TWO WOMEN
Suggested Reading: Ezekiel 23
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Located at the Parliament of Greece is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The bronze shields on the walls commemorate military victories since the Greek War of Independence (1821). The monument was unveiled on 25 March 1932 (Greek Independence Day). It is guarded 24 hours a day by two members of the Presidential Guard, an elite, specially chosen unit of the Greek Army. The army of the Kingdom of Greece under the personal leadership of their king, Alexander the Great, criss-crossed the lands of Israel 200 years after Ezekiel's time, defeating the Persians and the armies of the countries beyond Persia (Iran) as far as India.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Ezekiel 23:35
Therefore thus says the Lord God:
“Because you have forgotten Me and cast Me behind your back,
Therefore you shall bear the penalty
Of your lewdness and your harlotry.”
In yesterday’s blog we were challenged to think of reasons why God would bother to give prophecies to prophets he had called into this unusual ministry. Please feel free to put your thoughts on this “Make You Think” challenge on the response pages. Here are some of my thoughts…
(1) We can be sure He didn’t do this in order to provide work for modern “Prophecy” teachers (Dr. Hal Lindsay is a favourite. He sold over 30,000,000 copies of “The Late Great Planet Earth” book. It’s an important work. Moira Brown, a successful secular TV and radio personality, came to faith, to a large extent, through this book). Click here and scroll down for a short bio of Moira, and here for info on Hal Lindsay.
(2) We can also be sure that He didn’t give true prophecy just to satisfy people’s curiosity about the future. As God is outside “time,” He sees the entirety of time (a human concept) from creation to the time when it is prophesied that “the elements will burn with fervent heat,” and our planet will literally “dissolve” (read 2 Peter 3:8-12). Included in Peter’s prophecy is this statement, “A day with the Lord is as a thousand years.” Einstein’s Theory of Relativity and Modern Quantum Physics give some insight as to how the Great Creator, as our First Nations refer to God, must, of necessity, be outside of “time.”
(This blog is already too long, but please stick with me)
(3) Prophecy, as in the testimony of Moira Brown, proves the fact that only God could describe events before they happened and share these predictions with His prophets in amazing detail. If these things are true (and they are), then it follows that the rest of the Bible is also trustworthy in its revelation of God’s love and His plan for our eternal salvation and Heaven.
(4) Prophecy also serves, when spoken or written by a human person, to invite God into the realm of man’s “dominion.” God gave rulership over the earth to us, and we’ve surely messed up badly. The spoken word by a representative of the human family gives authority back to God for His intervention. There are plenty of prophetic words in the Bible (one third of its content) for God to do all He knows is needed. Of course the greatest intervention of God which, as prophesied over and over again, is all about the “Son of God.” Don’t miss the movie now on the big screen by that title. All the events of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection were prophesied in great detail (Genesis 1:26-27, Isaiah 53).
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, You gave me “dominion” (dominus…lord), and every day I give this responsibility and authority back to You! You may trust me with some decisions today, and I pray fervently that I’ll make the right ones. I believe in You Lord, and I thank You for believing in me. I pray for lots and lots of grace so as not to let You down, and so as not to disappoint You. I pray this in the Name of the One Who, as “Son of Man,” never disappointed You, Jesus Christ! Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I have not commented on the content of today’s reading. The “two women” provide Ezekiel powerful examples of the unfaithfulness of Israel, both the Northern Tribes and Judah in the south. Rather than concentrating on them, I’d like to refer to two women who are here with me in our mobile home in the Seniors Park in Florida. My wife, Norma-Jean, and my daughter Elaine Stacey, who is visiting us for a few days. Yesterday morning as I sat at the breakfast table, Elaine came up behind my chair and hugged me for at least two minutes. She called me precious and “sweet daddy.” Wow! That felt good! I took some pictures not long after that.There is one of Norma-Jean at a beautiful flowering tree, and then I gave my wife the iPhone and she took one of Elaine and me (photos below). The trees and shrubs are beautiful here and I appreciate the glorious creations of the flowers, but nothing here on earth can match the beauty I see in these two women! What a contrast to the women that Ezekiel describes.
Yours for the “Beauty of Jesus to be seen in us!” (click here for a Korean choir singing a medley of “Oh How He Loves You and Me” and “Let the Beauty of Jesus Be Seen In Me”),
David
Here's one faithful woman, my sweetheart wife, Norma-Jean. We're back in Florida living in our mobile home in a senior's park. I took this picture with my iPhone, then handed the camera to Norma-Jean for a picture with our daughter, Elaine Stacey, who is here visiting us. All day yesterday my thoughts turned again and again to my wife and daughter, and the sharp contrast to the two women in today's reading which they represent.
Elaine is a mother of four, Sheryl, Christopher, Elena and Alex. She has five grandchildren and one more due in June: Noelle, Myles, Autumn, and baby Neilson. Also, there is Memphis and a new baby, Frankie Norma-Jean Stacey.
Brings tears to my eyes, this morning, hearing ‘Oh How He Loves Me’; seeing your beautiful photos; and reading your blog of love. Praise God! I have read Ezekiel yesterday and today, your messages and blog comments, but have not had time to comment. I hope to share my views on prophecy and comments re: Ezekiel soon. God Bless you fine sir, and fellow saints! You are so beautiful!! Praise God!!
He is so beautiful. He loves us! Oh, how He loves us! What could be more heavenly in our hearts. What could be more true! My heart is so full of the everlasting love from you, Lord! Thank You, thank You, thank You! I am praising You, all day long! Thank You for Your Love and precious sacrifice, Jesus!!
God uses prophecy in someone He has chosen as the voice and vehicle to implement and instill a miracle of change in the world. c. Beverlee Kay, 2014
Beautiful pictures. Having the love, support and respect of your family, is equivalent to heaven here on earth. To have integrity and respect in your professional and spiritual calling is most gratifying, in deed. Our Lord has certainly brought you to a place of fruition and peace. In so far as prophesy, I believe grasping the concept of timelessness is imperative to seeing what is being revealed in eternity. No prophetic event is more important than the incarnation of God in Jesus Christ and what this means for humankind. Other revelations of physical events on this planet only serve to emphasize growth and decay, the temporal nature of all which God has created. We need only live in reverence and allay fear because simply put, what will be will be. Enjoy your stay in beautiful Florida David with your lovely wife Norma-Jean and those fortunate to pass your way. Blessings, to all!
Beautiful photos today and tribute to two special ladies in your life. Thanks for sharing them with us. Asking for special prayer as I am leading a service of special prayer for Egypt. Am mentioning your father’s work as a missionary and your son-in-law David. Have a great day!
I believe God speaks to us through a human being because it is easier for us to relate to one of our fellow men than an all-powerful God.
Beautiful thoughts today as well as pictures.
Thanks Rev. Mainse.
Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, a season of Grace, a chance to free ourselves of anything that gets in our way of relationships with God and His will for our lives. As a part of my Lent I pray this prayer everyday, not sure who is the author of it, but thought I would share it in case anyone might like to pray it too, or adapt it for their circumstances.
Loving Heavenly Father,
Amid all the troubling news of the world, thank you for the Good News of the Gospel.
Amid the fear of foreigners, thank you for helping us welcome strangers.
In the hectic race for wealth, thank you for opening us to the joy of sharing and serving others.
Amid the pain of sin and brokenness, thank you for helping us to be compassionate healers of your forgiveness.
And when we are tempted to think violence is the only way to reach our goals, we thank you for guiding us into ways of peace and reconciliation. Amen
Happy Lent everyone– for the happiness of Lent is God Himself.
Amen, Donna!
Thank you David for sharing and your beautiful pictures of your wife and ypur lovely daughter
God Bless You and all my fellow bloggers
It was Hal Lindsay who through one of his books, opened my eyes to the awesomeness of God in my early 20s.
Always was and always will be and timelessness are concepts that my finite human mind have a hard time grasping…
Prophecy – a gift from God – designed to edify creation and glorify God – where the Holy Spirit speaks of future events – only God knows the exact timing when each prophecy takes place…
My belief on modern day prophecy – take everything you hear with a grain of salt and pray about it…
May our Lord and Saviour walk closely with us as we go about this day… Amen!
Wonderful pictures of two beautiful women you share with us. You are truly blessed as they are to have you. That tree is another reminder of God’s creation. I always say He has a wonderful pallet of colours.
As you say, what contrast Norma-Jean and Elaine are to the women in today’s reading. Praise The Lord for godly men and women.
Thanks for the prayer Donna.
Dear Rev. David M.
Thank you so much for sharing with us the two beautiful and Godly women in your family( Norma-Jean and Elaine).
Heavenly Father, I thank you for the immense gift of prophecy sent to us through the Old and New Testament . I pray diligently for discerenement of any false prophecy that could appear that would not be from YOU. In the name of The One that always showed us the way and the truth, Jesus Christ, Our Saviour , Our King , Amen.
PS..Thank you Donna for your prayer.
God bless you all .
xxxx Carole.
II Chronicles 20: 20 ….Believe in the LORD your God, so shall you be established; believe His prophets, so shall you prosper.
I continue to enjoy your daily blog. So happy you were prompted by the Lord to do this. The pictures in Florida were an absolute feast for the eyes because all we see around here in southern Ontario (Newmarket) are heaps and heaps of snow! Normally this is when we would start looking for crocuses and tulips to start poking up from the ground but NOT this year!! Today felt almost balmy at -6!
Have not received March 5 and 6. Wondering what has happened. Before the 5th, I was receiving 100 Words daily and enjoying it. Can it be sent to my email again or could my computer be acting up? Thanks and God Bless You Carol
Check you “Junk” folder, as sometimes people’s email program thinks it’s junk mail. Otherwise, go to http://www.100words.ca and sign up again for the emails. Thanks!