God commands Ezekiel to stage the siege of Jerusalem, to symbolize what happens. Ezekiel had to lay on his side 390 days to represent the number of years of punishment for the nation of Israel. Then Ezekiel had to lay on his right side for 40 days to symbolize each year of the siege of Jerusalem. He had to eat food cooked over cow dung to represent how bad the food was for the people. Then the Lord required him to cut his hair to represent the people. A third of the hair was burnt to represent those consumed by the famine. A third was struck with the sword, to represent those who perished by the invading armies. And 1/3 of Ezekiel’s hair was scattered in the wind to represent the scattering of the nation of Israel. Powerful visual reminders of what happens when God‘s presence is not with us.

God calls Ezekiel. Ezekiel’s commission: God prepares Ezekiel with- the Spirit if God, the Word Of God, the Mission Of God, and the Attitude Of God. God instructs Ezekiel to keep his heart centered on “all my words”. And to make sure he gives the word of God to people. Where did they hear it or not, or believe it or not, Ezekiel‘s job is to share this word with people. He is like a watchman in charge of protecting people, by giving them the word of God. What an amazing lesson for us today.

Ezekiel has a grand vision of the glory of God. God’s mighty majesty is too hard for us to understand.

Join us as we begin with an incredible vision of God while Ezekiel was among the nation of Israel, being taken captive by the Babylonians.

Paul’s final concluding remarks to Timothy. An amazing eternal focus as Paul awaits his execution. His total focus of his life was that of an offering to the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!

Paul’s last reminders to Timothy before his death. Stay in the word. Preach the word. Fulfill your ministry. Look ahead towards the Day of the Lord. What an amazing attitude of looking forward.

Paul warns Timothy not to take sin for granted. Paul encourages Timothy to stay in the word. To keep reading the word of God. That’s how his faith will grow. Through the word of God we get our faith and our salvation. Paul uses the example of Jannes and Jambres, two Egyptian magicians, who tried to oppose the power of God. Likewise, if we try to rely on our own skill and power, we are just as silly as these two magicians.

Paul Warren’s Timothy not to have miss placed love. Those who love themselves rather than loving God will not have a pure heart. They will not have a whole heart for God. They will be self-centered rather than God centered. They will be world centered rather than God centered. When you love yourself more than God or when your heart is centered on yourself and not centered on God, all kinds of problems occur. People become greedy for money, proud, arrogant. The ability to live a godly life depends on following God‘s word, and having an aim to please him, with faith, patience love and steadfastness. Paul appeals to Timothy that no matter what happens, not to let anything interfere with his faith.

Paul continues his picture of godly living. Jesus Christ cannot deny himself, for he is the truth. Paul calls Timothy to be a teacher, who works to handle the word of truth in the right way. God’s word is a firm foundation. Paul charges Timothy to be like a vessel, a drinking cup. The cup may not be fancy, just made out of clay, but it is clean for good use.

Paul encourages Timothy to be strong in God’s grace. To be a good soldier that shares in the spiritual battle of love against a sinful world to deliver the gospel message. To be like an athlete in training for godly living. To be like a farmer who is entrusted with caring for the crops and planning the seeds so that there will be a good harvest of food. Remember Jesus Christ that died for all whether they believe in him or not, he is faithful.