July 12, 2009
LISTEN
In the past weeks, God has been leading us to the Prophets of Scripture. A prophet, according to Strong’s Bible Dictionary, is one who “speaks or sings by inspiration.” In other words, a prophet speaks the Words that God gives him to speak. Last week, if you recall, the prophet Ezekiel spoke words describing rebellious, revolting, obstinate and stubborn people? This week, God is again leading us to the Prophets. What is God saying and are we listening?
LISTEN
"Look, I am setting a plumb line among my people Israel; I will spare them no longer” Amos 7:7
Any knowledgeable carpenter will tell you, if your building is out of plumb, you’ve got problems. Amos tells us God’s people were out of plumb. But before we start thinking– oh, that’s way back then, it doesn’t pertain to me - better think again. Because of our sin(s) (sins of action) and our sin (sin of nature) we are just as Ezekiel and Amos describe – rebellious, revolting, obstinate and stubborn – out of plumb with God. No one wants to hear that – we all like to think that we are “pretty good joe’s”. But God’s Word tells us different. God’s Word tells us we are all, by nature, hopeless sinners with no defense and no resources. It’s a tough reality to hear, but we must listen.
LISTEN
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace” Ephesians 1:3-7
Ah, but don’t despair. In comes our knight in shining armor – our hope filled Savior, Jesus Christ. The Prophet Jesus tells us we are no longer hopeless, rebellious, revolting, obstinate, and stubborn people who are out of plumb with God. In fact, the Prophet Jesus describes God’s people in totally opposite terms. In Him and because of Him we are blessed with every spiritual blessing, we are chosen, we are holy, we are blameless, and we are redeemed and forgiven children of God. Now those Words are music to our ears and to our hearts.
LISTEN
“Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him….. he did not want to refuse her” Mark 6:20, 26
He calls His own, He looks at us as Holy and blameless, He forgives our sin(s)(sins of action) and takes away our sin (sin of nature). So how do we react to all this Grace? Unfortunately, all too often we are like Herod – we like to listen, but we don’t want to refuse the temptations the world, our sinful flesh, and Satan throw at us. Instead, we should follow the advice the Psalmist offers: “I will listen to what God the LORD will say; he promises peace to his people, his saints— but let them not return to folly.” Psalm 85:8
LISTEN
We dare not ignore the voice of the prophets when they paint the picture of what we are without Jesus. But to focus on that picture is to ignore the voice of our Prophet Jesus and the Grace He sings to us from the cross and the empty tomb. Listen to what God the Lord says; don’t return to the folly of sin. Instead rest in His righteousness, forgiveness, and holiness – through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN!!!
Father, open our ears to hear, accept, and learn from what Your prophets have to say to us – especially Lord, help us to listen and learn from The Prophet – Jesus Christ. AMEN
Week ending: July 12, 2009
Monday – (Old Testament)
Amos 7:7-15
Look at the consequences of being “out of plumb” with God. Thank goodness for the redeeming work of Jesus who took those consequences for us.
Tuesday – Psalm 85:8-13
A beautiful picture of the benefits we reap when we follow Jesus
Wednesday –(Epistle)
Ephesians 1:3-14
Those benefits of following Jesus just keep getting better and better
Thursday – (Gospel)
Mark 6:14-29
Don’t be that guy. Don’t be like Herod. Listen, believe, repent and be saved
Friday –When the devil the world and your sinful mind accuses you – Reread Ephesians and be assured your are clean
Saturday – SHARE what you hear from God this week
Sunday – Worship together as holy, blameless, redeemed, and forgiven children of the King
Friday, July 3, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
PLUNGE Readings for July 5, 2009
July 5, 2009
The Prophet’s People – The Prophet’s Power
Want the job of a prophet (messenger of God’s word)? In this week’s readings God gives us a description of the prophet’s people and the prophet’s power. Observe:
The Prophet’s People
“He said: "Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me; they and their fathers have been in revolt against me to this very day. The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says.' And whether they listen or fail to listen—for they are a rebellious house—they will know that a prophet has been among them.” Ezekiel 2:1-5
The prophet’s people are rebellious, revolting, obstinate and stubborn. Would you want a job where you know going in the people were going to give you nothing but grief – not me?
The Prophet’s People
“I lift up my eyes to you, to you whose throne is in heaven As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid look to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God, till he shows us his mercy. Have mercy on us, O LORD, have mercy on us, for we have endured much contempt. We have endured much ridicule from the proud, much contempt from the arrogant.” Psalm 123
The prophet’s people are without resources – totally dependent the prophet for EVERYTHING - they have no defense and can only throw themselves on the mercy of the One who sits on the throne in Heaven. You would think that would be of benefit and the people would be more open to the message right? But nooooo, God says the prophet’s are guaranteed to be met with contempt and ridicule. Yeah, I can hardly wait to start - NOT!!!
The Prophet’s People
“Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor” Mark 6:4
Great, not only are the prophet’s people rebellious, revolting, obstinate, and stubborn guaranteed to ridicule and show contempt, his FAMILY turns against him too. But not to worry, prophets can take great pride in the strength they have to deal with all the contrary attributes of their people – right? Look again.
The Prophet’s Power
“I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses…. I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:5&10
The prophet’s power comes from….his weaknesses? Is there anyone in their right mind that would want that job? JESUS did!!!
Jesus is our Prophet and we are His rebellious, revolting, obstinate and stubborn people that not only refuse to give Him honor; but consistently show Him nothing but contempt and ridicule. Yet, He still came. He still willing sacrificed His life for us. Why? Because He loves us and wants to make sure we have every chance to share His throne in Heaven and He knew the only way for that to happen was through the sacrifice of blood – HIS blood.
This week as you read, repent of your rebellious nature; turn to Jesus–our prophet – and rest in His Grace though which we have forgiveness of sins, and the power to live, to love, and to tell others of His love for them.
Jesus thank you for being our prophet - for loving us enough to put up with all the rebellion, stubbornness, and contempt that we, in our sinfulness, give to you. Thank you for giving us your Grace so that when our sin soaked lives become weak – we know we are strong. In Jesus AMEN
Week ending: July 5, 2009
Monday – (Old Testament)
Ezekial 2:1-5
The children of Israel are not the only ones that are obstinate and stubborn. Ask God to reveal any stubborn, prideful tendencies you might have – then repent of them and rest in the forgiveness of Jesus Christ
Tuesday – Psalm 123
Without Jesus, we too have no resources and can only throw ourselves on His mercy saying: “Lord have mercy on me a sinner
Wednesday –(Epistle)
2 Corinthians 12:1-10
Our true power comes from His grace
Thursday – (Gospel)
Mark 6:1-13
Just as the disciples were sent out two by two, we too are sent to be prophets – to tell of his grace
Friday – Listen to the message Jesus is giving you this week
Saturday – SHARE what you see and hear from His Word
Sunday – Worship together with all the saints
The Prophet’s People – The Prophet’s Power
Want the job of a prophet (messenger of God’s word)? In this week’s readings God gives us a description of the prophet’s people and the prophet’s power. Observe:
The Prophet’s People
“He said: "Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me; they and their fathers have been in revolt against me to this very day. The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says.' And whether they listen or fail to listen—for they are a rebellious house—they will know that a prophet has been among them.” Ezekiel 2:1-5
The prophet’s people are rebellious, revolting, obstinate and stubborn. Would you want a job where you know going in the people were going to give you nothing but grief – not me?
The Prophet’s People
“I lift up my eyes to you, to you whose throne is in heaven As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid look to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God, till he shows us his mercy. Have mercy on us, O LORD, have mercy on us, for we have endured much contempt. We have endured much ridicule from the proud, much contempt from the arrogant.” Psalm 123
The prophet’s people are without resources – totally dependent the prophet for EVERYTHING - they have no defense and can only throw themselves on the mercy of the One who sits on the throne in Heaven. You would think that would be of benefit and the people would be more open to the message right? But nooooo, God says the prophet’s are guaranteed to be met with contempt and ridicule. Yeah, I can hardly wait to start - NOT!!!
The Prophet’s People
“Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor” Mark 6:4
Great, not only are the prophet’s people rebellious, revolting, obstinate, and stubborn guaranteed to ridicule and show contempt, his FAMILY turns against him too. But not to worry, prophets can take great pride in the strength they have to deal with all the contrary attributes of their people – right? Look again.
The Prophet’s Power
“I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses…. I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:5&10
The prophet’s power comes from….his weaknesses? Is there anyone in their right mind that would want that job? JESUS did!!!
Jesus is our Prophet and we are His rebellious, revolting, obstinate and stubborn people that not only refuse to give Him honor; but consistently show Him nothing but contempt and ridicule. Yet, He still came. He still willing sacrificed His life for us. Why? Because He loves us and wants to make sure we have every chance to share His throne in Heaven and He knew the only way for that to happen was through the sacrifice of blood – HIS blood.
This week as you read, repent of your rebellious nature; turn to Jesus–our prophet – and rest in His Grace though which we have forgiveness of sins, and the power to live, to love, and to tell others of His love for them.
Jesus thank you for being our prophet - for loving us enough to put up with all the rebellion, stubbornness, and contempt that we, in our sinfulness, give to you. Thank you for giving us your Grace so that when our sin soaked lives become weak – we know we are strong. In Jesus AMEN
Week ending: July 5, 2009
Monday – (Old Testament)
Ezekial 2:1-5
The children of Israel are not the only ones that are obstinate and stubborn. Ask God to reveal any stubborn, prideful tendencies you might have – then repent of them and rest in the forgiveness of Jesus Christ
Tuesday – Psalm 123
Without Jesus, we too have no resources and can only throw ourselves on His mercy saying: “Lord have mercy on me a sinner
Wednesday –(Epistle)
2 Corinthians 12:1-10
Our true power comes from His grace
Thursday – (Gospel)
Mark 6:1-13
Just as the disciples were sent out two by two, we too are sent to be prophets – to tell of his grace
Friday – Listen to the message Jesus is giving you this week
Saturday – SHARE what you see and hear from His Word
Sunday – Worship together with all the saints
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