Ezekiel 2:3-5, 2:7, 3:11, 3:26-27

2:3-5

3 He said: “Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me; they and their ancestors have been in revolt against me to this very day. 4 The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says.’ 5 And whether they listen or fail to listen—for they are a rebellious people—they will know that a prophet has been among them.

2:7

7 You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious.

3:11

11 Go now to your people in exile and speak to them. Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says,’ whether they listen or fail to listen.”

3:26-27

26 I will make your tongue stick to the roof of your mouth so that you will be silent and unable to rebuke them, for they are a rebellious people. 27 But when I speak to you, I will open your mouth and you shall say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says.’ Whoever will listen let them listen, and whoever will refuse let them refuse; for they are a rebellious people.

- The Israelities were exiled as they sinned against God. God is our Father in heaven. He wants us to listen and obey because He knows what is ahead of us, what is best for us, and He wants us to walk on the right path and right direction. So on the above verses, God kept stressing to Ezekiel whether the Israelities would listen, tell them what He had to say. Likewise to any father who wants your kid to listen to you especially when the kid is heading the wrong direction, whether the kid is listening, you will not or cannot control yourself but to speak up and hope your kid will listen. So I hope you will understand how God feels when you walk on your own direction and not relying and trusting God and His word to lead you. His word last forever. Be it today or tomorrow. If you pray for direction in any area of your life and God speaks to you, listen and act. The faithful ones will say, "If God goes, I will go."

Here's My Heart by Casting Crowns.

Chorus 1
Here's my heart Lord, here's my heart Lord
Here's my heart Lord, speak what is true
Verse 1
I am found, I am Yours, I am loved, I'm made pure
I have life, I can breathe, I am healed, I am free
Verse 2
Cause You are strong, You are sure, You are life, You endure
You are good, always true, You are light, breaking through
Chorus 2
Here's my life Lord, here's my life Lord
Here's my life Lord, speak what is true, Speak what is true
Bridge
Cause You are more than enough, You are here, You are love
You are hope, You are grace, You're all I have, You're everything
End
Speak what is true

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkSBmRAVXNc

Ezekiel 3:18-21

18 When I say to a wicked person, ‘You will surely die,’ and you do not warn them or speak out to dissuade them from their evil ways in order to save their life, that wicked person will die for[b] their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. 19 But if you do warn the wicked person and they do not turn from their wickedness or from their evil ways, they will die for their sin; but you will have saved yourself. 20 “Again, when a righteous person turns from their righteousness and does evil, and I put a stumbling block before them, they will die. Since you did not warn them, they will die for their sin. The righteous things that person did will not be remembered, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. 21 But if you do warn the righteous person not to sin and they do not sin, they will surely live because they took warning, and you will have saved yourself.”

- I'm not sure if God will take us accountable for not saving a sinner but God will definitely ask us what we have done for Him when we meet God in heaven. If a storm is coming, when your friend is going to the altar with a cheater, when a child is grabbed from the street and drove away by a stranger, or a car is racing towards a person, or a murder is happening, will you not scream and yell to rescue your neighbour, your friend, that child, that person, that victim? Matthew 25:40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ This is all about saving a life, building a safe community, building a loving or caring attitude to one another. Be the person God wants us to be. Be forgiving, touching lives, and bring a sinner to His altar. This is all about transformation. His word last forever.  

Lean On Me by Kirk Franklin

Oooooohhh
This is for that little child with no father
For that man that doesn't have a place to stay
For that little boy living with AIDS
Can I tell you a story, tell you a story
You can lean on me
There's a man (oh yes)
Standing on the corner
He has no home
He has no food
And his blue skies are gone (yes it is)
Can't you hear him cryin' out
And there's a girl
Searching for a father and a friend
Praying that the storm someday will end
But instead of walking away
Open up your heart and say

I am here
You don't have to worry
I can see...
I can see your tears
....your tears
I'll be there in a hurry when you call
Yes I will
Friends are there to catch you when you fall
Here's my shoulder
Here's my shoulder, you can lean on me
halleluia
Ooooohhhhh
Listen
Oh, there's a child
Who is sick and begging to be free
But there is no cure for his disease
He looks up to his mother and
As she hold (holds), his hand (hand)
Prayin' that someday
The sun will shine again
And the pain?
And the pain will end
Pain will end....Come on
I am here
I am here
You don't have to worry
You don't have to worry
I can see...
I see...
....your tears
....your tears, yeah
I'll be there in a hurry when you call
I'll be there in a hurry when you call
Friends are there to catch you when you fall
I'm your friend and I'll catch you when, when, when you fall
Here's my shoulder, you can lean on me
Here's my shoulder, you can lean on me
Tell me, how can I, how can I love Jesus
When I've never seen His face
Yeah, I see you dying
And I turn and walk away
So hold my hand
Oooooohhhhh
Let me take you to a friend of mine
He's waiting just to ease your troubled mind
Yeah, yeah, He loves you more than you'll ever know
'Stead of walking away
Open up
Open up your heart and say
Come on
I am here
I am here
You don't have to worry
I can see your tears
I'll be there in a hurry when you call
Alleluia
Aaaaaaah
When you call, friends will be there to catch you when, catch you when you fall
Here's my shoulder, you can lean on me
Thank you Jesus, yeah
OhYeah, oh yeah
Here's my shoulder, you can lean on me
Here's my shoulder, you can lean on me
You can lean on me
Lean on me, yeah, yeah
Here's my shoulder, you can lean on me
You're my friend but you're also my brother
Here's my shoulder, you can lean on me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXBKaOkmQhw

Ezekiel 7:8-9

8 I am about to pour out my wrath on you and spend my anger against you. I will judge you according to your conduct and repay you for all your detestable practices.
9 I will not look on you with pity; I will not spare you. I will repay you for your conduct and for the detestable practices among you.

- God, I pray You will forgive us. Forgive us for our sins. We have sinned against You. Please forgive us and I pray we will receive Your forgiviness of our sins, and that You will cleanse us, clean us, wash away our sins. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ I pray, amen.

Ezekiel 7:20-22

20 They took pride in their beautiful jewelry and used it to make their detestable idols. They made it into vile images; therefore I will make it a thing unclean for them.
21 I will give their wealth as plunder to foreigners and as loot to the wicked of the earth, who will defile it.
22 I will turn my face away from the people, and robbers will desecrate the place I treasure. They will enter it
and will defile it.

- The Israelities had sinned against God. Exodus 20:2-3 2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 3 “You shall have no other gods before me. The Israelities had learned their lesson and we had learned through history. What will you do today to be faithful to God. Will you put your heart on your faith in God or will you remain wildful and continue "it doesn't matter" way of thinking. He is God of grace and love. He loves you more than you can imagine. He sent His only son to teach you the ways of living and about Him. And He sacrified His only son so our broken relationship with Him can be restored and will gain eternal life with Him when our time on earth is completed. Who can give you all these but only the God of heaven and earth, our Father in heaven.

Hills and Valleys by Tauren Wells

I've walked among the shadows
You wiped my tears away
And I've felt the pain of heartbreak
And I've seen the brighter days
And I've prayed prayers to heaven from my lowestplace
And I have held the blessings
God, you give and take away
No matter what I have, Your grace is enough
No matter where I am, I'm standing in Your love
On the mountains, I will bow my life
To the one who set me there
In the valley, I will lift my eyes to the one who sees me there
When I'm standing on the mountain aft, didn't get there on my own
When I'm walking through the valley end, no I am not alone!
You're God of the hills and valleys!
Hills and Valleys!
God of the hills and valleys
And I am not alone!
I've watched my dreams get broken
In you I hope again!
No matter what I know
Know I'm safe inside Your hand
On the mountains, I will bow my life
To the one who set me there
In the valley, I will lift my eyes to the one who sees me there
When I'm standing on the mountain aft, didn't get there on my own
When I'm walking through the valley end, no I am not alone!
You're God of the hills and valleys!
Hills and Valleys!
God of the hills and valleys
And I am not alone!
Father, you give and take away
Every joy and every pain
Through it all you will remain
Over it all!
Father, you give and take away
Every joy and every pain
Through it all you will remain
Over it all!
On the mountains, I will bow my life
To the one who set me there (to the one who set me there)
In the valley, I will lift my eyes to the one who sees me there
When I'm standing on the mountain aft, didn't get there on my own
When I'm walking through the valley end, no I am not alone!
You're God of the hills and valleys!
Hills and Valleys!
God of the hills and valleys
And I am not alone!
You're God of the hills and valleys!
Hills and Valleys!
God of the hills and valleys
And I am not alone!
And I will choose to say "Blessed be Your name, yeah, yeah"
And I am not alone

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4rRCjrAyCs&list=PLgFPSBWI2ATtxRsD7FCEOvU-ACyiikK7L&index=11

Ezekiel 8:1-6

1In the sixth year, in the sixth month on the fifth day, while I was sitting in my house and the elders of Judah were sitting before me, the hand of the Sovereign Lord came on me there. 2 I looked, and I saw a figure like that of a man.[a] From what appeared to be his waist down he was like fire, and from there up his appearance was as bright as glowing metal. 3 He stretched out what looked like a hand and took me by the hair of my head. The Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven and in visions of God he took me to Jerusalem, to the entrance of the north gate of the inner court, where the idol that provokes to jealousy stood. 4 And there before me was the glory of the God of Israel, as in the vision I had seen in the plain. 5 Then he said to me, “Son of man, look toward the north.” So I looked, and in the entrance north of the gate of the altar I saw this idol of jealousy. 6 And he said to me, “Son of man, do you see what they are doing—the utterly detestable things the Israelites are doing here, things that will drive me far from my sanctuary? But you will see things that are even more detestable.”

- We worship a God who devoted to love us. We were created according to His image and He loves us with no measure. Likewise, He wants our focus point on Him - the God who will lead and bless us accordingly, and who will bring us to good places and bless us with peace. By His grace and blessings, and with our faith in Him, we need to tell ourselves to totally depend on Him as we work towards our goals in lives and handle troubles that come our way. Press on with our faith in God. Let nothing that will anger Him in our house of worship. Let nothing that will anger Him be put in our lives. Put our hands together at His altar to praise Him, thank Him, and ask Him for our needs in our lives, in our church and in this world.

The Gospel by Ryan Stevenson

A restless generation
We're turning over every stone
Hoping to find salvation
In a world that's left us cold
Can we get back to the altar?
Back to the arms of our first love
There's only one way to the Father
And He's calling out to us
To the captive, it looks like freedom
To the orphan, it feels like home
To the skeptic, it might sound crazy
To believe in a God who loves
In a world, where our hearts are breaking
And we're lost in the mess we've made
Like a blinding light, in the dead of night
It's the Gospel
The Gospel that makes a way
It's the Gospel that makes a way
It's the cure for our condition
It's the good news for us all
It's greater than religion
It's the power of the Cross
So can we get back to the altar?
Back to the arms of our first love
There's only one way to the Father
And He's calling out to us
To the captive, it looks like freedom
To the orphan, it feels like home
To the skeptic, it might sound crazy
To believe in a God who loves
In a world, where our hearts are breaking
And we're lost in the mess we've made
Like a blinding light, in the dead of night
It's the Gospel
The Gospel that makes a way
It's the Gospel that makes a way
It's the Gospel that makes a way!
It's the Gospel that makes a way
The amazing news of the Gospel
Is not that we can receive Jesus into our lives
But that He's already received us
Into? His
In my own life, it means forgiveness
When I know I deserved the fall
It called me out of my darkness
And carried me to the Cross
In a moment, my eyes were opened
In that moment, my heart was changed
Like a blinding light, in the dead of night
It's the Gospel
Oh To the captive, it looks like freedom
To the orphan, it feels like home
To the skeptic, it might sound crazy
To believe in a God who loves
In a world, where our hearts are breaking
And we're lost in the mess we've made
Like a blinding light, in the dead of night
It's the Gospel
The Gospel that makes a way
It's the Gospel that makes a way (makes a way)
It's the Gospel that makes a way (makes a way)
It's the Gospel that makes a way (makes a way)
It's the Gospel
The Gospel that makes a way

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTdFEZhjiko

Ezekiel 11:13-20

13 Now as I was prophesying, Pelatiah son of Benaiah died. Then I fell facedown and cried out in a loud voice, “Alas, Sovereign Lord! Will you completely destroy the remnant of Israel?” Ezekiel cried out to the Lord for mercy .

The Promise of Israel’s Return
14 The word of the Lord came to me: 15 “Son of man, the people of Jerusalem have said of your fellow exiles and all the other Israelites, ‘They are far away from the Lord; this land was given to us as our possession.’ The Lord explained.

16 “Therefore say: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Although I sent them far away among the nations and scattered them among the countries, yet for a little while I have been a sanctuary for them in the countries where they have gone.’ The Lord is not heartless. They might had left the Lord, but the Lord did not abandon them. Likewise to our sin. If we are willing to turn back and ask Lord Jesus Christ to forgive us and lead us again, He will not reject us. Wherever we go, whatever situation we are in, do not forget our Lord is almighty and He can hear us wherever we are.

17 “Therefore say: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will gather you from the nations and bring you back from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you back the land of Israel again.’ The Lord answered to Ezekiel's pled to have mercy upon the people. You have to remember our Lord Jesus Christ is forgiving. Forgiviness is the best thing to any of us who has done wrong in any areas in our lives be it small or big way.

18 “They will return to it and remove all its vile images and detestable idols. 19 I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. 20 Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God. We must obey God. We must have no other gods besides Lord Jesus Christ, our savior, our redeemer, our King.

Forgiven by Crowder

I'm the one who held the nail
It was cold between my fingertips
I've hidden in the garden
I've denied You with my very lips

God, I fall down to my knees
with a hammer in my hand
You look at me, arms open

Forgiven! Forgiven!
Child there is freedom from all of it
Say goodbye to every sin
You are forgiven!

I've done things I wish I hadn't done
I've seen things I wish I hadn't seen
Just the thought of Your amazing grace
And I cry ”Jesus, forgive me!”

God, I fall down to my knees
with a hammer in my hand
You look at me, arms open

Forgiven! Forgiven!
Child there is freedom from all of it
Say goodbye to every sin
You are forgiven!

I could've been six feet under
I could've been lost forever
Yeah I should be in that fire
But now there's fire inside of me
Here I am a dead man walking
No grave gonna hold God's people
All the weight of all our evil
Lifted away forever free
Who could believe, who could believe?

Forgiven! Forgiven!
You love me even when I don't deserve it
Forgiven! I'm Forgiven!
Jesus Your blood makes me innocent
So I will say goodbye to every sin
I am forgiven!

Forgiven! Forgiven!
Child there is freedom from all of it
Say goodbye to every sin
You are forgiven!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_ZWEO36jok

Ezekiel 13:17-23

17 “Now, son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people who prophesy out of their own imagination. Prophesy against them 18 and say, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to the women who sew magic charms on all their wrists and make veils of various lengths for their heads in order to ensnare people. Will you ensnare the lives of my people but preserve your own? 19 You have profaned me among my people for a few handfuls of barley and scraps of bread. By lying to my people, who listen to lies, you have killed those who should not have died and have spared those who should not live. 20 “‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against your magic charms with which you ensnare people like birds and I will tear them from your arms; I will set free the people that you ensnare like birds. 21 I will tear off your veils and save my people from your hands, and they will no longer fall prey to your power. Then you will know that I am the Lord. 22 Because you disheartened the righteous with your lies, when I had brought them no grief, and because you encouraged the wicked not to turn from their evil ways and so save their lives, 23 therefore you will no longer see false visions or practice divination. I will save my people from your hands. And then you will know that I am the Lord.’”

- Under the care of God we do not need to worry. But it doesn't mean our lives are freed from troubles. In this case, the Israelities were misled by false prophets. In time of needs, put our eyes on God and call out to God. Pray to God. Tell Him what had happened. Ask God to bless us and lead us. Seek God. Put our time on God's words. Praise God. Continue to put our faith in God and meet with our brothers and sisters in Christ to worship God and pray together for the situation. Love God and trust God. Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Pray persistently and call out to God without ceasing.

God of All My Days by Casting Crowns

I came to You with my heart in pieces
And found the God with healing in His hands
I turned to You, put everything behind me
And found the God who makes all things new
I looked to You, drowning in my questions
And found the God who holds all wisdom
And I trusted You and stepped out on the ocean
You caught my hand among the waves
'Cause You're the God of all my days

Each step I take
You make a way
And I will give You all my praise
My seasons change, You stay the same
You're the God of all my days

I ran from You, I wandered in the shadows
And found a God who relentlessly pursues
I hid from You, haunted by my failure
And found the God whose grace still covers me
I fell on You when I was at my weakest
And found the God, the lifter of my head
And I've worshiped You
And felt You right beside me
You're the reason that I sing
'Cause You're the God of all my days

Each step I take
You make a way
And I will give You all my praise
My seasons change, You stay the same
You're the God of all my days

In my worry, God You are my stillness
In my searching, God You are my answers
In my blindness, God You are my vision
In my bondage, God You are my freedom
In my weakness, God You are my power
You're the reason that I sing
'Cause You're the God of all my days

Each step I take
You make a way
And I will give You all my praise
My seasons change, You stay the same
You're the God of all my days

In my blindness, God You are my vision
And in my bondage, God You are my freedom
All my days

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYkZE8AogDE

Ezekiel 14:1-11

1 Some of the elders of Israel came to me and sat down in front of me. 2 Then the word of the Lord came to me: 3 “Son of man, these men have set up idols in their hearts and put wicked stumbling blocks before their faces. Should I let them inquire of me at all? Have faith in the Lord. Ask for faith that can move mountain. Walk hand in hand with the Lord. Let the Lord leads you. Ask the Lord to speak to you. Ask the Lord to open your eyes to see Him, His creation, His presence in this world. Ask the Lord to open your ears to hear from Him. Ask the Lord to let your heart to feel His presence in your life. In verses 1 to 3, the Lord spoke to Ezekiel as he was led by the Lord.  4 Therefore speak to them and tell them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: When any of the Israelites set up idols in their hearts and put a wicked stumbling block before their faces and then go to a prophet, I the Lord will answer them myself in keeping with their great idolatry. 5 I will do this to recapture the hearts of the people of Israel, who have all deserted me for their idols.’ 6 “Therefore say to the people of Israel, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Repent! Turn from your idols and renounce all your detestable practices! 7 “‘When any of the Israelites or any foreigner residing in Israel separate themselves from me and set up idols in their hearts and put a wicked stumbling block before their faces and then go to a prophet to inquire of me, I the Lord will answer them myself. 8 I will set my face against them and make them an example and a byword. I will remove them from my people. Then you will know that I am the Lord. 9 “‘And if the prophet is enticed to utter a prophecy, I the Lord have enticed that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand against him and destroy him from among my people Israel. 10 They will bear their guilt—the prophet will be as guilty as the one who consults him. 11 Then the people of Israel will no longer stray from me, nor will they defile themselves anymore with all their sins. They will be my people, and I will be their God, declares the Sovereign Lord.’”

- God knows what we are doing. He knows instantly. Isaiah 44:24 24 “This is what the Lord says - your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb: I am the Lord, the Maker of all things, who stretches out the heavens, who spreads out the earth by myself, To Jeremiah, Jeremiah 1:5 5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” Is wonderful to have this God who knows us before we were born. Is wonderful we are led by this God who loves us before we love Him. If we do wrong, He wants to correct us. He is a God who wants us to lead a righteous life and He will lead us to green pasture. Psalm 23:1-3 1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. God wants to straighten our lives. Let Him. 

In Christ Alone (The Solid Rock) by Travis Cottrell

In Christ alone
My hope is found
He is my life, my strength, my song
This cornerstone, this solid rock
Firm through the fierces, drought and storm
What heights of Love, what depths of Peace
When fears are stilled, when Strivings cease!
My comforter, my all in all
Here in the love of Christ I stand
In Christ alone who took on flesh
Fulness of God in helpless babe
This gift of Love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
Till on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied;
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the depth of Christ I live
There in the ground, His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious day
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ
On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand
On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand
No guilt in life, no fear in death
This the pow'r of Christ in me
From life's first cry, to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No pow'r of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or call me home
Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand .....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqm6_H_LCEQ

Ezekiel 14:12-20

12 The word of the Lord came to me: 13 “Son of man, if a country sins against me by being unfaithful and I stretch out my hand against it to cut off its food supply and send famine upon it and kill its people and their animals, 14 even if these three men—Noah, Daniel[a] and Job—were in it, they could save only themselves by their righteousness, declares the Sovereign Lord. 15 “Or if I send wild beasts through that country and they leave it childless and it becomes desolate so that no one can pass through it because of the beasts, 16 as surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, even if these three men were in it, they could not save their own sons or daughters. They alone would be saved, but the land would be desolate. 17 “Or if I bring a sword against that country and say, ‘Let the sword pass throughout the land,’ and I kill its people and their animals, 18 as surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, even if these three men were in it, they could not save their own sons or daughters. They alone would be saved. 19 “Or if I send a plague into that land and pour out my wrath on it through bloodshed, killing its people and their animals, 20 as surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, even if Noah, Daniel and Job were in it, they could save neither son nor daughter. They would save only themselves by their righteousness.

- To be righteous and merciful like God. God wants us not to take our lives lightly and to be liked Him. God's arms will always open to forgive our sins and accept us. Our lives are very precious; not only in the eyes of God but also in the eyes of our parents, family, friends, and many people who care for us. We have to love and treasure ourselves. To be the people God wants us to be. Walk in His likeness. It is a goal too high to reach but we will pray to God to rely on Him, walk in faith and ask for His blessings. Look up to God. God is afterall our Father in heaven, our role model. He wants us to be liked Him. Pray persistently to ask for God to lead us. Proverbs 3:6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

One Step Away by Casting Crowns

What if you could go back and relive one day of your life all over again
And unmake the mistake that left you a million miles away
From the you, you once knew
Now yesterday's shame keeps saying that you'll never get back on track
But what if I told you

You're one step away from surrender
One step away from coming home, coming home
One step from arms wide open
His love has never let you go
You're not alone
You're one step away

It doesn't matter how far you've gone
Mercy says you don't have to keep running down the road you're on
Love's never met a lost cause
Your shame, lay it down
Leave your ghosts in the past ‘cause you know that you can't go back
But you can turn around
You've never been more than

One step away from surrender
One step away from coming home, coming home
One step from arms wide open
His love has never let you go
You're not alone (not alone)
You're one step away
You're one step away

Lay down, lay down your old chains
Come now, and take up your new name
Your best life up ahead now
You're one step away

Lay down, lay down your old chains
Come now, and take up your new name
Your best life up ahead now
You're one step away

Lay down, lay down your old chains
Come now, and take up your new name
Your best life up ahead now
You're one step away

So come on home, come on home
One step from arms wide open
His love has never let you go
You're not alone (you're not alone)
You're one step away

Lay down, lay down your old chains
Take up, take up your new name

Lay down, lay down your old chains
Take up, take up your new name

Lay down, lay down your old chains
Come now, take up your new name
Your best life up ahead now
One step away

Lay down, lay down your old chains
Come now, and take up your new name
Your best life up ahead now
You're just one step away

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksQanoUc0qE

Ezekiel 18:5-9

5 “Suppose there is a righteous man who does what is just and right.

6 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.

7 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.

8 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.

9 He follows my decrees and faithfully keeps my laws. That man is righteous; he will surely live,

Ezekiel 18:19-23, 30-32

Ezekiel 18:19-23

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?

Ezekiel 18:30-32

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!

Crowder - All My Hope ft. Tauren Wells

I've been held by the Savior
I've felt fire from above
I've been down to the river
I ain't the same, a prodigal returned

All my hope is in Jesus
Thank God that yesterday's gone
All my sins are forgiven
I've been washed by the blood

I'm no stranger to the prison
I've worn shackles and chains
But I've been freed and forgiven (yes I have)
I'm not going back
I'll never be the same
That's why I sing...

All my hope is in Jesus
Thank God my yesterday's gone
All my sins are forgiven
I've been washed by the blood

There's a kind of thing that just breaks a man
Break him down to his knees
God, I've been broken more than a time or two (yes, Lord)
Then He picked me up and showed me
What it means to be a man
Come on and sing...

All my hope is in Jesus
Thank God my yesterday's gone
Yes, all my sins are forgiven
I've been washed by the blood
Oh, I've, I've been washed by the blood

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tElvdnId4Q

Ezekiel 33:7-11, 33:14-16

Ezekiel 33:7-11

7 “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. 8 When I say to the wicked, ‘You wicked person, you will surely die,’ and you do not speak out to dissuade them from their ways, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. 9 But if you do warn the wicked person to turn from their ways and they do not do so, they will die for their sin, though you yourself will be saved. 10 “Son of man, say to the Israelites, ‘This is what you are saying: “Our offenses and sins weigh us down, and we are wasting away because of them. How then can we live?”’ 11 Say to them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, people of Israel?’   

- Persuading and forgiving the house of Israel. This is how our God has been treating His people be it 2000 years ago or today. He will always wait for you to accept Him to be your God, your savior, your Father in heaven, your friend, your big brother. And God had spoken in verse 11 "As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live." Every Pastor is a watchman to his or her congregation. We can be a watchman. A watchman to our sibling, to our friend, to our coworker, to our parents or to a man who is going to do something silly to harm his life. May God bless us to walk in His ways.

Ezekiel 33:14-16

14 And if I say to a wicked person, ‘You will surely die,’ but they then turn away from their sin and do what is just and right— 15 if they give back what they took in pledge for a loan, return what they have stolen, follow the decrees that give life, and do no evil—that person will surely live; they will not die. 16 None of the sins that person has committed will be remembered against them. They have done what is just and right; they will surely live.

- In the eyes of God, if we turn away from our sinful nature and work towards His likeness - how God had instructed us to live, I believe we can win His praise and joy.

Softly and Tenderly by Alan Jackson

Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling
Calling for you and for me
See on the portals He's waiting and watching
Watching for you and for me

Come home, come home
Ye who are weary come home
Earnestly, tenderly Jesus is calling
Calling, "O sinner come home"

O for the wonderful love He has promised
Promised for you and for me
Though we have sinned He has mercy and pardon
Pardon for you and for me

Come home, come home
Ye who are weary come home
Earnestly, tenderly Jesus is calling
Calling, "O sinner come home"

Earnestly, tenderly Jesus is calling
Calling, "O sinner come home"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkRTfrLBii0

Ezekiel 33:30-32

30 “As for you, son of man, your people are talking together about you by the walls and at the doors of the houses, saying to each other, ‘Come and hear the message that has come from the Lord.’ 31 My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to hear your words, but they do not put them into practice. Their mouths speak of love, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain. 32 Indeed, to them you are nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well, for they hear your words but do not put them into practice. - We are called to carry out what God had spoken to us. Be a Christian not by name but lead a life according to what God had spoken to us through Jesus Christ in the New Testament and decrees in the Old Testament. God speaks to us through His words and through many ways He chooses to speak to us. We need to be faithful Christians. Christians who are willing to carry the cross - to read and practice our faith. To put our faith in God and lead a righteous life and be merciful to others. To accept God's blessings and believe we are created by our almighty God. Through God, we will know where we are going after this life on earth. We are going to meet Jesus Christ, our savior, our redeemer in heaven. And lead a righteous and devotional eternal life with God forever and evermore. 

Ezekiel 34:23-31

23 I will place over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he will tend them; he will tend them and be their shepherd. 24 I the Lord will be their God, and my servant David will be prince among them. I the Lord have spoken. 25 “‘I will make a covenant of peace with them and rid the land of savage beasts so that they may live in the wilderness and sleep in the forests in safety. 26 I will make them and the places surrounding my hill a blessing. I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing. 27 The trees will yield their fruit and the ground will yield its crops; the people will be secure in their land. They will know that I am the Lord, when I break the bars of their yoke and rescue them from the hands of those who enslaved them. 28 They will no longer be plundered by the nations, nor will wild animals devour them. They will live in safety, and no one will make them afraid. 29 I will provide for them a land renowned for its crops, and they will no longer be victims of famine in the land or bear the scorn of the nations. 30 Then they will know that I, the Lord their God, am with them and that they, the Israelites, are my people, declares the Sovereign Lord. 31 You are my sheep, the sheep of my pasture, and I am your God, declares the Sovereign Lord.’” - God appoint and God bless. From the family line, Jesus Christ was born. He was born to save and restore our relationship with God. Whoever baptises in the name of Lord Jesus Christ or say the sinner's prayer will be called God's people. This is the history of Israelities and Christianity. It gives us the knowledge of how God will lead and bless us. God made a convenant of peace with the Israelities. God's presence gives us peace. There were showers of blessing for the Israelities. There were showers of blessing in this world. God bless us with spiritual gifts. Ask, if you have area in need. According to God's will and blessing, He will answer your prayer. Verse 31 You are my sheep. God will lead us but never stop asking for God to lead us and put our faith that God will lead us. 

Ezekiel 36:24-38

24 “‘For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. 25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. 28 Then you will live in the land I gave your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God. 29 I will save you from all your uncleanness. I will call for the grain and make it plentiful and will not bring famine upon you. 30 I will increase the fruit of the trees and the crops of the field, so that you will no longer suffer disgrace among the nations because of famine. 31 Then you will remember your evil ways and wicked deeds, and you will loathe yourselves for your sins and detestable practices. 32 I want you to know that I am not doing this for your sake, declares the Sovereign Lord. Be ashamed and disgraced for your conduct, people of Israel! Sound like a father but indeed He is our Father in heaven. 33 “‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: On the day I cleanse you from all your sins, I will resettle your towns, and the ruins will be rebuilt. 34 The desolate land will be cultivated instead of lying desolate in the sight of all who pass through it. 35 They will say, “This land that was laid waste has become like the garden of Eden; the cities that were lying in ruins, desolate and destroyed, are now fortified and inhabited.” 36 Then the nations around you that remain will know that I the Lord have rebuilt what was destroyed and have replanted what was desolate. I the Lord have spoken, and I will do it.’ 37 “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Once again I will yield to Israel’s plea and do this for them: I will make their people as numerous as sheep, 38 as numerous as the flocks for offerings at Jerusalem during her appointed festivals. So will the ruined cities be filled with flocks of people. Then they will know that I am the Lord.” Amen. Be encouraged by this passage. He has our tomorrow. His words last forever. His love and His grace have saved us. Have faith God's people. Fix our eyes on God alone.