Psalm 135 - 8.28.23
Scripture
Psalms 135:15-18 NLT
“The idols of the nations are merely things of silver and gold, shaped by human hands. They have mouths but cannot speak, and eyes but cannot see. They have ears but cannot hear, and mouths but cannot breathe. And those who make idols are just like them, as are all who trust in them.”
Observation
This is a psalm which calls for everyone to praise the LORD! It is a psalm that reminds us that the LORD is good (verse 3). It reminds us that the LORD is great and powerful (verses 5-6). This psalm reminds us that the LORD is the creator of ALL things (verse 7). It is a psalm that reminds us of some of the LORD’s many miracles (verses 8-12). It is a psalm that reminds us that the LORD is compassionate and brings justice to His people (verse 14). But the main thing that this psalm reminds us is that our God, our LORD, is real, and He is alive! All other things in this world pales in comparison to Him (verses 15-18).
Application
Worship and praise the Creator, not the created.
It’s easy to want to judge how foolish those people were back then. I mean worshiping idols like a golden calf?! C’mon people! I’ll eat a calf medium rare! (Just kidding folks. I wait till my steak is full grown, but you get the picture that I’m trying to paint here). These people were worshiping created things, things that weren’t even real, things that couldn’t hear your prayers or praises, and let alone respond to them. How many times have we worshipped created things over our Creator? How can we put Jesus back as Lord over all?
God proved time and time again that He was real. He spoke and did things through His prophets and servants. He even came out of the comforts of His throne in Heaven, to come to earth and even showed us how to live. He willingly sacrificed His life on the cross for our sins. He conquered death by rising from the grave! And finally, He even left us His Holy Spirit, to guide us and empower us. I mean, what more can we ask?! What more does God need to do to show that He is real, that He is almighty, that He is sovereign, and that He loves us? We cannot disrespect God by worshiping things that just fade, rust, and aren’t even real. Give God the respect, honor, and praise He deserves. Give God ALL our worship!
Prayer
Father God, I choose to worship You! Thank You for all that you have done in my life. Time and time again You show me that You are real because of Your faithfulness. Thank You for granting me my faith that helps me see You and all the things You have done. May You help me show and teach others about You. May You reveal Yourself to them. Open their eyes and their hearts LORD. May these people come to know You more by putting their faith in Jesus. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. 🙏🏽
-Moses Gaddi
Ezekiel 18 - 8.25.23
Scripture
Ezekiel 18:32
For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!
Observation
God is informing the people of Israel what his justice looks like. He refuses to punish people for sins their parents committed or reward people for righteous acts their parents did. Every person will stand on their own before him. And then he goes beyond what his justice looks like to reveal his heart and desires. This is what struck me.
God’s heart is that no one should die in their sin. And it’s never too late, even for the worst sinner. He calls out to them all, “Repent and live!” It’s both a command and an invitation that reveals the heart of a God who is so good and eager to extend mercy.
Application
I feel compelled to pray for those living in sin to repent and live. Especially those who, like the prodigal son, have experienced God in the past and served him, but have since turned to sin and abandoned their faith.
Prayer
God, please draw people to you! Holy Spirit bring conviction of sin and grant them the godly sorrow that leads to repentance. Grab ahold of their hearts. Reveal your love and your kindness to them. Open their eyes to see you, to behold your glory, and captivate them with your love! For our friends and family members who don’t know you, for the people of Santa Clarita who are living in sin, please save them! May there be a move toward repentance that sweeps across the earth today! Amen.
-Levi Thompson
Ezekiel 17 - 08.24.23
SCRIPTURE: Ezekiel 17:24
“And ALL the trees will KNOW that it is I, the LORD, who cuts the tall tree down and makes the short tree grow tall. It is I who makes the green tree wither and gives the dead tree new life. I, the Lord, have spoken, and I will do what I said!”
OBSERVATION:
Ezekiel is a parable describing the foolishness of the Kings of Judah during a very dark chapter in Israel’s history.
The King of Babylon carried off the King of Judah which was God’s Judgement on Israel. King Zedekiah was installed by King Neduchadnezzar as the third King, but three times wasn’t a charm. Zedekiah was corrupt and doing evil in the eyes of the Lord. God sent his prophets and messengers to warn him—but for eleven years the warnings fell on deaf ears.
Finally, God had enough! God sent his wrath in the way of Babylon’s army coming against Israel in FULL force and everything and almost everyone was destroyed including the Temple that they mocked by pretending to serve God while participating in pagan rituals. The people who were spared were brought to Babylon as slaves.
APPLICATION:
Jesus is LORD!
My takeaway from this reading today is that Zedekiah somehow thought he was safe because he belonged in the lineage of God’s people. He was not living a life that reflected following God as his Lord. God is patient—and sent many warnings—but eventually the warnings ran out and God’s Judgement came.
Lately Larry and I have watched a few reality shows and I am a little taken back with these shows where people go to Church on Sundays and call themselves Christians—yet—their lives reflect nothing like being a Christ Follower…[Forgiveness, Love, Work Ethic] in fact there are brawl fights, gossip and lies, getting drunk, and getting even—which makes for Compelling television but not great Christ Followers. I’m wondering if these people genuinely believe they are following—Christ?
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven… I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” (Matthew 7:21,23 NIV)
But I was quickly reminded of a time when God dealt with me on this very subject. A few years into my walk--it became evident that Jesus was my Savior, but I had not made HIM my LORD. I could easily say that my life didn’t fully reflect Christ’s values if put under a microscope. It cut deep to my heart and required a season of mourning and repentance. I’m so thankful for God’s patience with me. God is SO Good! God’s Rightful Place is—LORD and Savior. Meaning--HE has the right to tell me how to live my life according to His WORD—I don’t make a plan and then try to “add” God into it.
“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” (Romans 10:9-10 NIV)
We are ALL on that line moving to the right from glory-to-glory. I want to keep moving to the right.
Because the only thing we will take into heaven with us is our Character.
“It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him.” (Deuteronomy 13:4 NIV)
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33 NIV)
PRAYER
LORD Jesus,
Thank YOU for Your Goodness and Mercy and Grace. Your Love that is unending. Bring me to Your Well to be filled each day. Root me deeply in Your Word that is wisdom for every situation. Root me deeply in Your Love that breaks down all barriers to show Your Love to others. Help me to serve You in ALL of my ways. Give me Your eyes to see who the one is as I go out—where is the harvest ripe. Here I am Lord, send me. In Jesus Name, Amen