EZEKIEL SOME MORE

We had a great Mission's Conference that finished yesterday.  Great Sunday!  We raised our Mission's Giving, and over $18,000.00 for our Mission's Projects.  God was good!  God is good!  Here are some thoughts from Ezekiel:   1) THERE OUGHT TO BE A DIFFERENCE- 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.."  Somethings are clean, and somethings are unclean.  There is a difference!  For a Christian, somethings please God and somethings do not.  Some things are lawful, and somethings edify not.  We are to pick that which is pleasing to our Lord.  There must be a difference between things!!  Actions!!  Attitudes!!  Intentions!!  etc.  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 may I ever preach God's Word knowing it has the power to give the difference and the discernment we all need to please God. 2) WHICH TWELVE TRIBES- In Ezekiel 48, it names the twelve tribes of Israel twice, but each time… it is a different twelve!  How can this be?  Well, in verses 2-27, it names the tribes that inherited land which leaves out Levi, and Joseph (since Ephraim and Manasseh both children of Joseph had an inheritance of land.)  In verses 31-34, it names the gates of the city, and each one of these are given a name of the children of Jacob which would include Levi and Joseph, and exclude Ephraim and Manasseh.  Well, that is why they are different!  Hope that helps.  3) THE LORD IS THERE- These are the last words in Ezekiel.  They are found in Ezekiel 48:35.  It means that the city of Jerusalem will one day be called: "The LORD is there."  When that happens, we get to live in that city!  What a day that will be, when my Jesus I shall see...!!  Well, I've not written about many verses, but I enjoyed the writing.  So many of these thoughts would be great sermon ideas as well, but I just write down the thought undeveloped.  Hope they are a blessing to you as well.  May God richly bless you!!   Pastor Mike Mutchler