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Christian Devotional – May 25, 2013
VERSE: Ezekiel 41:3-4–Then he went into the inner sanctuary…. He said to me, “This is the Most Holy Place.” TRUTH: The angel, who was giving Ezekiel this tour of the vision of the temple, enters this inner sanctuary and takes more measurements. However, even in his vision, Ezekiel does not enter this Most Holy Place, but simply stays back and allows the angel to enter and measure. There is not a time or place where God is not worthy of reverence and honor. God is always holy, even in visions and dreams. Ezekiel was respectful of God’s holiness even in the midst of a vision. RESPONSE: Father, I praise You…
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Christian Devotional – May 24, 2013
VERSE: Ezekiel 40:4–The man said to me, “Son of man, look carefully and listen closely and pay attention to everything I am going to show you, for that is why you have been brought here. Tell the people of Israel everything you see. TRUTH: God showed Ezekiel a vision and gave him a message that was meant for the people of Israel. Ezekiel’s whole purpose for being where he was and experiencing what he experienced was just to share with others. He had to pay attention or he would not be an effective messenger of God. Are we an effective messenger of God? Do we listen intently to the message…
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Christian Devotional – May 23, 2013
VERSE: Ezekiel 39:28–Then they will know that I am the Lord their God, for thought I sent them into exile among the nations, I will gather them to their own land, not leaving any behind. TRUTH: The Lord tells the people that even though He will bring about the judgment of the people, He will also bring about their restoration. The Lord will not leave anyone behind who seeks after Him. No matter what we have done or how sinful our lives have been, we can be forgiven and restored if we will come to Him and repent. Are we looking to Him and seeking to be gathered and restored?…
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Christian Devotional – May 22, 2013
VERSE: Ezekiel 38:23–And so I will show my greatness and my holiness, and I will make myself known in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the Lord. TRUTH: What does the holiness and greatness of God look like? The Lord promises to unleash His power upon the people of the disobedient and evil areas for the express purpose of letting them know that He is God. Do we acknowledge His power and might? Are we seeking to share His holiness and greatness with others? RESPONSE: Father, You are holy and just and You are overall and are truly an awesome power. I can not…
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Christian Devotional – May 21, 2013
VERSE: Ezekiel 37:3–He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.” TRUTH: God sometimes asks us questions that we think are odd. Yet, Ezekiel didn’t get flustered or state what would have been the obvious, “Um, Lord, they’re dead bones. Of course they can’t live.” Ezekiel trusted and relied on God to do whatever He wanted. He knew that God is capable of doing anything and he responded in faith to God’s question, stating that only God knows what God is capable of. No matter what we are facing, God is able to bring us through. Will we have faith in Him…
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Book Review – Through the Fire by Shawn Grady
I picked up Through the Fire by Shawn Grady from Amazon as I was looking through suspense books. I was impressed with the book and the story throughout the book. Firefighter Aidan O’Neill takes chances and risks that are starting to catch up with him. One of his reckless decisions results in the severe injury of a rookie firefighter and Aidan is placed on suspension. He takes off to Mexico and again ends up in a dangerous situation which results in his death. After being revived, now he has a difficult time with fire, and this couldn’t have come at a worse time. With a serial arsonist on the loose, Aidan can’t…
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Christian Devotional – May 20, 2013
VERSE: Ezekiel 36:26–I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. TRUTH: When we come to the Lord with repentance, He changes us. We are not the same when we leave. God takes us and gives us a new heart. Before we come to Him, we have a heart that is often concerned about only ourselves and our own interests. God changes us so that we are able to feel again and so we are concerned about Him and His interests. God wants us to be touched and moved…
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Christian Devotional – May 19, 2013
VERSE: Ezekiel 35:9–I will make you desolate forever, your towns will not be inhabited. Then you will know that I am the Lord. TRUTH: What must happen before we recognize and acknowledge God in our lives? For the people of Edom they would have to be utterly destroyed before they were going to acknowledge the Lord as God. Will we respond to God and repent and turn to Him any sooner than they did? RESPONSE: Father, You will do whatever is necessary to bring me back to You when I stray. I will seek You out and look for You in every area of my life. I know that You…
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Christian Devotional – May 18, 2013
VERSE: Ezekiel 34:31–You are my sheep, the sheep of my pasture, and I am your God, declares the Sovereign Lord. TRUTH: We are His. He owns us and He claims us as His own. He promises to care for us and lead us and deliver us from not only the evil outsiders, but also the frustrating insiders. He loves us. Do we seek Him as strongly and desperately as He seeks us? RESPONSE: Father, I am Yousr. Lead and direct me wherever You will. I will trust You as You are the good Shepherd. I will hear Your voice and follow where You lead.
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Christian Devotional – May 17, 2013
VERSE: Ezekiel 33:11–Say to them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil way! Why will you die, people of Israel?’ TRUTH: Contrary to some people’s perception of God, He is not sitting up in heaven waiting to zap people for doing wrong. God is just and must punish sin, but He is desperately waiting and hoping that people will turn to Him and repent from their evil ways. Do we need to turn back to Him? He is waiting for us! Or, do…