August 28th
Today’s Reading: Ezekiel 1–3 & Revelation 2
Scripture Focus
Ezekiel 1:27–28 (NLT)
“From what appeared to be his waist up, he looked like gleaming amber, flickering like a fire. And from his waist down, he looked like a burning flame, shining with splendor. All around him was a glowing halo, like a rainbow shining in the clouds on a rainy day. This is what the glory of the Lord looked like to me. When I saw it, I fell face down on the ground, and I heard someone’s voice speaking to me.”
Ezekiel 2:2, 5–7 (NLT)
“The Spirit came into me as he spoke, and he set me on my feet. I listened carefully to his words. And whether they listen or refuse to listen—for remember, they are rebels—at least they will know they have had a prophet among them. Son of man, do not fear them or their words. Don’t be afraid even though their threats surround you like nettles and briers and stinging scorpions. Do not be dismayed by their dark scowls, even though they are rebels. You must give them my messages whether they listen or not. But they won’t listen, for they are completely rebellious!”
Ezekiel 3:1–3 (NLT)
“The voice said to me, ‘Son of man, eat what I am giving you—eat this scroll! Then go and give its message to the people of Israel.’ So I opened my mouth, and he fed me the scroll. ‘Fill your stomach with this,’ he said. And when I ate it, it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth.”
Ezekiel 3:18–19 (NLT)
“If I warn the wicked, saying, ‘You are under the penalty of death,’ but you fail to deliver the warning, they will die in their sins. And I will hold you responsible for their deaths. If you warn them and they refuse to repent and keep on sinning, they will die in their sins. But you will have saved yourself because you obeyed me.”
Revelation 2:7 (NLT)
“Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give fruit from the tree of life in the paradise of God.”
Reflection
My sisters, do you see how beautifully this all weaves together? Ezekiel didn’t just get a glimpse of God’s glory and then go on with life as usual. No, the Lord showed him His fire, His throne, His rainbow covenant, so that Ezekiel would know the weight of the One who was calling him. He fell face down because when you’ve really seen God’s glory, you can’t stand proud anymore—you can only bow.
Then the Spirit came and lifted him up (2:2). Isn’t that the way it always is? God doesn’t leave us face-down in weakness—He gives His Spirit so we can stand. But He also made it clear: Ezekiel wasn’t being sent to easy people. They were rebels, scorpions, briers (2:5–7). Sometimes the Lord asks us to speak to people who won’t listen, who roll their eyes, who push back. But obedience isn’t measured in applause—it’s measured in faithfulness.
And here’s where that scroll comes in (3:1–3). Ezekiel couldn’t just glance at it, couldn’t tuck it under his arm like a book to read later. He had to eat it. God’s Word wasn’t meant to sit on the outside of his life; it had to get inside of him, become his food, his very sustenance. Sweet as honey—because even when God’s Word is hard, it is always good, always trustworthy, always life-giving. God even told him, “Let all my words sink deep into your own heart first. Listen to them carefully for yourself” (3:10). That’s the only way he could faithfully proclaim them.
Why? Because once it was inside him, he could no longer speak from himself—he would speak from God. That’s why the Lord gave him the charge of a watchman (3:18–21). “If you warn them, you’ve done your part. If you keep silent, their blood is on your hands.” That’s heavy, but it’s also freeing. We are responsible to deliver the message, not to make people receive it.
And notice—through it all, the vision of the wheels and the living beings reminds us: “The spirit of the living beings was in the wheels” (1:20–21). Everything moved only as the Spirit moved. God’s Spirit is in control, everywhere, all the time. If He says go, we go. If He says stop, we stop. If He says rise up, we rise.
And sisters, do you notice how this same call echoes in Revelation 2? Jesus, walking among His churches, says again and again: “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.” Just like Ezekiel was called to be faithful as a watchman, we too are called to listen carefully and obey faithfully. The message hasn’t changed—God still calls His people to hear His Word, take it in deeply, and respond in obedience.
How Does It All Fit Together?
God shows us His glory in Jesus, the radiance of God revealed (Hebrews 1:3). He fills us with His Spirit so we can stand when we would otherwise fall. He feeds us His Word so it becomes our very life, sweeter than honey. Then He gives us the charge—to go and make disciples, to speak His truth whether people listen or not. And through it all, He teaches us to move only in step with His Spirit.
This is the heartbeat of our relationship with Jesus: to see Him, to be strengthened by Him, to be nourished by Him, to obey Him, and to follow wherever He leads.
Lesson for Me
If I have experienced Jesus in His glory—and I have, because I have received Him—then my life should show it. His presence humbles me so that I no longer live for myself but for Him. Yet this is where we struggle: too many of us as Christian women still live for self. Ezekiel was called to speak God’s Word to His people—whether to warn, rebuke, or encourage. It wasn’t his own words, it was God’s. And we have that same Word today. Am I letting it sink fully into me until it overflows to others? Am I speaking God’s Word faithfully to my sisters in Christ, not just sharing the gospel, but also sharing the sweetness of His Word in such a way that it transforms? They must choose how they respond, but my call is to be faithful.
Application Questions
1. Has the glory of the Lord affected me so much that I am humbled in His presence?
2. What is the evidence I can see in my life that I am living for Him and not for myself?
3. Do I snack on God’s Word, or do I eat full meals that nourish me?
4. Do I have verses from my daily reading hidden in my heart—memorized and ready to share with my sisters in Christ?
5. Am I sharing God’s Word in a way that points others toward transformation, not just information?
6. What changes do I need to make so that His Word becomes my daily food—making time for devotion, reading, meditating, and letting it sink deep into me?
7. Am I truly walking in step with His Spirit each day, or am I rushing ahead or lagging behind?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You are the radiance of God’s glory. Let Your presence so affect me that I am humbled and no longer live for myself but for You. Fill me with Your Spirit when I am weak, and feed me with Your Word until it overflows from my life. Help me to be faithful in speaking Your truth to my sisters—not only the gospel, but also the sweetness of Your Word that transforms hearts. Give me verses hidden in my heart to share, and keep me walking in step with Your Spirit daily. Let there be evidence that I belong to You, and may my life reflect Your glory. Amen.
Today’s Reading: Ezekiel 1–3 & Revelation 2
Scripture Focus
Ezekiel 1:27–28 (NLT)
“From what appeared to be his waist up, he looked like gleaming amber, flickering like a fire. And from his waist down, he looked like a burning flame, shining with splendor. All around him was a glowing halo, like a rainbow shining in the clouds on a rainy day. This is what the glory of the Lord looked like to me. When I saw it, I fell face down on the ground, and I heard someone’s voice speaking to me.”
Ezekiel 2:2, 5–7 (NLT)
“The Spirit came into me as he spoke, and he set me on my feet. I listened carefully to his words. And whether they listen or refuse to listen—for remember, they are rebels—at least they will know they have had a prophet among them. Son of man, do not fear them or their words. Don’t be afraid even though their threats surround you like nettles and briers and stinging scorpions. Do not be dismayed by their dark scowls, even though they are rebels. You must give them my messages whether they listen or not. But they won’t listen, for they are completely rebellious!”
Ezekiel 3:1–3 (NLT)
“The voice said to me, ‘Son of man, eat what I am giving you—eat this scroll! Then go and give its message to the people of Israel.’ So I opened my mouth, and he fed me the scroll. ‘Fill your stomach with this,’ he said. And when I ate it, it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth.”
Ezekiel 3:18–19 (NLT)
“If I warn the wicked, saying, ‘You are under the penalty of death,’ but you fail to deliver the warning, they will die in their sins. And I will hold you responsible for their deaths. If you warn them and they refuse to repent and keep on sinning, they will die in their sins. But you will have saved yourself because you obeyed me.”
Revelation 2:7 (NLT)
“Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give fruit from the tree of life in the paradise of God.”
Reflection
My sisters, do you see how beautifully this all weaves together? Ezekiel didn’t just get a glimpse of God’s glory and then go on with life as usual. No, the Lord showed him His fire, His throne, His rainbow covenant, so that Ezekiel would know the weight of the One who was calling him. He fell face down because when you’ve really seen God’s glory, you can’t stand proud anymore—you can only bow.
Then the Spirit came and lifted him up (2:2). Isn’t that the way it always is? God doesn’t leave us face-down in weakness—He gives His Spirit so we can stand. But He also made it clear: Ezekiel wasn’t being sent to easy people. They were rebels, scorpions, briers (2:5–7). Sometimes the Lord asks us to speak to people who won’t listen, who roll their eyes, who push back. But obedience isn’t measured in applause—it’s measured in faithfulness.
And here’s where that scroll comes in (3:1–3). Ezekiel couldn’t just glance at it, couldn’t tuck it under his arm like a book to read later. He had to eat it. God’s Word wasn’t meant to sit on the outside of his life; it had to get inside of him, become his food, his very sustenance. Sweet as honey—because even when God’s Word is hard, it is always good, always trustworthy, always life-giving. God even told him, “Let all my words sink deep into your own heart first. Listen to them carefully for yourself” (3:10). That’s the only way he could faithfully proclaim them.
Why? Because once it was inside him, he could no longer speak from himself—he would speak from God. That’s why the Lord gave him the charge of a watchman (3:18–21). “If you warn them, you’ve done your part. If you keep silent, their blood is on your hands.” That’s heavy, but it’s also freeing. We are responsible to deliver the message, not to make people receive it.
And notice—through it all, the vision of the wheels and the living beings reminds us: “The spirit of the living beings was in the wheels” (1:20–21). Everything moved only as the Spirit moved. God’s Spirit is in control, everywhere, all the time. If He says go, we go. If He says stop, we stop. If He says rise up, we rise.
And sisters, do you notice how this same call echoes in Revelation 2? Jesus, walking among His churches, says again and again: “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.” Just like Ezekiel was called to be faithful as a watchman, we too are called to listen carefully and obey faithfully. The message hasn’t changed—God still calls His people to hear His Word, take it in deeply, and respond in obedience.
How Does It All Fit Together?
God shows us His glory in Jesus, the radiance of God revealed (Hebrews 1:3). He fills us with His Spirit so we can stand when we would otherwise fall. He feeds us His Word so it becomes our very life, sweeter than honey. Then He gives us the charge—to go and make disciples, to speak His truth whether people listen or not. And through it all, He teaches us to move only in step with His Spirit.
This is the heartbeat of our relationship with Jesus: to see Him, to be strengthened by Him, to be nourished by Him, to obey Him, and to follow wherever He leads.
Lesson for Me
If I have experienced Jesus in His glory—and I have, because I have received Him—then my life should show it. His presence humbles me so that I no longer live for myself but for Him. Yet this is where we struggle: too many of us as Christian women still live for self. Ezekiel was called to speak God’s Word to His people—whether to warn, rebuke, or encourage. It wasn’t his own words, it was God’s. And we have that same Word today. Am I letting it sink fully into me until it overflows to others? Am I speaking God’s Word faithfully to my sisters in Christ, not just sharing the gospel, but also sharing the sweetness of His Word in such a way that it transforms? They must choose how they respond, but my call is to be faithful.
Application Questions
1. Has the glory of the Lord affected me so much that I am humbled in His presence?
2. What is the evidence I can see in my life that I am living for Him and not for myself?
3. Do I snack on God’s Word, or do I eat full meals that nourish me?
4. Do I have verses from my daily reading hidden in my heart—memorized and ready to share with my sisters in Christ?
5. Am I sharing God’s Word in a way that points others toward transformation, not just information?
6. What changes do I need to make so that His Word becomes my daily food—making time for devotion, reading, meditating, and letting it sink deep into me?
7. Am I truly walking in step with His Spirit each day, or am I rushing ahead or lagging behind?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You are the radiance of God’s glory. Let Your presence so affect me that I am humbled and no longer live for myself but for You. Fill me with Your Spirit when I am weak, and feed me with Your Word until it overflows from my life. Help me to be faithful in speaking Your truth to my sisters—not only the gospel, but also the sweetness of Your Word that transforms hearts. Give me verses hidden in my heart to share, and keep me walking in step with Your Spirit daily. Let there be evidence that I belong to You, and may my life reflect Your glory. Amen.