"If I..." Ezekiel 3:18
"If you..." Ezekiel 3:19
"If you..." Ezekiel 3:19
My Take Aways
Something Old:
It was a great reminder to me that even when things are going bad, seem out of control, and that the enemy is winning, the enemy is not in control of anything. God is in control everything.
Something New:
Jeremiah 27:6
"Now I will give your countries to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, who is my servant."
Scripture goes on to tell that God put everything under his (Nebuchadnezzar's) control.
Something to Do:
Let God be God. Simple rule but many times hard to live by.
23 Comments:
Happy Monday!
Wendy, I hope you and your family and friends are enjoying the beach! It sounds like a great way to end the summer! It is cold and rainy here in Basel; feels like an early fall...
Today as last year, I focused on Ezekiel 4:1-17. This is such a difficult passage to read and I wanted to make sure I fully grasped the symbolism. I found two good commentaries that explained a lot to me. The first is Coffman Commentaries of the Old and New Testaments. You can read it here:
http://www.studylight.org/com/bcc/view.cgi?book=eze&chapter=4&verse=5#Eze4_5
The significance of the sides to lie on were assuming the front of one was East (facing East), the right was North - Israel (divided kingdom); the left was South -Judah. The days/years are commonly understood as the length of time each region was full of sin and unrepentant. For Israel, that dates from Jeraboam's calves, and for Judah, the supposition is Manasseh's unrepentant years of sin.
Interestingly, Jamison and others (Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible) also note that 390+40 equals the years of captivity for the Israelites in Egypt. (Link:http://www.studylight.org/com/jfb/view.cgi?book=eze&chapter=4&verse=5#Eze4_5)
In any case Ezekiel is a type of Christ here; depicted as the sin bearer and suffering for the sin of the people. He is restrained, as they will be captive. He eats rations as they will be rationed due to the coming scarcity of food. He is asked to eat unclean food as the people will be unclean. I don't know why he only has to eat unclean food for 390 days. Perhaps as Jamison suggests, the 40 days that follow represent the years in the Wilderness, away from Egypt and fed by God.
Anyway, I am awed that Ezekiel was able to do this. Further, he was unable to speak unless to prophesy. It is only through God's strength I think that he was able to fulfill God's command.
I am not really sure what my "to do" is today, but as Wendy said, let God be God.
Be blessed today,
Karen, Basel
I don't think that there was anything in all of this that wasn't new to me. I don't think I've ever read Ezekiel before, and I'm interested to see how his tying up/prophesying fits in with the prophesies that I've read about in 'The Ezekiel Option' book.
Today's reading did answer my question from yesterday about Jeremiah - we didn't just lose him there - but do we know what happened to him? Did he die in that courtyard as a prisoner?
I don't know what to take as an application from today except to obey God, no matter how hard or crazy or illogical His directions seem to be. His ways are not our ways - but I'm sure glad that I'm not being required to be tied up like that right now!
The school countdown is on! Andi goes next week and I start keeping an infant whose parents are teachers today. Michelle, do you go back soon?
Karen, thanks for the links!
For some reason I didn't get the comments from this weekend and just now had a chance to go back and read them ....
G & P, Lysa was awesome! I've read so many of her books and blog posts that I was familiar with most of what she shared, but her delivery and presentation was amazing. Definitely go see her when she comes your way! I actually got to meet her twice and met Holly, too, and spoke for a bit with Amy Carroll, whom I've met previously. She's neat, too. :-)
Lori, I take my Bible and notebook everywhere (so much so that I packed this one and forgot my Study Bible that I wanted for the conference! Had to use one from the car.) My day just doesn't seem right without starting this way. As for the firemuff ... I haven't heard from her parents yet regarding this school year, even though her mom starts work tomorrow. They asked me to keep her before the summer break, and I agreed, but since I haven't heard ... we'll see!
Good morning GIGs. How I have missed you!
In today's reading, I was stopped by two lines -
Ezekial3:24 "Then the Spirit came into me and set me on my feet." I often need the Spirit to come into me and set me on my feet, and on the right path.
Ezekial 24:27 "But when I give you a message, I will loosen your tongue and let you speak."
My to do: Though I am certainly not and never will be a prophet, ha ha ha, I need to keep my tongue still unless I am speaking words that God would be pleased to hear me speak. Earlier this morning, before I did the reading, I wrote the post below about something that happened on my vacation. When I read 24:27 later, it resonated with me, because I need to watch my tongue more in the future.
Peace and Gratitude,
Michelle in New England
(to be continued)
As you know, I struggled to keep up with reading, posts and vlogs on my vacation, but my mind was not far from the Lord. Every sunrise and sunset, every pelican flying over the pool during water aerobics, all the many church spires I saw (whether they were attached to a substantial brick structure, a store front, or a pre-fab garage set in a farm field) were cause for praising Him in my mind!
But that being said, I also found myself under attack in my mind from the evil one, since I was not really staying in The Word. My family and I are sailing into new waters with the addition of a son-in-law to our extremely tight knit, caring foursome. The evil one is trying to use this “crack” to trip me up!!! New SIL comes from a very different kind of family, and he is painfully (to me) quiet. He also sleeps very late in the morning, and chooses to sit by himself at home and read, instead of joining in beach or pool activities or long walks. This is something with which my daughter is struggling. So, dear friends, the evil one whispers to the Mama Bear in me, and gets me to think negative thoughts about SIL. I had to ask the Lord to forgive me big time a few days ago, when I totally violated my new rule forbidding judgment, boasting, gossip and complaining. (I made this into an acrostic for myself to remember the rule. It’s “Just Because God Cares.) So, I really blew it on the way to water aerobics one day when I said to a classmate, “I’m proud of my son-in-law for being a doctor, but conversationally, he’s a real dud!” As soon as it was out of my mouth, I realized I had broken all four rules in one short sentence. Ouch, ouch, ouch! My classmate gently suggested that maybe SIL is just shy. And then I said, “Or he just doesn’t care to interact with us!” Oh, Michelle, Michelle, Michelle. When will you stop judging others and expecting everything to go the way you want it to and for everyone to live up to your expectations.
So, dear friends, I had a lot of very enjoyable times during this vacation, but I also came away with the realization that if I am going to be at all successful in my new role as the mother of adults, and a mother-in-law, I have a looooong way to go and will need a lot of help from our Lord. I need to BE non-judgmental , not just ACT non-judgmental, because I know from painful experience with older people in my life that simply NOT VOICING your judgments is not enough. They can come through with a look, a tone of voice, or even just an “air” about a person even when no words are said. I need to “take the judgy thoughts captive” and turn them right around, every time, until it becomes a habit, and I really LIVE Phillipians 4:8 (“whatever is true, whatever is honorable…etc….let your mind dwell on these things.”)
Thanks for listening, friends, and I am more than open to any thoughts or suggestions any of you may have on how I can get rid of the judgy part of me.
Peace and Gratitude,
Michelle in New England
Back again with comments to some of you --
Karen, I so admire your tenacity in digging for meaning in the readings, and making the effort to go to commentaries for help. Thank you for sharing your research!
Dixie, Linda, Sarah and Teeny, I am praying for each of you in your struggles. Dixie, I can see you smiling as you type your humorous comments in the midst of your trials! Way to go! Teeny dear, I hope you will have a restful week, and get everything back in balance in your “temple”. Linda, BIG prayers for you as you and your medical team figure out a plan of treatment. And a great big HUG as well!
Amy, I’m share your happiness that Andi got a great teacher. I remember when Lauren went of to K, and it did indeed usher in a new era in our family. We start back on September 2.
Lori, your Friday post was particularly magnificent. Great preaching, Sister!! Thank you for being an Encourager Extraordinaire!
Gaylene, what great testimony you give to leaning on the Lord to strengthen and encourage you in your difficult studies. Enjoy the slower pace of the next two weeks!
Welcome to the world, little Kailyn Lona! Congrats, Stephanie and Jason!
Happy Birthday, Gabriel. What a celebration your party must have been! Thank you, Lord, for healing this little boy!
Donna, thanks for the Target tip. I don’t have one nearby, but I can certainly make a purchase on line.
Morgen, your succinct comments always hit the nail on the head! Thank you for sharing your insights.
G&P, you are too funny, girl! Has Carlo returned to college yet?
Jen Ren, I literally had a lump in my throat reading your comments about us as threads in a tapestry. That is one of my all-time, favorite metaphors. “Our lives are woven by the Weaver of time in a pattern we cannot see.” I wonder who wrote that? Also, I read that when you look at the BACK side of the tapestry, it looks like a tangled, ugly mess. But when you look at the front, it is beautiful. Isn't that a great way of saying, “look on the bright side.”
In closing for now, I’d like to share a wonderful video my spiritual mentor sent me. It’s six minutes of His phenomenal creation, with a lovely song to go along with it. Enjoy!
http://www.andiesisle.com/creation/magnificent.html
Michelle in N. E.
Wendy, I just viewed today's vlog and had to pop on to say thank you for chasing that rabbit down a hole, Wendy . Your message today spoke right to my heart. I am so grateful for all you do for us here in Wendy Land, to keep us all ready, willing and able to strengthen our walks with the Lord, and to haul us back in if we start to get pulled away by the currents of life, so to speak. Have a wonderful time at the beach! Love you!
Michelle in N.E.
Monday...Wendy on the beach -sunning,waving, laughing, NO COOKING! Enjoy, sweetite!
Old: Last year I noticed the 4 responsibilities that Ezekiel was given in his message from the LORD:
(1) verse 18 (chapter 3)
(2) verse 19
(3) verse 20
(4) verse 21
New: This year, my thought are more - that WE are the LORD’s watchman today. (SCARY) I’m wondering how serious I take this job given to me from the LORD? We are here for this short life for one particular reason: to relay God’s word to the people who are lost and looking for a personal Savior. I’ve been praying for a boldness and a burden on my heart to do this His way, with the words, that I know He will give me. Ezekiel remained faithful, serving God around the myriad’s of nonbeliever’s. How many of the “believer’s” today accept the standards in their neighborhood’s? Are our idols,- things focused on, - more important than God? Wondering if I blend in, or if there is light that is beginning to shine out? Aah, that, dear girls is my heart’s desire. To please Him, not those around me.
I see more and more how the LORD is putting situations in front of me to see if I’m obediently listening to that quiet & faint voice of His. Sometimes, I want to ignore it, and remain silent. This weekend I had an opportunity as I chatted with my mother. She was in a pickle re: an issue she was dealing with. I knew what she ‘wanted to hear.’ But, I spoke as best as I could out of love, but said, what I felt God wanted me to say. We ended up by me saying a prayer, and as I ended she said, ‘Amen.’ A FIRST for us! She knew in her heart that I was right, but wanted me to go with the flow, and give her permission to do something that Jesus would never have done. Girlfriend’s, it’s not easy being the hands and feet of Jesus. I want my words to be His words of loving kindness, not words that sound religious, that turn people away.
To Do: Thinking more regarding my responsibilities during my short life time. Wanting the Lord to direct my life, and hoping that I will listen to His whispers, and surrender my ways to follow His will for me, - in every situation,- as Ezekiel, the watchman for Israel, did. May I set out to watch for those who may be placed around me, ready to reach out to them and show my love, to them in an encouraging way.
How can we grow closer to God today? How can we know Him more today?
Reading the Bible, confessing our sins, and praying over each other’s requests. GIG ~ so glad we are on this journey together, through His precious Word. Sweet blessings, Lori
PS I'll be right back, twin! smile! When you asked for thoughts, well...ha-ha
Twin, We can see the Spirit guiding you(!) The Counselor that is living inside of you is nudging you and you are responding! It’s on your mind! You are not ignoring that faint voice speaking to you! PTL I know exactly what you are going through. You are so on re: our thoughts. They start out as thoughts, but unfortunately, if not captivated immediately, like you said- they go on a whirlwind! And, the enemy just has a hay-day, smiling down smugly – as he gets what he’s after! Take them captive, just like you’re doing. Bite your tongue, and turn the thought into a positive thought and pray. Nothing begins the situation from getting better than praying over it. There are many reasons why he could be quiet. He could just be needing down time. With his new role, he has much on his shoulders. His job enough creates stress. He may just need time away to unwind while he reads. We all “vaca” differently. Some unwind by socializing on the beach, while others’ unwind, individually, curled up with a book. Maybe with all of his studying he has not had the opportunity to pleasure read. My BIL is quiet. When he came into our crazy loud clan, my sister, oh it was hard for her. He was not vocal like everyone else. But, over the years we have grown to love him. Especially his words because when he talks, it’s worth listening to! God made each of us different. Ask God to help you see him the way He does. Practice looking for his positive traits and characteristics. He fell in love with your daughter, so you know he’s ok! He has a profession and he is a good provider. In his free time –reading, this is a blessing too, when you think about it. Sleeping in –he made need extra sleep on vacation, too. He may just be worn out from doing his residency. Plus, he just may need a gradual blending in to your family, that is close knit. LOVE him sweetie! Shower him with kindness and compassion like I know you know how to do. God will flow out of you and bit by bit he will open up to your family. But, I have to say, the most important thing, is to remain positive to your daughter. She will be more secure in his behavior if she feels your love coming out re: him. Model to her, how He wants us to be: Loving words, loving actions, loving thoughts, -Christ made him the way he did for a good reason.
Pray. God will begin to flood your thoughts with all the good things about him! Smile
Guess who! smile!
Amen Lori,
Great words of wisdom.... Welcome back Michelle and thank you for sharing your story! We missed you bunches!
Karen, Basel
God told Ezekiel he was to be the watchman, the sentry. That means that Ezekiel was responsible for all of Israel. Responsible for all of Israel, what a huge responsibility. What a weight, and Ezekiel had no choice. My heart goes out to these prophets. Their burden was so great. I think my burden is great when I am just responsible for my children, and then God expects me to leave my "mark" on all the people I come into contact with, but not a whole nation. And then to lay tied up for 430 days because of the nation's sins. YIKES. I can't lay still for 10 minutes, for my own sins. It makes my yoke, made out of bunge cord, nothing. I won't complain about the 3 digits heat wave we are having again, or anything else. I just had to rewrite that sentence, I MUST NOT complain about my..........ever. I cannot wait to talk with these great men, and to love on them.
Now an explanation of my "beloved". I have been a widow now for 5 years next month. He was my beloved then and is now. See - if he had skin on and could walk and talk with me, I could ask him all these questions I come up with. He was a seminary graduate, probably the hardest one in the country, so he loved to dig into God's words, and because of our love for each other, he loved all my questions, even when they were futile. BUT GIGs, find the sweetest word you can think of - could take you some time to do that - and then give your husband that title. You will remember to treat him the way that name requires. All the hospice people knew how great our love was for one another, by the way we treated each other til he went HOME. One of the nurses, who was having trouble in her marriage ask me, what do you do when you want to pinch his head off. I said, you do it with all the love you can. He told me that if he had made of blue print of what he wanted his wife to be, that it was me. We tried to out give one another, no money involved. If you will treat your husband like that he will have to respond to it. Treat him like the man you want him to be. Reading love stories, no matter who wrote them, is not real, and only makes you long for a fairy tale. Make your love for him real, and he will respond to it. Don't do it just for him to give you something, but do it because it is the thing to do.
One great thing about posting, no one has to read it, only ones that are interested in that subject. So I leave all this to help those that are seeking. It is not like the Bible, a must read.
Love this sisterhood in bloggydom, a great word from our word nerd.
Donna - TX
Wow! All of you GIGS have just blessed me today! I love what you've taken from today's Scripture and shared. Wendy, thank you for this! I needed that reminder from 1 Chronicles! Y'all have a wonderful time at the beach. Mercy, we haven't been to Calabash in 20 years! I love the hushpuppies at any seafood restaurant!
Mine went back to school this morning!Freshaman and Senior---they were excited and so was I! I'll post pictures on FB in a bit!
Hugs!
Susan
I, too Amy, was curious about what happened to Jeremiah. So here's what I found:
Nelson's Illustrated Bible Handbook:
Jeremiah stayed with the remnant of Judah, kept prophesying to them, warning them not to go into Egypt, but they did, and took Jeremiah with them. (chapters 40-44)
For the rest of the book, it's like Jeremiah stopped in time, inserted information about warnings to all their enemies-Egypt, Philistines, Moab, Ammon, Edom, Damascus, Dedar, Hazor, and Elam. Then Babylon will be destroyed. Israel won't be destroyed, but Jerusalem will be, then raised again. Wow! What a life for Jeremiah, delivering all this dooms day news, but he was obedient to God.
In the intro(of this same book) for Lamentations, it says: If Jeremiah is the author, he likely left the group that fled to Egypt and found his way to Babylon-a most arduous journey for the aged and sorrowing prophet.
Anyone else have information?
To do: Remain speechless and let God loosen my tongue with His words to speak.
Praying for you gals.
Linda from Ark.
Sweet, sweet Donna (!) your love affair with your beloved models to us the real way to be married! Not us, them. Serving them and not expecting anything in return. I know, as we ask God to show us how, he does. Even in the tiniest things, He does speak. I would LOVE the courage to call Dave, my beloved to his face. In my prayers I do, but, just can’t get it off of my tongue aloud. Possibly, in the future! But, I love reading about your beloved! How blessed you were to have a Godly man at your finger tips! I long for the time to study God’s Word – beside my husband. He has very keen mind, and I know God has given this to him, in part –to know Him better through His Word. One day He will truly be able to dig into God’s word and use his talent that was gifted to him from God.
Love your posts, sweetie!
Hugs, Lori
The best relationship is not the one that brings together perfect people, but the best is when each one learns to live with imperfections of the other person's "good" gualities.
Sweet Lori, thank you for your comments. Try writing your prayers down, using the word and see if this helps. And maybe it is not beloved, maybe it is another love name. The word is not important, the way it is said, and love behind it is. It could even be green frog. That is what the word was between my baby daughter and I. When one said it the other froze because we had already talked about what it meant. God tells us that we can win our husbands to Him. Remember God first loves us, and we need to love like He loves us. Which is impossible, but we must try, and grow into knowing how to try, and which trying is better than another. Pray works wonders, and you can ask God to help you in anyway that you need. I am sure as you do that your needs will change. And I encourage you to journal your prayers. If something would happen that all he had was your prayers, well you know how God would use them. Lori, if we don't meet on this side, we will have eternity to love on each other, knowing how to do it better in Heaven. How glorious that will be. And I have found out that the older I get the more anxious I am to be there, especailly with my beloved. O I know, that will not be marriages there, but I loved him long before I knew that I could marry him.
Hopefully I can stop this posting about him.
Donna _ TX
Donna - TX
Wow! what great blogs this morning. Donna...you make me want to go home and hug my hubby! I want what you had with your Beloved! I understand everything you wrote. You are absolutely correct. Putting it into practice with God's help is the next step.
Michelle...I loved your honesty. I too have had moments where I wished I could take back the words that just ejected from my mouth. Let me come at your question from a different angle:
I am the mother of a son who sounds like your SIL. Very quiet; not a good conversationalist; not the life of the party; very reserved. So I am approaching it from a mother's point of view. I would be hurt if my son's new family by marriage held that against him. God made each of us unique...and his quiet, calm demeanor has come in handy more times than not. I bet your SIL is a fantastic doctor...calm and able to react well when an emergency arises! That's the kind of doctor I want. And the flip side of the coin....my son never has to apologize for wrong things that come out of his mouth like I do. Isn't that ironic? We can all learn things from these types. Have I been frustrated too with his withdrawn personality? Yes...but I've also been frustrated with my daughter's outgoing in your face personality too! haha.....look at your SIL as God does. As a beloved child, made in His image.
Your situation goes together well with today's verses in Ezekiel: 3:26/27 Ezekiel was not able to speak until God opened his mouth. Wouldn't that be wonderful for all of us? Sometimes we need the Holy Spirit to help keep us quiet.
Each time we fail; we are to pick ourselves up and do better next time. When we know better we do better.
Blessings Michelle!
Morgen
Wendy...Hope you and your darlin kids are having a great time...Love to spend time with my BFF
Donna...You precious one...I am writing this through teary eyes...Ron and I have been married almost 42 years...He is the love of my life and my beloved man...BUT...I don't always remember to treat him that way. I get totally focused on other things and forget to just pay attention to him when he is talking. Thank you for your gentle and loving reminder to do that...not because I want something, but because it is the right thing to do in God's eyes...I really needed to hear that this morning...
Karen...Thank you for the information...I was struggling with my myself..I cannot comprehend what he had to endure to be obedient to God...
Have a wonderful and blessed day...going to go hug my hubby...
Sue
Donna,
I wasn't going to post today because I did not have time to research anything but your post re your Beloved... Wow. I'm on tissue #2 already. What a tribute to a godly man! How blessed you are to have experienced that kind of love and devotion. Thank you for your words of wisdom. I will carry that with me today.
(((HUGS)))
Hi GIG, It's been a while but I'm still here. Donna thanks for your post, I want to pracice what you preach! My name for my husband is Soldier Boy, he is a wonderful soldier, But he just beams when I call him my Soldier Boy!
Blessings!
Debbie - North Carolina
Donna, your post was an absolutely beautiful tribute to your husband and your marriage. I, too, am going to give my guy a great big hug this evening {smile}.BTW, "This is my beloved and this is my friend" was on the cover of our wedding program 33 years ago this October!
Lori and Morgen, thank you very much for taking the time to help me with your wise words today. It is just wonderful to have trusted friends to "talk" to and know that the advice they give is based on the Lord's word! Lori, I will practice looking for the positives, and perhaps even write out a list (I'll make it an acrostic, ha ha ha!!) And while I feel confident I am always kind to SIL, I need to work on the compassion part. Thanks again.
Peace and Gratitude,
Michelle in New England
Hi Friends
I am so behind, and I am just leaving work, but I just need to pop in and say thank you to Donna, for your inspiration to me and us all in your dedication to the vocation of marriage. We all need encouragement and support at times in our lives, and the wise and experienced are the ones we look to. Your words are a gift to us-- thank you for sharing your heart.
And a word to Michelle, when I read your story about your SIL, I knew. I have been living this with my son, who just started his third year of residency, and also his fiancee, who started her residency last month.
Instead of orientation, they call it disorientation. It is such an overwhelming experience, being thrown into a new environment with new people and new policies and expectations. They feel like they are treading water most of the time, often with little sleep. I can assure you, your SIL was probably so glad to have some down and alone time, and time to finally really rest without having something looming. I don't know his personality, but I do know how physically and mentally challenging it is, so I just want to reassure you that it will get better sweetie! Being there for daughter, who has to support him, is going to be much appreciated.
I have to go but couldn't let the day slip away without touching on your special posts.
Blessings and prayers,
Jacque
Hi Gigs-
Haven't been able to watch/listen to the vlog in past week...hmm???
guess Satan wants me to just read the word and not listen to wendy's commments...anyone else having troubles???
Blessings
Gail in Colorado
I am back and I am all caught up on our readings!!!!
and
I was reminded again of the one thing which God requires and wants of us...to obey Him. I read Ezekial 3:19 and wrote down that we save ourselves by obeying God. This made think of Jeremiah 7:23 which says "Obey me and I will be your God, and you will be my people. Do everything as I say, and all will be well"
Isn't that the hardest thing, especially for a child? You tell them not to do something and they immediately go and do it. It's usually more out curiosity to see what will happen and why we told them no. As children of God, how often do we do the same thing? Lord I want to be obey what you ask me to do.
I have to share this nugget from Sunday School yesterday. Pastor said this "God provides the blessing where we SHOULD be". How many of us are afraid to move from where we are in our relationship with God because of the unknown? By not moving are we missing out on the blessing?
I was blessed tonight and I am singing His praises. I signed a lease on a new place to live. I have spent the past year in a basement apartment that leaks when it rains, has mold growing along the base of the walls and is just overall very depressing. However, it is where I landed after my seperation. The Lord led me to a darling two bedroom mother-in-law house that is $100 cheaper a month!!! This same place had come up last year and at that time I felt I didn't have the money. It was listed again this past Saturday and boom, it's mine. Praise the Lord for meeting the needs of his children.
Michelle ---I loved your acronym and wrote it down in my journal. Your comments about it not always being what we say, sometimes its a look, a tone of voice, etc made me think of this week's memory verse. It's from Proverbs and says" a young man is judged by his actions". Love on you SIL. I know that when I was married I felt very uncomfortable around my husband's family at first. I am only child and he is one of five. They were also tight and loud and I was shy and used to be being by myself. I felt like I didn't fit in until my SIL reached out and included me in the conversation, asked what i was reading, etc. It made all the difference in the world.
Blessings to you all
Jessica
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