keep My ordinances." (20:19) Help us to keep our eyes turned onYou. It is so easy to let the things of this world draw us away. How it must pain you. This chapter goes on to describe how You keep giving Israel a way out of their wickedness. Yet they kept rejecting You. "But they rebelled against me and would not listen to me; . . ." (v. 20:8)
Because they would not give up their sinful ways,You let them become even more sinful. "Wherefore also I gave them [over to] statutes that were not good and ordinances whereby they should not live and could not have life." (20:25) I think of all the dreadful laws that keep being passed here in our own country today. Legal abortion - allowing the killing of babies. Gay marriage - legalizing this sin. I just heard on the radio that they are trying to pass a law in Australia that would recognize all kinds of 'genders' - transvestities, gays, transexuals, etc., so they would not be discriminated against. Abominable things!
Romans 1:24-25 echoes this: "Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their [own] hearts to sexual impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves [abandoning them to the degrading power of sin]. Because they exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, Who is blessed forever!"
Oh, Lord, thank you that this doesn't have to be! Always You will forgive. Always Your arms are open to those who respond to Your Love. "If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins. He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (I John 1:9)
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
My Verse: 20:7 "Then said I to them, Let everyman cast away the abominable things on which he feasts his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am the Lord your God."
Oh, Lord, You continue to cry out this very same cry to us today. "I the Lord am you God; walk in My statues and keep My ordinances." (20:19) Help us to keep our eyes turned onYou. It is so easy to let the things of this world draw us away. How it must pain you. This chapter goes on to describe how You keep giving Israel a way out of their wickedness. Yet they kept rejecting You. "But they rebelled against me and would not listen to me; . . ." (v. 20:8)
Because they would not give up their sinful ways,You let them become even more sinful. "Wherefore also I gave them [over to] statutes that were not good and ordinances whereby they should not live and could not have life." (20:25) I think of all the dreadful laws that keep being passed here in our own country today. Legal abortion - allowing the killing of babies. Gay marriage - legalizing this sin. I just heard on the radio that they are trying to pass a law in Australia that would recognize all kinds of 'genders' - transvestities, gays, transexuals, etc., so they would not be discriminated against. Abominable things!
Romans 1:24-25 echoes this: "Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their [own] hearts to sexual impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves [abandoning them to the degrading power of sin]. Because they exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, Who is blessed forever!"
Oh, Lord, thank you that this doesn't have to be! Always You will forgive. Always Your arms are open to those who respond to Your Love. "If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins. He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (I John 1:9)
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Cycles Of Sin Can Be Broken!
Reading: Ezekiel 17, 18
MyVerse: 18:32 "For I have no pleasure in the death of him who dies, says the Lord God. Therefore turn (be converted) and live!"
These are two wonderful chapters. Lord, You spell out so clearly how You want us to live. I especially like that generational sin is addressed here.
"But if this wicked man beget a son who sees all the sins which his father has committed, and considers and fears [God] and does not do like his father . . . The son shall not bear and be punished for the iniquity of the father . . ." (18:14, 20)
It goes on to say that "neither shall the father bear and be punished for the iniquity of the son." (18:20)
We are each of us responsible for our own response to You. So, yeah, the 'Blame Game' does not work with You! We cannot blame someone else for our own sin, for how we deal with our own circumstances. This is so wonderful. Saying, "I can't help it." or "This is just the way that I am." is only an excuse. Lord, thank You for this. Thank You for dealing with us as individuals.
We must each "turn (be converted) and live!"
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
MyVerse: 18:32 "For I have no pleasure in the death of him who dies, says the Lord God. Therefore turn (be converted) and live!"
These are two wonderful chapters. Lord, You spell out so clearly how You want us to live. I especially like that generational sin is addressed here.
"But if this wicked man beget a son who sees all the sins which his father has committed, and considers and fears [God] and does not do like his father . . . The son shall not bear and be punished for the iniquity of the father . . ." (18:14, 20)
It goes on to say that "neither shall the father bear and be punished for the iniquity of the son." (18:20)
We are each of us responsible for our own response to You. So, yeah, the 'Blame Game' does not work with You! We cannot blame someone else for our own sin, for how we deal with our own circumstances. This is so wonderful. Saying, "I can't help it." or "This is just the way that I am." is only an excuse. Lord, thank You for this. Thank You for dealing with us as individuals.
We must each "turn (be converted) and live!"
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
Monday, May 9, 2011
God is Majesty & Splendour
Reading: Ezekiel 15 - 16
My Verse: 16:14 "And your renown went forth among the nations for your beauty, for it was perfect through My majesty and splendour which I had put upon you, says the Lord God."
These chapters are so metaphorical, they can be confusing. But the main idea is not. That being - God's Love and desire for his people. And that despite all He did and still does for them - the people turn away to live unfaithful, self-absorbent ugly lives that result in the consequence of punishment.
Lord, You told Jeremiah in 16:2, "Son of Man, cause Jerusalem to know understand and realize her [idolatrous] abominations [that they] are disgusting, detestable, and shamefully vile." And so He, the LORD God will punish them, has to punish them.
But as always Lord You promise, "when I have forgiven you all that you have done." (16:63) All that is needed is repentence.
And always You remind us of Your Mercy. "And He [earnestly] remembered for their sake His covenant and relented their sentence of evil according to the abundance of His mercy and loving kindness [when they cried out to Him]. (Psalms 106:45)
Lord, thank You for drawing me to You. Thank You for saving me from a life without You. I am so blessed.
I love to focus on the beautiful around me. For this I have been accused of having my head in the clouds or not dealing with reality. Lord, You are the author of all that is beautiful and You tell us, " . . . whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." (Philippians 4:8)
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
My Verse: 16:14 "And your renown went forth among the nations for your beauty, for it was perfect through My majesty and splendour which I had put upon you, says the Lord God."
These chapters are so metaphorical, they can be confusing. But the main idea is not. That being - God's Love and desire for his people. And that despite all He did and still does for them - the people turn away to live unfaithful, self-absorbent ugly lives that result in the consequence of punishment.
Lord, You told Jeremiah in 16:2, "Son of Man, cause Jerusalem to know understand and realize her [idolatrous] abominations [that they] are disgusting, detestable, and shamefully vile." And so He, the LORD God will punish them, has to punish them.
But as always Lord You promise, "when I have forgiven you all that you have done." (16:63) All that is needed is repentence.
And always You remind us of Your Mercy. "And He [earnestly] remembered for their sake His covenant and relented their sentence of evil according to the abundance of His mercy and loving kindness [when they cried out to Him]. (Psalms 106:45)
Lord, thank You for drawing me to You. Thank You for saving me from a life without You. I am so blessed.
I love to focus on the beautiful around me. For this I have been accused of having my head in the clouds or not dealing with reality. Lord, You are the author of all that is beautiful and You tell us, " . . . whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." (Philippians 4:8)
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Eyes That Do Not See & Ears That Do Not Hear
Reading: Ezekiel 12 - 14
My Verse: 12:2 "Son of man, you dwell in the midst of the house of the rebellious, who have eyes to see and see not, who have ears to hear and hear not, for they are a rebellious house."
Jesus repeated this same thought hundreds of years later when He was teaching His disciples, 'Having eyes, do you not see, and having ears, do you not hear and perceive and understand the sense of what is said?" (Mark 8:18)
These chapters are such a condemnation on those false teachers that lead people away from the Lord and sadden those that are followers of You. "Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing! (13:5) "Because with lies you have made the righteous sad and disheartened, whom I have not made sad and disheartened and because you have encouraged and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way and be saved." (13:22)
Lord, this makes me feel like David and cry out to You to deal with all these characters that continue to lead others astray. But who am I? I need to remember, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says the Lord." (Isaiah 55:8)
What I need to do is focus on You. I need to make sure I am not so busy condemning these characters that I forget to watch myself. I must not be leading others astray by the life that I live out before them. Oh, Lord, help me to keep my eyes and ears open to Your truth!
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
My Verse: 12:2 "Son of man, you dwell in the midst of the house of the rebellious, who have eyes to see and see not, who have ears to hear and hear not, for they are a rebellious house."
Jesus repeated this same thought hundreds of years later when He was teaching His disciples, 'Having eyes, do you not see, and having ears, do you not hear and perceive and understand the sense of what is said?" (Mark 8:18)
These chapters are such a condemnation on those false teachers that lead people away from the Lord and sadden those that are followers of You. "Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing! (13:5) "Because with lies you have made the righteous sad and disheartened, whom I have not made sad and disheartened and because you have encouraged and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way and be saved." (13:22)
Lord, this makes me feel like David and cry out to You to deal with all these characters that continue to lead others astray. But who am I? I need to remember, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says the Lord." (Isaiah 55:8)
What I need to do is focus on You. I need to make sure I am not so busy condemning these characters that I forget to watch myself. I must not be leading others astray by the life that I live out before them. Oh, Lord, help me to keep my eyes and ears open to Your truth!
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
Friday, May 6, 2011
He Is Our Hope
Reading: Exekiel 8 - 11
My Verse: 11:17 "Thus says the Lord God; I will gather you from the peoples, and assemble you out of the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give back to you the land of Israel."
It is hard to read about the "wicked abominations that they do..." v.8:10 My heart quails within me because these awful things continue to this day. I don't understand, Lord, how You in all Your Holiness can stand to see our wicked hearts. I know that man tries to convince himself that he is hidden when committing these abominable acts. Even back then the elders tried to say - ". . . the Lord does not see us." (9:9) You do see us Lord - we are wide open to You! "The Lord knows the thoughts of man, that they are vain." (Psalm 94:11) "For the Lord knows and is fully acquainted with the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish." ( Psalm 1:6)
Thank you for the ever constant Hope. For Your ever contant Love. Amidst all the wickedness and Your display of righteous wrath - You stop to reassure Israel with the promise of "I will gather you..." (10:11) "I will give them one heart and a new spirit within . . ." (v. 11:19)
You know that we cannot live without hope.
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
My Verse: 11:17 "Thus says the Lord God; I will gather you from the peoples, and assemble you out of the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give back to you the land of Israel."
It is hard to read about the "wicked abominations that they do..." v.8:10 My heart quails within me because these awful things continue to this day. I don't understand, Lord, how You in all Your Holiness can stand to see our wicked hearts. I know that man tries to convince himself that he is hidden when committing these abominable acts. Even back then the elders tried to say - ". . . the Lord does not see us." (9:9) You do see us Lord - we are wide open to You! "The Lord knows the thoughts of man, that they are vain." (Psalm 94:11) "For the Lord knows and is fully acquainted with the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish." ( Psalm 1:6)
Thank you for the ever constant Hope. For Your ever contant Love. Amidst all the wickedness and Your display of righteous wrath - You stop to reassure Israel with the promise of "I will gather you..." (10:11) "I will give them one heart and a new spirit within . . ." (v. 11:19)
You know that we cannot live without hope.
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Know That I Am the Lord God
Reading Ezekiel 4-7
My Verse: 7:27 ". . . for I will do to them in accordance with their ways, and according to their deserts will I judge them and they shall know , recognize, and realize that I am the Lord."
Lord, I am intrigued when You have the prophets literally live out illustrations of the prophecies before the people. You went to such great lengths to get these ideas across. This shows the importance of them and the great need of the people to get it so they would realize Who You are!
I like that You listened to Ezekiel's appeal to not defile himself. (v. 4:15) It shows to me that though You are the Almighty God and You are filled with wrath at the iniquities of the people You still cared about Ezekiel as a man, an individual.
All this You did so that the people would know You are Lord, not just some impersonal God figure, but the Lord God. I looked up the word 'lord' in the dictionary and found that using the term implies -submission, obedience. I am so thankful that You punish to bring us back to You instead of letting us die in our sin.
Lord, you require not only acknowledgement that You are God but recognition of You as Lord of our life. "Because if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9) Like Thomas I must cry out, "My Lord and My God!" (John 20:28)
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
My Verse: 7:27 ". . . for I will do to them in accordance with their ways, and according to their deserts will I judge them and they shall know , recognize, and realize that I am the Lord."
Lord, I am intrigued when You have the prophets literally live out illustrations of the prophecies before the people. You went to such great lengths to get these ideas across. This shows the importance of them and the great need of the people to get it so they would realize Who You are!
I like that You listened to Ezekiel's appeal to not defile himself. (v. 4:15) It shows to me that though You are the Almighty God and You are filled with wrath at the iniquities of the people You still cared about Ezekiel as a man, an individual.
All this You did so that the people would know You are Lord, not just some impersonal God figure, but the Lord God. I looked up the word 'lord' in the dictionary and found that using the term implies -submission, obedience. I am so thankful that You punish to bring us back to You instead of letting us die in our sin.
Lord, you require not only acknowledgement that You are God but recognition of You as Lord of our life. "Because if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9) Like Thomas I must cry out, "My Lord and My God!" (John 20:28)
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Hear Or Refuse to Hear
Ezekiel 1 - 3
My Verse: 2:5 "And they, whether they will hear or refuse to hear - for they are a rebellious house - yet shall they know and realize that there has been a prophet among them."
It is kind of strange but in reading the writing of these great prophets I am filled with a sense of awe at the majesty of it all. There is so much sadness and tragedy - but, always there is hope. Lord, Your love and compassion comes through even amidst the sorrow. You do not give up on us. This is so encouraging to my heart. I am encouraged to keep praying for loved ones. In fact it is my responsibility to keep praying and reaching out.
You told Ezekiel that the people needed to be warned, "If I say to the wicked, You shall surely die, and you do not give him warning or speak to warn the wicked to turn from his wicked way, to save his life, the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood will I require at your hand." (v.3:18)
In verse 20 and 21 you go on to say the same thing regarding backsliders. "Again, if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and some gift or providence which I lay before him he perverts
into an occasion to sin and he commits iniquity, he shall die; because you have not given him warning, he shall die in his sin and his righteous deeds which he has done shall not be remembered, but his blood will I require at your hand."
Lord, thank you for this amazing message that You send us through Ezekiel. It is not my place to give up on anyone. You told Ezekiel not to be afraid and that You would give him the words, "I will open your mouth and you shall say to the people, Thus says the Lord God; . . ." (v.3:27)
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
My Verse: 2:5 "And they, whether they will hear or refuse to hear - for they are a rebellious house - yet shall they know and realize that there has been a prophet among them."
It is kind of strange but in reading the writing of these great prophets I am filled with a sense of awe at the majesty of it all. There is so much sadness and tragedy - but, always there is hope. Lord, Your love and compassion comes through even amidst the sorrow. You do not give up on us. This is so encouraging to my heart. I am encouraged to keep praying for loved ones. In fact it is my responsibility to keep praying and reaching out.
You told Ezekiel that the people needed to be warned, "If I say to the wicked, You shall surely die, and you do not give him warning or speak to warn the wicked to turn from his wicked way, to save his life, the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood will I require at your hand." (v.3:18)
In verse 20 and 21 you go on to say the same thing regarding backsliders. "Again, if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and some gift or providence which I lay before him he perverts
into an occasion to sin and he commits iniquity, he shall die; because you have not given him warning, he shall die in his sin and his righteous deeds which he has done shall not be remembered, but his blood will I require at your hand."
Lord, thank you for this amazing message that You send us through Ezekiel. It is not my place to give up on anyone. You told Ezekiel not to be afraid and that You would give him the words, "I will open your mouth and you shall say to the people, Thus says the Lord God; . . ." (v.3:27)
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Let Us Test & Examine Our Ways
Reading Lamentations 3 - 5
My Verse: 3:22,23 "It is because of the Lord's mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great and abundant is Your stability and faithfulness."
The author mourns and recounts with agony the misery of Israel's punishment. But, he recognizes that the punishment is deserved and it is only because of "the Lord's mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed."
You, Lord, do not want to puinish - this was not the plan. "For He does not willingly and from His heart afflict or grieve the children of men." (v.3:33)
You punish that we would turn to You and be freed from the bondage of sin. "The Lord is good to those who wait hopefully and expectantly for Him, to those who seek Him." (v. 25) In Ezekiel 37:25-27 You tell us, "Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleanness; and from all your idols will I cleanse you. A new heart will I give you and a new spirit will I put within you, and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you shall heed My ordinances and do them."
Oh, Lord, what hope! We do not need to wallow in our sinful misery. Help me Lord to "test and examine" my ways for - "The Lord is my portion and share, says my living being (my inner self); therefore will I hope in Him and wait expectantly for Him." (v. 3:24)
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
My Verse: 3:22,23 "It is because of the Lord's mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great and abundant is Your stability and faithfulness."
The author mourns and recounts with agony the misery of Israel's punishment. But, he recognizes that the punishment is deserved and it is only because of "the Lord's mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed."
You, Lord, do not want to puinish - this was not the plan. "For He does not willingly and from His heart afflict or grieve the children of men." (v.3:33)
You punish that we would turn to You and be freed from the bondage of sin. "The Lord is good to those who wait hopefully and expectantly for Him, to those who seek Him." (v. 25) In Ezekiel 37:25-27 You tell us, "Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleanness; and from all your idols will I cleanse you. A new heart will I give you and a new spirit will I put within you, and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you shall heed My ordinances and do them."
Oh, Lord, what hope! We do not need to wallow in our sinful misery. Help me Lord to "test and examine" my ways for - "The Lord is my portion and share, says my living being (my inner self); therefore will I hope in Him and wait expectantly for Him." (v. 3:24)
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
Monday, May 2, 2011
Consider Your End!
Lamentations 1, 2
My Verse: 1:9 "... she did not [seriously and earnestly] consider her final end."
Or as the ESL put it, "she took no thought of her future."
Wow! This passage is hauntingly and tragically beautiful. There is a great majesty about it all. I am not sure where it comes from but I sense Your great sorrow, Lord. Your grief at Israel's unwillingness to address her waywardness. "Jerusalem has grievously sinned; therefore she has become an unclean thing and has been removed." (v. 8)
You so thoroughly deal with her sin. Nothing is exempt - even the forms of worship You put into place because they all became empty rituals. Rituals that Your people used to assauge their guilt rather than repent.
You warned and warned but in the end, "the Lord has delivered me into the hands of those I am unable to resist or withstand." (v. 14) So You do with us. One has only to look around to see all the blatantly open sin in our world and the many forms of religion that offer rituals to assuage the guilt.
Oh Lord, that we as a nation would admit our waywardness as the author does here, "The Lord is righteous; for I have rebelled against His word." (v. 18)
You, Lord, will exact punishment. "The Lord has done what He planned. He has carried out and finished His word which He threatened and decreed in the days of old." (v. 2:17)
Oh that we would put aside our selfish ways and take thought of our future!
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
My Verse: 1:9 "... she did not [seriously and earnestly] consider her final end."
Or as the ESL put it, "she took no thought of her future."
Wow! This passage is hauntingly and tragically beautiful. There is a great majesty about it all. I am not sure where it comes from but I sense Your great sorrow, Lord. Your grief at Israel's unwillingness to address her waywardness. "Jerusalem has grievously sinned; therefore she has become an unclean thing and has been removed." (v. 8)
You so thoroughly deal with her sin. Nothing is exempt - even the forms of worship You put into place because they all became empty rituals. Rituals that Your people used to assauge their guilt rather than repent.
You warned and warned but in the end, "the Lord has delivered me into the hands of those I am unable to resist or withstand." (v. 14) So You do with us. One has only to look around to see all the blatantly open sin in our world and the many forms of religion that offer rituals to assuage the guilt.
Oh Lord, that we as a nation would admit our waywardness as the author does here, "The Lord is righteous; for I have rebelled against His word." (v. 18)
You, Lord, will exact punishment. "The Lord has done what He planned. He has carried out and finished His word which He threatened and decreed in the days of old." (v. 2:17)
Oh that we would put aside our selfish ways and take thought of our future!
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
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