Living Water

Reading: Ezekiel 46-48

Well that would look weird. The temple did not exactly have indoor plumbing, but it was flooding. In fact it was waist deep, forming a river flowing down the mountain and going to the sea.

The people would have certainly been scratching their heads.

But something amazing was happening. Everywhere the river went it brought life. The fish and vegetation flourished and the salt water became pure.

Maybe you are also scratching your head wondering what on earth this means. Jesus makes it very clear. He alludes to this verse and says, “’Whoever believes in Me, as the scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’’ Now this He said about the Spirit, whom those who believe in Him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified” (John 7:38-39).

Be Spirit filled. Let streams of living water flow from your heart, bringing life wherever it flows.

Next Reading: Daniel 1-6

Glory Filled

Reading: Ezekiel 41-45

You’re not too far gone. You are not past the point of grace. You too can be God filled.

In a scene of triumph and redemption, God’s glory returned to fill the new temple. The former temple had been so corrupted by idolatry and sin that God left and it was destroyed.

The story of Israel is much like your story. Even though you have been corrupted by sin and driven far from God’s presence, God desires reconciliation with you. He wants to dwell in you and to fill you with the glory of His presence.

Next Reading: Ezekiel 46-48

From Death to Life

Reading: Ezekiel 36-40

Ezekiel stood in a valley of dry bones and watched the amazing power of God. He “gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist” (Romans 4:17). This power of God gives hope that the graves of our loved ones will be opened and we will be joined together with Jesus in the resurrection (I Thessalonians 4:13-18). It also empowers us to live every day. The resurrected life begins at salvation (Romans 6:8-11).

Live the resurrected life today!

Next Reading: Ezekiel 41-45

Sound The Warning

Reading: Ezekiel 31-35

If your house were on fire, would you wake your family? If there were a violent threat to your child’s school, would you alert the police? Of course you would sound the warning!

If a person was in danger of losing their soul, would you tell them? Are you more hesitant about that?

Step up to the challenge of the watchman. Sound the warning. Do not stand before the judgment seat of God and hear the words, “You never mentioned Him to me.”

Next Reading: Ezekiel 36-40

Upside Down

Reading: Ezekiel 21-25

“Exalt that which is low, and bring low that which is exalted.” (Ezekiel 21:26)

The judgment of God shakes things up. The proud and mighty are brought low and the humble a exalted. This had immediate application for those affected by the conquest of Judah, but the principle expands to us.

“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6)

So in your dealings with people and your attitude toward God, be humble and wait for the Lord to exalt.

Next Reading: Ezekiel 26-30

Turn and Live

Reading: Ezekiel 16-20

“For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declared the Lord; so turn and live.” (Ezekiel 18:32)

We are not sinners in the hands of an angry God. He does not delight to dangle our souls over the flame by a thin strand. His justice is sure: the wicked will be judged for his wickedness. But do not for a moment believe that God enjoys punishing sin.

Instead, as Peter says, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (II Peter 3:9)

So consider each moment today as evidence of God’s grace. Turn and serve.

Tomorrow’s Reading: Ezekiel 21-25

Heart For God

Reading: Ezekiel 11-15

“I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God.” (Ezekiel 11:19b-20)

The heart for God: Walks in His statutes, keeps and obeys His rules, does not desire detestable things, and longs for Him.

Do you have a heart for God?

Tomorrow’s Reading: Ezekiel 16-20

Empty

Reading: Ezekiel 6-10

“Then the glory of the Lord went out from the threshold of the house…” (Ezekiel 10:18)

This was the day the God filled became empty.

No longer willing to compete for space with the idols that had filled the temple, God left. The people had driven Him away with their idolatry and their sin.

Your body is described as the temple of God (I Corinthians 6:19). Be God filled, wholly holy and His, or brace for the day when God’s glory departs the temple.

Tomorrow’s Reading: Ezekiel 11-15