Egypt

In the Old Testament, Egypt was the center of the world - they had wealth, power, they claimed the pharaohs were immortal gods, they were revered throughout the world, they controlled commerce, they had slaves, they ruled all of the earth. As such a relevant comparison can be made between the Egypt of the Bible and the civilized world today. While I do not believe this chapter is pure prophecy about the end times, I think that we can learn about the nature of God from this and see how bad things have been and will be. Egypt was wiped out - and so will the world be. As Christians we know the suffering the world will experience when all they have trusted in - pleasure, money, fame,power - is turned to dust. Be thankful that your trust is in Jesus Christ.

Ezekiel 30
A Sad Day for Egypt
1 This is another message that came to me from the Lord:
2 “Son of man, prophesy and give this message from the Sovereign Lord:“Weep and wail for that day, 3 for the terrible day is almost here— the day of the Lord! It is a day of clouds and gloom, a day of despair for the nations. 4 A sword will come against Egypt, and those who are slaughtered will cover the ground. Its wealth will be carried away and its foundations destroyed. The land of Ethiopia[a] will be ravished. 5 Ethiopia, Libya, Lydia, all Arabia,[b] and all their other allies will be destroyed in that war.
6 “For this is what the Lord says: All of Egypt’s allies will fall, and the pride of her power will end. From Migdol to Aswan[c] they will be slaughtered by the sword, says the Sovereign Lord. 7 Egypt will be desolate, surrounded by desolate nations, and its cities will be in ruins, surrounded by other ruined cities. 8 And the people of Egypt will know that I am the Lord when I have set Egypt on fire and destroyed all their allies. 9 At that time I will send swift messengers in ships to terrify the complacent Ethiopians. Great panic will come upon them on that day of Egypt’s certain destruction. Watch for it! It is sure to come!
10 “For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: By the power of King Nebuchadnezzar[d] of Babylon, I will destroy the hordes of Egypt. 11 He and his armies—the most ruthless of all— will be sent to demolish the land. They will make war against Egypt until slaughtered Egyptians cover the ground. 12 I will dry up the Nile River and sell the land to wicked men. I will destroy the land of Egypt and everything in it by the hands of foreigners. I, the Lord, have spoken!
13 “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will smash the idols[e] of Egypt and the images at Memphis.[f] There will be no rulers left in Egypt; terror will sweep the land. 14 I will destroy southern Egypt,[g] set fire to Zoan, and bring judgment against Thebes.[h] 15 I will pour out my fury on Pelusium,[i] the strongest fortress of Egypt, and I will stamp out the hordes of Thebes. 16 Yes, I will set fire to all Egypt! Pelusium will be racked with pain; Thebes will be torn apart; Memphis will live in constant terror. 17 The young men of Heliopolis and Bubastis[j] will die in battle, and the women[k] will be taken away as slaves. 18 When I come to break the proud strength of Egypt, it will be a dark day for Tahpanhes, too. A dark cloud will cover Tahpanhes, and its daughters will be led away as captives. 19 And so I will greatly punish Egypt, and they will know that I am the Lord.”

The second point is this - look how people will suffer when their lives are destroyed, be it by sin or by calamity. Time is short - tell people about Jesus

Love

Ezekiel 25
Message for Ammon
1 Then this message came to me from the Lord: 2 “Son of man, turn and face the land of Ammon and prophesy against its people. 3 Give the Ammonites this message from the Sovereign Lord: Hear the word of the Sovereign Lord! Because you cheered when my Temple was defiled, mocked Israel in her desolation, and laughed at Judah as she went away into exile, 4 I will allow nomads from the eastern deserts to overrun your country. They will set up their camps among you and pitch their tents on your land. They will harvest all your fruit and drink the milk from your livestock. 5 And I will turn the city of Rabbah into a pasture for camels, and all the land of the Ammonites into a resting place for sheep and goats. Then you will know that I am the Lord.6 “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Because you clapped and danced and cheered with glee at the destruction of my people, 7 I will raise my fist of judgment against you. I will give you as plunder to many nations. I will cut you off from being a nation and destroy you completely. Then you will know that I am the Lord.

A Message for Moab
8 “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Because the people of Moab have said that Judah is just like all the other nations, 9 I will open up their eastern flank and wipe out their glorious frontier towns—Beth-jeshimoth, Baal-meon, and Kiriathaim. 10 And I will hand Moab over to nomads from the eastern deserts, just as I handed over Ammon. Yes, the Ammonites will no longer be counted among the nations. 11 In the same way, I will bring my judgment down on the Moabites. Then they will know that I am the Lord.

A Message for Edom
12 “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: The people of Edom have sinned greatly by avenging themselves against the people of Judah. 13 Therefore, says the Sovereign Lord, I will raise my fist of judgment against Edom. I will wipe out its people and animals with the sword. I will make a wasteland of everything from Teman to Dedan. 14 I will accomplish this by the hand of my people of Israel. They will carry out my vengeance with anger, and Edom will know that this vengeance is from me. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!

A Message for Philistia
15 “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: The people of Philistia have acted against Judah out of bitter revenge and long-standing contempt. 16 Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will raise my fist of judgment against the land of the Philistines. I will wipe out the Kerethites and utterly destroy the people who live by the sea. 17 I will execute terrible vengeance against them to punish them for what they have done. And when I have inflicted my revenge, they will know that I am the Lord.”

I have been reading the book of Ezekiel. Many days I read and I wonder, why did I have to read this, it is so depressing. But I read today and I feel a little bit differently. I am not happy about God wiping out the world, but I see the love that he has for me. Even though He describes Israel as a harlot, rightly so, because of her many sins against God, He still loves her. "I have loved you with an everlasting love." takes on a new meaning. He still avenges her, defends her, protects her - even though she has run away thousands upon thousands of times. He is still upset with her actions, but he never stops loving her.It is amazing to me that God loves me no matter what.

For years I worried that perhaps you could lose salvation, that God would get mad at you for what you have done and say - enough is enough. I think that He does say enough is enough, I think He allows punishment, exile, for a season, but He never stops loving you. As soon as you turn back from your sin and run to Him, He is waiting to embrace you. I never lose my salvation - He honors his covenant even when I do not honor mine.

Why would God chose to give His son for a Harlot? He knew He could redeem both? Yes, but also because of His great love for me. I am so unworthy of love like that, love that loves in spite of utter rejection, love that loves when it seems hopeless. Love that gives everything to be reconciled. I am so thankful for love like that.

How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

His wounds have paid my ransom, Praise God.
Amanda

Good (and not so good) books

We were really pleased with the turn out at the movie last night and with all the books being made available to us.

We have recently read Every Man's Battle, Every Woman's Battle and a few other books that are being offered - (The 5 love languages, Love and Respect, and For Him Only and For Her Only -not sure if the him and her books are being offered)

We would just like to give a glowing recommendations for the Every man's series of books. Unlike some of the other books we have read, these books focus on fixing yourself - not making your partner into who you want him/her to be.

The Every Man's battle and Every Woman's battle address the root cause in you (not in your spouse), and encourage you to live lives of integrity because that is what Christ calls us to do - not in an attempt to manipulate our spouses into changing.

Many relational books talk about codes, pink and blue views, and how different the sexes are. They then give tips on how to act differently to illicit a different reaction from your spouse. While we believe the authors have good intentions - we would also offer the following cautions:

ANY book based on 1 or 2 scriptures is probably wrong - If you want to know what God says about those scriptures, do the research, look up the Greek, ask your pastor for some cross referencing verses to give complete clarity to the Word of God - the Bible is the only reliable, complete and authoritative commentary on the Bible - read it!

Relational books that encourage you to act a certain way in order to fix your partner are BAD! Sin creates strife in marriage more than anything else - get your life right with God, be the husband or wife God has called you to be.

The Every man's series of books effectively teaches how to live a life of integrity, striving to be the spouse God wants you to be while honoring your husband and loving your wife. These books are written by both a man and a woman - tailored to the audience to which they are written. We would highly recommend reading the "Everyman" books together, separately, or with a small group.

Just our 2 cents,
Drason and Amanda

Musical Stuff

So last night before the movie I got to work with the youth band, they did a great job.

Drason and I went to the movie last night at church, it wasn't as corny as I remembered it being. Afterwards we went to Captain D's - not quite McDonalds, but it was nice to be able to sit down and talk with out kids.

I saw a lot in that movie that I hadn't seen the first time around. Anyways, does anybody know how many people came to the movie last night? Drason and I guessed about 600, but I really have no idea.

Later,
Amanda

Greg and Lisa

This may not be the best picture, but it is the only one we had.

There aren't many people in the world that we think more highly of than these two. We can't express how much your friendship means to us and our family. We will be praying for you often and we WILL come and visit you. We love you.

Drason and Amanda

Just Do It

Acts
10And when the governor had nodded to him to speak, Paul replied:"Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I cheerfully make my defense. 11You can verify that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem, 12and they did not find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues or in the city. 13 Neither can they prove to you what they now bring up against me. 14But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, 15 having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust. 16So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man. 17Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings. 18While I was doing this, they found me purified in the temple, without any crowd or tumult. But some Jews from Asia— 19 they ought to be here before you and to make an accusation, should they have anything against me. 20Or else let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council, 21other than this one thing that I cried out while standing among them: 'It is with respect to the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you this day.'"Paul Kept in Custody22But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of the Way, put them off, saying, "When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case." 23Then he gave orders to the centurion that he should be kept in custody but have some liberty, and that none of his friends should be prevented from attending to his needs.24After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. 25And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, "Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you." 26At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him. 27When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.

Paul shared the way with Felix - Felix understood it. Felix and his wife should have understood what Paul was saying - she was Jewish, he had an accurate understanding - but they were afraid. Despite that fear they repeatedly called on Paul to speak to them - for two years - and in hope of a bribe. Paul patiently explained the way to them - but Felix who understood, did nothing, and was eventually succeeded by another man. Felix had one last chance to do the right thing, and instead he left Paul in prison in order to please men, whose opinion was no longer even relevant.

I understand what I am supposed to be doing - sometimes I let other things distract me, and it seems like time is flying by, I know that a war is waged a battle at a time - and that over time it is won or lost. Fear is one of the main things that keeps me stagnant - what if I fail - what if I can't - what if God won't - and then I prove myself right. By being afraid I fail, I can't and He doesn't.
The good news here is God is patient - Felix had two years - I hope I have a lot longer than that, because I feel like I have blown it so many times. Felix had one of the same problems I do - he was always thinking - so he missed the real blessings God had for him - at some point he had to realize that Paul would not bribe him. Eventually Felix lost his place, both as Governor, and in God's plan, and in Heaven, because he didn't listen and just believe. He was given one last chance - and he squandered it away for the praise of men; men who will one day join him in hell.

This says to me - GO, DO, BE! because the days are numbered -you have a window - JUMP! or you will miss it. Don't let something stupid stand between your ears and your heart. I think Paul is an example of Christ here - he is patient and loving right until the end - Paul gave so many chances - he was always waiting.