1. EZEKIEL 1 AND 2 Not your most favourite passages

2. Bible reading  gives us a perspective regarding the lives and times of God’s people  gives us opportunity to compare our own reactions to those of the historical characters being written about  challenges us to change our ways  Is good for us!

3. So, how about you?

4. We learn most in difficult times  God isn’t going to shy away from trouble  We need to put our trust in Him for all of our times and circumstances  Self pity can seem comforting and appealing but has a bitter aftertaste  God has better in store for us

5. A message in the midst of difficulty  The country had been over run  Ezekiel was depressed  He was not following God’s chosen pathway; he was to change his vocation  How open are you to God’s calling?

6. Chapter 34 God’s view on the (lack of) spiritual leadership within the Nation

7. The shepherds’ responsibility  V2 woe to those who only take care of themselves  V4 weak, sick, injured, strays  God is against harshness and brutality  God’s sheep become food for wild animals  V10 I am against the shepherds  V11 I will search for them

8. God’s view of the flock V16 I will shepherd the flock with justice V20,21 I will judge between fat and lean V23 I will place over them one shepherd

9.  John 10 v7 following  God is not going to leave us comfortless  Leaders/shepherds are in place to serve God’s purposes  Eph 4 v11,12  God’s heart is with His flock The good shepherd

10. Romans 5, 1-5  Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us

11. Ezekiel was equipped  Ez 3,8 …I will make you as unyielding … and your forehead like the hardest stone, harder than flint  Ez 3,5 you are not being sent to a people of obscure speech and difficult language  Ez 2,6 and 7 do not be afraid of them or their words…you must speak my words … whether they listen or fail to listen

12. Religious or spiritual Does your current thinking dwell on the blessings and encouragements of God? Does your current thinking dwell on the blessings and encouragements of God? Are you still as wound up about the issues which were a problem for you last week, last year or from ages ago? Are you still as wound up about the issues which were a problem for you last week, last year or from ages ago? Do you want to grow spiritually or are you content merely to attend services? Do you want to grow spiritually or are you content merely to attend services? God wants you to wake up and grow up … to be an overcomer. The 7 churches in Rev 2,3 God wants you to wake up and grow up … to be an overcomer. The 7 churches in Rev 2,3