August 31

Ezekiel 13-15
The Lord has some very harsh words for false prophets, those who say they have received a message from the Lord when He has not given them any such message.  During my lifetime, I have witnessed many of these so-called prophets of God deceiving gullible people with their words that are meant to entice them into giving of their financial means.  These charlatans bilk people out of untold millions of dollars by prophesying lies in the name of the Lord.  I have met widows who save every spare nickel and dime they have, in order to send them to these snake-oil salesmen.  Over the years, I have become somewhat jaded toward preachers who are constantly asking for money.  We attend a lot of different churches in our travels.  Some are good, while others are not.  The people in all of them are generally friendly, loving people who love the Lord.  However, some of the leaders are highly suspect.  In some of these places the leaders never fail to take up a collection.  Yet, when it comes to those things that would offer spiritual strength to the flock, such as participation in the communion of our Lord’s body and blood, they are rarely offered.  Perhaps I’m being a little harsh, but not nearly so much as the Lord is in today’s reading!

August 30

Ezekiel 9-12
“Son of man, you are living among a rebellious people. They have eyes to see but do not see and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious people.”  Do you ever feel like these words are for you?  Maybe I’m a little paranoid, but I often feel like these words are for me, and for every other Christian living in America.  I generally try to live my life as an optimist.  Indeed, as I consider how God has blessed me, I have nothing but good to speak and feel.  However, when I consider our nation and how far she is removed from her Christian roots, I see the Lord removing His blessings, and I despair.  Jehovah was speaking through His man, Ezekiel, to the house of Israel, God’s chosen people.  America is not Israel, however, His chosen people, Christians, has lived here in abundance, and has enjoyed the blessings of His favor on our nation for more than two millennia.  During that time, we have witnessed the ways of the world infiltrating our ranks.  Over the last several decades many churches have left the bedrock principles of the Bible, replacing it with societal mores and pseudo-scientific doctrine.  In many congregations and sects we witness the rebellious leaders rejecting Biblical injunctions in favor of current political correctness.  When these are approached by Christians proclaiming God’s word, they refuse to see and hear the truth, often discounting the words of the Bible by boldly proclaiming that it is a book that was written for another people in another time, and at another place.  With this rebellious position, one is left without Divine guidance.  These rebellious people are following their own way, stubbornly refusing to acknowledge clear Biblical doctrine.  Furthermore, when one stands for God’s truth, they are labeled as radical, right-wing, Christian extremists.  The day is fast approaching when those who speak against evil will be charged with hate speech and face fine, imprisonment, or both.  Yet, if you are one of those who stand for Biblical truth, you can know with certainty that the Lord stands with you, and that He will bless you.  Dear Lord, I lift up our nation to you, and the church that lives within her.  Open our eyes to your truth.  Unstop our ears so that we might hear, repent, and return the solid principles that can only be found in your word, the Bible.  Through Jesus, I pray.  Amen!

August 29

Ezekiel 5-8
God speaks through the prophet: “When terror comes, they will seek peace in vain.  Then they will know that I am the Lord!”  Unfortunately, it will be too late.  We like to speak of a God of love and grace, and I would much rather dwell on those aspects.  However, He is also a God of justice.  A time is coming when He will judge all who have walked the earth.  At that time, all will truly know that He is the Lord.  For those who have rejected Him, refusing to accept His Son as their Savior, it will be too late.  They will seek peace in vain, with only eternal damnation in front of them.  For this reason, I find it difficult to understand how anyone would reject God while they still have a chance.  Life in Christ is a better life in the here and now.  And, then in judgment, there is eternal life in Him.  One has nothing to lose by believing, and everything to lose by choosing not to believe.  It’s just a no-brainer!

August 28

Ezekiel 1-4
The Lord makes a statement to the prophet, Ezekiel, that I believe we Christians would do well to heed: “But if you do warn the wicked and they do not turn from their wickedness or from their evil ways, they will die for their sins; but you will have saved yourself.”  Why do I think this is significant?  It is my sincere conviction that we have an obligation to try and bring the lost to Jesus.  If they are living a wicked, sinful life, we are to be leading them to repentance.  When we are silent, it is like giving tacit approval for their behavior.  While it is true that if we speak out, some will label us as radicals, or out of touch with reality, it doesn’t relieve us of the responsibility.  I know that when I have spoke out against sexual immorality and abortion, I generally raise a lot of opposition.  There are certain people who are very mean-spirited in their comments toward me.  However, the treatment I receive is nothing compared to what the prophets of old went through.  There is a time for silence, but it is not in the face of evil!

August 27

Lamentations 3-5
Jeremiah makes another prophecy concerning Judah being returned to God’s favor through a coming Messiah.  In the midst of his mourning over their destruction, he is able to see how God is able to deliver in the long run.  Again, in looking at this as I did my own brother’s death, I am able to see the ultimate victory Gene has gained through death.  Because of the same coming Messiah that Jeremiah spoke of, he is able to enjoy eternity with Jesus!  This is the same hope that anyone can have who has chosen to put their trust in the Lord.  True, Judah had sinned grievously, just as we all have.  None of us are free from sin.  However, Jesus paid the price for those sins, and has provided a path of salvation leading us to a home in heaven where we will be with the Lord forever!  Praise God for His indescribable gift of grace through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior!

August 26

Lamentations 1-2
Just as one holds out hope for their terminal loved one, Jeremiah held out hope for Judah’s repentance, a stay of execution by the Lord.  And, just as one grieves when the inevitable happens, and their loved one dies, so Jeremiah grieves when God’s promised judgment comes upon Judah.  He knew the day would come just as he had prophesied, but he didn’t relish the fulfilment of that prophecy.  I think I understand how he felt.  When my brother was dying with leukemia I held out hope until the bitter end that some miracle would heal him, all the while knowing in my heart of hearts that a day would come when his body would give up the fight and he would go to live with the Lord.  So, when that day arrived, I was heartbroken, just as Jeremiah was sorrowing over the day that had arrived for his people.

August 25

Jeremiah 51-52
Lately there has been a lot of talk about the wind in our area of Montana.  The inability to accurately predict the weather often reminds me of who is in control.  Of Him, Jeremiah writes, “He made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding.  When he thunders, the waters in the heavens roar; he makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth.  He sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses.”  As I witness His power through the weather, it is with great wonder that I also witness so many who refuse to believe in Him.  God is, and will always be!  It is foolish to think otherwise.  The ancients discovered this fact, often to their own peril.