TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
Ezekiel 35:1-36:38
James 1:1-18
Psalm 116:1-19
Proverbs 27:23-27
Ezekiel 35:2 – Why is God focusing on the Edomites (the residents of Mount Seir)? From EnduringWord.com:
Alexander noted a long history of conflict between the Edomites and the kings of Israel (and Judah), during the reigns of: Saul (1 Samuel 14:47), Solomon (1 Kings 11:14–22), Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 20:1–23), Jehoram (2 Kings 8:21), Ahaz (2 Chronicles 28:17).
https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/ezekiel-chapter-35/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Israel#/media/File:Yarden_0182.JPG
Ezekiel 36:4 – There is something special about being in the land of the Bible. I’m proud to be an American, but America doesn’t possess a land that was prophesied to her. The Old Testament is full of descriptions of mountains (518x), hills (136x), rivers (247x), valleys (166x), even wastes (88x). The Old Testament is rooted in geography, and there is no better way to study the land of the Bible than in the land of the Bible!
Ezekiel 36:11 – From Jimmy DeYoung:
The Lord even promises the Jews that the land they return to in the last days will be better than it was in the days of their forefathers, verse 11. By doing these things, for the Jews, with His promised land, they shall know that He is the Lord and they shall turn to Him.
Each year, around May 14, the Jewish people celebrate the “birthday” of the Jewish State of Israel and the productivity of the land He has given these Jewish people. This celebration of God’s work in fulfilling His promises about the “land of Israel” has been a witness to the entire world …
It’s not because of Israel or Judah that the Lord does what He does, but for “His Holy names sake.” By the way, that is why He does anything for each of us, as well, for “His Holy names sake.”
http://devotional.prophecytoday.com/search/label/Ezekiel
Ezekiel 36:26 – This verse is almost a repeat of Ezekiel 11:29. God’s not promising rehabilitation but transformation! He’s giving us the power of His Spirit to obey His statutes (Ezekiel 36:27)! Throughout the Old Testament we see disobedience after disobedience. Now we can walk in the Spirit and not fulfill the lusts of the flesh (Galatians 5:16).
James 1:5 – This verse is often the hasty prayer of the student who has neglected his studies, yet too many adults neglect this passage when needing wisdom. We don’t need Dr. Phil, Dr. Laura, or Oprah giving us wisdom! We need the LORD’s wisdom!
James 1:9-10 – Matthew 23:12, Proverbs 29:23, Luke 14:11, Luke 18:14, James 4:6, and 1 Peter 5:6 all teach that the humble are exalted, and the exalted are humbled. Flip through the television channels and you’ll find that American culture prizes the fastest athletes, the winning politicians, the famous Kardashians, the people who get the most screen time, etc. God’s priorities are completely opposite.
James 1:12 – There are five crowns that are possible for believers to receive:
- Incorruptible Crown – 1 Corinthians 9:25 – for the faithful
- Crown of Rejoicing – 1 Thessalonians 2:19 – for the witness
- Crown of life – James 1:12 – for the tempted
- Crown of righteousness – 2 Timothy 4:8 – for the watching
- Crown of glory – 1 Peter 5:4 – for the pastors
James 1:14 – Don’t boast in the fact that you are not tempted to drink, steal, commit fornication, etc., if you are tempted to view pornography, lie, and be proud. James warns us that we are “… drawn away by (our) own desires and enticed.” (NKJV) A pastor referred to these as “designer lusts,” i.e. custom designed lusts to hit our weak points! Beware! They bring forth death (James 1:15)!
Psalm 116:6 – Speaking of the low – God helps those who are low!
Psalm 116:18 – Not everyone pays their vows right away, but God remembers them. From the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA):
While clinging to a life raft, Zamperini prayed for one of the first times in his life: “God, if I survive this ordeal and get back to America alive, I’ll seek You and serve You.”
[Four years after the war,] For the first time in years, Zamperini remembered the promise he made to God when he was floating in the south Pacific.
“My life passed before my eyes, and I saw an ugly life,” Zamperini said. “Yes, I had a lot of great times. A lot of great experiences, and a lot of escapes from death, but I still didn’t like my life after the war. It was terrible.”
That night in L.A., Zamperini went forward and accepted Christ, and the biggest miracle of his life was set in motion.
https://billygraham.org/story/louis-zamperini-billy-graham-and-a-life-changing-decision-the-rest-of-the-unbroken-story/
Proverbs 27:23 – The Son of the Shepherd King knew the importance of managing flocks. Whether a pastor, manager, or parent, this is a command for all of us.
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