Hello My Friend; Good day.
The reading for today's Devotional is from Ezekiel chapter 10. Ezekiel is here in a privileged position in these series of visions to observe the glory of the Lord as it shines through the sanctuary. He sees the operations of divine Providence in the government of the lower world. He observes the angels at work operating and directing the affairs of this world. Angels moving in all directions at will are guided by the Mighty Holy Spirit of God. Ezekiel observed how he that sits on the throne calls calls to the man in the linen to go in between the wheels, and fill his hand with coals of fire and scatter them over the city. This shows the burning of the city and the Temple by the Chaldeans.
Please pay attention to verse 18: "Then the glory of the Lord departed from the threshold of the temple and stood over the cherubim." Ezekiel saw the glory of the Lord removing out of the temple, the place where God's honor had long dwelt. He saw the glory departing. My Friend this was a depressing sight for Ezekiel. Think about this now that your body is the doweling place of the Holy Spirit. When you defile and profane your body as Israel defiled and profaned the temple, the Spirit and Glory of God departed. It happens so with us if we fail to keep our bodies clean and holy. Paul says it very eloquently in Romans 12 thus: "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service." There you are my Friend. God will not dwell in dirt or filth. He will not be in a place where His name is not honored. In His wrath, He will order and permit the angels of destruction to scatter fiery coals to burn all evil. He will still be on His throne in heaven. God demands holiness from His creatures, especially from those He made in His own image and likeness. Hallelujah. Amen.
Prayer for today: as adapted from Psalm 51: 10-11: Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me." Amen.
Apostle Ndueso Udoiwod.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
The vision of the Slaying angels in Jerusalem
Hello My Friend; Good day.
Our reading for today is from Ezekiel chapter 9. The vision which began in chapter 8 now enters the phase of the slaying of the inhabitants of Jerusalem. The summons given to the destroyers of Jerusalem was given to God's angels whose job was to lay the city waste. Six men appeared with their instruments of destruction. In Genesis we saw that God's angels were stationed to guard the tree of life so that Adam and Even would not venture to eat and live forever. Also in Exodus, the death angel was dispatched to destroy all those whose house were not marked with blood. Here in Jerusalem, the foreheads of the remnants who feared God were marked for survival of the destruction. So will it be at the end times as recorded in Revelation 7:3 when God's Seal will be placed upon the foreheads of His servants before earth will be destroyed. Note the six men who appeared each came from one of the principal gates of Jerusalem. The armies of the king of Babylon had six commanders each coming through from one of the gates of the city.
Note that in the midst of the destruction there was a man who wore linen clothing and carried a writer's case strapped to his side was like the ancient attorney. The honor of his pen exceeded that of the destroying sword and weapons. He represented Christ as the Mediator saving those that were His from the flaming sword of God's justice. As a high Priest He wears fine linen as in Revelation 19:8. As a prophet he carries the writer's ink box to record the names of the saved into the Lamb's Book of life. Ezekiel was privileged to see the vision in order to know about God's economy of justice. As we walk around everyday, remember that God knows those who are His own to place a mark of identification on their foreheads. Do you have a mark on your forehead? Listen to the warnings of the prophets, priests, preachers, pastors, and THIS BOOK OF THE LAW. You are to read it and meditate on it. That is one of the Principal reasons God gave this Book to you and gives the knowledge for you to read and understand. If you have any questions, write to us and we will do our best to assist you.
Prayer for today: Let us join the Prophet in this prayer as found in verse 8: "Ah, Lord God ! Will you destroy all the remnant of Israel in pouring out your fury on Jerusalem?". Have mercy Lord and save your people according as the man clothed with linen said: " I have done as You commanded me." Hallelujah. Amen.
Apostle Ndueso Udoiwod.
Our reading for today is from Ezekiel chapter 9. The vision which began in chapter 8 now enters the phase of the slaying of the inhabitants of Jerusalem. The summons given to the destroyers of Jerusalem was given to God's angels whose job was to lay the city waste. Six men appeared with their instruments of destruction. In Genesis we saw that God's angels were stationed to guard the tree of life so that Adam and Even would not venture to eat and live forever. Also in Exodus, the death angel was dispatched to destroy all those whose house were not marked with blood. Here in Jerusalem, the foreheads of the remnants who feared God were marked for survival of the destruction. So will it be at the end times as recorded in Revelation 7:3 when God's Seal will be placed upon the foreheads of His servants before earth will be destroyed. Note the six men who appeared each came from one of the principal gates of Jerusalem. The armies of the king of Babylon had six commanders each coming through from one of the gates of the city.
Note that in the midst of the destruction there was a man who wore linen clothing and carried a writer's case strapped to his side was like the ancient attorney. The honor of his pen exceeded that of the destroying sword and weapons. He represented Christ as the Mediator saving those that were His from the flaming sword of God's justice. As a high Priest He wears fine linen as in Revelation 19:8. As a prophet he carries the writer's ink box to record the names of the saved into the Lamb's Book of life. Ezekiel was privileged to see the vision in order to know about God's economy of justice. As we walk around everyday, remember that God knows those who are His own to place a mark of identification on their foreheads. Do you have a mark on your forehead? Listen to the warnings of the prophets, priests, preachers, pastors, and THIS BOOK OF THE LAW. You are to read it and meditate on it. That is one of the Principal reasons God gave this Book to you and gives the knowledge for you to read and understand. If you have any questions, write to us and we will do our best to assist you.
Prayer for today: Let us join the Prophet in this prayer as found in verse 8: "Ah, Lord God ! Will you destroy all the remnant of Israel in pouring out your fury on Jerusalem?". Have mercy Lord and save your people according as the man clothed with linen said: " I have done as You commanded me." Hallelujah. Amen.
Apostle Ndueso Udoiwod.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
The Vision of the Abomination at the Temple
Hello My Friend; Good day.
Our reading for today is from Ezekiel chapter 8. Ezekiel is now in captivity, but God is showing him the vision of how the elders, men, and women corrupted and defiled the Temple of the Lord. Here in the vision God brings him back to Jerusalem to show him the sins that were committed there (verses 1-4). The elders of Israel were worshipping all manners of images in a secret chambers; the women were weeping for Tammuz; and the men were worshipping the sun right in the Temple of the Almighty God ! We do not mean to be redundant here, but imagine sins of the leaders even at the very presence of God. Same things are happening in our day and time when Church leaders belong to secret cults, yet they are the ones leading members in worship. They themselves know that they worship Satan, yet they come and deceive themselves in the midst of innocent followers of Christ.
After Ezekiel had seen all these abominations, God asked him in verse 17: "Hast thou not seen these o son of man! and could thou have thought ever to see such things done in the temple of the lord? Here God makes the Prophet the judge. God is appealing to the prophet's good sense of judgment. There is a saying in Ibibioland in Nigeria like this: "okop etop idiok owo ibupke ntak". This means that when people here about the anger or bad things that that person did, they should inquire about the reason. The people who went to steal "ekom" sat at the root of ekom to eat it so that when the owner of "ekom" comes to meet them there, what will he do? In this vision God showed His prophet the height of the abuse and insult the leaders indulged in to bring the Lord to the level of unrepentant anger. Matthew Henry quotes Dr. Lightfoot commenting on this situation as saying: "They put the branch to their wrath, or to his wrath, which means they are still bring more fuel to the fire of Divine wrath which they had already kindled." God in His fury said, "though they cry in my ears with a loud voice, yet will I not hear them; for their sins cry more loudly for vengeance than their prayers cry for mercy."(Matthew Henry's Commentary page 1043).
Prayer for today: Dear Lord, we sing in the hymn: "what can wash away my sin?" The answer is "nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. O! precious is the flow that makes me white as snow; No other fount I know, Nothing but the blood of Jesus." Remember that Lord and forgive the sins of your people in the Name of Him whose blood can make us whole again. Amen.
Apostle Ndueso Udoiwod.
Our reading for today is from Ezekiel chapter 8. Ezekiel is now in captivity, but God is showing him the vision of how the elders, men, and women corrupted and defiled the Temple of the Lord. Here in the vision God brings him back to Jerusalem to show him the sins that were committed there (verses 1-4). The elders of Israel were worshipping all manners of images in a secret chambers; the women were weeping for Tammuz; and the men were worshipping the sun right in the Temple of the Almighty God ! We do not mean to be redundant here, but imagine sins of the leaders even at the very presence of God. Same things are happening in our day and time when Church leaders belong to secret cults, yet they are the ones leading members in worship. They themselves know that they worship Satan, yet they come and deceive themselves in the midst of innocent followers of Christ.
After Ezekiel had seen all these abominations, God asked him in verse 17: "Hast thou not seen these o son of man! and could thou have thought ever to see such things done in the temple of the lord? Here God makes the Prophet the judge. God is appealing to the prophet's good sense of judgment. There is a saying in Ibibioland in Nigeria like this: "okop etop idiok owo ibupke ntak". This means that when people here about the anger or bad things that that person did, they should inquire about the reason. The people who went to steal "ekom" sat at the root of ekom to eat it so that when the owner of "ekom" comes to meet them there, what will he do? In this vision God showed His prophet the height of the abuse and insult the leaders indulged in to bring the Lord to the level of unrepentant anger. Matthew Henry quotes Dr. Lightfoot commenting on this situation as saying: "They put the branch to their wrath, or to his wrath, which means they are still bring more fuel to the fire of Divine wrath which they had already kindled." God in His fury said, "though they cry in my ears with a loud voice, yet will I not hear them; for their sins cry more loudly for vengeance than their prayers cry for mercy."(Matthew Henry's Commentary page 1043).
Prayer for today: Dear Lord, we sing in the hymn: "what can wash away my sin?" The answer is "nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. O! precious is the flow that makes me white as snow; No other fount I know, Nothing but the blood of Jesus." Remember that Lord and forgive the sins of your people in the Name of Him whose blood can make us whole again. Amen.
Apostle Ndueso Udoiwod.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
God's Judgment on Israel for Idolatry
Hello My Friend; Good day.
Our reading for today is from Ezekiel chapters 6 and 7. Ezekiel like many other prophets of his day warned the people of the coming destruction if they refuse to repent of the sin of idolatry. At least 43 times the prophet attached to his prophetic warnings this expression: "Then they will know that I am the Lord." Ezekiel was not the Lord, it was the Lord God Almighty, the Father of Israel who spoke through His prophet. Ezekiel did not hesitate to announce the warnings especially after the Lord had told him that the blood of the people will be upon him if he failed to warn them. Ezekiel made sure that Israel remembered that whatever came down the pipe in terms of devastation was not chance game, not fate, not luck, or poor military planning or strategy, but the hand of God was there empowering the enemies to pound them and grind them as powder. God spoke with awesome solemnity when He forbade the Israelites from worshiping anyone or anything other than Him (Exodus 20:3). God requires that we have no other gods before or beside Him. Anyone who breaks this law or treats it with contempt will not escape punishment. Not then, and not now. God says in His Word: "Thus I will spend my fury upon them." (6:12b). Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when their slain are among their idols all around their alters, on every high hill, on all the mountain tops, under every green tree, and under every thick oak, where ever they offered sweet incense to all their idols. So I will stretch my hand against them and make the land desolate, yes more desolate than the wilderness toward Diblah, in all their dwelling places. Then they shall know that I am the Lord." (6:13-14). Chapter 7 follows the same train. We do not wish to be redundant here but we urge you to read through the chapter. It also ends with the same statement: "I will do to them according to their way, And according to what they deserve I will judge them; Then they shall know that I am the Lord!'
My Friend, these warnings which were for Israel then are for you now. What are your idols? Are you putting them before and beside your God? Remember no one, I say no one who treats the Lord or His Word with contempt will go unpunished. See we are so lucky that God has demonstrated His love that when we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. That is the escape route when you trust Him and yield your life to the One who died for your sins. Hallelujah. Amen.
Prayer for today: Thank you Lord for loving the world so much so that you gave your Son , so that everyone who believes in Him may not die but have eternal life (John 3:16). Amen.
Apostle Ndueso Udoiwod.
Our reading for today is from Ezekiel chapters 6 and 7. Ezekiel like many other prophets of his day warned the people of the coming destruction if they refuse to repent of the sin of idolatry. At least 43 times the prophet attached to his prophetic warnings this expression: "Then they will know that I am the Lord." Ezekiel was not the Lord, it was the Lord God Almighty, the Father of Israel who spoke through His prophet. Ezekiel did not hesitate to announce the warnings especially after the Lord had told him that the blood of the people will be upon him if he failed to warn them. Ezekiel made sure that Israel remembered that whatever came down the pipe in terms of devastation was not chance game, not fate, not luck, or poor military planning or strategy, but the hand of God was there empowering the enemies to pound them and grind them as powder. God spoke with awesome solemnity when He forbade the Israelites from worshiping anyone or anything other than Him (Exodus 20:3). God requires that we have no other gods before or beside Him. Anyone who breaks this law or treats it with contempt will not escape punishment. Not then, and not now. God says in His Word: "Thus I will spend my fury upon them." (6:12b). Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when their slain are among their idols all around their alters, on every high hill, on all the mountain tops, under every green tree, and under every thick oak, where ever they offered sweet incense to all their idols. So I will stretch my hand against them and make the land desolate, yes more desolate than the wilderness toward Diblah, in all their dwelling places. Then they shall know that I am the Lord." (6:13-14). Chapter 7 follows the same train. We do not wish to be redundant here but we urge you to read through the chapter. It also ends with the same statement: "I will do to them according to their way, And according to what they deserve I will judge them; Then they shall know that I am the Lord!'
My Friend, these warnings which were for Israel then are for you now. What are your idols? Are you putting them before and beside your God? Remember no one, I say no one who treats the Lord or His Word with contempt will go unpunished. See we are so lucky that God has demonstrated His love that when we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. That is the escape route when you trust Him and yield your life to the One who died for your sins. Hallelujah. Amen.
Prayer for today: Thank you Lord for loving the world so much so that you gave your Son , so that everyone who believes in Him may not die but have eternal life (John 3:16). Amen.
Apostle Ndueso Udoiwod.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Shaving as an enactment of disgrace
Hello My Friend; Good day.
Our reading for today is from Ezekiel chapter 5. This story which God directed Ezekiel to demonstrate symbolizes a dramatic enactment of the fate of Judah and Jerusalem. The shaving off of the hair from the head and beard and dividing them into three parts bore some serious significance. The head and the hair constitute the crown of the body. By shaving and dividing the hair symbolized God's utter rejection of the people as a worthless generation and bringing an end to her honor and liberty. One third that was burnt in the middle of the city denotes those who would perish by famine in the city; the other third would perish by sword; the other third would be carried away into captivity; and the other remnant would be would signify a small remnant that would be left under the government of Gedaliah who would maintain the land.
From verses 5-17, we see that God had set Jerusalem in the center of the surrounding powerful nations to be a beacon of light to them, but Jerusalem turned out to be more rebellious and sinful than those nations. God said that they had become more unruly than the nations around them and had not followed God's decrees nor kept His laws. God said the He Himself was against them. Their suffering would increase to the point that parents will eat their children and children will eat their parents because of starvation. Even those who escaped to the wilderness would be eaten by wild animals. In verse 13, we see that God's anger will come to an end and His wrath satisfied after so much sufferings and public disgrace. It is unbelievable that God would make such pronouncements against His people and actually carried them out! These prophetic pronouncements were made way before they happened so that the critics should know and believe that though the heaven and earth will pass away, the Words of God will stand for ever. The people though Jeremiah and Ezekiel said these things out of their "delusional impulses", but we now see that they were inspired by the Lord Almighty.
A word of caution is necessary to the Church. The Church has proudly called "itself as the "New Israel" and it is rightly so. The Church has been made the center of attraction and the light to the world. We see the Church going in the way of the ancient Israel and Judah. There is more sin in the Church now than in the wicked world, why? Jesus said to the inquires about the ruins of the Temple that they would likewise perish if they failed to repent. God is watching you my friend and if He did not spare His Chosen people, what do you think about yourself after the Prince of Glory came down and died for your sins. The verdict is Repent or you will likewise perish.
Prayer for today: Dear God, we all have sinned and come short of your glory. We all like sheep have turned to our wicked ways. By the merits of your dear Son, have mercy on us, forgive our sins and bring us to life everlasting through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Apostle Ndueso Udoiwod.
Our reading for today is from Ezekiel chapter 5. This story which God directed Ezekiel to demonstrate symbolizes a dramatic enactment of the fate of Judah and Jerusalem. The shaving off of the hair from the head and beard and dividing them into three parts bore some serious significance. The head and the hair constitute the crown of the body. By shaving and dividing the hair symbolized God's utter rejection of the people as a worthless generation and bringing an end to her honor and liberty. One third that was burnt in the middle of the city denotes those who would perish by famine in the city; the other third would perish by sword; the other third would be carried away into captivity; and the other remnant would be would signify a small remnant that would be left under the government of Gedaliah who would maintain the land.
From verses 5-17, we see that God had set Jerusalem in the center of the surrounding powerful nations to be a beacon of light to them, but Jerusalem turned out to be more rebellious and sinful than those nations. God said that they had become more unruly than the nations around them and had not followed God's decrees nor kept His laws. God said the He Himself was against them. Their suffering would increase to the point that parents will eat their children and children will eat their parents because of starvation. Even those who escaped to the wilderness would be eaten by wild animals. In verse 13, we see that God's anger will come to an end and His wrath satisfied after so much sufferings and public disgrace. It is unbelievable that God would make such pronouncements against His people and actually carried them out! These prophetic pronouncements were made way before they happened so that the critics should know and believe that though the heaven and earth will pass away, the Words of God will stand for ever. The people though Jeremiah and Ezekiel said these things out of their "delusional impulses", but we now see that they were inspired by the Lord Almighty.
A word of caution is necessary to the Church. The Church has proudly called "itself as the "New Israel" and it is rightly so. The Church has been made the center of attraction and the light to the world. We see the Church going in the way of the ancient Israel and Judah. There is more sin in the Church now than in the wicked world, why? Jesus said to the inquires about the ruins of the Temple that they would likewise perish if they failed to repent. God is watching you my friend and if He did not spare His Chosen people, what do you think about yourself after the Prince of Glory came down and died for your sins. The verdict is Repent or you will likewise perish.
Prayer for today: Dear God, we all have sinned and come short of your glory. We all like sheep have turned to our wicked ways. By the merits of your dear Son, have mercy on us, forgive our sins and bring us to life everlasting through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Apostle Ndueso Udoiwod.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
The siege of Jerusalem to be acted out by Ezekiel
Hello My Friend; Good day.
Our reading for today is from Ezekiel chapter 4. The siege of Jerusalem was prophesied by many of the prophets of the time. God warned the Israelites through many of his messengers, but it did not seem to work. In the year, 587 B.C., God told Ezekiel to "act out" the coming capture of Jerusalem. In this chapter, we see 4 symbolic actions: mimic the siege by drawing the city on a pan of clay; lay a siege to it; place an iron pan in between him and the city; turn his face toward it. Then take a posture of lying on one side for 390 days and on the other side for 40 days. All this signified the number of years of captivity in Babylon. The food cooked over cow dung signified the defilement of Israel during the period of captivity. Ezekiel learned the horrors of the impending siege before it actually happened through these visions.
By this demonstrations, God justified Himself that He gave proper and adequate warnings to the people. So it is in out day and time. There are sufficient warnings and sermons. Those who have ears will hear but those who refuse to listen are doomed to perish and their blood will be on them. We trust that you are paying great attention to reading the handwriting on the walls of history my friend.
Prayer for today: Dear Lord, in the days past you spoke to our fathers through the prophets but now you speak to us through the Gospel of your Son. Thank you for you do not desire that anyone should perish. Grant us the grace to run to hide in the shelter you have provided through the Laws, the prophets and the gospel message. Hallelujah. Amen.
Apostle Ndueso Udoiwod.
Our reading for today is from Ezekiel chapter 4. The siege of Jerusalem was prophesied by many of the prophets of the time. God warned the Israelites through many of his messengers, but it did not seem to work. In the year, 587 B.C., God told Ezekiel to "act out" the coming capture of Jerusalem. In this chapter, we see 4 symbolic actions: mimic the siege by drawing the city on a pan of clay; lay a siege to it; place an iron pan in between him and the city; turn his face toward it. Then take a posture of lying on one side for 390 days and on the other side for 40 days. All this signified the number of years of captivity in Babylon. The food cooked over cow dung signified the defilement of Israel during the period of captivity. Ezekiel learned the horrors of the impending siege before it actually happened through these visions.
By this demonstrations, God justified Himself that He gave proper and adequate warnings to the people. So it is in out day and time. There are sufficient warnings and sermons. Those who have ears will hear but those who refuse to listen are doomed to perish and their blood will be on them. We trust that you are paying great attention to reading the handwriting on the walls of history my friend.
Prayer for today: Dear Lord, in the days past you spoke to our fathers through the prophets but now you speak to us through the Gospel of your Son. Thank you for you do not desire that anyone should perish. Grant us the grace to run to hide in the shelter you have provided through the Laws, the prophets and the gospel message. Hallelujah. Amen.
Apostle Ndueso Udoiwod.
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