Daniel 4:37 “‘Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt and honor the King of heaven, for all His works are true and His ways just, and He is able to humble those who walk in pride.’”
Chapter 4 of Daniel is the story of Nebuchadnezzar’s humiliation. He had a dream. It was interpreted by Daniel. Daniel warned him. He didn’t listen. The dream came true. AND then he realized God was right all along. Continue reading
Daniel 1:8 “But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s choice food or with the wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself.”
It is so easy to just go along with the crowd, isn’t it? When everyone around you is choosing the wrong things, it is easy to get caught up in the moment. Making the right choice can be frowned upon by society. Taking a stand for purity is scoffed and made fun of. Continue reading
Ezekiel 45:9 “Thus says the Lord God, ‘Enough, you princes of Israel; put away violence and destruction, and practice justice and righteousness. Stop your expropriations from My people,’ declares the Lord God.”
The Lord has always given His people’s leaders instructions to lead. If they would have only listened to His directions, their nation would have run so much smoother. But most of the leaders of all nations get into power and well…get powerful. They forget about the Lord. Continue reading
Ezekiel 41:4 “He measured its length, twenty cubits, and the width, twenty cubits, before the nave; and he said to me, ‘This is the most holy place.’”
I have probably read this description at least 32 times (seeing this is my 32ndread through the Scriptures), and I have never seen this verse like I saw it today. God is showing Ezekiel the blueprints for the temple. He is describing the exact measurements of each wall and room. Continue reading
Ezekiel 39:29 “‘I will not hide My face from them any longer, for I will have poured out My Spirit on the house of Israel,’ declares the Lord God.”
Chapter 39 of Ezekiel is a prophecy about the end times. It is often preached on when someone is addressing the last days and how God will judge the world. But I was struck with something at the very end of the chapter. Verse 29 is a promise to Israel. God’s Spirit will be poured out on it. Continue reading
Ezekiel 34:2c “‘Should not the shepherds feed the flock?’”
That’s a pretty simple thought. Shepherds shepherd. That’s what they do. They don’t fish or milk cows. They don’t tell the priests to go out to the pasture and watch the sheep while they tend the temple. No! Shepherds shepherd. Continue reading
Ezekiel 32:3 “Thus says the Lord God, ‘Now I will spread My net over you with a company of many peoples, And they shall lift you up in My net.’”
I struggled which verse to pick for today’s devotional in this chapter. It wasn’t because there wasn’t a “good” verse. We know they are ALL good. No, it was because this whole chapter is about God’s judgment on Egypt, and He really lets them know what’s coming. Continue reading
Ezekiel 28:2b “‘Because your heart is lifted up and you have said, “I am a god,”’”
You may have heard the statement, “There is a God, and you are not Him!” There are fewer truer statements out there. There is only one true God, the Creator God, the God of the universe. He is the One whom we call our Father, Our Savior, Our Redeemer. What do you call Him?
Ezekiel was prophesying against Tyre, which had become haughty and arrogant to the point they saw themselves as above God. They were their own god. It is amazing how people still do that. They “discover” their own inner god. They think they can become a god. They are deceived and confused, and they don’t even know it.
Our children need to have a strong self-image. We want them to be confident and bold. We want them to be independent thinkers and doers. But there is a line that must not be crossed. When they begin to think their independence negates the need for interdependence, they have gone too far. What does that mean?
Our children will always need us. They need emotional support. They may need financial support. They may need physical support. But they will always need their parents. They will also ALWAYS need a Savior, the one and only Jesus Christ. Our job as parents is to guide them to be that kind of interdependent person. We need each other and we need Him– ALWAYS.
Are you trying to make it on your own right now? Tell me, how is that going for you? You need others in your life. That is the beauty of a church family. That is the glory of having a Savior. He is always there. He will never leave you. Lean on Him. He can handle it.
Ezekiel 25:1 “And the word of the Lord came to me saying,”
This first verse in Ezekiel 25 may seem trivial, but let me remind you that no word in God’s Word is trivial. Every single word is inspired. I know some who believe even the table of contents is inspired. Lol Continue reading
Ezekiel 23:35 “Therefore, thus says the Lord God, ‘Because you have forgotten Me and cast Me behind your back, bear now the punishmentof your lewdness and your harlotries.’”
How can you forget God? There are constant reminders all around us. But Ezekiel was relaying God’s message about Samaria and Jerusalem. They had “play the harlot” with other nations and other gods. They had shunned Jehovah God in favor of other “loves.” They had turned their back on God, which is never a good idea.
Do you know people like that today, people who have turned their backs on God? This is NOT a deep, theological discussion about backsliding. Don’t worry. I am talking about people who have no use for God. They go about their life as if there is no God. Their lack of belief in the one, true God does not negate His existence. And one day they will find out the truth.
This is why we need to point out to our children the presence of God all around them. It is much harder to deny the existence of someone you see everywhere. And He is, if you just look. For instance, how can you explain the miracle of a baby’s development and birth without God? How do you look at a sunset and not see the Master Artist painting the landscape? How do you watch the waves crashing on the beach without acknowledging the God who holds the oceans in place?
And if your children begin to see God everywhere, they are going to want to know this God more. Will you talk about Him daily to them? If they see you loving and obeying Him they will want to know why. Then you can tell them of His great love for you and how you came to know Him.
In what area of your life are you denying His existence? Does God only exist in church on Sundays to you? Let Him live in and through you daily. Let others see Him in you. Do not turn your back on Him. Face Him and let Him show you His glory!
A Moment In Time 