BE LIKE THE BIRDS!

Then he added, “Son of man, let all my words sink deep into your own heart first. Listen to them carefully for yourself.”   Ezekiel 3:10 NLT

It is January.  So, like so many other followers of Jesus, it may be time to tell yourself you will do better at reading and studying the Bible this year.  Why should we bother, when we usually fall behind by the end of the year?  One reason is to think of God’s Word as the seed he gives us to plant.  If it is not taken up and dropped in the proper soil, his Kingdom does not spread and grow. 

In Ezekiel 2, the prophet Ezekiel is brought into the presence of the Lord who is awesome, sitting on his throne, and the Lord commissions him to speak God’s message to his people.  He then gives him a scroll and commands him to eat it.  As Ezekiel eats it, it tastes as sweet as honey.

We have access to God and that sweet message every day. (Hebrews 4:16) Most believers in our culture have a Bible and God, the Holy Spirit, lives in us, the same person through whom God’s Bible was written.  Just as in Ezekiel’s time, today the Lord wants us to eat his Word so we can bring his Kingdom to earth in our own spheres of influence.  As with Ezekiel, he tells us to let ALL the wisdom, counsel and understanding we consume “sink deep into your own heart first.”(3:10)

Scientists are amazed at how certain plants are transferred from the mainland to remote volcanic islands.  The wind could not carry the seeds that far.  So, obviously, the birds must eat the seeds on the mainland and then bring them within themselves and deposit them on the islands.  Given the right conditions, the plants then begin to grow and thrive.

This year of greater things we believe that God is giving us more power and authority to speak his Word, therefore, his will, into our own lives and into those we care about. The Holy Spirit will give his message to us, but he will not do that if we are not reading and studying his Word, and setting aside specific time to listen.  Choose to take part in the exciting role of bringing God’s Kingdom to earth by choosing to consume God’s Word and being sensitive as to where he wants to plant it.  Let’s speak God’s Word, his seed of spiritual life, so it may be used to transform our world.

Pray with me: Father God, forgive me for believing that the Word you feed me cannot be used in a powerful way.  It is not about my ability, but yours working through me that brings powerful results.  I now commit to allow you to use me to speak new life into this world and rejoice as I see you saving, healing and transforming those you bring into my path. In the powerful and compassionate name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Dear friend, may your faith be multiplied each time you appropriate God’s Word and allow him to direct you as to how and when to use it.  Believe that you are important in God’s plan and that you belong to Jesus, whose mission it is to save and restore the world. Amen.
Mary Sumner
January 11, 2019