Good morning -
What does it take to really get your attention? Bold newspaper headlines? An outrageous and absurd TV commercial? Bizarre behavior by someone?
Our Creator's primary objective is for us to know who He is. His attention-getting tactics are far less subtle than that of the media, but His objective is getting our attention nevertheless. He simple wants us to know that He is the Lord YHWH.
God's message through the prophet Ezekiel was one of impending judgment because of sin and disobedience. It often makes for alarming and depressing reading, but the message of judgment is really only the tip of the iceberg; it's ultimately about returning to God and knowing Him. Notice this recurring theme:
"you will know that I am the LORD (Ezekiel 6:7) ... Then they will know that I am the LORD (Ezekiel 6:10) ... Then you will know that I am the LORD (Ezekiel 6:13) ... thus they will know that I am the LORD (Ezekiel 6:14) ... And they will know that I am the LORD (Ezekiel 7:27) ... So they will know that I am the LORD (Ezekiel 12:15) ... and may know that I am the LORD (Ezekiel 12:16).
Get the idea? Our Father wants His people to know that He is the Lord YHWH. As a holy God He demands holiness from His people but ultimately His heart is for a deep personal relationship. He wants us to know Him even as He knows us.
I'm often reminded that God chose to walk with the first man, Adam, in the Garden of Eden in the cool of the day (Genesis 3). That scene is a picture of what God desires of us - a close, personal relationship. Sin is a major deterrent to that relationship, but Jesus - through His sacrifice - has provided the means for an unbroken, intimate relationship.
A deep, personal relationship with our Father is literally the wellspring of life and total well-being. Jesus reminds us that the priority of our love for and relationship with the Father is at the absolute top of the priority list:
"`YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.' "This is the great and foremost commandment." (Matthew 22:37-38)
May the joy and life that springs from intimately knowing your Father be yours in abundance today.
Pastor Steve
What does it take to really get your attention? Bold newspaper headlines? An outrageous and absurd TV commercial? Bizarre behavior by someone?
Our Creator's primary objective is for us to know who He is. His attention-getting tactics are far less subtle than that of the media, but His objective is getting our attention nevertheless. He simple wants us to know that He is the Lord YHWH.
God's message through the prophet Ezekiel was one of impending judgment because of sin and disobedience. It often makes for alarming and depressing reading, but the message of judgment is really only the tip of the iceberg; it's ultimately about returning to God and knowing Him. Notice this recurring theme:
"you will know that I am the LORD (Ezekiel 6:7) ... Then they will know that I am the LORD (Ezekiel 6:10) ... Then you will know that I am the LORD (Ezekiel 6:13) ... thus they will know that I am the LORD (Ezekiel 6:14) ... And they will know that I am the LORD (Ezekiel 7:27) ... So they will know that I am the LORD (Ezekiel 12:15) ... and may know that I am the LORD (Ezekiel 12:16).
Get the idea? Our Father wants His people to know that He is the Lord YHWH. As a holy God He demands holiness from His people but ultimately His heart is for a deep personal relationship. He wants us to know Him even as He knows us.
I'm often reminded that God chose to walk with the first man, Adam, in the Garden of Eden in the cool of the day (Genesis 3). That scene is a picture of what God desires of us - a close, personal relationship. Sin is a major deterrent to that relationship, but Jesus - through His sacrifice - has provided the means for an unbroken, intimate relationship.
A deep, personal relationship with our Father is literally the wellspring of life and total well-being. Jesus reminds us that the priority of our love for and relationship with the Father is at the absolute top of the priority list:
"`YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.' "This is the great and foremost commandment." (Matthew 22:37-38)
May the joy and life that springs from intimately knowing your Father be yours in abundance today.
Pastor Steve
posted by steve @ 12:06 PM
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