Ezekiel 14 - 8.21.23

Scripture

Ezekiel‬ ‭14‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Son of man, suppose the people of a country were to sin against me, and I lifted my fist to crush them, cutting off their food supply and sending a famine to destroy both people and animals. Even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were there, their righteousness would save no one but themselves, says the Sovereign Lord.”

Observation

Ezekiel receives another message from God. It is regarding the certainty of God’s judgment on the people of Israel. The people of Israel have set up idols in their hearts and have fallen into sin. This is detestable to God. And now God’s judgement will be upon them, and not even the faith and righteousness of their ancestors, (Noah, Daniel, and Job), can save the people.

Application

We can’t ride the “coat tails” of anyone else’s faith to be saved. Our faith must be our own.

I used to think when I was a little boy that I could get into Heaven because my grandparents and parents were good Christian people, respected by their peers and community. I thought that I could just get in because I was part of their family and I knew who they were. But as this chapter in Ezekiel reminds us, even the sons and daughters of righteous men like Noah, Daniel, and Job, would not be spared from God’s wrath. Those three men would be spared because of their faith and righteousness. But unfortunately, if their kids didn’t show that same faith, they would receive God’s judgment.

“As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, even if those three men were there, they wouldn’t be able to save their own sons or daughters. They alone would be saved, but the land would be made desolate.”-Ezekiel‬ ‭14‬:‭16‬

So I can’t just be saved from God’s eternal judgment just on the merits of who my parents or grandparents were. That was their own faith. They had their own personal relationship with Jesus. And thankfully their influence and guidance led me in my life to my own personal relationship with Jesus. Just like my kids can’t get into Heaven because of my faith or my wife’s faith. It has to be their own faith. They have to have their own personal relationship with Jesus. And that’s what my wife and I encourage them too. If they’re hurt, sick, or even worried about something, mommy and daddy can, and will pray for them. But they can surely go to God themselves too! Because they too know Jesus and have a relationship with Him. It’s something I pray for my family to have for generations to come. 😊

Prayer

Father God, thank You for giving my family the faith we have in Jesus. Thank You for my parents who guided me and influenced me all those years to know You and love You. Thank You for blessing me with a wife who shares the same faith that I have in You. Thank You for entrusting us with our two lovely daughters who we can help guide and influence to know and love You more each day. May we grow to be a family who loves You, and serves You all the days of our lives for generations to come. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. 🙏🏽

-Moses Gaddi

Psalm 129 - 8.18.2023

Scripture - Pick one verse that stood out to you.

Psalm 129:2-4

 “they have greatly oppressed me from my youth,
    but they have not gained the victory over me.
Plowmen have plowed my back
    and made their furrows long.
But the Lord is righteous;
    he has cut me free from the cords of the wicked.”

Observation - What about this verse stands out to you?

A song about long-suffering. Evil people had caused Israel to endure pain but the Lord freed them. And the folks who hated God’s people, well it was requested that God would wither them away.

Application - How will you apply this to your life?

I am surrounded by wicked people. I am introduced to their cars every day while I drive to work. Or I watch the news, or get updates from my wife through various media outlets and it leaves me feeling so angry and upset with all the evil out there. But seriously Lord, there are some wicked people out there actively trying to undermine You and Your people. Researching into some of these giant not for profit “charity” conglomerates and finding out about their origins, founders, and what they actually stand for etc. makes me want to truly cringe. And then there are the groups that overtly come against your people- the politicians, the you-know-who worshippers, and the like. Lord, I thank you for this verse of hope this morning.

Prayer - Write out a prayer.

I sometimes feel like I live in a state and country that is run by people who are against you, Lord. While I may not know what true oppression feels like, which I am grateful for Lord, I do feel a greater sense of pressure from the other side. My prayer this morning Lord is that I am covered by Your hope – that the cords of the wicked will never be, and if necessary we would be cut free. I pray this morning Lord that Your peace would be over me and that my response would not be anger but hope in the face of the wicked. May my hope be in You today and forever. Thank You for Your righteousness. Thank You for You God.

In the name of Jesus do I pray, amen.

-kenneth lee

Psalm 128 - 8.17.23

Scripture

Psalms‬ ‭128‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT

“How joyful are those who fear the Lord— all who follow his ways! You will enjoy the fruit of your labor. How joyful and prosperous you will be!”

Observation

This psalm is a reminder of the joy and blessings one receives when they truly respect and obey God and His ways. They will have a happy wife who flourishes within their home, and their children will be strong, healthy, and respectful-(verse 3). Basically they will have a home life that is in order. But more importantly, it will be a life filled with peace and joy under the Lord’s protection and blessings.

Application

Maintain proper order at home by making Christ the head of your household.

As a father and husband, there is nothing more joyous than coming home from a long, hard day at work, to a household that is in order. I mean you have a wife who gives you her love, support, and respect; and children who are well mannered, healthy, and love seeing you. It’s like a well oiled machine. A beautiful and healthy family where everything is in order. Now doesn’t that sound appealing to everyone out there? Well it can be obtained. But something like this cannot be purchased. It only comes when you put Christ Jesus at the head of your household. When you put Jesus at the head of your house, and you begin to follow His ways, everything else will fall into its proper order:

•You will have husbands who love their wives the way Christ loved the church.-(‬‬Ephesians 5:25)

•You will have wives who love and respect their husbands.-(Ephesians 5:33)

•And you will have children who honor their parents.-(Colossians 3:20)

You see, when you have a family that puts Jesus at the head of their household, you will have a family that has deep reverence for loving and following God. And in return, God will truly bless you and your family for trusting Him.

“That is the Lord’s blessing for those who fear him.”-Psalms‬ ‭128‬:‭4‬

“But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”-Joshua‬ ‭24‬:‭15b‬ ‬‬

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for blessing me with my beautiful family. You have blessed us with good health, work, clothes, food in the fridge, a roof over our heads, and Your daily protection. And I know it is all from You God, and it’s because we choose to follow You. May I be the spiritual leader for my home that You want me to be. Help me to be a good, loving husband and father to my family. One that leads by example and can demonstrate to them how to love and serve You wholeheartedly. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. 🙏🏽

-Moses Gaddi