Bringing New Life

April 2, 2014

Opening Hymns:
658 This is the Day the Lord Hath Made http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh658.sht

Scripture Reading:
Ezekiel 37:1-14
37:1 The hand of the LORD came upon me, and he brought me out by the spirit of the LORD and set me down in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones.

37:2 He led me all around them; there were very many lying in the valley, and they were very dry.

37:3 He said to me, "Mortal, can these bones live?" I answered, "O Lord GOD, you know."

37:4 Then he said to me, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them: O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.

37:5 Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live.

37:6 I will lay sinews on you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live; and you shall know that I am the LORD."

37:7 So I prophesied as I had been commanded; and as I prophesied, suddenly there was a noise, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone.

37:8 I looked, and there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them; but there was no breath in them.

37:9 Then he said to me, "Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, mortal, and say to the breath: Thus says the Lord GOD: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live."

37:10 I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood on their feet, a vast multitude.

37:11 Then he said to me, "Mortal, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, 'Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are cut off completely.'

37:12 Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: I am going to open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people; and I will bring you back to the land of Israel.

37:13 And you shall know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people.

37:14 I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you on your own soil; then you shall know that I, the LORD, have spoken and will act," says the LORD.

Message:
This scripture is a reminder that with God all things are possible. As I ponder the scripture, I am amazed at how miraculous God’s works are. God can do more powerful things than bring the dead back to life. He can make the sinners pure once again. He can give us hope when we are hopeless. He created all of creation, and fashioned us in a way that we can each make our own decisions… and He always forgives us when we choose the wrong choices.

As you go throughout your day, remember the scripture. Reflect on the amazing things God has done, and the wonderful things that He continues to do. The challenges that we have don’t look as big with God on our side. He is watching over us, and will be with us through all the hard times.

Time of Prayer
Dear Lord, sometimes it is hard to imagine how amazing You are. Thank You for the beautiful things that you have done for each of us. Guide us through this day, and help us do Your will. Amen


The Lord’s Prayer


Closing Hymn
500 Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh500.sht

May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.

Go in peace, serve the Lord
Thanks be to God