143 Isaiah 007 – 009; 6.27 – 6.49
The virgin shall conceive and have a son who will be named Immanuel. This is Isaiah 7:14, for many the cornerstone of proving Christ birth was predicted many years before his birth. What you’ll notice is the prophet Isaiah was speaking to Ahaz about a current situation and this was a sign for king Ahaz. What do we do? What I believe is God is able to speak to two situations at once. This verse was fulfilled in Isaiah's time but it is also a future telling of the time the moral authority would be born and He will be called Immanuel. This is the verse: Matthew (Matt. 1:23) chose to use as a text for revealing God had this planned before it came to pass. Isaiah is pregnant with prophecies about Jesus Christ. Isaiah is a great book on many different levels.
Here we are again, two chapters later and Isaiah is at again about this person who is coming to bring hope and salvation (Isa.9).This son who will be born, will take over the ruling of the world. By the way, something you can let go of today, the ruling of the world, even your own little world. The point of the passage is there is one coming who will put it all back together. We cannot do this “put it back together thing” there is only one who can, and His name is Jesus.
This one who is to put it back together is starting the job in Luke. His teachings on life are staggering. This is the sermon on the Mount. Read it slowly and let it speak to you for today. Here is one of the gems in His teachings, "Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them." Go grab the initiative…NOW!
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
142 Friday, May 22, 2009
142 Isaiah 004 – 006; Luke 6.1 – 6.26
God's branch will sprout green and lush. Most theologians agree that this reference is about Jesus. God's branch, just a branch, will sprout and the produce from this branch will bring produce to all Israel. Isaiah engages the people now by using the vineyard metaphor. This same language is used in Romans chapter 11. The vineyard is Israel and this garden was great to behold, but there was no crop of justice, and now this vineyard is doomed.
Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord! A vision God used to humble the humbler. The prophet is now getting a glimpse of his own heart. God immediately forgives him and sends him forth to speak God's holy words.
Who was the Sabbath made for, man or God? The Sabbath was made for man. However, the religious crowd did not comprehend this life principle one bit. The pharisees were a hard people who took the rules without the relationship to an extreme. If there had been a contest in their arena it would of been called religious "extremes games." They weren't just over the top they invented a whole new top. Christ came to establish a relationship with the people He had called His chosen people and bring salvation to the world. Christ came to say we cannot measure up to the rules and never will be able to, but you can have a relationship with the rule maker through His son!
God's branch will sprout green and lush. Most theologians agree that this reference is about Jesus. God's branch, just a branch, will sprout and the produce from this branch will bring produce to all Israel. Isaiah engages the people now by using the vineyard metaphor. This same language is used in Romans chapter 11. The vineyard is Israel and this garden was great to behold, but there was no crop of justice, and now this vineyard is doomed.
Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord! A vision God used to humble the humbler. The prophet is now getting a glimpse of his own heart. God immediately forgives him and sends him forth to speak God's holy words.
Who was the Sabbath made for, man or God? The Sabbath was made for man. However, the religious crowd did not comprehend this life principle one bit. The pharisees were a hard people who took the rules without the relationship to an extreme. If there had been a contest in their arena it would of been called religious "extremes games." They weren't just over the top they invented a whole new top. Christ came to establish a relationship with the people He had called His chosen people and bring salvation to the world. Christ came to say we cannot measure up to the rules and never will be able to, but you can have a relationship with the rule maker through His son!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
141 Thursday, May 21, 2009
141 Isaiah 001 – 003; Luke 006
The ox knows who's boss, the mule knows the hand that feeds him, but not Israel. My people don't know up from down. Cruel, uncalled for, needs to attend diplomacy school, or…in an emergency room attending to a patient that is about to die? If you chose the fourth option then you will understand the language employed by the prophet Isaiah. This prophet ministered during the time that Israel had decided there was a better way to serve God. We can make it up as we go and include what we want, when we want it. Stupid!
The hard hits keep on coming and then these words are spoken, Come. Sit down. Let's argue this out. This is God's message: "If your sins are blood-red, they'll be snow-white." There is hope, all you have to do is repent.
Just in case you fell asleep during Christ's talk he says, now push out into the deep and drop your nets. Do you think they caught anything? The Friends we all want, bring their friend through the roof in order for him to be healed by Jesus. Exciting times in boring old Jerusalem! They haven't had this much excitement since Rabbi Goldberg had forgot to wear the right ceremonial robe on the first moon festival of the third month. Oh yea! We are in the Gospel of Luke, follow closely and get a new glimpse of your Savior. He really knows how to stir things up.
The ox knows who's boss, the mule knows the hand that feeds him, but not Israel. My people don't know up from down. Cruel, uncalled for, needs to attend diplomacy school, or…in an emergency room attending to a patient that is about to die? If you chose the fourth option then you will understand the language employed by the prophet Isaiah. This prophet ministered during the time that Israel had decided there was a better way to serve God. We can make it up as we go and include what we want, when we want it. Stupid!
The hard hits keep on coming and then these words are spoken, Come. Sit down. Let's argue this out. This is God's message: "If your sins are blood-red, they'll be snow-white." There is hope, all you have to do is repent.
Just in case you fell asleep during Christ's talk he says, now push out into the deep and drop your nets. Do you think they caught anything? The Friends we all want, bring their friend through the roof in order for him to be healed by Jesus. Exciting times in boring old Jerusalem! They haven't had this much excitement since Rabbi Goldberg had forgot to wear the right ceremonial robe on the first moon festival of the third month. Oh yea! We are in the Gospel of Luke, follow closely and get a new glimpse of your Savior. He really knows how to stir things up.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
139 Tuesday, May 19, 2009
139 2 Kings 024 – 025; Luke 004
The Babylonians broke up the bronze pillars, the bronze washstands, and the huge bronze basin (the sea) that were in the Temple. These are some of the saddest words in the Bible.
It has finally happened that Israel is totally controlled by gentile nations. Darkness has descended upon the earth and there seems to be no hope. The people of God were now fully under the control of nations that did not believe in Yahweh. The light of the world was now snuffed out. When you read Ezekiel the prophet talk about wheels within wheels etc. he is describing the glory of God departing from the temple. Choices had been made by the leaders of Israel and now those choices have ruined Israel and their purposes for existence.
Never underestimate the power of your choices on those around you.
Fast forward and you witness God's plan going full speed ahead. Jesus is in the desert being tested by the devil, but Christ passes with flying colors. After Christ is tested he returns to Nazareth and reads from the scroll in the temple. He reads from Isaiah where it talks about the Christ Jesus after reading claims this day this prophecy has come true this day. Read this passage again and then ask yourself, "what is my manifesto?" What have come upon this earth to accomplish?
The Babylonians broke up the bronze pillars, the bronze washstands, and the huge bronze basin (the sea) that were in the Temple. These are some of the saddest words in the Bible.
It has finally happened that Israel is totally controlled by gentile nations. Darkness has descended upon the earth and there seems to be no hope. The people of God were now fully under the control of nations that did not believe in Yahweh. The light of the world was now snuffed out. When you read Ezekiel the prophet talk about wheels within wheels etc. he is describing the glory of God departing from the temple. Choices had been made by the leaders of Israel and now those choices have ruined Israel and their purposes for existence.
Never underestimate the power of your choices on those around you.
Fast forward and you witness God's plan going full speed ahead. Jesus is in the desert being tested by the devil, but Christ passes with flying colors. After Christ is tested he returns to Nazareth and reads from the scroll in the temple. He reads from Isaiah where it talks about the Christ Jesus after reading claims this day this prophecy has come true this day. Read this passage again and then ask yourself, "what is my manifesto?" What have come upon this earth to accomplish?
Monday, May 18, 2009
138 Monday, May 18, 2009
138 2 Kings 022 – 023; Luke 003
On this day in 1980 Mt. St. Helen's erupted with the largest volcanic explosion recorded in North America. Thousands of years ago there was another explosion that happened in Jerusalem. The Temple of the Lord is being repaired. The doorman had been collecting money and the high priest Hilkiah had been told to count it. The high priest Hilkiah found a book that rocked Jerusalem. He found the Bible that had been locked away. Shaphan, the royal secretary, read it to the king and the king proceeds to rip his clothes in repentance. King Josiah, at 26 years of age, tells his trusted companions to pray as to how they are to respond to the words written in God's book.
The five trusted companions went to a prophetess who told them that Judah would be destroyed but that the king would die a nice death. The king heard these words and held a solemn assembly to lead the people back to God. They tore down all the idols in the temple and truly came clean with God. Listen to these sobering words, "But despite Josiah, God's hot anger did not cool; the raging anger ignited by Manasseh burned unchecked." It was to late. Justice meets up with mercy and then there comes the time when enough is enough. Judah will eventually fall and all the plans of God seem hopeless. Remember, all the families of the earth will be blessed through you. Israel can't even hold up their own socks let alone help someone else.
You know the ending, God came through in spite of man's disobedience. God is faithful and faithful is He that will get you through it all. Have a great day in your faithful God and don't forget the book.
On this day in 1980 Mt. St. Helen's erupted with the largest volcanic explosion recorded in North America. Thousands of years ago there was another explosion that happened in Jerusalem. The Temple of the Lord is being repaired. The doorman had been collecting money and the high priest Hilkiah had been told to count it. The high priest Hilkiah found a book that rocked Jerusalem. He found the Bible that had been locked away. Shaphan, the royal secretary, read it to the king and the king proceeds to rip his clothes in repentance. King Josiah, at 26 years of age, tells his trusted companions to pray as to how they are to respond to the words written in God's book.
The five trusted companions went to a prophetess who told them that Judah would be destroyed but that the king would die a nice death. The king heard these words and held a solemn assembly to lead the people back to God. They tore down all the idols in the temple and truly came clean with God. Listen to these sobering words, "But despite Josiah, God's hot anger did not cool; the raging anger ignited by Manasseh burned unchecked." It was to late. Justice meets up with mercy and then there comes the time when enough is enough. Judah will eventually fall and all the plans of God seem hopeless. Remember, all the families of the earth will be blessed through you. Israel can't even hold up their own socks let alone help someone else.
You know the ending, God came through in spite of man's disobedience. God is faithful and faithful is He that will get you through it all. Have a great day in your faithful God and don't forget the book.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
137 Sunday, May 17, 2009
137 2 Kings 020 – 021; Luke 002
Put your affairs in order. A past Elder of our church was on the golf course and had a blood vessel break in his brain. He was basically given no chance to live, yet, the next morning after an operation it looks like he will make it. Put your affairs in order. His wife had kissed him goodbye and had told him to have a good time on the golf course. She had no idea that this could occur. Hezekiah, the King of Judah, who had done so many wonderful acts, was now being told to put his affairs in order. He was receiving this information from none other than Isaiah the prophet. Hezekiah did not take this lying down; he took it on his knees, and asked for healing. God answered his prayer and used the same prophet to deliver the message. Plus, God went beyond the prayer and blessed Hezekiah and Israel.
Do you have your affairs in order? Do you have a prayer life that could reverse the Doctor's prognosis? Study Hezekiah's prayer and see how it can apply to your life.
Put your affairs in order. A past Elder of our church was on the golf course and had a blood vessel break in his brain. He was basically given no chance to live, yet, the next morning after an operation it looks like he will make it. Put your affairs in order. His wife had kissed him goodbye and had told him to have a good time on the golf course. She had no idea that this could occur. Hezekiah, the King of Judah, who had done so many wonderful acts, was now being told to put his affairs in order. He was receiving this information from none other than Isaiah the prophet. Hezekiah did not take this lying down; he took it on his knees, and asked for healing. God answered his prayer and used the same prophet to deliver the message. Plus, God went beyond the prayer and blessed Hezekiah and Israel.
Do you have your affairs in order? Do you have a prayer life that could reverse the Doctor's prognosis? Study Hezekiah's prayer and see how it can apply to your life.
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