Pastor Mary Haley

We have all experienced coming to a ‘fork in the road’ of life.  You know what I mean by this metaphor, right?  It is a defining moment when we must choose between two very specific courses of action—two very different routes to travel.  It’s a pivotal decision with no return. One route is wide and feels safe; it may be welcoming and celebrated by many people.  Yet, the other route may be narrow, lonely, hard, and involve a measure of suffering.  So many times this is the road Jesus walks. Will we follow?

In these moments, we know we are facing uncertainty and change that will be accompanied by irreversible consequences—moral, ethical, or even eternal.  Life can be altered in these moments which will affect spiritual development, relationships, and even most assuredly personal growth.   It’s a test of integrity; Jesus is the teacher and the Holy Spirit is the proctor of the test.

In our passage today, Daniel faces a fork in the road.  He must choose between a Babylonian lifestyle of privilege and “unclean” delicacies—one that would defile him—or a Hebrew slave’s ration of veggies and water—one that would please the Lord.  Daniel chooses to place his highest allegiance as a servant of God; he knows it is the Lord who makes him strong and successful.  Although God’s way is sometimes strewn with struggles and suffering, in time God reveals his faithfulness and provides the privileges of heavenly grace.

Integrity is very important to God.  As God’s children, we will face the integrity test—a fork in the road of life—a decision to do what is righteous before God even when it is not popular.  Integrity is valuable and although we have all fallen short of practicing it flawlessly, we must leave the past behind and press forward seeking to live without compromise.  Integrity not only pleases God it sets us up to receive his promises and enjoy the freedom and power that only God can provide.

Daniel 1 NLT  Daniel in Nebuchadnezzar’s Court

1 During the third year of King Jehoiakim’s reign in Judah,[605 BC] King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 The Lord gave him victory over King Jehoiakim of Judah and permitted him to take some of the sacred objects from the Temple of God. So Nebuchadnezzar took them back to the land of Babylonia and placed them in the treasure-house of his god.

3 Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, his chief of staff, to bring to the palace some of the young men of Judah’s royal family and other noble families, who had been brought to Babylon as captives. 4 “Select only strong, healthy, and good-looking young men,” he said. “Make sure they are well versed in every branch of learning, are gifted with knowledge and good judgment, and are suited to serve in the royal palace. Train these young men in the language and literature of Babylon.” 5 The king assigned them a daily ration of food and wine from his own kitchens. They were to be trained for three years, and then they would enter the royal service.

6 Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were four of the young men chosen, all from the tribe of Judah. 7 The chief of staff renamed them with these Babylonian names:

Daniel was called Belteshazzar.
Hananiah was called Shadrach.
Mishael was called Meshach.
Azariah was called Abednego.

8 But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods. 9 Now God had given the chief of staff both respect and affection for Daniel. 10 But he responded, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has ordered that you eat this food and wine. If you become pale and thin compared to the other youths your age, I am afraid the king will have me beheaded.”

11 Daniel spoke with the attendant who had been appointed by the chief of staff to look after Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 12 “Please test us for ten days on a diet of vegetables and water,” Daniel said. 13 “At the end of the ten days, see how we look compared to the other young men who are eating the king’s food. Then make your decision in light of what you see.” 14 The attendant agreed to Daniel’s suggestion and tested them for ten days.

15 At the end of the ten days, Daniel and his three friends looked healthier and better nourished than the young men who had been eating the food assigned by the king. 16 So after that, the attendant fed them only vegetables instead of the food and wine provided for the others.

17 God gave these four young men an unusual aptitude for understanding every aspect of literature and wisdom. And God gave Daniel the special ability to interpret the meanings of visions and dreams.

18 When the training period ordered by the king was completed, the chief of staff brought all the young men to King Nebuchadnezzar. 19 The king talked with them, and no one impressed him as much as Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So they entered the royal service. 20 Whenever the king consulted them in any matter requiring wisdom and balanced judgment, he found them ten times more capable than any of the magicians and enchanters in his entire kingdom.

21 Daniel remained in the royal service until the first year of the reign of King Cyrus.[539 BC]

Prayer:  Lord, thank you for this integrity lesson from Daniel. As your children, may we live without compromise in this world and may we trust you as Daniel did.  He was a captive, yet he honored those in authority without dishonoring you.  Holy Spirit, help us to live in a way that honors you but delivers respect for the people [believers or unbelievers] we are to serve while here on earth.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Last Friday afternoon, I was on my way to Floor and Decor to look at some samples for the necessary repair of our bathrooms—all damaged from hurricane Helene.  I got as far as Tyrone Boulevard and 66th Street when the traffic in front of me came to a complete stop.  The crosswalks were strategically filled with a parade of people, so no vehicles could turn left or right. The traffic was blocked as I sat through four cycles of the traffic lights before I could get close enough to weave through the people and take an alternative route. 

Many of the people protesting “No King Day” held US flags, as well as signs which contained profane, foul, and hate-filled messages. I was astounded by the outrageous outward expression of inward hatred.  Can you visualize the Lord standing on the side of the road screaming profanities, holding signs with profane and hateful messages, or using hand gestures to get human beings’ attention to implement change? No, because God does not hate people or his creation, he hates sin.  This protest before me [in this location] was clearly about the hatred of a person—the 47th president of the United States.  

I would love to see a great deal of change in this world—in this nation—but if we want change we need to humble ourselves before the Hand of Almighty God, plead for mercy, and ask for the Lord to heal our land (2 Chronicles 7:14). Solomon teaches the best rulers choose Wisdom and operate in righteousness (Prov 8:15-16).  Only through Wisdom will a change come that brings a righteous result. 

In our passage today from Solomon, we learn Wisdom brings good judgment.  The fear of the Lord [Heb. yirah meaning awe, fear, worship] is the beginning of Wisdom—it leads people toward humility and away from pride.  We listen to God when we have a proper attitude about the One who’s really in control. Wisdom never leads a person to speak in ways that harm others or bends the truth.  Foolish people speak foolish words; the Truth about what’s actually in a person’s heart eventually comes out.

As a covenant people, we have a choice each day.  We can choose to trust and apply God’s Wisdom.  As well, we can choose to pray about the things we cannot change and be governed by love to change the things we can.  Lawlessness—a refusal to submit to God’s rule or government—will never be divinely instigated.  Yet, Jesus warned us about an increase in lawlessness as a sign of the end times where love will grow cold (Mat 24:12). Lawlessness is the work of evil.  Reach for Wisdom and Pray for this nation.

Proverbs 8:4-21 NLT 

4

“I call to you, to all of you!
    I raise my voice to all people.

5 

You simple people, use good judgment.
    You foolish people, show some understanding.

6 

Listen to me! For I have important things to tell you.
    Everything I say is right,

7 

for I speak the truth
    and detest every kind of deception.

8 

My advice is wholesome.
    There is nothing devious or crooked in it.

9 

My words are plain to anyone with understanding,
    clear to those with knowledge.

10 

Choose my instruction rather than silver,
    and knowledge rather than pure gold.

11 

For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies.
    Nothing you desire can compare with it.

12 

“I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment.
    I know where to discover knowledge and discernment.

13 

All who fear the Lord will hate evil.
    Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance,
    corruption and perverse speech.

14 

Common sense and success belong to me.
    Insight and strength are mine.

15 

Because of me, kings reign,
    and rulers make just decrees.

16 

Rulers lead with my help,
    and nobles make righteous judgments.

17 

“I love all who love me.
    Those who search will surely find me.

18 

I have riches and honor,
    as well as enduring wealth and justice.

19 

My gifts are better than gold, even the purest gold,
    my wages better than sterling silver!

20 

I walk in righteousness,
    in paths of justice.

21 

Those who love me inherit wealth.
    I will fill their treasuries.

Prayer:  Lord, we pray for this nation and people.  Help us to focus our eyes upon you and keep loving and serving others.  We pray for your righteousness to overtake lawlessness; for your love to overtake hate.  May the Wisdom of Christ rule in the hearts  of believers and keep our words kind and constructive for the change we seek. We want you to be glorified, Lord.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Jesus walked this earth with a pure heart [characterized by integrity and free from hypocrisy].  He lived and taught, “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God” (Mat 5:8).  He chose to overcome evil by returning righteousness and extending love in response to selfishness.  Our Master and Lord was so permeated with the love of the Father, empowered and led by the Spirit, and focused on an eternal purpose that nothing in this world weakened his faith or robbed his power to increase the Kingdom of God.  

Never forget Jesus was human [flesh], as well as divine [Spirit]; Oneness with God is being “fully human.”  A pure Spirit-man created in the Beginning (Gen 2:7).  While on earth, Jesus had to deal with the Adversary—Satan—just like we do. However, he was so devoted to the Father he operated in the Oneness of divine power.  Jesus hated sin, because he saw what it did to his beautiful creation.  So, he died on the cross to pay the debt for human sin and sent the Spirit to embody and help believers defeat and overpower their spiritual enemy.

As I sit and think about this passage from the Apostle Paul to the Ephesians, my mind is wandering to how different the atmosphere of this world would be if every human being operated in humility, gentleness, patience, and love.  Because it has become commonplace, I cannot imagine a day not having to engage in spiritual warfare with self-centered arrogance, aggressive rudeness, and irritable impatience trying to take dominion of my soul or operating in and through the unguarded soul of others.  It’s a daily battle to stay in the selfless—humble, gentle, and patient—love of God.  

Today, invite the Spirit to keep you “awake” to God’s presence with you and help you guard your heart against the work and temptation of the Adversary to serve unrighteousness—evil.  Pray for the unity created by the Spirit to motivate believers in their callings across the world. “O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you:  to do what is right [righteous fairness], to love mercy [compassion], and to walk humbly [in integrity] with your God (Micah 6:8).  If believers would guard the unity of the Spirit [Oneness] and make the atmosphere thick with God’s love, we would be world-changers! Today, “Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good” (Ro 12:21).

Ephesians 4:1-6 The Voice

1 As a prisoner of the Lord, I urge you: Live a life that is worthy of the calling He has graciously extended to you. 2 Be humble. Be gentle. Be patient. Tolerate one another in an atmosphere thick with love. 3 Make every effort to preserve [guard] the unity the Spirit has already created, with peace binding you together.

4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were all called to pursue one hope. 5 There is one Lord Jesus, one living faith, one ceremonial washing through baptism [purification], and 6 one God—the Father over all who is above all, through all, and in all.

Prayer:  Father, we ask for the Spirit to keep us aware of your abiding presence.  We need the Helper to guard, protect, and deliver our hearts from evil.  Quicken and motivate us to protect the unity of faith you have created by your Spirit.  And, help us walk in humility, gentleness, and patience, so we can leave the fragrance of your love everywhere we go, today.  Faith in you is our Victory.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Believers hold—possess—the active miraculous power of God.  Scripture reveals this as truth and although we may ascend to a mental belief, we may live and talk more like the powerless! Fear is always lurking around the corner to rob us from living in the Truth.

In our passage today, the Apostle Paul reminds the Ephesians [and us] it is the Spirit who empowers God’s people to live for Him.  Therefore, in the Spirit, there’s no excuse for not loving our enemies, forgiving those who hurt us, resisting the practice of sin, or asking boldly for the things we need.  Maybe we need courage to walk with the Spirit through an open door Christ has placed before us.   Maybe we are struggling with heavy burdens and are hesitant to pray and ask for the Spirit’s help and power.  Don’t be afraid to pray and ask God, because he already knows what you need.

Today, I pray for you to understand how deeply you are loved by God.  He has chosen to show you mercy and bring you salvation.  The Spirit gives you the strength, as God’s child, to stand for the Truth and live in it.  You are a new creation created in Christ Jesus and there are good works awaiting your hand.  You have spiritual favor to walk in this new life.  So, pray and ask God to provide you with the power you need to live for him; hold your head up, kick fear to the side, take a deep breath, and walk forward in the wisdom [Spirit] of Christ who always did the will of the Father.

Ephesians 1:16-20 NLT 16 I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, 17 asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom [the Spirit] and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. 18 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.

19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.

Prayer:  Father, thank you for encouraging our hearts today with the Truth.  We need to cast down every unrighteous thought, attitude, or action that does not reflect your love, power, or righteousness.  Anything that would hinder us from obeying you, must go.  You have bestowed glory upon us as your children and we need to live in a way that shines the light of that glory back to you.  Help us, Holy Spirit, to live in Oneness.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen. 

On Sunday, we began to celebrate the season of Pentecost—the advent or coming of the Holy Spirit.  We typically read this Luken gospel passage during the season of Christmas—the advent of the Son of God (Luke 1:26-38).  But, we need to connect these two advents together in our understanding, because they are certainly One with the Father and His purpose to bring salvation.

In the beginning, the earth was covered by darkness and the Spirit hovered over the chaotic deep waters to bring forth the Word of Life (Gen 1:2).  This same Word came to Mary and the Spirit hovered over that which was dark and formless [her womb] to bring forth Life—the Word took on flesh.  For you and me, the Word came to our hearts [a place that produces] and the Spirit brought it to Life in order to provide us with transformation—to bring spiritual order to our otherwise chaotic and confused souls.  Without the work of the Spirit, our minds, wills, and emotions remain an absolute MESS.

So, our passage today is not only a Christmas story about the advent of Jesus to be the flesh that saves our souls, it is a lesson about how the advent of the Spirit came to be the power that would transforms our souls and give flesh [ours] to the Word.  We need salvation from sin and Jesus provides the perfect and pure sacrifice.  We need the spiritual formation of our dark souls, and the Spirit provides the power for an inward transformation that becomes an outward witness to the world as we are led by the Spirit…all for the glory of Father God!

So, today, please remember you are the womb of Almighty God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  The Lord is with you.  Your are favored by the One and in his love you are the Lord’s servant.  Like Mary, may everything the Lord has spoken over each of us and planned for us come true.

Luke 1:26-38 NLT The Birth of Jesus Foretold

26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, 27 to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. 28 Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, [rejoice] favored woman! The Lord is with you! [blessed are you]”

29 Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. 30 “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 And he will reign over Israel[the house of David] forever; his Kingdom will never end!”

34 Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”

35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. 36 What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. 37 For the word of God will never fail [nothing is impossible with God].”

38 Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.

Prayer:  Father, thank you for sending the Son and the Spirit to bring us salvation and bring spiritual formation. Save us from the chaos of this world, by being the Word we live each day.  Form us in your image, so we can know, experience, and grow in your beautiful character and nature.  Empower us by the Spirit to be passionate witnesses of the Truth that has changed our souls. May everything you have said about us come true.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Honestly, much of what is going on in culture and the world is hard for me to wrap my thoughts around.  Conversely, much of what is going on now in the spiritual realm is hard for unbelievers to wrap their thoughts around.  Never forget, the world cannot understand divine things nor can an unbeliever distinguish the line of communication with God; that line has been disconnected by sin.  Humanity needs to connect to Christ in order to commune with God.

It is the work of the Spirit to bring divine thoughts and ideas to those who call on the name of the Lord.  In fact, it is the work of the Spirit to draw an unbeliever to salvation, as well as move believers with a passion for transformation.  Otherwise, our flesh will resist any change that is mysterious, hard, or uncomfortable.  

In our passage today, the Apostle Paul reminds us, by the Spirit, we have the mind of Christ.  Imagine that relationship reality!  As we surrender to the work of the Spirit, little by little we begin to understand the plans and purposes of Christ. In our relationship with God and one another we can share the same mindset with Christ who humbly submitted to the Father and walked in obedience to the Spirit. Therefore, God honored and exalted Jesus and God will honor every believer who walks with Christ, as well. 

Today, sweet believer, you are invited to walk with the Spirit and navigate your day with the mind of Christ who knows God’s plan for you. You have access to every spiritual resource you will need.  Doors will open and opportunities will arrive to touch lives along the way. The Spirit is an amazing Gift, so let awe fuel you and cause you to be filled with joy, today.

1 Corinthians 2:12-16 NLT  12 And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us.

13 When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths [to a spiritual family]. 14 But people who aren’t spiritual [don’t have the Spirit/have only physical life] can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means. 15 Those who are spiritual can evaluate all things, but they themselves cannot be evaluated by others. 16 For,

“Who can know the Lord’s thoughts?
    Who knows enough to teach him?” [Isa 40:13]

But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ.

Prayer:  Lord, we thank you for the mind of Christ and the leading of the Holy Spirit.  Help us to stay in step with you, today, and to enjoy even the mystery of your ways.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Farming is used allegorically many times in Scripture to illustrate God’s care for his creation and human stewardship of that creation entrusted to them.  For example, God is the faithful Farmer and Father who plants and cultivates human beings; forming them from the dust of the earth and creating sons and daughters.  Jesus uses parables of farming to represent the Kingdom of God and producing crops of righteousness in human beings. The Holy Spirit sows righteousness into his sons and daughters and produces fruit that can be harvested to feed others.  

Spiritual farming is evident throughout many biblical lessons, because the hearts of believers are constantly being cultivated to bring forth new faith which weeds out sin in order to produce better lives.  In many parables, Jesus uses the concept of spiritual farming to help us gain understanding from difficult topics—some times things we simply don’t want to hear. Therefore, we must dig deeper into the fertile ground of God’s love. Many times, Jesus followed his parables with the statement, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand” (Mat 13:9).

In our passage today, the Apostle Paul reminds the believers in Galatia they must keep planting by the Spirit, even though it is very hard work, because the goal is to bring a spiritual harvest—a spiritual reward.  Burnout is real and we must be careful not to lose heart; we need to stay the course to receive the harvest God has for us.  Spiritual leaders need believers with the gift of encouragement to surround them, because spiritual formation, cultivation, and production involves a struggle against the flesh, a sinful culture, and the powers of darkness. Despite the struggle, let’s keep moving toward the spiritual harvest!  To God be the Glory for the goodness he cultivates and shares through his children!

Galatians 6:7-10 NLT

7 Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. 8 Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. 9 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. 10 Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.

Prayer:  Lord, sometimes it is very difficult to press on in faith when we cannot see the results of the Word working in our hearts.  Only you can see the proof of our salvation. So, give us the love, energy, vision, leadership, and hearts to serve where we can and trust the Spirit to produce the fruit of righteousness in all your sons and daughters for your glory.  When we feel faint, help us to gather, receive, and be refreshed in the Spirit who encourages us to press on to your high call of living in Christ. We put up our shield of faith and take authority and dominion over everything that seeks to defeat us.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Although many times in relationships opposites may initially attract, research reveals couples are much more stable when they share similar values, goals, and interests.  Without the transforming work of the Holy Spirit, human beings are selfish and self-centered—in time we will position ourselves against what is an irritating difference [opposes us] and demand our own way.  In an act of self-preservation, human beings remove the irritant thinking we will enjoy peace again.  Yet, there is no lasting peace a part from God.

In our passage today, let’s take this understanding of two opposites and bring it into a spiritual application.  In his letter to the Galatian believers, the Apostle Paul reiterates the ongoing war of opposites—human flesh and the Spirit.  Before receiving Jesus and his indwelling Spirit, people lived for the world which stroked human flesh.  The world sets before us a table of rotten fruit disguised as “tasty morsels.”  When believers eat from the world’s table, all of a sudden, life is filled with contentious issues because the Spirit is fighting our flesh.  The war is on…repentance for failing to love God wholeheartedly and turning toward him is the only answer.

Paul reminds the early Church of the Truth—believers have been given freedom in the Spirit—a huge responsibility.   How we exercise control of the freedom we are given, is based on our level of mature love for God and others.  The fruit of the Spirit is a table set before believers; available but must be chosen.

Jesus tells us we have to die to ourselves; pick up our cross and follow him (Mat 16:24-26).  This is the cost of discipleship.  So, the “Irritant” we may perceive as other people or dogmatic religious rules we reject, may actually be the Spirit of Christ trying to save us from Satan’s destructive schemes.  If we live by the Spirit’s power, we have chosen to honor the Law of God [recognizing sin] AND Grace [freedom to choose righteousness].

Galatians 5:16-25 NLT  Living by the Spirit’s Power

16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. 17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. 18 But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.

19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.

Prayer:  Father, we call for the work of the Spirit in our lives, today.  Help us practice this word knowing we cannot live for our flesh and you at the same time. Without the Spirit, we cannot grow in the holiness you require because you are holy.  We need the help of the Spirit to live in the freedom Jesus died to bring us.  Our greatest desire must be for you—to love you and serve others.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Ezekiel was a prophet in Israel during the first half of the 6th century BCE.  This period coincided with the exile of the Israelites in Babylon.  The name Ezekiel translates, “God strengthens.”  His name was a beautiful promise, because Ezekiel was given a very challenging and dangerous assignment. God instructed him to proclaim a life or death warning to the people of Israel from their God; a warning God knew the people would reject.  Ezekiel was a person of integrity and compassion who would carry a great responsibility for the people.

Ezekiel would be called a Watchman—a prophet who walked the walls of the city and warned the people of spiritual dangers and to proclaim God’s message.  God wanted his people to flourish, but they were rebellious and stagnant in their spiritual growth. God put obstacles in their way, so people would pause to consider His judgment; yet they had no fear of the Lord.

Preceding our passage today, Ezekiel found himself angry at the attitudes and sins of the people.  Before Ezekiel, the people would not listen to Jeremiah; now they will not listen to Ezekiel.  But, Ezekiel obeys God and does what he is asked to do, anyway.  He mourns the spiritually dead for seven days and he mourns those who will physically lose their lives, but he receives God’s strength to proclaim a warning for the people to repent and turn to God.  That is his responsibility.  That remains our responsibility, as well.

Ezekiel 3:12-21 NLT

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!) 13 It was the sound of the wings of the living beings as they brushed against each other and the rumbling of their wheels beneath them.

14 The Spirit lifted me up and took me away. I went in bitterness and turmoil, but the Lord’s hold on me was strong. 15 Then I came to the colony of Judean exiles in Tel-abib, beside the Kebar River. I was overwhelmed and sat among them for seven days.

A Watchman for Israel

16 After seven days the Lord gave me a message. He said, 17 “Son of man, I have appointed you as a watchman for Israel. Whenever you receive a message from me, warn people immediately. 18 If I warn the wicked, saying, ‘You are under the penalty of death,’ but you fail to deliver the warning, they will die in their sins. And I will hold you responsible for their deaths. 19 If you warn them and they refuse to repent and keep on sinning, they will die in their sins. But you will have saved yourself because you obeyed me.

20 “If righteous people turn away from their righteous behavior and ignore the obstacles I put in their way [put them in a hard place], they will die. And if you do not warn them, they will die in their sins. None of their righteous acts will be remembered, and I will hold you responsible for their deaths. 21 But if you warn righteous people not to sin and they listen to you and do not sin, they will live, and you will have saved yourself, too.”

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the challenging obstacles we may face, because we know they help us stay the course with you.  Without your strength and the work of the Holy Spirit, we would never be able to influence people or win souls for the Kingdom.  Fill us with compassion and call us to share the amazing work of Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

For the past six weeks, we have been studying the Gospel according to Matthew in our LIFE Lessons Bible Study time.  Matthew reminds us both John the Baptist and Jesus preached the need for repentance of sin [unbelief] and turning our allegiance from the world and self to God and his love [worship]. Forming a relationship with the Holy One, requires that we desire to share in His holiness. 

The Gospel is not about adding Jesus and his forgiveness to the practice of a sinful lifestyle—it is about a complete change in the human mindset which brings a change in human behavior and actions. Jesus shines the Light [opens our spiritual eyes] and makes us look at the Truth of our sin against God and our neighbors—He makes us take responsibility for our lives.  Living in the change Jesus brings is the evidence or proof of our salvation.

In our passage from the Book of Acts, today, the Apostle Paul testifies to Festus [Roman governor] and Agrippa [king of Judea] about His encounter with Jesus Messiah on the Damascus Road.  He continues the repentance narrative of Jesus for salvation; one must receive Christ’s divine transforming work to human perspectives, priorities, and practice. Human lives must be touched and renewed by the pure Love and Life of God. 

When he is finished testifying, the Apostle Paul calls for a decision, because he knows it is his responsibility to share the Truth.  It appears these leaders push the Truth aside; at least for the present time.  Believers continue to testify to the Truth of repentance and transformation, because God wants Jews and Gentiles [everyone else] to receive the work of Christ on the cross to bring spiritual life from above.

Acts 26:19-29 NLT

19 “And so, King Agrippa, I obeyed that vision from heaven. 20 I preached first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that all must repent of their sins and turn to God—and prove they have changed by the good things they do. 21 Some Jews arrested me in the Temple for preaching this, and they tried to kill me. 22 But God has protected me right up to this present time so I can testify to everyone, from the least to the greatest. I teach nothing except what the prophets and Moses said would happen— 23 that the Messiah would suffer and be the first to rise from the dead, and in this way announce God’s light to Jews and Gentiles alike.”

24 Suddenly, Festus shouted, “Paul, you are insane. Too much study has made you crazy!”

25 But Paul replied, “I am not insane, Most Excellent Festus. What I am saying is the sober truth. 26 And King Agrippa knows about these things. I speak boldly, for I am sure these events are all familiar to him, for they were not done in a corner! 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do—”

28 Agrippa interrupted him. “Do you think you can persuade me to become a Christian so quickly?”

29 Paul replied, “Whether quickly or not, I pray to God that both you and everyone here in this audience might become the same as I am, except for these chains.”

Prayer:  Lord, thank you for the work of the Spirit to make us bold in our witness and open to the transformation you desire to bring each life.   Your love not only finds us in our lostness, but heals and transforms us in our foundness.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.