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 Video: Proverbs 27:2 reminded me of the Aaron Shust song “To God Alone be the Glory:”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gT-QWSxV0Hs
Do you give God all your glory? Click here to get to know your Glory!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips. “ Proverbs 27:1-2 (NIV)
Prayer Point: Pray that you are not boasting about what you will do tomorrow. Pray that you are focusing on glorifying God TODAY! Pray that you do not boast about yourself, but only allow others to praise you, and that you in turn give that praise and glory to God alone!
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
p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.
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BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
Ezekiel 10-11:25
I find the following passages from the eleventh chapter very intriguing:
2 Then the Spirit said to me, “Son of man, these are the men who are responsible for the wicked counsel being given in this city. 3 They say to the people, `Is it not a good time to build houses? Our city is like an iron pot. Inside it we will be like meat–safe from all harm.’ 4 Therefore, son of man, prophesy against them loudly and clearly.”
5 Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon me, and he told me to say, “This is what the LORD says to the people of Israel: Is that what you are saying? Yes, I know it is, for I know every thought that comes into your minds. 6You have murdered endlessly and filled your streets with the dead.
7″Therefore, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: This city is an iron pot, but the victims of your injustice are the pieces of meat. And you are not safe, for I will soon drag you from the city.
This speaks to me of “wrongly” discerning the times that one is in and totally misjudging the intent and purpose of a situation one finds themselves in. That is dangerous business. Leadership saw Jerusalem as their protection, their “iron” pot that would keep out intruders; however God said the pot was a tomb for all the people the leaders had torn asunder and murdered, how interesting. Does anyone think that this very same thing can or cannot happen today?
Hebrews 6:1-20
Vance you bring us something very important about the following verse:
1 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.
You state: “NOTE: I am uncertain how to understand this. Pray I get wisdom on this.”
I believe “leaving the basics” may be akin to what happens when our school age children advance through higher and higher grade levels. They have the same subjects over and over again but the Math that is taught in first grade is not the math that one learns in Engineering School. One and one is still two; however, that foundation, the principals and the “laws” that govern Math use the simple equation of 1+1=2 as a foundation that governs all the other types of mathematical formulas; however, once you go on to higher Math that elementary problem is never seen again.
I don’t know if this is a true but it is humorous and it does cause one to think. The reason that the chairs are so small in kindergarten and first grade is because they don’t want children becoming so comfortable sitting in them that they decide to stay there and not move on. You know in the lower grades there is “snack” time and you get to finger paint almost daily. I wonder how much of that analogy can be applied to Christians.
I’ve also heard my pastor state this: “Maturation doesn’t come by way of age it comes by choice. We choose to grow up. When I was a child, I thought like a child …but when I became a man I put away childish things,” with emphasis on the personal pronoun, “I”
Psalm 105:16-36
I find the 16th and 17th verses of Psalms 105 expanding my knowledge and understanding of how God operates.
Before Joseph was ever sent to Egypt God had famine in mind for that country. Before the famine ever came at it’s appointed time, God had already sent his solution. Whose solution have you been called to be for the famine in someone else’s’ life? We have been created and sent to be problem solvers for the world’s problems even before they know they have a problem.
Proverbs 27:1-2
There are practices and books that tell people how to get ahead in life by “blowing” one’s own horn, so to speak. However, God’s Business Practices are not man’s. Or, is God really telling us, “Don’t tell me how good you are, show me.” Actions have always spoken louder than our words.
Grace and peace,
Ramona
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EZEKIEL 10 (Contemporary English Version)
18
Then I watched the brightness of the LORD’s glory move from the entrance of the temple and stop above the winged creatures.
19
They spread their wings and flew into the air with the wheels at their side. They stopped at the east gate of the temple, and the LORD’s glory was above them.
NOTE:
There is something very important about the Glory of God. “…[T]he mystery is that Christ lives in you, and he is your hope of sharing in God’s glory” (Colossians 1:27). Notice that the Glory of God moved from one place to another. That tells me that God is One Who is looking for true worshippers, and His Manifest Presence (Glory) will move to one who is full of worship.
LET US NOT JUST GO THROUGH the motions of knowing God! Only God can love God – “we love Him because He first loved us.” Without God we can do nothing. We cannot save ourselves. We cannot live the life Jesus did—only Jesus can!
Since Jesus IS glorious, may His Presence be manifest through us! No Muslim, no Hindu, no atheist—NOBODY—can overcome the wisdom of the Gospel when presented by the GLORY of Jesus in us!
Romans 8 (Amplified)
6
Now the mind of the flesh [which is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit] is death [death that comprises all the miseries arising from sin, both here and hereafter]. But the mind of the [Holy] Spirit is life and [soul] peace [both now and forever].
I Corinthians 2 (Amplified)
7
But rather what we are setting forth is a wisdom of God once hidden [from the human understanding] and now revealed to us by God–[that wisdom] which God devised and decreed before the ages for our glorification [to lift us into the glory of His presence].
~~~
EZEKIEL 11 (Contemporary English Version)
12
YOU WILL REALIZE THAT WHILE YOU WERE FOLLOWING THE LAWS OF NEARBY NATIONS, YOU WERE DISOBEYING MY LAWS AND TEACHINGS. AND I AM THE LORD!
13
Before I finished speaking, Pelatiah dropped dead. I bowed down and cried out, “Please, LORD God, don’t kill everyone left in Israel.”
15
Ezekiel, son of man, the people living in Jerusalem claim that you and the other Israelites who were taken to Babylonia are too far away to worship me. They also claim that the land of Israel now belongs only to them.
16
But here is what I want you to tell the Israelites in Babylonia:
It’s true that I, the LORD God, have forced you out of your own country and made you live among foreign nations. BUT FOR NOW, I WILL BE WITH YOU WHEREVER YOU ARE, SO THAT YOU CAN WORSHIP ME.
NOTE:
Jesus said in John 4 (Contemporary English Version):
21
Jesus said to her: Believe me, the time is coming when you won’t worship the Father either on this mountain or in Jerusalem.
24
God is Spirit, and those who worship God must be led by the Spirit to worship him according to the truth.
~~~
18
…I want you to clear the land of all disgusting idols.
19
Then I will take away your stubbornness and make you eager to be completely faithful to me. You will want to obey me
20
and all my laws and teachings. You will be my people, and I will be your God.
NOTE:
We need the Lord to worship Himself through us, for we cannot do it without Him!
John 4 (Contemporary English Version):
24
God is Spirit, and those who worship God must be led by the Spirit to worship him according to the truth.
~~~
Hebrews 6 (Contemporary English Version)
1
We must try to become mature and start thinking about more than just the basic things we were taught about Christ. We shouldn’t need to keep talking about why we ought to turn from deeds that bring death and why we ought to have faith in God.
NOTE: I am uncertain how to understand this. Pray I get wisdom on this. I am attending a men’s group which fosters true transparency and accountability of our struggles. It is GLORIOUS!
The thing they keep emphasizing is that we always need to do the basics every day: Banish, Renounce, Infilling, Strengthening.
When I see successful sports teams, they always reinforce and master the basics.
So, I am not sure what this means. I guess it means simply do not STAY a baby while always doing the basics, but GROW UP !
~~~
4 –6
But what about people who turn away after they have already seen the light and have received the gift from heaven and have shared in the Holy Spirit? What about those who turn away after they have received the good message of God and the powers of the future world? There is no way to bring them back. What they are doing is the same as nailing the Son of God to a cross and insulting him in public!
17
So when God wanted to prove for certain that his promise to his people could not be broken, he made a vow.
18
God cannot tell lies! And so his promises and vows are two things that can never be changed.
We have run to God for safety. Now his promises should greatly encourage us to take hold of the hope that is right in front of us.
19
This hope is like a firm and steady anchor for our souls. In fact, hope reaches behind the curtain and into the most holy place.
20
Jesus has gone there ahead of us, and he is our high priest forever, just like Melchizedek.
NOTE:
Repentance is a VERY serious thing. Whether or not all Christians believe that a Christian can lose their salvation if they persist in rebellion—WE ALL NEED TO AGREE THAT there is a terrible price to pay for disobedience!
Vance
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This topic, spiritual growth, is something I have been thinking about a lot lately as school wears me thin and I feel stuck in every part of my life.
LB
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When reading your blog today (as i have been doing for the past month or so. I’m getting in the habit so i can do it all next year if you plan to keep this wonderful blog program) i noticed this-
Proverbs 27:2: “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips.”
but then yesterday i remember reading this..
Proverbs – Proverbs 26:28 teaches us: “A lying tongue hates its victims, and flattering words cause ruin.”
are those two Proverbs contradictory?
or is there something that i’m not getting about them?
Matthew
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Matthew there is a big difference between flattery and praise
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.
Ramona
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Thanks one year bible study! This is awesome!!! It is sooo coool we can go online and learn the Word of God! Thanks again! Amy
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“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..” This is a beautiful verse and promise! I’m reminded of the way the Lord has changed me and can change anyone. ONLY He can change someone, our own efforts are pretty futile. My heart was once hard, now it is tender…that is proof right there of all God said and that is Word real and living. When people say they want to “change”, I know their efforts will be worthless unless they have the power of the Spirit indwelling them. There is just no other way, we were created to be 3-dimensional…body, mind, and spirit. Without the 3rd element, the spirit, we are incomplete and two-dimensional.
Ez. 11:17 ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will gather you from the nations and bring you back from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you back the land of Israel again.
—This is awesome, written around 1500 yrs ago?? and this came to pass in 1948! Israel was established as a nation again as God promised. Incredible!
Yes, Hebrews is right on…the basics are for the babes in Christ..its all beautiful and we should have it written in our heart, But let us have a hunger and thirst for deeper things, the real meat of the word. It’s soooo full!!!
Also, putting into practice our faith…if we dont, we are merely preaching what we have heard. If we have LIVED it, what a great example we can be. Have we experienced God’s promises? God has brought me personally through the same trials over and over again…and why? Because I didnt learn the first time! for years and years, the same trials…finally when we overcome then and hold fast, those trials are gone and we are so much more deeply rooted. I gotta admit, I’m a very stubborn one. I think God saw me, especially yrs ago as a lil kid who had fits and tantrums. He still loved me, but through trials, tests, discipline, God is pruning me. Making me fit for His glory. I was in my “terrible 2’s” spiritually for years, haha.
Prov 27:2 is right on! when i boast of myself in my heart, I fall! God really had to knock me down many times. Plus, what a shame when i boasted and then fell back in the same pit i crawled out of. It is true…when you put yourself last and do not boast of yourself, all of a sudden all this praise comes to you from others. Its weird cause you no longer are comfortable with it, but I am often reminded of this verse cause when you put yourself last, you become first, its sooo true! and the thing is, when u are last, you are most fulfilled, u dont seek praise, so when it comes, you give all the glory to God. No! its not me, I have nothing to boast of, its ALLLLL the Lord Christ who indwells us!
Missy
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In Australia where I live we have so much, we are a wealthy country, but like most western countries we don’t appreciate that it all belongs to God. He can take it all away, in an instant it could be gone and what will we have left if we have no faith in the one true Saviour? Lord help me not to rely on my strength but on Him who enables me to do all things.
Kevin
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Svetlana,
In America it is important for people to claim to be a believer… polls show that it would be easier for a homosexual to get elected president than an atheist. When CEOs go to jail, 7 out of 8 are Christians and the 8th is a Jew not because atheists are better people but because one must claim to be a Christian in order to be a CEO. Rainer has shown (as others), however, that Christ was correct in suggesting that the greatest barrier to accepting salvation is money (despite our great wealth, though, millions are still homeless… the greatest seducer is drugs and alcohol – while Americans spend $2 trillion on goods from China, we spend as much as $1.3 trillion on illegal drugs just on the streets of Tucson). And, God answered Rick Warren’s prayers for years to be sent to the most unchurched place in the world by sending him to California, USA. Rainer (2004) estimates that only 4% of Americans under 30 are born-again so that no, most Americans are not Christians. In fact, the fastest growing religion in America (doubling every 18 months with 10-30 million members today) is Wicca (see Chicago Tribune, 1998 and Phyllis Curott’s Book of Shadows, 1999). Popular films and television programs, such as The Craft, Practical Magic, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Harry Potter, Blair Witch Project, Free Spirit, The Worst Witch, Teen Witch, Sorceress, Witchcraft 1-8, The Witch’s Daughter, Sleepy Hollow, Teen Sorcery, Simply Irresistible, and Charmed, are aimed at attracting children (especially girls, as most characters are very pretty young females) to this growing religion (though most growth is through the Internet). In these portrayals, being a witch is akin to being a superhero (with gifts everyday, ordinary “Muggles” lack) as expressed in the Wiccan movie, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone: “There is no good and evil, there is only power and those too weak to seek it.”
FG
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Svetlana, I do not believe for a moment that most people in western countries are Christian. That may have been the case when countries such as the USA and Australia were first settled but it is far from the case now. Most people in Australia only use the word Jesus has a swear word. Yes there is poverty in our country as in all countries, we treat our indigenous people poorly and should be ashamed. Our wealth should be used to help the impoverished, the persecuted, the downtrodden, not to create more wealth for ourselves. We should store up our riches in Heaven, not on earth, for the Lord can and will take it all away one day.
Kevin
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Wow, this reading really got to my heart. I definitely will keep this passage in mind.
Jia
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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.
Luch
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I believe that Christian maturity is the gradual changing of one’s heart from stone to flesh. When we were children our hearts were soft but when we became adult our hearts hardened. Christian maturity is about softening our hearts like that of a child again. Yield to Jesus and not of our own understanding.
David
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Great Readings for Today. The devotional from Ezekiel was very interesting today. Thanks for the devotional.
God Bless!
Mitch
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I don’t think I would apply Eze. 11:19-20 to us as Gentlle believers. I think that prophesy belongs to Jews alone. When they returned from babylon, they did have a softer heart for awhile, but I am not sure if that prophecy has been fulfilled yet.
Bajo
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As always, I was struck by the “life application” in the explanation following today’s scriptures. Was particularly struck by the admonition to not take in the praise of the world as though we deserve it. None but God alone deserves it. Today for a number of reasons, I needed to be reminded to point to the One who deserves all praise instead of being pleased with myself.
Also, Ramona, I appreciate your thoughtful insights always. You are so right when you talk about how it’s seen as a virtue to toot one’s own horn. We are always so concerned with our children’s self-esteem, and certainly this generation of young people is very committed to the idea of personal fame and celebrity being very good things. We all need to feel important, and we forget that the only thing important about us is that we glorify God.
It’s so refreshing to go back to the Word and see that “self-esteem” is not important at all, and that having high God-esteem is much more important.
I don’t agree with the “show me” part of your statement, though, because that feels like trying to earn favor with God, which I have to reject. I am not sure God ever tells us “Show me you care, or show me that you are good, ” because of course, we are not good, and cannot be good apart from His doing. I also am reminded of the thief on the cross who never did any good, yet is with Christ in Paradise even now. Am interested to know your thoughts.
Eve
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Hebrews 6: 5-6. We as Christians have tasted the goodness of the Lirs , yet we fail and seek forgiveness over and over. At what point in our lives will ever realize maturity and trust that our Lord is better than anything the world offers?
Murray
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God cannot lie and His promises to His people stand the test of time. But so often I am the one who lacks the faith to believe that those promises will come to pass. It’s good to be reminded a high priest is before us pleading on our behalves.
Karen
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Ezekiel 10
What ever happened to the Ark of the Covenant that was in the Temple?
Lots of theories from the Cairo Museum, to Ramesses III tomb, to England to Jerusalem. A great movie and ride at Disneyland came out of this question. Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981).
I just watched a documentary on Netflix about this very question. Biblical Mysteries: Ark Of The Covenant (2010) | Full Movie by| Michael Sanders. I liked it because he follows a very complex trail of where it could possibly be now and if nothing else gives us a glimpse of history.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/sPrT6QwrIPQ?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent
A good documentary by James Cameron found at
https://www.youtube.com/embed/qeYCh2yxiq0?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent
A lot of God’s stories are enchanting and can bring us joy to wonder and use our imagination. You sure have to in this scripture reading with cherubim, wheels of fire, four faces and burning coals.
Robert
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Alot of thoughts in my mind today. Ezekiel today reminded me of Moses where he was pleading with the Lord to not kill all the community. Do we feel like an intercessor for the people? Do we feel close enough to God to ask to save the people or argue/plead with God. Could u, do u?
Sometimes we forget that we have Jesus on ourselves and are on the line of Melchizadek. It’s a beautiful thing.
A reminisce down memory lane. Joseph amd his sweet disposition. God uses the people were don’t think he would.
Let others praise you don’t do it yourself
Dee
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