Please forgive the lateness of this posting it has been a crazy week and weekend! If you don’t know what the craziness is all about you should come to church at 9 am tomorrow to find out!
157 Isaiah 040 – 041; Luke 013
God is the God of all comfort. God's people needed comforting because they had sinned, God had disciplined them, and now God is calling them back to Himself. Who is God? God is answering this question even if it isn't being asked--for it is the question that people need answered after being disciplined. Yahweh is creator. His word lasts forever. He is the most high God. He is the God of all strength. He is like a shepherd. Yahweh is the true and living God. Isaiah is describing the Lord of hosts to Israel to remind them that they can count on their God even though they may feel forsaken now. This God knows you will grow weary but He gives strength to the weary and gives them wings so they can soar as eagles. Isaiah 40-41 are some of the greatest chapters in the Bible. Soak them in and let soul breathe in the truth.
While people are trying to figure out who is in and who is out, Jesus reminds them if they do not turn to God, they will die too. Jesus heals on the Sabbath and is attacked for this righteous act. Christ calls the attackers frauds. It is amazing that people were there with Jesus and missed the point. Wow. It causes me to reflect on what I might be close to and be missing the point. God save us from blindness.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Friday, June 5, 2009
156 Friday, June 5, 2009
156 Isaiah 038 – 039; Luke 12.35 – 12.59
You may ask, "have we been over this before?" and the answer is, yes!. It was Isaiah that was the prophet for Hezekiah and Israel as it was recorded in 2 Kings. What would you write after being at death's doorstep? Not all, but most of the people that I have encountered who have been given a second chance at life have a different perspective. Perspective is putting things in order of importance and therefore one needs a reference point. Read Hezekiah's letter very slowly and let it speak to you. He is very honest and forthcoming about his feelings and his new lease on life.
The words of Christ are so penetrating and revealing. His words are also unpredictable. “I've come to start a fire on this earth---how I wish it were blazing right now! I've come to change everything turn everything rightside up---how I long for it to be finished! Do you think I came to smooth things over and make everything nice? Not so." These words of Christ totally sum up Christ's ministry. Reflect on your savior being a disruptor. Does that mean He may want to disrupt your life? Could be?
You may ask, "have we been over this before?" and the answer is, yes!. It was Isaiah that was the prophet for Hezekiah and Israel as it was recorded in 2 Kings. What would you write after being at death's doorstep? Not all, but most of the people that I have encountered who have been given a second chance at life have a different perspective. Perspective is putting things in order of importance and therefore one needs a reference point. Read Hezekiah's letter very slowly and let it speak to you. He is very honest and forthcoming about his feelings and his new lease on life.
The words of Christ are so penetrating and revealing. His words are also unpredictable. “I've come to start a fire on this earth---how I wish it were blazing right now! I've come to change everything turn everything rightside up---how I long for it to be finished! Do you think I came to smooth things over and make everything nice? Not so." These words of Christ totally sum up Christ's ministry. Reflect on your savior being a disruptor. Does that mean He may want to disrupt your life? Could be?
Thursday, June 4, 2009
155 Thursday, June 4, 2009
155 Isaiah 036 – 037; Luke 12.1 – 12.34
Who do you listen to? There are so many voices and so many choices. The general Rabshekah of Assyria, tells Israel in their native language to not believe their own king Hezekiah. You will be destroyed if you listen to him but if you listen to our king then you will be free and have plenty. The general is saying choose life or death. This is not a question of which sun blocker to use. Hezekiah takes the letter he receives and spreads it before the Lord. What is bothering you today--spread it before the Lord. In this situation God spared Israel.
Save your fear for God. Why only fear the one that can kill you, fear the one who has the say over your soul. Honor, respect, and reverence, all belong to the Lord our God. Stand up for our Lord. Stick up for the right. Give people a reason to take notice in the right way. Watch out for greed. Life is not defined by what you own.
Who do you listen to? There are so many voices and so many choices. The general Rabshekah of Assyria, tells Israel in their native language to not believe their own king Hezekiah. You will be destroyed if you listen to him but if you listen to our king then you will be free and have plenty. The general is saying choose life or death. This is not a question of which sun blocker to use. Hezekiah takes the letter he receives and spreads it before the Lord. What is bothering you today--spread it before the Lord. In this situation God spared Israel.
Save your fear for God. Why only fear the one that can kill you, fear the one who has the say over your soul. Honor, respect, and reverence, all belong to the Lord our God. Stand up for our Lord. Stick up for the right. Give people a reason to take notice in the right way. Watch out for greed. Life is not defined by what you own.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
153 Tuesday, June 2, 2009
153 Isaiah 034 – 035; Luke 11.29 – 11.54
God is a God of wrath and of anger. God's anger and wrath are based upon a holy and just character. Anyone can be angry and be angry for all the wrong reasons, this is not the case with God. God is angry with His children, but they are His children. God has even more anger toward the enemies of Israel. Notice how the prophecy gives the bad news and then talks about streams in the desert, a new song, and a holy highway that is exclusively for God's people. On the holy highway God's people will be safe from harm. For today's Christian we follow the one who said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life.." we will experience harm but it is temporary and our reward is in heaven. In heaven we will be on that holy highway where no harm will ever come upon us again.
Open my eyes that I may see wonderful truths you have for me. Jesus talks about light that should not be hidden and then for us to open our eyes so the light can enter our soul. A lot of darkness in this world, however the darker the world the brighter our lights can shine. Let God's light capture you and those around you. Let it shine, let it shine, I’m gonna let my light shine!!
God is a God of wrath and of anger. God's anger and wrath are based upon a holy and just character. Anyone can be angry and be angry for all the wrong reasons, this is not the case with God. God is angry with His children, but they are His children. God has even more anger toward the enemies of Israel. Notice how the prophecy gives the bad news and then talks about streams in the desert, a new song, and a holy highway that is exclusively for God's people. On the holy highway God's people will be safe from harm. For today's Christian we follow the one who said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life.." we will experience harm but it is temporary and our reward is in heaven. In heaven we will be on that holy highway where no harm will ever come upon us again.
Open my eyes that I may see wonderful truths you have for me. Jesus talks about light that should not be hidden and then for us to open our eyes so the light can enter our soul. A lot of darkness in this world, however the darker the world the brighter our lights can shine. Let God's light capture you and those around you. Let it shine, let it shine, I’m gonna let my light shine!!
Monday, June 1, 2009
152 Monday, June 1, 2009
152 Isaiah 031 – 033; Luke 11.1 – 11.28
How can we get right? How can we survive this judgment? Isaiah answers this question that probably was whispered throughout the neighborhoods of Israel. Israel was justifying what they had done and could not conjure up any reason for them being judged in the first place-- they had done right in their own eyes. Isaiah gives them the answer on pg. 749, " The answer is simple: Live right, speak the truth, despise exploitation, refuse bribes, reject violence, avoid evil amusements. This is how you raise the standard of living." I see these words and it is still good and sound wisdom for today. Do we want to raise the standard of living then we must raise our standards. Israel had great standards given to them, but they corrupted those standards and began to make it up on the fly. Beware of those who begin to hedge on the truth.
Teach us to pray. When the disciples asked the Lord Jesus this question we received what many call the Lord's prayer, and others call the disciples prayer--since Jesus was teaching them how to pray. I am old fashion in that I don't like the message's translation of this prayer, however it gives us some insight we normally would not have. Break this prayer down and see if you have the same elements in your prayer life as this prayer.
How can we get right? How can we survive this judgment? Isaiah answers this question that probably was whispered throughout the neighborhoods of Israel. Israel was justifying what they had done and could not conjure up any reason for them being judged in the first place-- they had done right in their own eyes. Isaiah gives them the answer on pg. 749, " The answer is simple: Live right, speak the truth, despise exploitation, refuse bribes, reject violence, avoid evil amusements. This is how you raise the standard of living." I see these words and it is still good and sound wisdom for today. Do we want to raise the standard of living then we must raise our standards. Israel had great standards given to them, but they corrupted those standards and began to make it up on the fly. Beware of those who begin to hedge on the truth.
Teach us to pray. When the disciples asked the Lord Jesus this question we received what many call the Lord's prayer, and others call the disciples prayer--since Jesus was teaching them how to pray. I am old fashion in that I don't like the message's translation of this prayer, however it gives us some insight we normally would not have. Break this prayer down and see if you have the same elements in your prayer life as this prayer.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
151 Sunday, May 31, 2009
151 Isaiah 028 – 030; Luke 010
You can't judge a book by its cover. You can't judge worship by the show. Listen to the words, from pg. 742," These people make a big show of saying the right thing, but their hearts aren't in it." We have for you tonight a reallllyy bigg show, says, Ed Sullivan, but the judge of that is the Lord. Worship isn't external but internal. Worship is about the heart in the action not just the action itself. My prayer for you and myself is that we never get good at pretending. We must keep it real for our sake and the Kingdom's sake.
It's about the harvest, it's about those who don't yet know. It is about getting the message
to our friends, relatives, neighbors, and everyone else. It is about raising up harvesters--ranch hands who can get out into the field. Jesus sent the 12 and now He is sending the 70. The workers our multiplying but the harvest still needs more workers. What are you? Are a harvester?
You can't judge a book by its cover. You can't judge worship by the show. Listen to the words, from pg. 742," These people make a big show of saying the right thing, but their hearts aren't in it." We have for you tonight a reallllyy bigg show, says, Ed Sullivan, but the judge of that is the Lord. Worship isn't external but internal. Worship is about the heart in the action not just the action itself. My prayer for you and myself is that we never get good at pretending. We must keep it real for our sake and the Kingdom's sake.
It's about the harvest, it's about those who don't yet know. It is about getting the message
to our friends, relatives, neighbors, and everyone else. It is about raising up harvesters--ranch hands who can get out into the field. Jesus sent the 12 and now He is sending the 70. The workers our multiplying but the harvest still needs more workers. What are you? Are a harvester?
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