Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | December 6, 2017

“The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold.”

Today’s devotion comes from Ezekiel chapter 46.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+46&version=NASB

I quote only the following verse.

“When they go in, the prince shall go in among them;  and when they go out, he shall go out.”  Ezekiel 46:10.

——————

Like yesterday’s Scripture, today’s Scripture again points to Christ, the Prince, but instead of focusing on His provision of peace, we focus on His provision of presence.

The Prince’s place is His presence with His people.  “When they go in, the prince shall go in among them;  and when they go out, he shall go out.”  Verse 10.

We are reminded of the following Scripture.

“For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.”  Matthew 18:20.

“… the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”  Joshua 1:9.

“… He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,”  Hebrews 13:5.

“God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change
And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;
3 Though its waters roar and foam,
Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride.  Selah.

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
The holy dwelling places of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
6 The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered;
He raised His voice, the earth melted.
7 The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our stronghold.  Selah.”  Psalm 46:1-7.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | December 5, 2017

“Prince of Peace”: “It shall be the prince’s part to provide … the peace offerings, to make atonement for the house of Israel.”

Today’s devotion comes from Ezekiel chapter 45.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+45&version=NASB

I quote only the following verse.

“It shall be the prince’s part to provide the burnt offerings, the grain offerings and the drink offerings, at the feasts, on the new moons and on the sabbaths, at all the appointed feasts of the house of Israel;  he shall provide the sin offering, the grain offering, the burnt offering and the peace offerings, to make atonement for the house of Israel.”  Ezekiel 45:17.

——

Today’s Scripture points to Christ, the Prince of Peace, Who provided His own peace offering, namely His own blood, to make atonement for the sins of God’s people to achieve peace between God and His people.

“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”  Isaiah 9:6.

“The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a cross.  He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.”  Acts 5:30.

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,”  Romans 5:1.

“For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.  And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near;  for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.”  Ephesians 2:14-18.

“For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross;  through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.”  Colossians 1:19-20.

“Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance.  The Lord be with you all!”  2 Thessalonians 3:16.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | December 4, 2017

“How blessed is the one whom You choose and bring near to You To dwell in Your courts.”

Today’s devotion comes from Ezekiel chapter 44.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+44&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“‘Thus says the Lord God, “No foreigner uncircumcised in heart and uncircumcised in flesh, of all the foreigners who are among the sons of Israel, shall enter My sanctuary.  But the Levites who went far from Me when Israel went astray, who went astray from Me after their idols, shall bear the punishment for their iniquity.  Yet they shall be ministers in My sanctuary, having oversight at the gates of the house and ministering in the house;  they shall slaughter the burnt offering and the sacrifice for the people, and they shall stand before them to minister to them.  Because they ministered to them before their idols and became a stumbling block of iniquity to the house of Israel, therefore I have sworn against them,” declares the Lord God, “that they shall bear the punishment for their iniquity.  And they shall not come near to Me to serve as a priest to Me, nor come near to any of My holy things, to the things that are most holy;  but they will bear their shame and their abominations which they have committed.  Yet I will appoint them to keep charge of the house, of all its service and of all that shall be done in it.

“But the Levitical priests, the sons of Zadok, who kept charge of My sanctuary when the sons of Israel went astray from Me, shall come near to Me to minister to Me;  and they shall stand before Me to offer Me the fat and the blood,” declares the Lord God.  “They shall enter My sanctuary;  they shall come near to My table to minister to Me and keep My charge.” Ezekiel 44:9-16.

—————-

We see three levels of access (or lack of it) to the LORD.  These levels should cause us to long and yearn to be as close to the LORD as we can get.

First, “No foreigner uncircumcised in heart and uncircumcised in flesh, of all the foreigners who are among the sons of Israel, shall enter My sanctuary.” Verse 9.

Second, “But the Levites who went far from Me when Israel went astray, who went astray from Me after their idols, shall …  be ministers in My sanctuary, having oversight at the gates of the house and ministering in the house;  they shall slaughter the burnt offering and the sacrifice for the people, and they shall stand before them to minister to them.”  But, “they shall not come near to Me to serve as a priest to Me, nor come near to any of My holy things, to the things that are most holy”.  Verses 10-13.

Third, “But the Levitical priests, the sons of Zadok, who kept charge of My sanctuary when the sons of Israel went astray from Me, shall come near to Me to minister to Me;  and they shall stand before Me to offer Me the fat and the blood,” declares the Lord God.  “They shall enter My sanctuary;  they shall come near to My table to minister to Me and keep My charge.”  Verses 15-16.

“How blessed is the one whom You choose and bring near to You
To dwell in Your courts.
We will be satisfied with the goodness of Your house,
Your holy temple.”  Psalm 65:4.

“How lovely are Your dwelling places,
O Lord of hosts!
2 My soul longed and even yearned for the courts of the Lord;
My heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God.
3 The bird also has found a house,
And the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young,
Even Your altars, O Lord of hosts,
My King and my God.
4 How blessed are those who dwell in Your house!
They are ever praising You.  Selah.

5 How blessed is the man whose strength is in You,
In whose heart are the highways to Zion!
6 Passing through the valley of Baca they make it a spring;
The early rain also covers it with blessings.
7 They go from strength to strength,
Every one of them appears before God in Zion.

8 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;
Give ear, O God of Jacob!  Selah.
9 Behold our shield, O God,
And look upon the face of Your anointed.
10 For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand outside.
I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God
Than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
The Lord gives grace and glory;
No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
12 O Lord of hosts,
How blessed is the man who trusts in You!”  Psalm chapter 64.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | December 3, 2017

“For by one offering He (Christ) has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.”

Today’s devotion comes from Ezekiel chapter 43.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+43&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“And He said to me, “Son of man, thus says the Lord God, ‘These are the statutes for the altar on the day it is built, to offer burnt offerings on it and to sprinkle blood on it. You shall give to the Levitical priests who are from the offspring of Zadok, who draw near to Me to minister to Me,’ declares the Lord God, ‘a young bull for a sin offering. You shall take some of its blood and put it on its four horns and on the four corners of the ledge and on the border round about; thus you shall cleanse it and make atonement for it. You shall also take the bull for the sin offering, and it shall be burned in the appointed place of the house, outside the sanctuary.

‘On the second day you shall offer a male goat without blemish for a sin offering, and they shall cleanse the altar as they cleansed it with the bull. When you have finished cleansing it, you shall present a young bull without blemish and a ram without blemish from the flock. You shall present them before the Lord, and the priests shall throw salt on them, and they shall offer them up as a burnt offering to the Lord. For seven days you shall prepare daily a goat for a sin offering; also a young bull and a ram from the flock, without blemish, shall be prepared. For seven days they shall make atonement for the altar and purify it; so shall they consecrate it. When they have completed the days, it shall be that on the eighth day and onward, the priests shall offer your burnt offerings on the altar, and your peace offerings; and I will accept you,’ declares the Lord God.” Ezekiel 43:18-27.

———————–

The Law in today’s Scripture was only a shadow of the good things to come. Yes, God would accept His people. Yes, the shedding of blood was necessary. But, only the shedding of the blood of God’s only begotten son, Jesus Christ, could take away sins and be the basis of God’s acceptance of His people. And, Christ’s blood had only to be shed once.

“For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have had consciousness of sins? But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year by year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” Hebrews 10:1-4.

“By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time onward until His enemies be made a footstool for His feet. For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.” Hebrews 10:10-14.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | December 1, 2017

So, how can we “divide between the holy and profane” in our daily lives? – “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.”

Today’s devotion comes from Ezekiel chapter 42.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+42&version=NASB

I quote only the following concluding verse of the chapter.

“He measured it on the four sides;  it had a wall all around, the length five hundred and the width five hundred, to divide between the holy and the profane.” Ezekiel 42:20.

————————

The importance of the function of the temple wall “to divide between the holy and the profane” can be seen by the following verse.

“Her priests have done violence to My law and have profaned My holy things;  they have made no distinction between the holy and the profane, and they have not taught the difference between the unclean and the clean;  and they hide their eyes from My sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.”  Ezekiel 22:26.

So, how can we “divide between the holy and profane” in our daily lives?

We can “divide between the holy and profane” by walking by the Spirit.

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.  For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh;  for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.  But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.  Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are:  immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;  against such things there is no law.  Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”  Galatians 5:16-24.

“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.  For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did:  sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.  For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.  For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God;  for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you.  But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.  If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness.  But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” Romans 8:2-11.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | November 30, 2017

“The righteous man will flourish like the palm tree … Planted in the house of the Lord … To declare that the Lord is upright”

Today’s devotion comes from Ezekiel chapter 41. Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+41&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“It was carved with cherubim and palm trees;  and a palm tree was between cherub and cherub, and every cherub had two faces, a man’s face toward the palm tree on one side and a young lion’s face toward the palm tree on the other side;  they were carved on all the house all around.  From the ground to above the entrance cherubim and palm trees were carved, as well as on the wall of the nave.

…

Each of the doors had two leaves, two swinging leaves;  two leaves for one door and two leaves for the other.  Also there were carved on them, on the doors of the nave, cherubim and palm trees like those carved on the walls;  and there was a threshold of wood on the front of the porch outside.  There were latticed windows and palm trees on one side and on the other, on the sides of the porch;  thus were the side chambers of the house and the thresholds.” Ezekiel 41:18-20 and 24-26.

——————

The temple had carvings of palm trees which remind us of the righteous and their place in the house of the LORD and their function to praise the LORD.

“12 The righteous man will flourish like the palm tree,
He will grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
13 Planted in the house of the Lord,
They will flourish in the courts of our God.
14 They will still yield fruit in old age;
They shall be full of sap and very green,
15 To declare that the Lord is upright;
He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.” Psalm 92:12-15.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | November 29, 2017

What is Heaven like? – “Walk about Zion and go around her; Count her towers; Consider her ramparts; Go through her palaces, That you may tell it to the next generation.”

Today’s devotion comes from Ezekiel chapter 40.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+40&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“In the twenty-fifth year of our exile, at the beginning of the year, on the tenth of the month, in the fourteenth year after the city was taken, on that same day the hand of the Lord was upon me and He brought me there. In the visions of God He brought me into the land of Israel and set me on a very high mountain, and on it to the south there was a structure like a city. So He brought me there; and behold, there was a man whose appearance was like the appearance of bronze, with a line of flax and a measuring rod in his hand; and he was standing in the gateway. The man said to me, “Son of man, see with your eyes, hear with your ears, and give attention to all that I am going to show you; for you have been brought here in order to show it to you. Declare to the house of Israel all that you see.”

And behold, there was a wall on the outside of the temple all around, and in the man’s hand was a measuring rod of six cubits, each of which was a cubit and a handbreadth. So he measured the thickness of the wall, one rod; and the height, one rod.” Ezekiel 40:1-5.

———————

Today’s Scripture points us to Revelation 21:10-27 which describes heaven. In this Scripture, we read the following similar language as we read in today’s Scripture: “The one who spoke with me had a gold measuring rod to measure the city, and its gates and its wall.” Revelation 21:15.

What is Heaven like?

Scripture commands us to learn what Heaven is like.

“Walk about Zion and go around her;
Count her towers;
Consider her ramparts;
Go through her palaces,
That you may tell it to the next generation.” Psalm 48: 12-13.

Consider Heaven’s strong and beautiful architecture of “towers”, “ramparts” and “Palaces” which is in strong contrast with the popular image of heaven being just wispy clouds.

Let us follow the example of Abraham “for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” Hebrews 11:10.

Heaven is the home of God and His people. “And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them,” Revelation 21:3. “they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever.” Revelation 22:4-5.

“And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God. Her brilliance was like a very costly stone, as a stone of crystal-clear jasper. It had a great and high wall, with twelve gates, … And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each one of the gates was a single pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.” Revelation 21:10-12 and 21.

We may imagine slender older people slowly walking around in Heaven in robes (in length from neck to ankle to hide their bodies). But, a truer image would be of vibrant young, beautiful athletic bodies with great strength, health, and vitality. They are not ashamed nor shy of their bodies. “There are also heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is one, and the glory of the earthly is another. … this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality …” 1 Corinthians 15:40 and 54.

Heaven is a place of righteousness, peace, and joy. “… the kingdom of God is … righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Romans 14:17. “and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4.

We may have an image of Heaven only containing colors of white and gold. But, Heaven contains a spectrum of vivid colors, and all from precious jewels! “The foundation stones of the city wall were adorned with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation stone was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald; the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprase; the eleventh, jacinth; the twelfth, amethyst.” Revelation 21:19.

Heaven has a river. “Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb,” Revelations 22:1. Many people like Cozumel, Mexico because of the clarity and beauty of the water. How much more beautiful and wonderful is the river of flowing water in Heaven, “clear as crystal”, which water is “life” itself!

Do we think of the citizens of Heaven almost as zombies: slow, emotionless, and quiet? A cheering football stadium crowd may be more like the citizens of Heaven! “… we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us …” Hebrews 12:1. As we on earth are eager in anticipation: “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.” Philippians 3:20-21. So, they are eager in heaven: “For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.” Romans 8:19.

Do we just play a harp all the time in Heaven? No! Heaven is not boring; rather, it is a joyful place. “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son.” Matthew 22:2. “The LORD of hosts will prepare a lavish banquet for all peoples on this mountain; A banquet of aged wine, choice pieces with marrow, And refined, aged wine.” Isaiah 25:6.

We may think that Heaven is open for everyone. But, “… do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-11. “But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.” 2 Peter 3:13.

We tend to not think of trees in Heaven, but there are trees in Heaven and they bear “… twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.” Revelations 22:2.

Is God in Heaven like an impotent man just watching and waiting and wringing his hands and worrying as to who will use their alleged free-will to accept Jesus and get into heaven or who may use their alleged free-will and reject Jesus and go to hell? No! God is a victorious warrior! “The LORD your God is in your midst, A victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.” Zephaniah 3:17.

In conclusion, God reigns in Heaven. God accomplishes all of His good pleasure! Only God can save, and God saves every one of His elect. Not one of His elect is lost. “And He saw that there was no man, And was astonished that there was no one to intercede; Then His own arm brought salvation to Him, And His righteousness upheld Him.” Isaiah 59:16. “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.” John 10:27-29.

“9 “Remember the former things long past,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is no one like Me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things which have not been done,
Saying, ‘My purpose will be established,
And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;” Isaiah 46:9-10.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | November 28, 2017

“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.”

Today’s devotion comes from Ezekiel chapter 39.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+39&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“Therefore thus says the Lord God, “Now I will restore the fortunes of Jacob and have mercy on the whole house of Israel;  and I will be jealous for My holy name.  They will forget their disgrace and all their treachery which they perpetrated against Me, when they live securely on their own land with no one to make them afraid.  When I bring them back from the peoples and gather them from the lands of their enemies, then I shall be sanctified through them in the sight of the many nations.  Then they will know that I am the Lord their God because I made them go into exile among the nations, and then gathered them again to their own land;  and I will leave none of them there any longer.  I will not hide My face from them any longer, for I will have poured out My Spirit on the house of Israel,” declares the Lord God.”  Ezekiel 39:25-29.

———————

Today’s devotion focuses on the miraculous results of God pouring out His Spirit.

Other doctrine trusts in man’s flesh:  man’s works, man’s wisdom, and man’s will.

But, Reformed Doctrine trusts in God’s Spirit:  God’s works, God’s wisdom, and God’s will.

“It is the Spirit who gives life;  the flesh profits nothing;  the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.”  John 6:63.

 

Through the pouring out His Spirit, God restored fortunes.  Verse 25.

 

Through the pouring out His Spirit, God brought peace, prosperity, and justice.

“11 Tremble, you women who are at ease;
Be troubled, you complacent daughters;
Strip, undress and put sackcloth on your waist,
12 Beat your breasts for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vine,
13 For the land of my people in which thorns and briars shall come up;
Yea, for all the joyful houses and for the jubilant city.
14 Because the palace has been abandoned, the populated city forsaken.
Hill and watch-tower have become caves forever,
A delight for wild donkeys, a pasture for flocks;
15 Until the Spirit is poured out upon us from on high,
And the wilderness becomes a fertile field,
And the fertile field is considered as a forest.
16 Then justice will dwell in the wilderness
And righteousness will abide in the fertile field.
17 And the work of righteousness will be peace,
And the service of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever.”  Isaiah 32:11-17.

 

Through the pouring of His Spirit, God brought blessings.

““But now listen, O Jacob, My servant,
And Israel, whom I have chosen:
2 Thus says the Lord who made you
And formed you from the womb, who will help you,
‘Do not fear, O Jacob My servant;
And you Jeshurun whom I have chosen.
3 ‘For I will pour out water on the thirsty land
And streams on the dry ground;
I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring
And My blessing on your descendants;
4 And they will spring up among the grass
Like poplars by streams of water.’
5 “This one will say, ‘I am the Lord’s’;
And that one will call on the name of Jacob;
And another will write on his hand, ‘Belonging to the Lord,’
And will name Israel’s name with honor.”  Isaiah 44:1-5.

 

Through the pouring of His Spirit, God brought salvation.

“14 But Peter, taking his stand with the eleven, raised his voice and declared to them:  “Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you and give heed to my words.  15 For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only the third hour of the day;  16 but this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel:

17 ‘And it shall be in the last days,’ God says,
‘That I will pour forth of My Spirit on all mankind;
And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
And your young men shall see visions,
And your old men shall dream dreams;
18 Even on My bondslaves, both men and women,
I will in those days pour forth of My Spirit
And they shall prophesy.
19 ‘And I will grant wonders in the sky above
And signs on the earth below,
Blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke.
20 ‘The sun will be turned into darkness
And the moon into blood,
Before the great and glorious day of the Lord shall come.
21 ‘And it shall be that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’”  Acts 2:14-21.

“Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.  For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.  For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.  For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God;  for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.”  Romans 8:1-8.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | November 27, 2017

“The Lord has made Himself known; He has executed judgment. In the work of his own hands the wicked is snared.”

Today’s devotion comes from Ezekiel chapter 38.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+38&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“‘Thus says the Lord God, “Are you the one of whom I spoke in former days through My servants the prophets of Israel, who prophesied in those days for many years that I would bring you against them?  It will come about on that day, when Gog comes against the land of Israel,” declares the Lord God, “that My fury will mount up in My anger.  In My zeal and in My blazing wrath I declare that on that day there will surely be a great earthquake in the land of Israel.  The fish of the sea, the birds of the heavens, the beasts of the field, all the creeping things that creep on the earth, and all the men who are on the face of the earth will shake at My presence;  the mountains also will be thrown down, the steep pathways will collapse and every wall will fall to the ground.  I will call for a sword against him on all My mountains,” declares the Lord God. “Every man’s sword will be against his brother.  With pestilence and with blood I will enter into judgment with him;  and I will rain on him and on his troops, and on the many peoples who are with him, a torrential rain, with hailstones, fire and brimstone.  I will magnify Myself, sanctify Myself, and make Myself known in the sight of many nations;  and they will know that I am the Lord.”’  Ezekiel 38:17-23.

——————–

“16 The Lord has made Himself known;
He has executed judgment.
In the work of his own hands the wicked is snared.  Higgaion  Selah.

17 The wicked will return to Sheol,
Even all the nations who forget God.
18 For the needy will not always be forgotten,
Nor the hope of the afflicted perish forever.
19 Arise, O Lord, do not let man prevail;
Let the nations be judged before You.
20 Put them in fear, O Lord;
Let the nations know that they are but men.  Selah.”  Psalm 9:16-20.

“I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart;
I will tell of all Your wonders.
2 I will be glad and exult in You;
I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.

3 When my enemies turn back,
They stumble and perish before You.
4 For You have maintained my just cause;
You have sat on the throne judging righteously.
5 You have rebuked the nations, You have destroyed the wicked;
You have blotted out their name forever and ever.”  Psalm 9:1-5.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | November 26, 2017

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ”

Today’s devotion comes from Ezekiel chapter 37.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+37&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“The hand of the Lord was upon me, and He brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of the valley;  and it was full of bones.  He caused me to pass among them round about, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley;  and lo, they were very dry.  He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”  And I answered, “O Lord God, You know.”  Again He said to me, “Prophesy over these bones and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord.’  Thus says the Lord God to these bones, ‘Behold, I will cause breath to enter you that you may come to life.  I will put sinews on you, make flesh grow back on you, cover you with skin and put breath in you that you may come alive;  and you will know that I am the Lord.’”

So I prophesied as I was commanded;  and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold, a rattling;  and the bones came together, bone to its bone.  And I looked, and behold, sinews were on them, and flesh grew and skin covered them;  but there was no breath in them.  Then He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they come to life.”’”  So I prophesied as He commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they came to life and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army.

Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel;  behold, they say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope has perished.  We are completely cut off.’  Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I will open your graves and cause you to come up out of your graves, My people;  and I will bring you into the land of Israel.  Then you will know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves and caused you to come up out of your graves, My people.  I will put My Spirit within you and you will come to life, and I will place you on your own land.  Then you will know that I, the Lord, have spoken and done it,” declares the Lord.’”

…

“My servant David will be king over them, and they will all have one shepherd;  and they will walk in My ordinances and keep My statutes and observe them.  They will live on the land that I gave to Jacob My servant, in which your fathers lived;  and they will live on it, they, and their sons and their sons’ sons, forever;  and David My servant will be their prince forever.  I will make a covenant of peace with them;  it will be an everlasting covenant with them.  And I will place them and multiply them, and will set My sanctuary in their midst forever.  My dwelling place also will be with them;  and I will be their God, and they will be My people.  And the nations will know that I am the Lord who sanctifies Israel, when My sanctuary is in their midst forever.”’”  Ezekiel 37:1-10 and 24-28.

——————————

Without the LORD, “Our bones are dried up and our hope has perished.”

Without the LORD, we are dead in our sin. 

But, we do have the LORD and His Spirit.

We do have the LORD Who makes us alive. 

We do have the LORD Who sanctifies us.

We do have the LORD Who dwells with us forever.

“…  they will walk in My ordinances and keep My statutes and observe them.  …  I will make a covenant of peace with them;  it will be an everlasting covenant with them.  And I will place them and multiply them, and will set My sanctuary in their midst forever.  My dwelling place also will be with them;  and I will be their God, and they will be My people.  And the nations will know that I am the Lord who sanctifies Israel, when My sanctuary is in their midst forever.”’  Verses 24-28.

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”  Ephesians 2:4-7.

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