LAMENTATIONS & EZEKIEL

Today is Sunday!  I love Sundays!  It is raining outside, but that is ok.  The LORD must know that we need the rain.  Rain sometimes brings in an even greater crowd to church here in Oregon.  I guess people have less to do outside when it is raining and they come to church.  I'm looking forward to being at church today and seeing God do something special.  I finished up Jeremiah, read Lamentations, and got into Ezekiel this morning.  Here are some thoughts to share with you:   1) BROKEN AND ABANDONED- In Jer. 52, we see that the walls of Jerusalem were broken down and that only the poorest of the people were left in the impoverished land.  Then all of the houses were burned, and all worth taken was taken from the city and the temple.  When God humbles a land, He does a good job of it.  Let us not be found out needing to be humbled by God.  Rather, let us chose ourselves to walk humbly before God knowing that He is in control at all times. 2) LAMENTATIONS- This book is called "the Lamentations of Jeremiah".  To lament means to weep.  Thus, it is the "weeping of Jeremiah".  It is a book where Jeremiah tells about his tears for his city.  It is also a poetic type of book.  The first two chapters have 22 verses in them each.  The middle chapter has 66 verses, and the last two chapters have again 22 verses each.  Five chapters that God puts symmetry to.   3) TURN BACK TO GOD- This is the message of Lamentations as Jeremiah weeps for them.  In Lam. 3:40, it says: "Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD."  What a good message for our nation, and for us today as well.  Let us search our ways, and then decide to turn to the LORD!!   4) EXPRESS DELIVERY- In Ezek. 1:3, the Bible reads: "The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest," This is not talking about the speed of the message, but the uniqueness of the message… expressly for Ezekiel.  Do you know that today the LORD wants to talk expressly to us?  I'm not talking about audible words, but in our spirit!  "Today, if you hear his voice; hardened not your hearts"  "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."  It sounds like Jesus wants to talk with us (expressly) today!  LORD, help me to be all ears today!  Help me to be tender-hearted.  Help me to be totally receptive.  Speak through life, and circumstances.  Speak through Your Word and by Your Spirit.  Let me live this day in tune with your Spirit.  Speak expressly to me dear LORD.  "Speak Lord, for thy servant heareth." 5) Soul-Warning!  We go soul-winning when we tell people about Christ in hopes of seeing them trust the Savior, but in reality, we are only responsible to warn them or to share the Gospel.  The response is between them and God.  Ezekiel 3:17-19 tells us that.  It also tells us that if we fail to warn them, their blood is upon our hands!!   Well, hope you have a great day!  Pastor Mike Mutchler