In Exodus 9 through 11 we see some things that are clear. God's power over nations is tremendous. He has the ability to bring a nation to it's knees. And God will go to any lengths to rescue His people when they genuinely cry out in prayer. God has the ability to harden and soften hearts and and change the course of leaders and kings. He does this to accomplish His purposes in the lives of His people. He even has the power over light and darkness, sickness and health, blessings and curses. We see He has a tremendous tolerance when it comes to delaying His wrath. He waits until it is absolutely necessary to take the steps to show us He is really God, and His plans, timing and actions are always right. He really is an awesome God and we should come into His presence with awe and reverence at His holiness and majesty.
In 1 Thessalonians 1 we see the church bearing the fruit of walking with the Lord and we see Paul Timothy and Silas praying for them. 3 "We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ."(NIV) They were open to being discipled, walking in the truth and living it out in their daily lives. They became a model for their fellow believers. They lived their life with power over what God delivered them from. We can get encouragement that the Lord will also do that for us as we trust Him to do what we are incapable of in our own strength. 9b "They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath."(NIV) We really do serve an awesome God. When we pray, He is faithful to respond.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Friday, February 13, 2009
Isaiah 56-58; Mark 13:21-37
Chapter 56 begins with a call to stay faithful to the ways of the Lord because His righteousness will soon be revealed. God has plans that we should be ready for. We don't always know what they are, we are to be ready and prepare our descendants for His ways and His will in their life. In this case they were to prepare God's people for the promised Messiah, the Holy One of God that was to give life and take away the sins of the world. Israel's watchmen (spiritual shepherds) were spiritually blind. Would you want a blind watchman, ship captain or airline captain to be in charge of your loved ones? That's the dilemma the people of God were in.
In chapter 57 we see the Lord preparing us for things that we have a problem accepting. Many times good things happen to righteous, innocent people in our life. He tells us they are taken away to be spared from evil. God knows what they will be faced with next and spares them from from the tragedy that is imminent. Many times we just have to trust Him and rely on Him to get us through our pain as we miss them. They leave a gaping hole in our life that God wants to fill. He will comfort us regardless of who we are. He says in verse 15: "I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite."
In chapter 58 we see true worship through prayer and fasting.
6 "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Vs14: then you will find your joy in the LORD, and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob." The mouth of the LORD has spoken. When our prayer life is what God accepts, then it will have a definite affect on our actions. That's when God ministers through us unhindered and that's when we experience the true peace and joy He has designed each of us to crave.
We are told in Mark 13 to watch. We are given signs to interpret as the last days. We should be spiritually ready for the day of the Lord as we are all going to meet Him one day. Whether at the Great White Throne Judgment or the Judgment seat of Christ (for Christians) we are all will have that encounter to ready ourselves for. Will we understand the times correctly? What will that take? I believe it will take an intimate knowledge of God and His character. The only way we can do that is through prayer, fasting and seeking to know Him more through His word. 31"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." These words are always something you can count on.
In chapter 57 we see the Lord preparing us for things that we have a problem accepting. Many times good things happen to righteous, innocent people in our life. He tells us they are taken away to be spared from evil. God knows what they will be faced with next and spares them from from the tragedy that is imminent. Many times we just have to trust Him and rely on Him to get us through our pain as we miss them. They leave a gaping hole in our life that God wants to fill. He will comfort us regardless of who we are. He says in verse 15: "I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite."
In chapter 58 we see true worship through prayer and fasting.
6 "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Vs14: then you will find your joy in the LORD, and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob." The mouth of the LORD has spoken. When our prayer life is what God accepts, then it will have a definite affect on our actions. That's when God ministers through us unhindered and that's when we experience the true peace and joy He has designed each of us to crave.
We are told in Mark 13 to watch. We are given signs to interpret as the last days. We should be spiritually ready for the day of the Lord as we are all going to meet Him one day. Whether at the Great White Throne Judgment or the Judgment seat of Christ (for Christians) we are all will have that encounter to ready ourselves for. Will we understand the times correctly? What will that take? I believe it will take an intimate knowledge of God and His character. The only way we can do that is through prayer, fasting and seeking to know Him more through His word. 31"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." These words are always something you can count on.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Isaiah 53-55; Mark 13:1-20
We see Isaiah like Ezekiel being projected into the future. This chapter describes in the personality, traits and assignment of Christ in detail. This was written over 681 years before Christ came and we can look back and see how it was accurate down to the last detail. 3 "He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not... 11 After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied..." After all Jesus went through He is satisfied with the life He brought us. He knew the consequences for any disobedience or failure to accomplish the task was eternal for us.
In chapter 54 We see God's compassion as He sees their suffering in exile and makes a covenant of peace with them to never be removed. 13 "All your sons will be taught by the LORD, and great will be your children's peace. 14 In righteousness you will be established...17 no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD and this is their vindication from me," declares the LORD. The covenants contain promises that are always fulfilled.
In chapter 55 we see the Lord compelling us to eat and drink from His pure food that gives life to our soul: 2" Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare." There is a time to seek Him and we are told to do that while He is near and may be found. He promises to have mercy on us and freely pardon us. We are told we will go out in joy and be led forward in peace.
We are promised natural signs of God's incredible provision as we understand His everlasting covenant.
In mark 13 we see Jesus telling the disciples what will take place. First the temple will be destroyed, then many deceivers claiming "I am He." Nation will rise against nation. There will be wars also rumors of wars, earthquakes and famines these are the beginning of birth pains. Persecution will continue and the Holy Spirit will carry us through with words to speak and perseverance. We are to understand the times and be listening to the spirit of the lord to know when to stay and speak in truth and love and when to flee. We are to know God's word and His heart so we can interpret the times in which we live.
In chapter 54 We see God's compassion as He sees their suffering in exile and makes a covenant of peace with them to never be removed. 13 "All your sons will be taught by the LORD, and great will be your children's peace. 14 In righteousness you will be established...17 no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD and this is their vindication from me," declares the LORD. The covenants contain promises that are always fulfilled.
In chapter 55 we see the Lord compelling us to eat and drink from His pure food that gives life to our soul: 2" Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare." There is a time to seek Him and we are told to do that while He is near and may be found. He promises to have mercy on us and freely pardon us. We are told we will go out in joy and be led forward in peace.
We are promised natural signs of God's incredible provision as we understand His everlasting covenant.
In mark 13 we see Jesus telling the disciples what will take place. First the temple will be destroyed, then many deceivers claiming "I am He." Nation will rise against nation. There will be wars also rumors of wars, earthquakes and famines these are the beginning of birth pains. Persecution will continue and the Holy Spirit will carry us through with words to speak and perseverance. We are to understand the times and be listening to the spirit of the lord to know when to stay and speak in truth and love and when to flee. We are to know God's word and His heart so we can interpret the times in which we live.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Isaiah 50-52; Mark 12:28-44
In Chapter 50 we see Isaiah being persecuted for His message and stand for the Lord. He did not waiver or cower to their demands or hurtful acts. 6 "I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting. 7 Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame." He knew with God's help that He was in no danger, but they were in a very precarious position. God instructs us (who have no spiritual light on our own) vs.10 to trust in the Lord to walk in the dark. He wants to be our light and will guide us.
Many times we forget the great access we have to the father and the different dimensions and power of our God. In chapter 51:12 the Lord tells us "I, even I, am He who comforts you. Who are you that you fear mortal men, the sons of men, who are but grass... 16 I have put my words in your mouth and covered you with the shadow of my hand— I who set the heavens in place, who laid the foundations of the earth, and who say to Zion, 'You are my people.' " (NIV) He promises to turn the tables on our oppressors when we return to Him.
In chapter 52 our Lord is our deliverer and redeemer. 7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!" He will go before us and after us to guard us along the path.
In Mark 12 Jesus answered the greatest commandment question: 29"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' 31The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself. 'There is no commandment greater than these." Understanding this the way our Lord does, brings us into a true kingdom viewpoint of God's purpose for His world. We then see Jesus instructing us to watch out for those who like importance and seats of honor yet will mistreat widows and make lengthy prayers only for show. we see Him saying the widow,s offering was more than their great showy gifts. We must keep our hearts humble and clean to have the Lord greet our offerings and sacrifice of service as acceptable to Him. That only comes through the cleansing power of Jesus when we confess our sins and pray daily and walk in the light as He is in the light.
Many times we forget the great access we have to the father and the different dimensions and power of our God. In chapter 51:12 the Lord tells us "I, even I, am He who comforts you. Who are you that you fear mortal men, the sons of men, who are but grass... 16 I have put my words in your mouth and covered you with the shadow of my hand— I who set the heavens in place, who laid the foundations of the earth, and who say to Zion, 'You are my people.' " (NIV) He promises to turn the tables on our oppressors when we return to Him.
In chapter 52 our Lord is our deliverer and redeemer. 7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!" He will go before us and after us to guard us along the path.
In Mark 12 Jesus answered the greatest commandment question: 29"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' 31The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself. 'There is no commandment greater than these." Understanding this the way our Lord does, brings us into a true kingdom viewpoint of God's purpose for His world. We then see Jesus instructing us to watch out for those who like importance and seats of honor yet will mistreat widows and make lengthy prayers only for show. we see Him saying the widow,s offering was more than their great showy gifts. We must keep our hearts humble and clean to have the Lord greet our offerings and sacrifice of service as acceptable to Him. That only comes through the cleansing power of Jesus when we confess our sins and pray daily and walk in the light as He is in the light.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Isaiah 47-49; Mark12:1-27
The Lord starts chapter 47 saying He will remove the people of God from the place of honor He had established for them and bring sudden calamity on the nation. They had placed their trust in their ways which were ungodly and in counsel of men not from the Lord or the Lord's ways. Proverbs tell us even if our ways seem right they always lead to destruction.
In chapter 48 we see the sin of stubbornness. It's a form of pride that takes in its own personality and keeps us from being obedient and submissive to the one who laid the foundations of the earth and formed us in our mother's womb. 18 If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea. 19 Your descendants would have been like the sand, your children like its numberless grains; their name would never be cut off nor destroyed from before me."
The Lord speaks clearly in chapter 49 about His covenant and restoration.8 This is what the LORD says: "In the time of my favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you; I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people, to restore the land and to reassign its desolate inheritances, 9 to say to the captives, 'Come out,' and to those in darkness, 'Be free!' "They will feed beside the roads and find pasture on every barren hill. 10 They will neither hunger nor thirst, nor will the desert heat or the sun beat upon them. He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside springs of water." (NIV) God's correction in our life is always to restore us to Him. That's why He created us and that is why He will continue to restore us to His original design and plan - to have fellowship with Him.
In Mark 12 we see three parables. The vineyard is like the Kingdom and God is the owner. There will be justice to those entrusted with the things of God who mistreated His son. We can say that is Israel or we can say that is us who continue to sin after understanding what He has done for us. Everyone who ever sinned is what put Jesus on the cross. That's me and you. That's why Hebrews is clear when it says that if we continue to sin after understanding what Christ did for us, then there is no more forgiveness of sin. We are not ever going to be perfect, but we must not take lightly what Christ did and what a tremendous price has been paid for the provision of sin. We are not to neglect such great salvation. Then "Give to God what is God's" means we were created in His image and we are to give our life to Him so we can really have abundant life that only comes through Him. God is the God of the living. Knowing His word helps us to know Him. God loves you, and all things are possible for those who believe in His son. He gives us the ability to do what we cannot do on our own.
In chapter 48 we see the sin of stubbornness. It's a form of pride that takes in its own personality and keeps us from being obedient and submissive to the one who laid the foundations of the earth and formed us in our mother's womb. 18 If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea. 19 Your descendants would have been like the sand, your children like its numberless grains; their name would never be cut off nor destroyed from before me."
The Lord speaks clearly in chapter 49 about His covenant and restoration.8 This is what the LORD says: "In the time of my favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you; I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people, to restore the land and to reassign its desolate inheritances, 9 to say to the captives, 'Come out,' and to those in darkness, 'Be free!' "They will feed beside the roads and find pasture on every barren hill. 10 They will neither hunger nor thirst, nor will the desert heat or the sun beat upon them. He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside springs of water." (NIV) God's correction in our life is always to restore us to Him. That's why He created us and that is why He will continue to restore us to His original design and plan - to have fellowship with Him.
In Mark 12 we see three parables. The vineyard is like the Kingdom and God is the owner. There will be justice to those entrusted with the things of God who mistreated His son. We can say that is Israel or we can say that is us who continue to sin after understanding what He has done for us. Everyone who ever sinned is what put Jesus on the cross. That's me and you. That's why Hebrews is clear when it says that if we continue to sin after understanding what Christ did for us, then there is no more forgiveness of sin. We are not ever going to be perfect, but we must not take lightly what Christ did and what a tremendous price has been paid for the provision of sin. We are not to neglect such great salvation. Then "Give to God what is God's" means we were created in His image and we are to give our life to Him so we can really have abundant life that only comes through Him. God is the God of the living. Knowing His word helps us to know Him. God loves you, and all things are possible for those who believe in His son. He gives us the ability to do what we cannot do on our own.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Isaiah 32-33; Mark 8
In Isaiah 32 the prophecy points towards a king that will reign in righteousness and reveal the evil ungodliness that is deceiving the people of God. He will expose their evil schemes and injustice and show the world who they really are. 6 He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure. The key to receiving wisdom is respect, honor and healthy fear (being in humble awe) of our Lord. Coming to the throne on our knees as a servant asking our father and He will give abundantly. The consequences of our rebellion is having only human understanding. We cannot expect those around us to make Godly decisions based on their own understanding. Following their lead will always lead to ungodly results. How often have we counted on Godly increase using human principals? Ten when we have crop failure we wonder why. A Godly crop comes from a life open and willing to receive the lord's input and walk in His ways.
In chapter 32 we see the way the Lord will reign. In vs.6 He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure. 15 He who walks righteously and speaks what is right, who rejects gain from extortionand keeps his hand from accepting bribes, who stops his ears against plots of murder and shuts his eyes against contemplating evil-16 this is the man who will dwell on the heights, whose refuge will be the mountain fortress. His bread will be supplied, and water will not fail him. The the last thing He tells us here is that He is coming to forgive sins and heal our illnesses. He is a Lord of love and compassion and all of His ways add up to being the true shepherd of our life.
In Mark 8 this compassion is demonstrated as He serves the 4000 by feeding their hunger. He understands what we need spiritually and physically and provides both. He did not force them to eat the loaves and fishes, He provided them needed nourishment and they ate and were satisfied. He understands and shared how much more important spiritual food is and provides it abundantly if we will partake and be fed. We see prophecy fulfilled as Jesus heals the blind man. he the asks Peter "Who do people say I am?" after he answered then He asked "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Christ." Jesus then revealed things that were going to take place and said "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? 37Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 38If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels." (NIV)
God will give us the ability to pick up our cross and follow Him when we ask the one who says the father will give abundantly to those who will ask. He says we have not because we ask not. I encourage you to pray expecting God to answer and see what geat things He will do.
In chapter 32 we see the way the Lord will reign. In vs.6 He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure. 15 He who walks righteously and speaks what is right, who rejects gain from extortionand keeps his hand from accepting bribes, who stops his ears against plots of murder and shuts his eyes against contemplating evil-16 this is the man who will dwell on the heights, whose refuge will be the mountain fortress. His bread will be supplied, and water will not fail him. The the last thing He tells us here is that He is coming to forgive sins and heal our illnesses. He is a Lord of love and compassion and all of His ways add up to being the true shepherd of our life.
In Mark 8 this compassion is demonstrated as He serves the 4000 by feeding their hunger. He understands what we need spiritually and physically and provides both. He did not force them to eat the loaves and fishes, He provided them needed nourishment and they ate and were satisfied. He understands and shared how much more important spiritual food is and provides it abundantly if we will partake and be fed. We see prophecy fulfilled as Jesus heals the blind man. he the asks Peter "Who do people say I am?" after he answered then He asked "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Christ." Jesus then revealed things that were going to take place and said "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? 37Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 38If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels." (NIV)
God will give us the ability to pick up our cross and follow Him when we ask the one who says the father will give abundantly to those who will ask. He says we have not because we ask not. I encourage you to pray expecting God to answer and see what geat things He will do.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Isaiah 30-31; Mark 7:14-37
In Isaiah 30 we encounter a nation of stubborn people. 1 "Woe to the obstinate children," declares the LORD, "to those who carry out plans that are not mine, forming an alliance, but not by my Spirit, heaping sin upon sin... 9 These are rebellious people, deceitful children, children unwilling to listen to the Lord's instruction. 10 They say to the seers, "See no more visions!" and to the prophets, "Give us no more visions of what is right! Tell us pleasant things, prophesy illusions. 11 Leave this way, get off this path, and stop confronting us with the Holy One of Israel!" 9 These are rebellious people, deceitful children, children unwilling to listen to the Lord's instruction. 10 They say to the seers, "See no more visions!" and to the prophets, "Give us no more visions of what is right! Tell us pleasant things, prophesy illusions.
Any time we want God to compromise to please us, we are in danger of God's stern correction. He is still God and we should always remember to fear and be in awe of Him and His majesty. That's what happens when we take God down from being first (boss) in our life and pursue our own way. We would rather walk in deceit and not deal with truth. The problem is that it is truth that transforms lives. We want it both ways. We want our way and want our way to be considered the right way. We have to come to terms with there is only one correct answer and one Lord. God knows what He is doing and the Lord has a plan for the abundant life that brings real freedom. He loves us and will carry out His plan as we submit and ask for His input , then get up and follow Him. 18 Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!
Any time we want God to compromise to please us, we are in danger of God's stern correction. He is still God and we should always remember to fear and be in awe of Him and His majesty. That's what happens when we take God down from being first (boss) in our life and pursue our own way. We would rather walk in deceit and not deal with truth. The problem is that it is truth that transforms lives. We want it both ways. We want our way and want our way to be considered the right way. We have to come to terms with there is only one correct answer and one Lord. God knows what He is doing and the Lord has a plan for the abundant life that brings real freedom. He loves us and will carry out His plan as we submit and ask for His input , then get up and follow Him. 18 Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!
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