Ezekiel 37 shows us a vision...

I've got my coffee beside me and I just finished reading Ezekiel 30-Daniel 2. I'm also looking out a picture window at two feet of snow in Sunriver, Oregon and the sun is coming up through the trees. A big squirrel just ran across the snow. It will be a great day! Here is some of what I read: Ezek. 33:7 says that Ezekiel was set up as a watchman unto the house of Israel to warn them of God's judgment. I think that preachers are a watchman. Looking at our society, we should warn Christians about the dangers of getting away from the Lord and living our lives as though we don't need God. Ezek. 37 shows us a vision. The vision of the valley of dead bones. Ezekiel is told to preach to these dead bones and as he does, they start assembling themselves and come to life as a great army for the Lord. I think of the multitudes around Portland, Oregon who do not know the Lord and are like those dry bones. God asked: "Can these bones live?" Well, when we preach the Gospel, many of them will come to life in Jesus Christ and become a great army for the Lord in heaven, and upon earth for Christ someday. Salvation is a supernatural event every single time, but our job is to keep sharing the Gospel, and then we too can see "dead bones" come to life in Christ!! What a joy! After finishing up Ezekiel, I came to the first two chapters of Daniel. Daniel is amazing! He lived for God all of his life. In Dan. 1:8- he "purposed in his heart" that he would not defile himself, but live for God. We certainly should do the same thing. I'm looking forward to reading the minor prophets. They begin right after Daniel, and there are 12 of them. Daniel is a highlight of reading through the Old Testament, and I hope you find it a blessing like I do. Well, my coffee is cooling down, so I had better drink it. I'm going after my third cup of coffee this morning.
Pastor Mike Mutchler

Vacation in Sunriver

This morning I got up and made the coffee. Usually it is on a timer and my wife makes it each evening, but today we are in Sunriver, Oregon with my children and grandchildren. I'm looking out the big windows this morning and there is two feet of snow or more everywhere. Sometimes three feet on the roofs! I made the coffee and I've had two cups already. I read Ezekiel chapter 9 through 29. Ezekiel is another prophet of judgment. Over and over you have one city after another that God pronounces judgment upon because they have forsaken God and now the Babylonians will conquer them. At least two dozen times I've read: "and they shall know that I am the LORD." God sends judgment for a reason, and that reason is to bring people back to their senses and realize that God is the LORD! In the midst of all these chapters about judgment, we have God looking for a man in Ezek. 22:30-"And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none." This sad verse tells us that God looks for someone to stand in the gap. I hope to be that kind of person. I want to be a Christian God can use to stand in the gap for this generation. I'm only one, but I can do what one Christian can do. I can love God, walk with Him, love others, share the Gospel, and make a difference for Jesus Christ. I hope you will join me in doing so. Thanks for joining me this morning in my reading, I'll see you tomorrow with another cup of coffee in my hand. Pastor Mike Mutchler