[God said,] "I'll give you [my people in Babylonian captivity] a new heart. I'll put a new Spirit in you. I'll cut out your stone heart and replace it with a red-blooded, firm-muscled heart. Then you'll obey my statutes and be careful to obey my commands. You'll be my people! I'll be your God!"
—Ezekiel 11:19-20 MESSAGE
God had to deal with a rebellious and stubborn people in Ezekiel's day. Of course, those people were not much different than most people we find in history. However, God promised a day when the hard-hearts of his people would be replaced with life-giving hearts, transformed by a new spirit, his Holy Spirit. In that day, under the covenant between God and his people, obedience would come from the transforming power of his Spirit as the people called on the Spirit and as he empowered them to obedience through knowing the will of God. In the New Testament, 2 Corinthians 3 and Romans 8 both talk about this same thing happening with the gift of Jesus and the gift of the Holy Spirit. That Spirit can make us new and transform us to be like Jesus (2 Corinthians 3:18) as we live according to the Spirit (Romans 8:1-4).
O Father God, please work your will in my heart and empower me to live before you with holiness, honor, and obedience through the transforming power of your Holy Spirit. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Ⓒ 1996-2021 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware. Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
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—Ezekiel 11:19-20 MESSAGE
Key Thought
God had to deal with a rebellious and stubborn people in Ezekiel's day. Of course, those people were not much different than most people we find in history. However, God promised a day when the hard-hearts of his people would be replaced with life-giving hearts, transformed by a new spirit, his Holy Spirit. In that day, under the covenant between God and his people, obedience would come from the transforming power of his Spirit as the people called on the Spirit and as he empowered them to obedience through knowing the will of God. In the New Testament, 2 Corinthians 3 and Romans 8 both talk about this same thing happening with the gift of Jesus and the gift of the Holy Spirit. That Spirit can make us new and transform us to be like Jesus (2 Corinthians 3:18) as we live according to the Spirit (Romans 8:1-4).
Today's Prayer
O Father God, please work your will in my heart and empower me to live before you with holiness, honor, and obedience through the transforming power of your Holy Spirit. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Ⓒ 1996-2021 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware. Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Continue reading...
