October 4 -- "The Lord Reigns!"

 Today's Reading: Ezekiel 38

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In today’s prophecy from Ezekiel 38, we find a powerful reminder that amidst the tumult of our world and the unfolding of history, God remains in control, orchestrating events according to His divine plan.

This chapter exposes us to the amazing world of prophecy and divine sovereignty. In this captivating account, we see a future scenario where “Gog,” the leader of “Magog” (which represents modern-day Russia), gathers a coalition of nations to attack Israel. This climactic event marks the culmination of humanity's struggle against God's chosen people.

As we ponder this passage, it becomes clear that no matter how chaotic our world may seem, God remains in control. Just as He orchestrated events in Ezekiel's time, He is now holding the future in His hands. Our God reigns over every nation, ruler, and circumstance which all play a part in His divine plan.

This theme is further emphasized throughout Scripture, particularly in the book of Revelation where Gog and Magog are referenced again. Here, they symbolize nations united against God's saints during Satan's final rebellion, ultimately illustrating the triumph of God's kingdom over evil.

In Revelation 20:19, we witness a powerful scene where the earth shakes at the presence of the Lord, mountains tremble, and walls collapse under His mighty hand. In this passage, the mountains tremble in response to the divine judgment of God. This imagery conveys a sense of awe and reverence for the Almighty as He intervenes in the affairs of humanity.

The outcome of this trembling event is the defeat of Satan and his followers, along with the destruction of their wicked empire. The passage describes how fire comes down from heaven to consume them, signifying God's judgment and wrath against sin. This moment represents the culmination of God's plan to restore His creation and establish a new heaven and earth.

This passage reminds us that the LORD reigns over all and the earth and all its inhabitants are subject to His divine authority. No force can withstand His power. In times of uncertainty and chaos, we can find comfort knowing our God reigns supreme.

Today, may you embrace the prophetic picture with renewed faith and confidence in God's sovereignty. As you continue on your journey as a follower of Christ, may you boldly declare: "The Lord reigns!"

October 3 -- "The Valley of Revival"

 Today's Reading: Ezekiel 37

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Imagine being in a valley filled with dry bones - a symbol of the desolation and despair Israel faced during their time in exile. But then, God speaks to Ezekiel and tells him to prophesy to those bones, and as he does, they start coming together! Muscles, tendons, ligaments, flesh, and skin cover them, and breath fills them, bringing them back to life! The valley of death miraculously became the valley of revival! This powerful vision shows us just how mighty our God is in restoring life to even the most hopeless of situations.

And guess what? This prophecy isn't just limited to Ezekiel's time. No way! It actually foreshadows the ultimate restoration brought about by Jesus Christ Himself. In the New Testament, we see Jesus talking all about bringing new life - both physically and spiritually. His death and resurrection are the perfect fulfillment of Ezekiel's vision, showing us that God has the power to bring life even from the dead.

This prophecy also has a future fulfillment connected to end times events. It speaks of a time when God will bring about a final restoration and renewal, leading to a spiritual awakening and revival among the Jewish people, recognizing Jesus as their Messiah. This is linked to passages like Romans 11, which talks about a future grafting in of the Jewish people back into the family of faith.

But wait, there's more! As followers of Christ, we can also draw parallels between Ezekiel's vision and our own spiritual lives. Sometimes, we may feel spiritually dry, lifeless, or stuck in the valleys of our circumstances. But remember, just as God breathed life into those dry bones of Israel, He offers us fresh breath and life through Jesus Christ! This passage reminds us that God has the power to breathe new life into any situation, no matter how dire or hopeless it may seem. So let's allow His Spirit to breathe fresh life into our hearts, minds, and souls today, knowing that He is the Lord of restoration and redemption!

May the breath of God's Spirit revive and restore you, Just as He breathed life into the dry bones of old. May your heart be filled with hope and faith anew as you trust in His power to make all things new.

October 2 -- "My Spirit Within You"

 Today's Reading: Ezekiel 36

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Today, we discover the incredible promise of the Holy Spirit coming to reside inside of us. God speaks to us through the prophet Ezekiel, announcing His plan to cleanse our hearts from impurities, give us a new Spirit, and fill us with His own divine energy. This chapter showcases the loving nature of our heavenly Father who longs not only to forgive but also to transform us into vessels of holiness.

In the Old Testament, we witness instances where God's Spirit empowered individuals for specific tasks. Think of Samson in Judges 14:6 and David in 1 Samuel 16:13 – both were touched by the Lord's Spirit, enabling them to accomplish mighty feats!

However, Ezekiel 36 offers a unique promise within God’s restoration story. Here, God promises not only to cleanse His people but also to place His Spirit within their hearts and upon their lives, guiding them to walk in His commandments and obey His decrees. The indwelling of the Spirit empowers believers to live lives that reflect God's glory, share His goodness with others, and contribute to the growth of His kingdom on earth.

It is not through our own human efforts (which may falter), but through the Spirit's presence within us that we experience genuine freedom, joy, and fulfillment in Christ.

Jesus emphasized the vital role of the Holy Spirit in our lives – from guidance to regeneration to fruitfulness – all leading to a vibrant and empowered Christian life. In John 14:16-17, Jesus said, "I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you." This promise from Jesus reaffirms the promise in Ezekiel 36 and indicates that the Holy Spirit would be present with and within believers, guiding us in wisdom, truth, and righteousness, ultimately leading us into a deeper relationship with Christ.

To receive the Holy Spirit's guidance, power, and transformation, acknowledge your need for God's help, and simply invite the Spirit into your life through prayer. Then yield to the Holy Spirit's leading and empowering each day, inviting Him to fill your heart anew, guiding you, empowering you, and transforming you into the likeness of Christ!

October 1 -- "When God Hears Pride"

 Today's Reading: Ezekiel 35

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Ezekiel 35 is a stark reminder that God takes note of our pride and hostility, encouraging us to humble ourselves and trust in His all-powerful justice. This passage highlights how God used the prophet Ezekiel as His mouthpiece to declare judgment upon Mount Seir for its hatred towards Israel. It's fascinating to learn about God's righteous retribution against those who dare to oppose His people while emphasizing His absolute authority and unwavering commitment to protect and defend His chosen ones.

Mount Seir, located southeast of the Dead Sea in what is now Jordan, was inhabited by Esau's descendants during Biblical times. Today, the region is mostly populated by Bedouin tribes in Jordan as well as Arab communities in the West Bank and southern Israel.

The phrase "you magnified yourself... and I heard it" shows God's awareness of Mount Seir's inhabitants' pride and arrogance when they boasted about their superiority over Israel. This verse beautifully illustrates God's all-knowing nature and His attentive heart towards human attitudes and actions.

When people 'magnify themselves', it means they have an inflated sense of self-importance, thinking they are superior to others. The folks in Mount Seir did exactly that – they boosted themselves up in their own eyes, claiming supremacy over Israel and flaunting their strength.

However, God, through Ezekiel, exposed this pridefulness. Despite the people's efforts to exalt themselves and defy His chosen people, God knows it all. He is not oblivious to human pride or hostility towards His beloved Israel.

This passage teaches us a vital lesson about God's character: He doesn't turn a blind eye to human arrogance or defiance. Everything is visible to Him; nothing escapes His attention. His authority reigns over every nation and individual, holding each one accountable for their actions and words.

In a broader sense, this Scripture serves as a warning to all of us against pride and self-exaltation. It reminds us that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). As believers, we're called to cultivate humility and understand that all honor and glory belong only to God. We must guard ourselves from the temptation to elevate ourselves or allow hostility toward others to take root in our hearts.

Today, may the God of all wisdom and justice be ever present with you, guiding your heart towards humility and reverence for His sovereign rule. May you learn to see yourself as He sees you, without pride or arrogance, and may His grace transform you into a vessel of humble obedience.

September 30 -- "One Shepherd"

Today's Reading: Ezekiel 34 

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In today’s passage, we receive a powerful message from God through the prophet Ezekiel about the shepherds of Israel. Here, God condemns these shepherds, representing the leaders and rulers of Israel. the Lord rebukes them for neglecting their duty to care for His flock. These shepherds exploited and mistreated the people under their care, failing to provide the guidance, care, instruction, and protection they needed. Instead of leading with compassion and righteousness, they pursued their own interests, leaving the flock scattered and vulnerable.

In our communities, churches, and personal lives, we can see modern-day examples of shepherds mistreating their flocks in various contexts. Whether it's religious, political, social, or other organizations, a common thread is the betrayal of trust and failure to fulfill leadership responsibilities with integrity, honesty, and compassion.

Reflecting on this passage, it's clear that God holds leaders accountable for their actions and how they care for His people. As individuals, we must examine our own roles and responsibilities, whether as leaders or simply friends, family members, and church members.

In verse 23, Ezekiel reveals a glorious future promise from God, declaring He will set up "ONE SHEPHERD" to feed His flock and be their Shepherd. This passage points to Jesus Christ, the Messiah who would shepherd God's people with justice, righteousness, and compassion.

Jesus would later identify Himself as the "Good Shepherd" who gives His life for the sheep in John 10:11. As believers, we are called to follow Jesus as our Shepherd, emulating His example by trusting in His guidance, provision, instruction, and protection.

In a world filled with uncertainty and turmoil, and sadly with too many unfaithful shepherds, Christ followers have the opportunity to point others to Jesus, the true Shepherd who offers abundant life and eternal salvation. May we do so with compassion and integrity as Jesus has done for us!

May the Shepherd of your soul guide and protect you on your journey, leading you with wisdom, love, and grace. And may you follow in His footsteps, emulating His compassion and integrity, and pointing others to Him as the ultimate source of hope and salvation.

September 29 -- "Turn Back and Live"

Today's Reading: Ezekiel 33 

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Did you know that God isn't some mean and vengeful being who loves to punish people? No way, not at all! In today's key verse, the Lord says that He is actually filled with deep sorrow when we choose sin and separate ourselves from Him.

He's like a loving parent who wants nothing more than for his children to come back home! You see, the Lord doesn't take pleasure in punishment; instead, His heart breaks over the consequences of our choices and the loss of our relationship with Him.

He's not looking to punish us, but rather to bring us back into His loving arms.  And guess what? God's desire is for everyone to be saved, no matter how far we've strayed or what mistakes we've made!  The Bible is full of examples of God's patience and forgiveness - He's always ready to welcome us back with open arms when we repent. In 2 Peter 3:9, it says that God "is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance."

So what does this mean for us? It's a call to action! First, if we've strayed from God, we must make the choice to turn back to Him and live! As today's verse asks, "why would you choose to die?" when He is the very source of life! We are invited to approach our loving Heavenly Father with boldness and confidence to receive His compassion and forgiveness. 

We're also called to extend grace and mercy to others, just like our loving Father in heaven extends to us. Let's follow Jesus' example of reaching out to those who are lost and offering them hope and forgiveness. Together, let's demonstrate God's incredible love to the world around us! As followers of Christ, we are challenged to embody this same attitude of compassion and mercy towards those who have yet to know God's redeeming love.

May the love of God, ever so compassionate and full of grace, embrace your heart and fill you with His gentle embrace. And may others come to know the depth of His mercy and forgiveness as you share His love with those around you. 

September 28 -- "Raise a Lamentation"

 Today's Reading: Ezekiel 32

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Today’s verse from Ezekiel 32 calls for us to raise a lamentation, which is a powerful expression of sorrow and mourning over the serious consequences that are looming over Egypt. When we think about this kind of lamentation, it's often accompanied by intense emotions like wailing, weeping, and even tearing our garments. It's a way to acknowledge just how heavy the situation is and how dire the impending judgment will be.

In Hebrew, the word for lamentation is "קִיָה" (qinah), which refers to a mournful song sung in response to death, disaster, or tragedy. Raising this kind of lamentation had several important purposes:

Warning of Impending Judgment: It served as a wake-up call for the people of Egypt, alerting them to their sins and the severe consequences that would follow if they didn't repent and turn back to God.

Expression of Sorrow and Grief: Lamentation provided an outlet for the people to express their sadness and grief over the devastation that was about to unfold. It was a recognition of the loss and suffering that would come with God's judgment.

Invitation to Repentance: By raising this lamentation, Ezekiel extended an invitation to Egypt's people to repent and seek forgiveness from God. This was their chance to turn away from their sinful ways and find mercy in the midst of impending doom.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we understand that God's heart aches for humanity's spiritual condition, and He longs for all to experience His grace and salvation (2 Peter 3:9). We're called to embody this same love, compassion, and grace as we reach out to others who haven't yet repented. When we "raise a lamentation" over those who are unrepentant, it comes from a place of deep concern for their spiritual well-being and a desire to see them experience the transformative power of God's love.

Today, may the weight of our lamentations be lifted by the tender touch of divine compassion. May the tears we've shed serve as a reminder of the depth of our sorrow and the gravity of humanity’s need for salvation.