November 11

Ezekiel 23:1-49, Hebrews 10:18-39, Psalm 109:1-31, Proverbs 27:13

Pray: Lord, it is another day and one more moment in my life to seek clarity of thought, purpose and what Your direction is for me today. I ask that Your Holy Spirit speak to me through the reading of this text so I might truly hear Your voice. 

Read: Do you ever get the notion that God is not into playing second fiddle? Not because the Lord is overly sensitive, nor is it due to His low self-esteem issues. God has created us in His image, breathed into us life and provided for us to meet our needs. Therefore, God will not play second to anyone or anything. The story of the two sisters who became prostitutes is of course the story of Samaria and Jerusalem. God requires fidelity in our relationship. Is that really too much to ask?

Edify: You can knock if you want to, but Hebrews tells us that the door is already open and we are to boldly enter in. Yes, when you visit a place for the first time you do have some apprehension about entering such a place. This is no strange place for followers of Jesus. This is a place of welcome, a place where we have already encountered some hope, some forgiveness for our past sins and now we come boldly not because of anything we have done to earn such a posture—no, it is because Jesus’ death and resurrection has made us sons and daughters of God. Children can ask of their parents, not because they are always good, but because the parent is.

Practice: If there was ever a clarion call for the body of Christ not to “fall away”, it is here in Hebrews where we are commanded “not to neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another…for the day of his returning is drawing near.” The owner of the vineyard is returning. He will come when we least expect Him. This is all the more reason to prepare for His coming, and the best way to do this is to begin to invest in a relationship with Him now through prayer, reading of scripture, and each day we expect His return….this way when He does come….He will find us faithful.