Stand Up, Speak Out, Do Not be Afraid

It is often brought up in the church, the nation is rebellious. Ezekiel 2 talks about this. God told Ezekiel what he was supposed to do. He was supposed to stand up, speak, and not be afraid. There is something very interesting about standing up.

Ezekiel 2:1,2 He said to me, "Son of man, stand up on your feet and I will speak to you." As he spoke, the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet, and I heard him speaking to me. 

It was the Spirit who raised him up. When God told him to stand, it was the Spirit who made him stand. He didn't do it on his own. Likewise we cannot stand on our own. We need to help of the Spirit of God. He will raise us up and make us stand. But when we try to stand on our own we usually just fall back down.

So now he is filled with the Spirit. The Spirit is what will give him the strength to speak to the nation whether they "listen or fail to listen." Ezekiel is empowered and will not be afraid. It is important to tell the people even when you know the will not listen. But we don't do it alone. He is always by our side. and when everyone opposes us, we should not be afraid. He will take care of us. We are never alone.

The Reason Love is Important

I will admit, I'm not that consistent. I have trouble sticking with things. But it does not mean I have forgotten about them. I am working very hard at being more consistent and post more things. It is a process, but, Philippians 4:13 "I can do everything through him who gives me strength." So because of this I will try to be more consistent.

If you haven't noticed, I talk about love a lot. Love is the basis of the Christian faith. Love is what takes it from religion to relationship. You see, in so many other religions it's about the things you do. If you are a good person you get the reward. But Christianity is different in that it is about what he did for us and how we choose to respond to that. Further more actions can't get you to heaven. It is the attitude behind your actions. Christianity is having a relationship with someone who loved you so much he was willing to die for you, and letting him teach you how to be filled with a love beyond comprehension, joy unexplainable, and peace undefinable. He can give you purpose and a future. And best of all he will NEVER leave you or forsake you. He is alive and will stay by your side. No one else could ever love you as much as he does. He loves everyone no matter what they have done. And his invitation is open to anyone.

Romans 10:9 If you confess with your mouth "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.