September 8 -- "From Twig to Cedar"

Today's Reading: Ezekiel 17 

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Isn't it amazing how God can take something small and fragile, like a tiny twig, and turn it into something strong and beautiful, like a cedar tree? That's exactly what He does with us! As a skilled gardener, God carefully plants us in the perfect environment to cause us to grow from tiny newborn “twigs” in our walk with Him into mature and strong “cedars” - pillars of the faith. Even when life feels like a wild storm, God is in control, shaping us into His masterpiece.

In Ezekiel 17, we find a profound allegory where an eagle takes a young twig from a cedar tree and plants it in a fertile field where it grows into a mighty cedar. This symbolizes the Lord’s nurturing care for His people, even when circumstances seem dire or chaotic.

Just as the Lord directed the eagle to plant the seed in good soil, He orchestrates our lives for a divine purpose. Our challenges and trials may seem overwhelming, but God is at work, ensuring that every circumstance contributes to the growth of our faith.

Now, let’s talk about pride. It’s like a weed that can choke out our spiritual growth. But God loves to lift up the humble heart. In verse 24, God's sovereignty is vividly portrayed through two types of trees: the high tree and the low tree. The high tree represents the proud and powerful, those who exalt themselves and trust in their own strength. Conversely, the low tree depicts the humble and meek, those planted by God and who rely on Him rather than their own achievements. God declares that He will bring down the high tree (the proud and arrogant) and lift up the low tree (the humble and meek).

The lesson is clear: grow where God plants you – in humility and total dependence upon Him. Our true strength lies not in self-exaltation, but in humble dependence on our Heavenly Father. Let us be like the twig planted by God, ever growing into His divine “cedar.” 

As a vine planted by the river that sends its roots deep into the water, may the Lord plant you near the sustaining water of His Word and Holy Spirit.  May you grow where He plants you and humbly bear fruit, not for your own glory, but to the praise of the One who nourishes and sustains us. 

September 7 -- "Intentional Remembrance"

 Today's Reading: Ezekiel 16:30-63

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Do you remember the passion and excitement you felt when you first fell in love with the Lord? Remembering that passion and devotion of our early faith journey is crucial to maintaining a vibrant relationship with God.

The concept of "days of your youth" in Ezekiel 16 refers to the early stages of Israel's covenant with God, when they were spiritually young and fervently devoted to their relationship with Him. This period was marked by a deep sense of passion, enthusiasm, and commitment.

This spiritual youth is not just about chronological age but rather a mindset or attitude characterized by the following: genuine surrender, eagerness to learn, joyfulness in worship, fervent love for God, and a desire to obey His Laws.

Sadly over time, the Israelites moved away from the passion, devotion, and intimacy they once experienced during their early days as a nation. This was caused by several factors such as disobedience, idolatry, materialism, division, neglect of worship, and forgetfulness of His mercies. Tragically, they experienced a severe case of “spiritual amnesia” by not remembering how things used to be.

As you and I move further away from the early days of our walk with Christ, we too can become complacent or forgetful of the passion and devotion that once characterized our relationship with Him. We may begin to take Him for granted or lose sight of the fellowship we once enjoyed with Him. This is where the call to intentional remembrance becomes so crucial.

Take time right now to reflect on the "days of your youth"—recall those moments of genuine surrender, eagerness to learn, joyfulness in worship, boldness to share His love with the world, and fervent love for God. By doing so you can rekindle the fire of devotion that once burned brightly but may have dwindled. In this moment, renew your commitment to God, deepen your intimacy with Him, and commit to staying true to His will for your life.

When you renew your love for God, you will sense once again the joy, peace, hope, gratitude, excitement, vibrancy, and freedom that come only from Him.

September 6 -- "Lavish Love Betrayed"

Today's Reading: Ezekiel 16:1-29 

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Have you ever felt the heartbreak of betrayal? If so, then you may have felt the heartache our loving God felt when He was betrayed. In today’s passage, God uses a powerful allegory to illustrate Israel's betrayal of His lavish love. Despite His tender care and abundant blessings, Israel turned away from Him, embracing idolatry and unfaithfulness. This passage reminds us of God's incredible love and the heartbreak He endures when we turn away from Him.

Ezekiel 16 paints a vivid picture of God's relationship with Israel. He found her abandoned and helpless. Then, with deep and lavish love, He began to nurture her, and shower her with beauty and splendor. Despite His tender care and abundant blessings, Israel chose to turn away from Him, embracing idolatry and unfaithfulness. This story serves as a powerful reminder that we can also betray God's love when we let the allure of the world capture our hearts.

Remembering God's unconditional love and the heartbreak of betrayal, we're called to examine our own hearts, return to our first love, and recommit to walking faithfully with Him. Reflect on the ways God has lavished His love upon you. Think about the times He has rescued, provided, and showered your life with blessings. Are there areas in your life where you have turned away from His love, pursuing things that do not honor Him? This passage calls us to examine our hearts and return to our first love, remembering that God's love is unwavering and His arms are always open.

Let today be the day you recommit to walking faithfully with God. Cast aside anything that has taken His rightful place in your heart.

May the Lord grant you a deep awareness of His lavish love, filling your heart with gratitude and drawing you closer to Him. As you turn to Him, may His grace renew your spirit, may you shine forth His splendor from your life.

September 5 -- "None Saved But Themselves"

 Today's Reading: Ezekiel 14 and 15

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Your faith cannot save others. Nor can their faith save you. Today’s verse teaches us the importance of individual responsibility and personal faith in obtaining salvation. Even righteous individuals like Noah, Daniel, and Job could not save others from judgment.

Noah's story serves as an example of how his righteousness allowed him to build the ark, saving himself, his family, and the animals from the flood. Noah was commanded by God to build the ark, which required a personal decision to obey and trust in God's plan. However, each person had to make their own faith-choice about whether to enter the ark and be saved. Noah’s faith could not save others. His righteousness did not offer a universal protection but provided an opportunity for those who, by faith, chose to follow God's plan.

Similarly, Daniel's righteous living in Babylon and influence on the king could not save others from the consequences of their own choices. Daniel remained committed to his faith despite being surrounded by idolatry and persecution in Babylon. This required him to make daily choices to prioritize his relationship with God over worldly influences. His integrity and devotion to God were personal commitments that impacted those around him but did not grant blanket salvation to those who chose not to believe.

Job's story, though one of restoration and faith, also highlights the individual nature of salvation. Job endured immense suffering but remained strong in his faith, demonstrating the importance of personal commitment and perseverance in difficult times. Despite his admirable faith, Job could not secure the salvation of his friends or family solely through his own faith or righteousness.

This emphasis on personal faith highlights that each person must take responsibility for their own relationship with God. We cannot rely on the faith or righteousness of another to secure our salvation, nor can we assume that our own faith will automatically save those around us.

May you, like Noah, Daniel, and Job, be strengthened in your personal faith, trusting in God's will and guidance as you walk the path to salvation. And may your life be a shining example of the transforming power of faith, inspiring others to seek and embrace God’s free gift of salvation for themselves.

September 4 -- "Foolish Prophets"

Today's Reading: Ezekiel 13 

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When used by a prophet like Ezekiel, "woe" is often a powerful and solemn declaration from God, signaling that a grave consequence or judgment is coming.

In this particular verse, Ezekiel is delivering a message from the Lord, expressing divine displeasure with the “foolish prophets” who are following their own spirit and claiming to have received revelations from God when, in fact, they have seen nothing. The use of "woe" emphasizes the severity of the situation and the impending judgment that will befall these false prophets due to their misleading actions.

Why were these “foolish prophets” facing the impending judgment of God? Because they “follow their own spirit.” This refers to actions of misguided leaders who are not being led or guided by the Holy Spirit but are instead acting out of their own human inclinations, desires, or ideas. In the context of this verse, it describes false prophets who claim to speak on behalf of God but are not genuinely inspired by the Spirit of God.

Genuine prophets are characterized by their submission to the leading of the Holy Spirit and adherence to God's revealed Word. Those who "follow their own spirit" act independently of divine guidance, potentially leading themselves and others astray with teachings that lack the authority and truth of God's Word.

The concept of "foolish prophets" described in Ezekiel 13:3 can be applied to individuals or movements within the church that claim to represent God but are, in fact, promoting teachings or practices inconsistent with the foundational truths of the Christian faith. The influence of misguided leaders can hinder the spiritual growth and discipleship of believers. Instead of being nurtured in sound doctrine, believers may be led astray, hindering their ability to mature in their faith and fulfill their God-given purpose. Woe to those responsible for such influences.

It is crucial for the modern-day Christians to be discerning, rooted in the Word of God, and equipped to identify and address false teachings. Leaders and believers alike should prioritize Biblical literacy, prayer, and reliance on the Holy Spirit to guard against the influence of "foolish prophets" and ensure the health and vibrancy of the church.

September 3 -- "The Certainty of God's Words"

 Today's Reading: Ezekiel 12

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God's spoken word carries unparalleled authority, power, and certainty, ensuring its fulfillment.

In the inspiring words of Ezekiel 12:25, we witness the unshakeable surety of God. This proclamation embodies the divine assurance that when God speaks, it's not just a casual utterance; it's a decree with the power to bring about its intended result. The concept of "divine fiat" refers to the idea that God's will, as expressed through His spoken word or command, is absolute and has the power in itself to bring about that which was spoken.

Genesis 1:3 provides a powerful example of this truth: "And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light." Here, God's spoken word brings illuminating energy into existence, dispelling the darkness and transforming chaos into order. The power of His words creates life, shaping the world as we know it.

This idea resonates throughout Scripture, from Genesis' creation narrative to the promises made to Abraham and the prophecies of the Messiah's coming. It reminds us that God's words carry divine certainty, effectiveness, and inevitability, as seen in His judgment or restoration pronouncements. This timeless truth underscores God's unwavering faithfulness and the weight of His spoken word.

As believers, we find immense comfort and security in this profound assurance. It encourages us to trust in the reliability of God's promises and to anchor our faith in the unchanging nature of our God. We can rest assured that every word He speaks is accompanied by divine power necessary for its fulfillment, shaping the course of history and fulfilling His purposes with absolute certainty.

When we feel anxious or frustrated about what seem to be delayed promises, we must remember that God's timetable is perfect, and He fulfills His words in His appointed season. His timing is always right, even when it doesn't align with our expectations. Today, may you find solace in the assurance that God's plans are unfolding perfectly, and may you trust in the reliability of His spoken word.

September 2 -- "Heart Transplant"

Today's Reading: Ezekiel 11 

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Today we learn of God's promise to transform His people, exchanging their hardened hearts for tender ones that are responsive to Him.

The “heart of stone” mentioned in Ezekiel 11:19, represents the Israelites' stubbornness, disobedience, and resistance to God's will. This hard-heartedness stems from their persistence in idolatry and rebellion against God's commands. As a result, they became distant from Him and unable to respond to His guidance.

In contrast, the “heart of flesh” symbolizes a tender and receptive nature that is open to God's leading. It represents the peoples’ willingness to obey and follow His statutes, as well as their desire for spiritual transformation. This imagery of exchanging hearts of stone for hearts of flesh is not a physical change but an internal and spiritual one, signifying a radical shift in our relationship with God.

This promise of a heart transplant is echoed throughout the Old Testament, particularly in the prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah. It speaks to the depth of God's love for His people and His desire to reconcile them to Himself. He longs to remove our stubbornness and replace it with a tender and responsive heart that is yielded to Him.

In the New Testament, this promise finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Through faith in Him, we receive a new heart and spirit, becoming new creations in Him. The Holy Spirit works within us to transform our hearts and minds, renewing us according to God's will.

The process of heart transformation is both instant and gradual. Instantly, at the moment of salvation, God puts this new heart within us. As we move forward in our faith it involves a lifelong journey of surrender, repentance, and faith in Christ, with each step making our hearts more tender and responsive. As we walk with Him, He gradually softens our hearts and molds us into the image of His Son. This transformation is available to all who seek Him.

God’s promise of a heart transplant, is an incredible display of God's love and power. It speaks to His desire to transform your heart, replacing your stubbornness with a responsive spirit that yields to His will.  May the Lord, who softens hearts of stone and gives new life to those who seek Him, bless you with a responsive spirit and a heart transformed by His love.