Find out if you’re a prophet (and what to do if you’re not)- Ezekiel 2:1-3:15, Part 5

Ezekiel has just been told by God that he will be a prophet. Imagine what you would feel like if God told you that you will be a prophet. Would you be happy? Ezekiel is really upset.  He doesn’t tell us why.  Look at Ezekiel 3:14 and the phrase, “the hand of the Lord wasContinue reading “Find out if you’re a prophet (and what to do if you’re not)- Ezekiel 2:1-3:15, Part 5”

When God feels like a dropped phone call – Ezekiel 2:1-3:15, Part 4

What does it mean to have a relationship with God? Is it just an intellectual concept that has little bearing on our real day-to-day lives? How do flesh and blood people have a meaningful relationship with invisible spirit? As a result, does God feel distant? Does it feel like God is something we read aboutContinue reading “When God feels like a dropped phone call – Ezekiel 2:1-3:15, Part 4”

God will strengthen you for the task he gives you – Ezekiel 2:1-3:15, Part 3

Have you ever felt that God has given you a task that is too difficult? I think Ezekiel felt like that. As we have been learning in our study of the life of the prophet Ezekiel, God shows up in a shocking way with even more shocking news for Ezekiel. It was news that EzekielContinue reading “God will strengthen you for the task he gives you – Ezekiel 2:1-3:15, Part 3”

When God gives you a difficult job – Ezekiel 2:1-3:15, Part 2

Have you ever felt like God is asking you to do something, but it is too hard? With Ezekiel on his feet, God talks to him, giving him a new job. What kind of job? Will it be fun? Or will it be difficult? Read Ezekiel 2, verses 3-8. God calls Ezekiel to be aContinue reading “When God gives you a difficult job – Ezekiel 2:1-3:15, Part 2”

Are there prophets among us? – Ezekiel 2:1-3:15, Part 1

What comes to mind when you think of a prophet?  I think of guys like Elijah and John the Baptist, and they are wearing clothing made out of animal skins, holding staffs of wood, and their hair is out of control.  They have a personality to match.  Bold. Courageous.  They make loud and authoritative proclamations. Continue reading “Are there prophets among us? – Ezekiel 2:1-3:15, Part 1”

The precarious business of telling the truth – Ezekiel 2:1-3:15, Preview

Do you tell the truth? Of course you do…or do you? Are there times when you might fudge a bit on the truth? I suspect that all of us struggle with lying here and there, but for the most part we are committed to telling the truth. I ask the question, though, because there areContinue reading “The precarious business of telling the truth – Ezekiel 2:1-3:15, Preview”

Ezekiel and the flying table? – Ezekiel 1, Part 4

In the previous post about the vision of Ezekiel 1, Ezekiel watches shocked as four living creatures powered by the Spirit of God fly out of a thunderstorm into close proximity to him. Now read verses 15-21 where Ezekiel describes these astounding beings further. Near the feet of each creature, Ezekiel sees some unique wheels,Continue reading “Ezekiel and the flying table? – Ezekiel 1, Part 4”

When God’s presence is gone – Ezekiel 1, Part 1

Think about the last time you encountered the presence of God.  When was it?  How did it happen?  In a worship service singing a song?  In Bible study?  In nature?  Maybe at a youth retreat around a campfire?  Now think about how long has it been since you encountered the presence of God?  Maybe aContinue reading “When God’s presence is gone – Ezekiel 1, Part 1”

How a prophetic word can change your life (and the world) – Intro to Ezekiel, Part 5

I am excited to start studying this prophetic book of Ezekiel.  Prophets are often conceived of people who predict the future.  They seem glamorous.  They hear from God.  What I have come to learn, and this is only bolstered by my introductory studies of Ezekiel, is that the prophetic life is not glamorous, and itContinue reading “How a prophetic word can change your life (and the world) – Intro to Ezekiel, Part 5”

When God feels distant or fictional – Intro to Ezekiel, Part 4

Does God feel distant, or have you wondered if God is just a thing of the past? Maybe he wasn’t even real back then? While the stories of God’s work in the past sound great, and might even be encouraging and inspiring, what we really want is for God to show up in our livesContinue reading “When God feels distant or fictional – Intro to Ezekiel, Part 4”