Revised Common Lectionary

Ezekiel 47:1-12 “ankle-deep, knee-deep, up to the waist, deep enough to swim in, a river than could not be crossed on foot” (Ezekiel 47:3-5). Jerusalem - ankle-deep, all Judaea - knee deep, Samaria - up to the waist, the ends of the earth - deep enough to swim in (Acts 1:8) Before there can be witness, there needs to be worship: from a trickle to a river - John 7:37-39. The rivers of living water must flow into us before they can flow out from us. “There will be life everywhere the river goes” (Ezekiel 47:9).

We need to be changed by the Lord. It was ‘a valley of dry bones’ (Ezekiel 37:1-2). Then, the Lord changed everything - ‘I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live’ (Ezekiel 37:5). What a difference the Lord makes! ‘Breathe on me, Breath of God. Fill me with life anew’ (Church Hymnary, 103). What happens when the Spirit of the Lord breathes new life into the Church of God? - ‘The Church that seemed in slumber has now risen from its knees and dry bones are responding with the fruits of new birth’. ‘Holy Spirit, we welcome You. Let the breeze of Your presence flow that Your children here might truly know how to move in the Spirit’s flow... Holy Spirit, we welcome You. Please accomplish in us today some new work of loving grace, we pray. Unreservedly, have Your way. Holy Spirit, we welcome You’ (Mission Praise, 274,241). The Lord changes us when He forgives our sin. We are not to pray to God with superficial words that don’t mean very much to us. Our pra...

Day 304 Joel 1:1-2:17 ;  Hebrews 3:1-19 ;  Psalm 119:137-144 “Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love” ( Joel 2:13 ). The call to return to the Lord is an urgent call: “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts” ( Hebrews 3:7-8 ). Those who have returned to the Lord acknowledge that His way is best - “Righteous are You, O Lord, and Your laws are right” ( Psalm 119:137 ). They delight in doing God’s will: “Your commands are my delight” ( Psalm 119:143 ). Day 305 Joel 2:18-3:21 ;  Hebrews 4:1-13 ;  Psalm 119:145-152 As in Hebrews 3, we find again, in Hebrews 4, the words, “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts” ( Hebrews 4:7 ). The Word of God speaks of “the coming of the great and dreadful Day of the Lord” ( Joel 2:31 ). We are called to decision - “Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision” ( Joel 3:14 ). To those who are in the valley of decision, God ...