August 29
Today’s Reading: Ezekiel 4–6; Revelation 3
August 29
Today’s Reading: Ezekiel 4–6; Revelation 3
Scripture Focus
“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: This is an illustration of what will happen to Jerusalem. I placed her at the center of the nations, but she has rebelled against my regulations and decrees and has been even more wicked than the surrounding nations. She has refused to obey the regulations and decrees I gave her to follow. “Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: You people have behaved worse than your neighbors and have refused to obey my decrees and regulations. You have not even lived up to the standards of the nations around you. Therefore, I myself, the Sovereign Lord, am now your enemy. I will punish you publicly while all the nations watch. “As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, I will cut you off completely. I will show you no pity at all because you have defiled my Temple with your vile images and detestable sins. Then at last my anger will be spent, and I will be satisfied. And when my fury against them has subsided, all Israel will know that I, the Lord, have spoken to them in my jealous anger.”
Ezekiel 5:5-8, 11, 13 NLT
“Then when they are exiled among the nations, they will remember me. They will recognize how hurt I am by their unfaithful hearts and lustful eyes that long for their idols. Then at last they will hate themselves for all their detestable sins. They will know that I alone am the Lord and that I was serious when I said I would bring this calamity on them……Then they will know that I am the Lord.”
Ezekiel 6:9-10, 14 NLT
“…Then they will know that I am the Lord.”
Ezekiel 7:27 NLT
“I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive—but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead. I find that your actions do not meet the requirements of my God. Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly. Repent and turn to me again. If you don’t wake up, I will come to you suddenly, as unexpected as a thief. All who are victorious will be clothed in white. I will never erase their names from the Book of Life, but I will announce before my Father and his angels that they are mine.”
Revelation 3:1-3, 5 NLT
“I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me. “Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world. I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown. All who are victorious will become pillars in the Temple of my God, and they will never have to leave it. And I will write on them the name of my God, and they will be citizens in the city of my God—the new Jerusalem that comes down from heaven from my God. And I will also write on them my new name.”
Revelation 3:8, 10-12 NLT
“I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.”
Revelation 3:15-19 NLT
“Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.”
Revelation 3:22 NLT
⸻
Reflection
Ezekiel’s ministry began with a vision of God’s glory—powerful, awesome, and overwhelming. That encounter was exactly what he needed to carry out the difficult mission before him. The vision instilled in him a healthy fear of the Lord and gave him courage to proclaim God’s word, not just with his mouth but with his life. He acted out the messages, embodying God’s warnings so that no one could miss the point. In His mercy, God spoke in ways His people could grasp—even through visual signs—because He longed for them to understand.
But Israel had defiled God’s temple and lived more corruptly than the nations around them. Their unfaithful hearts and wandering eyes stirred His jealousy. Still, His ultimate goal was not destruction but restoration: “Then they will remember me… Then they will know that I am the Lord.” God’s discipline was meant to lead to repentance and renewal.
God’s chosen people were not weak. To follow Him required courage and boldness. They had encountered the living God, and that encounter made them strong. Were they fearless? Not always—but their confidence rested in trusting Him. Think of the apostle John, dipped in boiling tar and exiled to Patmos to die. Yet God had other plans. He set John apart, not to silence him, but so he could hear and deliver the message of Revelation to the churches.
The Lord declares, “I am the Sovereign Lord, and I see everything.” That truth rings through both Ezekiel and Revelation. Jesus speaks directly to the churches: Wake up. Hold on. Persevere. Repent. This has been His call from the beginning. Some appeared alive but were spiritually dead. Others were faithful but weak. Still others had grown lukewarm and self-sufficient. Yet the invitation was the same: return to Him. Perseverance and wholehearted devotion are what mark those who are victorious.
The refrain resounds: “Then they will know that I am the Lord.” God’s discipline is never to push us away but to draw us back. His correction is evidence of His love, and His promises remain for those who cling to Him.
And notice how Jesus revealed Himself in a different way to each church in Revelation—tailoring His message so that His people could see what they most needed about Him in their situation.
⸻
Lesson for Me
When I drift from God—even slightly—He will not leave me comfortable in my sin. His discipline is not rejection, but an act of love to bring me back. The question is whether I will respond with repentance or continue in pride. Am I awake and watchful, persevering and clinging to His Word, or have I slipped into lukewarm living—thinking I am fine when my heart is dull toward Him?
⸻
Application Questions
1. Where in my life do I see God disciplining me to bring me closer to Him?
2. Am I awake and alert to His Spirit’s voice, or am I living with a reputation of being alive but spiritually weak or distracted?
3. What “open door” has God set before me that I must walk through in obedience and faith?
4. Do I need to repent of lukewarmness—living with a divided or indifferent heart toward Jesus?
5. How can I persevere today with the little strength I have, trusting Him to make me victorious?
Friends,
One practice I’ve been encouraging Caleb and Cody in is to end the day by asking the Lord about the corrections they received. I tell them not to take discipline or redirection lightly, but to bring it before Him and ask for a changed heart. This isn’t just for children—it’s a healthy rhythm for us as women of God too. Each evening, we can reflect on where the Lord corrected or redirected us, not with guilt, but with a desire to realign our lives to His ways. Doing this makes space for growth, helps us step into tomorrow with renewed focus, and teaches us to choose better—living more in tune with Him day by day.
⸻
Prayer 🙏
Lord, thank You for loving me enough to correct me when I wander. Forgive me for the times I have been lukewarm, careless, or proud. Wake me up, strengthen my heart, and help me cling to what I first believed. Keep me faithful in little things, so that I may endure with perseverance and receive the crown You promise. May my life testify that You alone are Lord. Amen.
⸻
Digging Deeper – Hebrew & Greek Word Insights
* “Jealous” (קִנְאָה – qin’ah, Ezekiel 5:13) – Not petty envy but holy zeal. God’s jealousy is His passionate commitment to His people and His honor, stirred when they give their hearts to idols.
* “Defiled” (טָמֵא – tāmēʾ, Ezekiel 5:11) – To pollute, desecrate, or corrupt. Israel treated God’s temple with contempt, bringing impurity into a place meant for holiness.
* “Lukewarm” (χλιαρός – chliaros, Revelation 3:16) – Tepid, indifferent. Spiritually, it describes a complacent, half-hearted faith that is neither refreshing nor healing.
* “Persevere” (ὑπομονή – hupomonē, Revelation 3:10) – Endurance under pressure. It’s not passive waiting but active, hopeful faith that remains steadfast in trials.
⸻
Jesus Is / Jesus Promises (Revelation 1–3)
Jesus Reveals Himself
* Jesus is the Faithful Witness, the Firstborn from the dead, and Ruler of the kings of the earth (1:5).
* Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega, who is, who was, and who is to come, the Almighty (1:8).
* Jesus is the Living One — He died, but now is alive forever, holding the keys of death and Hades (1:18).
* Jesus is the One who holds the seven stars and walks among the lampstands — present with His church (2:1).
* Jesus is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again (2:8).
* Jesus is the One with the sharp, double-edged sword — His Word judges rightly (2:12).
* Jesus is the Son of God, whose eyes are like fire and feet like bronze — all-seeing, all-pure (2:18).
* Jesus is the One who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars (3:1).
* Jesus is the Holy One, the True One, who holds the key of David — what He opens no one can shut (3:7).
* Jesus is the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Ruler of God’s creation (3:14).
Jesus Promises His Overcomers
* Jesus promises: I will give you to eat from the tree of life in God’s paradise (2:7).
* Jesus promises: You will not be hurt by the second death (2:11).
* Jesus promises: I will give you hidden manna and a white stone with a new name written on it (2:17).
* Jesus promises: You will have authority over the nations, and I will give you the morning star (2:26–28).
* Jesus promises: You will be clothed in white garments (3:5).
* Jesus promises: I will never erase your name from the Book of Life, and I will acknowledge you before My Father and His angels (3:5).
* Jesus promises: I will make you a pillar in the temple of My God—you will never leave it (3:12).
* Jesus promises: I will write on you the name of My God, the name of the city of My God, and My new name (3:12).
* Jesus promises: You will sit with Me on My throne, just as I overcame and sat with My Father on His throne (3:21).
Today’s Reading: Ezekiel 4–6; Revelation 3
Scripture Focus
“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: This is an illustration of what will happen to Jerusalem. I placed her at the center of the nations, but she has rebelled against my regulations and decrees and has been even more wicked than the surrounding nations. She has refused to obey the regulations and decrees I gave her to follow. “Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: You people have behaved worse than your neighbors and have refused to obey my decrees and regulations. You have not even lived up to the standards of the nations around you. Therefore, I myself, the Sovereign Lord, am now your enemy. I will punish you publicly while all the nations watch. “As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, I will cut you off completely. I will show you no pity at all because you have defiled my Temple with your vile images and detestable sins. Then at last my anger will be spent, and I will be satisfied. And when my fury against them has subsided, all Israel will know that I, the Lord, have spoken to them in my jealous anger.”
Ezekiel 5:5-8, 11, 13 NLT
“Then when they are exiled among the nations, they will remember me. They will recognize how hurt I am by their unfaithful hearts and lustful eyes that long for their idols. Then at last they will hate themselves for all their detestable sins. They will know that I alone am the Lord and that I was serious when I said I would bring this calamity on them……Then they will know that I am the Lord.”
Ezekiel 6:9-10, 14 NLT
“…Then they will know that I am the Lord.”
Ezekiel 7:27 NLT
“I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive—but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead. I find that your actions do not meet the requirements of my God. Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly. Repent and turn to me again. If you don’t wake up, I will come to you suddenly, as unexpected as a thief. All who are victorious will be clothed in white. I will never erase their names from the Book of Life, but I will announce before my Father and his angels that they are mine.”
Revelation 3:1-3, 5 NLT
“I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me. “Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world. I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown. All who are victorious will become pillars in the Temple of my God, and they will never have to leave it. And I will write on them the name of my God, and they will be citizens in the city of my God—the new Jerusalem that comes down from heaven from my God. And I will also write on them my new name.”
Revelation 3:8, 10-12 NLT
“I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.”
Revelation 3:15-19 NLT
“Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.”
Revelation 3:22 NLT
⸻
Reflection
Ezekiel’s ministry began with a vision of God’s glory—powerful, awesome, and overwhelming. That encounter was exactly what he needed to carry out the difficult mission before him. The vision instilled in him a healthy fear of the Lord and gave him courage to proclaim God’s word, not just with his mouth but with his life. He acted out the messages, embodying God’s warnings so that no one could miss the point. In His mercy, God spoke in ways His people could grasp—even through visual signs—because He longed for them to understand.
But Israel had defiled God’s temple and lived more corruptly than the nations around them. Their unfaithful hearts and wandering eyes stirred His jealousy. Still, His ultimate goal was not destruction but restoration: “Then they will remember me… Then they will know that I am the Lord.” God’s discipline was meant to lead to repentance and renewal.
God’s chosen people were not weak. To follow Him required courage and boldness. They had encountered the living God, and that encounter made them strong. Were they fearless? Not always—but their confidence rested in trusting Him. Think of the apostle John, dipped in boiling tar and exiled to Patmos to die. Yet God had other plans. He set John apart, not to silence him, but so he could hear and deliver the message of Revelation to the churches.
The Lord declares, “I am the Sovereign Lord, and I see everything.” That truth rings through both Ezekiel and Revelation. Jesus speaks directly to the churches: Wake up. Hold on. Persevere. Repent. This has been His call from the beginning. Some appeared alive but were spiritually dead. Others were faithful but weak. Still others had grown lukewarm and self-sufficient. Yet the invitation was the same: return to Him. Perseverance and wholehearted devotion are what mark those who are victorious.
The refrain resounds: “Then they will know that I am the Lord.” God’s discipline is never to push us away but to draw us back. His correction is evidence of His love, and His promises remain for those who cling to Him.
And notice how Jesus revealed Himself in a different way to each church in Revelation—tailoring His message so that His people could see what they most needed about Him in their situation.
⸻
Lesson for Me
When I drift from God—even slightly—He will not leave me comfortable in my sin. His discipline is not rejection, but an act of love to bring me back. The question is whether I will respond with repentance or continue in pride. Am I awake and watchful, persevering and clinging to His Word, or have I slipped into lukewarm living—thinking I am fine when my heart is dull toward Him?
⸻
Application Questions
1. Where in my life do I see God disciplining me to bring me closer to Him?
2. Am I awake and alert to His Spirit’s voice, or am I living with a reputation of being alive but spiritually weak or distracted?
3. What “open door” has God set before me that I must walk through in obedience and faith?
4. Do I need to repent of lukewarmness—living with a divided or indifferent heart toward Jesus?
5. How can I persevere today with the little strength I have, trusting Him to make me victorious?
Friends,
One practice I’ve been encouraging Caleb and Cody in is to end the day by asking the Lord about the corrections they received. I tell them not to take discipline or redirection lightly, but to bring it before Him and ask for a changed heart. This isn’t just for children—it’s a healthy rhythm for us as women of God too. Each evening, we can reflect on where the Lord corrected or redirected us, not with guilt, but with a desire to realign our lives to His ways. Doing this makes space for growth, helps us step into tomorrow with renewed focus, and teaches us to choose better—living more in tune with Him day by day.
⸻
Prayer 🙏
Lord, thank You for loving me enough to correct me when I wander. Forgive me for the times I have been lukewarm, careless, or proud. Wake me up, strengthen my heart, and help me cling to what I first believed. Keep me faithful in little things, so that I may endure with perseverance and receive the crown You promise. May my life testify that You alone are Lord. Amen.
⸻
Digging Deeper – Hebrew & Greek Word Insights
* “Jealous” (קִנְאָה – qin’ah, Ezekiel 5:13) – Not petty envy but holy zeal. God’s jealousy is His passionate commitment to His people and His honor, stirred when they give their hearts to idols.
* “Defiled” (טָמֵא – tāmēʾ, Ezekiel 5:11) – To pollute, desecrate, or corrupt. Israel treated God’s temple with contempt, bringing impurity into a place meant for holiness.
* “Lukewarm” (χλιαρός – chliaros, Revelation 3:16) – Tepid, indifferent. Spiritually, it describes a complacent, half-hearted faith that is neither refreshing nor healing.
* “Persevere” (ὑπομονή – hupomonē, Revelation 3:10) – Endurance under pressure. It’s not passive waiting but active, hopeful faith that remains steadfast in trials.
⸻
Jesus Is / Jesus Promises (Revelation 1–3)
Jesus Reveals Himself
* Jesus is the Faithful Witness, the Firstborn from the dead, and Ruler of the kings of the earth (1:5).
* Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega, who is, who was, and who is to come, the Almighty (1:8).
* Jesus is the Living One — He died, but now is alive forever, holding the keys of death and Hades (1:18).
* Jesus is the One who holds the seven stars and walks among the lampstands — present with His church (2:1).
* Jesus is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again (2:8).
* Jesus is the One with the sharp, double-edged sword — His Word judges rightly (2:12).
* Jesus is the Son of God, whose eyes are like fire and feet like bronze — all-seeing, all-pure (2:18).
* Jesus is the One who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars (3:1).
* Jesus is the Holy One, the True One, who holds the key of David — what He opens no one can shut (3:7).
* Jesus is the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Ruler of God’s creation (3:14).
Jesus Promises His Overcomers
* Jesus promises: I will give you to eat from the tree of life in God’s paradise (2:7).
* Jesus promises: You will not be hurt by the second death (2:11).
* Jesus promises: I will give you hidden manna and a white stone with a new name written on it (2:17).
* Jesus promises: You will have authority over the nations, and I will give you the morning star (2:26–28).
* Jesus promises: You will be clothed in white garments (3:5).
* Jesus promises: I will never erase your name from the Book of Life, and I will acknowledge you before My Father and His angels (3:5).
* Jesus promises: I will make you a pillar in the temple of My God—you will never leave it (3:12).
* Jesus promises: I will write on you the name of My God, the name of the city of My God, and My new name (3:12).
* Jesus promises: You will sit with Me on My throne, just as I overcame and sat with My Father on His throne (3:21).