PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Ezekiel 19-20
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“We want to be like the nations, like the peoples of the world.” (Ezekiel 20:32)
As Jesus followers, we always face the temptation to be like the world.
When we see others enjoying themselves, we are drawn by the illusion of happiness.
The problem is, the life of self only offers brief pleasure that does not endure.
Along with the thrills, the life of self also slowly but surely kills.
Jesus reminds us that we are in the world, but not of the world (John 17:16).
Yet the pull of the world is strong, and many Jesus followers falter.
Paul laments, “Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me.” (2 Timothy 4:10)
Israel got sucked into cruel, immoral idol worship, and was ruined for it.
They danced with the devil – as the saying goes – and the devil changed them.
Where am I compromising my identify, character and calling?
How is love of pleasure, wealth, power, things or comfort weakening me?
Everyday the enemy looks for ways to water down my devotion.
And like Israel, or Demas, love for the world entices me away from Jesus.
If I DON’T think this is happening to me, then I am most vulnerable of all!
PRAYER
Lord, I am not tempted to leave you, but I am often distracted from you. Help me to see that falling away consists of many small and seemingly insignificant steps and compromises.
“I gave them my decrees and made known to them my laws, by which the person who obeys them will live. 12 Also I gave them my Sabbaths as a sign between us, so they would know that I the Lord made them holy.” Under God’s covenant under Moses – the people were expected to obey the laws and observe the Sabbath – God promises to be their God. But they failed. So they are judged – and condemned. When judged for their disobedience, their evil ways – all was lost. Then we read in this prophecy this pointing phrase that refers to the new covenant under Jesus: “I am the Lord, when I deal with you for my name’s sake and not according to your evil ways” – God’s mercy and grace made possible by himself through Jesus saves us – God does not deal with me as my sins deserve. Thank you Jesus! How can I keep myself from becoming contaminated by the ways of the material world around me?
No God. No Life.
Know God. Know Life.
Listen to what the sovereign Lord says. Be separate from the nations around us. Live for Jesus. Serve the Lord.
Focus. Keep your eyes on Jesus.
Live according to His Word. Hear the Word of the Lord. Do this and live. There is no other way to be happy. Happiness is living for Jesus doing His will.
If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands
If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands
If you’re happy and you know it and you really want to show it
If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands
If you’re happy and you know it stomp your feet
If you’re happy and you know it stomp your feet
If you’re happy and you know it and you really want to show it
If you’re happy and you know it stomp your feet
If you’re happy and you know it shout hurray (hurray)
If you’re happy and you know it shout hurray (hurray)
If you’re happy and you know it and you really want to show it
If you’re happy and you know it shout hurray (hurray)
If you’re happy and you know it do all three
(Hurray)
If you’re happy and you know it do all three
(Hurray)
If you’re happy and you know it and you really wants to show it
If you’re happy and you know it do all three
(Hurray)