Welcome!
Date: Friday, August 27, 2010
Today: A new heart , not a modified heart
Passage: Ezekiel 11: 18-19 NIV
18 “They will return to it and remove all its vile images and detestable idols. 19 I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.
God spoke to prophet Ezekiel when he was living in exile, in Babylon
He was taken a captive in the second of the three batches of exiles, by King Nebuchadnezzar
After five years of his living in Babylon, when Ezekiel was about thirty years old, God called him out as a prophet of God, to the people
It was hard, because God’s own were the toughest; they wouldn’t listen
But God also gave some encouraging news among the frustrating news and the
curses that were to come upon the disobedient
God tells of His promise about a new heart and a new spirit
That is what God’s children want these days
A new heart, not a modified heart; our heart of stone must be replaced by a heart of flesh. Replacement needs surgery; it is a painful process
Great and anointed preachers are sent to us, but we are stubborn
Our hearts are like polished granite which will reflect away all the word of God that comes to us. Doing it more and more, we get more “polished “day after day!
We believe that even God cannot touch us. We are bathed in our blessings
All we want to hear is, “I will make you the head and not the tail”
There were such a group of people during the time of Ezekiel also
2 The LORD said to me, “Son of man, these are the men who are plotting evil and giving wicked advice in this city. 3 They say, ‘Will it not soon be time to build houses? [a] This city is a cooking pot, and we are the meat.’ 4 Therefore prophesy against them; prophesy, son of man.”(Ezekiel 11:2-4, NIV-emphasis added)
People were planning great things for themselves, while God was planning something else for them
To the people who are plotting wickedness, this is what the Lord says:
7 “Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: The bodies you have thrown there are the meat and this city is the pot, but I will drive you out of it. 8 You fear the sword, and the sword is what I will bring against you, declares the Sovereign LORD. (Ezekiel 11: 7-8, NIV)
God says He will drive those who plot wickedness, away from the City
If we are planning our own way, God is going to meet us somewhere
If people who are supposed to listen to you are not listening, go to God and pray that God will change their heart
It could be children; it could be people at work or in the Church
When we pray, God will change us as well as others
Without a change of heart, nothing good is going to happen
We pray as if to change the heart of God!
Our thoughts and attitudes are selfish and rebellious (to God)
God was and is selfless; He delights when people get blessed
Are we able to be happy when others get blessed?
Our jealousy and hatred, our pride and ego are our worst enemies
When God finds that we have the right attitude,
When our ways are pleasing to God,
He will make even our enemies our friends
Give glory to God. Pray for others sincerely
God will bring the change; then you talk. People will listen
Blessed week-end!
BG
Prayer: Lord, I thank you for your care and concern for me. I know that you love me as well as others around me. Help me to change myself and my environment for good, through prayer. Amen