Adulterous Hearts

Then in the nations where they have been carried captive, those who escape will remember me-how I have been grieved by their adulterous hearts, which have turned away from me, and by their eyes, which have lusted after their idols. They will loathe themselves for the evil they have done and for all their detestable practices.
ezekiel 6:9>

You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
james 4:4

in a Bible study i had in attended a few years ago, we studied the book of James. that was when i first put some thought into being an adulterous person. if i claim that Christ is my husband, my groom, and i turn my affection onto someone or something that is not Him, than i am truly an aduterous woman. and how often i fall into this trap. all those times when i chose to disobey His voice, and go on my own will instead of His...

and these verses remind me that God in all His sovereignty is greived by my adulterous heart which turns away in selfishness, trying to please my desires. i cause my loving Groom to suffer.

Jesus,
my Groom - my Lover. i am sorry for hurting You, for causing You such intense grief. my heart is ever wandering. Spirit, come into me, fill me so that i may live according to what You desire instead of this sinful nature. i desire to love You with a faithful heart. Jesus, i cling to Your cross, knowing the sacrifice You made in order for me to be part of Your family. Your love is amazing, steady and unchanging. You are passionate about pursuing me, and that's what i adore about You. You are my King, and i bow down in adoration of You.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen.

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*Cathy *Herb *Regina

Falling Facedown

Fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown.
Lev. 9:24

Moses and Aaron went from the assembly to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and fell facedown, and the glory of the LORD appeared to them.
Num. 20:6

Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking.
eze. 1:28

When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified.
Matt. 17:6

lately i've been hearing a great deal about people falling facedown. matt redman's new cd, called 'facedown', is wonderful. in my journey thru the Bible, i've made it to ezekiel, and he is falling facedown after seeing the glory of the Lord.

so i began to think if there has ever been a time in my life when i fell facedown. i remember several times when i was crying out to the Lord, interceding for either my needs or the needs of somebody else. but i can't recall a time when i fell facedown due to the glory of God. perhaps i'm not the only one.

Jesus,
i've been ushered into Your presence. may You fill me with Your Spirit, sensitizing me to see Your glory. i want to fall down before You, before Your awesome glory. let my eyes see You - to behold Your glory. i want to be near You. i want to know You more. Jesus, i trust that You are at work within me - transforming me to be more like You. i love You, Jesus. may my work be a blessing to You.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen

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*Derrick *Linda *Matt

Authority to Forgive Sins

"Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, take your mat and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins . . . ." He said to the paralytic, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!"
Mark 2:10-12

this story is mostly told from the viewpoint of the deep faith of this paralytic's friends who dug a hole in the roof and lowered this man down. and it's a touching story, but did you noticed that first Jesus forgave this man... so Jesus was condemning him of being a sinner, but forgave him. i can't imagine the man went to Jesus to be forgiving, but instead he went to be healed by the great Physician. i wonder if this story would have made it into the parables if Jesus would have only forgiven the man, and not healed him of this debilatating illness. just a thought.

but Jesus did both, forgave and healed him. so the man went away, clean both inside and out. oh, to know Jesus and the power He possesses. it is good to be in His family and to know that He is my brother and Savior.

Jesus,
thanks for forgiving me. i love the way You love me. thanks for the faith of these men who came to You to be healed, and received cleansing. Your love and compassion are great. be praised for giving of Yourself to us sinners. may Your forgiveness which we've experienced also be passed on to those who sin against us. may You, Holy Spirit, impart in us the power of Jesus to forgive, and to love the way You love. help us look into the hearts of others, and not get hung up on the outward appearance. may You give us eyes to see the need of the heart before the physical needs. i am so glad to be Your child.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen

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*Ashley *Leslie *Mike

Consequence of Trusting in God

While Jeremiah had been confined in the courtyard of the guard, the word of the Lord came to him: "Go and tell Ebed-Melech the Cushite, 'This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: I am about to fulfill my words against this city through disaster, not prosperity. At that time they will be fulfilled before your eyes. But I will rescue you on that day, declares the Lord; you will not be handed over to those you fear. I will save you; you will not fall by the sword but will escape with your life, because you trust in me, declares the Lord.'"
Jer 39:15-18

earlier in chapter 38, ebed-melech saved jeremiah's life. this is a re-cap: jeremiah was lowered into a cisern, a muddy pit, and left there to starve to death. ebed-melech went to the king and requested something be done about jeremiah, and the king granted his request. jeremiah was to remain in confinement, but he was allowed food for survival.

and later in chapter 39 we discover why ebed-melech was showing compassion to jeremiah, simply because he trusted in the Lord. his faith motivated him to act on an unjust cause. ebed-melech knew that jeremiah was a man of God, and that jeremiah had prophesied about this fall of jerusalem. it impresses me that even tho ebed-melech knew he was about to be destroyed by the babylonians, he still sought to do the Lord's work. tho death was knocking on his door, he continue in what he knew was right. that is good news and a witness for us to live by.

Jesus,
i praise You for using ebed-melech to rescue jeremiah, and for using jeremiah to proclaim Your word of rescue back to ebed-melech. You were true to Your word, by bringing upon the disaster spoken thru jeremiah, and yet those who heeded Your word survived by their faith. You are God in heaven, and Your plans stand firm thru all generations. Your word is eternal, and it gives light to our paths. thanks for the hope Your provide. thanks for allowing us to enter Your presence and to confer with You about the plans for the future. thanks for still speaking thru men and women. may Your word be heard and acted upon. may Your life be spread thru Your word. i love You.
in Jesus Name ~ Amen!

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*Kimberly *Laura *Flora

A Passionate Pursuit of Perfection

Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
Heb. 6:1-2

Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:4

Finally, brothers, good­bye. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
2 Cor. 13:11

as i was watching TV a few days ago, i noticed an advertisement for Lexus. i don't have a lexus, nor do i intend to purchase one any time soon, but what caught my attention was their motto, "A Passionate Pursuit of Perfection". isn't that the motto we Christians should have, not some car company? (no offense to Lexus; i think it's brilliant that they use it!)

we should be passionately pursuing Christian perfection. 'aim for perfection'. we should be using all our energy, time and resources to attain it, and to share it with everyone we meet. our goal in life is not to remain in the basic teachings of Jesus Christ. We should instead be raising up leaders who are passionate about leading others in pursuit of Jesus Christ and the perfection which comes thru Him. it's not by our own strength, or for our own benefit that we pursue perfection, but for the sole purpose of glorifying the One who was glorified for our sake. ultimately may He be honored for our perfection.

Perfecter of my faith, [heb. 12:2]
i want to be like You. upon Your altar and with the strength You've given me, i lay down my ability to achieve perfection. i can't achieve anything without Your help. may You allow me to strive for the perfection which comes from knowing You and doing Your will. may Your Spirit rest upon me, guiding me to accomplish Your will. may You use my words and body to love others in a way which draws them close to You. may You use my wisdom to train others to serve You faithful. i want to glorify You, and only You. i want to honor You with my life.
in Jesus Name ~ Amen!

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*Cory *David *Jasemine