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.

September 27 -- "When a Tree Falls"

 Today's Reading: Ezekiel 31

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Ever heard that old riddle, ‘If a tree falls in the forest and nobody’s around, does it make a sound?’ Well, in the Ezekiel 31, the prophet uses falling trees to illustrate a truth about nations and their leaders.

Trees are symbols of strength, beauty, and success. In ancient times, people thought trees were like powerful kings because they gave people food, shelter, and other things they needed. So, when Ezekiel uses trees to talk about nations and leaders, he’s saying they’re like strong, important figures in the world.

Throughout the Bible, there are numerous instances where God is described as humbling or bringing nations low, like chopping down trees. This often occurs when nations become arrogant, idolatrous, or unjust. In today’s passage, Egypt is the focus of Ezekiel’s prophetic words.

Imagine Egypt as a giant, beautiful tree, standing tall and proud among all the other trees. Ezekiel compares Egypt to this majestic tree, showing how powerful and important it was. But then, Ezekiel says, Egypt will fall like a big tree crashing down in the forest. Even though no one might be there to see it happen, the fall of Egypt still makes a big noise because it has a huge impact on everything and everyone around it.

This story of the falling trees reminds us that nothing lasts forever. Just like trees can be knocked down, nations and leaders can also fall from power. Especially when they get too proud and think they don’t need God’s help or blessing.

For us as followers of Jesus, the story of the trees is a reminder to stay humble and to trust in God. It’s a warning against putting too much faith in our own strength and success. We need to stay rooted in our faith, humbly submit to God’s will, and always give Him the glory for His care and providence.

May the image of the falling tree remind you of the transient nature of earthly power and the enduring strength of faith. May you be rooted deeply in God's love, producing fruit that glorifies His name.

September 26 -- "Letter from a King"

Today's Reading: Daniel 4 

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Nebuchadnezzar's letter, found in Daniel 4, is a powerful and humbling testimony of the king's personal experience with the God of Heaven. In this letter, the king shares with his people the story of how God humbled him and taught him a profound lesson about His power and sovereignty.

The letter begins by addressing the people of Babylon, stating that Nebuchadnezzar was at the height of his power and success. He boasts about the vastness of his kingdom, his military conquests, and his wealth. However, he then reveals how his pride led him to become arrogant and forgetful of God's blessings.

Nebuchadnezzar describes a vivid dream in which he saw a tree that reached all the way to heaven, with birds nesting in its branches. The dream was interpreted by Daniel as an prophecy that Nebuchadnezzar himself would soon fall and lose his throne.

Nebuchadnezzar initially dismissed the interpretation, but he soon found himself experiencing the very events of the dream. His mind became clouded, and he lost touch with reality, eventually living like an animal in the wilderness for seven years.

During this time, Nebuchadnezzar had a change of heart, realizing that God's power is greater than any human ruler. He humbled himself before God, acknowledging His sovereignty over all. His letter went on to urge the people of Babylon to acknowledge and worship the One true God and encouraged them to recognize His sovereignty over all kingdoms and rulers. He implored his subjects to repent of their sins and turn back to God.

Nebuchadnezzar's story and letter offer valuable lessons for modern-day Christ followers, including the importance of humility, repentance, recognizing God's sovereignty, and leading by example in our everyday lives. It teaches us the importance of humility in recognizing God's sovereignty over our lives. As believers, we should seek to live with a humble heart, acknowledging that everything we have and achieve comes from God's grace.

May we, like Nebuchadnezzar, come to acknowledge the sovereignty of God in all aspects of our lives and humbly bow before His greatness. As we recognize His hand at work in our daily experiences, may we be transformed by His power and grace.

September 25 -- "Facing the Furnace"

Today's Reading: Daniel 3 

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Today we come to a powerful story of faith and bravery from Daniel chapter 3. Three Hebrew men (perhaps teenage boys) - Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego - found themselves facing the fiery furnace for refusing to bow down to Nebuchadnezzar's golden image. But they didn't back down! With unwavering trust in God, they declared that no matter what happened - whether God rescued them or not - they would never serve other gods or worship the king’s gold statue.

The king, enraged by their defiance, commanded that they be thrown into the burning fiery furnace. But here's the amazing part - when they were cast into the flames, a miraculous thing happened: the fire didn't touch them or harm them in any way! In fact, not only did they survive, but a fourth person appeared in the furnace with them who looked more like the Son of God.

These three young men showed immense courage, rooted in their deep belief in God's sovereignty and power. They knew He could deliver them from any situation! As followers of Christ, we also face pressure to compromise our faith. The story of these three Jews reminds us to stay strong in our convictions, just like they did.

In a world that often demands conformity, we must prioritize obedience to God above all else. We can stand firm in our allegiance to the one true God, even if it means facing ridicule, rejection, or persecution. Let's reflect on areas where we might be tempted to compromise our faith for acceptance or convenience. Resolve today to remain faithful to God no matter what comes your way.

Remember Jesus' words from Matthew 5 and rejoice when you face persecution for His sake - because great is your reward in heaven! Embrace the opportunity to glorify God through your unwavering faith, trusting in His power to deliver and sustain you.

May the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be your guide and strength in times of trial. May you find courage in their unwavering faith and conviction, and may you never compromise your beliefs for the sake of worldly acceptance.

September 24 -- "Revealer of Mysteries"

Today's Reading: Daniel 2 

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In Daniel chapter 2, we find the incredible story of King Nebuchadnezzar's dream and its interpretation by Daniel. The king was deeply troubled by his dream, but none of his wise men could decipher its meaning. The King insists that not only the content of his dream revealed to him, but also its interpretation. This request leaves the wise men in a state of panic as they believe it's impossible to fulfill.

In desperation, the king agrees to listen to answers from Daniel, who believes that understanding and guidance come not from himself, but through God's revelation. With divine insight, Daniel unravels the meaning behind Nebuchadnezzar's dream - a prophetic depiction of kingdoms rising and falling until the ultimate establishment of God's everlasting kingdom. In verse 47, King Nebuchadnezzar glorifies Daniel’s “God of gods” for revealing the mystery of his dream.

This narrative has significant relevance to modern-day followers of Christ. Just as Daniel sought wisdom and guidance from God amid seemingly impossible circumstances, we too must trust in the Lord's sovereignty and intervention in our lives. We must remember that God is the ultimate interpreter of events, and His plans are far beyond our comprehension.

In the New Testament, Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, faced opposition as he shared his beliefs with others. Yet, despite their attempts to silence him, “they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.” (Acts 6:10) Like Daniel and Stephen, we must rely on God's wisdom and power when sharing our faith and defending the truth of the Gospel.

Ultimately, these examples encourage us to cultivate a deep dependence on God in every aspect of our lives. This involves prioritizing prayer, seeking divine guidance, entrusting our concerns to Him, and expecting Him to intervene even in impossible situations. We must remain steadfast in our commitment to God's values, even when faced with opposition or adversity.

May the wisdom of God guide you today and this week, as it did for Daniel and Stephen. And may He grant you the courage to stand firm in faith, no matter the test.