Devotionals

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.

Today’s devotion picks up from where Pastor Mary’s devotion left off on Friday in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, which we know as believers is a letter for each one of us. The Apostle Paul wants us to understand that we are all a part of God’s eternal plan to bring all things together in Christ Jesus. His letter aligns with yesterday’s sermon from Pastor Mary, that our lives’ purpose is to have the ability to make the presence of God known to the entire world (or all of His creation), and we do this as one united Body in Christ Jesus.

As the Body of Christ, we need to remember that our differences are an intentional part of God’s perfect design, and Paul tells us that our diversity as a Church (or Body) is for a purpose. God’s purpose is for ALL of us, as a united Church, to be “mature in the Lord” (v. 13). This means that individually and collectively we must reflect the glory of Jesus, so that we make Him and His Name visible to the world. This can only happen when “we will no longer be immature like children” (v. 14) rather when, “we will speak the Truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the Head of His Body, the Church”. (v. 15). As one united Body, the Holy Spirit “makes the whole Body fit together perfectly” (v. 16). Within this place of divine unity, each one of us can effectively live out our part for the Kingdom, we can help others live out their part, and together we can grow and live in the fullness of Christ’s love.

Yesterday, Pastor Mary preached that our salvation is Christ Jesus is a miracle. Sharing this miracle with someone today is the most special gift that you can give to them. Let Jesus’s love be known!

Ephesians 4:7-16 (NLT)

Unity in the Body

7 However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ. 8 That is why the Scriptures say,

“When he ascended to the heights,
he led a crowd of captives
and gave gifts to his people.”

9 Notice that it says “he ascended.” This clearly means that Christ also descended to our lowly world. 10 And the same one who descended is the one who ascended higher than all the heavens, so that he might fill the entire universe with himself.

11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. 13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.

14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. 15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

Prayer: Jesus, we thank You for being the Head of our Body, the Church. Holy Spirit, we need Your help so that we can work together as we grow in our individual and collective faith. As Your Church, we want to continue to mature in Your Word so our unique gifts flourish as one in You, Jesus. Equip us to do Your work, to share Your love so that more hearts may come to You in salvation. We ask all of this in Your Holy Name, Jesus. 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.

Yesterday was Pentecost and Pastor Mary shared Luke’s account from Acts 2 of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit which was the fulfillment of Jesus’s promise to empower and equip His disciples for ministry. Pastor Mary reminded us about Peter’s sermon, which was the first Christian sermon ever preached on that Pentecost day. In verses 17-21 of Acts 2, we see a direct connection with our passage today from the Old Testament prophet Joel. As Pastor Mary mentioned, Peter quoted what Joel had said as he knew it from the Torah. Keep in mind there was approximately 790 years between Joel 2 and Acts 2, as Joel wrote his book around 820 BC and the events that Luke wrote about in Acts 2 most likely took place around 60 AD. Nevertheless, Peter preached about what the servants of the Lord had just experienced, and it was exactly what Joel had prophesied. Peter’s sermon serves as a reminder to us that the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives should directly connect with the work of the Word in our lives, and as Pastor Mary said yesterday, it’s a oneness that we have with Jesus.

Friends, the same Holy Spirit that the believers in Acts received, is the same Holy Spirit that you and I received when we welcomed Jesus into our hearts, through salvation, so He could change our lives for all eternity. By this commitment, the Holy Spirit desperately wants to guide our daily lives to grow in our relationship with Jesus, and to become more powerful within us so that He can use us to grow God’s Kingdom. It is by the wisdom of the Holy Spirit that you and I are guided in the ways of God, rather than by the ways of this world, and the choice of this oneness is up to each one of us.

As you read today’s passage, keep in mind that many theologians believe that Peter’s use of this prophecy, in Acts 2, was to point to a portion of fulfillment, but also as a sign that the last days have begun and that we need to be prepared for Jesus’s return. Frist, we must rejoice that the Holy Spirit of the living God resides in us. Next, we must allow the Holy Spirit room to move in and through us as we are one with Him and one with His Word (so be in His Word every single day). Finally, we must repent, turn from our sins, and live by the guidance of the Holy Spirit. God is restoring you and me all of the time, and we want to be ready for the Day of the Lord.  

Joel 2:28-32 (NLT)

The Lord’s Promise of His Spirit

²⁸ “Then, after doing all those things,

    I will pour out my Spirit upon all people.

Your sons and daughters will prophesy.

    Your old men will dream dreams,

    and your young men will see visions.

²⁹ In those days I will pour out my Spirit

    even on servants—men and women alike.

³⁰ And I will cause wonders in the heavens and on the earth—

    blood and fire and columns of smoke.

³¹ The sun will become dark,

    and the moon will turn blood red

    before that great and terrible^[f] day of the Lord arrives.

³² But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord

    will be saved,

for some on Mount Zion in Jerusalem will escape,

    just as the Lord has said.

These will be among the survivors

    whom the Lord has called.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for connecting Your Word for us. Holy Spirit, we need Your guidance all of the time. Help us to be quick to repent, to be in Your Word each and every day, and to share Jesus’s message of eternal love through salvation with others. We want our hearts to be prepared for Your return. We ask all of this in Your Holy Name, Jesus. 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.