That's Life

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel%2018-20&version=NIV

Today as we continue through Ezekiel I want to focus on chapter 18, because we find here some important truths that we must walk according to:

Living closely with God is what gives life. (vs. 6-9)
Friends – if you want your life to be as fulfilled, rich, peace-filled, joyful, exciting – you must live, walk, and communicate with God daily. If you want God to guide and protect your steps, if you want to see and feel his presence in his life, walk beside him constantly. If you want to hear from God, put yourself in the position by listening to his word and being still in prayer. If you want to see God move, become involved in the places he is moving. God desires that all have life through him – not just in eternity, but daily. Walk closely with him and experience the vibrant life he offers – it’s a great ride!

The faith of your parents does not give life. (vs. 10-13)
So many people rely on their ‘heritage’ of faith for their salvation. I believe many Christians are just doing what their parents done and ‘practicing’ their faith the way they were taught. But that’s religion, not faith. And unfortunately there are those who rely on the practice of their parents’ religion while they continue to walk in their own sinful ways. There are also those who have rejected God because of their parents very wrong representation of what living with him means. Certainly, your parents faith can help build and develop yours. However, it is essential that you know God personally – that you explore the word, delve down deep, spend time alone with God is prayer, put yourself under the teaching of mentors and participate in serving in Christian community. God gives life according to your own faith and righteousness, not your parents. Know God personally and see the amazing God that he is!

The sin of your parents does not bring death. (vs. 14-20)
So often, those who come from families that are less than ideal and that did not walk with God struggle with their human heritage. Choose today, my precious friend, to not allow Satan to speak lies about coming from such a family that lead you to feel shame. It does not matter who your parents are or whether they believed in God or walked in sin when it comes to your salvation. God knows who your heavenly Father is, and that’s all that matters to him. He has adopted you into his family and you have a rich, rich heritage! That is not to say that God does not want your family to also be saved. Indeed – verse 23 tells us that that God doesn’t want people to parish, but to turn from their ways and live. Is God asking you to be an instrument he will use to change the heart of your family members? Lastly, it is important for you to know that God is so very concerned about the wounds your family might have inflicted on you. He wants so very much to heal your hurts and brokenness that your childhood might have left. Will you release them to him, allow him to walk you through the pain and then allow him to heal? It is part of the life he offers.

Your own past does not bring death. (vs. 21-24)
God is so loving, forgiving, and filled with mercy that he does not hold our past against us. Let me repeat that again – God does not hold your past against you! He does not intent for you to walk in regret of the way you used to live. For God, how you walk from this day forward is all that matters. Your past now only serves as a reminder of the amazing work of God in your life. Do not allow yourself to go into your past before worshipping at the altar of God’s life-changing grace so that you will understand that you simply are not who you where. You are a new creation – the old is gone. Your sin is removed from you as far as the East is from the West. Read Psalm 103 – especially verses 7-12 – as a beautiful reminder of Gods love and compassion for you. God doesn’t say fix what you’ve done (although there might be people you need to humble yourself before and ask for forgiveness). God also does not punish sin beyond its natural consequences. Nor does he ask you to clean yourself up a little before you come to him. He simply asks you to make a choice to ‘rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed and get a new heart and a new spirit’. It’s that easy. If you’ve made that choice, continue to allow him to build that new heart and let that new spirit take residence in you. If you haven’t made that choice, today is a great day to do just that!


Friends – I believe each of us needs to remember one of more of these truths today. I pray that they would settle in your heart and that you would live, believe, and act accordingly. More than that, I pray that you would know the God who gives life, and draw so near to him that you would experience life the way he intended it to be. He is the creator God who created life. He’s the creator God who designed every intimate detail in you. He is the beginning of life, and the only true life is the one lived with Him.

Love and blessings sweet friends!

Today's post was submitted by Carol Bartels