GraceNotes

With Contempt
Ezekiel 28:26
Jim Stephens
09-05-09

Scripture:

They will live safely in Israel and build their homes and plant their vineyards. And when I punish the neighboring nations that treated them with contempt, they will know that I am the Lord their God. (Ezekiel 28:26 NLT)

Ezekiel chapters 25 through 28 pronounces God's judgment on Ammon, Moab, Edom, Philistia, and Tyre - nations that bordered Israel and Judah. God judged them, not because of their idolatry or false religions, but because of the way they treated Israel and Judah when tragedy and disaster fell on them.

They mocked and scoffed at Israel's destruction. They clapped and cheered at Judah's fall. They used others' loss and suffering for personal gain. God pronounced judgment on these nations because they treated others with contempt and took advantage of those who were suffering and facing great tragedy and loss.

There is never a right time to treat others with contempt. We may disli ke someone or disapprove of their attitudes or behavior. We may disagree with someone on matters of deeply held conviction. We may even be responsible to warn or to give correction. But not with contempt.

There is never a right time to rejoice at others' suffering and loss. We may be angry at them or hurt by them or disappointed in them. We may be tempted to think, "It's about time they get what they deserve!" But we don't rejoice over their suffering and loss.

We represent the God who loved the world so much that he sent his only Son to die in our place. We represent Christ who died for us while we were still sinners. We are people of grace.

Prayer:

Father, today this is a reminder to me that if I have your heart and if I am to represent you in a fallen world, I must think like you think and love like you love. Forgive me for my selfishness. Help me never treat others with contempt or rejoice or even take lightly their suffering and loss, even if it seems deserved. Thank you for your mercy and grace! Amen.

Copyright 2009 Resource Ministries International
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No One
Ezekiel 22:30-31
Jim Stephens
09-04-09

Scripture:

30 "I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn't have to destroy the land, but I found no one. 31 So now I will pour out my fury on them, consuming them in the fire of my anger. I will heap on them the full penalty for all their sins, says the Sovereign Lord." (Ezekiel 22:30-31 NLT)

I didn't enjoy reading from Ezekiel and Revelation today. The entire reading is about the inevitability of judgment when sin goes un-repented until it's too late. Ezekiel identifies Judah's sin as adultery and murder - adultery of idol worship leading to unrestrained promiscuous sex among God's people, and murder of the innocent as the ultimate expression of selfishness. The antithesis of Loving God and Loving People.

John saw it this way, 20 But the people who did not die in these plagues still refused to turn from their ev il deeds. They continued to worship demons and idols made of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood - idols that neither see nor hear nor walk! 21 And they did not repent of their murders or their witchcraft or their immorality or their thefts. (Revelation 9:20-21 NLT)

The last straw, the thing that finally brings God to the point of pouring out judgment is idolatry (spiritual adultery) and murder (abusing others instead of serving others).

Today's reading is pretty graphic. I don't enjoy reading it and seeing the images it projects in my mind. I don't enjoy thinking about suffering and judgment. Thank God for his amazing grace that forgives sin and restores people. God told Ezekiel that he couldn't find anyone to effectively communicate the message to the people - the message of impending judgment and the possibility of forgiveness.

I sat in my chair this morning and examined my heart for the seeds of sins of idolatry (spiritual adultery) and murder (abusing others instead of serving others.)

Prayer:

Father, please cleanse me from spiritual adultery and self-serving attitudes and behavior. Create in me a heart that loves God and loves people. Help me to be one you can use to lovingly warn the people of judgment and introduce them to the hope of forgiveness and redemption. Amen.

Copyright 2009 Resource Ministries International
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Prayers
Revelation 8:3-4
Jim Stephens
09-03-09

Scripture:

3 Then another angel with a gold incense burner came and stood at the altar. And a great quantity of incense was given to him to mix with the prayers of God's people, to be offered on the gold altar before the throne. 4 The smoke of the incense, mixed with the prayers of the saints, ascended up to God from the altar where the angel had poured them out. (Revelation 8:3-4 NLT)

In John's vision, he saw an angel mixing incense with the prayers of God's people and then pouring the mixture of prayer and incense on a gold altar so that the sweet-smelling smoke of the mixed incense and prayers ascended up to God.

When I pray, it's more than merely asking for things I need. It's more than seeking direction and receiving instruction. It's more than rituals I perform before meals and in church services. It's more than a spiritual discipline. It's much more than I commonly recognize it to be. My prayers are pleasing to God and he not only hears them, he receives them with pleasure.

When we pray, our prayers get mixed in with activity in the unseen spiritual realm that includes powerful angels doing God's will. Our prayers, "the prayers of God's people," don't just dissipate into the air around us. Prayer can be delight or prayer can be discipline or prayer can be desperation, but prayer actually gets to God. It's worth it to pray!

David had an understanding of this truth as he wrote "Accept my prayer as incense offered to you, and my upraised hands as an evening offering." (Psalm 141:2 NLT)

Prayer:

Father, you are Lord of Lords, King of Kings, Almighty God, Everlasting Father. This morning I add my meditations, my thoughts, and my prayers to the prayers of all God's people to be mixed with the incense poured on the golden altar before your throne. I hope you are pleased with the mix today. Amen.

Copyright 2009 Resource Ministries International
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Live Not Die
Ezekiel 18:21-23
Jim Stephens
09-02-09

Scripture:

21 But if wicked people turn away from all their sins and begin to obey my laws and do what is just and right, they will surely live and not die. 22 All their past sins will be forgotten, and they will live because of the righteous things they have done. 23 Do you think, asks the Sovereign Lord, that I like to see wicked people die? Of course not! I only want them to turn from their wicked ways and live. (Ezekiel 18:21-23 NLT)

This section of Ezekiel's prophecy deals with two common errors in the Jews' theology and the theology of almost everyone in my world as well - including me! I don't mean that these two theology errors are something we consciously think about, but more that they are attitudes that seep out from somewhere deep inside our humanity.

Error One: God blames parents for the behavior of their children and children are stuck with the patterns of behavior they learn at home. Go d said that there are good kids of bad parents and bad kids of good parents and he'll deal with each one just as they are. This doesn't mean parents aren't responsible for teaching, training, and exemplifying godliness to their kids.

Error Two: God is primarily a judge who is looking to throw the book at anyone who steps out of line. God is ready to forgive and tear up the ticket! God doesn't conduct "sting" operations. God doesn't want to bring judgment on people, he wants to see people turn their backs on sin and live good lives. This doesn't mean that sin has no consequences, but it does mean that God is a God of forgiveness, mercy, and grace.

Truth: It's human to look at life's wrong turns and failures and try to decide whose fault it is. It's Godly to look at life's wrong turns and failures and try to make it better.

It's human to put people (including ourselves) in boxes - the "loser" box or "never do anyt hing right" box or the "jerk" box. God is developing a box-free commu nity of Christ-followers who actually can change. We can change life-long patterns of attitude and behavior, even the ones learned in our childhood. We can live and not die. God tears up the ticket when we face the truth and turn to his life-transforming grace.

Prayer:

Father, Please help me get my unconscious theology straight about me and other people. Thanks for reminding me how good you are and how eagerly you tear up the ticket and how delighted you are when we do better. Your steadfast love! Amen.

Copyright 2009 Resource Ministries International
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When I Forgive
Ezekiel 16:62-63
Jim Stephens
09-01-09

Scripture:

62 And I will reaffirm my covenant with you, and you will know that I am the Lord. 63 You will remember your sins and cover your mouth in silence and shame when I forgive you of all that you have done, says the Sovereign Lord. (Ezekiel 16:62-63 NLT)

I really don't enjoy reading the almost pornographic description of Judah's sin and idolatry in Ezekiel 16. C'mon God, this is the Bible! What if kids read this stuff!

This is the history of God's chosen people seen through God's eyes: Helplessness, mercy, sin, grace, more sin, much patience and more mercy, more sin, much patience and more grace, the inevitable consequences of sin, Forgiveness!

God's emotional involvement with his people really shows through here. He moves from compassion and mercy through hurt, disappointment, and anger to patient, settled, steadfast, forgiving love.

I'm thinking of some friends whose twenty-something son is living a life of wasteful, rebellious, self-destructive sin. They have endured soul-dark sleepless nights, logged hours in the courtroom and more at the jail, driven many miles to rescue him, prayed every prayer they can pray, and then stood by helplessly as he goes away again.

I've learned much about God's Father-love by watching them be loving and stern, gentle and firm, frustrated and patient, angry and forgiving, discouraged and hopeful, restoring and releasing, and finally simply waiting and trusting. What a happy day it will be when their son finally returns and can fully receive his place in their love!

22 It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23)

Prayer:

Father, I'm speechless when I think of your tender mercies, your steadfast love, and your great faithfulness. I know you are sometimes angry and di sappointed in my selfishness and short-sightedness, that you are both firm and gentle in your instruction and correction, and that you are steadfastly loving and enduringly patient with me. When you once again rescue me from myself and forgive me from your heart, I'm speechless! Thank you. Speechless. Amen.

Copyright 2009 Resource Ministries International
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You Will Feel Better
Ezekiel 14:22-23
Jim Stephens
08-31-09

Scripture:

22 Yet there will be survivors, and they will come here to join you as exiles in Babylon. You will see with your own eyes how wicked they are, and then you will feel better about what I have done to Jerusalem. 23 When you meet them and see their behavior, you will agree that these things are not being done to Israel without cause, says the Sovereign Lord. (Ezekiel 14:22-23 NLT)

Ezekiel had been given the responsibility for delivering many hard and unpopular messages to the Israelis - to those still in Jerusalem under Zedekiah's rule, and to those like himself already exiled to Babylon.

Now God accelerated the pace and he was instructed to tell the people that it was too late for repentance, the prophetic warnings of judgment given through many years by Isaiah, Jeremiah, and all the other godly prophets were about to be fulfilled. Ezekiel had the unpleasant assignment of saying, "Time's up!"

But God so loved E zekiel that he felt the need to explain himself - almost to justify himself - to his prophet. So he said, "You will see.  You will agree.  You will feel better."  Amazing!

God really cares about those who serve him. God cares about you and me. He may have to give us tough assignments. He may have to lead us through things we cannot understand or even agree are best for us and for others. But we have this assurance: If we trust him now, in time we will see, we will feel better, and we will agree that his way was best.

Prayer:

Father, I know that you are good and gracious and merciful. I know that you don't take pleasure in the pain of your people. I know that you only lead us through the dark valley when it is a necessary part of the journey. Until I see, I will trust. Until I feel better, I will trust. Until I understand and agree, I will trust. Amen.

Copyright 2009 Resource Ministries International
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A Door Into Heaven
Revelation 4:1
Jim Stephens
08-30-09

Scripture:

Then as I looked, I saw a door standing open in heaven, and the same voice I had heard before spoke to me with the sound of a mighty trumpet blast. The voice said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after these things." (Revelation 4:1 NLT)

Today I read from Ezekiel 8-11 and Revelation 4, descriptions of visions God gave to Ezekiel and John, two men exiled far from their homes. Ezekiel was a young man in Babylon and John an old man on the Greek island of Patmos, a thousand miles and five hundred years apart.

In the visions described here, both men were carried in the spirit to the Temple of God, Ezekiel to the Temple in Jerusalem and John to the eternal Temple in Heaven. Both men saw God's glory, saw fantastical beasts and angelic beings. They were given a glimpse into the supernatural spiritual realm that surrounds worship - visible only with eyes of the spirit.

Both men saw worship in the T emple of God. John saw pure, selfless, God-honoring worship in the Temple where God dwells eternally. Ezekiel saw false, idolatrous, self-gratifying worship in the Jerusalem Temple that had once belonged to God.

God gave both Ezekiel and John a vision of his glory. They saw the consequences of false worship and true worship. Each was commissioned to return to the everyday world with a message that contained:
- Judgment and Restoration
- Warning and Promise
- Correction and Encouragement
- Fear and Hope

May God give us messengers who see through spirit eyes and bring us messages that temper warning with promise, correction with encouragement, and fear with hope.

Prayer:

Father, Help me to see through spirit eyes and not merely through the scratched, blurry lenses of my soul. Help me to see "visions of God" and faithfully tell others everything God has shown me. May I see clearly and speak faithfully. Amen.

Copyright 2009 Resource Ministries International
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I Know...
Revelation 3:8
Jim Stephens
08-29-09

Scripture:

"I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can shut. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me." (Revelation 3:8 NLT)

Each of the messages from Jesus to the churches in Revelation 2 and 3 begins with the phrase, "I know..." Six of the letters begin with, "I know all the things you do," and one begins with "I know the things you have suffered."

Jesus knows all the things I do. He speaks to me out of a complete knowledge of my thoughts, my attitudes, and my actions. Nothing is hidden from him, not even the slightest detail. Jesus knows all my thoughts, questions, doubts, fears, joys, and hopes. Jesus knows all my desires, my mistakes, my disappointments, and my successes.

Jesus knows all the things I do. Knowing all these things about me, he loves me with an everlasting unconditional love. Knowing all these things abou t me, he sets before me the privilege of living a life of value and purpose. Jesus loves me, this I know!

Jesus knows all the things I do. He knows all about me and he will encourage me, correct me, instruct me, and direct me in just the way I need for the season I am in and for the next steps of his purpose for my life. I couldn't ask for better than that!

Prayer:

Father, today my prayer is the prayer of Jeremiah, "I know, Lord, that a person's life is not his own. No one is able to plan his own course. So correct me, Lord, but please be gentle. Do not correct me in anger, for I would die." (Jeremiah 10:23-24 NLT)  Thank you for correcting me, comforting me, and keeping me.  Thank you for my life.  Amen.

Copyright 2009 Resource Ministries International
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Your Own Heart First
Ezekiel 3:10-11
Jim Stephens
August 28, 2009

Scripture:

10 Then he added, "Son of man, let all my words sink deep into your own heart first. Listen to them carefully for yourself. 11 Then go to your people in exile and say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says!' Do this whether they listen to you or not." (Ezekiel 3:10-11 NLT)

Ezekiel had been carried away into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon along with Daniel and many others just over ten years earlier. When Ezekiel reached age 30, God began to speak to him with important messages for God's people.

God required Ezekiel to not only speak, but to act out his warnings to the people. Ezekiel was often isolated by the demands of his calling and was certainly not a popular speaker on the conference and convention circuit!

God told Ezekiel to first let the messages sink deep into his own heart before he preached them to the people. I think this strongly influenced Ezra, a young priest born in exile, whom God us ed almost fifty years later to lead the first wave of exiles returning to Jerusalem when Jeremiah's "seventy years" prophecy was fulfilled.

Ezra was successful in leading the exiles to Jerusalem from Babylon for the "gracious hand of his God was on him." This was because Ezra had determined to study and obey the law of the Lord and to teach those laws and regulations to the people of Israel. (Ezra 7:10 NLT)

Whatever God has for you and me to say or do to influence others, we must let his Word and his words sink deep into our own hearts first. We must listen to God carefully for ourselves first. Like Ezekiel and Ezra, we must first study and obey the words of God ourselves before trying to preach them or teach them to others.

Prayer:

Father, Whether your Word and your words are sweet or bitter to my taste, I determine to eat them, to let them sink deep into my own heart first. I purpose each day to listen carefully for myself to hear and to obey. Then let me graciously and humbly pass o n to others the truth I'm learning to live. Amen.

Copyright 2009 Resource Ministries International
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Your Unfailing Love to Me
Psalm 143:8-10
Jim Stephens
08-27-09

Scripture:

8 Let me hear of your unfailing love to me in the morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I have come to you in prayer. 9 Save me from my enemies, Lord; I run to you to hide me. 10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing. (Psalm 143:8-10 NLT)

This is one of my "Verses for Daily Reading." This first jumped out at me in early 1992 when we were in the transition between Jamaica and the UK. It was a challenging and trying time for Jean and me and there were some very dark days in that season when we felt discouraged, frustrated, and unsure if we were making any progress.

One Sunday morning in Atlanta as I was in my devotions, God really spoke encouragement to me from this Psalm and I shared this with the congregation at the church we were with later in the morning.

This Psalm reminded me that it's my privilege to approach God in c omplete honesty and simple trust:

- I need to hear a word of encouragement, Lord. Remind me how much you love me!
- I trust you and I need your guidance for today. Show me where to walk.
- Father, may I run to you and climb up on your lap when I'm afraid?
- Please teach me how to think like you so I will live like Jesus.
- Hold my hand as I walk this slippery, narrow path.

It is important to remain a little child before the good God. Never be disheartened by your failures. Children often fall, but they are too little to do themselves much harm. Therese of Lisieux

Prayer:

Thank you, Father for my "Verses for Daily Reading." They are a continuing source of strength and encouragement to me. I live by them as I live by daily bread. Thank you for this Psalm of David that expresses so well how I feel and what I need. I love you Dad, and I trust you with my life. Amen.

Copyright 2009 Resource Ministries International
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