Ezekiel 10:1-11:25 ~ Hebrews 6:1-20 ~ Psalm 105:16-36 ~ Proverbs 27:1-2
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Old Testament - Ezekiel's vision of the Lord in Jerusalem continues today in chapters 10 and 11 as the glory of the Lord first leaves the Temple and then leaves Jerusalem completely! This is a big deal as the glory of the Lord had pretty much been in the Temple since it's construction. We are also visited by the cherubim again in these chapters - check out the November 1st readings calendar link below/left for more commentary on the cherubim. I really like this artwork by Priscilla Silver called "The Four Faced Cherubim" -
Today in chapter 11 verse 13 we read - "While I was still speaking, Pelatiah son of Benaiah suddenly died. Then I fell face down in the dust and cried out, "O Sovereign LORD, are you going to kill everyone in Israel?""
Chapter 11 verses 19 & 20 stood out to me today, with a message for the exiles in Babylon - "I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their hearts of stone and give them tender hearts instead, so they will obey my laws and regulations. Then they will truly be my people, and I will be their God." How are our hearts today? Are they tender? Single in their focus on God? Do we have a new Spirit within us?
New Testament - Hebrews Chapter 6 verse 1 definitely stood out today: "So let us stop going over the basics of Christianity again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don't need to start all over again with the importance of turning away from evil deeds and placing our faith in God." I think sometimes we can get too caught up on the basics of Christianity and then never really grow in our faith. I do believe God is calling us first and foremost to come into relationship with Him through faith in his son Jesus. But, after that, let us grow! Let us no longer conform to our worldly ways and passions, even though we now have faith in Jesus. Let us become saints. Let us love and serve God, other people, and the poor more and more with each passing day. Let us go on and become mature in our understanding! Let us move forward from always being "disciples" to becoming "apostles." How is your spiritual growth these days? Are you growing? Do you want to grow?
In verses 7 & 8 today we read: "When the ground soaks up the rain that falls on it and bears a good crop for the farmer, it has the blessing of God. But if a field bears thistles and thorns, it is useless. The farmer will condemn that field and burn it."
Verse 18 is awesome: "Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can take new courage, for we can hold on to his promise with confidence." Have you fled to Jesus for refuge? Are you holding on to God's promise with confidence?
Psalms - Psalm 105's verses today give us a good Cliff Notes version of the end of the book of Genesis and beginning of the book of Exodus!
Proverbs - Proverbs verse 1 today is fantastic: "Don't brag about tomorrow, since you don't know what the day will bring." Indeed, don't brag about tomorrow - each day is such a blessing to be thankful for. Live for today. With Jesus. And don't brag about tomorrow!
Today in Proverbs 27:2 we read: “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips.” How often do we heap praise on ourselves? Maybe even in our own minds, if not verbally? Where does our strength and wisdom and achievements truly come from? Is the Lord your strength? If we are praised by others, do we accept the praise into our own hearts? Or, do we share with the person giving the praise, where the praise truly should be directed? Psalm 115 verse 1 wisely reminds us - “Not to us O Lord, Not to us – but to your name be the Glory.” Amen!
Worship God: Proverbs 27:2 reminded me of the Aaron Shust song "To God Alone be the Glory." Here's a live version of Aaron showing how to play the song. Wait for the 2:23 mark in the video when Aaron will play the full song. Great song!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71x_YX6k0Sc
Do you give God all your glory? Click here to get to know your Glory!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture this week: "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you from today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
Grace, love, peace, and joy!
Mike
Flattery: an act or instance of complimenting somebody, often excessively or insincerely, especially in order to get something; complimentary remarks, especially when excessive or insincere.
Flattery is when someone says something to get something for themselves, a favor, etc. It is like jumping the line in front of other people by using a ruse. Pretending that you know the person and starting a conversation with them or “complimenting” or asking advice then staying at the spot when either they have finished complimenting or received counsel on the advised asked for.
Praise: words that express great approval or admiration, for example, for somebody’s ability or achievements or for something’s good qualities.
The words used in both flattery and praise can be the same words the intent of the speaker is what determines whether it is flattery or praise.
The can also said to be the difference between a gift and a bribe. Most of us have really never received a gift except the “free” gift of salvation. A gift is something given without expecting or requiring anything in return. Once the giver gives the gift they understand that it becomes the property of the one receiving the gift to do with as they so please even if it is thrown in the trash. Most of us have received bribes or we ourselves use the promise of a gift to exact a specific behavior.
Whoever falsely boasts of gifts [he does not give] is like clouds and wind without rain. [Jude 12.] (Proverbs 25:14 AMP)
I have come to interpret this as someone who promises a gift and doesn’t give it but also someone who gives something they call a gift but in reality it is really a bribe.
Posted by: Ramona | November 03, 2009 at 08:55 PM
What a wonderful promise we have in Hebrews 6:10 "For God is not unfair. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and you have shown your love to him by caring for other Christians as you still do." Sometimes we do get weary in well doing but God reminds us that He is to be the focus of our service and not anyone or anything else. It's sobering to note that God actually notices how hard we work for him. Our attitude and our actions matters to Him.
Posted by: Luch | November 04, 2009 at 05:37 AM