God’s Covenant with Israel

Today’s Reading: Ezekiel 46-48; John 16

Ezekiel 48 provides a compelling theological basis for Israel’s right to the West Bank, a region historically and biblically central to the Jewish people. This chapter outlines the division of the Promised Land among the twelve tribes of Israel, reaffirming God’s covenantal promise of specific geographic territories to His chosen people. Ezekiel 48’s prophecy directly supports Israel’s right to the land, including the West Bank.

The West Bank, referred to in the Bible as Judea and Samaria, is at the heart of Israel’s biblical heritage. Ezekiel 48’s detailed land allocations connect these areas to tribes such as Judah, Benjamin, and Ephraim, demonstrating that the West Bank is not only part of Israel’s prophetic inheritance but also a vital part of its historical and spiritual identity. The chapter’s vision ties Israel’s future restoration to the re-establishment of these territories under Jewish sovereignty.

Ezekiel’s prophecy also underscores the permanency of God’s covenant. The land was promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, a promise repeated throughout Scripture and reaffirmed in Ezekiel’s vision of restoration. This divine guarantee transcends political disputes, emphasizing that the land, including the West Bank, is integral to Israel’s God-ordained destiny.

Moreover, Ezekiel 48 envisions a time of unity and peace when the tribes are restored to their rightful inheritance. The Jewish return to the West Bank, which began with their re-establishment in 1948, reflects the unfolding of this prophecy, signaling a return to God’s original design for the land.

In conclusion, Ezekiel 48 supports Israel’s claim to the West Bank by affirming its status as part of the divinely allocated land. The chapter underscores the spiritual and historical legitimacy of Israel’s presence in this contested region, framing it not as a matter of politics, but as the fulfillment of God’s eternal promise.

Written with the assistance of ChatGPT

Thriving Under Good Leadership: Lessons from the Vine

Have you recently experienced poor customer service where the employee didn’t know how to perform their job successfully? Or maybe where you work, are there employees who “just don’t get it”? This is referring more toward lack of skill as opposed to lack of will.

Early in my career, I was a lot more judgmental about poor-performing employees, such as “They are no good, so they should be fired.” My mindset has since shifted to seek the deeper cause of poor performance, and usually, the root cause is more about bad leadership. People tend to thrive under good leadership and wither away under bad leadership. More deeply, we tend to become more like the leaders we follow.

Jesus said it best:

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. (John 15:4)

This is about following and submitting to his leadership. His commands. His will. It is about true life, not a moment here and there, not just Sunday mornings where we are all so spiritual, but every waking moment, drawing nearer to him.

I love this thought by John Mark Comer from “The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry”, referring to abiding in Jesus:

It’s a way to organize all of your life around the practice of the presence of God, to work and rest and play and eat and drink and hang out with your friends and run errands and catch up on the news, all about of a place of deep, loving enjoyment of the Father’s company.

What will we choose today and for the rest of our days? Will it be to follow our own instincts, the ways of the world, or the latest popular thought around success and happiness? Or will it be to live a fruitful and transformative life marked by obedience to Jesus and a love for others?

10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. (John 15:10-11)

Be Fruitful

Ezekiel 40-42, John 14

In John 15, Jesus tells us to go and produce fruit.  I can do that.  In fact, I’ve been preparing my whole life.

    • I will work harder.
    • I will sell more.
    • I will get more followers.
    • I will grow bigger and be known.

Then, I can be as Jesus described and “produce much.”  Not really.  Those goals produce Americanized results.  Jesus is looking for something different.  Galatians 5 tells us that fruit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control.

    • I will serve more.
    • I will give generously.
    • I will mind my own affairs.
    • I will forgive fully – myself and others.

Now, there is only one way to maintain a life with those priorities.  “Remain in me,” Jesus says.  “Seek me, come to me.  Apart from me, you can do nothing.  But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!” John 15:7

My Shepherd

Today’s Readings: Ezekiel 34-36, Psalm 86, John 12

 15 I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign Lord.

In the middle of this chapter, God speaks to the shepherds of Israel who have been unfaithful in loving and caring for His people. Our God knows our shortcomings. He knows our weakness in obedience when shepherding. At the end of this chapter, God says to His people, “You are my sheep, human sheep of my pasture, and I am your God, declares the Lord. (verse 31)

Today, these verses serve as a reminder. Whatever you are walking through, whatever struggles you are enduring, whatever challenges you are facing, God is with us! He knows every single one of those challenges, things that are heavy on your heart and your mind, the things that you are facing right now. Not only does He know, but He is the shepherd in the middle of it all.

God, our shepherd, is committed to leading us as our personal Shepherd, guiding us, and making us lie down and rest in His leadership over our lives if we let Him.  Psalm 23 shows how He will lead us with goodness and mercy throughout our lives.  Psalm 23 says,

” Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life. I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Our Shepherd will lead you today, tomorrow, and the next day.  All the days if you Seek Him with all your heart.

Psalm 86

Lord,

Only You know where everyone is at. May we know how much You love every day.  God gives us the strength we need in our weakness.  Lord, I pray Psalm 86, which says:

Teach me your way, Lord,
that I may rely on your faithfulness;
give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear your name.

 

 

His Time

Today’s Reading Ezekiel 31-33; John 11

It’s all about the timing.  Every day we are on a time schedule or clock. Trying to make sure that we are on time and leave on time and not falling behind time or being late. Time is one of the major stresses that we have in our daily life. It is interesting that the concept of time that we have currently has been constructed by man not by God. Man has to set limits and boundaries on the passage of time, but God exists in the absence of time.

One of the most profound stories that I can remember about God and time was from a message I heard several years ago. It was in reference to the wedding at Cana, John 2.  This was the first miracle of Christ where Jesus makes water into wine. But when you look at the true Manifestation of that miracle, Christ reaches through time to the end product of the wine and brings it to the present. Christ, who is fully human and fully divine, was able to transcend in time and create miracles.

In today’s passage, we see Christ, dealing with time in three different instances: in Lazarus’ sickness, in Lazarus’ death, and Lazarus’ resurrection.

“So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.”

‭‭John‬ ‭11‬:‭3‬-‭6‬ ‭ESV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.11.3-5.ESV

In sickness 

In sickness, Jesus heard the news that his friend was sick. In other stories of Christ, we have witnessed Jesus speak the word of healing before the messenger  is sent, and the person is healed. But in this particular situation, Jesus allows  God’s fulfillment of his promises to the people to be shown.

“Then after this he said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” After saying these things, he said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.” The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.” Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.””

‭‭John‬ ‭11‬:‭7‬, ‭11‬-‭12‬, ‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭ESV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.11.7-14.ESV

In death

 

The delay for Christ to come to see Lazarus was intentional. Christ knew that Lazarus was dead. But he wanted to allow others to see Lazarus dead and starting to decay. If he had shown up the day that Lazarus died then others could’ve said that he was not fully dead. But when we have this expanded time lapse from when he was sick and he died, it truly shows the full value of Christ’s ability to step into time to bring back the health and the fullness of the body in his time.

“Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.””

‭‭John‬ ‭11‬:‭17‬, ‭20‬-‭21‬, ‭32‬, ‭39‬, ‭41‬-‭44‬ ‭ESV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.11.17-44.ESV

In resurrection 

The resurrection was a miracle that showed God‘s power through Christ. Many of the Jews that were abiding by the law of Moses, and the prophets believed in the resurrection of the dead in the last days. This was relayed by Martha, but Christ is showing that he is the resurrection and the time of renewal is in his hands that was given by God.

Many times in our life, we are going through so many trials and tribulations, and we cannot understand the true manifestation of God in these times. But each point in our journey is governed by God‘s time. Sometimes we have to go through some of the most excruciating circumstances so that the miracle can be shown that it was just through God‘s grace and nothing else. I witness so many miracles in my life that always can be attributed to God. Sometimes I do not like the timing, but He has not failed me in any of his amazing potential and resurrecting power.

Be blessed 

The Easy Way Please

Ezekiel 28-30, John 10

I read a lot of books. Most of them fall into the genres of self-help, business, or psychology.  My favorites combine all three.  There is nothing Godly about many of the books I read, except tangentially.  What does that mean?  It means the principles are Godly.  They all contain elements of wisdom from the Bible, but they strip out God.  They promise a simpler version of success,  highlighting all the things, a big life, without God. Its like jumping over the gate.  Why bother to open the door when you don’t have to?

John 10:1-3 (NLT) I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber! 2 But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

Dangerous Witness

Today’s readings are Ezekial 25-27, Psalm 85, and John 9.

Pretend for a second with me you were born 2,000 years ago, and you were also born blind. Could there be anything much more hopeless? Even today a quick google search will tell you that there is virtually nothing that can be done to restore sight when you are born fully blind…no matter how much money or fame you have. Ask Stevie Wonder. I’m sure blind man we read about in John 9 felt there was no possibility of him ever being able to see again and to do anything other than beg for money as we read he had done for many years. But then what happens, he has an encounter with Jesus who restores his sight. Can you imagine if you were him?

When asked by His disciples why this man was born blind and if it as due to his sin or his parents, Jesus responded with neither. Jesus told them it was so that God’s works and glory could be shown through him (John 9:3). We read on in this chapter the man was very outspoken that Jesus had healed him and even gave his witness to the Pharisees…. even though they threatened supporters of Jesus. He became a witness to others of what Jesus had done for him, and here we are reading about it 2,000 years later.

Is there an area of your life or someone you know which seems hopeless? Does it seems like there is no way out or any possible way God could use it for good or His glory? But, could it be any more hopeless than the situation of the blind man from John 9? Yet, we see what Jesus did in his life and the impact it’s still having today for God’s glory. Will God heal you from your pain and problem the way He did with the blind man? I can’t promise you that, but I can attest that many with earthly challenges such as those born with special needs or stricken with sickness who were never healed have made a far greater impact on others through their life for God’s glory than many who have never had significant challenges and achieved what our small minds would view as worldly success. Romans 8:28 reads, “ And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.”

However, maybe God will actually bring you out of your hopeless situation like He did for the blind man. When He does, are you prepared to share it with others and give Him the glory and praise He deserves that may ultimately lead others to trusting and following Him? Or will you attribute your healing to something else such as luck or even if you do believe it was God who healed you will you have the courage to share it? Let us learn from the blind man’s example.

But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.

Hebrews 10:39

Jesus: Boldness and Humility

Today’s Reading: Ezekiel 16-18; John 6

In John 6, Jesus demonstrates a powerful balance of boldness and humility. His boldness is clear as He proclaims Himself the “bread of life” (John 6:35), inviting people to believe in Him for eternal life. This was a radical claim, challenging the religious leaders and followers who expected a political Messiah, not one who addressed deeper spiritual needs. By teaching that His followers must “eat [His] flesh and drink [His] blood” (John 6:53), Jesus boldly shifts expectations, emphasizing that true life and fulfillment come only through a profound connection to Him. Many were offended or confused, yet Jesus did not alter His message to gain approval.

However, alongside this boldness, Jesus exemplifies humility. He does not boast about His divine authority but consistently points back to God the Father as the source of His mission and strength. When performing miracles, like the feeding of the 5,000, He gives thanks to God, acknowledging dependence on the Father even though He Himself possesses divine power (John 6:11). Jesus’s humility is also evident in His willingness to let people freely respond to His words. When many turn away, He lets them go without resistance, respecting their choice.

Through John 6, we see that Jesus’s humility does not contradict His boldness. Instead, it strengthens it; His confidence in His purpose comes from His deep alignment with God’s will, not personal pride. This example calls us to be both courageous and humble in our own faith, grounded in God’s truth and motivated by a sincere love for others.

Written with the assistance of ChatGPT

 

Sick Over It

Ezekiel 7-9, John 3

There are two methods for getting out of a traffic ticket.  One feigns humility, and the other begs forgiveness.  The first goes something like this, “you got me. I am an idiot.  I deserve far worse than your ticket.”   the second says, “Please don’t do this, I am so sorry.  My wife is going to kill me.  I have a newborn baby, and I’m trying to buy formula, and if you give me this ticket, I won’t be able to….” 

 Both methods are fake.  I have every intention of speeding again.  In fact, as soon as you, Mr. Police Officer, are out of sight, I will be blazing toward my destination.  If you don’t give me this ticket, I still won’t like you, and I will brag to my friends about how I bested you. 

Good police officers know these tricks.  I imagine them having a big file somewhere that tags us.  That way, when another cop pulls us over, he gets a picture of who we are.   Next time, it won’t be so easy.

Ezekiel 7-9 presents us with one of the most terrifying stories in the Bible.  It starts with God declaring that “the end is upon you!” ‘Now,’ He continues, “you will get my anger; I will judge you, I will punish you, and I will not spare you or have pity.”  If you have the audacity to keep reading, you will see doom, wrath, anger, judgment, violence, wickedness, pestilence, shame, and terror.

Reading through the horrifying list of proclamations against mankind has me looking for an out.  Should I fall on my knees?  Ask forgiveness?  “Just give me a minute, God, to explain myself.  There is a perfectly good reason for all of this…”  But it is too late.  There is no more time for excuses.  The executioners have gathered near (EZ 9:1)

Some, however, that will survive the wrath.  But who are they?  How do you separate those who truly love God from those who just want a get-out-of-jail-free card?  God has a way.

“Put a mark on the foreheads of the men that sigh and groan.”  God cuts straight to the heart with this directive.  Instead of saying, mark the men who ask for help, or mark the men who beg for mercy, he wants the ones that sigh and groan.  The others are desperate.  They got caught and are willing to do anything to save our butts.  I will say anything, do anything, and promise anything.  God knows this.

To root out the committed, He implemented a simple test that examines the character of men’s’ hearts.  Do they sigh and groan?  Do you know what that feels like?  Psalm 119:53 describes it as  “Hot indignation [that] seizes me, because of the wicked.” And, “My eyes shed streams of tears” because they ignore you (Psalm 119:136).  Those are both outward manifestations of pain, deep inside.  It’s not physical pain; it’s heartbreak.  It’s the kind of pain that drives us to our knees. Helpless, distressed, and desperate.  Matthew Henry says it this way: those who will receive the mark  “sigh in themselves as men in pain and distress, cry to God in prayer, as men in earnest, enormities that were abominations to God.”  Those last words get to it, “abominations to God.”  What are the marked so sick over?  The destruction of beauty, the eradication of love, and the elimination of hope.  These are the hallmarks of God himself.

 

Examine Yourself

Today’s Readings: Ezekial 4-6, Psalm 82, John 2

23 Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name.[d] 24 But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. 25 He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person.

Where does your belief come from? Where does your unbelief come from?

I think about the miracles we read about in John 2. I had read before that one of the first miracles Jesus performed was filling the wine vases. How amazing. Maybe believing would involve seeing the paralyzed man healed or raising Lazarus?

Many believed based on these miracles, but many still didn’t. I didn’t see the miracles we read from the Bible, but I think of my wife, Jennifer, and three kids: Jackson, Marshall, and Gianna.  I think of my profession God has blessed me to do or even my health, which I wake up to daily.

Even with all the daily miracles we are blessed with, this does not guarantee eternal belief. The most critical decision in worldly life is to know God. Amid life and all our circumstances, we aim to believe, trust, be obedient, and continue to know and understand Him.

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Dear Heavenly Father,

The miracles You show us every day we are so thankful for.  Help us to understand Your love more each day. Help us to realize how we need to be obedient and how Your Son Jesus died for us. Lord, help us know You better each day.  Amen

Psalm 82:8 provides a reminder on Election Day.

Come, O God, and rule the world; all the nations are yours.