December 4, 2006 - Ezekiel 47-48 and I John 3
The presence and power of God changes everything. As we finish reading the book of Ezekiel, we see the changes in the Holy land, because of the presence of God. In I John 3, we see the changes in the believer because of the presence of God. What changes have you experienced because of God's presence and power in your life? That is how we know we are one of His children.
In Ezekiel 47 we read the description of a river flowing from the Temple that brings life to everything it reaches. This life comes from the presence of God in the Temple. The glory of God is so strong it even gives miraculous power to the waters of the river. Is this a literal river? I believe that it is speaking of a literal river that will flow from the Temple at that time, but whether it is literal or not, the message is the same. Life comes from God. If we know Christ, we have life, but without Him there is no life.
I John 3 is very radical to our way of thinking as John describes the changes experienced by believers. A believer will cease to sin habitually. (v.6) This comes from the presence of God in the life of a believer. The believer will love other believers. (v.14) In fact, we will love them in deed and in truth, not just in words. (v.18) In other words, there are very significant changes in a person's life, when that person comes to know Christ and the Holy Spirit comes to live in him. What a message about the presence of God! We need to surrender ourselves to God, so that His presence will fill us and overflow to others around us. In that way, we can be the conduits for His life to flow to others.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Daniel 1-2 and I John 4.
In Ezekiel 47 we read the description of a river flowing from the Temple that brings life to everything it reaches. This life comes from the presence of God in the Temple. The glory of God is so strong it even gives miraculous power to the waters of the river. Is this a literal river? I believe that it is speaking of a literal river that will flow from the Temple at that time, but whether it is literal or not, the message is the same. Life comes from God. If we know Christ, we have life, but without Him there is no life.
I John 3 is very radical to our way of thinking as John describes the changes experienced by believers. A believer will cease to sin habitually. (v.6) This comes from the presence of God in the life of a believer. The believer will love other believers. (v.14) In fact, we will love them in deed and in truth, not just in words. (v.18) In other words, there are very significant changes in a person's life, when that person comes to know Christ and the Holy Spirit comes to live in him. What a message about the presence of God! We need to surrender ourselves to God, so that His presence will fill us and overflow to others around us. In that way, we can be the conduits for His life to flow to others.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Daniel 1-2 and I John 4.