Ezekiel 20:30-49, NIV
MM
..Will you defile yourselves the way your fathers did and lust after their vile images? …you offer your gifts-the sacrifice of your sons in the fire-you continue to defile yourselves with all your idols…As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I will not let you enquire of me. (vs 31). Thought: sins defile oneself and may block the right to enquire of God.
I will bring you from the nations and gather you from the countries where you have been scattered-with a mighty-hand and an outstretched arm and with outpoured wrath vs 34.
2 Timothy 2:14-26, NIV
MM
Avoid: godless chatter; quarrelling about words..no value..ruins those who listen…present yourself to God as one approved vs 14-16.
..”Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness vs 19….be an instrument for noble purposes (like gold), made holy, useful to the Master, and prepared to do any good work vs 21.
Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace..call on the Lord out of a pure heart vs 22
….foolish and stupid arguments to avoid..produce quarrels..the Lord’s servant must not quarrel…be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful..oppose…gently instruct..hope that Hod will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth..come to their senses..escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
Thought: Pursue godliness like choosing clean water over polluted water. Godliness is rare; is of great value.
Mark 6:1-6, NIV
MM
..teach in the synagogue..many who heard him were amazed….Where did this man get thesetings?” they asked. ” What’s this wisdom that has bee given him, that he even does miracles! vs 2.
Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of… ..sisters here with us?…vs 3.
.in his hometown….prophet without honour…could not do any miracles there…he was amazed at their lack of faith vs 4-6.