We are responsible for our actions

EZEKIEL    CHAPTER 18

The people of Judah believed that they were being punished for the sins of their ancestors, not their own. So God sent a message to Ezekiel that just because the parents sinned, their children, if they lived faithful, sinless lives, need not die.  God explained this is great detail so the people would not misunderstand.

The children would not pay for the parent's lives, God said. If the child does what is right and keeps God's laws, the child would surely live. Nor will the parent be punished for the child's sins. The one who sins is the one who dies. 

If wicked people turn from their sins and obey the laws of God, and do what is right,they will surely live and not die. All their past sins will be forgotten and they will live because of the righteous things they have done.

The Lord judges people according to their actions. So he implores people to turn away from sin.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: Judeans thought that they were being punished because of their ancestor's sins, and they thought this way because this was the teaching of the Ten Commandments. Ezekiel himself taught that the destruction of Jerusalem was due to spiritual decay in previous generations. But now God made it clear.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? Here we learn that God takes no joy in the deaths of wicked people. He offers them a chance to be accountable for their own lives.
He judges you in the same way in our times. Don''t spend  your time looking for loopholes in his law. Instead try to live up to his standards. If we renounce the sin in our lives and turn to God, he will give us a new power to change. Begin by trusting in his power to change you and your heart and mind. And let him take control each and every day.

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:


HEALTH:

Pray for my grandson Hunter who is lost and afraid and far away from home.

Pray for Garry and Steve my insurance men who have prostate cancer.

Pray for Arlene’s nephew David and for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life.

Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer and who recently underwent major surgery.

Pray for our friend Michelle who was diagnosed with a form of MS.

Pray for Robert Sargent who is quite ill with lung cancer.

Pray for Gary Summers, my friend from church, who has cancer.

Pray too for Charly’s husband Robert who has been undergoing chemo. Pray also for Charly who longs to be 100 percent again and walk without an aid.

Pray for James’s sister Cynthia whose chemo has lost its effect as the cancer grows powerful.

SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary

RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John

LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Brian

SUPPORT: Pray for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom. Pray for our farmers and those who raise livestock during this terrible drought. Pray for us consumers who will face higher grocery prices and the poor who won’t be able to adjust what little budget they have.