LAMENTATIONS & EZEKIEL

This morning, I am back in Oregon.  I arrived around noon yesterday.  We were so tired, but so glad to be home.  Since then, we have had many hard rains but hope for a better day today weather wise.  I hope your week has been a good one.  Today, I am writing about a few things in Lamentations and Ezekiel.  Here they are: 1) OUR MERCIFUL GOD- Lam. 3:22 says:  "It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not."  I love verses like this!  It tells us of our merciful God.  We know what we are, and are reminded of that often, but when we see who God is... it encourages us.  If the LORD were to mark iniquities, David asks, who would stand?  For the believer, our sins are forgiven and forgotten by God.  As though they never existed.  What a wonderful thing to know that because of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven forever!  Praise His name! 2) WORKING IN CAPTIVITY- In Ezekiel 1:1, it struck me what Ezekiel said: "Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God."  Here it is 30 years into the captivity, and God is speaking to Ezekiel and giving him a vision.  Now matter where we are, God can and will use us IF we are available and submissive to Him.  God was working in Israel, and God is working in the land of the Chaldeans.  God works when you are free, and God works when you are in bondage as a prisoner.  God worked in Joseph's life when he was with his parents, and when he was a slave, and when he was a prisoner, and when he was the third ruler of Egypt.  God works!  God worked in Ezekiel's life in captivity and worked in Daniel's life as well.  God works everywhere and with anyone willing.  Let God work in your life today! 3) A LITTLE SANCTUARY- In Ezekiel 11:16, God says to Ezekiel about Israel:  "... and although I have scattered them among the countries, ye will I be to them as a little sanctuary in the countries where they shall come."   God says they are far away from the Temple, but that HE will be to them "a little sanctuary."  We are a ways from Heaven, but God is our "sanctuary" till be get there.  I also believe that God has given us our church as a "little sanctuary" till be get to Heaven as well.  I hope you enjoy the sanctuary that God has given to you.  We too are in a far land.... but God is our sanctuary, and has given us a church to be a little sanctuary as well.  May God bless you today my friend!   Pastor Mike Mutchler