Dem Bones

There's an old song, "Dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones...  Now hear the Word of the Lord."

That's what today's Old Testament reading is about.  Whenever I've heard that scripture, I've always wondered, "What the heck is that about?"  Well, today's the day!!  There's a lot to learn in today's reflections.  Take the time to meditate.  And let us not be dry bones!

Take 12 minutes and listen to this:
Pray-As-You-Go.org's reflection for day, Friday20August

Then, read this:

One Bread, One Body - Reflection for August 20, 2010

BONE-RATTLING

"The hand of the Lord came upon me, and He led me out in the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the center of the plain, which was now filled with bones." –Ezekiel 37:1

Ezekiel prophesied over the dry bones, and they started to rattle (Ez 37:7). Mary greeted Elizabeth, and both Elizabeth and the baby in her womb were filled with the Spirit (Lk 1:41). Peter preached at the first Christian Pentecost, and three thousand people were baptized (Acts 2:41). Ananias laid his hands on Saul, who was filled with the Spirit, baptized, and instantly healed of blindness (Acts 9:17-18).

When we prophesy, greet, preach, or pray, most of us don't seem to have such amazing results. The difference is the power of the Spirit. All Christians have the Holy Spirit in them, but many Christians have severely stifled the Spirit (see 1 Thes 5:19; Eph 4:30). Those who rattle dry bones have let the Spirit be very active in their lives.

We stir into flame the gift of the Spirit (2 Tm 1:6-7) especially by repenting of our sins (see Acts 2:38). The psalmist, for example, speaks of God's hand being on him, his bones wasting away, and his strength being dried up (Ps 32:3-4). Yet when he confessed his sins, his bones began to rattle. With the Spirit breathing life into him, he was able to rattle and give life to other dry bones.

If we can't rattle dry bones, we are dry bones. We come alive by repenting of sin. Repent!