232 - My grace is enough for you

The Prophet Jeremiah

Chareen's Thoughts

This week we enter into week 34 of our bible reading and while reading the word has been interesting writing about it is at time a chore and a challenge.  However the challenge has been to really think about what I am reading.  It is good for me to do so.

• Tyres funeral song and more prophecies against Tyre, Egypt,
• Jeremiah was sought out for advice. After the things were cleared up he returns home only to be arrested and released.

But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and [a]show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may [b]pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me! 2 Corinthians 12:9 (Amplified Bible)
I often live out of my feelings and do not stop to pray as all I want to do is escape circumstances.  This verse today made me stop and consider how do I attack my day ?  I aught to look to Him who is my grace and portion.

Blessings
Chareen

231 - Take heed lest he fall

Chareen's Thoughts

• Yesterdays reading finished with the reading of how the slaves were set free and then the owners changed their minds and re-enslaved the slaves.
• Today we begin with reading what the Lord said about this action to and through Jeremiah.
• He brought a word against Egypt.
• Beacause of Israel looking to Egypt for protection and trust the Lord said this: 14 And I will reverse the captivity of Egypt [as I will that of Israel] and will cause them to return into the land of Pathros [under Egypt], the land of their origin, and they shall be there a lowly kingdom. 15 It shall be the lowliest of the kingdoms, neither shall it [a]exalt itself any more above the nations; I will diminish [the Egyptians] so they shall never again rule over the nations. 16 And never again shall Egypt have the confidence and be the reliance of the house of Israel; their iniquity will be brought to remembrance whenever [Israel] looks toward them [for help]. They shall know (understand and realize) that I am the Lord God [Who demands loyalty and obedient service]. Ezekiel 29:14-16 
• The Lords word towards Tyre. The Lord instructed Ezekiel to lament and sing a song for Tyre.

Therefore let anyone who thinks he stands [who feels sure that he has a steadfast mind and is standing firm], take heed lest he fall [into sin]. 1 Corinthians 10:12

Self sufficiency is what brought down Tyre.

Blessings

Chareen  

230 - He will direct and make straight your paths

Chareen's Thoughts

• Yesterday the Lord painted a picture of Israel and Egypt using a parable of two sisters Oholibah and Ohalah.  Today begins with His judgement on each.
• I was a little saddened as I read about the consequence and realised how some false religions have taken this picture literally and punish adulterous woman this way.
• The Lord gives Ezekiel a parable to speak forth.
• Jerusalem is taken by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.
• The Lord warns Ezekiel that He is about to take His wife home and instructs him not to mourn publicly.
• Jeremiah is imprisoned the first time.
• The Lord instructed that the slaves be set free.  At first the people obeyed but then they acted deceitfully and took them back and enslaved them.

In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; reverently fear and worship the Lord and turn [entirely] away from evil. Proverbs 3:6-7 (Amplified Bible) Reading about the cause and effect of sin and the Lords heart about it I come to realise more and more how much He desires my heart for Him and Him alone.

Blessings
Chareen

229 - Refined, and purified

Chareen's Thoughts

• The Lord calls Ezekiel to look at the sword and it's uses. 
• He explains that Babylon is coming.
• Thus says the Lord God: Remove the [high priest’s] miter or headband and take off the [king’s] crown; things shall not remain as they have been; the low is to be exalted and the high is to be brought low. Ezekiel 21:26
• He gives Ezekiel a prophesy about the Ammonites, 
• The Lord speaks about Jerusalem's sin, His furnace and the sin of Israel's leaders.
• When I read this verse it made me think of how we still are this way today.  This caused the wrath of God upon a city. In you have they treated father and mother lightly; in the midst of you they have dealt unjustly and by oppression in relation to the stranger; in you they have wronged the fatherless and the widow. Ezekiel 22:7 The people of the land have used oppression and extortion and have committed robbery; yes, they have wronged and vexed the poor and needy; yes, they have oppressed the stranger and temporary resident wrongfully. Ezekiel 22:29
• And I sought a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none. Ezekiel 22:30 Are we willing to stand in the gap and pray ?  Will we fill the gap for our families, friends, politians, our land ??
• The Lord uses a picture of two sisters to explain the adultery of Israel and Egypt.  

In today's readings we see how the Lord loved and yearned for His people.  He was frustrated but He continued to reach out and send them through the fires of refining.  

For You, O God, have proved us; You have tried us as silver is tried, refined, and purified. Psalms 66:10

Blessings
Chareen

226 - Men have given their hearts to idols

Chareen's Thoughts

Hello I'm back.  I do confess that I am learning just how much I let life get in the way of spending time in the word.  There always seems something else more pressing or interesting to look at on the web and Pinterest has become a little bit of an addiction, so many beautiful things and wonderful people who share their knowledge.

I have been struggling with my journey through the old testament.  It can be so monotonous.  I am however back in the saddle and looking forward to hearing His word for the day.

The Prophet Ezekiel

Today

• I jump in at the book of Ezekiel and start with a section titled Jerusalem's adultery.
• We start with Hypocrites
• Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their hearts and put the stumbling block of their iniquity and guilt before their faces; should I permit Myself to be inquired of at all by them? (AMP) Mortal man, he said, these men have given their hearts to idols and are letting idols lead them into sin. Do they think I will give them an answer? (GNT) Ezekiel 14:3
• Therefore speak to them and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: Every man of the house of Israel who takes his idols [of self-will and unsubmissiveness] into his heart and puts the stumbling block of his iniquity [idols of silver and gold] before his face, and yet comes to the prophet [to inquire of him], I the Lord will answer him, answer him according to the multitude of his idols, ... Ezekiel 14:4
• The Lord has declared his intent towards those who have idols in their hearts.
• The Lord explains the depth of devastation He will bring to a land that is faithless to Him.  He explains that even the faith of the father can not save the family. He explains using the names of Noah, Daniel and Job.
• He explains that He will make the land a desolate place.
• The Lord continues and declares His covenant with Israel. 
• I have always felt a little on the edge about piercing my ears because of the different arguments for and against piercing.  Today I read this and my heart is at ease: And I put a ring on your nostril and earrings in your ears and a beautiful crown upon your head! Ezekiel 16:12 This is what the Lord said about Israel.
• He mourns over Jerusalem's unfaithfulness and adultery.
• Moreover, you have taken your sons and your daughters whom you have borne to Me, and you have sacrificed them [to your idols] to be destroyed. Were your harlotries too little, That you have slain My children and delivered them up, in setting them apart and causing them to pass through the fire for [your idols]? Ezekiel 16:20-21 I grieved as I read these verses. I thought of all the little ones being sacrificed in abortion and walking through the fires of medical waste. It's still this way today. I was touched by the words He used He called them MY children. It made me realise that they are not ours they are HIS.
• Part of His judgement is a reduction in food and provision.

I feel so blessed to be back.  A little like the prodigal returned. 
Blessings
Chareen