Scripture Nugget 9.20.2016

“Come, let us return to the LORD; for it is he who has torn, and he will heal us; he has struck down, and he will bind us up. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him. Let us know, let us press on to know the LORD; his appearing is as sure as the dawn; he will come to us like the showers, like the spring rains that water the earth.” Hosea 6:1-3 … “Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up you fallow ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you. You have plowed wickedness, you have reaped injustice, you have eaten the fruit of lies. Hosea 10:12-13 … “But as for you, return to your God, hold fast to love and justice, and wait continually for your God.” Hosea 12:6 … “Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity. Take words with you and return to the LORD; say to him, ‘Take away all guilt; accept that which is good, and we will offer the fruit of our lips. Assyria shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses; we will say no more, “Our God,” to the work of our hands. In you the orphan finds mercy.’ I will heal their disloyalty; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from them. … For the ways of the LORD are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.” Hosea 14: 1-4, 9

God graciously offers the opportunity for all to respond to His love, to accept his offer of salvation from sin and enter into a life of ongoing salvation, resisting sin and becoming more like Christ; to live a Christ-like life. How do I/you/we respond? Do we attempt to save ourselves, worshiping our own efforts, or do we realize it is impossible to save ourselves? Come, let us return to the LORD! Let us return to the LORD’s people, to worship God in unity and strength because we are His children. Let us not get singled out, let us not wander off, let us not allow any other to wander away. Come, let us return the LORD, each and every one!

Scripture Nugget 9.19.2016

“Soon Daniel distinguished himself above all the other presidents and satraps because an excellent sprit was in him. … So the presidents and satraps conspired and came to the king, … ‘establish an ordinance and enforce an interdict, that whoever prays to anyone, divine or human, for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be thrown into a den of lions.’ … Therefore King Darius signed the document and interdict. … Although Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he continued to go to his house, which had windows in its upper room open toward Jerusalem, and to get down on his knees three times a day to pray to His God and praise him, just as he had done previously. … Then they responded to the king, ‘Daniel, one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or to the interdict you have signed, but he is saying his prayers three times a day.’ … and Daniel was brought and thrown into the den of lions. Then the king said to Daniel, ‘May your God, whom you faithfully serve, deliver you!’ … Daniel 6: 3, 6a, 7c, 10, 12a-b, 16b-c

Who do you listen to? Who gives you advice? Why do they give it? Think about this personally and spiritually? Does the one you listen to have your best interest at heart, or do they manipulate you for their own concerns? Who do you your advice givers follow? God or themselves? The rest of the story: Daniel survived the night in the lion’s den. The King, who had been reluctant to enforce the law that he had been tricked into establishing and signing came to check on Daniel early the next morning. Daniel was unharmed, because he was found blameless before God, he had done no wrong. King Darius decreed: “That all in my royal dominion people should tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, enduring forever. His kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion has no end. He delivers and rescues, he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth; for he has saved Daniel from the power of the lions. (Daniel 6:26-27) How does my example compare? Do I stand up against earthly powers who attempt to build themselves up and limit God? Or do I stand firm in my faith, even in times of danger? Would I stand firm even when my life is threatened? The answer is life changing, not for me but for those who witness the faith I exhibit. Just think what would happen if believers in Jesus Christ practiced their God given right of freedom of religion – that we worshipped and prayed in public – without fear. Our enemies, the freedom from religion folks would go the way of the presidents and satraps….. Let us continue to go the way of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Let us all be faithful like Daniel.

Scripture Nugget 9.15.2016

“Nebuchadnezzar said, ‘Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants who trusted in him. They disobeyed the king’s command and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God. Therefore I make a decree: Any people, nation, or language that utters blasphemy against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be torn limb from limb, and their houses laid in ruins; for there is no other god who is able to deliver in this way.’ Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon.” Daniel 3: 28-30

John Wesley “believed that the true demonstration of God’s sovereignty is seen not only in God’s creating acts but also in God’s saving acts. Grace is given to all. God, through the Holy Spirit, is always at work redeeming all things and all people, in all places and at all times. This means that regardless of our situation and circumstance, God and God’s grace reign supreme. (Wesleyan Core Term, Sovereignty of God, Wesley Study Bible, pg 1056)

O God that I would always trust you and obey you, even if that means disobeying civil decree. That I be willing to give up of myself as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego did. “They disobeyed the king’s command and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God.” O that I would always receive the grace you offer, that I, by your offer of ongoing salvation, would grow into the likeness of Christ by the power of your Holy Spirit and the gift of grace you so overwhelmingly provide. O that earthly rulers would recognize who you are and would yield to your way.

Scripture Nugget 9.12.2016

“So you, mortal, I have made you a sentinel for the house of Israel; whenever you here a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. If I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked ones, you shall surely die,’ and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from their ways, the wicked shall die in their iniquity, but their blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the wicked to turn from their ways, and they do not turn from their ways, the wicked shall die in their iniquity, but you will have saved your life.” Ezekiel 33:7-9…. “For thus says the Lord GOD; I myself will search for my sheep, and will seek them out. As shepherds seek out their flocks when they are among their scattered sheep, so I will seek out my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places to which they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness.” 34:11-12 …. “Then he said to me, ‘Prophesy to these bones, and say to them: O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. … Then he said to me, ‘Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, mortal, and say to the breath: Thus says the Lord GOD: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.’ … ‘Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: I am going to open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people; and I will bring you back to the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and bring you up from your graves, O my people, I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live.’” Ezekiel 37:4-5, 9, 12-14a

We as the priesthood of all believers are called to hold each other accountable with love. To call out those who do wrong and to help them do right. To assist those who are dead without Christ to live with Christ. We are called to assist two groups; those who profess faith in Jesus and those who don’t know Jesus. We are to call out and help up those who profess faith but live sinfully, we are to introduce and help up those who are ignorant of the faith but live sinfully. We are to “prophesy” – introduce life to any situation where there is death. Luke says of Jesus, “this fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.” (Luke 15:2) Praise God he does! Do you know there is a celebration every time a lost soul is found, a lost soul is restored to the Kingdom of God? Jesus says, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.” Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents that over ninety-none righteous persons who need no repentance.” Luke 15: 6b-7. When was the last time you celebrated? Why?

Scripture Nugget 9.9.2016

“….speak, and say, Thus says the Lord GOD: I am against you Pharaoh king of Egypt, the great dragon sprawling in the midst of its channels saying, ‘My Nile is my own; I made it myself.’ I will put hooks in your jaws, …I will draw you up from your channels, …I will fling you into the wilderness, …you shall fall in the open field, …I have given you as food. Then all the inhabitants of Egypt shall know that I am the LORD because you were a staff of reed to the house of Israel; when they grasped you with the hand, you broke, and tore all their shoulders; and when they leaned on you, you broke, and made all their legs unsteady. Therefore, thus says the Lord GOD: I will bring a sword upon you, and will cut off from you human being and animal; and the land of Egypt shall be a desolation and a waste. Then they shall know that I am the LORD. Because you said, ‘The Nile is mine, and I made it,’ therefore, I am against you and against your channels, and I will make the land of Egypt an utter waste and desolation, …At the end of forty years I will gather the Egyptians from the peoples among whom they were scattered; and I will restore the fortunes of Egypt, and bring them back to …..the land of their origin; and they shall be a lowly kingdom. It shall be the most lowly of the kingdoms, and never again exalt itself above the nations; and I will make them so small that they will never again be the reliance of the house of Israel; they will recall their iniquity, when they turned to them for aid. Then they shall know that I am the Lord GOD.” Ezekiel 29: 3-4a, 4b, 5a, d, 6-10b, 13b-14a, 14c-16

Ezekiel prophesies against Egypt because of the current serving Pharaoh who proclaims himself equal God as creator, “My Nile is my own; I made it myself.” This Pharaoh has also made false promises to Israel; promises Israel has relied on, been disappointed and hurt by when broken or not delivered. God has a plan to address all the issues and at the end of the day the people of both countries will know that God is the Lord GOD. So much to learn! Attempting to make one’s self to be God is detrimental. Even in cases when we build something ourselves, God gives us the ability and resources to do so. Even if Pharaoh had dug the channel for the Nile by himself, (which is an impossibility) the whole of creation surrounds the Nile. Creator God is bigger than anything we do. Messing with, damaging God’s creation, especially God’s people is certain to trigger God’s wrath. As is, God’s people turning to and relying on an imposter! Know that the Lord is GOD! Don’t sin by attempting to be god. When in need, and we are all in need all the time, don’t rely on an imposter – respond to God’s offer of grace and relationship. Live in and with God.

Scripture Nugget 9.8.2016

“The ships of Tarshish traveled for you in your trade. So you were filled and heavy laden in the heart of the seas. Your rowers have brought you into the high seas. The east wind has wrecked you in the heart of the seas. Your riches, your wares, your merchandise, your mariners and your pilots, your caulkers, your dealers in merchandise, and all your warriors within you, with all the company that is with you, sink into the heart of the seas on the day of your ruin.” Ezekiel 27:25-27

The city of Tyre (the people of Tyre) blessed by God with flourishing trade networks that reached out world-wide became arrogant – they claimed all their success and beauty as their own work. Greatly respected the rest of the word was shocked by the devastating and tragic devastation when all is lost at sea – ships sunk in deep water. The sin of arrogance, is not new, it is the sin of Adam and Eve, who desired to make themselves like God. The result, the consequences are not new either – separation from God, destruction of the relationship that allows one to participate in the beauty of creation and God’s blessings. In my life, I pray I recognize the blessings God lavishes upon me, that I recognize the origin of those blessings and that I remain humble, thankful and obedient to God. That I give God the glory and credit for the blessed network He establishes around me, that any and all success is attributed to God. That I not claim any as my own. O God that I not sink heavy laden with your blessings, claiming them as my own and taking many down with me.

Scripture Nugget 9.7.2016

“The word of the LORD came to me: Mortal, say to it: You are a land that is not cleansed, not rained upon in the day of indignation. Its princes within are like a roaring lion tearing the prey; they have devoured human lives; they have taken treasure and precious things; they have made many widows within it. Its priests have done violence to my teaching and have profaned the holy things; they have made no distinction between the holy and the common, neither have they taught the difference between the unclean and the clean, and the have disregarded my Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them. Its officials within it are like wolves tearing the prey, shedding blood, destroying lives to get dishonest gain. Its prophets have smeared whitewash on their behalf, seeing false visions and divining lies for them, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD,’ when the LORD has not spoken. The people of the land have practiced extortion and committed robbery; they have oppressed the poor and needy, and have extorted from the alien without redress. And I sought for anyone among them who would repair the wall and stand in the breach before me on behalf of the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found no one. Therefore I have poured out my indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath; I have returned their conduct upon their heads, says the Lord GOD.” Ezekiel 22:23-31

How are the people supposed to do right when those appointed to lead have taken advantage, promoted themselves and generally mistreated the people they are to lead? The people do what they have seen, they do to others as it has been done to them. Princes are to protect, Priests are to guard the sacred and teach truth, Officials are to protect from wolves not be wolves, and Prophets are to speak truth – God’s truth. All of these have neglected their responsibilities it is no wonder the people follow their example. What role am I, are you, called to, Prince, Priest, Official or Prophet? How are you doing as a person of God?

Scripture Nugget 9.6.2016

“I gave them my statutes and showed them my ordinances, by whose observance everyone shall live. Moreover I gave them my Sabbaths, as a sign between me and them, so that they might know that I the LORD sanctify them. But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness; they did not observe my statutes but rejected my ordinances, by whose observance everyone shall live; and my Sabbaths they greatly profaned. Then I thought I would pour out my wrath upon them in the wilderness, to make an end of them. But I acted for the sake of my name, so that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I had brought them out. Moreover I swore to them in the wilderness that I would not bring them into the land that I had given them, a land flowing with milk and honey, the most glorious of all lands, because they rejected my ordinances and did not observe my statutes, and profaned my Sabbaths; for their heart went after their idols. Nevertheless my eye spared them, and I did not destroy them or make an end of them in the wilderness.” Ezekiel 20:11-17

Good news! Bad news! Good news! Grace, rejection, more grace. God displays His love and invites us into a loving life with Him inside the boundaries He defines. I/you/we rebel, rejecting the potential possibilities of the fullness of the life God offers. God doesn’t pour out His wrath making an end of us, He spares us allowing further opportunities to accept His boundaries and enter into life with Him. Good news! Bad news! Good news! How will I/you/we respond? Where and how will we live? Wandering in the wilderness keeping an arms-length from God, calculating every option? Or will we accept His offer of grace, enter into His proposed covenant and walk hand-in-hand with Him? It’s a decision to be made moment by moment, on a daily basis that has eternal consequences in the here and now. How is it with your soul?

Scripture Nugget 9.5.2016

“Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, all of you according to your ways, says the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions; otherwise iniquity will be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed against me, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, says the Lord GOD. Turn, then, and live.” Ezekiel 18:30-32

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Matthew 4:17

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe the good news.” Mark 11:15

“I have come to call not the righteous but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:32

“I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” John 10:10

“INVITATION Christ our Lord invites to his table all who love him and seek to grow inot his likeness. Let us draw near with faith, make our humble confession, and prepare to receive this Holy Sacrament. CONFESSION AND PARDON We do not presume to come to this your table, merciful Lord, trusting in our own goodness, but in your unfailing mercies. We are not worthy that you should receive us, but give your word and we shall be healed, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Hear the good news: Christ died for us while we were yet sinners; that is proof of God’s love toward us. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!” (The United Methodist Church Book of Worship, Pastor’s Pocket Edition, A Service of Word and Table V with Persons Who Are Sick or Homebound)

God says to us, “I am here with you” then asks us, “Won’t you be with me?” How do you respond today, now - in this moment?

Scripture Nugget 9.3.2016

“They have envisioned falsehood and lying divination; they say, ‘Says the LORD,’ when the LORD has not sent them, and yet they wait for the fulfillment of their word! Have you not seen a false vision or uttered a lying divination, when you have said, ‘Says the LORD,’ even though I did not speak? Therefore, thus says the Lord GOD: Because you have uttered falsehood and envisioned lies, I am against you, says the Lord GOD. My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and utter lying divinations; they shall not be in the council of my people, nor shall they enter the land of Israel; and you shall know that I am the Lord GOD. Because, in truth, because they have misled people, saying, ‘Peace,’ when there is no peace; and because, when people build a wall, these prophets smear whitewash on.” Ezekiel 13:6-10

“To be sure, there will always be false prophets who lead their flocks astray with clever rhetoric and vivid fantasies, but the gospel calls for faithfully formed and well-educated preachers who will guide the church toward God and holiness of heart and life.” (Wesleyan Core Term, Education of Preachers, Wesley Study Bible, pg 997)

O God, that I speak your truth, teach your truth, live your truth. That I lead your people to you, not to myself nor away from you. That the flocks you ask me to shepherd share your truth, live your truth and portray your truth to our neighbors in the community that surrounds us.