Saturday, November 10, 2018

November 10

It’s exciting to find out who you came from. In two evenings, I’ve traced one branch of my family back to the pilgrims! The pilgrims I found last night were planters! My family has always farmed! I have a great grandfather who was killed by the Algonquin Indians in the Jamestown massacre, and some who fought in the Revolutionary War, Confederacy, and the Indian Wars, and a grandfather who was pardoned by Andrew Johnson for some reason; I plan on looking into that a little further. I also found a family member who raced horses; my dad does that now! So much of what we do, can be traced back to something that was done in the past, you know the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. This is why God sent word through Ezekiel to warn Israel to get rid of their past habits, and idols. These types of things can be passed on from generation to generation, with little knowledge of where they came from. So again I urge you to survey yourself and see if there is anything within you that doesn’t follow the Word of God, and cleanse yourself of it today. 


"“Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord GOD: Will you defile yourselves after the manner of your fathers and go whoring after their detestable things?"  Ezekiel 20:30

Friday, November 9, 2018

November 9

It’s unfortunate, but if you have to deal with people, “Christian” or non-Christian, you will not have a peaceful life. Though Jesus left us His peace, it’s a different kind of peace. God’s kind of peace is knowing that when we leave this earth, we will be with Him. No longer must we worry about the ever after. However, we must live our lives, and in doing so, we will encounter people who do not have the same mindset as we do, and who do not have their hearts set toward Jesus. I get frustrated when I’m dealing with people who say that they are Christian and they do not listen to the Holy Spirit or follow the tenets of God. Unbelievers call them hypocritical, and so do I! I get angry because they have identified themselves as believers, yet follow a worldly mannerism. We must remember that they will have to deal with the consequences of their actions, not with us, but with God. Keep your heart turned toward Jesus, and all of the unrighteousness will be burnt up in the fire.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."  John 14:27


"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”"  John 16:33

Thursday, November 8, 2018

November 8

We are all guilty of it; following the ways of our parents or our church into useless traditions or unhealthy habits. I’ve included church because there are some traditions that need to be set aside for the sake of the lost. While Israel was held captive in Egypt, they began worshipping the idols of the Egyptians. After God brought them out into the wilderness, they continued using those idols, even after He gave them the Ten Commandments. Because of that, He waited for the whole generation of those who had lived in captivity to die before He allowed them to enter the promised land. Moses taught the children the ways of the Lord and to follow His precepts. Are there some areas of your life that you need to let go of that are against God? Maybe He’s waiting for you to give Him your total devotion before He blesses you with the promise He made you. Do a survey of your life and begin to release those long held family traditions that separate you from God and are harmful to you and others.


“And I said to their children in the wilderness, ‘Do not walk in the statutes of your fathers, nor keep their rules, nor defile yourselves with their idols. I am the LORD your God; walk in my statutes, and be careful to obey my rules, Ezekiel 20:18-19

Wednesday, November 7, 2018

November 7

I felt the Holy Spirit draw me outside this morning. So I built a fire. He said to me, ‘I have placed you in a sanctuary in the middle of a city and surrounded you with beauty, though you cannot see it, you can still hear the sounds of what is happening around you. I did not want you so far removed from the public that you forget why I commissioned you.’ This is such a good reminder for all of us. It’s easy to get wrapped up in our home, and our need for peace that we forget that there are many out there who do not know the love of Jesus. The fire reminds me that the Lord is a consuming fire. That means the He is able to burn up any iniquity, that lives within us, and from anyone else who puts their trust in Him. Those who don’t trust Him, will be burned up along with their sin. A sinful being cannot occupy the same space as our Holy God. That fire that burned up your sin, will become a light within you, make sure you let it shine for all to see.


Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:28-29

Tuesday, November 6, 2018

November 6

Once a month I try to take some time in the woods to meet with Jesus. It gets me away from the house with its distractions, and helps me keep my attention on the Lord. There is much to be learned by spending time among the trees. One of the ways He speaks to me is through nature. I found the perfect spot, but had to make my way through many spider webs to get there. Before sitting, I looked around at my surroundings, and right above me was a cypress tree with a large birds nest. I decided to take a picture of it. As I was taking the picture, I noticed another nest, this one was a squirrel nest, so of course, I need a picture of them both together. Then I noticed another one! Three tall trees, each with a nest! I got all kinds of meanings for this, but today I got His answer! God planted a branch on a mountain, and under Him, we would be protected. That branch was Jesus, and He is a noble cedar and our protection. Rest easy today my fellow Christians, we are safe.


On the mountain height of Israel will I plant it, that it may bear branches and produce fruit and become a noble cedar. And under it will dwell every kind of bird; in the shade of its branches birds of every sort will nest. Ezekiel 17:23

Monday, November 5, 2018

November 5

Did we, as a country, make a deal with the devil? The only way I could describe what we are seeing in our country is war. We may not be using physical weapons, but nevertheless, the words are sharp and cutting. A prime example is my church. We are in a city of many churches, more than most towns, yet we have been opposed on every side, not by people, but by spiritual forces. It’s like trying to get through a battle line and the hits keep coming. We are taking ground that hasn’t been touched by other churches, so it’s been like stirring up a hornets nest. I believe the same is true in our country. We are touching on areas that haven’t been touched and the devil is angry. Have we closed our eyes, closed our ears, and shut our mouths to the evil that has abounded from the beginning? We must keep moving forward and keep fighting for truth and justice, and take back ground that was lost to the enemy. 

Though Ezekiel is speaking of King Zedekiah, because he broke his covenant with the Lord, the lesson is similar to what we are dealing with today.


"Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: As I live, surely it is my oath that he despised, and my covenant that he broke. I will return it upon his head."  Ezekiel 17:19