God Is Fantastic!

All right, over the past few days, I have been doing this daily bible reading plan. I have never really been consistent with them before. I am sad to say that because only being 10 days into this, I am loving everything about this and I regret not doing this sooner! I have been in Ezekiel, and Hebrews/James/Peter.

Day 1: Ezekiel 5-7; Hebrews 12

Day 2: Ezekiel 8-10; Hebrews 13

Okay, what I got out of these is: Holiness (ez. 8:1-18). WOW! These people were doing detestable things in the TEMPLE- the most holy place in Israel! Did they think no one was watching? Do you ever think no one is watching? Look, holiness doesn't stop at just Sundays or when someone is physically watching you. Holiness is a decision you make everyday!
(ez. 9:3-4) How should you feel about the sin around you? "Grieve, lament . . ." that's how. God sees who is genuinely sorry.

(Heb. 13:8, 17) Jesus never changes; Respect.

Day 3-9: Ezekiel 11-29; James 1-5; 1 Peter 1-3

Okay, bear with me. I have a lot to say. Kind of.

1. When others are pulling you in different directions, urging you to come and follow them, remember His promise. He will give you an undivided heart, a focus and purpose that won't lead you astray. (ez.11:19-20)
2. Dude, it is better to just be honest about your rotten situations than to pretend they don't exist! (ez.13:10-12)
3. Having power may seem cool, but with great power, great wisdom is needed. God has all of that. If you trust Him, you have access to the greatest power source ever- God himself! (ez.13:17-23)
4.  Maturity and growth results from faith with trials (James 1:2-4). Dang, Just practice what you preach (1:19)!
5. Take a battery for example. . . you can't SEE the difference between a good and dead one. You have to USE it to prove it works. Same goes for your faith (James 2:14-17).
6. So God tells us He symbolically entered into a marriage with Israel. But unfaithful Israel turned her affections toward false gods and pursued alliances with other nations, just as a prostitute lures men. Genuine beauty is a purity that shines from within and only God can provide such a beauty (ez. 16:6-29).
7. God had given the Israelites so much, yet they forgot Him. Don't trust in your gifts . . trust in the Giver!(ez. 16:15)
8. Your tongue is little, compared to the rest of your body. It is powerful though. It has the capability to destroy someone, or bring them up (James 3:1-12).
9. God judges people for their own actions, rather than on anyone else's. You're accountable for yourself!(ez. 18:1-21)
10. Whoa.. Ezekiel had to hold back tears! He wasn't allowed to mourn his wife's death! Obedience isn't for the fainthearted.. It is for those who are truly committed to God. How far are you willing to go? (Ez. 24:15-19)
11. God isn't kidding around here. he is serious with this whole sin stuff. He wiped out FOUR nations! He is true to his word (ez. 25:1-17).
12. Humility- Ez. 28:12, 17-19
13. 1 Peter 3:3-6 and 3:15-16 : beauty and be ready to share your faith when given the opportunity.

Hopefully I didn't lose your interest. So before I start these, I like to spend some time with God (anyone catch that? I'm sitting at his feet! mentioned in a previous blog!) and just seek him. I ask him to give me a verse for whatever is on my heart. Recently, he has given me these verses: Zechariah 1:2-6, Zephaniah 3:17, and Job 1:20-22. 

The first is basically saying that these people had some bad examples in their past, but that didn't mean God excused their behavior. Don't use your family or past issues as excuses. Get right with God today. 

The second is basically God's song for us. He delights in us. He will calm our fears. He is strong enough to save and protect us. 

Last one shows what hard times brought out in Job- humility. When horrible things happened, he didn't blame God or anyone else. He didn't demand better treatment. Instead, he acted humbly and even praised God! Humility means yielding to God's leading instead of your own. And Job showed us just how that's done. 

These verses really stuck out to me. I feel that ... if you're in a place where you just don't feel like you are worth it, or that you are a failure . . you're wrong. You can't blame past issues on what you're doing now. Even when horrible things happen, praise God! And know that through all of this, God loves you and has your back. I came across this today: "If no one has your back, you gotta move your back." So, move your back to where God can catch you. I apologize if this didn't flow well. But that is what I have to say. God bless you, fellow reader.