The NAME

"But I acted for the sake of my name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations ... But I acted for the sake of my name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations... But I withheld my hand and acted for the sake of my name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations...  but my holy name you shall no more profane with your gifts and your idols... And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I deal with you for my name's sake" -- Ezekiel 20:9, 14, 22, 39, 44

There was a time when the family name was honored above all other things. Whether in business or social activities, the family name was to be held high and protected from any blemish. In fact, Solomon considered a good name of utmost value. (Proverbs 22:1)

The Lord's Name, above all other names was and is to be hallowed. It must never be profaned. This truth was stated as the third commandment in Exodus 20:7 and the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9. Yet, we find it profaned in word and deed during the later history of Israel. His name had lost all value to His people.

Do you value the Name of the Lord my friend? Do you honor His name in word and deed? Are you careful to protect His name from blemish by your lifestyle and public walk? Be careful to hold the Lord’s name high and keep it hallowed before the world.

Turn, turn, turn!

"Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord God, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live?... For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God; so turn, and live.”" -- Ezekiel 18:23, 32

There are those who believe that there is a God of the Old Testament and another God of the New Testament. They are persuaded that Jesus is a messenger of love and the prophets of old were messengers of nothing but wrath. There is the sense that the God of Israel found pleasure in the death of the wicked. This couldn't be farther from the truth.

There is only one God and He is full of mercy and redemptive love. When a wicked person refuses to repent, that one is responsible alone and no one else. But when that individual willingly turns from their wicked ways in repentance, the Lord will forgive. God never found pleasure in the death of the wicked... whether Old or New Testament.

Have you found your way into the redemptive and forgiving arms of the Lord my friend? If you have, are you making every effort to walk in His light and bring others into His loving care? We serve a Savior who is the same yesterday, today and forever.

A Ray of Hope

"On the mountain height of Israel will I plant it, that it may bear branches and produce fruit and become a noble cedar. And under it will dwell every kind of bird; in the shade of its branches birds of every sort will nest. And all the trees of the field shall know that I am the Lord; I bring low the high tree, and make high the low tree, dry up the green tree, and make the dry tree flourish. I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it.” -- Ezekiel 17:23-24

The history of Israel and the years of mankind have been filled with rebellion and dark days of judgment. Will there ever be a kingdom of fruitful, noble living? Will there ever be a place of shade and rest, without years of hatred and war? This day is coming, because the Lord Himself will plant a tender twig and it will bear branches that produce fruit.

In the darkness, there shines a ray of hope my friend. You may wonder, of what value is prophetic teaching? Such promise gives us reason to press on and not give up. Yes, the Lord is never frustrated, because He has a plan that will not fail. Be faithful and true, for the king is coming and the entire world will know that He is the Lord.

Haughty or Humble?

"Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy." -- Ezekiel 16:49

Our judgment upon Sodom has often been more focused on the sexual perversion than anything else. But, how does such a condition develop? Was there other guilt that offended the heart of God? The above passage enlightens us concerning the excessive sin baggage of that people. And the people of Israel were guilty of walking the same path.

Look around my friend and you will see the same condition today... "pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease", failing to "aid the poor and needy". When the Lord was confronted with their haughtiness and abominable ways, He removed them. Once again, let us humble ourselves, turn from our wicked ways and pray for our nation.

The right fruit

“Son of man, how does the wood of the vine surpass any wood, the vine branch that is among the trees of the forest?" -- Ezekiel 15:2

The taunting to be strong and great like those around us is always difficult to deal with. The temptation to strive toward being something other than what God intended is great. Israel failed in this test and made every effort to be greater than the other nations by being like those nations. She forgot to be spiritually fruitful for God.

Believers are called to be the very same as Israel. We are not expected to surpass other trees around us in strength and stature. We have been called to be fruit bearing vine branches. Jesus put it this way in John 15:5, "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."

Remember what you are my friend. We are branches, not trees, and we are sent forth to bear fruit as we abide in the vine. As with Israel, so with us... "If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned." (John 15:6) Our worth is in our fruit, not our stature.

False Visions

"My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and who give lying divinations. They shall not be in the council of my people, nor be enrolled in the register of the house of Israel, nor shall they enter the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the Lord God. Precisely because they have misled my people..." -- Ezekiel 13:9-10a

Today there are many voices that speak across the airways for God. They tell of coming events and speak as if inspired by the Lord. But what are they foretelling, and is it true to Scripture? Those who mislead the people of God are just as culpable today as they were in Ezekiel's day.

Be wise my friend and quite discerning in these days of false teachers. Know the Scriptures and pray for insight when "new" truths are being promoted. Remember that the hand of the Lord is against those who see false visions and speak lying tales. Follow the Spirit of God, who is the Spirit of truth, for He will guide you into all the truth. (John 16:13)

HE is Lord!

"And they shall know that I am the Lord" -- Ezekiel 15, 16, 20

I well remember when I experienced a major chastening of the Lord in my life. The message was clear and brought significant results. I returned to serious living for God and gained a deeper appreciation for His holiness. Putting it all together, I came to know the He was Lord... not me.

The people of Israel were under the persuasion that they were in charge with no accountability for their actions. They had strayed far from the Lord and His chastening hand was about to place them in exile. All this was done with one great goal in mind... that they would know that He was Lord.

My friend, have you bowed before Jesus and prayed as Paul in Acts 22:10, "What shall I do, Lord?" Have you acknowledged that He alone is Lord, not yourself? Does He sit on the throne of your life every week, day and hour? Only one can be Lord, and that one is not you.