Pastor Bruce’s blog

This morning I was reading in the book of Ezekiel.  Have you ever read it?  Ezekiel is a priest who has been “relocated” by the Babylonians to ancient Persia.  While he’s there with the others who have been moved there with him, he gets a call.  The Lord calls him to be a prophet, but not just an ordinary one.  Ezekiel is given out-of-the-ordinary visions and demonstrations of God’s messages to His people.  Some people stop reading the book near the beginning; it just seems too fantastic to relate to modern day life.

It’s really a very practical book.  For example, I was reading Chapter 18 today, which reveals God’s heart regarding repentance.  Verse 31 says “Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.  For why should you die, O house of Israel?  ‘For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,’ says the Lord God.  ‘Therefore, turn and live!’ “  That was directed toward His people, Israel.  And what does that say to us?  Examine our lives and hearts.  Turn away from what’s wrong.  And let that be a process that continues in you indefinitely!  The Lord doesn’t want death and trouble to be our lot.  Repentance is meant to be a long term part of our walk with God.  And when we do, He renews our lives.  PB