Ezekiel 18New International Version (NIV): The One Who Sins Will Die

 I think this is one of the passages that one really needs to read the whole passage to get the point.  Yes, the title is frightening, but don’t forget that Jesus came 🙂
But I also think the point of the passage is that we are responsible for only our own selves.  There are no grandchildren in Heaven (as the saying goes).
We must, each one of us, find our way to the Lord.
For each of us will either receive Christ’s Mercy or God’s Justice.  It’s up to us, but we each have to choose 🙂
Ezekiel 18

18 The word of the Lord came to me: “What do you people mean by quoting this proverb about the land of Israel:

“‘The parents eat sour grapes,
    and the children’s teeth are set on edge’?

“As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, you will no longer quote this proverb in Israel. For everyone belongs to me, the parent as well as the child—both alike belong to me. The one who sins is the one who will die.

“Suppose there is a righteous man
    who does what is just and right.
He does not eat at the mountain shrines
    or look to the idols of Israel.
He does not defile his neighbor’s wife
    or have sexual relations with a woman during her period.
He does not oppress anyone,
    but returns what he took in pledge for a loan.
He does not commit robbery
    but gives his food to the hungry
    and provides clothing for the naked.
He does not lend to them at interest
    or take a profit from them.
He withholds his hand from doing wrong
    and judges fairly between two parties.
He follows my decrees
    and faithfully keeps my laws.
That man is righteous;
    he will surely live,
declares the Sovereign Lord.

10 “Suppose he has a violent son, who sheds blood or does any of these other things[a] 11 (though the father has done none of them):

“He eats at the mountain shrines.
He defiles his neighbor’s wife.
12 He oppresses the poor and needy.
He commits robbery.
He does not return what he took in pledge.
He looks to the idols.
He does detestable things.
13 He lends at interest and takes a profit.

Will such a man live? He will not! Because he has done all these detestable things, he is to be put to death; his blood will be on his own head.

14 “But suppose this son has a son who sees all the sins his father commits, and though he sees them, he does not do such things:

15 “He does not eat at the mountain shrines
    or look to the idols of Israel.
He does not defile his neighbor’s wife.
16 He does not oppress anyone
    or require a pledge for a loan.
He does not commit robbery
    but gives his food to the hungry
    and provides clothing for the naked.
17 He withholds his hand from mistreating the poor
    and takes no interest or profit from them.
He keeps my laws and follows my decrees.

He will not die for his father’s sin; he will surely live. 18 But his father will die for his own sin, because he practiced extortion, robbed his brother and did what was wrong among his people.

19 “Yet you ask, ‘Why does the son not share the guilt of his father?’ Since the son has done what is just and right and has been careful to keep all my decrees, he will surely live. 20 The one who sins is the one who will die. The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child. The righteousness of the righteous will be credited to them, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against them.

21 “But if a wicked person turns away from all the sins they have committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, that person will surely live; they will not die. 22 None of the offenses they have committed will be remembered against them. Because of the righteous things they have done, they will live. 23 Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?

24 “But if a righteous person turns from their righteousness and commits sin and does the same detestable things the wicked person does, will they live? None of the righteous things that person has done will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness they are guilty of and because of the sins they have committed, they will die.

25 “Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ Hear, you Israelites: Is my way unjust? Is it not your ways that are unjust? 26 If a righteous person turns from their righteousness and commits sin, they will die for it; because of the sin they have committed they will die. 27 But if a wicked person turns away from the wickedness they have committed and does what is just and right, they will save their life. 28 Because they consider all the offenses they have committed and turn away from them, that person will surely live; they will not die. 29 Yet the Israelites say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ Are my ways unjust, people of Israel? Is it not your ways that are unjust?

30 “Therefore, you Israelites, I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. 31 Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, people of Israel? 32 For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!

Laugh Out Loud, Love Completely, Live As If This Were Your Last Day…

Which of God’s commandments is the most important one?  Jesus answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength:  this is the first commandment”.  And the second is “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  There is no other commandment greater than these”. -Jesus

It’s been another week of bad headlines; sometimes it almost seems that it might be easier iStock_000005162197Smalljust “not to know”.   And  yet as Moms, we need to know;  Because keeping our children safe and providing them with all that they will need to grow up in to caring, compassionate and faithful adults who will one day be able to go in pursuit of their dreams is -our job.

On the other hand, once we know all of the bad news-what do we do with it. How do we “fix it”.  The answer is-we don’t.  “Fixing it” is up to God.  For us, as Christians, we simply need to do what we have always done:  Love God, and love each other.  For that is all that God requires and it is all that Christ commanded.  So this week, no matter the news, pledge to find the time to laugh out loud, to love completely and to live at least one day-as it if were the last day before Jesus comes back.  Take one day-and be completely happy.  No matter what.  For with God, “all things are possible”.

Why do some succeed and not others?

A friend sent me this from Worthy Devotionals, it seemed so perfect I couldn’t resist sending it on ?

“Roger Babson, a famous statistician was having lunch with the President of Argentina, “Mr. Babson,” the President said, “I have been wondering why it is that South America, with all its natural advantages, mines of iron, copper, coal and silver, rivers and great waterfalls is so far behind North America?” Babson replied, “Well, Mr. President, what do you think is the reason?” He answered, “..South America was founded by the Spanish who came in search of gold. North America was founded by the Pilgrims who went there in search of God.” If we live a life of seeking gold — the blessings of God but not God Himself — we end up losing both. The Pilgrims, who gave us the wonderful holiday of Thanksgiving, came in search of God. It is because of this that America has reaped blessing upon blessing.” “Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

The Hope For Our World :)

With the state of our world and our country– it would be easy to at times become discouraged.  Accept for one thing.  One thing never changes.  God is still God and Jesus is still coming back.

And as for the world we live in?  The hope for our world is still where it has always been, in” the power of God working through the hearts of people”.   All the people.  And that hope still shines brightly in our country. It always will…

In God We Trust: The Best Job Of All :)

Like any one, I can get caught up in worrying about the economy, the job market, or any one of a number of the challenges we are all facing.  But there is something our Lord said that not only brings me great comfort, but also brings me down to earth-where I belong.

Our Lord said, “Thus says the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:  But let him that glories glory in this, that he understands and knows me…”-Jeremiah 9, Verses 23 & 24

Now there’s a job-for all of us. After that, what more can be said…

May God Bless each of you and your families, now, and always.

When our prayers are answered, do we thank God or do we have doubts that God is the One responsible?


I was reading The Intercessory Prayer book and it raised this very point. And I couldn’t help but think that sometimes that’s true. Why is it that it can take me a few moments to say thank you? After all, shouldn’t that be my immediate response?

For myself, many times my gratefulness and thank you are immediate. But there are occasional times when it takes me a little longer, when I hear that whisper in my mind, “would that have happened anyway?” That whisper-it’s from Satan. Banish him and give your thanks, and any doubts, to God.

For our Lord will appreciate the first and take care of the second ?