"Word of God Speak"

September 4, 2011 (Ezekiel 22-24; Revelation 9)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found no one.” Ezekiel 22:30 NASB

Observation: Israel had completely abandoned God and His standards and left God no choice but destruction. God has proven Himself to be a God of mercy and grace, yet when He looked for just one to stand in the gap for Israel, He found no one. Israel had many prophets sent to them and many opportunities to repent and turn from their wickedness, but they refused.

Application: Can God count on you to build up the wall and stand in the gap for this nation? Do you even know what would be required of you to do that? Are you willing to give up the friendship of the world to save the lost and dying? Standing up for God’s truth will get you ridiculed, persecuted, and possibility even killed, by the very one’s you’re trying to reach. A challenge like this is not for the physically strong and wealthy, but rather for the one who is totally dependant on God, for provision and protection.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for Your strength. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that You desire to extend to us daily. Help me Lord embrace Your standards. Help me understand Your word. Help me to walk in the way that’s pleasing to You. Protect me, provide for me, and strengthen me to build the wall and stand in the gap. Father, let the works of my hands and the steadfastness of my faith build Your Kingdom. In Jesus name, Amen.

September 3, 2011 (Ezekiel 20-21; Psalm 111; Revelation 8 )

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “But they rebelled against Me and were not willing to listen to Me; they did not cast away the detestable things of their eyes, nor did they forsake the idols of Egypt.” Ezekiel 20:8 NASB

Observation: Israel trusted so much in their own strength and ability that they didn’t feel they needed God telling them what to do. They wanted God when things were falling apart, but as soon as things began to go good again, they would forsake Him. They rebelled against God and would not listen to the instruction He gave. They did not cast away the detestable things of their own desires and they worshiped idols.

Application: This is all written for our learning. We have to benefit of knowing how Israel’s decisions worked out for them and yet we walk in the same ways! I think that’s the definition of insanity. We trust in our own strength and abilities and ignore God, until we’re in so much trouble we can’t figure out how to get out of it. Our pride and arrogance causes us to become blind and deaf to the instructions of God. If their was ever a time when we need to seek God’s word and receive His instruction, it’s now.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your word. Thank You for the instruction and correction it provides. Help me to hear You and listen to You. Help me walk in Your ways and depart from anything detestable. Show me the idols I’ve raised so that I can tear them down! I desire to worship You alone! For You alone are God and deserve all my praise. In Jesus name, Amen!

September 2, 2011 (Ezekiel 17-19; Revelation 7)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, each according to his conduct,” Declares the Lord God. “Repent and turn away from all your transgressions, so that iniquity may not become a stumbling block to you” Ezekiel 18:30 NASB

Observation: God is fair! Here He warns them of judgement to come. He let’s them know that He will judge them according to their own conduct as individuals. Each one has a chance to repent and walk right with God and live. Repent and continue in sin? No! Repent and turn away from it. Why? So that iniquity will not become a stumbling block to you and cause you to fall back into what you have repented of.

Application: We each have the same chances Israel did. God want’s the same things for us. He want’s us to live, He takes no pleasure in anyone who dies (Ezekiel 18:32) He says repent and live! Many have repented, but not turned away. If you don’t turn away from sin, and those who commit sin, it’s just a matter of time before you stumble back into it. Many have been called, but few will be chosen. Why? Because only few will turn away from sin and serve Christ with all they are.

Prayer: Father, You are so awesome and holy. Praise and glory to Your name forever and ever! Thank You for giving us each a chance to repent and turn away from sin. Lord, light the pathway for my feet with Your word. Cleanse me of all sin and strengthen me to turn away from it so that it does not become a stumbling block to me. Let blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever, in Jesus name, Amen!

September 1, 2011 (Ezekiel 15-16; Psalm 70; Revelation 6)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “But you trusted in your beauty and played the harlot because of your fame, and you poured out your harlotries on every passer-by, who might be willing.” Ezekiel 16:15 NASB

Observation: Israel pushed God out. They removed Him from their presence and life by trusting in their own strength. They played the role of harlot by running to the world and worshipping the things in it. They made their own rules and despised the Lord’s standard. They ignored His commands and taunted Him to His face in contempt. First class whore’s, they would lie down with anyone willing.

Application: Have you removed God from every area of your life possible? Are you so intertwined with the world that God’s standards are ignored and rejected by the life you live? Are you trusting in your own strength and abilities? Has pride and arrogance blinded you to God’s standard of truth? If so my friend, you are playing the role of a harlot. God demands all of us, not just the left over parts! We are to forsake the world and the things in it for His sake. Separate yourself from the world and be sanctified by Christ for His service. It is the best way, in fact, it is the only way!

Prayer: Dear Lord thank You for Your blessings, mercy and grace that You give freely. We don’t deserve it and we can’t earn it. You give it freely. Thank You! Cleanse and sanctify me for Your service Lord. Remove my harlotries from me and forgive me, I repent. Fix my eyes upon You, for all my trust is in You. Keep pride and arrogance far from me and cause my heart to long for You alone, in Jesus name, Amen.

August 31, 2011 (Ezekiel 12-14; Revelation 5)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God, “Repent and turn away from your idols and turn your faces away from all your abominations.” Ezekiel 14:6 NASB

Observation: Destruction is about to take place on Israel. Even though they are a rebellious people God provides them space to repent. God sent them a messenger, with a warning. They refused to hear it. God’s patience is amazing because of His amazing love for His people. Yet eventually He will have enough, and He will do what He will do and not feel sorry about it.

Application: Repentance, seems like such a simple task. It’s all God wanted then and it’s all He wants now. For His people to repent and turn from idols and keep from abominations. God sent Ezekiel to warn them, He warns us too. The people then ignored the warning and suffered destruction. Will we do the same? We not only have the same warning, but we know what the end of the matter is and yet we still refuse to repent and turn from idols. God help us!

Prayer: Dear Father, thank You for Your patience that amazes me! Thank You for Your word that warns us and shows us the end of the matter. Clear the scales from our eyes that we may see clearly. Reveal to me the idols in my life that I may destroy them all, show me the abominations I commit so that I can turn my face from them. Sanctify me for Your benefit and use me for Your glory, in Jesus name, Amen.

August 30, 2011 (Ezekiel 8-11; Revelation 4)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “and you will know that I am the Lord. For you have refused to obey my decrees and regulations; instead, you have copied the standards of the nations around you.” Ezekiel 11:12 NLT

Observation: Ezekiel is instructed to prophesy against the leaders of the people. They have broken the first and greatest commandment and set up idols in the Temple of God. They are giving wicked counsel to the people and encouraging them to build houses within the safety of the city walls. They trusted in the security of what they had built, rather than keeping their trust in God for protection. They no longer needed God, they had it under control. They booted God out of His own house and filled it with idols and idol worship. They hid in enter chambers within the Temple burning incense to their false gods. This brought about God’s fury and judgment.

Application: God is to be reverenced and respected as The God of the universe. He is to be honored and respected at the highest degree. Yet, in our culture today we receive wicked counsel of encouragement to treat God as just a friend, He’s just one of our buddies, He’s the “Big Man upstairs”. No! He is God, and He should be honored and respected as so. He has given us holy decrees and regulations that must be obeyed. Remember, to obey is better than sacrifice. Yet just like our forefathers before us, we copy the behavior of the nations around us and somehow expect a different result or outcome. God does not change; He is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore. The standards He set for His children to live by are the same. He must be the only God in our lives; He will not accept anything less.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me every day. I know You are the Lord! You are the awesome God of the universe and above You there is no other. You have graciously given Your people decrees and regulations to live by, that leads us to You, and protects us from harm. You are my hope; in You I put my trust. The city walls will break down, yet my God will never fail! Give me the wisdom to know what’s right and the courage to do what’s right, even when it’s hard, in Jesus name, Amen!

August 29, 2011 (Ezekiel 4-7; Revelation 3)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “They have blown the trumpet and made everything ready, but no one is going to the battle, for My wrath is against all their multitude.” Ezekiel 7:14 NASB

Observation: When God’s wrath is poured out on mankind, all the world is no match for Him. Though great multitudes of armies may try to fight against the Lord, they will be defeated. The awesomeness of God will paralyze them and cause them to be defeated with ease.

Application: Reading through Ezekiel so far has been quite depressing. So why did God give us this portion of the Bible? I believe it was for our learning and a stern warning against living a life contrary to God’s standards. Payday will come. You will receive what you have sown. For me, more seeds of mercy and grace are going forth from this day forward. I want to be on the Lord’s side, but most of all I want Him to be by my side!

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You today for Your word. Even though at times it’s difficult to comprehend, I know it has purpose and meaning. Help me understand and know how to apply what I’ve read this morning. Cleanse me completely and make me ready to serve You. Protect me from my enemies, rise up and cause them to retreat. In Jesus name, Amen.