Making a Differencewith Pastor Phil Erickson

Sep 10th, 2013 JUST FOR LADIES – BY CAMILLE STAHL

Today’s Passage – Ezekiel 35 – 37 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read –  1 Thessalonians 1 – 5; Psalms 46 – 50; Proverbs 10)

Scripture Memorization for August – Psalm 1

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 89:1

Watch Growth Points Video – “Restoration“,  by Pastor Chappell

Read the “ 0910 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

A Bible Study For Women

“Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, when the house of Israel dwelt in their own land, they defiled it by their own way and by their doings: their way was before me as the uncleanness of a removed woman. Wherefore I poured my fury upon them for the blood that they had shed upon the land, and for their idols wherewith they had polluted it: And I scattered them among the heathen, and they were dispersed through the countries: according to their way and according to their doings I judged them. And when they entered unto the heathen, whither they went, they profaned my holy name, when they said to them, These are the people of the LORD, and are gone forth out of his land. But I had pity for mine holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the heathen, whither they went. Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name’s sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went. And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes. For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.” (Ezekiel 36:16-25)

Wow. When I read this, I couldn’t understand why the children of Israel would want to go their own way to worship idols. The Bible is clear on what happens when we go our own way.

“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.” (Proverbs 12:15)

God was always good to His children. They prayed to be delivered from Egypt, and God brought them out. He promised them the Promise Land, and He fought every battle for them on their way there. He fed, clothed and walked with them in the wilderness. He gave them everything they asked for, even things that they shouldn’t of had, (a king instead of a judge, quail instead of manna…). He loved them more than any earthly father could love his children. He would someday die for them. But what did they do? The Bible says they profaned His Holy name and they worshiped idols. But to top it off, the children of Israel profaned the name of God to the heathen.

“Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” (Exodus 20:3)

“Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” (Exodus 20:7)

Taking the Lord’s name in vain does not only mean not to use it as a curse word, it also means not to degrade it, or murmur. That’s what they were doing. I always wonder why, from the day God delivered them from Egypt, they rebelled. Did they not tell their children of the wonderful things God did for them?

“And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel. And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim: And they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the LORD to anger.” (Judges 2:10-12)

I bet your thinking the same thing I’m thinking, ‘Man am I glad I’m not like the children of Israel’. Or are we?

I really don’t want to admit it but I’m not any different then they were. I have my idols of food, money, vacations, pride, and the list goes on. Yes they are idols. According to wikipedia, an idol is an image or other material object representing a deity to which religious worship is address or any person or thing regarded with blind admiration, adoration or devotion. Also as a nation that was started on Christian principles, we are throwing God out. Are we going to allow the evil of this world rule over God word?

Some things I have learned from these passages:

I must put my idols aside, put God first, and rely on Him and Him alone. I must always be in His word so I can continue to learn from the examples that are written within the pages. But not only should I them, but also I should apply them to my life. When I am down, I must learn not to complain, or murmur. It makes the Lord look bad to the world, as if He doesn’t care. As mothers and grandmothers, we must always remember to share God’s blessing so our children and grandchildren will not forget Him, and encourage others to do the same. I must always remember that my Lord loves me very much. Although the children of Israel sinned, God still put them back in their land, and cleansed them from their filthiness, and idols. And He loves us too! What love!

Will you join me?

Thank You

I John 5:13