SOAP 09/18/2015; Ezekiel 45:9

Today's reading: Ezekiel 45, 46; Luke 1

 S) "⁹ Thus says the Lord God, 'Enough, you princes of Israel; put away violence and destruction, and practice justice and righteousness. Stop your expropriations from My people,' declares the Lord God."

Ezekiel 45:9 (NASB)

O) Along with schematics for a new temple, Ezekiel was given several regulations for temple worship, sacrifices, and leadership expectations. While we are under the New Covenant by Jesus Christ, a lot of these details are no longer applicable (particularly regarding sacrifice, as Jesus satisfied that once and for all). Also, Jesus simplified the moral laws down to two regulations (see Matthew 22:37-40), but there is still value in seeing some of the details that God had given in the past. That's what we see, here. The Israelite leaders had a terrible propensity to oppress their own people. So, in this revival that God was doing, He made it clear that leadership is about serving the people. Throughout this chapter (and the next), Ezekiel was given lengthy outlines for the responsibility that princedom carried. At the very most basic, the LORD broke it down to two main rules, and then broke one of them into two elements. Rule number 1: Do no harm. Rule number 2: Do good. Within Rule 2, we have 2a: Do good publically. Rule 2b: Do good privately.

A) This is a detailed description, all of which falls under the two commands Jesus quoted (see above). Still, breaking this down into some detail will help me focus. I need to be deliberate with my leadership. As I lead my wife, as I lead my family (my kids, even my sister while she's living with us and we're mentoring her), and as I lead our Life Group, I must intentionally put my mind on serving. If I am not doing it on purpose, I will not do it. Do no harm. Do good publically. Do good privately.

P) Father, Your leadership model is perfect. In Jesus, I have been given the perfect example of leadership. Jesus was perfectly obedient to Your lead, Father God. That presence of mind, that attention to purpose, that is what I lack so often. I ask for grace, that I would be more aware of Your purposes in my life. With every relationship, help me to focus first on doing no harm. Every interaction should be aimed at building up, not tearing down. No matter the circumstance, whether angry or tired, confused or hurt, give me the self control I need to act in spite of my emotions, so that I am doing no harm. Give me presence of mind to do good with all of my relationships. It is not enough that I would simply do no harm, because I cannot be neutral in the leadership roles You have given me. So, let me consider carefully, how I can practice justice on behalf of others. Discipline me to practice righteousness in my own walk with You. Let me honor You with integrity. By grace, continue to develop my character in leadership. Please forgive me for falling short. I confess to leading badly. I repent, Father God. Lead me to lead them. Let Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 09/17/2015; Ezekiel 42:13-14

Today's reading: Ezekiel 42, 43, 44; Revelation 22

 S) "¹³ Then he said to me, 'The north chambers and the south chambers, which are opposite the separate area, they are the holy chambers where the priests who are near to the Lord shall eat the most holy things. There they shall lay the most holy things, the grain offering, the sin offering and the guilt offering; for the place is holy. ¹⁴ When the priests enter, then they shall not go out into the outer court from the sanctuary without laying there their garments in which they minister, for they are holy. They shall put on other garments; then they shall approach that which is for the people.'"

Ezekiel 42:13-14 (NASB)

O) Despite the fact that this was given as instruction to Ezekiel, we must remember that this is specific command, to a specific man, during a specific time. To the point, this instruction was given under the old covenant, when temple sacrifices were still ordained. However, I think this still reveals a lot about who God is, and when we evaluate why He gave these commands to Ezekiel (and the people), there is a deeper understanding for how we are to live in the new covenant, through Jesus Christ. On the surface, this seems almost like straight elitism. The priests ate different food, wearing different clothes. This whole chapter serves to define a separation between the holy and the profane, even within the temple itself. The purpose there, is for the people to realize just how completely holy the LORD truly is. He is so far beyond our humanity, that there are hundreds and hundreds of regulations and laws that must be observed, before men could even think to approach His veiled presence. Not even any man could come, either. It was only certain men, from a certain tribe, from a certain nation. This was not to declare that there was anything special about the Levitical priests, among the sons of Zadok. This was to declare that there was something completely special about God. So, when this passage is read, it is really highlighting the depths of the redemption that took place at Calvary. When, through faith in Jesus Christ, we are made holy as God is holy, we are being taken to the front of the line, of page upon page, book upon book, of regulations and laws that used to define just how profane we truly were. In a matter of hours, the redemptive work on the cross fulfilled thousands of years of necessary work, tediously trying to close the gap between man and God. Jesus did this with a single mission accomplished upon the cross. So, among God's people, those who have put their complete faith and trust in Jesus Christ as Lord, there is no longer found a separation between the holy and the profane. When we are in Christ, when we are walking in the Holy Spirit, we are all given the righteousness and holiness of the Son, Himself. We are all wearing the same white robes of His righteousness, found in His holiness. We partake of His food, His flesh. We partake of His drink, His blood. We eat His food, His word. We drink His water, His Spirit.

A) Everyday that I wake up in the A.D., I should take a minute to thank God for His grace in my own life. What wonderful grace it is to me, that I have been offered reconciliation to my Creator, through the gospel. Without that, I was the most profane. I was relegated to normal clothes. I was destined for normal food. I was doomed to death. When I study the regulations, the thousands of laws given, that were required before a man could approach the LORD, and then I remember that it wasn't even any men, but only of a certain nation. Then I remember it wasn't even any Israelite, but only of the Levites. Then I remember it wasn't even any Levite, but only certain families within that tribe... I can finally start to realize just how blessed I am. At any moment, I can slow down my day. At any moment, I can stop and commit minutes to focused prayers. I can speak to my Creator directly. I don't even mean words spoken to the air, and I just know He's omniscient. I mean, it is a gift given to me, through the grace of the cross, that I can actually commune with my Lord. I can experience His presence and His power. I can meet Him while I study the Bible. I can be overwhelmed by His presence in worship. None of this would have been given to me Before Christ. I live in a culture today, when the vast majority of the next generation will grow up hearing "C.E." instead of A.D.. That stands for "Common Era" (and B.C. is now "B.C.E." or, "Before Common Era"). Because of a base-misunderstanding of what the gospel offers, they are choosing to move back to a time when it was nigh-impossible to relate with our Creator. Everyday I wake up in joy, that this year is not the "common era" but the Anno Domini, the Year of Our Lord. I understand that people want to rebel against rules and rulers, and so they don't like the idea that Jesus would be their Lord. I just wish more people knew, that when Jesus is your Lord, you get to skip so many rules... People long for eternal life. They long for purpose. They long for hope. They long for unconditional love. They jump through man-made hoops. They succumb to man-made pressures. They cling to ancient traditions. They reinvent rituals in the hopes of new revelation. They expend untold effort to become special. All the while, Jesus offers freedom from those fruitless rules. Jesus offers to take them to the front of the line, by offering them to join Him in specialness. He offers such a simple way to tear down the wall of profanity, to step into holiness.

P) Father, thank You so much for this grace. Thank You so much, for the beauty of the gospel. Open eyes and ears, to see and hear. Soften hearts to the gospel. Give me the boldness, and wisdom, to share the gospel to those who are spinning their wheels. Help me to show them that You offer life itself. Be glorified in my life. Let Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 09/16/2015; Ezekiel 40:4

Today's reading: Ezekiel 40, 41; Psalm 128; Revelation 21

 S) "⁴ The man said to me, 'Son of man, see with your eyes, hear with your ears, and give attention to all that I am going to show you; for you have been brought here in order to show it to you. Declare to the house of Israel all that you see.'"

Ezekiel 40:4 (NASB)

O) Ezekiel was given a vision of the temple of God, and in this chapter he recorded the outer measurements and details of the temple (and chapter 41 records inner measurements and details). Considering the scale of the vision, it seems incredible that Ezekiel was able to record it all. However, when we carefully consider the words of the verse above, it isn't even surprising that the LORD would give Ezekiel such a miraculous ability. The whole purpose of Ezekiel witnessing the glory of the temple, was for him to be able to relate it to the Israelites. God used terminology regarding Ezekiel, that was directly opposite of how He described the house of Israel (see Ezekiel 12:2). Once again, we see that God wants His servants to be alert, ready, and able to obey.

A) To see and hear, to give attention to what God is giving and doing, these are not random things. There is an effort I must take, because "see" and "hear" are verbs that I must do. There have been times in the past, when I have been fairly sure God has given me short visions. I think He still speaks with "special revelation" (as opposed to "general revelation"), but I am always quick to disclaim that any vision, or word, or dream, would ever contradict the Holy Scriptures. But, God has given me specific words to encourage others. He has given me visions of warning for individual circumstances. In any case, I must be ready to obey God. Certainly, there are the simple two commands that Jesus clarified, that sum up all righteous obedience, to love the LORD my God, with all my heart, strength, mind, and soul; and to love my neighbor as myself. The form of those commands, in worship and prayer, in feeding the hungry and teaching brethren, all of those details can vary from day to day, season to season. Above all, those two commands should be obeyed. I don't need any vision to be given, I don't need a dream, I don't need God's audible voice to whisper into my ear. I can see needs with my eyes and meet them. I can hear the Word that has already been written, and believe and obey. God did not redeem me on accident, He did it on purpose. He saved me with purpose in mind. At the very least, I am a witness to the power of the gospel. I am a witness to Christ Jesus being alive. I am witness to the power of God at work in the heart of a man. I am witness to the grace of my Lord in a marriage. I am witness to the living God, taking a heart of stone and giving a heart of flesh. If nothing else, that is worth recording and declaring, to anyone who will listen.

P) Father, You are good beyond words, but I don't want that to stop me from trying to speak. I am suddenly reminded of the importance, of sharing my testimony with my own children. Help me remember that they are my first responsibility, in terms of sharing the gospel. Second only to my wife, they should be the most familiar with my testimony of the power You have shown in my life. Let me also be bold, when sharing my witness to Your glory. Your grace has been so evident in my life, that sharing should be the easiest thing. Still, I confess to my simple fears. Help me to fear only You, Lord. In all things, I want to be obedient, Father God. Your grace and mercy are so glorious. I want to honor You with my life and my obedience. Let Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 09/15/2015; Ezekiel 38:10

Today's reading: Ezekiel 38, 39; Psalm 145; Revelation 20

S) "¹⁰ Thus says the Lord GOD, 'It will come about on that day, that thoughts will come into your mind and you will devise an evil plan,'"

Ezekiel 38:10 (NASB)

O) The audience of this message was Gog, of Magog. The LORD was going to use them in war against His people. This opening line gives us a little bit of insight to the dynamic of thought, and our responsibility, although some of this verse remains undefined. God is predicting, foretelling what will happen with certainty. This is not the same as causation, though. This is something of a real life spoiler. God does not specify the origin of the thoughts that will come into Gog's mind. Considering that this fulfillment would accomplish God's will, it is conceivable that God put the thoughts there Himself. It is possible also, that the thoughts were put in his mind by the devil, tempting him. It is also possible that the thought came to him from other evil men suggesting thoughts to him. Whatever the case, notice that those tempting thoughts were not called evil. It wasn't until God says he devised a plan, that it was defined as evil.

A) Thoughts may come from a variety of places, and I am not necessarily at fault in them. However, the moment I take those thoughts and devise plans… that is the seed of temptation bringing fruit of sin. My responsibility is to carefully consider the thoughts that occur to me, regardless of their origin. This is the same concept as taking a thought "captive" (see 2 Corinthians 10:5). I must be vigilant. Thoughts can bombard me from every angle. Every sense can be used to plant seeds of thought. So, I must be on guard, to keep careful watch. I must be prayerful, asking my Lord to expose hidden parts of my heart that I cannot see clearly. Finally, when I do recognize those seeds (and the sooner the better), I must expose them to the light. I must confess them for what they are - not confessing that I've done something wrong, but confessing the truth of the situation- so they can be rooted out. I can then effectively ask for prayer, because I can be transparent and specific, without fear. The earlier I can confess those thoughts, refusing to give them ground in my heart to take root, the more healthy my heart will be.

P) Father, I need Your help in this. Your perfection is impossible for me alone. But, I know that I'm not alone, You are with me. I can be holy, because You are holy. I want to keep a clean heart, fully devoted to You. Help me to guard my mind and my thoughts. When I am confronted, when I am afflicted with thoughts that do not bring You glory and honor, help me to recognize them as toxic, and immediately take steps to get rid of them. Give me courage to confess them for what they are, and seek out the faithful prayers of other men, who also have Your glory and honor in mind. Open my eyes to see Your truth of every situation. Speak to me, Holy Spirit, and give me the wisdom I need to walk in righteousness. All to Your glory. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 09/14/2015; Ezekiel 37:13-14

Today's reading: Ezekiel 36, 37; Psalm 110; Revelation 19

S) "¹³ 'Then you will know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves and caused you to come up out of your graves, My people. ¹⁴ I will put My Spirit within you and you will come to life, and I will place you on your own land. Then you will know that I, the Lord, have spoken and done it,' declares the Lord."

Ezekiel 37:13-14 (NASB)

O) This vision that Ezekiel had, the Valley of Dry Bones, must have been quite a sight to see. Ezekiel was given a very active role in the vision, also. This reflected his role in reality. The vision, as explained in vv.11-15, was symbolic of spiritual resurrection and revival. In the previous chapter, Ezekiel had recorded a very important prophecy, regarding the new covenant era, which was finally fulfilled in Christ. So, in the vision from this chapter, God equates this to a spiritual resurrection. Once again, we see that this is all to the glory of the Lord. There is no greater miracle to witness or experience, than a spiritual conversion from death to life, and Ezekiel was there, taking an active role in the whole thing, as a nation is revived to their God.

A) These particular verses stood out to me, because this is where the explanation of the Vision becomes very personal. When I was a young adult, I returned to the LORD. In that conversion, that revival, there was no mistaking who it was that had brought me up out of my spiritual grave. God's spirit within me brought me to life. He called me out, He spoke, He did it. I was spiritually dead, and God caused me to come up out of my grave to be His. This is my testimony. He didn't make a bad person good. He didn't make a cold person warm. He didn't make a mean person nice. He made a dead person live.

P) Father, You are the God of the living. Your Spirit within me revives me to life. I was a dead man walking. I was a standing corpse. Like a rotten, dead tree, I was standing but ready to collapse at any time. I had the form of life, but no fruit or shade to give. I had no roots beneath me. But You changed all of that when You got ahold of me, God. You put Your Spirit within me, reviving my soul. You breathed life into my lungs. Even now, I am dead apart from You. Apart from You, from Your Spirit within me, from Your word which sustains and nourishes me, I have no life. Thankfully, that is not who I am. You did not leave me in my grave. You didn't just improve me, You revived me. You recreated me. I can never forget You, I can never ignore You, I can never deny You. You are the Lord my God. You are the One who brought me life. To You be all the glory, forever and ever. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 09/13/2015; Ezekiel 35:11

Today's reading: Ezekiel 33, 34, 35; Revelation 18

S) " ¹¹ 'therefore as I live,' declares the Lord God, 'I will deal with you according to your anger and according to your envy which you showed because of your hatred against them; so I will make Myself known among them when I judge you.'"

Ezekiel 35:11 (NASB)

O) Ezekiel was given a prophecy against Mount Seir, because of their ill treatment of God's people during their persecution, war, and exile. The prophecy contains a lot of details, but the cause and effect are almost summed up in this one verse, in the middle of the chapter. This verse reminded me of the words of Jesus, centuries later, when He said the way we judge is the way we will be judged (see Matthew 7:2). Even amid the judgment of Israel, and the subsequent judgment of Edom (who was inhabiting Mount Seir), we catch a glimpse of what all this is about, at the very end of this verse. God declared that He would make Himself known among Israel, when He judged Mount Seir. Make Himself known. He would reveal His glory to them, by His righteous judgment. He would reveal His glory by their vindication. God's judgment is about revealing Himself, showing His righteous character. This is not simply about punishment, it is about discipline. His people had abandoned their God. They had broken their covenant with the Almighty, in large part, because they no longer acknowledged Him as the only true, living God. They did not believe that He existed in power. They did not believe that He was sovereign. So, God corrected His people directly, by executing their judgment and exile. He also corrected their misunderstanding about who He was, by making Himself known in the judgment of others because of their mistreatment of His people.

A) First and foremost, this verse is a reminder that my whole life should be about glorifying my Lord. That should be my number one priority as a redeemed citizen of the Kingdom of God. Along with that, this verse reminded me that grace is often reciprocated. Sometimes, I am gracious to others, so I expect them to be gracious to me. I see it as an investment of grace, somehow. I think that, on a very shallow level, almost like a beginners understanding of the dynamics of grace, that is what Jesus was saying. It's like, at the very least, I should be gracious if I ever want others to be gracious with me. This is in line with the "golden rule" and the verse from Matthew that I mentioned above. In the devotional verse above, God declared that He would judge Edom according to their anger and envy and hatred. It is clear they should have had more grace toward Israel and Judah. Still, I don't think it's as simple, or shallow, as a sewing and reaping principle. Jesus also taught that we are to be merciful because God has been merciful to us. The deeper level, the next step of maturity, is to be gracious to others with no expectations from them at all. I should be gracious as a reflection of the grace I have already received from God. Furthermore, I should not be concerned with how man views me. If others want to judge me, they will, independent of my efforts. No, it should only concern me what my Father God thinks. I should only ever be concerned with His judgment of my life. The ideal is that I am gracious as a reflection of His grace, and that I rest in His judgment alone, all to His glory alone.

P) Father, Your judgments are righteous and true. You are great in lovingkindness, slow to anger, full of compassion. You extended an offering of grace to all of mankind. You created the means for righteous mercy for any who would believe. That is enough for me to be merciful and gracious to others. Help me to remember the gospel, as I endure injustice or bigotry or prejudice. Let my life glorify Your redemptive work. Let my life reflect the gospel. Help me to be gracious and merciful to others, with no expectations of reciprocation. Let me rejoice in my sufferings, because my Lord and Savior also suffered. When people hurl insults, or attack me, or persecute me, even unto death, give me the mind of Christ, that I may thank You when I am driven to the cross once again. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.