TOPIC: OBEY THE LORD AND LIVE
Bible Reading: Ezekiel 20:21-32
21 Notwithstanding the children rebelled against me: they walked not in my statutes, neither kept my judgments to do them, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; they polluted my sabbaths: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the wilderness.
22 Nevertheless I withdrew mine hand, and wrought for my name’s sake, that it should not be polluted in the sight of the heathen, in whose sight I brought them forth.
23 I lifted up mine hand unto them also in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the heathen, and disperse them through the countries;
24 Because they had not executed my judgments, but had despised my statutes, and had polluted my sabbaths, and their eyes were after their fathers’ idols.
25 Wherefore I gave them also statutes that were not good, and judgments whereby they should not live;
26 And I polluted them in their own gifts, in that they caused to pass through the fire all that openeth the womb, that I might make them desolate, to the end that they might know that I am the Lord.
27 Therefore, son of man, speak unto the house of Israel, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Yet in this your fathers have blasphemed me, in that they have committed a trespass against me.
28 For when I had brought them into the land, for the which I lifted up mine hand to give it to them, then they saw every high hill, and all the thick trees, and they offered there their sacrifices, and there they presented the provocation of their offering: there also they made their sweet savour, and poured out there their drink offerings.
29 Then I said unto them, What is the high place whereunto ye go? And the name whereof is called Bamah unto this day.
30 Wherefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord God; Are ye polluted after the manner of your fathers? and commit ye whoredom after their abominations?
31 For when ye offer your gifts, when ye make your sons to pass through the fire, ye pollute yourselves with all your idols, even unto this day: and shall I be enquired of by you, O house of Israel? As I live, saith the Lord God, I will not be enquired of by you.
32 And that which cometh into your mind shall not be at all, that ye say, We will be as the heathen, as the families of the countries, to serve wood and stone.
OBEY THE LORD AND LIVE Ezekiel 20:21-32
There are great blessings in obeying God. And there are grievous consequences for forsaking Him and ignoring His Word. Following and keeping His laws bring us life John 6:63). Living by His Word sets us apart and makes us distinct. However, when we put other things before God and His Word, we defile ourselves and provoke Him to anger (vs.27,28, 30). T (v.21, see One of the charges that God brought against the people and leaders of Israel was that they did not observe the Sabbath as prescribed by God (v5.12,13, 24). God rested on the seventh day of creation, to set us an example of the need for rest and renewal after days of hard work We should intentionally balance work and rest as we carry out our daily businesses. It matters to God! When Israel forsook the Lord, He gave them up to complex rituals and taboos of paganism that have no life (v.25). Nothing can take the place of God. We will do ourselves good, if we follow the Lord faithfully and carefully obey His Word.
ALOS ERAD: TOPIC: YOU CANNOT ABUSE GOD Ezekiel 20:1-20
Missions: SIERRA LEONE-The fallout from the conflict remains – the human suffering of survivors. Pray for those with emotional and psychological trauma from experiences like rape, victims of mutilation and maiming, former child soldiers. The pride and attitude of superiority shown by the Krio “Christian population, and the continued growth of Islam, have limited church growth in the tribal hinterland
Prayer: Lord Jesus help me to trust, and obey you, for there is no better way to have a fruitful walk with you.
Bible In One Year: Jeremiah 9-12
Verse of the Day: They did not follow my decrees, they were not careful to keep my laws although the man who obeys them will live by them- Ezekiel 20:21
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