CAN THESE BONES LIVE AGAIN...PROPHESY! EZEKIEL 37
What situation are you facing today that seems completely hopeless and devoid of restoration? Are you feeling powerless to change a circumstance, or too overwhelmed to think about it? Do you feel buried in unresolve? Is there something or someone that just seems unchangeable and irreversibly lost? If any of these match your reality, let's talk this through for a minute. What you feel powerless to do, God is powerful to prevail.
Whatever the Almighty God has done before, HE is willing and able to do it again. HE is not limited to time and space like us humans. HIS ways and thoughts far exceed ours on every level. Isaiah 55 HE never sleeps nor slumbers and nothing escapes HIS purview. HE'S never caught off guard. It's extremely important that we know God's promises to us HIS people, and the power that HE bestows on those who choose to walk in obedience to HIS precepts. Study HIS Word. Recite HIS promises to HIM. Isaiah 43. Jesus before HE left HIS disciples and went back to heaven told them that HE had given them more power than any force that they could/ would ever confront in the earth.
Luke 10:19Behold, I give to you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
The Israelites who were considered the people of God had been disobedient to HIS laws. As a result of this, God allowed them to be captured by one of their enemies the Babylonians, who destroyed their city and robbed their wealth. They were driven from their homeland to Babylon. While they were in exile, God confirmed that HE had not forgotten them and that HE would one day take them back there. They were very grieved and homesick, hopeless even. They had given up on God and even started worshiping other gods. Inspite of their waywardness, God sent Ezekiel a prophet to encourage them to turn back to worshiping HIM. But before God sent him, God gave Ezekiel several visions. God revealed HIS restoration plan for HIS people in several ways. One of the ways was by showing Ezekiel a valley of dead people - dry bones; people who had been dead for a long while. It was a valley filled with dry bones and no water nor plants. There was absolutely no sign of life around. There were no human resources available to change the situation.
Sometimes, God allows us to be stripped of our capabilities so that we will attribute all the glory to HIM for the transformation HE will cause to occur in our lives. It is very innate for us as humans to be self reliant and egotistic. When we achieve/ accomplish things we forget that the very energy to achieve it comes from God. We sometimes forget that we don't own anything, and that we're just managers. Like the bones in the valley, from dust we came and to dust we will all return. It is intrinsic to God that we walk in full obedience to HIS laws. The wealth HE allows us to have can be stripped away as well as it can be restored. Ask Job. The health that we have can be stripped away as well as it can be restored. Ask Nebuchadnezzar or Miriam. The family, the job, the security, the whatever it is that we have can be stripped away as well as it can be restored. Will and or does God have to take it away from you in order for HIM to get your attention?
Sometimes it's not even gone, it's just on the other side of the boat. Like when Peter and the disciples were out fishing all night and caught nothing. Sometimes we just don't know where to look. Jesus sent them right back out again to the very same spot and told them to cast their same nets on the other side of the boat. This time the boat began to sink because of the overload of fishes. Then Jesus told them that HE would cause them to fish for men instead. Luke 5 That's it right there.
When Ezekiel saw the dry bones, God told HIM to prophesy and cause the dry bones to become a resurrected army. An army advances a Kingdom. An army takes territory and takes orders from a King for the sake of his kingdom. Jesus told HIS disciples, when you have seen me you have seen The Father. John 14. Jesus was on a mission orchestrated by The Father. When Jesus resurrected his friend Lazarus after four days, that's what sealed his crucifixion. That's when the Pharisees plotted to kill him. Jesus' resurrection power was undeniable. John 11 But more importantly, Jesus' crucifixion was the fulfillment of Ezekiel's prophecy of David uniting Israel. Caiaphas reiterated Ezekiel. Jesus was from the bloodline of David. The crucifixion was about Jesus restoring mankind back to a right relationship with The Father, while regaining the power and authority God originally gave us in the garden of Eden. Genesis 1 At the very center of it all, God just wants us to acknowledge HIM and serve each other with the resources HE has given to us. Power and property is to be shared for the sake of advancing the kingdom of God in the earth. That's what Pentecost was about. That was the Acts church. Acts 2.
Every deficiency or lack in your life and community is an opportunity for you to walk in obedience to the word of God - PROPHESY! When God asked Ezekiel, "Can these bones live"Ezekiel said "only YOU know Lord". Yes! God knows, let's say, a few things about power, and life, and death. HE not only knows, but HE has a plan. Nothing on earth happens by coincidence. God always has a plan. The thing is, are you aware of what it is? Have you thought to ask HIM? Have you chosen to wait on HIS response? Are you walking in obedience? The veil in the temple has been ripped in two. There are no more secrets between us. Mark 4 God's heart is right out in the open for those who dare to look. God invites us to ask HIM the questions.
7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
The Almighty God is always about being in a relationship with HIS people. HE chose to walk in Eden with Adam. HE chose to lead HIS people in the desert. They were the ones who insisted on Moses being a mediator. They were the ones who insisted on an earthly king. Yet, inspite of our rebellion and disobedience, God chose to restore us to himself; and in the process for us to bring others along with us. The things we receive or release are insignificant in the grand scheme of things. They all have a lifespan. They are all tools God uses through us. The things are dry bones - hip bones, ankle bones, etc... Whatever dead/ lifeless circumstance we encounter, our job is to prophesy.
Speak what God says. Declare HIS word over every situation. Only then does the Holy Spirit take charge. It is the Holy Spirit that gives life. HE brought life to the dry bones in the valley. HE brought life to Lazarus and to Jesus in the tomb. Jesus said, I must go, so that the Holy Spirit can come. My job here is done. I fulfilled my purpose. John 16 Are you fulfilling your purpose? Are you being led by the Holy Spirit? How are you allowing HIM to help you to change your situation for the sake of the kingdom? At the end of the day, is God getting the glory? Where are you fishing? Are you still catching fish, or are you fishing for men too? God told Ezekiel that HE would restore HIS people as a testimony to the nations of HIS kingship. Everything revolves around HIM. HE raises one and HE cancels another. Daniel 2 HE sanctifies and HE glorifies for the sake of HIS holiness. Romans 8 The harvest is extremely ripe. The valley is full of dry bones. God is giving you an opportunity to live in power and purpose. Look around! Listen to HIM! Use it! Prophesy!
TESTIMONY:
WORSHIP: Israel & New Breed - Jesus At the Center (Live Performance)
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