Text: : Ezekiel 36:24–38
24 For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.
25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
28 And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.
29 I will also save you from all your uncleannesses: and I will call for the corn, and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you.
30 And I will multiply the fruit of the tree, and the increase of the field, that ye shall receive no more reproach of famine among the heathen.
31 Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations.
32 Not for your sakes do I this, saith the Lord God, be it known unto you: be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel.
33 Thus saith the Lord God; In the day that I shall have cleansed you from all your iniquities I will also cause you to dwell in the cities, and the wastes shall be builded.
34 And the desolate land shall be tilled, whereas it lay desolate in the sight of all that passed by.
35 And they shall say, This land that was desolate is become like the garden of Eden; and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are become fenced, and are inhabited.
36 Then the heathen that are left round about you shall know that I the Lord build the ruined places, and plant that that was desolate: I the Lord have spoken it, and I will do it.
37 Thus saith the Lord God; I will yet for this be enquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them; I will increase them with men like a flock.
38 As the holy flock, as the flock of Jerusalem in her solemn feasts; so shall the waste cities be filled with flocks of men: and they shall know that I am the Lord.
Memory verse: Proverbs 23:26: “My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.”When a father receives expensive gifts from his child but never spends time with him, that gift may be valuable, but what the father truly desires is relationship, conversation, presence, and connection. God is not primarily seeking what we can give Him outwardly; He desires a relationship with our hearts.
The greatest privilege in serving God is not promotion, wealth, or material blessings, it is relationship with Him. God wants fellowship with His people. From the beginning of creation, God desired to walk with humanity, to speak with them, and to share His presence with them.
When God has your heart, something deeper than religion happens:
- You hear His voice. His guidance becomes clearer because your heart is tuned to Him.
- You experience His presence. You are aware that God is near, leading and strengthening you.
- You enjoy fellowship with Him. Prayer becomes conversation, not just requests.
God Himself becomes the reward of the relationship. In Genesis 15:1, God told Abraham, “I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.” The greatest blessing God offers is not merely what He gives, but who He is. God is not after your money, your performance, or your outward appearance. Like the widow in Mark 12:41–44, whose small offering pleased Jesus because of the heart behind it, God evaluates the sincerity of our hearts rather than the size of our actions.
When your heart belongs to God, your relationship with Him becomes real, personal, and life-giving. You no longer serve Him merely out of obligation but out of love and connection.
Action Plans
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- Spend intentional daily time with God in prayer and quiet fellowship.
- Practice listening for God’s guidance through Scripture and the Holy Spirit.
- Prioritize relationship with God above religious routine or outward performance.
COVENANT GATE HYMNALS 131 Break the Chains, O Lord (Tune: Amazing Grace) By Apostle James Abache
- O Lord, we come, our hearts contrite,
From darkness into day;
Break every chain and set us free,
And guide us in Your way.
Refrain
Break the chains, O Lord, we pray,
And drive all fear away;
By Your blood we overcome,
And walk in endless day.
- The sins of old, the voice of shame,
Are silenced by Your Word;
Through Jesus’ blood we overcome,
Our victory is secured. - New songs we sing, new paths we tread,
For Christ has won the fight;
The grave is torn, new life is born,
We walk as children bright.
Today’s Prayer:
- Father, draw my heart into deeper fellowship and relationship with You.
- Lord, help me value Your presence more than any earthly blessing.
- Father, lead my family and loved ones into a genuine relationship with You so they may experience Your presence and love.
