November 2023

Worshipping Together

 NOVEMBER 30, 2023
 Daily Reading – Ezekiel 46-48 / 2 Peter 1

 GOD’S WORD:

Ezekiel 46:3 Likewise the people of the land shall worship at the door of this gate before the LORD in the sabbaths and in the new moons.

 GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

        I am a firm believer, people who say they love the Lord should want to be in the Lord’s House when it is open, and the body of Christ is there. For example, I love my wife. Would it not be crazy to be satisfied with her picture, instead of being with her? Knowing the church is the body of Christ, it makes no sense for us not to want to be together if we genuinely Love the Lord.

        When I preach about people being in God’s house on the Lord’s Day, it never fails, I will hear, “Every day is the Lord’s Day.” Meaning, “I go to church when I want, not you, or anyone else tells me when to go.” Or I hear, “We are not under the law we are under grace.” To be interpreted, “I will do what I want.”

        It is true, every day is the Lord’s Day. Yet, that was true when God established Sabbaths. It is also true we are under grace, but there are rules of life we need to follow. No one argues “thou shalt not kill,” is not a good rule to live by. God set up certain days to gather His church together to worship. In the Old Testament, it was the Sabbaths. In the New Testament, it is recorded they meet on the first day of the week. The day the Lord arose from the tomb (John 20). The day the Disciples came together to break bread (Acts 20). It is the day we lay up in store as we have prospered (1 Corinthians 16). A day set aside to worship our risen King. A day we call The LORD’S DAY. 

 GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

        God is a God of order. If there were no set day to worship, no one would know when to go, when to preach the Word, fellowship together, or exhort each other. Prepare to be in God’s house with God’s people for God’s purpose on the day set in God’s plan.

See you in Church Sunday?

Wrong, Or Right

 NOVEMBER 29, 2023
 Daily Reading – Ezekiel 42-45 / 1 Peter 4-5

 

 GOD’S WORD:

Ezekiel 44:9 Thus saith the Lord GOD; No stranger, uncircumcised in heart, nor uncircumcised in flesh, shall enter into my sanctuary, of any stranger that is among the children of Israel.

 GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

        There is a right and wrong way to do things. Even if doing it wrong seems to get it done, that still does not make it right. Back when I worked on a shipping and receiving dock, I was one of only two men on our shift that could operate a slip-sheet forklift. What this machine would do is clamp down on the edge of a piece of cardboard that was under the product, slide it off the skid onto a large metal plate on the front of the machine. We would then drive it into the trailer and slide it off on the floor, or on top of another stack of boxes pre-loaded. We asked the people who set the orders on the floor, please put two slip sheets under each stack. One guy thought this a waste of slip sheets, I will save the company money by only using one. The problem is, when you only use one, they often tear coming off the pallet and the product is then damaged. At minimum it took us twice as long to carefully remove each stack to load the truck. Although what the man was doing seemed right at the time, he did not understand the entire process. It ended up costing the company money, not saving it.

        Likewise, God knows what is right. In today’s verse, the people of Israel had let foreigners do the temple work. Though the work was done, it was not the way God intended. He wanted His temple to be different from other religions and false gods. He said no more. These people are not to do that work any longer. God’s way is right. 

 GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

        There is a right way to live, God’s way, and a wrong way that never ends well. Proverbs 16:25 says, “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Find God’s Wisdom in God’s Word and Live God’s Way.

Will you live Wrong, or Right?

What A War

 NOVEMBER 28, 2023
 Daily Reading – Ezekiel 39-41 / 1 Peter 3

 GOD’S WORD:

Ezekiel 39:25 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Now will I bring again the captivity of Jacob, and have mercy upon the whole house of Israel, and will be jealous for my holy name;

 GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

        What a war! No, I am not talking about what many have called the “Great War,” World War I. This was, by all measures, a horrible time on earth. This was also known as; “The War to End All Wars.” We know that did not work, if for no other reason than there was a World War II. I am also not referring to the number of battles, and continuing conflicts that the Nation of Israel has had with almost every surrounding neighbor. Yet again, I am not even referring to the huge battle that will take place described in Ezekiel 38-39. A battle between God and the forces of evil that will be so horrific that it says in Ezekiel 39:12 it will take seven months to bury the bodies of the dead. Even after that, the birds and the beasts of the earth are called upon to help devour the remaining carnage. This will be a war like no other war. Yet, I am not even referring to that war.

          This last battle in Ezekiel I refer to here was done for one reason. God’s name has been drug through the mud long enough. Our verse today says, “and will be jealous for my holy name;” God is going to defend His Holy name. He will do as He has always said He would do, restore Israel. However, this time, the war in the heart of the people God calls His own, Israel, will be won over as they recognize Jesus as Lord and Saviour. This war has been fought in the hearts of the Jewish people for decades. What a War! Oh, and What a Saviour! 

 GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

        This is a battle, not only in the hearts of those of Jewish heritage. This war rages in the hearts of every person ever born. It is a war against selfish pride and Satan. It is a war already won by Christ at Calvary.

When history is written,

which side of this war will you be found on?

What Is That I Hear?

 NOVEMBER 27, 2023
 Daily Reading – Ezekiel 36-38 / 1 Peter 2

 GOD’S WORD:

Ezekiel 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

 GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

        Have you ever been around a couple, they hear a song playing, they look at each other and say, “That is our song.” Did they write it? Did they buy the rights to it? Is it only their song? Most likely not. What they mean is that song has a special meaning to them. It reminds them of a day or place they were together when they heard it. It became their special song. In church we sing a song; “There’s a New Song in My Heart.” But why a new song? Have you developed a craving for Psalms and Hymns? Did all your old musical tastes go out the window? Probably not. Yet, there is a new desire to sing praises to God. Why?

        Well, if you think about it, you will realize a song is really a group of words put together by someone to convey a certain idea or belief. Every song (that is worth anything at all) has some message. You might ask about concertos or sonnets, songs that have no words. Yet even these pieces of music convey a mood that the originator intended.

        Why is there a new song in your heart? That is simple. Jesus now resides in your heart in the person of the Holy Spirit. In John 1:14 it says of Jesus, “the Word was made flesh.” So, if Jesus is in your heart, there are a new set of words in your heart. Words that tell a new story. A story of love, peace, joy, and of eternal life. You have a new story in your heart. Therefore, you have a new song. 

 GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

        Music brings back memories. Yet, we all need a new song in our hearts. A new composer, writing a new song. God puts a song there that brings joy to our soul. Sing unto the Lord a new song. Let all that have breath praise His name. There is a new song in our heart.

Do you hear a new song?

Valuable To God

 NOVEMBER 25 & 26, 2023
 NOVEMBER 25 – Daily Reading – Ezekiel 32-35 / 1 Peter 1
 NOVEMBER 26 – NO READING

 

 GOD’S WORD:

Ezekiel 34:15 I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD.

 

 GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

        Reading Ezekiel 34, as a pastor, I begin to do a self- examination. Could I be guilty of any of the things mentioned? I know this was written to the prophets of Israel and that God was talking of bringing the nation of Israel and making them his own again. I know, after the captivity He is promising to bring some back, and care for them in Israel. I understand, much of this will take place during the millennial period when He comes to Shepherd His flock Himself. Even so, in my self-examination as under-shepherd of His flock, I find myself short in the balance. I see areas of ministry I am lacking in and can do better.

 

      Yet, the two little lines that stick out to me are, “I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD.” When all is said and done, God takes care of His own. If you read that verse as I do, there is a heightened emphasis on “MY”. Will feed “MY flock” He says. It does us well to remember that we are all, pastors included, part of His flock. He supplies our every need. He is the perfect Shepherd who knows when we are diseased and strengthens us. The great Physician that can heal us and bind up our broken souls. He calls to us as He did to the disciples, “follow me,” and those that know Him hear his voice and follow Him. Also, He seeks for us to fellowship with Him. My friend that is more valuable than all the treasure in the world. God counts us a valuable to Him and seeks after us.

 

 GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

        I heard it asked, “How much is a soul worth? The answer is priceless. The stewardship of that soul should be valuable also. Of all that we are a steward of today, the lives Christ loves, and has put in our care, are more important than anything else.

 

Did you know you are valuable to God?

 

THE WEEK IN REVIEW:

        God loves us and wants to redeem our soul. Yet, it is up to us if we will be a Victim or Victor as we saw this week in;

  ● Visual Problem
  ● Verdict Is In
  ● Vacancy Of Leadership
  ● Value Your Days
  ● Violent Storms Ahead
  ● Valuable To God

        If we reject Christ, we become victim of our own disobedience. If we accept Him, we become victorious over hell and the grave. Are you a Victim or Victor.

       Enjoy today with your church and hear what God has prepared in the heart of His man for you this week.

   See you tomorrow.

 

 SUNDAYS:

       Today we suggest you read and study whatever the Lord has laid on your Pastors heart. Whatever scripture he uses for today’s messages were given to him by God for your specific needs.

 

November 27, 2023	Ezekiel 36-38	1 Peter 2
November 28, 2023	Ezekiel 39-41	1 Peter 3
November 29, 2023	Ezekiel 42-45	1 Peter 4-5
November 30, 2023	Ezekiel 46-48	2 Peter 1
December 1, 2023	Daniel 1-2	2 Peter 2
December 2, 2023	Daniel 3-4	2 Peter 3
December 3, 2023	No Passages Assigned

Victim or Victor