Even If

For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. (1 Peter 2:21) Read: Ezekiel 47:1 – 48:35, 1 Peter 2:11-3:7, Psalm 119:49-64, Proverbs 28:12-13 Relate: I admit I have a bias. I have uprooted my life and moved into the Middle…

Royalty For A Reason

But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9) Read: Ezekiel 45:13 – 46:24, 1 Peter 1:13 –…

Hidden

I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. (Psalm 119:11) Read: Ezekiel 42:1-43:27, James 5:1-20, Psalm 119:1-16, Proverbs 28:6-7 Relate: The word “hidden” in Hebrew is tsaphan. It can mean to conceal in the sense of having something too valuable for common use (Job 10:13), something to treasure that is of great…

Judgy, Judgy Church…

Don’t speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God’s law. But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you. God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to…

For All Time

“But our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand…” Then he says, “I will never again remember their sins and lawless deeds.” (Hebrews 10:12, 17) Read: Ezekiel 21:1 – 22:31, Hebrews 10:1-17, Psalm 108:1-13, Proverbs 27:12 Relate: Tomorrow I will fail.…

Sodom

Sodom’s sins were arrogance, gluttony, and laziness, while the poor and needy suffered outside her door. She was haughty and committed detestable sins, so I wiped her out, as you have seen. (Ezekiel 16:49-50) Read: Ezekiel 16:42 – 17:24, Hebrews 8:1-13, Psalm 106:13-31,  Proverbs 27:7-9 Relate: It would not be fair to say that I can be arrogant sometimes. Neither…

It Only Takes Once

Unlike those other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices every day. They did this for their own sins first and then for the sins of the people. But Jesus did this once and for all when he offered himself as the sacrifice for the people’s sins. The law appointed high priests who…

Irrational Obedience

“As they watch, lift your pack to your shoulders and walk away into the night. Cover your face so you cannot see the land you are leaving. For I have made you a sign for the people of Israel.” So I did as I was told. (Ezekiel 12:6-7) Read: Ezekiel 12:1 – 14:11, Hebrews 7:1-17, Psalm 105:37-45, Proverbs 27:3 Relate: There…

Refuge

So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. (Hebrews 6:18) Read: Ezekiel 10:1-11:25, Hebrews 6:1-20, Psalm 105:16-36, Proverbs…