Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living from The Global Church of the Nazarene in Lenexa, Kansas, United States for Tuesday, 18 August 2015 - "His Word Will Protect You—Listen!" Scipture: Ezekiel 13:8-23

Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living from The Global Church of the Nazarene in Lenexa, Kansas, United States for Tuesday, 18 August 2015 - "His Word Will Protect You—Listen!" Scipture: Ezekiel 13:8-23

RG AUDIO 081815

Ezekiel 13:8 Therefore here is what Adonai Elohim does say: ‘Because you have spoken futilities and seen falsehoods, therefore I am against you,’ says Adonai Elohim.

9 “‘“My hand will be against the prophets who have futile visions and produce false divinations; they will not be allowed into the council of my people, or be written in the register of the house of Isra’el, or enter the land of Isra’el. Then you will know that I am Adonai Elohim. 10 They deserve this, because they have led my people astray by saying there is peace when there is no peace. If someone builds a wall without mortar, they ‘plaster’ it with whitewash [to make it appear strong]. 11 Tell these ‘plasterers’ that a cloudburst is coming, with huge hailstones and gale-force winds; 12 and the wall will fall down. Then people will ask you, ‘Where is the whitewash you used to “plaster” it?’” 13 Therefore Adonai Elohim says: “In my rage I will cause gale-force winds to break out, and in my anger there will come a cloudburst, with huge hailstones to consume it in fury. 14 This is how I will break down the wall you covered with whitewash — I will smash it to the ground, so that its foundation will be revealed. The wall will fall down, and you will be consumed with it. Then you will know that I am Adonai. 15 In this way I will spend my fury on the wall and on those who covered it with whitewash; and I will say to you, ‘The wall is gone, and so are those who “plastered” it,’ 16 that is, the prophets of Isra’el who prophesy about Yerushalayim and see visions of peace for her when there is no peace,” says Adonai Elohim.’

17 “You, human being, turn your face against the daughters of your people who prophesy out of their own thoughts. Prophesy against them; 18 tell them that Adonai Elohim says, ‘Woe to the women who sew magic pads for all arm joints and put veils over people of all sizes, in order to hunt human lives! Will you hunt down the lives of my people while you keep your own lives safe? 19 You dishonor me before my people for a few handfuls of barley and crumbs of bread, killing people who should not die and sparing those who should not live, by your lying to my people, who love hearing lies.’ 20 Therefore here is what Adonai Elohim says: ‘I am against your pads, with which you hunt human lives like birds; I will tear them from your arms and let the lives go, yes, the human lives that you hunt like birds. 21 I will also tear your veils and rescue my people from your clutches, so that they will no longer be in your power for you to hunt. Then you will know that I am Adonai. 22 Because you have disheartened the righteous with your lies when I was not trying to cause them pain and have encouraged the wicked not to turn from their wicked ways and thus be saved, 23 therefore you will have no more futile visions, and you will produce no more divinations. I will rescue my people from your clutches, and you will know that I am Adonai.’”

"His Word Will Protect You—Listen!" by Author: Mallory Sauer
Much like the false prophets and fortune tellers among the Israelites, dishonest leaders still charm the masses in today’s world. False prophets within the Church can mislead Christians, if the believers don’t seek God’s wisdom as a safeguard.
Sometimes the ideas or messages that—instead of challenging you to stand for what is right—make you feel “all warm and fuzzy” are like sirens on the rocks, singing and lulling your mind into a false sense of security. God hates such lies that ensnare so many of His people. He compares the deceit of corrupt leaders to a flimsy wall painted with whitewash. “‘So I will pour out my wrath against the wall and against those who covered it with whitewash . . . those prophets of Israel who prophesied to Jerusalem and saw visions of peace for her when there was no peace,’ declares the Sovereign Lord” (Ezekiel 13:15-16).
God doesn’t sugar-coat His words, and we should not trust the voices that do. If you rely on God and His Word for discretion, He will open your eyes to the truth, and you will not be led astray by another’s words-no matter how convincing the claim or dynamic the voice.
Hymn for Today: "He Leadeth Me" by Joseph H. Gilmore

1. He leadeth me: O blessed thought!

O words with heavenly comfort fraught!

Whate'er I do, where'er I be,

still 'tis God's hand that leadeth me.

Refrain:

He leadeth me, he leadeth me;

by his own hand he leadeth me:

his faithful follower I would be,

for by his hand he leadeth me.

2. Sometimes mid scenes of deepest gloom,

sometimes where Eden's flowers bloom,

by waters calm, o'er troubled sea,

still 'tis God's hand that leadeth me.

Refrain:

He leadeth me, he leadeth me;

by his own hand he leadeth me:

his faithful follower I would be,

for by his hand he leadeth me.

3. Lord, I would clasp thy hand in mine,

nor ever murmur nor repine;

content, whatever lot I see,

since 'tis my God that leadeth me.

Refrain:

He leadeth me, he leadeth me;

by his own hand he leadeth me:

his faithful follower I would be,

for by his hand he leadeth me.

4. And when my task on earth is done,

when, by thy grace, the victory's won,

e'en death's cold wave I will not flee,

since God through Jordan leadeth me.

Refrain:

He leadeth me, he leadeth me;

by his own hand he leadeth me:

his faithful follower I would be,

for by his hand he leadeth me. 

Thought for Today:

"Truth stands in the full light of disclosure, deceptive teaching avoids honest discussion or public exposure" [Daniel Powers].
Please pray:

That many people in Uganda will come to know Yeshua the Messiah and receive the fullness of Holy Spirit.
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