Actions Speak!

Yechezk’el (Ezekiel) 12:1-3

​ The word of ADONAI came to me:  “Human being, you are living among a rebellious people. They have eyes that can see, but they don’t take notice; and they have ears that can hear, but they don’t pay attention; because they are a rebellious people.  So you, human being, prepare supplies for exile; and during the daytime, as they watch, go away as if you were going into exile—leave your place, and go somewhere else as they watch. Perhaps they will take notice, even though they are a rebellious house.

Like Yechezk’el our physical actions should match our commitment to ADONAI.  While the example he was setting in this passage was prophetic for the people of Yerushalayim every day we as believers should be setting the example to others in all we do.  Only when we put to action the Word of God that convicts us which is Yeshua who by His own example at the cost of His own blood ransomed for God persons from every tribe, language, people and nation.  How can we as believers do any less.  Lord let Your light shine in the things I do, let all that glory be for You.  I ask this in Yeshua’s name, amen.

Toleration brings destruction

Yechezk’el (Ezekiel) 8:14-18

He brought me to the entrance of the north gate to ADONAI’s house; and there before me were women weeping for Tammuz.  “Human being,” he asked me, “have you seen this? You will see practices even more disgusting than these.”  He brought me into the inner courtyard of ADONAI’s house; and there, at the entrance to the temple of ADONAI, between the porch and the altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs toward the temple of ADONAI and their faces toward the east; and they were worshipping the sun toward the east.  He asked me, “Human being, have you seen this? Does the house of Y’hudah consider it a casual matter that they commit the disgusting practices they are committing here, thus filling the land with violence, provoking me still more? Look! They are even putting the branch to their nose!  Therefore I will act in fury, my eye will not spare, I will have no pity. Even if they cry loudly right in my ears, I will not listen to them.”

Toleration brings destruction.  As believers we are to hold ourselves separate from the worldly, sinful practices of others.  In Yechezk’el’s time idol worship was so prevalent that the population practiced it right at the footstool of God.  How can God not be offended when we worship ourselves over Him?  Right now, our country is in the same position as Isra’el was, we know who God is and the blessings He has brought on us, but we tolerate abominations in the selfish idea that we are being wise and inclusive and superior.  It is the sin of our own national aggrandizement that will in the end bring the sword, famine, and diaspora until we turn back to God once more.  Lord forgive us for our hubris and let us seek You only.  I ask this in Yeshua’s name, amen.

Correction

Revelation 3:19

As for me, I rebuke and discipline everyone I love; so exert yourselves, and turn from your sins!

Correction is not hatred or punishment but necessary so we can grow as believers.  It is how we respond to correction that shows our maturity of trust in ADONAI.  If we respond to our parents when they teach us not to touch a hot stove how much more should we respond to God when he shows us the sin our lives to avoid.  Lord, You have removed much from me and I have much more to remove of my selfish, sinful ways.  Let me understand Your discipline and more forward with rejoicing as I a learn to follow You more closely.  I ask this in Yeshua’s name, amen.

The moment of empowerment

Yechezk’el (Ezekiel) 1:1

​ In the thirtieth year, on the fifth day of the fourth month, while I was among the exiles by the K’var River, the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.

When ADONAI speaks to us there is no doubt of what is happening.  The event is so powerful that you remember the very instant that it happened just as Yechezk’el does with opening the words of the prophecy given to him.  It is when we are dutiful in those moments that we are filled with the Ruach and move to the next moment with obedience to God in our lives.  Lord let me serve You with all that I have.  Let me be like Yechezk’el and hear clearly Your leadership in my life.  I ask this in Yeshua’s name, amen.

Gossip

Tehillim (Psalms) 144:11

Rescue me, save me from the power of strangers,

whose mouths speak worthless words

and whose right hands swear false oaths.

David, the mighty warrior of God, slayer of giants, king of all Isra’el, a man after God’s own heart, feared the damage gossip creates.  Twice in this psalm of praise to ADONAI for all the that God has given him, David asks for salvation from gossip.  There is nothing that can tear apart a congregation faster than giving power to lies both in the hearing without correction and the retelling to inflate one’s selfish sin.  As believers the only thing that we have to separate us from the world is the truth.  The truth of ADONAI is the rock that we stand on, the truth of Yeshua’s sacrifice is the salvation we must share, it is truth that sets us apart.  Lord forgive me for all the times I spoke without thinking, repeating damaging lies as if they were truth.  God help me to guard my tongue and keep Your Word which is the truth for the nations as a lamp to lead me where You would have me go.  I ask this in Yeshua’s name, amen.

Good Example

3 Yochanan (John) 1:11

Dear friend, don’t imitate the bad, but the good. Those who do what is good are from God; those who do what is bad are not from God.

I cannot count the times I have had to do this in my life.  I am willing to admit I am a slow study; I have known God all my life, but I didn’t actively start following him until my late 20’s.  And if I am being truthful, I wasn’t following all that closely.  It wasn’t until my 40’s that I truly started studying His Word and searching for His heart in my life.  Yet in all that time I had people around me who were strong believers and where examples to me on how to serve at work, as a husband and father, and as a friend.  I might have failed more than I succeeded for a long time but having these people’s examples of good in my life gave me the spiritual muscle memory to find my trust in Yeshua.  Lord thank You for all the examples in my life.  Strengthen me so I might be the example for others.  I ask this in Yeshua’s name, amen.

Truth will out

Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah) 37:12-14

 

Yirmeyahu left Yerushalayim to go to the territory of Binyamin to receive his share of an inheritance there. He was passing through the crowds and had reached the gate leading toward Binyamin when a guard commander there named Yir’iyah the son of Shelemyah, the son of Hananyah, seized Yirmeyahu the prophet, shouting, “You’re deserting to the Kasdim!” Yirmeyahu answered, “That is a lie! I am not deserting to the Kasdim”; but Yir’iyah wouldn’t listen to him. So he arrested Yirmeyahu and brought him to the officials.

 

False accusations are a part of life, whether the accuser is doing so to cause trouble or just has the wrong perception of a situation we as believers will be subject to such in our lives. We must face these times like Yirmeyahu, with truth and clarity of purpose. In the end ADONAI used this to preserve Yirmeyahu during the sacking of Yerusalem, and finally restoring Yirmeyahu to his home. Lord let me rejoice in times of trouble and keep my focus on You. Don’t let me get caught up in distractions of a moment but stay always in Your will. I ask this in Yeshua’s name, amen.

Alignment

1 Yochanan (John) 5:14-15

This is the confidence we have in his presence: if we ask anything that accords with his will, he hears us.  And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—then we know that we have what we have asked from him.

As I study the Word of God and take time to pray, I have found I pray less for my needs and wants and more for what the Word says is the heart of ADONAI.  As I grow with the indwelling of the Ruach HaKodesh I focus on the needs of body of believers around me and the heart of God in delivering His Word to a people seeking salvation.  Lord let my heart be open to where You would have me go and let me serve.  I ask this in Yeshua’s name, amen.

True Love

1 Yochanan (John) 4:10

.Here is what love is: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the kapparah for our sins.

No matter what we do to resolve ourselves to ADONAI it will never be enough.  We as humans cannot atone for our sinful selfish ways under our own volition.  No matter how many good deeds are done the stain of the sin is still on us.  But God in His mercy provided a Kapparah, an atonement, expiation, propitiation for us through the blood of Yeshua.  That is the basis of all love, and once we accept the love that ADONAI has for us through accepting Yeshua’s sacrifice, then and only then can we truly share love with those around us.  Lord enlarge my heart and let me show the love You have for all in all I do for You.  I ask this in Yeshua’s name, amen.

Obey His commands

1 Yochanan (1 John) 3:23-24

This is his command: that we are to trust in the person and power of his Son Yeshua the Messiah and to keep loving one another, just as he commanded us.  Those who obey his commands remain united with him and he with them.

Obedience to ADONAI is the bedrock of our trust in Him.  Without obedience there can be no trust and no salvation.  Instead we will become like Isra’el during the time of Judges when each person did what was right int their own eyes, not caring what we should do for one another and in that selfishness lead to destruction.  It is only by daily submitting to His will in our lives can have the strength to love each other as we are commanded to do.  Lord let always first come to You for the refreshing to face the day ahead.  Let my mind and my heart be set on Your ways so that my soul can rejoice with You.  I ask this in Yeshua’s name, amen.