Wednesday, March 2, 2016

TURN AND LIVE

Today’s 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 when 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 80 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. Israel became a sovereign state once again in 1948. I invite you to join me in thinking about modern Israel by reading one of the most thoughtful commentators anywhere. Charles Krauthammer 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

15 thoughts on “Wednesday, March 2, 2016

  1. Amen, David! That was an excellent article! Shame on Obama! We know the end times are near but Israel will remain protected under God’s thumb. We know His Word. Blessings and prayers to all saints.

    For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth… Ephesians 5:9 KJV

    This song has been strumming through my head, all morning. One of my favourites. Amen!

    Chris Tomlin, How Great is our God
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBD18rsVJHk

  2. Amen! God is in covenant with Israel and will not break it! Excellent blog and article David. Will post on facebook. Thank you Beverlee, and Samuel for your prayers.

  3. Dear David: Thank you for your faithfulness. I am also praying for the peace of Jerusalem. Prayer request, please. Lighthouse Church in Glace Bay NS is a light in a very dark town with huge drug and depression issues. Pastors David Sawlor, Stephen Fenton and their young- living- by- faith team are being chewed up. Physical illnessess, drug deaths, discouragement . Please pray David. This church , this town is the linchpin for the work of the Holy Spirit in this area. And we will give all the glory to Him!
    Thank you for your caring..
    Jeanne

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      Uploaded on 26 Oct 2010

      Wally and his brothers & Dad singing the Doxology just before he married Micah.

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      Comments • 58

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      Top comments

      Wayne Phillips3 months ago (edited)

      0:20 Both of them resemble Jim Carrey in his younger days.
      Anyway, beautiful rendition of the Doxology, guys!

      Reply•

      Jan Bennett2 weeks ago

      I didn’t think I’d ever like the Doxology without accompaniment, but you proved me so wrong! Absolutely beautiful and worshipful.

      Reply•

      Drew Sneed3 months ago

      Is that Dr. Reid from Criminal Minds?

      Reply•

      TheAulegend1 year ago

      I thoroughly enjoyed hearing you guys. Such a pure and genuine sound…

      Reply•3

      AliceTallGirl8 months ago

      Where can I buy your CD?

      Reply•

      kate_loves_Christ9 months ago

      Praise for Ever to The Most High !!! This video: Beautiful,testosterone-filled Pure Praise!!
      `
      “Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures: And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the scriptures”
      1 Cor.15:1- 4

      Read more

      Reply•

      Lori L9 months ago

      beautiful harmonies and singing :)

      Reply•

      Gaggy Mott7 months ago

      Americans, please note… ‘God’ is pronounced like ‘sod’, not ‘Gad’ to rhyme with ‘mad!’

      Reply•

      Wayne Phillips3 months ago

      +Gaggy Mott Lots of preachers here in Barbados pronounce ‘God’ like ‘Gad’ too. I hate to hear it pronounced like that but Barbadians (and probably West Indians in general) tend to think everything American is cool or something.

      Reply•

      AJ Steele1 year ago

      Powerful harmony. Just fantastic .

      Reply•

      Judi Harbin1 year ago

      But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure. – Psalm 61:14-15

      Reply•2

      TMCP10 months ago

      Huh, I didn’t know Micah could be a girl’s name. I suppose it’s a bit like David’s wife Michal in the Old Testament.

      Reply•1

      dsassiest19811 year ago

      I love it. .. So much so that a few months after I first saw this video (when I was watching it nightly to get through a rough patch in life) , I’m back watching it on repeat to bring me peace while embarking on a new phase in life. This song & the singer’s melody brings me great peace 🙂 thank you 

      Reply•4

      Timothy Vandervort (victimvan)1 year ago

      Praise god from whom all blessings flow
      Praise him all creatures here below
      Praise him above, ye heavenly host;
      Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
      

      Read more

      Reply•3

      Chemistry with Ken1 year ago

      Amen!

      Reply•

      josh memphis,tn1 year ago

      amazing

      Reply•1

      Kari McWalter1 year ago

      grew up singing this song. We use it as our grace before eating at family holidays. And we still do to this day.

      Reply•

      Judi Harbin2 years ago

      “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (II Corinthians 4:18)

      Jannie Anderson2 years ago

      Beautiful

      dy945362 years ago

      Very good!! Thanks for sharing.

      Janna Watson2 years ago

      Best hymn ever!

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  4. Always enjoy this blog. Hoping that it will start again after the June finish of the 2 year reading of the Bible. It is such a blessing!

  5. How Great is our God Indeed….He will protect our Jewish people
    ….Pray for Jerusalem yes every day pray….. R…..

  6. I’ve been away for a few days but continued to read Ezekiel. On return, re-read all the Scriptures and blogs and want to make the following comments:

    1. I still remember the 60’s with the Assassinations of John Kennedy, Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. The world has not been the same since that decade. Thanks for the reminder of Martin Luther King Jr. Just think, it took a little over 100 years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed by President Lincoln (Sept. 22, 1862) for equal rights to be granted in the States – initiated through non-violent means under the leadership of Martin Luther King Jr. Both paid a huge price for their decisions – both were assassinated.

    2. Wow! What a nice photo of David & Norma-Jean at Graceland. (Feb. 28) God continues to bless you David with good health and this picture shows it. Blessings to you and Norma-Jean for your partnership together and in the ministry of the Lord all through these years. Here’s a few verses for you. One of my favourites. Psalm 92:12-15 (NIV). God’s promise to us even as we grow older to continue to use us.

    3. We continue to lift up the Jewish Nation, Israel; it’s capital, Jerusalem; and it’s people everyone. God will continue to glorify His Name through his people. A reminder from Paul to share the gospel “to the Jew first and then Gentiles”. It is my prayer, the Christians will pour out their love, prayers and support for Israel and all Jewish People around the world. The increase of persecution is again happening and we need to be vocal in our support – even when there are those casual jokes about Jewish People. I refuse to listen to them and let it be known – in their defense.

    4. Beverley, thank you for the song I was looking for sung by Chris Tomlin, “The Secret” or sub-title, “I want to know you more”. It speaks to my heart – exactly where I feel I am before the Lord – listening to his voice – discerning his will – in thoughtful quietness.

    5. Continuing to pray for Eldon – and others – where circumstances seems to be a sign of God’s intervention in people’s lives to give them an opportunity to think on the Lord and eternal matters.

    6. What a great chapter in Ezekiel, Chapter 18 – powerful. God holding parents and children – all individuals – responsible for their own decisions in regard to living a life of sinfulness or righteousness. But it all comes back to “me” and my relationship with the Lord. To be constantly turning to Him – resisting a life of sin and selfishness – and by the power of the Holy Spirit – living a life pleasing to God.

    Sorry, for all the comments but just catching up on the last few days and taking the opportunity of joining all bloggers in their thoughts, comments and prayers.

    • Bless you Samuel for sharing your thoughts and heart. May the anointing of Our Lord and Christ continue to heal and refresh you!

  7. Thank you Sah for your kind words yesterday and prayers. Praying the Lord will look down on Dana and heal her of her hernia in Jesus Name! God bless you sister!

  8. Heartfelt prayer, excellent blog and article this morning Pastor David!!! May God continue to strengthen, encourage and bless you daily!!

  9. Was it 2012 when this blog started? The years seem to go by so quickly. What a great opportunity to be able to follow daily. Thanks David and family and all who participate. I hope it will continue for many years.

  10. I agree that David and Norma Jean look very well, very happy, very healty! Praise and thank the Lord for good health! Getting a good rest is very important to good health!
    I thank God over and over for removing smokes/alcohol from me 20 years ago and I broke my leg st the same time and God took that broken leg and turned it into me learning to swim! I thank God for good health!
    I thank God for the Sleep Disorder which I have had since Nov 2014,and for the mental illness which I had since birth but was diagnosed when I was 47. It is a challenge, and again, I thank God for swimming! IT IS A GOOD THING WHAT GOD DID FOR ME!

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