Romans 1:28-32 – “And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, ²⁹ being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, ³⁰ slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, ³¹ without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; ³² and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.”

As I read, prayed, and mused on the Word of God today, the vision of Ezekiel and Paul’s revelation of grace held my focus.   I dare not attempt to interpret Ezekiel’s vision, but some things challenged me.

In Ezekiel 1:4, he saw a whirlwind coming from the north.  Whirlwinds often represent confusion and chaos, leaving devastation in their wake.  He saw a figure that he later identified as being heavenly in origin. He saw “4,” living creatures, “4” faces, “4” wings on the creatures.   God does nothing without purpose.  “4” indicates completeness and creation, a message, and even judgment. 4+4+4 = 12.  Could that be a message for the whole nation of Israel and further a message to the Spiritual Israel of God?  You decide.

In Ezekiel 7, God’s presence revealed the corruption in His house.  Lust is far more than physical; it covers life. In verse 16, there was worship of the elements rather than the Creator. (I see parallels today.)  Ezekiel 9, God separated and marked the pure in heart who were distraught by the wickedness they saw.

Man’s corruption brought Jesus to the Earth and nailed Him to the Cross.  When we lose sight of God and allow our hearts and minds to elevate anything above Him or add anything to Him, Blindness comes and results in abominable practices. (verses 24-32).  This is far more than homosexuality or other perversion.

In that state of deception, depravity, and self, God is left on the outside, and self-justification rules.   Romans 3:9 informs that every person needs a Savior.

The question in my heart today is – “Is God truly first?”  Do I have any of the items listed in Romans 1:29-31, present or manifest in me?  Do I have a weak mind that leads to corruption and a gratifying self?  

The list: all manner of iniquity, fornication (flesh or spirit), bitterness, malice, extortion, envy, murder (hate is a seed), strife, deceit, evil (unwholesome) thoughts, slander, backbiting (gossip included), haters of God, revilers, proud, boasting, inventors of evil things, weak-minded, disobedient, or lacking respect and appreciation for God’s Covenant and our word.

Lord, make my heart pure and purge from me all dross! Transform me completely and leave no wicked thing in me. I surrender all. I would rather be crushed than corrupted. Prune me (that’s like praying for patience) so I can be fruitful. Help me die to myself and live to and through you. Amen!

FATHER, help us to make you First in our Lives in All things!

Acts 24:28 – “Agrippa replied to Paul, “In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian.”

As I read, prayed, and meditated on the Word of God today, a declaration by King Agrippa captured my thoughts.    Almost persuaded!   How many of us have been almost persuaded and failed to apprehend the fullness of the prize set before us?

Paul was giving his defense before the court of King Agrippa in Acts 26.  As he related his experience and explained his ministry, the King said in verse 28, “With little effort, you almost persuade me to become a Christian.”

Almost persuaded is like almost being pregnant.  Almost is incomplete and has the same effect as never!  It is like Felix in Acts 24:25, “When I have opportunity or when it is convenient, I’ll consider Jesus.”

James warned that life was fleeting and temporary.  Paul declared to the Corinthians in 2 Corinthians 6:2, NOW is the accepted time.  He also reminded us that at the cessation of physical life, there is judgment. No second chances after death.  It is now or never, so do not delay doing what you know to do.

Not only do we need to receive Jesus for salvation, but we need to complete our assignment.  Receiving Him is step one; obeying Him transports us into the rest of His purposes.  It allows us the hope of hearing, “Well done…Enter in.”

Don’t be almost persuaded about Jesus or His promises. Act now!

Hebrews 11:1 – “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, the thought of simplicity and value filled my mind.  As I read in the Book of Acts, several things gripped my thoughts.  

The simplicity of faith was one of them.  The matter of trust is the link to everything!  That’s true in every dimension of life, but especially true in God. If we do not truly trust Him, we will never become what He designed us to be.

In Acts 19, the seven sons of Sceva illustrate the misguided idea that religious ritual works. The Name of Jesus is not a magic potion.  It has no power unaccompanied by Faith!  It is His Name, by faith in His Name. Faith releases and connects to the power of the Name.

Another was the value of the Gospel message.  We know how valuable and important it was to Jesus and the New Testament Church, but what about us?  The value of the Gospel message can be directly connected to our experience.

If the message rescued us, transformed us, and gave us new life, we deem it of great value.  If it is just a ticket to heaven, it may not hold the same compelling power for us.

Having an anchor, a memorial stone (experience), is powerful. Paul frequently referred to his Damascus Road experience. It was the ever-present reminder of the genuineness of Jesus, salvation, and his own conversion. My event was far less dramatic, but something that I go to for encouragement time and again. A Bible alone at a kitchen table just after midnight, Jesus came to me and transformed me.   Yours may be going forward in a service with no fanfare.  BUT it holds your heart!

In Acts 20, we see the value of the Gospel to Paul. He took it to the streets, the homes, his work, and the synagogue, etc.   God’s heart is that everyone be redeemed. Without that initial event, nothing else transpires!   How valuable is the Gospel to us? Actions speak louder than words!

LORD, help us to experience the simplicity of faith!

Jeremiah 24:7 – “ I will give them a heart to know Me, for I am the Lord; and they will be My people, and I will be their God, for they will return to Me with their whole heart.”

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, I was moved by a simple word in Jeremiah 24:7. “And I will give them a heart to KNOW Me, that I am the LORD; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God WHEN they shall return to Me with their whole heart.”

My immediate cry was, “LORD, I want that heart.”   Yes, I believe.   Yes, I have been born again.   Yes, I have served God for over 50 years.   BUT I want to KNOW (penetrate and be permeated by Him).

Jeremiah 32:38-40 speaks of the New Covenant and having NEW HEARTS and NEW SPIRITS, enabling us to truly worship God.  Hearts that produce a relationship that keeps us from going astray.  It is having the HEART of Jesus, saturated with the Word and Holy Spirit.   It is being made, formed, and established, Jeremiah 33:2, so that we can answer the call of Jeremiah 33:3!

In Acts 14:22, Paul makes a challenging statement.  He encouraged them to continue in the faith and then said, “Only through much tribulation can we enter into the Kingdom of God.”

Is God promoting tribulation, trouble, and struggle?  Heaven forbid!  I believe he is saying that to attain the prize of the high calling of God requires perseverance, persistence, and dying to self.  It requires us to press in no matter the obstacles.  It requires us to KNOW Him with our whole hearts and become totally surrendered to Him.

LORD, give us a heart to KNOW You!  In knowing You, help us to TRUST You!  In trusting You, help us to amend our ways and our doings and be commended to the grace of God.  Give us the promise of Jeremiah 32:38-40 and teach us to become Jeremiah 33:3, people.  Be IN us so You can work THROUGH us.

LORD, give us hearts penetrated by You!

Jeremiah 17:5-10 – “Thus says the Lord, “Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind And makes flesh his strength, And whose heart turns away from the Lord.  ⁶ “For he will be like a bush in the desert and will not see when prosperity comes, But will live in stony wastes in the wilderness, a land of salt without inhabitant.  ⁷ “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and whose trust is the Lord.  ⁸ “For he will be like a tree planted by the water,
That extends its roots by a stream and will not fear when the heat comes;
But its leaves will be green, and it will not be anxious in a year of drought
Nor cease to yield fruit.  ⁹ “The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; Who can understand it?  ¹⁰ “I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give to each man according to his ways,
According to the results of his deeds.”

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, several things got my attention.  We often overlook the subtle and seemingly small things.

In Jeremiah 17:5-10, three things are listed that affect our lives continuously. In verse 5, we discover that there is a curse for relying on human ability.  It is interesting because we have to use human ability and talent to live and function.  Therefore, this cannot be talking about using our humanness, abilities, gifts, talent, and training.   It refers to elevating the ability to a God status in our lives. It is making our ability our source.

Next, there is a blessing for putting complete trust in God and His guidance and gifting.  Paul advised that we have nothing we have not received as a gift. All we have and all we are is rooted in God.  He must be our all.

Third, there is a revelation of the untrustworthiness and unreliability of the heart.   Jeremiah 17:9 warns that it is stubborn and impossible to understand. In verse 10, we discover that God searches our untrustworthy hearts and places constraints on us to guide us into the right paths. That implies surrendering to Him.

A fourth revelation is the Law of Sowing and Reaping.   In verse 10, we read that God gives to each person according to their ways (lifestyle) and the fruit of their doings (daily activities). That includes the good and the bad.

How do we trust God and hope in Him effectively?  We find a clue in Acts. Everywhere you turn, you see that the surrendered heart is a heart that is saturated with the Holy Spirit.  He filled them, led them, protected them, taught them, and talked to them.  He kept them in communion with God and conscious of the provision and person of Jesus.  He enabled them to trust God while using their abilities. He made their abilities effective and their timing perfect.

We can’t, but God can! Trust Him!

LORD, help us to pay attention to the Small Things that are Big!