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Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Missio Dei (Ezekiel 37-39 / 2 Peter 2)

In Ezekiel 37-39, God's people are being restored. This is in accord with God's promises and the New Covenant (NIV Compact Bible Commentary, p. 393). Israel had backslidden (37:23) yet God promises to be with them (37:28) so that the nations would recognize Holy God at work. Again in 38:23 and 39:27, God promises to make himself known "in the sight of many nations." From the beginning of time, God's heart has been for the nations. He wants His name to be known throughout all of the world so that the multitudes can experience a relationship with a loving and holy God. After God sends Israel out, He brings them back for a purpose (38:27-28). That purpose of winning the nations is commonly tied into the concept of missio dei. "Missio Dei" comes from a latin word that simply means the "sending of God." Are you on mission for Christ to make his name known througout the world?

2 Peter 2 is an indictment against false teachers. Their punishment will be severe (v. 17). Their deeds will be brought to light on the day of judgment. The best thing we can do is stand firm in ungodly times as righteous men such as Noah (v. 5) and Lot (v. 7) did. Try listing some specific ways that you can identify which will help you stand firm in the ungodly days that we now live in?

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Is God #1? (Ezekiel 20 / James 4-5)

The cyclical theme that remains constant in Ezekiel 20 is a theme of punishment and then redemption ("for my name's sake"). Israel constantly rebels against God yet He delivers them not because they are good but for his own name's sake (v. 9, 14, 22). God sums it up best when He says "I will show myself holy among you in the sight of the nations" (v. 41). God's glory is at stake in how he deals with Israel. He cannot allow his name to be profaned to a certain degree (v. 9, 14, 22). Moses understood well the concepts of God's glory and God's holiness and how God's name needed to be upheld and honored among the nations (Exodus 32:10-14). James 4:5 teaches us that God is a "jealous" God that wants and deserves first place in our lives. John Piper says, "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him." As a believer in Christ, where is your satisfaction level at with God?

Prayer is a powerful thing! James 5:16-18 reminds us that prayer is real and that it does work. Do you keep a list of prayer requests you have for God and answers you have seen Him bring about to those requests? If not, try keeping a journal and then periodically revisit past prayer requests that have been answered to remind you of God's faithfulness!

Friday, November 19, 2010

Creeper (Ezekiel 11-13 / James 1-2)

Ezekiel 11-13 is an indictment against false prophets. These so called prophets promised peace when there was none (13:10). These prophets were full of "false visions and lying divinations" 13:7). The mention of "whitewash walls" in verses 10-16 remind me of the hypocrites whom Jesus blasted when he said, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleaness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness' (Matthew 23:27-28). Have you ever had someone come up and tell you, "God told me to tell you _________." If what they told you cannot line up with the Scripture's teachings, I can promise you that God told them nothing. I recently heard a joke by seminary professor. He mentioned a story of a young man who told a young lady that he had been praying and that God had told him that she should go out with him. The young lady replied, "I have been praying too and God told me that you are a creeper."

We all need to re-read James 1:2. Does it really say that we should consider multiple trials a joy? Yes, because it is producing in us a Christ-like character that otherwise could not be formed (v. 3-4). And we are having to lean upon God more by asking Him for wisdom (v. 5). The latter part of James speaks of hearing and doing God's Word (v. 22-25). One without the other is incomplete. Proverbs speaks of something similar: knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. We should try to understand what we know from God's Word so that with wisdom we can apply it to our lives.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Marked (Ezekiel 8-10 / Hebrews 13)

Ezekiel 8-10 reads like a three part mini-series. Idolatry in the temple is noted in chapter eight. In chapter nine, the idolaters are judged and killed and in chapter ten, the Lord's glory departs from the temple. Only those with the Lord's mark were spared in the outpouring of God's wrath (9:4, 8). Those marked by the Lord in Ezekiel 9 make me think of those that will be marked by the Lord in Revelation 14:1-5. Revelation 14 goes on to speak of the coming doom for those who receive the mark of the beast. We do not walk around today with marks on our forehead, but we all are marked. God knows those who belong to him and those who do not (John 10:14). God wishes that no one would perish without knowing the truth of the gospel (2 Peter 3:9), however most go through this life refusing "to love the truth" (2 Thessalonians 2:10, Matthew 7:13). Characteristics of those marked by the Lord include a loving spirit and a holy lifestyle. Can you identify these kind of marks in your life?

Hebrews 13 contains many practical insights. Church leaders exercise spiritual oversight over their flock and should be prayed for and honored. This should take place because leaders will have to give an account one day and because things will work best for everyone in the church when order is maintained (v. 7, 17-18). Also, we should remember those who are in prison (v. 3) and not allow ourselves to be swallowed up by greed (v. 5-6). Christ will equip us to do the work that He sees as our best fit for ministry (v. 20-21). What ministry has God called you to in the local church and community?

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Wake Up Call (Ezekiel 5-7 / Hebrews 12)

Doom, destruction, desecration, death, desolation, demolition, wrath, panic, plague, punishment, famine, fire, bloodshed, judgment --- These are just some of the words God uses to describe what He, "the Sovereign Lord" (Ezekiel 7:5), is about to do to His rebellious people in Ezekiel 5-7. We know God is a God of mercy too, but if all you read in the Bible were these three chapters, you probably would not think this to be the case. Does God really have to act this way? The answer is Yes. We can even look at these judgments as acts of mercy because God is using these acts to show his people that He "is Lord" (6:7). And perhaps once his people realize this fact, they will obey Him once again. We all need these wake up calls in our lives at times to bring us back to what should be the most important thing in our life. What was the last wake up call you received from God? Instead of getting mad at God, try thanking him for his mercy.

Today's NT passage goes right along with the above OT passage. Hebrews 12 teaches us to be grateful for God's discipline (v. 5-6). Discipline is never fun (v. 7), but it is a requirement for those who are following Christ. This discipline, although it hurts, will turn out for our good if we allow ourselves to be trained by it (v. 11). We have a choice. We can refuse God's discipline or we can be thankful for it and worship Him (v. 28). Which decision will you make?

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Bittersweet (Ezekiel 3 / Hebrews 11)

Ezekiel is God's mouthpiece. Ezekiel is fed by God's Word and its taste is as sweet as honey(Ezekiel 3:3). This is similar to what the Psalmist wrote in Psalms 119:103, "How sweet are your words to my taste." However, the Word can also leave a bitter taste in one's mouth (3:14). The apostle John experienced this same bittersweet taste in Revelation 10:9-10 (MacArthur Bible Commentary, p. 897). Both Ezekiel and John were prophets and were made to experience both tastes so that they could relay God's message with pinpoint accuracy to God's people. We are no different today and the message (God's Word) has not changed. To those who obey and love God's Word, the message's taste is sweet. But to those who rebel against and despise God's Word, the message's taste is bitter. The sweet taste leads to life but the bitter taste leads to death. It has been this way since the beginning of time when God commanded (Genesis 2:17)Adam not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (tasting this tree led to death). What taste does God's Word leave in your mouth?

In reading God's hall of fame chapter (Hebrews 11), we tend to focus on "faith" or the "heroes of the faith" or the persecutions these heroes endured (v. 32-38). These are good things to focus on but we do not want to lose sight of the meaning of the last verse of the chapter (v. 40). This verse puts God's people of today right alongside the faithful heroes of the past. God's Son came and died at the perfect time in history. One day, people who lived by faith before his coming and people who lived by faith after his coming will unite together to celebrate His victory over death for an eternity! Are you living by faith in the Son of God?

Friday, November 12, 2010

Old vs. New (Jeremiah 51 / Hebrews 9)

Jeremiah 51 re-emphasizes the destruction of Babylon. God's purposes will stand (50:45). Man's effort will not change God's mind (51:58). We know that prayer changes things. However, God's mind is made up in this case and even prayer to God will not save Babylon's coming destruction. In Jeremiah 52, God's city, Jerusalem, falls to the Babylonians. God's own people undergo judgment for repeatedly rebelling against Him (52:2-3). All of us stand guilty before a holy God (Romans 3:23). None of us can escape God's judgment. Take some time to think about the upcoming Great White Throne judgment for unbelievers and the upcoming Bema Seat judgment for believers.

Hebrews 9 reinterates the old covenant/new covenant theology. Christ's blood was the better way. Animal blood was not sufficient for a heavenly sacrifice (9:23). The old way included a high priest, animal sacrifices, and a tabernacle. The new way has Christ, our Heavenly High Priest as being our sacrifice so that we can now commune with him for an eternity in a heavenly tabernacle. "Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness" (9:22). Without the new sacrifice, we would still be lost in sin. Try to look at this passage and others to identify more ways in which the new covenant is better than the old covenant.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Forgiven? (Jeremiah 50 / Hebrews 8)

Babylon was once a mighty nation. In Jeremiah 50, God speaks of how He will tear this nation down. No one would have thought at that time that Babylon would fall (50:46). However, Babylon had become an evil nation. A comparison of Babylon is made to Sodom and Gomorrah (50:40). God seems to have reached a boiling point and now is his time to act. However, God's nation of Israel sinned too, yet He promised forgiveness for "the remnant." The difference between Israel and Babylon was that one nation was forgiven and the other was not. Life today works the same. You are either forgiven or unforgiven. Salvation is a free gift offered through Jesus Christ and you get to choose the option you desire. Thankfully, you may know today whether you have been forgiven or not (I John 5:11-13).

Hebrews 8 describes the "better covenant" (see yesterday's entry). This new covenant (v. 7) allows God's law to be in your mind and in your heart (v. 10). Forgiveness is offered to all (v. 12). Have you experienced the forgiveness offered in Christ through the new covenant? If you need more explanation, click on this website: www.thekristo.com

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Once and for all! (Jeremiah 48-49, Hebrews 7)

In case you could not tell, Moab had it coming to them (Jeremiah 48). Jeremiah 49 also gives the destiny of Ammon, Edom, Damascus, Kedar, and Hazor. What do we make of all of this? What bearing does God's judgment on these nations have on us today? I have a two-fold explanation. First, we must do everything in our power to make sure our own nation does not collapse (from within and without) as Moab did in Jeremiah 48. Second, we must realize God is in control of our nation and will have the last word as to the destiny of the United States. To the first point, are you praying for the spiritual well-being and the military personnel of America? And to the last point, do you understand that America stands at the doormat of judgment and that God will have the last say?

Hebrews 7:22 says Jesus became the "guarantee of a better covenant." Hebrews 7:26-28 explains how our current covenant is better than past covenants (Noahic, Davidic, etc.). I, for one, am happy I do not have to take an animal down every year to my pastor so that he can sacrifice it in order for my sins to be forgiven. The "better covenant" says that God's One and Only Son "sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself."

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Good Discipline (Jeremiah 46-47, Hebrews 6)

In Jeremiah 46-47, we see God's sovereign hand at work yet again. God is in control of the nations and does with them as He pleases when He pleases. In Jeremiah 46, Egypt and her gods are given a judgment from the Almighty. However, God promises to take care of Israel (46:27-28). In Jeremiah 47, Philistine is also handed a judgment from on high. God says that the day has come for all of the Philistines to be destroyed (47:4). If we are God's people, we can take comfort in this passage. We may receive discipline from the Lord at times, but God will never stop loving us (46:28, Revelation 3:19). Do you witness the discipline of the Lord as being something good in your life?

Hebrews 6:1-12 teaches us that we should be growing in our faith and that we should endure hard times. Hebrews 6:13-20 teaches us that God's salvation is sure. If God swore it, it must be true. "All the promise of God find their Yes in him" (2 Cor. 1:20). Have their been times when you doubted God or the fact that He saved you?

Friday, November 5, 2010

Not angels, but I (Jeremiah 34-36, Hebrews 2)

Jeremiah 34-35 reminds me of I Samuel 15:22: "To obey is better than sacrifice." Israel had disobeyed God even though they still were making sacrifices (34:20). God was not concerned with their religious duty as much as he was concerned with their spiritual well-being. Chapter 34 shows the consequences of disobedience while chapter 35 potrays the blessings that come about through obedience to God. Chapter 36 can serve as an example to what may happen to us if we continue in disobedience. Jehoikam had a stubborn heart and did not seem to think much of God or his prophets (36:23-24). Thus Jehoikam's destiny would not arrive with a happy ending (36:30-31). It is important to attend church but it is more important to obey God when you are not at church. Is your life like the one mentioned in Romans 12:2: a living sacrifice?

Hebrews 2 is an example of God's marvelous love that he has for his greatest creation, mankind. God did not give angels dominion over the "world to come" (2:5). Rather he left this task to redeemed humanity. It was not angels that Christ died for on the cross but rather man in his sin. It is not angels that Christ can now call "brother" but it is those men who have been washed in His blood (2:9-12). "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God!" Take some time to thank God for the awesome salvation that you possess.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

God's phone # (Jeremiah 32-33, Hebrews 1)

It has often been said that Jeremiah 33:3 is God's phone number: "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." The previous chapter warns of the destruction to come upon Israel due to their evil deeds (32:26-41). However the following verses and chapter promise God's restoration of his people and rescue from Babylonian captivity. If there was ever a time to call on God for the nation of Israel, this was the time. God's covenant could not and would not be broken (33:19-26). This was not the first time God would come to the rescue nor would it be the last (32:21). When was the last time you noticed yourself to be in trouble only to call on God and witness his providential hand guiding and protecting you?

Hebrews 1 explains the difference between the Son of God, his angels, and his people. In the order of hierarchy, Christ reigns supreme (1:4). Hebrews 1:4-13 describes the difference between angels and the Son of God. In fact, v. 6 says that all angels were to worship God. Verse 14 places angels below believers because they were sent to earthly/spiritual places to serve us. In serving God's people, angels meet their job description and thus serve God. You can worship and serve God right now by thanking Him for sending angels to help you in times of distress.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Outcasts (Jeremiah 30 -31, Philemon)

In Jeremiah 30, God promises to restore Israel. In 30:8, God calls his people, Israel, an outcast. Outcasts are just the type of people God is looking to restore. God cares for those who are despised and looked down upon in this world (the handicapped, the homeless, etc.). What have you done lately to help others who are in need? Jeremiah 31:31 mentions the new covenant. Instead of one blaming their sins on those who came before them, one would now be held responsible for their own sin (31:29-32). This is because God's law would be put in their minds and on their hearts so everyone would have the capacity to know God (31:33-34). How has God's law convicted you lately? Have you turned to Him as the source of forgiveness?

Philemon is a story about a slave (named Onesimus) who runs away from his slaveowner (Philemon) and ends up finding Paul. Paul tells Philemon of the wonderful change that has taken place in Onesimus's life (v. 10-11) and requests that Philemon receive Onesimus back with "open arms" (NIVCBC, p. 566). This slave had truly become free (in Christ). Have you recently witnessed God wonderfully change someone that was close to you? Pray for that person today.