Ezekiel 1:1-3, “Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God. In the fifth day of the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin’s captivity, The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was there upon him.”

Hey OTP Family! I am excited today – it is always a blessing to discuss the word of God. Today I want to discuss one of the tools God uses to push his people into action – Pressure. Ezekiel’s story is a great example of our ability to recognize God in tough situations, in hard times, when dealing with heartbreak and disappointments, etc. We cannot allow external pressure to keep us from walking out the will of God for our lives.

Let’s first talk about pressure. By definition, pressure is continuous physical force exerted on or against an object by something in contact with it. (2) The use of persuasion, influence, or intimidation  to make someone do something. (3) The influence or effect of someone or something. (4) The feeling of stressful urgency caused by the necessity of doing or achieving something, especially with limited time.

The enemy likes to use pressure against the people of God to get them to act against their best interest.

But remember, pressure makes diamonds! And God does not put more on us than we are able to bear.

Ezekiel was in the Babylonian Captivity under King Nebuchadnezzar. He was among the first wave of Judahite exiles taken to Babylon in 597 BCE, after the Neo-Babylonian Empire conquered Jerusalem. Specifically, he lived in Tel Abib, a settlement on the Chebar River in southern Babylonia, along with other exiles. It was during his time in exile, Ezekiel began his ministry as a prophet, receiving visions and messages from God.

Stretch your imagination with me to understand the type of pressure Ezekiel and the children of Israel had to be under. Just by the nature of being held captive by their enemy – Everything they previously had the freedom to do was no longer an option for them. They were removed from their home and taken to a strange place where they were no longer free to honor their own customs. The only sense of normalcy was being in captivity with his fellow countrymen. Being in captivity is full of pressure.

In spite of the pressure of captivity, Ezekiel began his ministry.

It is a mercy to have the word of God brought to us, and a duty to attend to it diligently, when we are in affliction. The voice of God came in the fullness of light and power, by the Holy Spirit. These visions seem to have been sent to possess the prophet’s mind with great and high thoughts of God. To strike terror upon sinners. To speak comfort to those that feared God, and humbled themselves.

The book of Ezekiel, written during this period, is a significant part of the Old Testament, focusing on themes of judgment, restoration, and hope.

Diamonds are formed under pressure.

Diamonds are renowned for their hardness and resistance to compression. They can withstand significant pressure without losing their structure. Under extremely high pressures and temperatures, diamond can transition to more stable structures.

We are also built to handle pressure. It is during times of pressure that God reveals his strength to us. When we are weak he is strong. His strength is made perfect in our weakness. He invites us to his glorious rest. Matthew 11:29-30.

Relinquishing control to God eases the impact of pressure.

Sometimes we have a white knuckle hold on things and refuse to realize our reluctance to let go is only working to increase pressure. However, when we take our hands off the steering wheel of our life, God is able to take over to guide us where we need to be.

Matthew 6:34 and Luke 12:25, teaches us that our thoughts should not be consumed with the things that causes pressure, for dwelling on them does not change anything – so we don’t worry. But we serve a God who is able. A God who can give us peace in the most high pressured situations. A God who speaks to us in the midst of life’s pressures. Just to show us his power, and his mighty control.

Yes, we are living in uncertain times that are full of pressure. Despite this, we are calm and confident. Calm – free from agitation or strong emotion, disturbances or violent activity. Confident – knowing we can rely on God. We rest in his presence. Psalms 91:1, teaches us of the secret place of the most high. That place of protection and comfort. We abide under his shadow and bask in his goodness.

This is how we deal with the pressures of life. We don’t have to run from them. We don’t even have to fully understand them, but we are calm and confident that we will survive them. That we will thrive in them – in spite of an enemy who thought the pressure would take us out. He didn’t know he was only making diamonds!

Just like Ezekiel, you can do the work of God in the midst of your captivity. Pressure makes diamonds! Find God in the midst of your pressure.

Have a blessed night.

Joshua 24:15, “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Hey OTP Family – We are living in a time where we are encouraged to do whatever makes us happy without concern how our behavior impacts others. We are told we are not responsible for that. We have to live our own truth. The problem with this philosophy is that it is often in direct conflict with what the Bible teaches.

Genesis 4:9 teaches we are indeed our brother’s keeper. Romans 12:10 and Luke 22:32, also confirm that we have a responsibility toward our fellow man.

It al starts with our choice. As Joshua tells us to pick a side – good or evil. With either choice comes responsibility and consequences. We are admonished to make a wise and thoughtful choice. One brings blessings and the promises of God. The other allows you to do as you like and reap the everlasting recompense that comes with it.

Church 7 – Revelations 3:14-22

We are at the 7th and final church noted in Revelations chapters 2 and 3.

Just background insight to this church: “It was a wealthy trade-route city with an abundance of bankers and merchants. The church in Laodicea had characteristics that prefigured those of many churches in the modern and post-modern eras.” (Bibleref.com).

Jesus opens his letter by introducing himself to them: “the Amen, the faithful and true witness, and the beginning of God’s creation.” The name “Amen” indicates that He is God’s perfect and final revelation. He further revealed himself in his description of them “I know they works”. Nothing escapes Jesus’ attention. He tells the Laodicean church in this verse that He knows its condition. He says it is neither cold nor hot, although He would prefer that it was one or the other.

This church was perpetually in the middle of the road refusing to pick a side. Jesus further warned them in verse 16, “So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” This church was so caught up in their wealth they felt they didn’t need anything. The felt there was no need to pick a side. They were complacent in their commitment to God. They attended church and were pleased with the sense of satisfaction that came with regular attendance. However, God requires more.

In Romans 7:21-25, Paul spoke about a war in his body: “I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.”

But I want to set the record straight what Paul was talking about is not the same thing that was going on in the Church of Laodicean. Paul was hot – on fire for the cause of Christ. However, along his journey his flesh would constantly fight against him. His heart wanted to follow Christ, but his body wanted to follow the law of the flesh. These two are enemies and have totally separate (opposite) agendas.

In Revelations, the Church of Laodicea refused to be hot or cold. They were indifferent. As we learned in an earlier lesson, hate is not the opposite of love, indifference is. Paul’s love for Christ and the people of God caused him to wake up each day and fight the good fight of faith, to minister the word of God to all. That is being hot.

Cold or hate also requires passion of sort. People who are cold will fight against people just to bring misery. They seek to tear down anything that is positive or would bring glory to God.

The Laodicea church had no such strong emotion – love or hate, hot or cold – they were just there, taking up space in the church. They were lukewarm. God said because of their indifference he would spue them out of his mouth. He encouraged them to pick a side. Be hot or be cold. Be passionate about something. God can work on a heart that feels. He can move on the hardest of hearts. But the indifferent heart? That is a different animal altogether. This church was simply content to maintain a status quo position.

“This condemnation of “lukewarm” faith carries dire consequences. In that era, room-temperature water was dangerous water. Cold water suggested a flowing spring or river, and hot water was something which had been cooked or cleaned. Anything in between was, naturally, suspicious and possibly worthless.”

This church was so blinded by their material positions they could not see the truth. Revelations 3:17b, “and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:”

The extent of God’s love toward us is amazing. He sees us clearly and knows exactly where we are spiritually. He knows what we need, understands what we lack, and has the remedy for our situation. His ultimate goal is that none should perish, but to have eternal. For this reason, in verse 18-20, he cautioned this church to try him. “I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock…”

God wanted this church to experience true riches which is in him alone. However, to access his riches one must pick a side, be hot or cold. Give him something to work with. He is a good, good Father. We must allow him to parent us. Any good parent must provide correction to their children.

Lukewarmness is not only harm to the person with this attitude, it can also affect and infect those around. But the Bible tells us to know those that labor among us. Discern the spiritual condition and pray for them. The effectual fervent prayer of the righteous avails much. Your pray does make a difference, but ultimately it is up to this person to make a choice. As Joshua says “Life and good or death and evil”.

Pick a side – we don’t want to remain lukewarm so that God has to spit us out of his mouth. We need to be as Paul, hot and on fire for the cause of Christ. Failing that, at least be cold, give God something to work with. He can reach the cold heart. The indifferent or lukewarm heart has nothing invested and feels he does not need God.

If you find yourself in this lukewarm place, repent and ask God to enlighten the eyes of your understanding to his word, so you can make a choice.

Pray: Father I repent of how I have allowed myself to depend on my own wealth and strength, fooling myself into believing I no longer need you. Father help me to recognize my full need of you. Help me to serve you from a position where you are everything and I am nothing without you. Use me Lord to your glory and help me to show others your ways. I receive your goodness through faith. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Have a blessed night.