Our son Nathan is on a one year internship with Urban Promise, a ministry “that exists to proclaim the love of Jesus, and to express it through the spiritual, social and educational development of children, youth and families living in government housing.” April 20, 2011 Dear Friends, It has been far too long, and for this…
are we getting the message?
SCRIPTURE: Ezekiel 25 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: I will stretch out my hand against you and give you as plunder to the nations. I will wipe you out from among the nations and exterminate you from the countries. I will destroy you, and you will know that I am the LORD. [Ezekiel 25:7] This chapter shows that while God is…
an extreme sign
SCRIPTURE: Ezekiel 24 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: And you, son of man, on the day I take away their stronghold, their joy and glory, the delight of their eyes, their heart’s desire, and their sons and daughters as well— on that day a fugitive will come to tell you the news. At that time your mouth will be opened;…
where lust leads
SCRIPTURE: Ezekiel 23 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Therefore I delivered her into the hands of her lovers, the Assyrians, for whom she lusted. They stripped her naked, took away her sons and daughters and killed her with the sword. [Ezekiel 23:9-10] Ezekiel uses explicit language to describe how Samaria (capital city of the ten northern tribes of Israel) and Jerusalem…
God sees through whitewash
SCRIPTURE: Ezekiel 22 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Her prophets whitewash these deeds for them by false visions and lying divinations. They say, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says’—when the LORD has not spoken. The people of the land practice extortion and commit robbery; they oppress the poor and needy and mistreat the foreigner, denying them justice. [Ezekiel 22:28-29] This…
the one that deserves the crown
SCRIPTURE: Ezekiel 21 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: It will not be as it was: The lowly will be exalted and the exalted will be brought low. A ruin! A ruin! I will make it a ruin! The crown will not be restored until he to whom it rightfully belongs shall come; to him I will give it.’ [Ezekiel 21:26-27] The…
a time to cry
SCRIPTURE: Ezekiel 19 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Fire spread from one of its main branches and consumed its fruit. No strong branch is left on it fit for a ruler’s scepter.’ This is a lament and is to be used as a lament. [Ezekiel 19:14] When is the last time that you had a good cry? Was it triggered by…
no blame-shifting
SCRIPTURE: Ezekiel 18 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: The one who sins is the one who will die. The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child. The righteousness of the righteous will be credited to them, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against them. [Ezekiel 18:20]…
when God plants a tree
SCRIPTURE: Ezekiel 17 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: On the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it; it will produce branches and bear fruit and become a splendid cedar. Birds of every kind will nest in it; they will find shelter in the shade of its branches. [Ezekiel 17:23] God loves to tell stories, we also see this in Jesus….
love story
SCRIPTURE: Ezekiel 16 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. They were haughty and did detestable things before me. Therefore I did away with them as you have seen. Samaria did not commit half the sins…