September 16 -- "Breaking Modern Idols"

 Today's Reading: Ezekiel 23:22-49

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In today’s key verse, we encounter a powerful reminder: "you shall bear the penalty for your sinful idolatry.” This verse reverberates throughout Scripture, highlighting the serious consequences of turning our hearts away from the one true God.

In Biblical times, idolatry often involved physical statues or images made of wood, stone, or metal. These tangible objects were worshipped in place of the true God, and the Bible frequently condemns this practice, emphasizing that worshiping anything other than God is both misguided and harmful. As this verse candidly tells us, there is a future penalty for persisting in sinful idolatry.

Today, the concept of idolatry has evolved beyond these ancient artifacts. Modern-day idols are anything that occupies the central place in our hearts and lives that rightfully belongs to God. These can include our identity, money, jobs, physical appearance, entertainment, sex, comfort, technology, family, and the pursuit of influence or fame. When we allow these things to dominate our hearts and minds, they distract us from our true purpose and relationship with God.

Addressing the issue of modern idolatry involves intentional steps to realign your priorities and focus on your relationship with God. The first step is to reflect on your life and honestly identify what might be taking precedence over God. Ask yourself, “What do I turn to for comfort? Where do I spend the most time and energy? What do I fear losing the most?” These questions can help you pinpoint where your heart’s allegiance lies.

Once you’ve identified these potential idols, it’s time to reclaim your devotion to God. This doesn’t mean abandoning your interests or responsibilities but rather reorienting them in a way that honors God. Invite Him into every aspect of your life—your work, relationships, hobbies, and even your struggles. Let Him be the guiding force in all you do.

As you realign your priorities, you’ll begin to rediscover the joy of true worship. Worship isn’t just about singing songs on a Sunday morning; it’s a lifestyle that glorifies God in every moment. Whether you’re at work, with your family, or enjoying a quiet moment, you can offer up your heart as a form of worship to the Lord.

May you walk in the freedom that comes from placing God at the center of your life. As you cast aside the idols that seek to steal your affection, may you experience a renewed sense of peace, purpose, and joy in your relationship with Jesus. 

September 15 – "Be Careful What You Wish For"

Today's Reading: Ezekiel 23:1-21 

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Today, we are reminded of the importance of remaining faithful to God and being wary of the allure of worldly pursuits. Ezekiel, chapter 23 paints a striking picture of spiritual betrayal through the metaphor of two sisters. God tells us a dramatic story about two sisters who break up with Him. It’s like a real-life soap opera, but with way higher stakes! These sisters aren’t just ordinary people; they represent entire nations who turned their backs on God.

Oholah is the wild child, representing the northern kingdom of Israel. She’s all about chasing thrills and new experiences, but she forgets about her true love, God.

Oholibah, the younger sister, is more like the good girl who secretly dreams of a wild life. She is supposed to learn from Oholah’s mistakes, but she ends up making even worse choices. She represents the southern kingdom, Judah.

God uses shockingly vivid language to describe their betrayal. It’s like He’s saying, “Look at what happens when you cheat on Me!” They trade God’s love for empty promises, and in the end, they lose everything. Their homes are destroyed, their families are taken away, and they become a laughingstock to the world.

It's like that wise old saying, "Be careful what you wish for – you just might get it!” When we chase after the allure of worldly things, we might get a temporary high, but the hangover is awful. God is offering us a love that’s deeper and more satisfying than anything this world can give.

The Apostle Paul picks up on this theme when he says in Galatians 6:7 & 8, " Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life." It's like planting a seed. If you plant weeds, you'll get a garden full of weeds. But if you plant flowers, you'll have a beautiful garden.

The only thing the world has to offer is an empty wasteland. If we chase after the world, we too will end up empty and wasted. So, let's choose wisely. Today, may the steadfast love of God root you deeply, shielding you from the allure of worldly desires and guiding you towards a bountiful harvest of righteousness. 

September 14 -- "No One to Stand in the Gap"

 Today's Reading: Ezekiel 22

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Picture this: A walled city under siege. The enemy is at the gates, pounding relentlessly, arrows flying, and fear gripping the hearts of its people. But there's a hidden danger, a silent threat far more menacing than the enemy's weapons. A massive gaping hole in the city wall, a wide-open invitation for destruction. If the enemy manages to slip through that hole the whole city is doomed.

To save the city from destruction a brave soul is needed – someone with the courage to stand in that gap, to plug the hole and save the city. This wasn’t simply about physically blocking a gap but acting as a spiritual protector.

The "gap-stander" in this passage represents a need for a righteous individual to intercede on behalf of the people of Israel and advocate for their salvation and mercy from impending judgment. In a nation riddled with corruption and sin, God sought a champion of justice and righteousness. Such a person would be deeply committed to averting disaster through prayer and righteous living.

Tragically, no one answered this call. The Lord here expresses deep disappointment and frustration with the people of Israel because no fearless leader nor wise prophet was willing to risk their life for the people. 

Today, this passage speaks to us about the critical role of being a “gap-stander” in our own families, neighborhoods, communities, and nation. As followers of Christ, we are called to stand in the gap through prayer, advocacy, and living out God’s values in a world that often needs guidance and grace.

Our lives should reflect a commitment to protecting others from spiritual darkness while promoting the truth of the Light of the World. That's where you come in. You can be that spiritual warrior! You can stand in the gap. When you pray, share your faith, and humbly serve others you're helping to repair that broken wall. You're standing strong against the forces of evil. 

September 13 -- "Divine Disruptions"

 Today's Reading: Ezekiel 21

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You’ve likely heard the saying, "The more things change, the more they stay the same." In today’s verse, the Lord challenges this idea. God through Ezekiel, predicts that the day is coming when "things shall not remain as they are.”

Change is inevitable, but it's not always gradual. God, through Ezekiel, promises that there will come a day when He will mess with our existing norms. God’s disruption isn't arbitrary; it's an expression of His sovereign will and His desire to shake up our mundane routines. Divine disruptions can serve as a catalyst for deeper intimacy with God, as they force us to rely on Him in new and challenging ways.

Trials and disruptions can also be used by God to develop perseverance, humility, patience, and other vital qualities that strengthen our faith. They can help Christ-followers see that God is ultimately in control, even when life doesn't go according to plan. Disruptions are also a necessary step in fulfilling the plans and purposes God has for us, as they force us to reevaluate our current path and align ourselves with His will.

While disruption can be unsettling, it ultimately points toward a divine order that transcends our finite perspectives. God's disruptions are pathways to transformation, leading us from familiarity into the extraordinary. In this way, His plans for our lives unfold in ways we could never have imagined.

God's intervention and disruption of our lives is an act of love that leads us to true purposeful existence, transforming us from within and guiding us toward a richer, more fulfilling life than we could ever achieve on our own.

May the Lord, who disrupts the status quo and ushers in His divine order, guide you on a transformative journey of purposeful living. May you embrace change as an opportunity for growth, and may your heart be open to the unexpected ways He leads you.

September 12 -- "The Promise of Restoration"

Today's Reading: Ezekiel 20:27-49

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Judgment is an inevitable part of life. When we disobey or stray from God's will, we often experience the consequences of our actions. In the book of Ezekiel, this theme of judgment is prevalent throughout many chapters. However, amidst these warnings and prophecies, there is also a message of hope – a promise of restoration.

Redemption refers to the process by which God forgives us and restores us to a right relationship with Himself. This is possible because of Jesus Christ's sacrifice on the cross, which provides forgiveness for our sins and redeems us from the consequences of judgment.

Ezekiel 20:40 specifically states that there will come a time when God's people will serve Him once again in their homeland of Israel. This verse offers hope not only to Israel but also to believers throughout history. It speaks to the idea that no matter how far we may have strayed, God is always willing to restore us and bring us back into a right relationship with Himself.

The parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15 serves as a powerful illustration of this concept. In this story, a father welcomes home his wayward son despite the son's poor choices and resulting consequences. This parable highlights God's unwavering love for us and His desire to restore us even after we have strayed.

Moving forward, today’s verse also points toward our ultimate future redemption in the final days. The Bible describes a coming future era where God's people will serve Him unhindered and in fullness. This idea is beautifully captured in Revelation 21, which reveals God's promise to dwell among His people, wiping away every tear and eradicating pain and suffering.

It has been said, “No matter how far you walk away from God, the return trip is only one step." This popular quote encapsulates the message of hope, forgiveness, and redemption found in the heart of your Heavenly Father. No matter how far you may have strayed from your faith or drifted away from God, the path back to Him is always within reach.

May the grace of redemption guide you back to God's loving embrace, and may you find the glorious hope found in the promise of restoration through Jesus Christ's sacrifice.

September 11 -- "His Name Means Everything"

Today's Reading: Ezekiel 20:1-26 

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Do you have a good name? Do you consider your good name and reputation to be important to you? Well, multiply that by infinity and you'll get a glimpse of how much God cares about His good Name! His incredible holiness and desire for a loving relationship with us drive Him to protect His reputation. 

By the way, the reason we capitalize “Name” when referring to God is to show respect and reverence for Him and to differentiate between the general use of "name" and the specific reference to God's sacred Name. In fact, many Jews, when they come across God's name while reading the Old Testament aloud, will pause and substitute it with the words "The Name" out of deep respect and reverence for the holiness and sacredness of God' Name.

So, let’s talk about the Israelites for a minute. Despite experiencing God’s amazing power firsthand, they rebelled against Him and did not honor His Name nor reflect His love and power to the world around them. Imagine the disrespect! God had to step in, not just to discipline them, but also to safeguard His incredible character from being misunderstood by the world.

Why was this so important? Because God is holy and perfect, and His Name (LORD, Yahweh, Jehovah, Adonai) represents who He is. When His chosen people messed up, it put a stain on His beautiful reputation. Plus, God had made a special promise between Himself and the Israelites. Their disobedience was like them breaking a promise with their Heavenly Father - it hurt!

But here’s the amazing thing: God wanted the Israelites to show the world who He is – a loving, gracious, powerful God. Their failure to do this meant He had to step in and remind everyone of His greatness. It was all about protecting His good Name so that people everywhere would know Him as the true and living God. This all comes from a place of love. God doesn’t want anyone to miss out on His incredible love and care. He wants everyone on Earth to turn away from their wrongdoings and experience His amazing grace.  Just like it says in 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”  This tells us that He longs for salvation to come to each and every human being. And, that's why He is so careful to protect His name and reputation.

May the sacredness of God's Name dwell deeply within you. As a bearer of His light, may your life shine forth His holiness and truth to a hurting world.

September 10 -- "The Price of Unrighteous Rule"

 Today's Reading: Ezekiel 19

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A nation's strength and prosperity depend on the integrity of its core values and the moral character of its people, which must be rooted in righteousness. In Ezekiel 19, we find Ezekiel’s expression of sorrow and mourning (lamentation) over the state of his nation which has strayed far from the moral character of its foundations in God.

This chapter is a powerful reminder that when society strays from God, it risks destructive consequences. The phrases "no strong stem" and "no scepter for ruling" in verse 14 refer to the destruction and loss of leadership within Judah, God's chosen nation. These phrases paint a vivid picture of a once-thriving tree now barren, lacking the essential components needed for growth and stability. Ezekiel’s use of these phrases indicates that the ability for a strong ruler to arise from within the nation has been removed. This suggests a lack of leadership, stability, and guidance for the nation due to its moral decay.

The metaphor of fire consuming a nation's fruit illustrates how detachment from moral foundations leads to gradual decline. This truth is timeless and essential for us to understand: our individual choices have the power to ripple outward and impact communities and entire nations.

To maintain our personal roots in righteousness, we must diligently draw nourishment from God’s Word. As we do, our spiritual compass stays true, guiding our decisions and actions. In this way, we lay a firm foundation for personal and societal flourishing.

As followers of Christ, it's crucial that we stand as pillars of moral strength, radiating God's light in a world prone to moral decay. Our commitment to righteousness sends a ripple effect throughout the culture, influencing others for good.

May our lives exemplify the transformative power of righteousness, shining brightly even in difficult times. And may the Lord grant us wisdom to heed His words and guidance, that we may flourish under strong leadership and maintain stability in our nation.