Don’t Be Confused

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Stay centered on the truth of God‘s word (Ezk 13:1-23) #FalseProphets #KnowGod #TrustGod #DiscernGod’sWord

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

There was much confusion over the truth in Israel. False prophets were giving messages that were in conflict with Ezekiel and Jeremiah (see also Jer 28:2-14; 29:8,9). They were “whitewashing“ the truth. They were promoting/selling “magic charms“ and magic veils”. They were telling the people everything was all right when it was not.

The false prophets lied and invented false predictions. God was about to clear up the confusion – 1Co 14:30-33. Their “whitewashed wall“ will crumble under a flood of God‘s anger and judgment. They will be banished from the land, their names blotted out from Israel’s record books. Lord, may I stay grounded in the truth of your word.

11th Commandment: YADAH-YADAH NOT 🙄

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Live life in anticipation of Christ’s return at any moment, (Ezk 12:26-28) #Prophecy #KnowGod #TrustGod #DiscernGod’sWord #YadaYadaNot

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

A second myth, similar to the first (v22), is also dispelled. It says, “No worries man. Ezekiel‘s prophecies won’t happen for a very long time“. Concerning Christ’s return, some in the early church had a similar view… And many even today. Some say, “It’s been 2000 years and Christ has yet to come.” There’s plenty of time.

But God says in Ezekiel 12, “No more delays. I will do as I threatened“. God’s people in Ezekiel’s day, as in our day, have a duty to live in the light of prophecy being fulfilled at any time (2 Peter 3:8-13).

Lord, reading these words, presses me to live in the immediacy of prophecy, as if it will come true in any moment.

YADAH-YADAH-YADAH 🙄

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

May we have discerning ears to hear and obedient hearts to follow. (Ezk 12:21-25) #Prophecy #KnowGod #YadaYadaNot #TrustGod #DiscernGod’sWord

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

God is here dispelling two popular myths – unfounded popular proverbs: the first, “Time passes, prophecies come to nothing.“ In-other-words, YADA-YADA-YADA! We’ve heard this doom and gloom before. Nothing comes of it. God will end that perspective.

Prophetic words uttered may or may not be true. Fulfillment (the rule of authenticity) may not occur for decades. It comes down to discernment of truth and error. The Christian is equipped by the Spirit of God to discern such things and respond accordingly (Jhn 16:13). History tells us, if God says it…It will be!

Lord, may I have a profound sense of discernment regarding any prophetic word attributed to you.*

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* * See Detecting False Prophets, this blog:

Promise Made, Promise Kept

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Put faith in all the promises of God (Ezk 11:17-20). #PromiseMadePromiseKept #GodIsFaithful

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

This passage is a prophesy of the return of those Israelites exiled to Babylon back to Jerusalem (538, 539 BC) after King Cyrus of Persia conquered Babylon. The Old Testament books of Ezra and Nehemiah record one of those returns.

But this passage also has eschatological meaning. It points to spiritual renewal. The word “spirit“ in verse 19 could also be translated “Spirit,“ as in God‘s Holy Spirit. Whereas, God‘s Spirit would indwell certain people at certain times for certain work, this is a reference to an indwelling of the Spirit in all Believers. This was inaugurated after the death of Christ (Acts 1:4-8; 2:1-4,7). Full restoration of Israel in their hearts toward God will come to full fruition in the millennium when Jesus Returns (Isa49:6-18).

Lord, may I have faith your word as promises made, promises kept and promises yet to be fulfilled.

United in Purpose

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

May we order the many parts of our lives in unity with God’s purposes (Ezk 1:5-9). #UnitedInPurpose #ManyPartsOneWill

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The vision of Ezekiel is here further described. The four beings (cherubs) looked human in their form. Each being had four faces and four wings. Their legs were straight. Each being had human hands under their lower wings. Their feet were like the hooves of a calf – were bright shining light polished brand bronze.

The upper wings stretched out and touched the wings of the other being, forming a square shape. The beings darted (v14) about in any direction without turning and did so according to the movement of the spirit within them (v12). The unity in this vision is clear. There are many parts, all of which move in unity according to the spirit within them. Lord, may I order my life in unity with your will and purposes.

Trafficking In Deceit

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

Neither believe deceitful men nor be deceitful yourself (Jer 29:29–32). #SpeakNoDeceit #BeNotDeceived

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

This is the third of three letters in this chapter. The first two are dealt with in an earlier post.* Zephaniah, the Jewish priest in Babylon, shows Shamala‘s damning letter (the 2nd letter, vv26–28) to Jeremiah. Jeremiah then sends an open letter (3rd letter) to all the exiles in Babylon. In it Shamala’s deceit is condemned by the Lord:

“I did not send this man to you. He has trafficked in deceit; tricked you into believing him. He will be punished. None of his family or descendants will see the good things I have promised to do (vv10-14) – he has led you to rebel against my word.“ The plans of deceitful men will never foil God‘s good plan for his people (see also Ananias and Sopphira in Acts).

Lord, may I neither be deceived nor speak any deliberate deceit myself (Psm 19:7-14).

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* See Standing on Truth, this blog, Aug 15, 2024.