February 4, 2020

HIS-Story in the Making: A Teaching from Ezekiel 20 in the First 5 Mobile App

Hi Friend,

I pray your 2020 is off to an incredible start.  Today I have a fun surprise. I’m blessed to do today’s Ezekiel 20 teaching in the Proverbs 31 Ministries First 5 Mobile App. Please check it out and be encouraged. God promises to restore and strengthen each one of us when we rely on Him.

Here is the easy hyperlink or you can read it below: https://app.first5.org/first5

Ezekiel 20:44 (ESV) “And you shall know that I am the LORD, when I deal with you for my name’s sake, not according to your evil ways, nor according to your corrupt deeds, O house of Israel, declares the Lord GOD.”

I love history. I enjoy reading books about history, and when traveling, I make it a point to stop and read historical placards to learn about the city I’m visiting. History is vital for us to learn the roots of our stories, but the most important history, though, is God’s story — His-story — written in His Word. He writes all of history and is the Author of our faith. (Hebrews 12:2)

Israel’s history, like a historical placard, lures us to these spiritual roots, as outlined uniquely in Ezekiel 20. God weaves His-story throughout this passage, reminding the Israelites of their rebellious past and His future plans of restoration.

Israel’s Past Rebellion The historical timestamp in the first verse highlights the year of King Jehoiachin of Judah’s exile in 591 B. C. Ezekiel, who is about 25 years old, prophesies during a time of great confusion after the Babylonians’ exile of the young king. Then and now, prophets emerge in times of crisis to bring God’s message to His people.

Some of the elders of Israel sat before the prophet Ezekiel to inquire of the Lord three times, and God denies their requests. (Ezekiel 20:3) Throughout the passage, the elders of Israel are reminded of their nation’s rampant idolatry in three geographical places:

1. In Egypt (Ezekiel 20: 1-9) The Lord had promised to take the two million-plus Israelites out of Egypt into the Promised Land, “the most glorious of all lands” (Ezekiel 20:6).

2. In the wilderness (Ezekiel 20:10-26) The 40-year journey to the epic Promised Land should have taken 11 days (Deuteronomy 1:2) but was prolonged because of their rebellion.

3. In Canaan, the Promised Land (Ezekiel 20:27-32) Even after entering the Promised Land, the Israelites continued to rebel, (Ezekiel 20:28-31) just as we do today. Yet we see that while God initially rejected Israel’s inquiries, He promised future restoration.

Israel’s Future Restoration Our redeeming Lord promises to restore us as He did for Israel. After Israel’s history of continual sin, idolatry and rebellion, a hopeful pivot begins in Ezekiel 20:33.

The Lord declares with “a mighty hand and an outstretched arm” that He will pour out His wrath, be King over the Israelites and gather them from countries where they are scattered (Ezekiel 20:33-34).

As harsh as this language may seem, Israel is God’s chosen nation, whom He loves, protects and disciplines. (Deuteronomy 14:2; 1 Kings 10:9; Psalm 47:4; 135:4; Romans 11:1-2)

The key verse of today’s teaching declares from our God both His sovereignty and grace in the way He “deals” with us for His name’s sake, not according to our sin or our corrupt deeds. To emphasize God’s sovereignty, eight times within Ezekiel 20 the phrase“I am the LORD” or “I am the LORD your God” is repeated. God loves us; He wants the Israelites and us to know we are His.

As the Lord our God, He promises to restore and strengthen us. Even Ezekiel’s name appropriately means in Hebrew, “God will strengthen.” His name is perfect for a prophet proclaiming a message of uncompromising judgment and later a strong restoration for God’s sake, not Israel’s or ours.

Failure and judgment are not the end of Israel’s story or our story. Our redeeming Lord promises to restore us as He did Israel’s sinful history. May we receive this redemptive gift of Jesus today and let God write His-story in our lives.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for writing Your story and my life story so graciously. I confess idolatry and rebellion. You are the Great Redeemer. Thank You for loving me, even when I’m lost in rebellious sin like the Israelites. You are sovereign, merciful and mighty. Thank You for making Your story for Your glory and our joy through Your Son Jesus. In Jesus’ name, amen.

More Moments:

Generation after generation, the Israelites had wallowed in the filth of idolatry and rebellion. When the elders inquired of God, He denied them because they still had idols in their lives and hearts. Read More

My Moment:

How have you experienced God’s mercy recently toward your own rebellion or idolatry? Write your redemptive story in the comments below.

December 25, 2019

Merry Christmas–Nothing Is Impossible

Merry Christmas Day! I pray you and your loved ones have enjoyed a sweet, peaceful, joyful day celebrating the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.

I get so excited about the Christmas story in Luke 2—the angel, the manger, the shepherds, Mary, Joseph, the wise men, AND sweet baby Jesus’s birth. As we read Luke 2, I also love reading the inspiring story of Elizabeth and John the Baptist in Luke 1. I see a story of struggle and God’s miracle. The kind of story I love. The kind of story I live and can relate to.

Three of my favorite verses are found throughout this Luke 1 chapter. I never realized how much was in that chapter foretelling John the Baptist’s and Jesus’ birth.

Zechariah was a priest, and his wife Elizabeth had not been able to get pregnant. An angel appeared to Zechariah and told him not to be afraid (if I saw an angel I’d be afraid also), and that his prayer had been heard. I love that.

The angel told him he would have a son, name him John.

“He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord…and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth.” –Luke 1:14, 15.

Zechariah doubted the angel, asking:

“How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” –Luke 1:18.

Ouch. How many times do I doubt God’s promises, God’s goodness, God’s faithfulness? My “soul holes” of doubt speak louder than my faith.

Because Zechariah doubted, he was struck silent for her whole pregnancy. People in the temple could tell he had seen a vision. He made signs with his hands but could not speak.

His sweet wife Elizabeth became pregnant and remained in seclusion for five months. Her response was,

“The Lord has done this for me.” –Luke 1:25.

Amen. What profound gratitude.

Six months into Elizabeth’s pregnancy, the angel Gabriel visits Elizabeth’s young relative Mary in a little town of Nazareth. The angel Gabriel told Mary she would give birth to a son named Jesus.

“He will be great and will be called Son of the most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David…His Kingdom will never end.” –Luke 1:32, 33b.

Mary asked the angel how it would happen since she was a virgin. The angel’s response is so encouraging.

“Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God.”  —Luke 1:36, 37.

AMEN! Mary’s response is one of my favorite in the entire Bible.

“’I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.’ Then the angel left her.” –Luke 1:38.

Can you imagine being 13 or 14 years old, as Mary was, and having the kind of Spirit-filled faith to be that obedient? She is such an inspiring testament of faith.

Then Mary went to visit Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s voice, the baby inside of her leaped, and Elizabeth was filled with the holy Spirit. Elizabeth encouraged Mary, saying in a LOUD voice:

“Blessed are you among women and blessed is the child you will bear!….” –Luke 1:42.

Elizabeth declared another one of my favorite verses:

“Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!” –Luke 1:45.

Friend, what can we learn from this passage so full of miracles and wisdom?

1) God hears our prayers. The angel affirmed Zechariah first by saying his prayer had been heard. Every prayer is heard, no matter how short the prayers are and how desperately we cry out to God.

2)Whatever in our life seems “barren,” God provides life in that barren spot. Nothing is impossible with God. For me it’s my singleness. God fills my “barren spot” and heart’s desire for a husband. You may have a “barren” relationship or a yearning for a child. God fills that soul hole, even on days that are hard, especially at Christmas.

3) May we always give God the praise. Like Elizabeth who had prayed for years to be pregnant, “The Lord has done this for me.” All comes from Him.

4) May we have the humility and faith like Mary to be totally obedient. Not only did she say she was the Lord’s servant. She declared her total surrender. “May it be to me as you have said.”

Oh, I pray so for me and you also. Total surrender.

It was for Mary. It will be for us also if we surrender our will. May Thy will, not my will, be done.

Merry Christmas, friend.

Reflect:

–What seems “barren” in your life? What seems impossible? Please comment.

–What prayers do you want God to hear? Keep praying. He hears them all.

Renew:

“And Mary said: ‘My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is His name.” –Luke 1: 46-49.

December 10, 2019

Preparing Room: The Inn-Keeper’s Perspective

The Inn-keeper in the Bible Story of Jesus’ birth intrigues me. Not much is written about him. He leaves much to our imagination. With the census going on for the entire Roman World, you know his inn must have stayed jam-packed at 100 percent occupancy. He was truthful to Mary and Joseph.

He certainly wasn’t a mean man. In fact, I can sympathize with him. Guests checked out, then more guests with reservations checked in.  He was trying his best to be hospitable by offering a stable/cave and manger out back.

Little did he know he was too busy and lacked room in his life for the Savior of the World’s birth. Ouch. Doesn’t that hit close to home?

“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” –Luke 2:7 NIV

Anything of value in our lives requires us to make room.

We make room in our time schedules, our budgets, our hearts for a new relationship we value. Even for Christmas we make room, don’t we?

To bring in our new wonderful-smelling Christmas tree, we move over our comfy chairs, reading lamp, plants–whatever it takes. Box after box of Christmas decorations require us to move our year-round décor and replace with our valued Christmas festive decor.

In the Bible Story of Jesus’ birth, the Inn-Keeper had no room for Jesus. Mary and Joseph resorted to a hay-filled stable, along with the smelly animals. Our Savior of the World Jesus was born in a tiny manger. The tiny manger was plenty of room for the King of Kings and was truly the first King-Size Bed. 

Even the favorite Christmas carol “Joy to the World” exclaims, “Let every heart prepare Him room.”

Frederick Buechner writes from the Inn-Keeper’s perspective in “The Birth” of Magnificent Defeat: “But this I do know. My own true love. All your life long, you wait for your own true love to come–we all do–our destiny, our joy, our heart’s desire. So how am I to say it, gentlemen? When He came, I missed Him. Pray for me, brothers and sisters. Pray for the Inn-Keeper. Pray for me, and for us all, my own true love.”

The big question is: Do I make enough room in my heart, my schedule for Jesus? He wants our whole heart, my whole heart. So many times I don’t make enough room with my hurried schedule, my shortened quiet time, quick prayers.

Jesus is our only Way “In” to eternal life. He is the Door, the Gate. “Therefore Jesus said again. ‘I tell you the truth, I am the Gate for the sheep.” –John 10:7 NIV

We who believe are all “IN-Keepers.” Jesus loves us so much and wants to reside in our hearts for eternity.

How much room am I making in my schedule, my budget, my heart for Jesus, the Savior of the World, my Savior?

Please forgive me, Lord, for being too busy. For not making room for You. Take my whole heart, Lord. Lord Jesus, move everything else out to make all the room You want and need in my heart. You are the only way IN to eternal life. I desire to be a true “IN-Keeper.” In Jesus’ name, by the Power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

“I’m prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love. Here’s my heart, Lord, take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above.” –Come Thy Fount of Every Blessing

 Reflect:

–“Make room for us in your hearts.” –2 Corinthians 7:2a NIV

–“ ‘Say to the owner of the house he enters, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples? He will show you a large upper room, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.’” –Mark 14:14-15 NIV

Renew:

–How can I make more room in my heart, my schedule, my life for Jesus? Please comment.

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