Tuesday, March 3, 2020

“I WILL” – GOD

Today’s Reading: Ezekiel 20

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

 

This is a model of the Temple as it may have looked in ancient times.

 

Key Verse: Ezekiel 20:5

Say to them, “Thus says the Lord God: ‘On the day when I chose Israel and raised My hand in an oath to the descendants of the house of Jacob, and made Myself known to them in the land of Egypt, I raised My hand in an oath to them, saying, “I am the Lord your God.”‘”

 

Four times here in chapter 20 God speaks through the Prophet Ezekiel saying that judgment is held back, “For My Name’s sake, that it should not be profaned before the Gentiles” (verses 9, 14, 22, 44). The writer of the most detailed of the Bible commentaries, Matthew Henry (1662-1714), writes, “When nothing in us will furnish Him with a reason for His favours, He furnishes Himself with one.” Ten times in the last 11 verses of the chapter God says, “I will,” and we can count on Him to consistently carry out His will. “Man proposes, but God disposes.” This is a statement by Thomas a Kempis (1380-1471). He wrote a classic book called, The Imitation of Christ, which can be purchased on Amazon (click here). Proverbs 16:9 tells us that “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.”

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Thank You, Lord God, that again and again You initiate action to accomplish Your will. You have given me will power. Therefore, I choose to pray, “Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven!” I pray this for Your “Name’s sake” and in the Name of the One who could say about His Father, “I always do those things that please Him” (John 8:29b), Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

When I pray the “Our Father” prayer that Jesus taught His disciples (students) to pray, “Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven,” I’m very conscious of the fact that God has put His plans for my best into the area of my human free will. I’m made, according to the Scriptures, in the image and likeness of God. “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness'” (Genesis 1:26a). We are not like creatures programmed to behave in a certain way, but we have the freedom to make our own choices. The most dangerous and yet glorious choice is whether we will serve God or ourselves. When I give my will to do God’s will by praying for God’s will, not just in general, but concerning specific matters, God will, without violating my free will with which He created me, bring about His will. Prayer is my “welcome mat” for God. “Come in, Lord God. You’re in charge here!” Remember the question, WWJD? What would Jesus do? I find out the answer to that question sooner or later in God’s time, because I’ve prayed!

Yours most sincerely and prayerfully,

David

P.S. On the “Make You Think” challenge of the past few days, I’m asking readers to think about the reason that God would bother sending Prophets to speak of coming events. Surely God could’ve done anything He wanted to do without telling us in advance. Tomorrow, God willing, I’ll give my thoughts on this question.

17 thoughts on “Tuesday, March 3, 2020

  1. When you feel the prayers of saints, your heart feels it is already in heaven. Amen? Feeling your prayers, this morning, as you are feeling mine for you, and soaking in the Presence of the Holy Spirit. We do Your will on earth as it is in heaven, Lord God, and we praise Your Name above all Names. We give thanks for Your love for us, strength You give us, and we rely on You to get through the storms we face. Be well, today, saints.

    May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant. Psalm 119:76 NIV

    Good Good Father w/ Lyrics (Chris Tomlin)
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ak0OoFBw3c

  2. Yes, Lord, please help us to trust and obey You. We pray that You will be glorified throughout this world, this universe You made. You are the centre, the maker of all things and people. We pray that people will see You and bow down before You today, You who are worthy of all praise. In Jesus’s name, amen

  3. Psalm 91 good for our times, especially verses 5 – 10. Thank You Lord for Your promises. Really, really, thick fog here in Hamilton, ON. Father protect us. Amen

  4. Prayer for all saints on this blog today and glad you are feeling the blessing of the Lord today Beverlee. Thank you for your prayers Sister. Was thanking the Lord for the sunshine just now as walked out to get my mail. Spring is coming saints! Have been enjoying the devotional, “Morning and Evening” by C.H. Spurgeon, which I bought in Kenya years ago but felt it was too deep for me. Now I am really blessed by it. Read today that the Apostle Paul had to learn …to be content and he was an old, greyhaired man in Nero’s prison when he wrote that. Have been asking the Lord to forgive me when I complain. Need to count my blessings, name them one by one. Amen?

    • Amen, Ger! We are thankful and count our blessings. I have Morning by Morning by Charles Spurgeon, one of my daily devotionals,.and love it. I read Morning and Evening often online and maybe you have the date wrong in the book as it did not mention Paul, today. A rainy rainy day here in Prince Edward County, Ontario with the week ahead the same. Happy you have sunshine in New Brunswick!

  5. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EG-l1kK-BpU

    Lord I pray the you would draw your church into a greater intimacy of knowing You and a deeper understanding of the reverence and awe for your mighty name, Jesus. I pray for unity within the body across this nation.

    Please pray for my son, Sheldon for salvation and as he undergoes surgery tomorrow for cancer. God is faithful and I walk by faith. Amen

    • Lord God, we pray to You, the Jehovah Rapha, our God who heals; Jehovah Jireh, our God who provides and Jehovah Nissi, our banner of protection, for Charlene’s son, Sheldon. Breathe into him, Holy Spirit, Ruach breath of life. We pray for the cancer in his body to be completely removed and for his soul to be saved, claiming the Name of Jesus as his Saviour. We pray also for peace of mind and comfort for Charlene and her family. Lord, you know this mother’s heart and love for her son. We hold them in prayer to You, our Messiah Christ. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

      “The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life” (Job 33:4).

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