Ezekiel 14:10-11 (NLT)
10 False prophets and those who seek their guidance will all be punished for their sins. 11 In this way, the people of Israel will learn not to stray from me, polluting themselves with sin. They will be my people, and I will be their God. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!’”
Joel 1:2-3 (NLT)
2 Hear this, you leaders of the people.
Listen, all who live in the land.
In all your history, has anything like this happened before?
3 Tell your children about it in the years to come,
and let your children tell their children.
Pass the story down from generation to generation.
Joel 2:12-13 (NLT)
12 That is why the Lord says,
“Turn to me now, while there is time.
Give me your hearts.
Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning.
13 Don’t tear your clothing in your grief,
but tear your hearts instead.”
Return to the Lord your God,
for he is merciful and compassionate,
slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
He is eager to relent and not punish.
2 Chronicles 7:14 (NLT)
14 Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.
Hebrews 12:5-6 (NLT)
5 And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said,
“My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline,
and don’t give up when he corrects you.
6 For the Lord disciplines those he loves,
and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”
Ezekiel 11:19-20 (CSB)
19 I will give them integrity of heart and put a new spirit within them; I will remove their heart of stone from their bodies and give them a heart of flesh, 20 so that they will follow my statutes, keep my ordinances, and practice them. They will be my people, and I will be their God.
A NEW SPIRIT
Ezekiel 11:19 (CSB)
19 I will give them integrity of heart and put a new spirit within them;
Titus 3:3-6 (NLT)
3 Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. 4 But—
When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, 5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. 6 He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.
A NEW HEART
Ezekiel 11:19 (CSB)
19 … I will remove their heart of stone from their bodies and give them a heart of flesh,
Hebrews 4:12 (ESV)
12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Matthew 5:8 (ESV)
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Psalm 119:11 (ESV)
11 I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
A NEW PRACTICE
Ezekiel 11:20 (CSB)
20 so that they will follow my statutes, keep my ordinances, and practice them. They will be my people, and I will be their God.
James 2:26 (TPT)
26 For just as a human body without the spirit is a dead corpse, so faith without the expression of good works is dead!
Application
Looking back at your past, what do you believe God has allowed by His grace and mercy to keep you from what was coming next?
New Spirit. New heart. New practices. How is God speaking to you about each of these?
Pick one of the three above. What do you plan to do this week to strengthen it?
Have a prayer request?
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