Ezekiel 18:25-32 ~ a new Heart and a new Spirit

Ezekiel 18:25-32

25 “Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’

Hear now, O house of Israel: Is my way not just? Is it not your ways that are not just? 26 When a righteous person turns away from his righteousness and does injustice, he shall die for it; for the injustice that he has done he shall die. 

27 Again, when a wicked person turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he shall save his life. 28 Because he considered and turned away from all the transgressions that he had committed, he shall surely live; he shall not die.

29 Yet the house of Israel says, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ O house of Israel, are my ways not just? Is it not your ways that are not just?

30 “Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, declares the Lord God. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin. 31 Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? 

32 For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God; so turn, and live.”

Acts 10:34

34 So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality"

30 And Cornelius said, “Four days ago, about this hour, I was praying in my house at the ninth hour,d and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’ 33 So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.”

34 So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all)

Why does the Text read
" So..... Peter opened his mouth." This is awkward and is vastly translated out to flow well.

We know this: A. Peter was not listening to Cornelius with his mouth open. B. God wants us to know this. C. Peter is not entirely astonished. D. God is have Peter acknowledge the 'goy', the Gentile, the hated Centurion. The soldier daily holding instruments of "peace making" who will not end his career without witnessing life and death. This is a man who does not raise vegetables. E. God is deliberately working with redemption and renewal. F. Peter was known for opening his mouth unwisely. G. Gee, the Lord is going to give Peter ability to answer, probably, beyond his ability.

Why isn't Peter astonished?
 Peter was one of the 500 the Risen, Victorious Jesus taught beyond the Resurrection.  Peter knew Jesus lived in Egypt. Peter knew Jesus healed the Syrophonetician woman's daughter. Jesus was probably known to have traveled to Tyre by way of Phoenicia along the beaches. Peter probably heard of the Magi (probably from Jesus or Mary during the wedding in Cana.)

The Scriptures repeat and repeat telling us the paths of mankind have tendencies. The generations repeat like rows in the vineyard.

The ways of the Lord are not Just. The Serpent told Eve. Eve wanted to be God's equal. "Why does God get the last say and have judgment?"

God is answering mankind. God is not the Grumpy Old Mean Guy in the Old Testament. A father seeing a toddler want to touch the campfire is Yelled at. God didn't want the Children of Israel to play with Baal and blood worship. Abraham is a refuge to the Promised land and is from what is today beautiful Turkey. So are some of the wives of Jacob. God is offering a mix of nationalities.

God tells us in the New Testament,
He will put the Holy Spirit in us. God will not be so surprising.

The indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the New Covenant is breathing God's ideas into our soul directing our mind, heart and soul. Peter is experiencing this growth of the Holy Spirit to gentiles from being a very Kosher Jew, living deliberately next door to the Capernaum Synagogue.

 Van Gogh

God fed the Multitudes and the Millenniums.

We can take Ezekiel rising up in Exile of the 2nd Exodus during the Babylonian Captivity,  destruction of the First Temple (Solomon's building work). 600 B.C. Genesis 1 4000 B.C.. Acts - First Century A.D. Now, we need Gospel.

Matthew 20:1-16

20 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard."

Jesus deliberately puts the people on the Vine and working for the Vine Dresser of God's Plan. Some will arrive early. Some will arrive late. Heaven does not have a line for the arrived late to sit on the side lines. A great reminder for me to be polite and for us all.

Ezekiel 18:1-4

18 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge’? 

3 As I live, 
declares the Lord God, 
this proverb shall no more be used by you in Israel.

 4 Behold, all souls are mine

 the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is mine

 the soul who sins shall die.

What about the New Testament?

God tells us about Grief. John records Revelation. The Judgement. Surely given the incredible Acts of God we are witnessing - Grief. If someone has not experienced the incredible torrent of Grief from loss of a very loved one. If incredible millstone grief has not been experienced - we could use an analogy. The Highs and lows are echoed in the music of Opera. Usually, you'd have to be a millstone bearer of death and grief to fully understand how low - low can be.

Grief is a millstone. How the one in grief would love to rest the sorrow. This will roll forth until peace has been worked out with, usually, a two year time frame. Tears will rise. We will know the comfort of God's Promise, but the loss has to be worked out with Love. Jesus wept.



Abba, our Father,

Thank You for Your Blessings. We ask for Your willing Blessings.

Thank You for being Father God who has wept. Father God who believes in us to keep going forth. To journey to Him.

Thank You for seeing our Loved ones through spins, curves and turns. And will continue to be the Light of the Path and the Light of the world.

Thank You for seeing our Nation through many storms. Thank You for telling us our Nation prays with such Faith and Love. Be the Light filling mankind of this Nation.

Thank You for being the Light to the Nations. Bring us to Love, Peace and Joy.

Thank You, You are the light in mankind and the children of God cover Your good creation, day and night with prayers pleasing to You. More Heaven on earth. Your good will be done.

Nothing is too difficult for You, You are our God and our Father.

Thank You for Jesus Christ Lord and Savior. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †  

Mark 8:27-9:1 ~ And Jesus went on

From the Sea of Galilee to Caesarea Philippi, Jesus is walking through some of the greenest portions of Israel.

Augustus Caesar divided Herod's kingdom, giving one half to Archelaus while dividing the other half into two, going to Antipas and Philip. Jesus is going where Tetriarc Philip is the non-Davidic king. Philip married his neice, who was his ex-wife's daughter. Philip married Salome. Salome appears in the Bible in connection with the execution of John the Baptist.

Mark 8:27-9:1

27 And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi.

And on the way
he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?”

28 And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.”

29 And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.”

30 And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him.


 
The Division of Herod's Kingdom:

  Territory under Herod Archelaus, from 6 Iudaea Province

  Territory under Herod Antipas

  Territory under Herod Philip II

  Salome I (cities of Jabneh, Azotas, Phaesalis)

  Roman province of Syria

  Autonomous cities (Decapolis)

31 And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.

33 But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

34 And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it.

36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?

37 For what can a man give in return for his soul? 38 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

9 And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.”

Recapping:

We combine Mark's Gospel who wrote down what Peter remembered. Peter answered the same questions over and over and Mark's Gospel records what the First Century asked the most about Jesus.

John, on Patmos Island, was asked if the other Gospel's were accurate and John did agree. John said so many things happened around Jesus, that seeing the day - might differ in opinions. This is what I see and understand - this is my understanding.

Matthew 16:13-

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”  

14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 

15He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 

16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 

17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.

18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.

Consider all that would encompass the Church of Jesus Christ. For Millenniums.

Jesus tells us:

A wholesome walk through the most beautiful parts of Israel. Discussing, of course, Jesus is God's Messiah. A moment of realization and truth.

Walking into the corrupted Kingdom of Herod. Philip the Tetrarch. The City of Caesarea Philippi is dedicated to Hellenistic worship. The amazing truth of Jesus Christ living - becomes - Jesus died and victorious - the Church of Jesus Christ. Throughout two millennium's people have spoken and wondered what Jesus would have thought of the power of the Pope and Antipope. Crusades. The Dogma. The Victims and Politics.

We find Peter is corrupt in the eyes of God.

Looking at Mark and Matthew's Gospels we find nothing would surprise Jesus. The Beauty. The Fellowship. The Worship. The external difficulties. The internal difficulties.
In these passages we would find:

John 2:24
Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people

1 Kings 8:39
Be heard by You from heaven, Your dwelling place. And may You forgive and act, and repay each man according to all his ways, since You know his heart--for You alone know the hearts of all men--

Acts 1:24
And they prayed, "Lord, You know everyone's heart. Show us which of these two You have chosen

2 Timothy 1:9
He saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began

Proverbs 8:30-31
Then I was constantly at his side. I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence, 31rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind.


Jesus has placed the beginning in the midst of complexities. Because Jesus is God. And is the exact nature of God. God understands mankind and builds His Goodness regardless of the ideas and plots of mankind. It's amazing.

Father God and Jesus push away today, tomorrow, yesterday and plan for the Goodness of God.


If God is able to deal with the Temple bowing to Herod. God is able to deal with the Empire of Rome. God is able to deal with the local king. God is able to deal with Herodians sitting on David's Throne. God is able to feed the multitudes who arrived to be "Fed." God is able to deal past the Sons of Thunder. God deals past the 72 Disciples. God deals past Judas. God moves on past the man at the Pool of Bethsaida for 38 years. God Plan continues beyond John the Baptist. And to the fulfillment of Jesus Christ as the Holy Spirit in all of mankind.

God gives us the Light of the world. We will Trust God.



Abba, our Father,

Today is Lent, the preparation for Easter. I will Trust You. It's far easier to see when we Trust You. Thank You, Father, for Your Willing Blessings.

As God of All Things, You bend far down to Love us as Your Own. You call us Beloved.

We will Trust You with the Ones we Love.

We will Trust all of our cares as wide and high as the Nation - to be in Your Capacities. Asking Your Blessing on our Nation Trusting in You.

We will look at the Day You have given and Bless You for what You provide. We are blessing seekers. As all the Children of God pray across all of Your Creation, asking "more Heaven on earth and Your Good Will be done."

May we be so blessed to see Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace among those with whom You are pleased.


Thanking You for Your Creation. Your Mercy. Establishing us as the Blessed of God in the New Covenant. Believing You as God Almighty, Father to the Savior Jesus, saving the world, taking care of the multitudes, the millenniums of people, the nations asking You for Your Steadfast Love. Your Good and Pure Heart, Father God.

In Jesus we are Blessed. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †  

Matthew 7:34-37 ~ brought to Him

Jesus was spending time along the beaches of the Mediterranean.

Mark 7:34-37

31 Then he returned from the region of Tyre and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis.

32 And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment, and they begged him to lay his hand on him. 

33 And taking him aside from the crowd privately, 
he put his fingers into his ears, and after spitting touched his tongue. 34 And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” 

35 And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. 

36 And Jesus charged them to tell no one. 

But the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. 37 And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

Sidon is considered the 'seat’ of the Phoenician Civilization. David's Palace and parts of the Temple are from King David's alliance and friendship with the Phoenicians. Today, this is Lebanon. In the time of Jesus this was prosperous trading with all of the Mediterranean.

There is no mention of Jesus traveling with others. In the verse 24, Jesus deliberately goes to Tyre and states He wants to travel without recognition. Maybe Jesus was hoping for a time of quietness and beauty.

He returns to find people asking about healing a deaf man. Jesus continues the season of quiet, Jesus begins privately healing a deaf man with very personal, intentional time to understandably heal.

In this season of Lent, times of quiet, observing beauty. Realizing God is Father of all of creation. God organizes our lives to flow in His Plan. Finding indications God is right here with us. Jesus planned to take "time" in His Ministry to Tyre. Jesus took the time to plan beauty into, "Give us the Day."



Jesus the Author of Life put as much Life and Beauty into 'today' with appreciation - drawing from what was available. Jesus would not sail the Mediterranean as an Adult. And yet, He would walk the coast and beaches.

Abba, our Father,

Teach us to see our Blessings and add to Life. Add in Gratitude. Appreciation. The ability to add to the day in "Give us the Day."

Bless us to have the ones we Love add to Your Adventure Today. Help them to take Your Blessings and "Give us the Day." Enfolded in Your Love. With Gratitude.

Help the Nations Trusting in You to comprehend the height and depth of Your Generous Blessings. To add Blessings together to create more Heaven on earth.

Encourage the Depth of Your Fullness bring Your Beloved, surrounding the Good earth, more Heaven on earth.Love, Joy and Peace.

In the Name of Jesus we ask healing of my arm. With Gratitude, Father God, for the use of my arm and the health already there.

Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †  

Zechariah 7:8-10 ~ kindness and mercy to one another

Zechariah 7:8-10

8 And the word of the Lord came to Zechariah, saying, 9 “Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, 10 do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart.”

Cruelty is an act of destruction of self. It is the event before the storm.

So many Scriptures have so much mercy. Zechariah 7 explains without mercy, the merciless do not continue.

Father God takes Mercy with seriousness. The Path says the Author of Life is Mercy. The Way, the Truth and the Life.

Haggai says we can find God in all situations in life. In recovery from war, find joy.  With faith, we can Love. Love God. Love others.

Pray with Hope.

Abba, Father,

We will watch for Your Blessings. We will look for the Blessings and know if we knock and ask, taste and see - we will know Your goodness.

Abba, we lift up those we Love and look for Your mercy. Fill us all with honest mercy.

And we will believe You want more Heaven on earth. Filling us with the desire to Believe every day. Believing again with new faith, You want the world to know Your Son and have redemption. This Nation and the Nations of the world sheltering those You Love and care for.

More Heaven on earth. Jesus told us You'd love to hear us ask this.

Amen in the Name of Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †  

Galatians 6 ~ Let us not become weary

Our God, our Father God, The Almighty God of All Creation is capable of doing His Plan always to His Glory and our redemption. Usually, Fruit is not a Gift and is a process and has seasons and years of maturity like the Prodigal Son.

Galatians 6

1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 

2 Carry each other's burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 

4 Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, 5 for each one should carry his own load.

6 Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor. 

7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. 

A man reaps what he sows. 8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction

The one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 

9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 

10 Therefore, as we have the opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.




The Prodigal Son had an immediate reaction - move far away and be comfortable.

The Father had a reaction. To carry his son's burdens and allow him to mature. The father is waiting on the fruit. As surely as a farmer looks for sunshine, mankind looks to our Father for the Light in mankind.

The sale of Exodus land for the joy of the father to give the son - must have been wrenching and embarrassing. Yet the father looked for a buyer of the family inheritance. In front of the community. Without eyes of faith, there will not ever be a crop to harvest for the Fruit of Father God.

The teacher, the Father, shared and allowed the son to pass on his own way. Allowing in gentleman, godly fashion for the son to be what the son would show as his life's work on his soul.

James 2:13
For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

The Gracious father is not mocked. This is not part of the Prodigal Son story. The direness of the events does away with mocking. A son is lost. A grown son with decades of nurturing and love. The Father is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. The robe and the ring for the son - part of this son's life and upbringing.

The father trusts his son, his delight - will return with a warmer heart. The good worker in the garden knows warm weather will bring Fruit.

The Father waits for the proper time.

The Prodigal Son's Father has waited with eager anticipation for the revealing of the sons of God. Home is 12 open Heavenly Gates. Father God is delighted with you.

Abba Father,

Help us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Bless us to please You and have Eternal Life in Your Home and Kingdom.

We Pray as Jesus said for more Heaven on earth. Filling us. Soaking and sealing our children. Raising the Nation with Your Glory sweeping in. The Light Rises as Nations know Your Love. Heavenly beams for all Your Beloved praying more Heaven on earth.

Welcomed by God

Placed in Jesus, blessed by His son. Amen Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †