by Pastor Cecil | Jul 6, 2009 | Ezekiel
Ezekiel 47:9
“Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows. There will be large numbers of fish, because this water flows there and makes the salt water fresh, so where the river flows everything will live.”
Today’s Daily-E-Votional is from an article written by our good friend, Leslie McMillan, in the newsletter from the Russian Community Life Center.
The Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth. Fed by the Jordan River and other streams, the Dead Sea has no outlet, but evaporates rapidly in the desert heat, leaving heavy, caustic, mineral-laden water behind. Fish that flow in with the fresh water, instantly perish. People enjoy floating effortlessly on the surface, but must immediately and thoroughly rinse away the corrosives. Mounds of salt line the shores of the Dead Sea, and a nearby pillar is named for Lot’s wife.
Recently, the Lord has impressed upon me the principles of Ezekiel 47—which we may now receive by faith and later witness by sight when Jesus returns. He promised springs of living water to the woman at the well, and to the celebrants in the temple, and “By this He meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive.” (John 7:39a)
Each of us is surrounded by Dead Sea people, and—if we are honest—we recognize that we ourselves are much more briny than the fresh flowing water that gives life. This is no way to serve in these last days. Yet we have a better hope that comes by faith. The Lord on His throne is ready to answer even one person’s humble, earnest, faith-filled prayer for revival.
“Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.” (Ezekiel 47:12)
I do believe He is ready. And you?
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Nov 27, 2008 | Ezekiel
Ezekiel 33:31-32
“My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to listen to your words, but they do not put them into practice. With their mouths they express devotion, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain. Indeed, to them you are nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well, for they hear your words but do not put them into practice.”
Over the years I have attempted to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ as honestly as possible. I make every attempt to stay away from preconceived theories and to allow the Word of God speak for itself. In other words: “Jesus said it, I believe it—that’s good enough for me.”
From time-to-time I have observed people who go through the “motions” of spirituality, but “motions” are the size of it. One lady took me to task for being too spiritual in my preaching. Hello? Is anyone home here?
It seems that the message that the Lord was sharing with Ezekiel was that there will be people who attend services for reasons that are not spiritual. It may be that they want to impress people with their seemingly righteous life.
Remember that God knows the thoughts and intents of the heart. In Psalm 139:4 we read: “Before a word is on my tongue You know it completely, O LORD.” It may be possible to fool the preacher, those sitting next to you or even yourself, but you will never be able to fool God.
Let’s take it out of the area of church attendance and apply it to other Christian activities. When you listen to Christian music is it to worship God in the beauty of holiness or to be entertained?
When you read the Bible, is it to impress others by your knowledge of the Bible or is it to have the living Word of God speak to you? When today’s Scripture speaks of greed for unjust gain it is not limited to the “stuff” of life. It can equally apply to striving for the approval of others. BEEEP! Wrong reason!
Since our hearts are deceitful, it is necessary to examine them frequently. We are to do this before we receive the Lord’s Supper, but we should make it a practice to do this as frequently as possible—even several times a day.
My prayer is that we will come closer and closer to the Lord. I pray that we will have a sincerity that does not put on a show of spirituality, but that we will come to worship the Lord in spirit and in truth.
Blessings dear hearts! Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
— Pastor Cecil
