Read Isa. 51:9-23
This is the cry of Isaiah and the remnant for God to act in the future as He has in the past. Just as God redeemed Israel at the Red Sea and brought the Israelites out of Egypt, so they are calling him to act on their behalf. When he does they will return to Jerusalem with singing and joy. Then Isaiah comforts the people and encourages them not to be afraid of the Babylonian government or any man because God is their maker and he can turn the hearts of kings. He promises them that they will not die in Babylon but God will bring them out and the Babylonians will be destroyed by the Medo-Persians. God is raising up Cyrus to come against the Babylonians like a roaring wave, but God will protect his people. God's discipline lasts for a season but his faithfulness is forever.
Lord, help us to remember your faithfulness to your remnant and may we never be afraid.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Friday, October 28, 2011
Fri.'s Devo - God is in Control
Read Isa. 51:1-8
To all those who run after what is right and look to God: we were taken from the pit of Satan and carved from the rock of Jesus. What a transformation! We were put in a family with an inheritance and blessed. In the midst of desolation and destruction God will comfort us. He will cause us to bloom in the most unfruitful places and give us gladness and joy and a song to sing. God brought about judgment on the earth and a light to us in the salvation he brought through Jesus. People will live and die until time is over and then God will do away with both heaven and earth, but his salvation will last for ever. So for us now, we should not be afraid of what is happening on the earth or of man, because his days are short and God is forever in control. I love how God communicates his watch over us. I was concerned because I have a deadline for some curtains and my material hadn't come yet. I was expecting it to be there during the day and now it was after 7 at night. I was fighting being anxious. Dave and I had just sat down on the couch to pray. Dave said, "Lord thank you for your peace..." As soon as he said the word "peace" the door bell rung and I knew that the ups man had brought my fabric! Peace was manifested in my heart. Thank you, Lord. Thank you that your timing is right on time and your plan for the earth is perfect and right.
To all those who run after what is right and look to God: we were taken from the pit of Satan and carved from the rock of Jesus. What a transformation! We were put in a family with an inheritance and blessed. In the midst of desolation and destruction God will comfort us. He will cause us to bloom in the most unfruitful places and give us gladness and joy and a song to sing. God brought about judgment on the earth and a light to us in the salvation he brought through Jesus. People will live and die until time is over and then God will do away with both heaven and earth, but his salvation will last for ever. So for us now, we should not be afraid of what is happening on the earth or of man, because his days are short and God is forever in control. I love how God communicates his watch over us. I was concerned because I have a deadline for some curtains and my material hadn't come yet. I was expecting it to be there during the day and now it was after 7 at night. I was fighting being anxious. Dave and I had just sat down on the couch to pray. Dave said, "Lord thank you for your peace..." As soon as he said the word "peace" the door bell rung and I knew that the ups man had brought my fabric! Peace was manifested in my heart. Thank you, Lord. Thank you that your timing is right on time and your plan for the earth is perfect and right.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Thurs.'s Devo -Strange Fire
Read Isa. 50:10-11
In verse 10 God is speaking to those who walk in misery and darkness and have no light. Job 29:3 says that he walked through darkness by the light of the Lord. Those are two different things. We will walk through darkness on this earth but if we know Jesus his light will be there to guide us through it. But to those who don't have Jesus as their Lord, they must trust in the name of the Lord and lean on him to help them in dark times. In verse 11 God is talking to those who not only walk in darkness but try to make their own light out of their own fire. Pro_26:21 says, " As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife." The fire that they make will be what Lev. 10:1 calls "strange fire" - fire that God doesn't approve of because he didn't order it. That kind of fire brings contention, strife, and sorrow. God's fire is a consuming fire that burns away sin and leaves us pure.
Lord, help us to trust in your name alone and not in our own devises.
In verse 10 God is speaking to those who walk in misery and darkness and have no light. Job 29:3 says that he walked through darkness by the light of the Lord. Those are two different things. We will walk through darkness on this earth but if we know Jesus his light will be there to guide us through it. But to those who don't have Jesus as their Lord, they must trust in the name of the Lord and lean on him to help them in dark times. In verse 11 God is talking to those who not only walk in darkness but try to make their own light out of their own fire. Pro_26:21 says, " As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife." The fire that they make will be what Lev. 10:1 calls "strange fire" - fire that God doesn't approve of because he didn't order it. That kind of fire brings contention, strife, and sorrow. God's fire is a consuming fire that burns away sin and leaves us pure.
Lord, help us to trust in your name alone and not in our own devises.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Wed.'s Devo - Jesus, Our Hope of Restoration
Read Isa. 50: 1-9
Just like a man who writes a divorce paper and sends his wife away, so their sins have divorced them from God. When they did this they cut themselves off from God's blessings and instead they got his rebuke. All heaven mourned Israel's rebellion and separation. But Jesus will spring forth out a dry ground and his words will pierce the heart. When Jesus came and his words left everyone speechless, even the religious leaders. The officers said that "never has a man spoke like this man." If you listen to Jesus you will gain wisdom even if you are unlearned. Knowledge can be taught but wisdom must be revealed and that is what Jesus came and did. He opened the eyes and ears of the spirit in man. He willing let himself be beaten and spit upon. He fully gave himself to God's will and set his heart to fulfill his destiny for us. God will vindicate everything that Jesus had to go through.
Lord, help us to walk the walk that Jesus walked.
Just like a man who writes a divorce paper and sends his wife away, so their sins have divorced them from God. When they did this they cut themselves off from God's blessings and instead they got his rebuke. All heaven mourned Israel's rebellion and separation. But Jesus will spring forth out a dry ground and his words will pierce the heart. When Jesus came and his words left everyone speechless, even the religious leaders. The officers said that "never has a man spoke like this man." If you listen to Jesus you will gain wisdom even if you are unlearned. Knowledge can be taught but wisdom must be revealed and that is what Jesus came and did. He opened the eyes and ears of the spirit in man. He willing let himself be beaten and spit upon. He fully gave himself to God's will and set his heart to fulfill his destiny for us. God will vindicate everything that Jesus had to go through.
Lord, help us to walk the walk that Jesus walked.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Tue's Devo -The Road Back
Read Isa. 49:8-13
This is our word for today! In an acceptable time God has heard us. In these verses we learn that God hears us, helps us, keeps us, and gives us a spiritual inheritance. God promises to restore the earth. We as Christians are going to one day get back what the devil has stolen from us. Verse 8 calls them "desolate heritages". Those who are locked in sin and oppression will come out of their tombs just like Lazareth did when Jesus said, "Come forth". Everyone who has hidden in darkness will come out. God is going to call his people back to the land and will provide for all their needs on the way. It will be like the days of Moses when he led the children of Israel through the wilderness and fed them manna from heaven. All obstacles, or mountains will be taken away as God leads them safely back to Israel. He will bring them from the land of Sinim which means "thorns". Thorns are a symbol of curses. So God will bring them from curses into the blessings. When this happens all the earth will rejoice and be glad. God will once again have mercy on his children.
Even though this is talking about future events the Bible is alive and speaks to us all the time. To me, these verses tell me that God is bringing people right now out of tremendous bondage and affliction. Salvation is free to anyone who asks and many are on their way home.
Lord, help us to be ready to receive your prodigal sons back into the fold of your flock.
This is our word for today! In an acceptable time God has heard us. In these verses we learn that God hears us, helps us, keeps us, and gives us a spiritual inheritance. God promises to restore the earth. We as Christians are going to one day get back what the devil has stolen from us. Verse 8 calls them "desolate heritages". Those who are locked in sin and oppression will come out of their tombs just like Lazareth did when Jesus said, "Come forth". Everyone who has hidden in darkness will come out. God is going to call his people back to the land and will provide for all their needs on the way. It will be like the days of Moses when he led the children of Israel through the wilderness and fed them manna from heaven. All obstacles, or mountains will be taken away as God leads them safely back to Israel. He will bring them from the land of Sinim which means "thorns". Thorns are a symbol of curses. So God will bring them from curses into the blessings. When this happens all the earth will rejoice and be glad. God will once again have mercy on his children.
Even though this is talking about future events the Bible is alive and speaks to us all the time. To me, these verses tell me that God is bringing people right now out of tremendous bondage and affliction. Salvation is free to anyone who asks and many are on their way home.
Lord, help us to be ready to receive your prodigal sons back into the fold of your flock.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Mon's Devo - Our Labor is Not in Vain
Read Isa. 49:1-7
In these verses we get to see the heart of Jesus, the son, and God the Father. Jesus was called from the womb and given a sword as a mouth so that everything that proceeded from his mouth was God's words. God hid him from the devil's schemes to kill him . Verse 4 shows how Jesus viewed his own ministry. "I have labored in vain." He knew that he was sent to earth to bring God's people back to him so he went to the Jews first. But God's plan extended to the Gentiles and to the ends of the earth. Halleluiah! God says in verse 7 that even though he was despised and abhorred by the ones he came to save many will be saved because of his life and death on earth.
How many of us can relate to the way Jesus felt? Sometimes the Christian walk can be disappointing and discouraging but when we see seeds that don't sprout in our time, God sees seeds that sprout in his time. God sees the end from the beginning. Our job is to just keep planting and walking in Him. The results are always up to him.
Lord, may we be diligent to plant seeds of salvation, hope, and love and leave the result to you.
In these verses we get to see the heart of Jesus, the son, and God the Father. Jesus was called from the womb and given a sword as a mouth so that everything that proceeded from his mouth was God's words. God hid him from the devil's schemes to kill him . Verse 4 shows how Jesus viewed his own ministry. "I have labored in vain." He knew that he was sent to earth to bring God's people back to him so he went to the Jews first. But God's plan extended to the Gentiles and to the ends of the earth. Halleluiah! God says in verse 7 that even though he was despised and abhorred by the ones he came to save many will be saved because of his life and death on earth.
How many of us can relate to the way Jesus felt? Sometimes the Christian walk can be disappointing and discouraging but when we see seeds that don't sprout in our time, God sees seeds that sprout in his time. God sees the end from the beginning. Our job is to just keep planting and walking in Him. The results are always up to him.
Lord, may we be diligent to plant seeds of salvation, hope, and love and leave the result to you.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Fri.'s Devo - Pilgrimage Back to Israel
Read Isa. 48:1-22
God is telling them what is to happen in their future. One day they will again be captive in Babylon because of their obstinacy and hypocrisy. They said that they called on God's name but the truth is they were very comfortable in Babylon and didn't want to return to Israel. God promises to give them new prophecies since they refused to believe the last ones and tell them secrets he had previously kept from them. They have been through the furnace of affliction but it had not produced a humble people. But God is true to his promises and it is time for them to go back to Israel. God promises to lead them out and punish Babylon. He will use Cyrus of Persia to destroy the Babylonians. If they had only trusted in the Lord and followed his commands, they would have had peace like a river and lived in righteousness. They would have prospered and grew to be a mighty nation. Just as the Israelites had to flee Egypt in the days of Moses, they were called to flee the Babylonians. And just as the Lord provided for the Israelites in the wilderness, he would provide for them as they leave Babylon and go back to Israel. For the wicked among them, there will be no peace.
Lord, have mercy on us for trusting in idols of the world. Show us places in our hearts where we have not allowed you to reign.
God is telling them what is to happen in their future. One day they will again be captive in Babylon because of their obstinacy and hypocrisy. They said that they called on God's name but the truth is they were very comfortable in Babylon and didn't want to return to Israel. God promises to give them new prophecies since they refused to believe the last ones and tell them secrets he had previously kept from them. They have been through the furnace of affliction but it had not produced a humble people. But God is true to his promises and it is time for them to go back to Israel. God promises to lead them out and punish Babylon. He will use Cyrus of Persia to destroy the Babylonians. If they had only trusted in the Lord and followed his commands, they would have had peace like a river and lived in righteousness. They would have prospered and grew to be a mighty nation. Just as the Israelites had to flee Egypt in the days of Moses, they were called to flee the Babylonians. And just as the Lord provided for the Israelites in the wilderness, he would provide for them as they leave Babylon and go back to Israel. For the wicked among them, there will be no peace.
Lord, have mercy on us for trusting in idols of the world. Show us places in our hearts where we have not allowed you to reign.
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