TURN AND LIVE
Suggested Reading: Ezekiel 18-19
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Here is a father and son in Nazareth Village. They are actors wearing the clothing that would have been worn during the first century. Not much different from many parts of the middle east today. Today's reading refers to fathers and sons. I'm thankful for sons Reynold and Ron who help me with this blog. Bless you my sons!
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Ezekiel 18:31
Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel?
The last three words of Ezekiel 18 are “turn and live.” This is the most important decision anyone could ever make. To decide to go God’s way instead of our own way is totally life changing for time and for eternity. Another word for this change of direction is “repentance” (18:30). Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” We need to lock into the way that God says in His Word is right!! That may be the most important reason for this daily blog. Consistently reading God’s Word is the only way to know what God thinks!! Chapter 18 begins with a proverb which points out that a son (or daughter) can change directions, even if their father does not. This truth is backed up by 18:14. Chapter 19 shifts emphasis to “Mother,” in this case she is “Israel.” In our case, it may be those things in our background which keep us away from God. Again, if that is the case, “TURN AND LIVE!” Decide today to go God’s way and make the determination that there is no turning back. A Jewish ruler asked Jesus, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Here is Jesus’ answer (click here for John 3:1-21). This man showed up at Jesus’ Cross (John 19:39-42).
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, that “turn and live” decision is eternally important. I pray for grace to daily check the GPS road map (the Bible) to make sure I have not turned away from Your highway of life onto a road of my own choosing. I’m moving always forward at Your instructions. Lord Jesus, You invited me to follow You. Here I come! I ask for strength so that I won’t lag behind and lose sight of You! Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
“A new heart and a new spirit.” I had open-heart surgery in the summer of 2001. I was 64. God did open-heart surgery on me when I was 16. He placed His Spirit in my heart. My physical heart is doing just fine, and because of constant monitoring of my spiritual heart every day as I read and pray, I believe that I’m spiritually healthy. Of course that is a subjective judgment on my part; God is the only One who truly knows my heart and He’s monitoring my spiritual condition. I’ll find out His final report sooner or later. It will probably be sooner, as I turn 78 on August 13th.
The book of Ezekiel is all about restoring the Jews as a nation in their ancestral home. There was a brief period around 200 BC when Israel’s sovereignty was restored, between Ezekiel’s time and 1948 when Israel became a sovereign state once again. I invite you to join me in thinking about modern Israel by reading one of the most thoughtful commentators anywhere, Charles Krauthammer. He was raised in Montreal, Canada, but now lives in the U.S.A. He has his M.D. and has practised as a psychiatrist, but now is a full-time journalist. In keeping with the “Make You Think” theme I introduced yesterday, I have a suggestion. Click here for Charles’ Washington Post article from June 4th, 2010. He is Jewish. His column is entitled, “Those Troublesome Jews.”
Yours for accepting God’s invitation to “Come now, and let us reason (make you think) together, says the Lord, though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient you shall eat of the good of the land” (Isaiah 1:18-19),
David
Excellent story about the futility Israel faces internationally in attempts to defend herself. There comes a point in self preservation where one values their existence over world rhetoric. Stand strong Israel, for your defeat would most assuredly be ours! I like your analogy of the bible being giving us direction as a GPS gives us course. As we turn, we look ahead in a new direction instead of wilting in the old circular pattern. Thank you Lord for each new day you give us and the eternal hope for which we have in Christ Jesus!
Amen!
Father God
Help me to follow you and to not got to the left or right to keep my
eyes on you always
in Jesus name
Amen
I hope every blogger keeps warm today where ever you are for it is bitter
Lianne Hogg
Good Friends,
I will include Peace in Jersualem in the prayers of the people at our Church in Prescott today.
While the options outlined in the artcle are depressing, I take comfort in the fact that I know that God has a plan.
We plan on viewing the movie Son of God in Brockville this afternoon.
Shalom,
Graham.
2012 Holy Land yellow Bus.
Open-heart surgery seems to be such a common-place operation anymore. God has trained our doctors to be so talented! Praise the Lord for your good health Rev. Mainse.
God is so consistent about his message to do good over evil. Just reading our bible faithfully and daily drives that point home.
We watch the Fox channel daily and Mr. Krauthammer is such a wonderful commentator and journalist. Never new for quite awhile that he is confined to a wheel chair because of a swimming accident. Such an intelligent man.
I will be having eye surgery tomorrow and ask that all saints will pray for a safe and successful result. My surgeon is a devout Christian so feel happy at that:-)
-32 here in beautiful Alberta this a.m. Spring is coming, thank you Jesus, amen.
Lynda as you have your eye surgery tomorrow, I pray you will have God’s comfort and peace and that all will go well.
Blesdinfs to you.
I thank you Lord God for my salvation through The Lord Jesus Christ, and that each day as I read your Word I pray I will hear, and heed what you have for me.
It is wonderful that we have a God who wants to restore and not leave us to our own demise. Let us continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and for the lost to turn and LIVE!!!!! Praise God from whom ALL BLESSINGS FLOW?
Thank you blessed man of God!!!!!!!!!
So enjoy the links you exclude,always go to each. Makes for a really complete time of study and of informative facts I learn about
Praying for Linda,s eye surgery tomorrow. Thanking the Lord for a warm home on these very cold days!
Greetings in Jesus name.
After reading that article by Charles Krauthammer, see even more the importance of praying for the peace of Jerusalem and Israel. Very enlightening! Peace and blessings for a successful eye operation tomorrow Lynda!
David, this blog, and daily bible readings mean so much to me. I sometimes get teary eyed reading, because I can feel God talking, and giving me direction,and guidance. Answering the questions in my prayers to him my father in heaven.
You are so right to say that God communicates to us through his word. I am so gratefull we have the freedom to read the bible, and worship everyday without fearing for our lives.
Yes, thank you for that article…I pray God’s continued defense for Israel…and that many continue in prayer for Wisdom and strength for her!!!
Thank you dear souls:-)