The Spirit said to [Ezekiel], "Son of man, these are the men who are planning evil and giving wicked counsel in this city. They say to the people, 'Is it not a good time to build houses? This city is like an iron pot. We are safe inside it like meat in a pot.' Therefore, son of man, prophesy against them loudly and clearly."
—Ezekiel 11:2-4 NLT
We are a family in Christ. Our lives are to be beacons of truth in a culture that listens to lies and is being misled by false prophets. Our lives and the word of the Lord are needed to counterbalance the leaning of this culture which tends to put its own selfish slant on things. Long ago, Ezekiel was given the job of being the truthful spokesman for God in his day. All the others who claimed to speak for God were speaking a nice, light, and easy message that affirmed people's self-determined lifestyles. Ezekiel, however, was empowered, inspired, and directed by God's Holy Spirit. He had to speak God's truth because of his conviction to honor the LORD. Similarly, let's ask the Spirit to convict us of the lies we are told in our culture. Let's ask the Spirit to empower us both to live and to speak God's truth with grace and power. Our lives and our voices are needed to speak to people who are being sucked down the drain of sin and destruction by the many voices around them that do not speak the will of God.
Father in heaven, give me fresh courage to live and to speak your truth with kindness and conviction. Holy Spirit, I ask that you convict me of the lies that I have come to believe because I have heard them so frequently from those who do not know the will of the Father. I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.
Ⓒ 1996-2021 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware. Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
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—Ezekiel 11:2-4 NLT
Key Thought
We are a family in Christ. Our lives are to be beacons of truth in a culture that listens to lies and is being misled by false prophets. Our lives and the word of the Lord are needed to counterbalance the leaning of this culture which tends to put its own selfish slant on things. Long ago, Ezekiel was given the job of being the truthful spokesman for God in his day. All the others who claimed to speak for God were speaking a nice, light, and easy message that affirmed people's self-determined lifestyles. Ezekiel, however, was empowered, inspired, and directed by God's Holy Spirit. He had to speak God's truth because of his conviction to honor the LORD. Similarly, let's ask the Spirit to convict us of the lies we are told in our culture. Let's ask the Spirit to empower us both to live and to speak God's truth with grace and power. Our lives and our voices are needed to speak to people who are being sucked down the drain of sin and destruction by the many voices around them that do not speak the will of God.
Today's Prayer
Father in heaven, give me fresh courage to live and to speak your truth with kindness and conviction. Holy Spirit, I ask that you convict me of the lies that I have come to believe because I have heard them so frequently from those who do not know the will of the Father. I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.
Ⓒ 1996-2021 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware. Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Continue reading...
