Ezekiel 18 ~*~
If you live upright and well, you get the credit; if you live a wicked life, you're guilty as charged. But a wicked person who turns his back on that life of sin and keeps all my statutes, living a just and righteous life, he'll live, really live. He won't die. I won't keep a list of all the things he did wrong. He will live. Isn't it my pleasure that they turn around, no longer living wrong but living right—really living? ... The upshot is this, Israel: I'll judge each of you according to the way you live. So turn around! Turn your backs on your rebellious living so that sin won't drag you down. Clean house. Get a new heart! Get a new spirit! ... "Make a clean break! Live! How encouraging to know there is "no list" of all I've done wrong, even though I think there's a tally.
Ezekiel 20 ~*~
In the seventh year, the fifth month, on the tenth day of the month, some of the leaders of Israel came to ask for guidance from God. The Master said: Have you come to ask me questions? As sure as I am the living God, I'll not put up with questions from you. God did say: Get rid of all the vile things that you've become addicted to. Don't make yourselves filthy with the Egyptian no-god idols. I alone am God, your God. But they held on to the no-gods of Egypt as if for dear life and said: We're going to worship gods we can make and control."
No Lists! "See My Glory, this time, not in Holy Wrath but in Merciful Love, in My Plans to free you to dance with Me. But My Mercy is severe. My Love stops at nothing to bring in My Kingdom, to renew My people, and to draw My servants into radical dependence on Me as their First Thing." 66 LL
Ezekial knows what his people say about him...
ReplyDelete"'He just makes up stories.'"
Out God is patient.
Longsuffering.
I find it very difficult to understand that part of Him. He could BURN UP every rebel...but He endures patiently, not willing that any should perish.
In Chapter 20, He has sent a burning message to Israel through Ezekial. Ezekial is to tell this message to his brothers. He dreads the response from them.
He just makes up stories.
He just makes up stories.
I feel that so many non-believers and some believers have come to the point where they honestly believe God is a fairy-tale. He doesn't really care about the details of our lives. He has allowed so much suffering into our lives...how could He do that? And be God?
I am more in love with my God today than ever before. My suffering has produced a hope in me that no one can ever take away. I KNOW in whom I have believed and I'm PERSUADED that HE is able to KEEP that which I've committed unto HIM against that day. He has me. He will never forsake me. He walks with me. He loves me. He shows me every day how much He cares for me. He even promises me that a harvest will come from the seeds I've sown with tears.
Do I make up stories? Is our faith a tale of imagination?
I know what I know what I know.
He is real. He is aware of all that is going on in this world today...good and evil. He is watching. He is good, righteous, powerful, alive, active, patient and longsuffering.
But time is running out.
Time's UP!
He is TRUTH. Ezekial was not making up stories. Simeon and Anna still hoped in Messiah coming in their lifetime. Each one of us knows and looks forward to Christ's return for His church. We are not making up stories. We may be suffering MORE, enduring MORE, falling away MORE, breaking up harder ground MORE, enduring persecution MORE, but our God is coming. Be ready. Prepare to stand before Him. Clothe yourself in Christ.
TRUTH rides on a white stallion and His Name is Jesus.
PEARLS RETREAT
ReplyDeleteOCTOBER 1 - 3
Rock Lake Ranch, Texas
http://rocklakeranch.com (for directions)
You all are invited to spend the weekend relaxing, fishing, hiking, reading, sleeping, visiting around the fire, making s'mores, paddle boating, target shooting, stargazing--whatever you need to recharge your batteries.
We will keep our meals simple and
have plenty of snacks around.
If you are flying into Houston, I will be most happy to pick you up from Bush Intercontinental (IAH) and take you to the ranch.
Who's in?
Bev would you mind making a post with the invitation?
I would love for anyone who'd like to come to join us! You all have become very dear to me. If you would send me an email to let me know you're coming and give me your mobile # and email, I'll start emailing info instead of using up our Comment section. My email is awgeffertgmailcom
This is going to be fun!
Love, Annette
Feel free to leave any info here on the comments about the retreat. I'll try to post something on the front page tomorrow.
ReplyDelete