Ezekiel 14 (Amplified Bible)
1THEN CAME certain of the elders of Israel to me and sat before me.
2And the word of the Lord came to me:
3Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their hearts and put the stumbling block of their iniquity and guilt before their faces; should I permit Myself to be inquired of at all by them?
4Therefore speak to them and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: Every man of the house of Israel who takes his idols [of self-will and unsubmissiveness] into his heart and puts the stumbling block of his iniquity [idols of silver and gold] before his face, and yet comes to the prophet [to inquire of him], I the Lord will answer him, answer him according to the multitude of his idols,
5That I may lay hold of the house of Israel in the thoughts of their own mind and heart, because they are all estranged from Me through their idols.
6Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: Repent and turn away from your idols, and turn away your faces from all your abominations.
7For anyone of the house of Israel or of the strangers who sojourn in Israel who separates himself from Me, taking his idols into his heart and putting the stumbling block of his iniquity and guilt before his face, and [yet] comes to the prophet to inquire for himself of Me, I the Lord will answer him Myself!
8And I will set My face against that [false worshiper] and will make him a sign and a byword, and I will cut him off from the midst of My people; and you shall know (understand and realize) that I am the Lord.
9[The prophet has not been granted permission to give an answer to the hypocritical inquirer] but if the prophet does give the man the answer he desires [thus allowing himself to be a party to the inquirer's sin], I the Lord will see to it that the prophet is deceived in his answer, and I will stretch out My hand against him and will destroy him from the midst of My people Israel.
10And they both shall bear the punishment of their iniquity: the iniquity of the [presumptuous] prophet shall be the same as the iniquity of the [hypocritical] inquirer,
11That the house of Israel may go no more astray from Me, neither defile themselves any more with all their transgressions, but that they may be My people, and I may be their God, says the Lord God.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Saturday, January 10, 2009
The Crucible II
The Crucible II
Lord, it is difficult within this crucible
But, surely our actions are inexcusable
We show by deeds, our ignorance of You
Our conduct proves our worship is untrue
We pine away in pursuit of ruinous excess
Wear ourselves out for the façade of success
Due to unreasonableness, love waxes cold
Love, the great command, given of old
We feign affection to those near to us
Cheat those we claim to be dear to us
We twist the truth to cover our tracks
In attempt to justify unjustifiable acts
We insult, degrade each other’s name
To exalt ourselves is our wayward aim
We are baffled, broken, and led astray
By shunning Your word, we lost our way
The sad part is our lack of spiritual sight
Doing wrong so long, we feel it’s right
In love, You correct those You care for
Your own, You promised to be there for
In penitent faith they cling to You dearly
Calling on others to trust in You sincerely
In the crucible, our character, You refine
You teach us to say “Your will, not mine”
Your just discipline displays Your insight
These trials, these tears yield to eternal delight
3 “My people bend their tongues like bows to shoot lies. They refuse to stand up for the truth. And they only go from bad to worse! They care nothing for me,” says the LORD.
4 “Beware of your neighbor! Beware of your brother! They all take advantage of one another and spread their slanderous lies. 5 They all fool and defraud each other; no one tells the truth. With practiced tongues they tell lies; they wear themselves out with all their sinning. 6 They pile lie upon lie and utterly refuse to come to me,” says the LORD.
7 Therefore, the LORD Almighty says, “See, I will melt them in a crucible and test them like metal. What else can I do with them? 8 For their tongues aim lies like poisoned arrows. They promise peace to their neighbors while planning to kill them. 9 Should I not punish them for this?” asks the LORD. “Should I not avenge myself against a nation such as this?” Jeremiah 9:3-9 NLT
It is unwise to repel the living God by ignoring His voice, His word calling us to repent for our sinfulness. For our rebellion, Jesus endured the crucible of Calvary’s cross. He took upon Himself our sin and its disciplinary penalty, death, that our souls not be lost. True saving faith in Jesus purifies us to pass judgment’s final test, salvation from our sin. Through Him, we can be empowered to endure all things, both now and ever and be eternally blest…Have you truly invited Him into your heart?
RevLDReedSr
I Owe Jesus
1/10/09
Lord, it is difficult within this crucible
But, surely our actions are inexcusable
We show by deeds, our ignorance of You
Our conduct proves our worship is untrue
We pine away in pursuit of ruinous excess
Wear ourselves out for the façade of success
Due to unreasonableness, love waxes cold
Love, the great command, given of old
We feign affection to those near to us
Cheat those we claim to be dear to us
We twist the truth to cover our tracks
In attempt to justify unjustifiable acts
We insult, degrade each other’s name
To exalt ourselves is our wayward aim
We are baffled, broken, and led astray
By shunning Your word, we lost our way
The sad part is our lack of spiritual sight
Doing wrong so long, we feel it’s right
In love, You correct those You care for
Your own, You promised to be there for
In penitent faith they cling to You dearly
Calling on others to trust in You sincerely
In the crucible, our character, You refine
You teach us to say “Your will, not mine”
Your just discipline displays Your insight
These trials, these tears yield to eternal delight
3 “My people bend their tongues like bows to shoot lies. They refuse to stand up for the truth. And they only go from bad to worse! They care nothing for me,” says the LORD.
4 “Beware of your neighbor! Beware of your brother! They all take advantage of one another and spread their slanderous lies. 5 They all fool and defraud each other; no one tells the truth. With practiced tongues they tell lies; they wear themselves out with all their sinning. 6 They pile lie upon lie and utterly refuse to come to me,” says the LORD.
7 Therefore, the LORD Almighty says, “See, I will melt them in a crucible and test them like metal. What else can I do with them? 8 For their tongues aim lies like poisoned arrows. They promise peace to their neighbors while planning to kill them. 9 Should I not punish them for this?” asks the LORD. “Should I not avenge myself against a nation such as this?” Jeremiah 9:3-9 NLT
It is unwise to repel the living God by ignoring His voice, His word calling us to repent for our sinfulness. For our rebellion, Jesus endured the crucible of Calvary’s cross. He took upon Himself our sin and its disciplinary penalty, death, that our souls not be lost. True saving faith in Jesus purifies us to pass judgment’s final test, salvation from our sin. Through Him, we can be empowered to endure all things, both now and ever and be eternally blest…Have you truly invited Him into your heart?
RevLDReedSr
I Owe Jesus
1/10/09
Friday, January 9, 2009
The Crucible
The Crucible
These times try men’s souls, test men’s mettle. These times make the arrogant, unsettled; bring down high looks. These times bring out in some the inner crook. In times such as this the mighty crumble, the stately stumble. In times such as this, the wise are confounded, the cynical are intensely astounded.
These times bring into focus things that were hidden in plain sight. These times highlight man’s lack of ability to save himself-his fortune, his future, yet underscore his stubborn, rebellious will to keep trying to manufacture and master his destiny.
We now find ourselves in the crucible. A crucible is a place or set of circumstances where people or things are subjected to forces that try them and often change them. It is a severe trial or ordeal that draws out what is truly in the core of one’s being.
The crucible drives some men to display the real corruptness, deficiency of their character, often concealed from other’s view, disguised in self-possession. The crucible draws some to delve inward and a deluge of decency rises up to the benefit of others. The crucible stirs some to seek out and anoint a savior from the ranks of men, one who can alleviate anxiety, lure people together, and lead them to the desired promise land.
The crucible goads others to search for any god with power to deliver from distress only to be dominated by disempowering contrived devices and vices of man. Others descend to depend more definitively on the god of self.
The crucible, also, convinces others to seek the God of the bible.
This God of the bible is the only living and true God. He is incomparable in majesty and might. With impeccable character and judgment, He reigns.
He has helped me through the intimidating tests in the crucibles of my life. My crucibles have disciplined me. My crucibles have strengthened me. The crucibles in my life have drawn me to trust solely in His saving grace. Through my crucibles, He has demonstrated His love for me and opened my spiritual eyes to see how much I need Him, how I can’t make it without Him.
Jesus Christ, my Savior, was tested in the crucible of Calvary’s cross. He was lifted up to draw us unto Himself for He is the only tried and true Savior there is. He was humbled that we may receive honor. His body was broken that we may be whole. He who knew no sin was made to be sin for us. His blood was shed in atonement for our sin debt. He died and three days later was raised from the grave for our justification. He died that we may live forever through faith in Him.
The difficult tests of this time offer us an opportunity to look “unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” (Hebrews 12:2-3 KJV)
Let us not give in to depression or give up in despair in these traumatic times, but through determined, penitent prayer draw near to our Lord, drawing strength and deriving direction from His word and Spirit, as we under-gird each another. And, let us labor to spread the Good News that those caught in the crucible of sin may turn from their sin to Jesus, the merciful, righteous Lord who is able, willing, and mighty to save.
Larry D. Reed, Sr.
I Owe Jesus
1/9/2009
These times try men’s souls, test men’s mettle. These times make the arrogant, unsettled; bring down high looks. These times bring out in some the inner crook. In times such as this the mighty crumble, the stately stumble. In times such as this, the wise are confounded, the cynical are intensely astounded.
These times bring into focus things that were hidden in plain sight. These times highlight man’s lack of ability to save himself-his fortune, his future, yet underscore his stubborn, rebellious will to keep trying to manufacture and master his destiny.
We now find ourselves in the crucible. A crucible is a place or set of circumstances where people or things are subjected to forces that try them and often change them. It is a severe trial or ordeal that draws out what is truly in the core of one’s being.
The crucible drives some men to display the real corruptness, deficiency of their character, often concealed from other’s view, disguised in self-possession. The crucible draws some to delve inward and a deluge of decency rises up to the benefit of others. The crucible stirs some to seek out and anoint a savior from the ranks of men, one who can alleviate anxiety, lure people together, and lead them to the desired promise land.
The crucible goads others to search for any god with power to deliver from distress only to be dominated by disempowering contrived devices and vices of man. Others descend to depend more definitively on the god of self.
The crucible, also, convinces others to seek the God of the bible.
This God of the bible is the only living and true God. He is incomparable in majesty and might. With impeccable character and judgment, He reigns.
He has helped me through the intimidating tests in the crucibles of my life. My crucibles have disciplined me. My crucibles have strengthened me. The crucibles in my life have drawn me to trust solely in His saving grace. Through my crucibles, He has demonstrated His love for me and opened my spiritual eyes to see how much I need Him, how I can’t make it without Him.
Jesus Christ, my Savior, was tested in the crucible of Calvary’s cross. He was lifted up to draw us unto Himself for He is the only tried and true Savior there is. He was humbled that we may receive honor. His body was broken that we may be whole. He who knew no sin was made to be sin for us. His blood was shed in atonement for our sin debt. He died and three days later was raised from the grave for our justification. He died that we may live forever through faith in Him.
The difficult tests of this time offer us an opportunity to look “unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” (Hebrews 12:2-3 KJV)
Let us not give in to depression or give up in despair in these traumatic times, but through determined, penitent prayer draw near to our Lord, drawing strength and deriving direction from His word and Spirit, as we under-gird each another. And, let us labor to spread the Good News that those caught in the crucible of sin may turn from their sin to Jesus, the merciful, righteous Lord who is able, willing, and mighty to save.
Larry D. Reed, Sr.
I Owe Jesus
1/9/2009
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