²² Spread out above the heads of the living creatures was what looked something like a vault, sparkling like crystal, and awesome. ²³ Under the vault their wings were stretched out one toward the other, and each had two wings covering its body. ²⁴ When the creatures moved, I heard the sound of their wings, like the roar of rushing waters, like the voice of the Almighty,^[b] like the tumult of an army. When they stood still, they lowered their wings.

²⁵ Then there came a voice from above the vault over their heads as they stood with lowered wings. ²⁶ Above the vault over their heads was what looked like a throne of lapis lazuli, and high above on the throne was a figure like that of a man. ²⁷ I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him. ²⁸ Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him.

This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking. ~ Ezekiel 1

This book by far is my favorite book of the Bible, why? Because through this book my life changed drastically many years ago. The Lord led me to read this book one day and about a year later I finished it walking out the other side changed. It was a time in my life that I could have never walked through in my flesh. How I have longed to have another experience like that, I’ve tried so many times but I realize you just can’t make it happen. It was a season of intense growing and change in my life.

Well, last Thursday night at Awakening Prayer Service the Lord told me to go back and revisit this book again, so I read and felt a tingle of excitement in my heart. Over the last few months I have read and spoke about so many book in the Bible, usually taking a chapter a day and writing a quick little though on it….but here in this book I will just go through chapter by chapter but may stay in one chapter a few days… IDK…however the Spirit leads.

Here is Chapter one the Word says that “the heavens opened and I saw visions of God” make not mistake this was a vision in the spiritual, I am not sure if he knew what was happening when it first started, but I do know that if the Lord give a man or a woman a vision it will not be full of fear. God choses who, when and how a vision is given and it is always for His purposes and has nothing to do with “man”. Ezekiel sees some crazy stuff here, (read the chapter from the beginning) I mean what he was seeing is crazy fantasy stuff with wind, fire, lightening, living creatures, faces, eagles,  crazy stuff…..and when it all comes clear he sees a throne…. here is how he describes it….

 Above the vault over their heads was what looked like a throne of lapis lazuli, and high above on the throne was a figure like that of a man. ²⁷ I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him. ²⁸ Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him.

I think this would get anyone’s attention… but the most moving part of this entire chapter is the very end…..This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking.

When we truly encounter God we can do nothing but fall down before Him, and when we do we are finally still enough and in position to hear his voice. All the intense and crazy things Ezekiel saw and heard to lead to this ONE MOMENT and then he is positioned to hear God’s voice. When is the last time God really spoke to you? When was the last time you were in position to really hear His voice? Do we need an encounter like Ezekiel had to hear the voice of the Lord? I say no, we have the very Spirit of God living within us to speak to us daily… the answer is positioning yourself to hear him.

Now go out and have an EPIC day today.

6 Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer^[a] is overcome by some sin, you who are godly^[b] should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. ² Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. ³ If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important. ~ Galatians 5:1-3

This is an important message for the church today, there are always going to be people who fall into sin and how brothers and sisters react can change eternity for that person. We are told to GENTLY and HUMBLY help that person back onto the right path. Ok PERFECT but here are a couple very important things about this little statement. ……

First, a new believer needs to understand and learn this as they grow in the faith, but it is foolish to jump into places that you might get trapped back into the same sin. The devil is excellent at what he does… DECEPTION… ENTRAPMENT….and bringing you back to your old ways. So it’s not always best to try and be a hero going in to rescue your brother or sister when if you are in danger of falling into sin.

Secondly it says “gently and humbly” oh man this is big. Gently means just that, not shaming them back, not threatening them back onto the right road, but to speak with love and compassion, with the very words of Jesus through the Holy Spirit. It takes a mature Christian to stand in those shoes and a very humble man or woman to stand in those shoes. Always remember YOU are NO BETTER than the worst sinner you will ever come across!! That alone should make you humble.

Thirdly, no matter who you are, what is your status, what is your income, what you drive, where you live, work, you are NO better. Carry the burdens of a brother or sister. What does that mean? It can mean many different things, could be to carry it in prayer, it could mean just sitting and listening, it could be giving Godly advice, it could mean walking through a difficult situation, it’s all done without judgment and accusations, we would love them and support them as Jesus would. YOU are the hands and feet of Jesus.

This pleases the Lord….

Now go out and have an EPIC day today.

¹³ For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. ¹⁴ For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”^{[c] 15} But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.

Living by the Spirit’s Power

¹⁶ So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. ¹⁷ The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. ¹⁸ But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.

¹⁹ When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, ²¹ envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

²² every part of our lives.

²⁶ Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of onBut the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

²⁴ Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. ²⁵ Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in e another.

~ Galatians 5;13-26

In some cases there is a great divide in churches when it comes to “freedom” – some believe that you have total freedom and liberty to do anything they please. Jesus paid the price and He himself said it was finished, He set us free from sin and His love is so great that anything goes. But right here it states, DO NOT use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature.

Jesus paid the price for sure, and I am so very thankful and grateful for this. “The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.” — Jesus sent the Holy spirit to guide us, teach us and much more, here is say plainly that the Spirit gives us desires the opposite of the what the sinful nature desires. So, LIVE IN THE SPIRIT!!! Daily, hourly, minute by minute!!! “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

²⁴ Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.” This is UP TO YOU!!! Action on your part…..

It is WORK living this life but it’s a LIFE worth working for! True FREEDOM….

Now go out and have an EPIC day today

Oh, foolish Galatians! Who has cast an evil spell on you? For the meaning of Jesus Christ’s death was made as clear to you as if you had seen a picture of his death on the cross. ² Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive the Holy Spirit by obeying the law of Moses? Of course not! You received the Spirit because you believed the message you heard about Christ. ³ How foolish can you be? After starting your new lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort? ⁴ Have you experienced^[a] so much for nothing? Surely it was not in vain, was it?

⁵ I ask you again, does God give you the Holy Spirit and work miracles among you because you obey the law? Of course not! It is because you believe the message you heard about Christ. ~ ~     Galatians 3:1-5 ~~

The key phrase in these scriptures “HOW FOOLISH can you be? After starting your new lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?”  This is so true for most Christians, forgetting about the Spirit and taking over by trying to be perfect! When we do this we only set ourselves up for failure, for being a hypocrite, and for turning people away from Christ rather drawing them to him.

We have everything we need in the Holy Spirit, he lives within us to bring power, he leads, teaches, reveals the word, guides, comforts, guides us, and convicts us. When we leave him out of the picture we try to do all these things on our own and there is NO way to do this. When we blow it, when we fall the people around us laugh at us, call us liars, hypocrites and say “God does not exist”

We are called to be light, show Jesus, draw people to him and it’s done through our lives not our words. I must admit I have blown it so many times in my life, through my actions many have had a hard time finding their way back. It’s shameful and without excuse. But today my life is hidden in His, I abide in the Holy Spirit moment by moment  and the moment I don’t – I am setting myself up to fail and fall very hard. I praise Him for his GRACE and MERCY and the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Now go out and have an EPIC day today.

¹⁹ For when I tried to keep the law, it condemned me. So I died to the law—I stopped trying to meet all its requirements—so that I might live for God. ²⁰ My old self has been crucified with Christ.^[e] It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. ²¹ I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die. ~ Galatians 2:19-21

So many Christian people live so hard to keep the law and look what the Word says about this…. “it condemned me. So I died to the law – I stopped trying to meet all it’s requirements so that I might live for God”

Rules and regulations will never ever save you!! But what does it mean, Jesus also said that He came to fulfill the law? To the Jews the law had come out of control, rules rules rules for everything, for just about every minute of every day. And if you could not fulfill them you were outside the camp. All these rituals and rules were made to bring man closer to God, the religious leaders were the only ones who could have any type of access to God and then they would lead the people…. it became a mess. Jesus came to abolish all that and gave us access to the Holy of Holies through his death and resurrection. The veil was ripped in two allowing EVERYONE to enter freely and boldly.

Yet many still lived by the old laws trying to reach God. This was in the “Christian” church and was a HUGE problem, chapter 2 is about Paul confronting Peter about this very issue and he makes the statement we read in this portion of Scripture.

So,….. you were crucified with Christ and raised to new life with Christ…. you have FULL access to the holy place, face to face with God. LIVE LIKE IT and watch and see what He can and will do!! IT’s an amazing life to live.

Now go out and have an EPIC day today

¹ I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. ¹² I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. ~ Galatians 1:11-12

This is a great word with truth running through every word…. Paul writes this and he is testifying that he used to kill Christians, he was the best in his world. To him Christianity was everything AGAINST God and his belief was they should be silenced. In this testimony he telling his story of how he became a Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ. He say the word was not preached to him by any man and not of any human origin, he was not taught but it was REVELATION from Jesus Himself.

AWESOME yes? Many take this scripture and build a doctrine around it, saying they DO NOT need any man telling them what to believe, how to believe, what is true and what is not… ALL they need is the Holy Spirit to guide them and teach them. Read the Word and allow the Holy Spirit to teach. This is very true and yet it’s very dangerous. The enemy works very hard and he is very good at deception and twisting things. Can God do this? HECK YES HE CAN…. we just read how He did it with Paul.

But Paul himself says in Philippians 3 to follow his example. This is the reason God created the body or the Church, for teaching, preaching and equipping the believers. Be plugged into a church that preaches truth and is not full of just traditions, (I am NOT saying traditions are bad at all). Here is the KEY to this….KNOW YOUR WORD…. Check it out…. make sure what is being preached is lined up 100% to Scripture. If a new revelation is preached, go to the Word, go to the Lord and line it up, if it does not line up throw it out.

Over the years I have had good men and women come to me with some WACKED out stuff, crazy revelations of the Word and new meanings, new thoughts….. most just DO not line up with God’s HOLY WORD. But I say ALWAYS CHECK.

Are you plugged into a church? If you are not there is NO WAY you will grow in depth of what God is doing. The church has PURPOSE and meaning and is needed as we close in to the end of time.

Now go out and have an EPIC day today

Today I am posting a lot of Scripture, there is no way around it. My question would be “is this really true?” I mean these are some pretty deep words and STRONG warnings…..the way we talk? Our sexual behavior? Even the way we joke around? WHAT?:????? Isn’t God love?

Well I say read this a few times….slow…even read it out loud… ponder it….and then read it some more…. once you start to get it…. ask the Holy Spirit for answers. I promise you this… YOU WILL HAVE ANSWERS by the end of your time in this scripture….. take your time. It will change your life and everyone you come in contact with!!!

Now go out and have an EPIC day today.

1Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

3But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.^a 6Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7Therefore do not be partners with them.

8For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10and find out what pleases the Lord. 11Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14This is why it is said:

15Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ ~ Ephesian 5 ~

²² throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. ²³ Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. ²⁴ Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

²⁵ So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. ²⁶ And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.”^[d] Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷ for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

²⁸ If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. ²⁹ Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

³⁰ And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own,^[e] guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

³¹ Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. ³² Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. ~ Eph. 4:22-32

The life we lead is a choice we make! Just because you say you are a Christian, or you follow Jesus does not mean that your life just changes like some king of magic potion you drank. The Bible clearly tells us “to throw off the sinful nature and to put on your new nature”

Some people follow and go deeper into their sinful nature than others and habits, addictions form in our lives, some lie without thinking, some cheat, steal, are unfaithful. The sinful nature of man is of the devil and his job is to “trap” you, ensnare you, defeat you and kill you. HE IS GOOD at what he does!! Your new nature when you accept Christ as your savior is of God and He says “be holy for I am holy” — We cannot live a holy life in our old nature and we cannot live a double life even though we may try. The ONLY way to live a holy life is to make the choice to PUT ON YOUR NEW NATURE — a new creation, in other words, Born Again!! It is then that we are empowered by the Holy Spirit and are able to PUT OFF the old man.

We make the choice not to steal, lie, cheat, and the list goes on and on…. WE MAKE THE CHOICE and then we empowered to live in that choice by the very spirit that raise Jesus from the DEAD. And this is a daily choice until it becomes YOUR NATURE … mature in the faith…. when you fall in love with Jesus and your very nature wants to please him.

The choice is yours, but do not say “I tried it and it didn’t work for me” — it’s NOT magic it’s a LIFE

Now go out and have an EPIC day today

I kneel before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom every family^[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. ¹⁶ I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

²⁰ Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. ~ Eph. 3:14-21

Take some time and really read this scripture — this is MY PRAYER FOR YOU TODAY!!! Be filled to the measure of ALL the FULLNESS OF GOD!!! Read it a few times, read it slowly, read it out loud, and then read it again. This is the truth that transforms.

Now go out and have an EPIC day today.

 

 

¹⁹ So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. ²⁰ Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. ²¹ We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. ²² Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit. ~ Ephesians 2:19-22 

This is the church, the body of Christ, we are all one, all on the same level playing field. This church is a powerful force in this world, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets (the Bible) and the very cornerstone that holds it all together and in place is Jesus himself. The word says “we are carefully joined together in him, become a HOLY TEMPLE for the Lord” OH MAN…. need I even ask if you are important?

There are many today who have forsaken the body of Christ and decided to go at it alone, worshipping the Lord their way, in their life with no connection to the body of Christ. I say this is a very dangerous way to live and in reality it is NOT OF THE FATHER’S HEART! The church is flawed yes, and it will be until we are like Him… the church is made up of sinners!! (like you) BUT there is a day coming and coming soon where the church or body of Christ will look different and be different as we enter into the last days. I am telling you that if you are not connected now it will be VERY difficult for you to connect at that time. DECEPTION will take out much of the church….and at the same time revival will take place like we have never seen. A GREAT falling away and a GREAT revival at the same time. It will be a game changer for the body, denominational walls will fall, false religions will be exposed the true church will emerge!!

The problem will be knowing the true church from the false church….”wrong will seem right and right will seem wrong”……. DECEPTION!!!

Think and ponder upon these things.

Now go out and have an EPIC day today.