Category Archives: Repenting from Sin

Compassionate, Disobeying, Rebelling Against, Ignoring God, Idols / False Gods, Justice / Judgment, Merciful, Repenting from Sin, Wickedness / Evil

God’s Judgment and Mercy: A Vision in Ezekiel 9

Ever see someone who is doing things you know God does not like, but they don’t recognize it? Ever stop to consider if you, too, are doing things that God does not like, but you can’t see it? The book of Ezekiel takes us on a journey where God’s judgment and mercy intersect in profound ways. Today, let’s delve into Ezekiel 9, where we witness a vision that reveals the consequences of disobedience and the depths of God’s compassion.

Reconnect: Before we dive into Ezekiel 9, let’s reconnect with the broader context of this prophetic book. Ezekiel was a priest and prophet who lived during the Babylonian exile. In this tumultuous period, God used Ezekiel to convey His messages to the exiled Israelites, calling them to repentance and foretelling future events. The vision in Ezekiel 9 is part of a series of prophetic revelations that Ezekiel received, each offering insights into God’s character and His dealings with His people.

(Summarized and continued after the scripture)

Ezekiel 9

The Vision of Slaughter

      1Then He cried out in my hearing with a loud voice saying, “Draw near, O executioners of the city, each with his destroying weapon in his hand.” 2Behold, six men came from the direction of the upper gate which faces north, each with his shattering weapon in his hand; and among them was a certain man clothed in linen with a writing case at his loins. And they went in and stood beside the bronze altar.

      3Then the glory of the God of Israel went up from the cherub on which it had been, to the threshold of the temple. And He called to the man clothed in linen at whose loins was the writing case. 4The LORD said to him, “Go through the midst of the city, even through the midst of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the abominations which are being committed in its midst.” 5But to the others He said in my hearing, “Go through the city after him and strike; do not let your eye have pity and do not spare. 6“Utterly slay old men, young men, maidens, little children, and women, but do not touch any man on whom is the mark; and you shall start from My sanctuary.” So they started with the elders who were before the temple. 7And He said to them, “Defile the temple and fill the courts with the slain. Go out!” Thus they went out and struck down the people in the city. 8As they were striking the people and I alone was left, I fell on my face and cried out saying, “Alas, Lord GOD! Are You destroying the whole remnant of Israel by pouring out Your wrath on Jerusalem?”

      9Then He said to me, “The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is very, very great, and the land is filled with blood and the city is full of perversion; for they say, ‘The LORD has forsaken the land, and the LORD does not see!’ 10“But as for Me, My eye will have no pity nor will I spare, but I will bring their conduct upon their heads.”

      11Then behold, the man clothed in linen at whose loins was the writing case reported, saying, “I have done just as You have commanded me.”

Ever see someone who is doing things you know God does not like, but they don’t recognize it? Ever stop to consider if you, too, are doing things that God does not like, but you can’t see it? The book of Ezekiel takes us on a journey where God’s judgment and mercy intersect in profound ways. Today, let’s delve into Ezekiel 9, where we witness a vision that reveals the consequences of disobedience and the depths of God’s compassion.

Summary Key Points:

  • God’s Call for Judgment: In Ezekiel 9, we encounter a vision where God instructs a man clothed in linen to go through Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of those who sigh and groan over the abominations committed in the city. This marking signifies protection from the impending judgment that will befall the wicked inhabitants of Jerusalem.
  • Consequences of Sin: The vision vividly portrays the consequences of sin and disobedience. The city of Jerusalem is filled with violence, idolatry, and injustice, prompting God’s righteous judgment. However, amidst the impending judgment, God shows mercy to those who remain faithful to Him, sparing them from destruction.
  • God’s Compassion and Mercy: Despite the severity of the judgment, we see God’s compassion and mercy on display. He provides a way of escape for the righteous, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to those who remain faithful to Him. This reveals God’s heart for His people, desiring repentance and restoration rather than judgment and destruction.

Call to Action:

  • Seek God’s Protection: Just as God marked those who remained faithful in Ezekiel’s vision, seek His protection and guidance in your life. Stay close to Him, sighing and groaning over the sin and brokenness in the world, and trust in His promise of deliverance.
  • Examine Your Heart: Take time to examine your heart and actions. Are there areas of disobedience or idolatry that need to be addressed? Ask God to reveal any sin or wrongdoing in your life, and seek His forgiveness and guidance in turning away from it.
  • Embrace God’s Mercy: Reflect on the mercy and compassion that God extends to His people, even in the face of judgment. Let His mercy inspire you to extend grace and compassion to others, showing the love of Christ in your words and actions.

Closing: Ezekiel’s vision serves as a poignant reminder of God’s justice and mercy. As we navigate our own journey, may we remain faithful to God, trusting in His protection and mercy, and may His grace lead us to lives of obedience and compassion.

Prayer: Lord, we come before You with humble hearts, acknowledging Your sovereignty and righteousness. Thank You for the insights we’ve gained from Ezekiel 9, reminding us of the consequences of sin and the depth of Your mercy. Help us, O God, to examine our hearts and lives, seeking Your forgiveness and guidance where we have fallen short. Protect us, Lord, from the judgment that befalls the wicked, and mark us with Your seal of righteousness. Grant us the strength to remain faithful to You, even in the midst of trials and temptations. May Your mercy and compassion abound in our lives, leading us to extend grace and love to those around us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Discipline / Guidance From God, Repenting from Sin, Seeking God, Study the Word

Unveiling the Hidden Heart: Finding Idols in Your Life (Ezekiel 8)

Ever find yourself watching someone making choices contrary to God’s ways, yet blind to their own missteps?

It’s easy to point out others’ errors, but have you ever paused to reflect on your own actions? Are there habits or priorities you hold dear that might unknowingly distance you from God?

Reconnect: Before diving into Ezekiel 8, let’s recall the broader context of Ezekiel’s prophetic ministry. In the previous chapters, Ezekiel received his commission from God, a daunting task to be a watchman for Israel. He has been warning the people of impending judgment due to their persistent rebellion and idolatry. Now, in Ezekiel 8, we witness a vivid portrayal of the spiritual condition of Jerusalem, revealing the depth of their depravity and God’s righteous judgment.

(Summarized and continued after scripture)

Ezekiel 8

Vision of Abominations in Jerusalem

      1It came about in the sixth year, on the fifth day of the sixth month, as I was sitting in my house with the elders of Judah sitting before me, that the hand of the Lord GOD fell on me there. 2Then I looked, and behold, a likeness as the appearance of a man; from His loins and downward there was the appearance of fire, and from His loins and upward the appearance of brightness, like the appearance of glowing metal. 3He stretched out the form of a hand and caught me by a lock of my head; and the Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the entrance of the north gate of the inner court, where the seat of the idol of jealousy, which provokes to jealousy, was located. 4And behold, the glory of the God of Israel was there, like the appearance which I saw in the plain.

      5Then He said to me, “Son of man, raise your eyes now toward the north.” So I raised my eyes toward the north, and behold, to the north of the altar gate was this idol of jealousy at the entrance. 6And He said to me, “Son of man, do you see what they are doing, the great abominations which the house of Israel are committing here, so that I would be far from My sanctuary? But yet you will see still greater abominations.”

      7Then He brought me to the entrance of the court, and when I looked, behold, a hole in the wall. 8He said to me, “Son of man, now dig through the wall.” So I dug through the wall, and behold, an entrance. 9And He said to me, “Go in and see the wicked abominations that they are committing here.” 10So I entered and looked, and behold, every form of creeping things and beasts and detestable things, with all the idols of the house of Israel, were carved on the wall all around. 11Standing in front of them were seventy elders of the house of Israel, with Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan standing among them, each man with his censer in his hand and the fragrance of the cloud of incense rising. 12Then He said to me, “Son of man, do you see what the elders of the house of Israel are committing in the dark, each man in the room of his carved images? For they say, ‘The LORD does not see us; the LORD has forsaken the land.’” 13And He said to me, “Yet you will see still greater abominations which they are committing.”

      14Then He brought me to the entrance of the gate of the LORD’S house which was toward the north; and behold, women were sitting there weeping for Tammuz. 15He said to me, “Do you see this, son of man? Yet you will see still greater abominations than these.”

      16Then He brought me into the inner court of the LORD’S house. And behold, at the entrance to the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs to the temple of the LORD and their faces toward the east; and they were prostrating themselves eastward toward the sun. 17He said to me, “Do you see this, son of man? Is it too light a thing for the house of Judah to commit the abominations which they have committed here, that they have filled the land with violence and provoked Me repeatedly? For behold, they are putting the twig to their nose. 18“Therefore, I indeed will deal in wrath. My eye will have no pity nor will I spare; and though they cry in My ears with a loud voice, yet I will not listen to them.”

Summary Key Points:

  1. Revealing the Hidden Abominations:
    • In Ezekiel’s vision, he is transported to Jerusalem, where he sees the elders of Israel engaging in idol worship in the inner court of the temple. They have replaced the worship of the one true God with idols, turning their backs on His commandments.
    • Despite the facade of religious observance, the hearts of the people are far from God. The secret sins committed in the darkness are brought to light before Ezekiel’s eyes, exposing the depth of their spiritual decay.
  2. The Consequences of Idolatry:
    • God’s response to the idolatry of His people is swift and severe. He declares judgment upon Jerusalem, promising to withdraw His presence from the temple and bring destruction upon the city.
    • The consequences of their idolatry extend beyond physical destruction; they also face spiritual desolation, as God’s presence departs from their midst due to their unrepentant hearts.
    • Remember idolatry is more than false gods. It includes anything or anyone we put in an equal or higher place of importance than God through our actions or thoughts.
  3. God’s Call to Repentance:
    • In the midst of judgment, God still extends an invitation to repentance. Despite the depths of their sin, there is still an opportunity for the people to turn back to God and seek His forgiveness.
    • Ezekiel’s vision serves as a warning to all generations about the dangers of idolatry and the importance of remaining faithful to God’s commandments. It reminds us that God sees the hidden sins of our hearts and calls us to repentance and renewal.

Call to Action:

  • Examine Your Heart: Take time to reflect on your own life and ask God to reveal any hidden sins or areas of idolatry. Be willing to confront these areas and turn back to God in repentance.
  • Seek God’s Presence: Don’t take God’s presence for granted. Cultivate a life of intimacy with Him through prayer, worship, and obedience to His Word.
  • Embrace Repentance: If God reveals areas of sin in your life, don’t hesitate to repent and turn back to Him. His grace is sufficient to forgive and restore all who come to Him with a contrite heart.

Closing: In the turbulent landscape of Ezekiel’s vision, we are confronted with the sobering reality of God’s holiness and the consequences of disobedience. Yet, even in the midst of judgment, there is hope for repentance and restoration for those who turn back to God. May we heed the warnings of Ezekiel 8 and strive to live lives that honor and glorify God in all we do.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, As we reflect on the words of Ezekiel 8, we are reminded of Your holiness and Your righteous judgment. Help us to examine our hearts and turn away from any form of idolatry or sin that separates us from You. Grant us the grace to repent and turn back to You, knowing that You are faithful to forgive and restore us. May our lives be a reflection of Your glory, as we seek to honor You in all things. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

All Powerful / King of All, Justice / Judgment, Repenting from Sin, Share the Good News, Through Prophets

There Are Consequences for Disobedience (Ezekiel 7)

Ever wonder about the consequences of not following God’s instructions? Ever question if God truly cares?

In Ezekiel 7, we witness a dramatic example of the repercussions of disobedience—a sobering reminder of God’s justice and love.

Reconnect: Ezekiel’s prophecy in chapter 7 serves as a continuation of the divine messages he received earlier, emphasizing the consequences of Israel’s persistent disobedience. This chapter stands as a pivotal moment in Ezekiel’s ministry, highlighting the imminent judgment upon the land and its inhabitants.

(Summarized and continued after scripture)

Ezekiel 7

Punishment for Wickedness Foretold

      1Moreover, the word of the LORD came to me saying, 2“And you, son of man, thus says the Lord GOD to the land of Israel, ‘An end! The end is coming on the four corners of the land. 3‘Now the end is upon you, and I will send My anger against you; I will judge you according to your ways and bring all your abominations upon you. 4‘For My eye will have no pity on you, nor will I spare you, but I will bring your ways upon you, and your abominations will be among you; then you will know that I am the LORD!’

      5“Thus says the Lord GOD, ‘A disaster, unique disaster, behold it is coming! 6‘An end is coming; the end has come! It has awakened against you; behold, it has come! 7‘Your doom has come to you, O inhabitant of the land. The time has come, the day is near—tumult rather than joyful shouting on the mountains. 8‘Now I will shortly pour out My wrath on you and spend My anger against you; judge you according to your ways and bring on you all your abominations. 9‘My eye will show no pity nor will I spare. I will repay you according to your ways, while your abominations are in your midst; then you will know that I, the LORD, do the smiting.

      10‘Behold, the day! Behold, it is coming! Your doom has gone forth; the rod has budded, arrogance has blossomed. 11‘Violence has grown into a rod of wickedness. None of them shall remain, none of their people, none of their wealth, nor anything eminent among them. 12‘The time has come, the day has arrived. Let not the buyer rejoice nor the seller mourn; for wrath is against all their multitude. 13‘Indeed, the seller will not regain what he sold as long as they both live; for the vision regarding all their multitude will not be averted, nor will any of them maintain his life by his iniquity.

      14‘They have blown the trumpet and made everything ready, but no one is going to the battle, for My wrath is against all their multitude. 15‘The sword is outside and the plague and the famine are within. He who is in the field will die by the sword; famine and the plague will also consume those in the city. 16‘Even when their survivors escape, they will be on the mountains like doves of the valleys, all of them mourning, each over his own iniquity. 17‘All hands will hang limp and all knees will become like water. 18‘They will gird themselves with sackcloth and shuddering will overwhelm them; and shame will be on all faces and baldness on all their heads. 19‘They will fling their silver into the streets and their gold will become an abhorrent thing; their silver and their gold will not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD. They cannot satisfy their appetite nor can they fill their stomachs, for their iniquity has become an occasion of stumbling.

The Temple Profaned

20‘They transformed the beauty of His ornaments into pride, and they made the images of their abominations and their detestable things with it; therefore I will make it an abhorrent thing to them. 21‘I will give it into the hands of the foreigners as plunder and to the wicked of the earth as spoil, and they will profane it. 22‘I will also turn My face from them, and they will profane My secret place; then robbers will enter and profane it.

      23‘Make the chain, for the land is full of bloody crimes and the city is full of violence. 24‘Therefore, I will bring the worst of the nations, and they will possess their houses. I will also make the pride of the strong ones cease, and their holy places will be profaned. 25‘When anguish comes, they will seek peace, but there will be none. 26‘Disaster will come upon disaster and rumor will be added to rumor; then they will seek a vision from a prophet, but the law will be lost from the priest and counsel from the elders. 27‘The king will mourn, the prince will be clothed with horror, and the hands of the people of the land will tremble. According to their conduct I will deal with them, and by their judgments I will judge them. And they will know that I am the LORD.’”

Summary Key Points:

  • The Proclamation of Doom: Ezekiel, the prophet, forewarns of the impending judgment upon the land of Israel due to its persistent rebellion against God.
  • The Day of Reckoning: God’s wrath is depicted vividly, sparing none from its fury, whether rich or poor, righteous or wicked. The consequences of sin are impartial and severe.
  • The Search for Hope: Amidst the chaos, a search for hope emerges. Yet, Ezekiel’s message remains resolute, emphasizing the inevitability of divine judgment.

Call to Action:

  • Seek Repentance: Reflect on your own life and identify areas where you may have strayed from God’s path. Seek forgiveness and turn back to Him in repentance.
  • Prepare Spiritually: Recognize the urgency of spiritual preparedness. Invest time in prayer, study of scripture, and strengthening your relationship with God.
  • Share the Message: Just as Ezekiel was called to proclaim God’s warning, share His message of redemption and hope with those around you.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, grant us the wisdom to heed the warnings of Your prophets and the strength to turn back to You in repentance. As we navigate the challenges of life, guide us to walk in Your ways and share Your message of love and redemption with others. Amen.

Closing: In the turbulent narratives of Ezekiel 7, we find not just a tale of impending doom, but a timeless reminder of the consequences of forsaking our divine calling. Let us heed its message and strive to walk in righteousness before our Creator.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Compassionate, Grace / Forgiveness, Love, Merciful, Repenting from Sin, Thankfulness

Forgiven Much, Love Much: Embrace God’s Grace with Thanks (Luke 7:36-50)

Have you ever been overwhelmed by your own mistakes, feeling as if forgiveness is out of reach?

In Luke 7:36-50, we encounter a powerful story of grace that challenges our notions of worthiness and redemption.

Reconnect: This passage follows Jesus’ interactions with John the Baptist’s disciples and the crowd’s response to John’s ministry. It continues to illustrate Jesus’ authority over sin and his willingness to extend forgiveness to those society deems unworthy.

(Summarized and continued after scripture)

Luke 7:36-50

    36Now one of the Pharisees was requesting Him to dine with him, and He entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37And there was a woman in the city who was a sinner; and when she learned that He was reclining at the table in the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster vial of perfume, 38and standing behind Him at His feet, weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears, and kept wiping them with the hair of her head, and kissing His feet and anointing them with the perfume. 39Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet He would know who and what sort of person this woman is who is touching Him, that she is a sinner.”

Parable of Two Debtors

     40And Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he replied, “Say it, Teacher.” 41“A moneylender had two debtors: one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42“When they were unable to repay, he graciously forgave them both. So which of them will love him more?” 43Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have judged correctly.” 44Turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45“You gave Me no kiss; but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My feet. 46“You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume. 47“For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.” 48Then He said to her, “Your sins have been forgiven.” 49Those who were reclining at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this man who even forgives sins?” 50And He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Summary Key Points:

  • The profound act of love and service demonstrated by the sinful woman who anointed Jesus’ feet with perfume and tears demonstrates how grateful she feels for the forgiveness she has received.
  • Jesus’ parable about the two debtors highlights the depth of forgiveness and the transformative power of grace.
  • The contrast between the woman’s humble repentance and the Pharisee’s judgmental attitude towards her reveals the essence of true faith.

Call to Action:

  • Embrace the grace of Jesus by acknowledging our own need for forgiveness and extending that same grace to others.
  • Cultivate a spirit of humility and gratitude, recognizing that we are all recipients of God’s boundless mercy.
  • Seek opportunities to demonstrate love and compassion, following the example of Christ in extending forgiveness and acceptance to those society may reject.

Closing Prayer: Lord, we thank you for your boundless grace and mercy, which knows no bounds. Help us to embrace the radical forgiveness offered through Christ and extend that same love to others. May our lives be a testament to your transformative power and unending love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Hope, Interceding for Others, Justice / Judgment, Loving / Kind, Prophecy, Rebuke Wrong Behavior, Repenting from Sin, Teachable, Through Prophets, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

Judgment and Redemption (Ezekiel 6)

Have you ever considered the consequences of forsaking God’s ways?

In Ezekiel 6, we witness the prophet Ezekiel delivering a powerful message of judgment against the idolatry and rebellion of Israel. Through vivid imagery and prophetic warnings, Ezekiel portrays both the severity of divine judgment and the hope of redemption for those who turn back to God.

Reconnect:
Continuing the prophetic narrative of Ezekiel, chapter 6 serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of Israel’s persistent disobedience and the promise of restoration for the faithful remnant.

(Summarized and continued after scripture)

Ezekiel 6

Idolatrous Worship Denounced

      1And the word of the LORD came to me saying, 2“Son of man, set your face toward the mountains of Israel, and prophesy against them 3and say, ‘Mountains of Israel, listen to the word of the Lord GOD! Thus says the Lord GOD to the mountains, the hills, the ravines and the valleys: “Behold, I Myself am going to bring a sword on you, and I will destroy your high places. 4“So your altars will become desolate and your incense altars will be smashed; and I will make your slain fall in front of your idols. 5“I will also lay the dead bodies of the sons of Israel in front of their idols; and I will scatter your bones around your altars. 6“In all your dwellings, cities will become waste and the high places will be desolate, that your altars may become waste and desolate, your idols may be broken and brought to an end, your incense altars may be cut down, and your works may be blotted out. 7“The slain will fall among you, and you will know that I am the LORD.

      8“However, I will leave a remnant, for you will have those who escaped the sword among the nations when you are scattered among the countries. 9“Then those of you who escape will remember Me among the nations to which they will be carried captive, how I have been hurt by their adulterous hearts which turned away from Me, and by their eyes which played the harlot after their idols; and they will loathe themselves in their own sight for the evils which they have committed, for all their abominations. 10“Then they will know that I am the LORD; I have not said in vain that I would inflict this disaster on them.”’

      11“Thus says the Lord GOD, ‘Clap your hand, stamp your foot and say, “Alas, because of all the evil abominations of the house of Israel, which will fall by sword, famine and plague! 12“He who is far off will die by the plague, and he who is near will fall by the sword, and he who remains and is besieged will die by the famine. Thus will I spend My wrath on them. 13“Then you will know that I am the LORD, when their slain are among their idols around their altars, on every high hill, on all the tops of the mountains, under every green tree and under every leafy oak—the places where they offered soothing aroma to all their idols. 14“So throughout all their habitations I will stretch out My hand against them and make the land more desolate and waste than the wilderness toward Diblah; thus they will know that I am the LORD.”’”

Summary Key Points:

  • Idolatrous Practices:
    Ezekiel condemns the idolatrous practices of the Israelites, who have turned away from the true God to worship idols and commit spiritual adultery. The prophet foretells the destruction of their sacred places and the desolation of their land as a consequence of their rebellion. Idolatry extends beyond the worship of false gods to include any object or desire that takes precedence over our devotion to God. Today, idolatry manifests in various forms, such as materialism, obsession with success, or prioritizing relationships with people above God.
  • Divine Judgment:
    Through symbolic acts and prophetic pronouncements, Ezekiel vividly portrays the severity of God’s judgment upon Israel for their idolatry and apostasy. The Lord declares His intention to execute fierce judgment against the people, leaving their cities in ruins and their sanctuaries desolate.
  • Promise of Restoration:
    Amidst the backdrop of divine judgment, God extends a promise of redemption and restoration to the faithful remnant of Israel. He assures them that He will preserve a remnant who will be scattered among the nations but ultimately restored to their land in accordance with His covenant promises.

Call to Action:

  • Repentance and Turning Back to God:
    Examine your heart and life for any areas of idolatry or disobedience, and earnestly seek repentance and turning back to God. Renounce any false gods or idols that have taken precedence in your life, and recommit yourself to wholehearted devotion to the Lord.
  • Intercession for Restoration:
    Intercede fervently for the restoration of God’s people and the fulfillment of His promises. Pray for spiritual awakening and revival among individuals and nations, believing in God’s power to bring about transformation and renewal.
  • Commitment to Faithfulness:
    Commit yourself to a life of faithfulness and obedience to God’s commands. Align your thoughts, words, and actions with His will, trusting in His faithfulness to fulfill His promises and bring about His plans for redemption and restoration.

Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we humbly acknowledge Your righteous judgment upon rebellion and idolatry, yet we cling to the hope of redemption and restoration offered through Your mercy and grace. Grant us the strength to repent and turn back to You wholeheartedly, and empower us to live lives of faithful obedience and devotion. May Your kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Interceding for Others, Justice / Judgment, Obeying God, Rebuke Wrong Behavior, Repenting from Sin, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

Consequences of Rebellion and Hope for Restoration (Ezekiel 5)

Have you ever considered the consequences of rebellion against God’s will?

In Ezekiel 5, we witness the prophet Ezekiel conveying God’s judgment upon Jerusalem for its persistent disobedience. Through vivid imagery and stark warnings, Ezekiel illustrates the dire repercussions of forsaking God’s commands.

Reconnect:
Building upon the prophetic narrative of Ezekiel, chapter 5 delves deeper into the consequences of Jerusalem’s rebellion against God and the accompanying promise of restoration for the faithful remnant.

(Summarized and continued after scripture)

Ezekiel 5

Jerusalem’s Desolation Foretold

      1“As for you, son of man, take a sharp sword; take and use it as a barber’s razor on your head and beard. Then take scales for weighing and divide the hair. 2“One third you shall burn in the fire at the center of the city, when the days of the siege are completed. Then you shall take one third and strike it with the sword all around the city, and one third you shall scatter to the wind; and I will unsheathe a sword behind them. 3“Take also a few in number from them and bind them in the edges of your robes. 4“Take again some of them and throw them into the fire and burn them in the fire; from it a fire will spread to all the house of Israel.

      5“Thus says the Lord GOD, ‘This is Jerusalem; I have set her at the center of the nations, with lands around her. 6‘But she has rebelled against My ordinances more wickedly than the nations and against My statutes more than the lands which surround her; for they have rejected My ordinances and have not walked in My statutes.’ 7“Therefore, thus says the Lord GOD, ‘Because you have more turmoil than the nations which surround you and have not walked in My statutes, nor observed My ordinances, nor observed the ordinances of the nations which surround you,’ 8therefore, thus says the Lord GOD, ‘Behold, I, even I, am against you, and I will execute judgments among you in the sight of the nations. 9‘And because of all your abominations, I will do among you what I have not done, and the like of which I will never do again. 10‘Therefore, fathers will eat their sons among you, and sons will eat their fathers; for I will execute judgments on you and scatter all your remnant to every wind. 11‘So as I live,’ declares the Lord GOD, ‘surely, because you have defiled My sanctuary with all your detestable idols and with all your abominations, therefore I will also withdraw, and My eye will have no pity and I will not spare. 12‘One third of you will die by plague or be consumed by famine among you, one third will fall by the sword around you, and one third I will scatter to every wind, and I will unsheathe a sword behind them.

      13‘Thus My anger will be spent and I will satisfy My wrath on them, and I will be appeased; then they will know that I, the LORD, have spoken in My zeal when I have spent My wrath upon them. 14‘Moreover, I will make you a desolation and a reproach among the nations which surround you, in the sight of all who pass by. 15‘So it will be a reproach, a reviling, a warning and an object of horror to the nations who surround you when I execute judgments against you in anger, wrath and raging rebukes. I, the LORD, have spoken. 16‘When I send against them the deadly arrows of famine which were for the destruction of those whom I will send to destroy you, then I will also intensify the famine upon you and break the staff of bread. 17‘Moreover, I will send on you famine and wild beasts, and they will bereave you of children; plague and bloodshed also will pass through you, and I will bring the sword on you. I, the LORD, have spoken.’”

Summary Key Points:

  • The Symbolic Hair:
    God commands Ezekiel to shave his head and beard, using this symbolic act to represent the devastation that will befall Jerusalem and its inhabitants as a result of their rebellion and idolatry.
  • Divine Judgment:
    Through graphic imagery, Ezekiel depicts the severity of God’s judgment upon Jerusalem, including famine, disease, and dispersion among the nations, all serving as divine retribution for their disobedience and idol worship.
  • A Remnant Preserved:
    Despite the widespread destruction and desolation prophesied upon Jerusalem, God promises to preserve a faithful remnant who will be scattered among the nations but ultimately restored to their land in accordance with His covenant promises.

Call to Action:

  • Repentance and Renewal:
    Reflect on areas of rebellion and disobedience in your own life, and earnestly seek repentance and renewal before God. Turn away from idolatry and sin, embracing a lifestyle of obedience and devotion to His commands.
  • Intercession for Restoration:
    Intercede fervently for the restoration of God’s people and the fulfillment of His promises. Pray for the spiritual awakening and revival of individuals and nations, believing in God’s power to bring about transformation and renewal.
  • Alignment with God’s Will:
    Align your life with God’s will, prioritizing obedience and faithfulness in all aspects of your walk with Him. Trust in His sovereignty and guidance, knowing that He is faithful to fulfill His purposes and bring about His plans for restoration.

Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we acknowledge Your righteous judgment upon rebellion and disobedience, yet we also cling to the hope of restoration and renewal promised to Your faithful remnant. Grant us the grace to repent and turn from our sinful ways, and empower us to walk in obedience and alignment with Your will. May Your kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Creative, Interceding for Others, Obeying God, Repenting from Sin, Through Prophets, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

Symbolic Acts and Divine Judgment (Ezekiel 4)

Have you ever marveled at how God uses symbolic acts to communicate profound truths?

In Ezekiel 4, we witness the powerful imagery and symbolism employed by the prophet Ezekiel to convey God’s impending judgment upon Jerusalem.

Through these symbolic acts, God speaks with unmistakable clarity, inviting us to ponder the depths of His divine wisdom.

Reconnect:
Ezekiel 4 delves deeper into the prophetic ministry of Ezekiel, as he receives explicit instructions from God to enact symbolic acts representing the siege and devastation that will befall Jerusalem due to its disobedience and idolatry.

(Summarized and continued after scripture)

Ezekiel 4

Siege of Jerusalem Predicted

      1“Now you son of man, get yourself a brick, place it before you and inscribe a city on it, Jerusalem. 2“Then lay siege against it, build a siege wall, raise up a ramp, pitch camps and place battering rams against it all around. 3“Then get yourself an iron plate and set it up as an iron wall between you and the city, and set your face toward it so that it is under siege, and besiege it. This is a sign to the house of Israel.

      4“As for you, lie down on your left side and lay the iniquity of the house of Israel on it; you shall bear their iniquity for the number of days that you lie on it. 5“For I have assigned you a number of days corresponding to the years of their iniquity, three hundred and ninety days; thus you shall bear the iniquity of the house of Israel. 6“When you have completed these, you shall lie down a second time, but on your right side and bear the iniquity of the house of Judah; I have assigned it to you for forty days, a day for each year. 7“Then you shall set your face toward the siege of Jerusalem with your arm bared and prophesy against it. 8“Now behold, I will put ropes on you so that you cannot turn from one side to the other until you have completed the days of your siege.

Defiled Bread

9“But as for you, take wheat, barley, beans, lentils, millet and spelt, put them in one vessel and make them into bread for yourself; you shall eat it according to the number of the days that you lie on your side, three hundred and ninety days. 10“Your food which you eat shall be twenty shekels a day by weight; you shall eat it from time to time. 11“The water you drink shall be the sixth part of a hin by measure; you shall drink it from time to time. 12“You shall eat it as a barley cake, having baked it in their sight over human dung.” 13Then the LORD said, “Thus will the sons of Israel eat their bread unclean among the nations where I will banish them.” 14But I said, “Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I have never been defiled; for from my youth until now I have never eaten what died of itself or was torn by beasts, nor has any unclean meat ever entered my mouth.” 15Then He said to me, “See, I will give you cow’s dung in place of human dung over which you will prepare your bread.” 16Moreover, He said to me, “Son of man, behold, I am going to break the staff of bread in Jerusalem, and they will eat bread by weight and with anxiety, and drink water by measure and in horror, 17because bread and water will be scarce; and they will be appalled with one another and waste away in their iniquity.

Summary Key Points:

  • The Symbolic Siege:
    God commands Ezekiel to enact a vivid portrayal of Jerusalem under siege, serving as a poignant metaphor for the impending judgment upon the city due to its transgressions against God.
  • The Lengthy Siege:
    Ezekiel is instructed to bear the iniquity of Israel and Judah through symbolic actions, emphasizing the severity and duration of their disobedience and the consequences thereof.
  • The Symbolic Provisions:
    Through specific dietary restrictions and cooking methods, Ezekiel symbolizes the scarcity and deprivation that will accompany the siege of Jerusalem, vividly portraying the suffering and judgment to come.
  • Ezekiel’s Obedience:
    Despite the challenging nature of God’s commands, Ezekiel obediently carries out the symbolic acts, demonstrating unwavering faithfulness and obedience to God’s will, even in the face of adversity.

Call to Action:

  • Heed the Warning Signs:
    Reflect on areas of spiritual complacency and disobedience in your life, heeding the warning signs of God’s impending judgment. Seek repentance and renewal in alignment with His will.
  • Embrace Prophetic Creativity:
    Embrace the creative and unconventional methods through which God communicates His truths. Be open to symbolic acts and prophetic symbolism as powerful tools for stirring hearts towards repentance and transformation.
  • Intercede for Restoration:
    Intercede fervently for restoration and revival in areas of spiritual desolation and brokenness, believing in God’s power to bring about transformation and renewal in individuals and communities.
  • Challenge to Obedience:
    Challenge yourself to obey God’s call, even when it seems difficult or daunting. Like Ezekiel, commit to unwavering obedience and faithfulness to God’s will, trusting in His guidance and provision every step of the way.

Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the profound wisdom displayed through the prophetic ministry of Ezekiel. Grant us the discernment to heed Your warning signs and the courage to embrace Your creative methods of communication. May we fervently intercede for restoration and revival, trusting in Your faithfulness to bring about transformation. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Faith / Trusting God, Grace / Forgiveness, Grace / Patience, His Ways Are Not Our Ways, Obeying God, Repenting from Sin, Submitted / Servant

Called to Follow: Embracing Unexpected Discipleship (Luke 5:27-32)

Have you ever considered who Jesus calls to follow Him? Luke 5:27-32 reveals a surprising choice in Levi, a tax collector, as one of Jesus’ closest disciples.

This selection challenges our notions of who is worthy of discipleship and invites us to embrace the unexpected in our own journey of following Christ.

Reconnect:
Continuing from the earlier passages in Luke chapter 5, where Jesus called fishermen to be His disciples, we now encounter the unexpected call of Levi, a tax collector. This event underscores that God’s choices and plans are often different from our own and challenges societal norms regarding who is deserving of God’s invitation to discipleship and who He will call to serve in prominent positions or missions.

(Summarized and continued after the scripture)

Luke 5:27-32

Call of Levi (Matthew)

     27After that He went out and noticed a tax collector named Levi sitting in the tax booth, and He said to him, “Follow Me.” 28And he left everything behind, and got up and began to follow Him.

      29And Levi gave a big reception for Him in his house; and there was a great crowd of tax collectors and other people who were reclining at the table with them. 30The Pharisees and their scribes began grumbling at His disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners?” 31And Jesus answered and said to them, “It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick. 32“I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

Summary Key Points:

  1. Embracing Unexpected Callings:
    Jesus defies social expectations by choosing Levi, a tax collector, as one of His disciples. This demonstrates God’s willingness to call and use individuals from all walks of life, regardless of their past or societal status.
  2. Reaching Out to Sinners:
    The selection of Levi emphasizes Jesus’ mission to reach out to sinners and outcasts. He doesn’t shy away from those deemed unworthy by society but extends His grace and invitation to all who are willing to follow Him.
  3. Transformative Response:
    Levi’s immediate response to Jesus’ call highlights the transformative power of encountering Christ. Despite his past as a tax collector, Levi leaves everything behind to follow Jesus, exemplifying true discipleship rooted in faith and obedience.

Call to Action:

  1. Extend Grace to All:
    Like Jesus, let us extend grace and compassion to those deemed unworthy or marginalized by society, recognizing that God’s invitation to discipleship is open to all.
  2. Respond with Obedience:
    When God calls us to follow Him, may we respond with obedience and wholehearted commitment, leaving behind anything that hinders our walk with Him.
  3. Seek Transformative Encounters:
    Pray for transformative encounters with Christ that deepen your faith and prompt you to respond in radical obedience and repentance, regardless of societal expectations or personal limitations.

Closing Prayer:
Gracious Father, thank You for Your inclusive love and grace that extends to all, regardless of our past or shortcomings. Help us to embrace unexpected callings and respond with obedience, faith, and repentance as we follow You. May our lives reflect Your transformative power and love to those around us. Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Hope, Protector / Deliverer, Repenting from Sin, Seeking God, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

A Cry for Restoration (Lamentations 5)

In times of desperation and brokenness, where do we turn for restoration?

Lamentations 5 concludes the book with a heartfelt plea for God’s intervention and a lament over the devastation of Jerusalem.

As we explore this final chapter, let us heed the call for repentance and restoration, seeking hope in the midst of despair.

Reconnect: Lamentations 5 serves as the concluding prayer of the book, a poignant plea for God’s mercy and restoration. It reflects on the devastation wrought by sin and the desperate cry of a people longing for deliverance. Let us revisit this chapter with hearts open to the message of repentance and hope.

(Summarized and continued after the scripture)

Lamentations 5

A Prayer for Mercy

1Remember, O LORD, what has befallen us;
Look, and see our reproach!

      2Our inheritance has been turned over to strangers,
Our houses to aliens.

      3We have become orphans without a father,
Our mothers are like widows.

      4We have to pay for our drinking water,
Our wood comes to us at a price.

      5Our pursuers are at our necks;
We are worn out, there is no rest for us.

      6We have submitted to Egypt and Assyria to get enough bread.

      7Our fathers sinned, and are no more;
It is we who have borne their iniquities.

      8Slaves rule over us;
There is no one to deliver us from their hand.

      9We get our bread at the risk of our lives
Because of the sword in the wilderness.

      10Our skin has become as hot as an oven,
Because of the burning heat of famine.

      11They ravished the women in Zion,
The virgins in the cities of Judah.

      12Princes were hung by their hands;
Elders were not respected.

      13Young men worked at the grinding mill,
And youths stumbled under loads of wood.

      14Elders are gone from the gate,
Young men from their music.

      15The joy of our hearts has ceased;
Our dancing has been turned into mourning.

      16The crown has fallen from our head;
Woe to us, for we have sinned!

      17Because of this our heart is faint,
Because of these things our eyes are dim;

      18Because of Mount Zion which lies desolate,
Foxes prowl in it.

      19You, O LORD, rule forever;
Your throne is from generation to generation.

      20Why do You forget us forever?
Why do You forsake us so long?

      21Restore us to You, O LORD, that we may be restored;
Renew our days as of old,

      22Unless You have utterly rejected us
And are exceedingly angry with us.

In times of desperation and brokenness, where do we turn for restoration? Lamentations 5 concludes the book with a heartfelt plea for God’s intervention and a lament over the devastation of Jerusalem. As we explore this final chapter, let us heed the call for repentance and restoration, seeking hope in the midst of despair.

Reconnect: Lamentations 5 serves as the concluding prayer of the book, a poignant plea for God’s mercy and restoration. It reflects on the devastation wrought by sin and the desperate cry of a people longing for deliverance. Let us revisit this chapter with hearts open to the message of repentance and hope.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Repenting from Sin, Seeking God, Share the Good News, Through Prophets

Preparing the Way (Luke 3:1-20)

Have you ever felt the call to prepare the way for something greater than yourself, to pave the path for a transformative journey?

In Luke 3:1-20, we encounter the compelling narrative of John the Baptist, whose mission was to prepare the hearts of the people for the arrival of the Messiah.

Join us as we explore the significance of John’s message and consider how it resonates with us today.

Reconnect: As we delve into Luke 3:1-20, we are transported to a pivotal moment in history, where John the Baptist emerges as a prophetic voice in the wilderness, calling the people to repentance and preparing the way for the coming of Jesus Christ. In this passage, we witness the power of John’s message to ignite spiritual revival and awaken a sense of anticipation among the people.

(Summarized and continued after scripture)

Luke 3:1-20

John the Baptist Preaches

     1Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip was tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene, 2in the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness. 3And he came into all the district around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins;

4as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet,
“THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS,
‘MAKE READY THE WAY OF THE LORD,
MAKE HIS PATHS STRAIGHT.

      5‘EVERY RAVINE WILL BE FILLED,
AND EVERY MOUNTAIN AND HILL WILL BE BROUGHT LOW;
THE CROOKED WILL BECOME STRAIGHT,
AND THE ROUGH ROADS SMOOTH;

      6AND ALL FLESH WILL SEE THE SALVATION OF GOD.’”

      7So he began saying to the crowds who were going out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8“Therefore bear fruits in keeping with repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father,’ for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham. 9“Indeed the axe is already laid at the root of the trees; so every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

      10And the crowds were questioning him, saying, “Then what shall we do?” 11And he would answer and say to them, “The man who has two tunics is to share with him who has none; and he who has food is to do likewise.” 12And some tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” 13And he said to them, “Collect no more than what you have been ordered to.” 14Some soldiers were questioning him, saying, “And what about us, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not take money from anyone by force, or accuse anyone falsely, and be content with your wages.”

      15Now while the people were in a state of expectation and all were wondering in their hearts about John, as to whether he was the Christ, 16John answered and said to them all, “As for me, I baptize you with water; but One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the thong of His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17“His winnowing fork is in His hand to thoroughly clear His threshing floor, and to gather the wheat into His barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

      18So with many other exhortations he preached the gospel to the people. 19But when Herod the tetrarch was reprimanded by him because of Herodias, his brother’s wife, and because of all the wicked things which Herod had done, 20Herod also added this to them all: he locked John up in prison.

Summary Key Points:

  1. The Voice in the Wilderness: Luke introduces us to John the Baptist, a unique figure clothed in camel’s hair and living in the wilderness, whose singular mission was to prepare the hearts of the people for the arrival of the Messiah. John’s message of repentance and baptism symbolized a turning away from sin and a readiness to embrace the transformative power of God’s kingdom.
  2. Fruits of Repentance: John’s call to repentance was not merely a ritualistic act but a profound expression of genuine transformation and renewal. He challenged the people to bear fruits consistent with repentance, emphasizing the importance of living lives marked by righteousness, integrity, and compassion.
  3. The Coming of the Messiah: Amidst the anticipation surrounding John’s ministry, the people wondered if he might be the long-awaited Messiah. However, John made it clear that he was not the Christ but rather the one preparing the way for Him. He proclaimed the imminent arrival of Jesus, whose ministry would surpass his own and bring salvation to all who would believe.

Call to Action:

  1. Prepare Your Heart: Take time to reflect on areas of your life where repentance and renewal are needed. Allow the message of John the Baptist to penetrate your heart, stirring a desire for spiritual transformation and readiness to embrace God’s will for your life.
  2. Bear Fruits of Repentance: Commit to living a life marked by righteousness and integrity, bearing fruits consistent with genuine repentance. Let your actions reflect the transformative power of God’s grace, showing love and compassion to those around you.
  3. Point Others to Jesus: Like John the Baptist, be a voice in the wilderness pointing others to Jesus. Share the message of salvation and hope with those around you, inviting them to encounter the transformative power of God’s love and grace.

Closing Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank You for the example of John the Baptist, who faithfully prepared the way for the coming of Your Son, Jesus Christ. As we reflect on his message of repentance and transformation, may our hearts be stirred to embrace genuine renewal and readiness to follow Your will. Help us to bear fruits consistent with repentance and to point others to the hope found in Jesus. Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.