Have the Right Attitude

Hosea 6:2-3

In just a short time he will restore us, so that we may live in his presence. Oh, that we might know the LORD! Let us press on to know him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring.”

Let me ask you a question: On a scale of 1 to 10, one being bad and ten being good, how’s your attitude been lately? Do you think about positive or negative things more? We can become easily consumed by our thoughts and it can determine our outlook on life. The Israelites’ attitude towards God in this scripture wasn’t what they thought it was going to be. They thought God would just put a bandage over their sins and not fully punish them for their rebellion against Him.

Many times, we think God will let things go unchecked and forget about what we have done that’s wrong. The only time God will forget about our sins is when we get our attitude right and come before Him broken and willing to repent from our sin. The Israelites forgot about the commands of God and decided their own path and refused to repent. If our attitude towards God becomes like the Israelites, we should be careful not to think that God would let us off the hook when we sin and don’t ask for forgiveness.

God is willing to forgive and forget about our sin, but we have to be honest with Him first. We need to make sure our attitude reflects that of Christ daily. So when someone cuts you off on the highway, how will you respond? If someone is rude to you at work or on the phone, how will you respond? These are times when we have to put our flesh behind us and develop the right attitude. Learn to develop a positive attitude even if you don’t feel like it. It will change the way you see things and will change the outcome of your circumstances.

Dear Jesus, help me to have the right attitude today. Help me to see things through your eyes. Help me to be your hands and feet today in everything I do and say. In Jesus’ name, Amen! 

Shine Like Stars

Daniel 12:3

Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever.

We live in a day where many people want to be movie stars. Reality television shows have changed the way the entertainment industry works. People are so fascinated with other people’s lives. Many people want to be in the “in crowd.” When something becomes popular, we want to watch or be where everything is happening so we can fit in.

Living as a Christian is just the opposite. Many times Christians will be made fun of, laughed at, and some will face persecution and even death for their beliefs. Many Christians have died all around the world for their trust in Jesus Christ. But being in the “in crowd” can happen to churches too. All the sudden, a new, vibrant, entertaining church comes along and everyone jumps ship and wants to be a part of it. Many will sacrifice their convictions and beliefs to be part of the new “in crowd,” that some churches have created.

You can say that this ministry is not part of the “in crowd.” You have to be a “Jesus Freak” to go to your town square and pray right? Many people might wonder what those few faithful people are doing praying at their town square for, but God knows that it is important to pray on behalf of our town, our nation, and others all around the world. We have to let our light shine like stars. It’s not so we can become rich and famous like movie stars, but that God can receive the glory and praise when we lead many to His righteousness and make His name shine like the stars forever.

Dear Jesus, let my light shine like the stars. Help me to lead many to righteousness so you can get all honor and praise. Help me not to be like so many who follow the “in crowd” and sacrifice their beliefs for the sake of being popular and wealthy. Help me stay focused on your calling for my life today. In Jesus’ name, Amen!     

Praying For Others

Daniel 9:4

I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed: “O Lord, you are a great and awesome God! You always fulfill your covenant and keep your promises of unfailing love to those who love you and obey your commands.

Have you ever prayed with complete openness and honesty to God? That might sound like a silly question, but many times we like to cover up our sins and hide them from God. God knows everything about us. We might be able to hide our sins from others, but we can’t hide anything from God. The only way to receive His mercy and grace is by being completely open and honest to Him when we pray.

Daniel knew how to pray. When the people rebelled against God, Daniel was on the frontlines praying for the people to repent and turn to God. Have you ever prayed for someone on their behalf? Do you know of someone who is hurting or going through a tough time? Do you have friends and loved ones that need the saving power of Jesus Christ? 

God calls us to fast and pray not just for our needs, but for the needs of others. We need to continually pray to God for His wisdom and strength. We can’t live life on our own and expect everything to go our way all the time. God is there to give us comfort and rest. His love for us is an unconditional love that no one can give. Only Jesus Christ can forgive sins and give you peace for eternity.

Dear Jesus, thank you for your saving grace. Thank you for loving me unconditionally. Help me to pray for others and allow your Holy Spirit to intercede for them today. I pray for my lost friends and love ones and hope that they will make you Lord of their life. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Be A Daniel

Daniel 6:27
He rescues and saves his people; he performs miraculous signs and wonders in the heavens and on earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.”

This story about Daniel is a testimony to how big of a God we serve. The other leaders of the kingdom had become jealous of Daniel, and tried to find something they could accuse him of so he could be killed. They could find no fault in him. So they made up a law for thirty days that no one could bow down and pray to anyone divine or human, except to the king, or they would be thrown into the den of lions.

Daniel prayed three times a day and continued to pray to God for help after hearing about this law. The leaders found him praying and went to the king and told him. They said that the law couldn’t be changed and said he had to be thrown into the lion’s den. The king was distraught and wished there was a way to save Daniel’s life. The king couldn’t sleep all night, but the next day he said to throw Daniel into the lion’s den. He told Daniel that he hoped his God would rescue him from the mouths of the lions.

The next day, the king went to see if Daniel survived through the night and called out to him. Daniel replied and said that God had sent an angel to keep the lion’s mouths shut. The king was relieved, but ordered that all the leaders that plotted against Daniel be thrown into the lion’s den with their families. They were devoured before their feet even hit the ground. God protected Daniel from being killed because of his faithfulness. God wanted to show his power and glory so that they would know that He is the one and only true God. Remember, God will stay faithful and true in your life when you put Him first and never give into the things of this world. Be a Daniel today and pray for God to help you against those that want to hurt you.

Dear Jesus, help to be like Daniel today. Help me to do right and live according to your ways. Give me your provision and help me to keep you first in my life. Protect me from people that want to harm me and do wrong. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

God Will Intercede

Daniel 3:25

“Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!”

This is a very familiar story about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These three men of God decided against the decree given by the king to worship the gods and the gold statue he had commanded everyone to worship. These three men were over the province of Babylon. They were people of leadership, so this really made the king mad when they refused listen to his command.

King Nebuchadnazzar gave them one more chance to worship his gods and gold statue, but they told him they would never worship them, but only serve their one true God. The king had them put into a firing furnace to be killed, but while they were inside a fourth person was visible from the inside. Nothing touched or harmed them. The king was so astonished that he told the people to never talk against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego or they would be torn from limb to limb.

This story is a great reminder of how to live for God even though we might be persecuted. These three men faced the most powerful king of the world at the time and God protected them from harm. God will always have a way for Him to get the glory when we stay faithful to Him. Even if they were to die, God would have found a way to further His plan for mankind, but He decided to intercede on their behalf to humble an arrogant and prideful king and ultimately, to show the king that God is in control of the world, not him.  

Dear Jesus, I pray that I will worship and follow you alone. Help me not to get caught up in the things of this world. Set me apart for your will and plan today! In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Only What God Can Do

Daniel 2:21-22
He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars. He reveals deep and mysterious things and knows what lies hidden in darkness, though he is surrounded by light.

In this chapter, we see how Daniel was faced with death. King Nebuchadnezzar issued a decree that all magicians, astrologers, and enchanters be killed because they couldn’t interpret his dream. When Daniel heard about this he asked why the king issued such a harsh decree. He immediately went to God and asked that He would reveal the dream to him so they wouldn’t be killed.

The next morning, Daniel woke up and the dream had been revealed to him. These verses are praising the Lord for giving him wisdom to interpret the dream. After Daniel interpreted the dream correctly, the king gave him many valuable gifts and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon. Also, at Daniel’s request, the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to be in charge of all the affairs of Babylon, while Daniel stayed in the royal court.

Daniel never wavered or became weary of his God. He knew that God would protect him and his friends from harm. He remained faithful and followed the Lord’s commands, and God blessed him for it. Even when facing death, Daniel was able to trust God and he saw God provide and give him the wisdom to interpret King Nebuchadnezzar dream correctly. Never forget to rely on God in the toughest situations. God wants us to trust him so He can do something that only He can do.

Dear Jesus, I pray for wisdom and strength today. Help me to trust you in my darkest moments. Give me boldness and courage as I face life’s challenges today. I pray for your provision and blessing today. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Being Trustworthy

Ezekiel 45:9
“For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: Enough, you princes of Israel! Stop your violence and oppression and do what is just and right. Quit robbing and cheating my people out of their land. Stop expelling them from their homes, says the Sovereign LORD. Use only honest weights and scales and honest measures, both dry and liquid.

In Ezekiel 45, it shows how the land will be divided. The land that was for the temple was in the center of the nation. This shows that God is the center of life. If we want to live according to His ways, we have to make Him top priority.

During this time, greed and extortion was rampant throughout the land. When the land was divided, there would be plenty of land for the princes to own. This would end any basis for greed and would allow the people to live right and just with one another as God commanded them to do. God wants us to live with respect and love towards one another. God wants us to be trustworthy with our time and our possessions.

We should be careful when we desire to have something that belongs to someone else. This is something that if not dealt with in our lives, can be a slippery slope and can lead us to greed and envy. We have to develop our minds to trust God for everything we need. Instead of using a credit card every time you want something, learn to save and live sparingly. I think we all from time to time get impatient and want what everyone else has, but sometimes God wants us to wait and be patient for what He has for us.

Dear Jesus, I pray that you will provide everything I need today. Help me to be trustworthy with my time and my possessions. Help me to be just and right in my attitude towards others. Help me not to become envious or greedy toward anything or anyone today. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

I Can Only Imagine

Ezekiel 42:14

When the priests leave the sanctuary, they must not go directly to the outer courtyard. They must first take off the clothes they wore while ministering, because these clothes are holy. They must put on other clothes before entering the parts of the building complex open to the public.”

In the temple of the Lord, God gave specific instructions on how each room would be used. In the rooms for the priests, priests would have to wear holy garments approved by the Lord. When we approach the holiness of God, we shouldn’t take it lightly. God allowed the priests to be in His presence only with these holy garments on. This symbolizes that one must enter into the presence of God with a holy heart.

Have you ever thought about what the presence of God would be like? We might have had an awesome worship experience at a church or a concert, but being filled the presence of God all around you is something worth thinking about. When we are saved, we have the Holy Spirit living inside of us. The Holy Spirit allows us to feel God’s presence when we worship Him. One can only imagine what it will be like when God’s presence is the only light we have. Remember, in Heaven, there will be no more darkness and no more shadows in God's presence.

Just like the famous Mercy Me song, “I Can Only Imagine,” it’s great to think about all the possibilities that are before us when we get to Heaven. While we’re here on earth, God desires our hearts to be pure and ready to worship Him at all times. Our life should reflect an attitude of worship to God. Ask yourself this question: How can my life be a reflection of worship to God today?

Dear Jesus, I pray that my life will be a reflection of who you are in my life. I pray that I will approach you with a pure and holy heart as I worship you today. Allow me to feel your presence in a new and refreshing way today. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

God's Glory At Work

Ezekiel 40:4

He said to me, “Son of man, watch and listen. Pay close attention to everything I show you. You have been brought here so I can show you many things. Then you will return to the people of Israel and tell them everything you have seen.”

The temple mount is considered the most sacred place of worship for the Jews. One day the temple will be rebuilt according to Ezekiel 40-43. This vision the Lord showed Ezekiel gave hope for the Israelites after the temple had been destroyed. Many have tried to figure out what this vision means.

Some say this was the temple Zerrubable should have built, but fell short due to disobedience. Some say this is symbolic of true worship of God by Christian churches right now. Some say this will be the temple that will be built during the millennial reign of Christ. Some say this temple is symbolic of the future and eternal reign of God when his presence and blessing fill the earth.  

Whatever the case may be, this is a vision that clearly shows God’s glory at work. God wanted Ezekiel to pay close attention and tell the people what he saw so they could understand. God wanted them to see the great splendor that He had planned for those that believed in Him. I would challenge you to read this vision and let it lift you and teach you about the God you worship and serve today. One day we will be filled with God’s presence and glory. One day we will experience every wonderful thing He has in store for us for eternity.

Dear Jesus, thank you for your awesome presence in my life today. Thank you for your love and mercy that you show me everyday. I pray this vision will lift me up and keep me focused on eternal things above. In Jesus name I pray, Amen!

Spiritually Dead

Ezekiel 37:4
Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.”

This is a scripture that any pastor would love to see happen with their own eyes. As soon as they started preaching, people would get up and be filled with life and the Holy Spirit ready to do whatever you asked them to do. For any pastor, that should be what they desire for any church. Ezekiel was told to start preaching to these dry bones. God said He would breathe new life into their bodies, He would give them tendons and flesh and cover them with skin.

If I was Ezekiel and was watching this happen right in front of me, I would be totally amazed. God used Ezekiel’s obedience to do something supernatural. These dry bones happened to be many Israelites, and it can also refer to how Israel was dead spiritually. God wasn’t finished with them yet, and wanted to renew His people and establish a king that would live by His laws and decrees. God would anoint David as king of Israel and they would be blessed from generation to generation.

God wants the same for us spiritually. When we feel dead spiritually, we have to rely on God for strength and wisdom. Many people give up too easily and fall. The point is we have to get back up just like these dry bones. Everyone thought they were done and gone, but God had different plans. The Bible says, nothing is impossible with God. When you are facing your hardest situation in your life, remember to always ask God for His Holy Spirit to guide and direct you. Let the Holy Spirit give you new life and a renewed mind today.

Dear Jesus, help me in my spiritual walk to be focused today. Renew my mind and help me not to conform to this world.  Help me to follow your will and to stay spiritually strong. Give me wisdom and strength to handle any difficult situation today. In Jesus name, Amen!

Working Together

Ezekiel 31:9

Because I made this tree so beautiful, and gave it such magnificent foliage, it was the envy of all the other trees of Eden, the garden of God.

This was a message given to Ezekiel from the Lord about Egypt being compared to Assyria. Assyria was called a great cedar tree. Egypt would watch the fall of Assyria and their fate would happen in the same way. Egypt took pride in its strength and beauty. Ultimately, this would be its downfall.

Have you ever looked at something so beautiful that you wish you could have it? Some people look at America as the nation of strength and beauty and would do anything to come here. We have to be careful how we view ourselves compared to the rest of the world. We might have a great military and offer all kinds of goods to other nations, but we should remain thankful for what God has done for us.

The “trees of Eden” could refer to all the other nations who were jealous of Assyria and their great power. It sounds a lot like today doesn’t it. Other nations envy our country and would love to have the chance to come here. What we need to remember is how fortunate and blessed we are by God. We need to remember those in need and help our brothers and sisters in Christ all around the world who need help. Remember, the more we work together, the more the gospel can be reached to the lost.

Dear Jesus, please help me to pray for my brothers and sisters around the world that need help today. Please supply all their needs and help us work together to bring salvation to those who don’t have a personal relationship with you yet. In Jesus name, Amen!

It's Never Going To Be Easy

Ezekiel 29:21

“And the day will come when I will cause the ancient glory of Israel to revive, and then, Ezekiel, your words will be respected. Then they will know that I am the LORD.”

In other translations this verse refers to a horn growing out of Israel. What does that mean? It refers to the horn as a descendant. God also mentioned this to David in Psalm 132:17. King David’s descendant happened to be Solomon, the wisest king that ever lived. Ultimately, the horn refers to Jesus, the Messiah that would come through the descendant of King David.

God always had a way with dealing with the prophets. No prophet had it easy. As Christians, we are not supposed to have it easy either. The apostle Paul never had it easy. He was flogged, persecuted, shipwrecked, starved, and died all for the sake of the gospel. If everything is going great in your life, you might want to wonder why? Job was faced with this same situation in a matter of hours. His children were killed, his wealth was gone, and his body became very ill. Why did all this happen to the greatest person in the east?

Like any person living for God, we will be faced with trials and tribulations. No one can fully

understand why certain things happen to certain people. But like all of these men of God, we have to respond the same way they did. We have to continue to follow God and obey His commandments no matter what. When bad things happen, we are being tested and God is checking to see how faithful we will be toward Him. When things don’t go right, or they don’t go the way you want them too, don’t get mad and discouraged, but use it as an opportunity to persevere and finish the race that God has for you.  The Bible says, He will be a light unto your path, and a lamp unto your feet.

Dear Jesus, help me be faithful in every situation I’m faced with today. Allow me to learn from these situations and trust that you will see me though them. Let your light guide my path today. I pray in Jesus name. Amen!

When the LORD Speaks, We Should Listen!

Ezekiel 26:12-14

“They will plunder all your riches and merchandise and break down your walls. They will destroy your lovely homes and dump your stones and timbers and even your dust into the sea. I will stop the music of your songs. No more will the sound of harps be heard among your people. I will make your island a bare rock, a place for fishermen to spread their nets. You will never be rebuilt, for I, the LORD, have spoken. Yes, the Sovereign LORD has spoken!

This scripture refers to the great city of Tyre. Tyre was one of the greatest cities in the known world for trade. Every country loved trading with Tyre because it made them rich. Tyre was split up into two sections. One section of the city was on the coastland and the other section of the city was on an island.

During the invasion of King Nebuchadnezzar in 586 B.C., it took 15 years for part of the city to be conquered. Because part of the city was on an island, the city could receive fresh goods daily. This made it difficult for the city to be captured. Alexander the Great would later fulfill this prophesy from the Lord and destroy the rest of the city during his conquest of the world.

When the Lord speaks, we should listen! Tyre became so prideful and arrogant to think that nothing could ever happen to them. The city became idolaters and refused to repent and turn back to God. We need to be careful how we think of ourselves compared to others. Do you think you are better than anybody else? Do you think because you have more than someone, you are better than them? As a Christian, we should be thankful for what God has given us and be humble. If God has blessed you with plenty, find ways to give it to someone who needs help like orphans, widows, and the poor.

Dear Jesus, help me to stay humble today. Forgive me when I become prideful and judgmental. Help me to learn how to help others in need and to use the things you have blessed me with to bless others. Give me opportunities today to bless someone today in their time of need! In Jesus name, Amen!      

Setting Standards

Ezekiel 22:27-29

Your leaders are like wolves who tear apart their victims. They actually destroy people’s lives for money! And your prophets cover up for them by announcing false visions and making lying predictions. They say, ‘My message is from the Sovereign LORD,’ when the LORD hasn’t spoken a single word to them. Even common people oppress the poor, rob the needy, and deprive foreigners of justice.

Leaders are constantly under attack today. Leaders have a responsibility to equip the people for the work that has to be done. Like any job, the people have to respect and submit to their leaders or there will be problems. If you don’t listen to your boss, you might face punishment or even termination.

God set this up for a reason. God wants us to see Him as our leader. The leaders in this scripture were leading the people astray from God. No longer were they honoring God’s Sabbath day and laws. We are also faced with a similar situation in our country. It is happening all over the world too. As Christians, we are to help those in need like orphans, widows, and the poor. We should help even the common people of our day to see that this is important to God and is the right thing to do.

Leaders are supposed to protect and guide the people. If they don’t, we can face many problems in the future. Leaders should be doing things in a moral way and setting the standard to live by. If you are a leader for your family, church, or job what kind of standards are you setting? What do you want your family, friends, and colleagues to remember and resemble about you?

Dear Jesus, help me to lead in a way that honors you today! Help me to set the right standards for my family, my friends, my church, and my job. Give me the wisdom to discern right and wrong situations that I may be faced with today. Help me to live with high moral excellence and integrity everywhere I go today! In Jesus name, Amen!

What Do You Think About?

Ezekiel 20:28-29
For when I brought them into the land I had promised them, they offered sacrifices on every high hill and under every green tree they saw! They roused my fury as they offered up sacrifices to their gods. They brought their perfumes and incense and poured out their liquid offerings to them. I said to them, ‘What is this high place where you are going?’ (This kind of pagan shrine has been called Bamah—‘high place’—ever since.)

We live in a world that is filled with every kind of idol worship you can think of. People have made themselves their own gods through money, sex, sports, movies, and so much more. Many people will spend all their time consumed with these things, but never spend a moment with God.

When you realize that there is a creator that loves you and wants to have a personal relationship with you, it should change everything. Everything in your life should reflect that change as well. When you give your life to Christ, make Him the sole reason you get up in the morning and when you go to bed at night. Living a Christian life won’t be easy, but it will bring its rewards someday.

Jesus said, no eye has seen, no ear has heard, the things His Father has in store for those that love Him. Even though there is sin and idols that people put first in their life, doesn’t mean we do too. There are things we like to do, but don’t make that all you think about. Start letting God be all you think about today!

Dear Jesus, help me in my thoughts and in my mind today. Help me have the right perspective on what’s important. Help me to see how much you love me. Thank you for allowing me to be a light in a dark world. Give me strength to do what is right and stay close to you and follow your will. In Jesus name, Amen!

Being Content

Ezekiel 16:23-24

“What sorrow awaits you, says the Sovereign LORD. In addition to all your other wickedness, you built a pagan shrine and put altars to idols in every town square.

This ministry is designed for the purpose of putting God back into the heart of town squares all across America and around the world. Every week day, a few of us go and pray at our town square for God to help our city, our state, and our nation. We need to be praying more and more in our town squares. The days ahead are going to become harder if we don’t seek after God and put Him first in our lives.

In this chapter, we need to remember to not be like the Israelites, who defiled God’s holy temple and their own town squares. They were even sacrificing their own children to pagan gods. The Philistines were even ashamed to hear of such a thing. God had to remove Himself from the temple because of their idolatry, so He scattered the people and allowed destruction on the land.

We have to be careful to not get so caught up in life’s pleasures and temptations. Having little sometimes is a blessing in disguise, because it won’t cause you to buy things that you don’t need. Learn to live with little and appreciate when you have much. Be thankful to God for everything He has given you. Learn to be content and put Him first in your life.

Dear Father, please help me to become content with the things I have. Thank you for providing for me today. Thank you for giving me what I need. Help me to be more like you and help me to not fall into temptation today. In Jesus name, Amen!

An Illusion

Ezekiel 11:16-17
“Therefore, tell the exiles, “This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Although I have scattered you in the countries of the world, I will be a sanctuary to you during your time in exile. I, the Sovereign LORD, will gather you back from the nations where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel once again.”

Have you ever seen or been to a magic show? Magicians work hard to wow the audience with all their illusions. In the same way, some people work hard to be something that they’re not. On the outside, they look like the kind of person we would want to imitate, but if we saw into their heart, we would see nothing but an illusion.

This is exactly what happened to Israel. People would go to the sanctuary not to worship God, but to worship idols and do things that were detestable to God. They had very little concern for God and His ways. All they wanted to do was receive praise and glory for themselves. As we saw a few chapters earlier, God had to remove His presence from the temple because of the amount of sin that the people were committing in His holy temple.

When you go to church, do you go to receive praise and glory from others for the things you do or do you go there to worship God? Remember, God is a jealous God. He does not honor our worship when we are holding grudges, when we have unforgiveness, and when we gossip or tear down others. He does not like it when we seek the approval of man instead the approval of Him. Sadly, lots of these things happen in the church more than they happen in the world.

We should make sure we have one focus and one priority when we come together to worship. We should do all we can to make mends with people that have hurt us and forgive those that have insulted us. Jesus forgave us for every sin we’ll ever commit. If He can forgive us for all the nasty, horrible, and detestable things we’ve done to Him, then the least we can do is show love and forgive back to others, especially to our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Full Access

Ezekiel 10:18-19
Then the glory of the LORD moved out from the door of the Temple and hovered above the cherubim. And as I watched, the cherubim flew with their wheels to the east gate of the LORD’s Temple. And the glory of the God of Israel hovered above them.

In the Lord’s temple, God’s glory hovered above the north gate, but because of all the detestable sins of the people, God had to remove Himself from there. Their idol worship and other sins had become so bad and God was no longer pleased with their worship. God would put an end to their idolatry and His presence wouldn’t enter the temple again until Jesus came and visited it in the New Testament.

You see, God had to completely destroy what people had perverted, so that true worship could be revived. Our churches are in desperate need of revival. If the churches won’t take a stand, then who will? God has appointed the church as His bride and as the institution to establish His kingdom. The church is not just four walls, like a lot of people think, but it is the people of God. The Bible says, “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." So the church is not just a building, but a gathering of the saints.

Jesus also referred to Himself as the temple. Remember when He told the Pharisees that He would tear the temple down and raise it up in three days? They thought He was referring to the temple, in essence, the building. Jesus was referring to His body. You see, with Jesus dying on the cross and being raised up in three days, we now have full access to the thrown of God. Jesus is seated at the right hand of God the Father. So wherever you are, you have the Holy Spirit living inside of you when you belong to Christ, and have full access to Him.

Today, don’t be like so many that seek after pleasure and worship idols, but live for God and thank Jesus for making it possible to have full access to His love, mercy, and grace!

Guiding Light

Ezekiel 7:1-2
Then this message came to me from the LORD: “Son of man, this is what the Sovereign LORD says to Israel: “The end is here! Wherever you look—east, west, north, or south—your land is finished.

The Israelites have been a blessed people for many years. God chose them to ultimately, send His Son Jesus, into the world. But we also see, all throughout the history of the Bible, how God dealt with their sins. In this chapter of Ezekiel, God makes no exception. God would finally judge His people and kill many and scatter the rest until His wrath was satisfied. His people were acting worse than even the pagan nations did and God had had enough.

When I look at America, I can’t help but wonder what’s in store for us. Will God use the same judgment He had on the Israelites on us too? We have become so comfortable with our lives and have bought into this “I” mentality. We have been demoralized as a nation through television, radio, the internet, and so much more. The things we let our children watch and the things we allow ourselves to get caught up in can be very degrading. If there is anything Satan would want us to do, it would be to sit back and do nothing about it, and not change our lifestyle to help further the gospel. If we become lukewarm in our faith, then we are useless to God, and we fall right into Satan’s trap of complacency.

If you think about it, no one is free from God’s judgment. Whether in this life or the next, God will judge all of mankind for everything they have done. God has sent clear warning signs to us, just like He sent to the Israelites, about how He expects His children to act and conduct themselves. We need to be careful not to fall into the trap of complacency. We have to be on the offense and fight the good fight against immorality. We have to let our light shine in order for the world to be free. Then, we will see a change in our society and our culture.

Today, go to the Lord in prayer and ask Him to help you be more aware of the needs around you. Allow God to show you how you can be more involved in the work of His kingdom. Don’t put all your hope in your bank account, the economy, the government, or your job. Put all your trust in God and let Him be your guiding light.

Step-By-Step

Ezekiel 3:12
Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard a loud rumbling sound behind me. (May the glory of the LORD be praised in his place!)

In Ezekiel chapter 3, it begins with God telling Ezekiel to eat a scroll that tasted as sweet as honey. It was a scroll telling Israel what was going to happen to them if they didn’t repent. This scroll included songs of sorrow, funeral songs, and pronouncements of doom. This was no small task for Ezekiel. God showed Himself to Ezekiel what only the heavenly beings were allowed to see. Why did God choose Ezekiel?

I believe God chose Ezekiel because he was going to be faithful to Him. God looks all around for people that might not be great by man’s standards, but are great by God’s standards. God knew you before you were even formed in your mother’s womb. He already has big plans for you. Some of us will have the task of being like Ezekiel. When you feel God tugging and pulling, what decision are you going to make? Are you going to sit on the sidelines or are you going to get in the game.

God wanted Ezekiel to take His words to heart. God’s message must sink deep into your heart and show in your actions before you can effectively help others understand and apply the gospel. What steps are you taking to do that today? We need to be bold and not hold anything back. We have to develop a thick skin when we what to do something great. Living for God is the greatest thing you can ever decide to do.

Let God lead you step-by-step to accomplish His plan for your life. Learn to develop an attitude of courage. Some people will persecute, insult, and make fun of you. Others will embrace the free gift of the gospel when you take the time and explain it to them. All we have to do is be willing to be a vessel and allow God to do the rest.

Face Down

Ezekiel 1:28
All around him was a glowing halo, like a rainbow shining in the clouds on a rainy day. This is what the glory of the LORD looked like to me. When I saw it, I fell face down on the ground, and I heard someone’s voice speaking to me.

In chapter one, Ezekiel was given a vision from the Lord that showed His glory and holiness, and to warn the exiles of sin’s consequences before it was too late. What Ezekiel saw was mesmerizing! Through this vision, Ezekiel learned that God is present everywhere and that God’s activities in heaven are shaping the events on earth.

Have you ever had a vision or a dream seem so real and vivid that you thought it really happened? God spoke to prophets through visions and dreams. Many times, the prophets would have a vision or a dream and go to the people and warn them of what could happen if they didn’t repent and turn back to God. In this verse, God shows His great glory, and Ezekiel falls face down before Him because of how overwhelming His glory is. Ezekiel felt so insignificant and small. In that moment, he realized his own sins and wondered how he could be seeing God’s glory right before his eyes.

Eventually, every person will fall face down before God. They will have to give an account of what they did on earth. The rainbow in this verse shows God’s faithfulness to His people. The rainbow also shows how God will preserve those who remain faithful to Him. The four wheels and four creatures are powerful pictures of judgment. No one can fathom the power of God. Ultimately, the purpose of God’s judgment is to allow perfect peace and righteousness on earth forever.  

God Suffers When We Suffer

Lamentations 2:24-30

I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord. And it is good for people to submit at an early age to the yoke of his discipline: Let them sit alone in silence beneath the Lord’s demands. Let them lie face down in the dust, for there may be hope at last. Let them turn the other cheek to those who strike them and accept the insults of their enemies.

Lamentations is a hard book to read. We see a holy and loving God, in an instant, turn to a God of wrath and destruction of His own chosen people. Jeremiah writes these words that are hard to fathom. Jeremiah watches his own people die right in front of him. Women and children are starving and people are left in the streets either forgotten about or dead. Why would this happen to God’s chosen people?

We like to think God is kind and loving, which He is, but God is also going to judge righteously. When we decide to stop obeying Him, we face God’s judgment. There is no way around it. We might think we can have our fun and not think there will be consequences, but just like the Israelites, we too will face the same judgment if we don’t repent and turn to God.

Jeremiah, faced with everything you can think of, continued to stay faithful to God. He remembered the promise that God gave him. When we turn to God in our darkest hour, when we might have to stand alone for what we believe, when we see all our friends and family going in the wrong direction, what will you decide? Will you follow the crowd or will you follow God? The truth is, God suffers when we suffer. It does not please God to pour out His judgment on people, but because He is a holy and a just God, sin has to be punished.

In the end, Jeremiah hoped and believed that God would see him through those dark days. God will allow us to go through pain and suffering, but God will also give us provision when we stay close and focused on Him. Be a Jeremiah today! Be a man or a woman that will stay devoted to God’s call no matter what the cost. When life's struggles and disappointments come your way, don’t let it defeat you. Stay focused and live in God’s victory today!

Special Posession

Jeremiah 51:18-19
Idols are worthless; they are ridiculous lies! On the day of reckoning they will all be destroyed. But the God of Israel is no idol! He is the Creator of everything that exists, including his people, his own special possession. The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is his name!

Have you ever wanted or desired something so bad that you would do almost anything to get it? Maybe some of us want to be famous, maybe we want a new car or house, or maybe it’s to go on a luxurious vacation. None of things are wrong in a sense, but when they become more valuable to you than God they become idols.

If you’ve ever been on a mission trip to a foreign country, you would see the vast amount of needs all around the world. Two-thirds of the world doesn’t have the amount of wealth we do in America. I may not be considered rich by American standards, but to the rest of the world I am. Also, I consider myself to be rich in God. I use to think acquiring wealth would bring more security and happiness, but I soon realized how foolish that thinking was. I learned that wealth is not in materialistic things. Wealth can only come from God, but not the way we think it does.

We need to realize that God is the key to wisdom, wealth, knowledge, love, and so much more. God has made us as his own “special possession.” There isn’t anything that God has created that He doesn’t treasure more. He wants us to grow and mature in the faith. He wants us to be generous when we have extra. He wants us to be thankful at all times for His mercy, grace, and provision. The things we think are so important to have are so small compared to what God has for us when we pursue His righteousness. Remember, the things in life will pass away, but the things of God will last forever.  

Prepare for Battle

Jeremiah 46:3-4 “Prepare your shields, and advance into battle! Harness the horses, and mount the stallions. Take your positions. Put on your helmets. Sharpen your spears, and prepare your armor.

In this scripture, we need to realize how to be ready for anything that could come our way. Back in this time period, this battle was going to mean a shift in world power. This was the first battle that King Nebuchadnezzar had won, establishing him as the king of the entire Babylonian empire. When Israel formed an alliance with Egypt, they didn’t listen to God, and because of their disobedience, they suffered a huge defeat.

No matter what happens in our lives, we need to be prepared for battle. We need to learn to do it God’s way. We might think we have all the knowledge and power, but in reality we don’t. We are at the mercy of God Almighty. God is the One that has given us everything we have. When we don’t thank Him and honor His ways, we face His judgment.

The Israelites had to learn the hard way. Sometimes we have to learn the hard way too. Our punishment might not be as harsh as the Israelites encountered, but God will be fair and just with our sin. God is holy and will not tolerate sin. God does not delight in judgment, but in salvation. God shows no favoritism. He judges by the same standard. God sees sin the same way. If you committed one, you’ve committed them all. That’s why we need a Savior. That’s why we have Jesus to trust in and take our sins away, so we can experience new life through the blood He shed for us at the cross.

God's Discipline

Jeremiah 44:4-6 “Again and again I sent my servants, the prophets, to plead with them, ‘Don’t do these horrible things that I hate so much.’ But my people would not listen or turn back from their wicked ways. They kept on burning incense to these gods. And so my fury boiled over and fell like fire on the towns of Judah and into the streets of Jerusalem, and they are still a desolate ruin today.

There are times in life where we have to learn from past failures. Repeating the same mistakes and not learning from them only lead to more failures. We have to learn from our mistakes and move on. We have to do our very best in life. Trying new things and accepting change is what I believe God wants us to do. Part of life is about taking risks and taking a leap of faith when things seem to not make sense.

The Israelites refused to listen to God. They refused to listen to Jeremiah and the other prophets. This passage of scripture shows how stubborn they were. They continued to follow other gods and decided to live in Egypt when God told them not to go there or they would die. You see, God was willing to grant them mercy and grace if they would stay in their land. If they would have stayed in their land, they would have been protected and God would have blessed them. Unfortunately, they decided their way and not God’s way.

With every selfish decision we make, there are consequences to those decisions. Giving into our fleshly desires and refusing to listen to God results in His discipline. Every child has to be disciplined if they want to grow and mature. We have to learn from past mistakes so we won’t do the same things in the future. God won’t let us go through life without disciplining us. Even though the discipline may feel uncomfortable, it is necessary for our spiritual growth. When God disciplines us, don’t turn away from it, but learn from it and see what God is trying to show you through it.

Intended for Good

Jeremiah 39:18
Because you trusted me, I will give you your life as a reward. I will rescue you and keep you safe. I, the Lord, have spoken.

This scripture reminds me of a story about Joseph. He was a godly man. His father loved him so much and was going to make him the heir of all he had. His father gave him a coat of many colors because of his love for Joseph. His brothers were so jealous of Joseph and some of them wanted to kill him. After arguing amongst themselves, the brothers decided to sell Joseph into slavery and lied to their father that Joseph was killed by a wild animal to cover it up.

As the story plays out, Joseph works hard and stays faithful to God as a slave. Everywhere Joseph went, God would give him favor because of his faith. Joseph experienced many setbacks in his life though. Joseph was falsely accused of sleeping with Potiphar’s wife. Potiphar decides to throw Joseph into jail. While in jail, Joseph was able to interpret dreams for some of the prisoners which turned out to come true. Pharaoh starts having dreams and hears about Joseph’s ability to interpret dreams correctly. Pharaoh calls for Joseph and asks if he could interpret his dreams.

Joseph was soon appointed second in command of all the land. After correctly discerning Pharaoh’s dream, there was going to be seven years of plenty and seven years of famine. Joseph was put in charge of seeing that they would save enough grain for the seven years of famine. One day his brothers would come to the city needing food and supplies. Joseph realizes who they are and decides to meet them. His brothers didn’t recognize Joseph the first time until Joseph decided to reveal himself to them after they were accused of stealing. In the end, God showed grace and mercy to Joseph’s brothers and Joseph was able to forgive them for what they had done. What they intended for harm, God intended for good.

No matter what our position or what problems we will face, when we stay focused on God and do things right, God will sustain us and keep us safe. Keep living for Him and allow Him to keep you humble. Whatever we face in this life, we don’t have to go through it alone. Let God be your rock and your defender. Just as He did for Joseph, He will do for you when you stay committed to His plan.

Spiritual Growth

Jeremiah 37:21
So King Zedekiah commanded that Jeremiah not be returned to the dungeon. Instead, he was imprisoned in the courtyard of the guard in the royal palace. The king also commanded that Jeremiah be given a loaf of fresh bread every day as long as there was any left in the city. So Jeremiah was put in the palace prison.

We like to think that living for God will be all about happiness. What we should be thinking is living for God is about our spiritual growth. Jeremiah was faced with a tough task. He had to talk to the king face to face and tell him the truth about what the Lord had told him to say. Jeremiah knew he could face death, but he chose to follow the Lord’s instructions and obey.

Even though Jeremiah was in prison, God still was watching over him. The prison guards were told to give Jeremiah a loaf of fresh bread every day as long as there was any left in the city. To most people, if they knew that following Christ could mean prison time and persecution, they might not be so enthused to do so. Living for Jesus is costly. We have to be a living sacrifice every day. We have to live in a way that is different than the rest of the world.

Jeremiah lived out his life to please God, not to please man. He was bold and courageous. He stood before the very people that had the power to kill him and told them what the Lord had instructed him to say. Because of Jeremiah’s faithfulness, God continued to rescue him out of the hands that were trying to kill him. When you hear the Lord speaking to you through His word and through prayer are you going listen and follow through or are you going to be scared and walk away?

We miss out on our spiritual growth when we don’t follow through with God’s plan. What has God been telling you to do that you keep putting off? We have to learn to not just listen to His Word, but to put it into action. All you have to do is take the first step and let God lead you to where He wants you to be.

God is Waiting

Jeremiah 35:18-19 Then Jeremiah turned to the Recabites and said, “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: “You have obeyed your ancestor Jehonadab in every respect, following all his instructions.” Therefore, this is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: “Jehonadab son of Recab will always have descendants who serve me.”

In these verses we see a big contrast between the Recabites and the Israelites. The Recabites obeyed their human leader while the Israelites disobeyed their divine leader. Isn’t it interesting how the Israelites refused to listen to God and turn from their sins and repent from their ways? Other cultures and countries’ leaders with one word can say, “Don’t do this or don’t do that,” and the people will obey.

Although the Israelites disobeyed God, there were times where they prospered and were blessed beyond comprehension because of their obedience. God would constantly bring them mercy and grace, but other times they experienced His wrath and discipline. What we need to learn from this is we are serving a big God. God has the power to give and to take away. These words came from the mouth of Job. Even when Job had lost everything, he still praised God in his distress. Even when he faced the worst kind of pain and suffering thought imaginable, he continued to give God glory. God would eventually reward his faithfulness and restore him and bless him with even more than he had before.

We should realize that God is loving and kind, but He is also a jealous God who demands our respect and fear of Him. God doesn’t like to be mocked and put down. God doesn’t like to have His named used in vain. God doesn’t like it when we choose our way instead of His. Only God the Father knows the day and the hour of His coming. Only He knows when the final judgment will come. I believe He is waiting until everyone has had the opportunity to accept Him as Lord. God wants everyone to know Him personally. That’s how much He loves us. He is still patient and kind with us when we still sin and make mistakes. God is waiting for us to repent and do what is right so we can experience His grace and forgiveness.  

Make New Goals

Jeremiah 30:2-3 “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Write down for the record everything I have said to you, Jeremiah. For the time is coming when I will restore the fortunes of my people of Israel and Judah. I will bring them home to this land that I gave to their ancestors, and they will possess it again. I, the Lord, have spoken!”

Have you ever thought that writing things down could help you accomplish your goals? God used people to write His love letter to us. In this verse, God is telling Jeremiah to write everything down as a record of everything God was going to do. In other words, God was making a new covenant with His people. When we write things down, it helps set a marker in the road of reminding us what we need to do.

The only two ways we can look to the past is by our ancestors passing down their history to us or by writing it down. One way we can know that the Bible is true is that it is the most authentic historical body of writings ever written. Did you know the New Testament has more than 25,000 copies and it was written before 90 AD? It has more copies than any other document ever written. The majority of the copies were written less than 100 years from the original writings. One of the ways we can prove the historical contexts are accurate is by the length of time between the originals from the copies. The shorter the length of time, the more accurate the writings will be. The Bible is the most accurate historical document ever written and has the least amount of time of copies written from the original writings.

I believe God wants us to write things down. He wants us to make new goals. Writing things down helps us know what we expect of ourselves and can give us something to work towards. God wanted us to have the Bible to tell us who He is and what He has done for us. He chose certain people to write the Bible so He can tell us everything we need to know about Him. We will never know everything about God, only what God reveals to us. If God thinks it’s important to write things down, than we should do the same. Begin this year by writing your goals down. It’s good to make new goals and strive to accomplish them. Make some new goals today and ask God to help you fulfill them.  

Follow the Leader

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Have you ever gone without a leader at a job, a church, or a school? We love having leaders. When we don’t have a leader, we feel uncertain about the future. We love it when we have leaders that encourage and lead the charge. When we have leaders that are negative and controlling, we will feel more discouraged and frustrated. It’s hard sometimes to follow the leader. It’s hard to want to speak up about something that’s not right and could cost you your job. Fortunately, we have the best leader there is. When we follow God, He will lead us to do great things.

God allowed safety and guidance to Jeremiah. Jeremiah stayed faithful to the calling on his life. Whenever we feel like there’s no way to move ahead or there’s no way we could get out of a certain situation, trust God to get you through it. Just like Jeremiah, God has good plans for you, plans to give you a hope and a future.  

Maybe last year didn’t end so well for you. Maybe there are some things you want to change and improve on. Whatever it may be, God will lead you into your destiny when you trust Him wholeheartedly. That means we praise God in the good times and in the bad. We aren’t promised a life from pain, suffering, or hardship, but we are promised that God will see us through whatever we will face.

Even Greater Things

Jeremiah 24:1b-3 I saw two baskets of figs placed in front of the Lord’s Temple in Jerusalem. One basket was filled with fresh, ripe figs, while the other was filled with bad figs that were too rotten to eat. Then the Lord said to me, “What do you see, Jeremiah?” I replied, “Figs, some very good and some very bad, too rotten to eat.”

7 years ago today, I started on a journey that only God knew what the outcome was going to be. Even though I was afraid and uncertain how to live away from my home and my family, I decided to leave Oklahoma and move to Nashville, TN. For some reason, something in my heart was telling me to move there. Ultimately, I ended up moving to Florida a year and a half later and found a small bible college soon after where I finished my degree last year.

In my life, I have served as a Music Minister at 3 Baptist churches. This month I will celebrate my 28^th birthday on January 12, 2012. I realized there was something spiritual about all these dates and places I’ve been too. The number 7, (the amount of time I’ve lived on my own) represents God’s perfection. The number 3, (the places I’ve served at) represents the Trinity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The number 12, (the day of my birthday) represents Jesus’ disciples. Through all of my experiences I’ve come to realize deeper spiritual meaning to things. It's what helps me know and recognize God's will.

As a prophet, Jeremiah understood the deeper spiritual meanings of what God was calling him to do. As a child of God, we will all face uncertainty and will have to act on faith to fulfill God’s plan for our lives. In this verse, the Lord revealed to Jeremiah what these figs meant. Some were good and some were bad. There have been times in my life I’ve produced good fruit and there have been times I’ve produced bad fruit.

The lesson I’ve learned over the years is this: God will prune the good branches that produce good fruit. If there is a glimmer of something bad being produced, God will prune it so that He can make it do even greater things in the future. God doesn’t want us to stay where we are. He wants us to move ahead and learn from our past and be complete in our faith. This New Year in 2012, allow God to prune you and let Him use you to do even greater things.