Monday, February 24, 2014

EAT THE SCROLL

Suggested Reading: Ezekiel 1-3

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

The colours of a rainbow flooding the sky above Jerusalem. In today's reading, Ezekiel describes what he saw before him and above him.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

 

Key Verses: Ezekiel 1:28, 3:2

“Like the appearance of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day, so was the appearance of the brightness all around it. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord”…”So I opened my mouth, and He caused me to eat that scroll.”

 

God called His prophets to be “Watchmen.” Jeremiah, Ezekiel and others sounded the warning that if God’s people refused to listen, the responsibility for their downfall was their own; but if the prophet failed to sound the warning, every lost life was on his account. The word “rebellious” is repeated 8 times in these chapters, the word “impudent,” which means “not ashamed,” is used twice. The people were not ashamed of their rebellion against the clearly stated Word of God! Other words to describe God’s people are “stubborn” and “hard-hearted.” Nevertheless, we should be encouraged because God is communicating in a variety of ways. Our Father in Heaven has not left us as orphans. His Apostles, Prophets, Pastors/Teachers, and Evangelists have spoken to us God’s message (read Ephesians 4:11-16).

Maybe the “wheel within a wheel” resembles the reports of some people on what they call “flying saucers.” What Ezekiel saw in his vision were probably the great archangels of God. Just remember, Satan is an archangel who can appear as an “angel of light” in order to deceive people. Let’s stick with the message of the Bible prophets, the Apostles, and most of all Jesus, Himself. That way we won’t be deceived. There are major false religions in the world today which were started by the appearance of an “angel” to so-called prophets. I’m thinking of Islam and Mormonism (read 2 Corinthians 11:12-15).

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I pray that by Your mercy and grace in my life I will be teachable and not rebellious, impudent, stubborn, and hard-hearted! May I “eat” Your Word daily, making it my nourishment, part of my very being. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

True Bible prophets have made predictions, many of which have already come to pass. Some of the best examples of this are Psalm 22, 1,000 years before Christ, and Isaiah 7:14, 9:6, and 53, 600-700 years before Christ.

Global warming or climate change predictions are constantly being given by modern would-be prophets. In this regard, I’m not rebellious or impudent; I confess to being a “global warming” agnostic. I’m not a “climate change” denier, nor am I an Al Gore-type supporter (the former U.S. Vice President). Therefore, I am taking a wait-and-see approach to the predictions of imminent destruction of the world by the melting of the ice-caps. The prophet Moses gave us God’s promise, confirmed by a rainbow, that the earth would never again be destroyed by a flood. I just read a news item from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. A retired officer who served on icebreakers in the 70s and 80s says, “This year’s ice conditions have not been seen for 40 years. The ice cover in the Arctic is returning and getting thicker.” David Philips, senior climatologist for Environment Canada, is quoted as saying, “In some way, we were suggesting that it would be colder, but not this intensely cold. It is unlike anything we’ve seen for a couple of decades.” Norma-Jean and I are doing a little to reduce our carbon footprint by driving a “hybrid” car. It’s easier on our retirement budget at the gas pumps, and we may be helping reduce carbon emissions.

I’m extremely thankful for what the Apostle Peter calls “The more sure Word of Prophecy.” Those predictions are totally reliable (2 Peter 1:18-20).

Yours for holding onto the One who holds the future,

David

P.S. Early Saturday evening I went over to the Hamilton Harbour and took this picture of the ice melting along the shore. When I came back to our apartment I found online a satellite picture of the ice on the Great Lakes, which reached 88% coverage in mid-February…a level not reached since 1994. Take a look at. the bottom picture. Yesterday morning I checked the outside temperature. It had dipped back below zero celsius, and one radio weather forecast said it may go down to -20 celsius by this Friday. Global warming predicts a catastrophic flood for costal cities. As I said, I’m an agnostic on this. However I do believe that there are constant small changes in the Climate. Temperatures have been up and down for a very long time. For all you northerners, KEEP WARM!

With Lakes Superior, Huron, and Erie (at the bottom of the picture) it's difficult to read the captions because of the total ice coverings.

 

21 thoughts on “Monday, February 24, 2014

  1. God s word is near us even in my mouth , thankbyou David for your insight into the word of God , the beautiful picture of the rainbow which is Gods promise never to have the world destryed with another flood , we are so grateful for all God s promises for they have not changed they are the same today as they were back in Eziekiels day , Praise and honor and glory to our Lord and Saviour The Lord Jesus Christ Amen 😉
    Have a blessed day and floods of Gods favor in Jesus name Amen

  2. Thanks, David! Such an empowering message, this morning, full of excellent scriptural links, information about climate change that MAKES SENSE!; and of course, the astounding vision of the heavens by Ezekiel! Nothing could be more reassuring upon returning home after a very hard week, helping to get my mom, Jean, settled into her nursing home.

    The disconnect between my sister, Cheri, and I, ever more present, added to the weight of physical distress, I experienced. As so many of you know, it is not easy to watch your mom die. However, I am so grateful she is finally receiving the proper care she needs. I felt so blessed to read my mom scripture and to spend time just being with her. Praying for my mom, and sister, at the altar at church, yesterday, along with support of my Pastor and Lay Minister, was reassuring. Thank you, dear saints, for all your prayers. They are much appreciated!

    And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation. 1 Pet 1:18-20 NKJV
    Praise God!

    God’s continued blessings, David and Norma-Jean, and dear fellow saints! Oh, how I have missed you, our daily bible study, and blog. How reassured and strengthened I feel from the Word! Have a great day!

    • Blessings and God’s comfort on you Beverlee as we continue to pray for you, your mom and sister Cheri. I pray for you and your sister to find common ground as you minister to your mom. Blesdings for today sister in Jesus.

  3. Ezekial must have loved the Lord so much as to carry out the task God told him to do. I know myself I might try to hide from such an endeavour. Not only fear of rejection for myself, but ridicule on my family and friends if people didn’t believe my words. The aparition alone, that Ezekial experienced, would be difficult to believe by people. It must have been a way for God to “weed out” stubborn souls. He so obviously gives us free will in this reading. Salvation is sooooo easy and yet so is sin.
    It’s -30 here this morning in west central Alberta.
    I pray for a blessed day for all dear saints.

  4. Spectacular pictures of the sky over Jerusalem and the ice shots. All kinds of modern day aircraft came to my imagination while reading Ezekiel, but know one knows for sure, except the messages given him by our Lord. Society today is filled with such a wide spectrum of beliefs and values. Thus, the importance of holding true to our faith in Christ Jesus, the Holy Spirit and our Father as One. As far as weather goes, I am amazed at the extremes and intensity. Nature and science is profound in so many ways, it alone points to an all powerful God! Stay warm and blessings to all in Christ!

  5. HI David, and everyone in this chilly continent. Years ago one could go south to escape the frigid temperatures of the north. Now where do we go for warmth ? I am so thankful for the abundant wood supply we stored last fall. We have even been enjoying it in our ice shack during these cold winter days. At times we have to open the door to let out some of that warmth. I wish we could bottle it for those less fortunate. Our 4 children and our Grandbabies 3, 2 and not yet 1/2 year old, have been spending our weekends fishing in the river just down from our farm. We are located in the top right hand corner of that satellite shot.
    Several years ago I was speaking to an elderly gentleman, in regards to my raising chickens. He, a self educated sole, who had read every book in the library , on every subject, including that of Old History. I could and did listen to his intensive knowledge on past and present events. On several occasions he spoke of Global warming being a re-occurring event, time and time again throughout History.— The last one being around the time of Jesus’ birth. Is someone out there an Ancient History Scholar on such things. It sure is interesting.
    God bless us, every one , He is in control of all things in the universe past present and future ! ! !

  6. The Trustworthy Prophetic Word…

    2 Peter 1: 16-21
    New King James Version (NKJV)

    16 For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 17 For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory:

    • …somehow the rest of this passage from scripture was blocked from posting… but I found the passages before and after David M reference to scripture a further blessing…

      May the Holy Spirit continue to work through us as we go about this day… for his honour and glory. Praise God! Amen!

  7. Amazing how God cares about us even in our sins…
    May the Good Lord help us to turn away from our sins and turn to things that are pleasing in His sight! Amen

    I had a dream about the second coming
    In my dream, the rapture took place, the dead in Christ caught up with the living in the air.
    The remaining dead where living on earth with the living that where left. The earth was filled with fear and looked empty. Demons of different types walking the earth…it was just not a Pleasant sight. I heard the words…” It would be like that for 3 years then …”am not so sure what the other words were. It seemed like it happened sooner than we expected.
    It could only have been a dream, but my Blugg family lets continue to hold fast in The Word and pray for God’s continuous grace in our lives.
    Thank You Lord for I know I will be one of those resurrecting and so will you all by the grace of God! Amen….
    Stay blessed

  8. My dear blogging family “with God all things are possible ” praise the Lord He is still in
    control , So let us hold tight to His Word ,and All will be well with us ….R….

  9. Oh how the lost are missing out in the wonders of Almighty God.

    They are so prone to accept the special affects that Hollywood provides in their outlandish movies, yet cannot grasp the wonders Our Father has truly provide through the prophets and His Word. Let us hold fast to THE TRUTH and keep sharing it.

  10. Thankyou Catherine I’m doing fine PTL ,A bit lonely at times , . But leaning on the Lord , His promise is ,He will never leave me nor for sake me,. Hebrews 13: 5
    so I am content in His Arms….R…

    • Rosemarie, that was one of the verses I read my mom; one of my favourites. Here is the other:

      ‘Fear not, for I am with you;
      Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
      I will strength you,
      Yes, I will help you.
      I will uphold you, with My righteous hand.’
      Isaiah 41:10

      God bless you, and keep you, Rosemarie!

  11. Dear Rev David M:
    Thank you so much for this mornings teaching. Your daily prayers are so uplifting and informative that I have made a point of copying and pasting them in my documents to use them in times of need,
    The pictures once more today are spectacular.
    My prayers go out to Beverlee and Rosemarie. Asking Gods blessings on these two wonderful ladies that His will be done.
    In response to weather happening before this is what Solomon says:
    What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. Eccl 1:9

    Keep nice and warm everyone. God bless you all.

    xxx Carole

  12. Great posting again today, David. Welcome back, Beverlee. I was wondering about you and be encouraged as you know God can turn things around. The rainbow reminded me of Dad’s parting how that God put a rainbow in the sky right after his death to assure me that everything was all right. Marvel at the visions God gave the major prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel that confirmed their calling and gave them courage.

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