September 1 - Ezekiel 32:17-33:20 | Jeremiah 52:28-30 | Psalm 137:1-9 | 1 Chronicles 4:24-5:17

Good morning everyone,

Good golly, here we are, the first of September. Can you even believe it? There are a few of you who have been with me every day of this journey and I have absolutely loved your company. We only have a couple of more weeks left with the prophets of Old then we will finish out the year in the New Testament, I am looking forward to that.

Today, though, we begin with Ezekiel telling us, “In the twelfth year, on the fifteenth day of the month, the word of the Lord came to me.” Now, I absolutely love how exactly he records the time, it allowed for all those wise theologians to set absolute time lines for the events that took place in history. Right? With this date, and ones previously recorded, they were able to determine that this prophecy was given two months after the news of Jerusalem’s fall had reached the exiles being held in Babylon. These folks were in a miserable state. They were displaced, most of them starving, they were forced to work for their captors I rather imagine it was somewhat encouraging to hear that God would be judging their captors for their incredible cruelty. 

This message also serves to show that God alone has the power of the universe. That even the mightiest of nations with the most powerful rulers, along with the “everyday folks” are all still accountable to God, to Yahweh, nothing goes unseen or unnoticed. Jeremiah 17:10 tells us, “I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.” Hebrews 4:13 says, “And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” God knows and sees all. When you, as a Christian really believe that, and remember it minute by minute, I guarantee it will change the way you live your life. 

As Christians we accountable to one another. In 1 Corinthians we read that Christians are all part of the same body of Christ and each member needs or belongs to the other. God’s Word suggests the importance of strong accountability between Christians. It is important for every believer to have at least one other person to confide in, pray with, listen to, and encourage. In Galatians we are told that if we notice a fellow Christian in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness, but be careful that in doing so we do not become tempted too.

So it begs the questions; Are you accountable? Do you have a friend you can confide in and (more to the point) that you will listen to? Will that person hold you accountable in your spiritual walk? Are you the type of person that people can come to when they need accountability? We all need help seeing, confronting, and overcoming sin in our lives. The Holy Spirit reveals these things to us and empowers us to overcome them, but he uses Christian friends to help us, remind us, strengthen us, and minister to us on our journey. Make sense? The Christian life was never meant to be lived in solitude, buddy up. :-) Amen?

Have a good day and to God be the glory.

God bless you all …..