EZEKIEL & DANIEL

My what a great day we had yesterday.  God blessed and we had 113 more in the auditorium than the week before.  The parking lot once again was overflowing and many parked on the graveled area that holds fifty more cars.  Several adults were saved, many children, a handful of teens, and a family joined the church.  God was good to us!  That evening, we had a sweet missionary family, Brad & Deborah Wells, to Papua New Guinea.  They are a wonderful family who we will enjoy supporting.  I finished up Ezekiel and got into Daniel today, and though I wrote a few things in Ezekiel, you can hardly go a chapter into Daniel without seeing so many things to apply to our Christian life.  Here are a few thoughts: 1) I TOLD YOU SO!- It seems like Ezekiel might be saying that.  Every man of God feels like that sometimes, but we don't say that.  We warn people of the dangers of some decisions and then we help them through the difficulties they bring upon themselves from not taking the given advise.  But... it happens to us as well, so we are patient with people as God is patient with us.  I'm referring to Ezek. 33:33 "And when this cometh to pass, (lo, it will come,) then shall they know that a prophet hath been among them."  I like the confidence that Ezekiel shows when it states "(lo, it will come,)" .  He knows he is God's man and that he is speaking God's truth.  Now, I am not a prophet, but I can speak God's truth as I preach and teach, and this is my goal each service.  2) GOD'S FLOCK- Ezekiel 34:31 "And ye my flock, the flock of my pasture, are men, and I am your God, saith the LORD God."    We are God's flock, His sheep.  What a wonderful thought!  O dear God, please lead my like the gentle shepherd you are and the dumb sheep that I am.  Teach me thy ways and guide me to travel the path you have for me today.  As a shepherd leads the sheep from day to day, hour to hour to the good grass and water; please use your staff to keep me in the fold, and traveling in the path you have spied out for me to travel today.  Guide me O though Great Jehovah....! 3) THE PRIEST JOB- Ezekiel 44:23 says:  "And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean."  Now this is also the preachers job.  How we accomplish this is to preach and teach God's Word.  This shows the difference, and as for discernment, that can only come about as the people "by reason of use" spend time in God's Holy Word.  The Word is what will give you the discernment as the Holy Spirit will use His Word to guide you into all truth.  Oh my I ever preach God's Word know it has the power to give the difference and the discernment we all need to please God. 4) GOOD-BETTER-BEST!  In Daniel chapter one we see a progression.  Daniel is first GOOD vs. 4 "Children in whom was not blemish, but well favoured, and skillful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace..."  Now, GOOD, came from genetics, training, and natural aptitude.  We can all get good from these characteristics in our lives.  Everyone is not blessed with these qualities however.   Then, Daniel is BETTER.  vs. 15, "And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat."  Here we find that diet and exercise and hard study made him BETTER.  Now we all can work on these things and get better, and we should!   Even those not blessed with Good qualities can get Better!   Then, Daniel goes to BEST!  vs. 20 "And it all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them teen times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm."  He was made the BEST in the kingdom.  Now this is not caused by natural abilities, genetics, training, etc.  Nor is it caused by discipline, study, diet and exercise.  This ability to be the best.... only comes from God!  vs. 17 says:  "As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom:  and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams."  This was God given!  But, God is no respecter of persons, so you too could get God's best for you!  I was not born with GOOD, but I have worked for BETTER, but my hope is for God's BEST!!   Dear Lord, How wonderful you are.  How I've enjoyed my time with you today.  Your Word is full and rich.  It speaks of You, and You speak to me through it.  I hear your voice, I feel your love.  Oh that today, I could so live my life, that You dear God, could feel my love.  I would bow in your presence and commune with my God.  Help me find BEST.  Not for me dear LORD, but for Your sake and the blessing of others.  Thank you dear LORD.... Love you! Hope you have a blessed day and .... walk with God.  Pastor Mike Mutchler