Bible Reading: Isaiah 54-58
Isaiah 55:8-11 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. 10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: 11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
It is tempting, but we dare not impose on God our own way of thinking. His thoughts are higher than ours and so are his ways. God has a plan and it is intricate. We would never come up with such a plan because his thoughts are higher than the heavens. Instead of imposing our thoughts on him, we should seek him to gain knowledge and be led in the way he wants us to go.
God's thoughts bring about God's ways and his ways are stated in his Word. He speaks and it happens. Sometimes it happens immediately. Sometimes it happens after delay, but always according to his timing.
God says his Word is like the moisture from the sky. It has an effect upon the earth. Sometimes it is like a spring or summer rain. It falls and you can almost immediately see it's effects. Grass grows, flowers bloom and buds pop out on the trees. Sometimes, God's Word is like the snow of winter. It falls and there is no immediate effect, but when the longer days of Spring come, then the life-giving moisture brings about the growth.
The point is that God's Word will not return void or empty. It will accomplish the purpose of God. You can trust his Word. When you read your Bible you must know that it will come to pass. Sometimes it will happen quickly. Sometimes you will read of something that is for the future, but always know it will come to pass. It will prosper in the thing that God sent it forth to do!
In Christ,
Rody
Monday, July 30, 2012
Thursday, July 26, 2012
They shall walk and not faint
Bible Reading: Isaiah 40-43
Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
The tune of Isaiah changes drastically at the beginning of chapter 40. Up to this point the prophet has been pronouncing judgment and impending calamity upon the nations. This will come, but it will not last! With the word of chastisement also comes the message of forgiveness and restoration for God's people!
We see this all throughout the Word of God. He says that he is a loving heavenly Father and he will not tolerate rebellion in the lives of his children. He will chastise us when we sin against him.
Hebrews 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
However, when the chastisement is over, then comes the time of loving forgiveness and restoration. This is the promise of Isaiah to the people of Judah.
Isaiah 40:1-2 Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. 2 Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord's hand double for all her sins.
The next words are the call of John the Baptist announcing the coming of Jesus!
Isaiah 40:3 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Judah was promised the chastening discipline of the Lord. Following that Judah was promised forgiveness and an end to her warfare. However, they would have to wait for it. So God tells them that if they would wait upon the Lord, they would mount up with wings as eagles. They would run and not grow weary. They would walk and not faint.
Waiting is hard, but it is worth it. We get in such a hurry. We like instant gratification. But God has promised that he will right every wrong. He will fix that which is broken. There is coming a new body and a new heaven and a new earth. A day is coming when there will be no more sin or suffering. He will wipe away the tears from every eye. It's not here yet, but if we will wait for him, we will fly like an eagle!
Revelation 21:1-5 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
Hang in there! Trust Jesus and wait for him. It may seem like a long wait, but in light of the glorious eternity we have ahead of us, it will be but a twinkling of an eye when we look back.
Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
In Christ,
Rody
Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
The tune of Isaiah changes drastically at the beginning of chapter 40. Up to this point the prophet has been pronouncing judgment and impending calamity upon the nations. This will come, but it will not last! With the word of chastisement also comes the message of forgiveness and restoration for God's people!
We see this all throughout the Word of God. He says that he is a loving heavenly Father and he will not tolerate rebellion in the lives of his children. He will chastise us when we sin against him.
Hebrews 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
However, when the chastisement is over, then comes the time of loving forgiveness and restoration. This is the promise of Isaiah to the people of Judah.
Isaiah 40:1-2 Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. 2 Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord's hand double for all her sins.
The next words are the call of John the Baptist announcing the coming of Jesus!
Isaiah 40:3 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Judah was promised the chastening discipline of the Lord. Following that Judah was promised forgiveness and an end to her warfare. However, they would have to wait for it. So God tells them that if they would wait upon the Lord, they would mount up with wings as eagles. They would run and not grow weary. They would walk and not faint.
Waiting is hard, but it is worth it. We get in such a hurry. We like instant gratification. But God has promised that he will right every wrong. He will fix that which is broken. There is coming a new body and a new heaven and a new earth. A day is coming when there will be no more sin or suffering. He will wipe away the tears from every eye. It's not here yet, but if we will wait for him, we will fly like an eagle!
Revelation 21:1-5 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
Hang in there! Trust Jesus and wait for him. It may seem like a long wait, but in light of the glorious eternity we have ahead of us, it will be but a twinkling of an eye when we look back.
Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
In Christ,
Rody
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Spread it before the Lord
Bible Reading: Isaiah 37-39; Psalm 76
Isaiah 37:14-15 And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up unto the house of the Lord, and spread it before the Lord. 15 And Hezekiah prayed unto the Lord, saying,
Hezekiah was truly a man of prayer. When he discovered the intentions of the Assyrian army and heard their threats, his first response was to go to the house of the Lord and pray.
In his life, Hezekiah received much from the hand of God in answer to prayer. Not only was he delivered from invading armies, but he also was healed of a disease and given fifteen more years of life because he asked God.
Is prayer your first response when you encounter difficulties? Or is prayer a last resort after you have tried on your own and failed?
Prayer is God's idea and he invites us to pray and ask him for what we need. He delights in our prayers!
Proverbs 15:8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord:
but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
God has given us some incredible promises in his Word in regard to prayer. One of the most amazing is this:
Matthew 7:7-8 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
What are you asking God for right now?
In Christ,
Rody
Isaiah 37:14-15 And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up unto the house of the Lord, and spread it before the Lord. 15 And Hezekiah prayed unto the Lord, saying,
Hezekiah was truly a man of prayer. When he discovered the intentions of the Assyrian army and heard their threats, his first response was to go to the house of the Lord and pray.
In his life, Hezekiah received much from the hand of God in answer to prayer. Not only was he delivered from invading armies, but he also was healed of a disease and given fifteen more years of life because he asked God.
Is prayer your first response when you encounter difficulties? Or is prayer a last resort after you have tried on your own and failed?
Prayer is God's idea and he invites us to pray and ask him for what we need. He delights in our prayers!
Proverbs 15:8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord:
but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
God has given us some incredible promises in his Word in regard to prayer. One of the most amazing is this:
Matthew 7:7-8 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
What are you asking God for right now?
In Christ,
Rody
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
He will come and save you
Bible Reading: Isaiah 35 & 36
Isaiah 35:3-4 Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. 4 Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.
Even after the prophet warned the people of God's chastisement that was going to come their way, he still had a word of encouragement for them. God was not pleased with the Israelites' way of life. He warned them that if they did not repent, there would be dire consequences and a foreign army would come and take them away. Yet, right after the warning, he gave Judah this word!
The Assyrians would take Israel, but Judah would not fall by their hand. The prophet told the people to strengthen weak hands and confirm feeble knees. Tell the fearful to be strong and fear not. God would come and save them!
Wow! What a wonderful word of encouragement right at the point of incredible conflict. The next chapter describes how the Rabshakeh came and told the men of Judah that they were going to invade. This could cause hands to be weak and knees to be feeble. This could cause great fear in the hearts of the people. Isaiah told them not to fear because God would come and save them.
The writer to the Hebrews quoted this passage from Isaiah as he wrote about the chastisement of God. He declared:
Hebrews 12:7-8 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
What son is he whom the father chasteneth not? God loves his children and when we go astray, he chastens us. He does not do it to destroy us but to correct us. If there is not chastening, you are not a child of God.
God's Word tells us that when we encounter chastening from God, we should not faint. He is doing it for our good and his glory. Therefore, the book of Hebrews tells us:
Hebrews 12:11-14 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; 13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. 14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
God wants to heal us. He wants to restore us to a right fellowship with him. Don't faint! Lift up the hands which hand down! Strengthen the feeble knees! Make straight paths for your feet. God will come and save you!
In Christ,
Rody
Isaiah 35:3-4 Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. 4 Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.
Even after the prophet warned the people of God's chastisement that was going to come their way, he still had a word of encouragement for them. God was not pleased with the Israelites' way of life. He warned them that if they did not repent, there would be dire consequences and a foreign army would come and take them away. Yet, right after the warning, he gave Judah this word!
The Assyrians would take Israel, but Judah would not fall by their hand. The prophet told the people to strengthen weak hands and confirm feeble knees. Tell the fearful to be strong and fear not. God would come and save them!
Wow! What a wonderful word of encouragement right at the point of incredible conflict. The next chapter describes how the Rabshakeh came and told the men of Judah that they were going to invade. This could cause hands to be weak and knees to be feeble. This could cause great fear in the hearts of the people. Isaiah told them not to fear because God would come and save them.
The writer to the Hebrews quoted this passage from Isaiah as he wrote about the chastisement of God. He declared:
Hebrews 12:7-8 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
What son is he whom the father chasteneth not? God loves his children and when we go astray, he chastens us. He does not do it to destroy us but to correct us. If there is not chastening, you are not a child of God.
God's Word tells us that when we encounter chastening from God, we should not faint. He is doing it for our good and his glory. Therefore, the book of Hebrews tells us:
Hebrews 12:11-14 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; 13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. 14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
God wants to heal us. He wants to restore us to a right fellowship with him. Don't faint! Lift up the hands which hand down! Strengthen the feeble knees! Make straight paths for your feet. God will come and save you!
In Christ,
Rody
Monday, July 23, 2012
Assurance for ever
Bible Reading: Isaiah 31-34
Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
During the days of Isaiah, he was calling the people back to God. They had given in to the idolatry around them. They gave lip service to God, but their hearts did not belong to him.
Isaiah 29:13 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:
Isaiah called the people to return to the Lord. They forgot their God. They were so far from him. As a result, they were not at peace. The prophet tells us something very interesting about peace. He says the work of righteousness is peace. When a person is right with God, they will have peace. If there is not peace, there is no righteousness.
Do you have peace? The Bible tells us that we can be assured of our salvation in Christ. It brings a wonderful peace knowing we are saved and our home in heaven is secure. The effect of righteousness is quiet and assurance. Do you know for sure you are saved? Do you know for sure you are righteous? If you do, you will have peace.
But what of the religious person? They can never have assurance of their salvation because they can never be sure they have done enough good to bring about righteousness.
However, when you believe in Jesus, he gives you righteousness as a free gift. Then you can have peace and quietness. When you trust in Christ, you can have assurance forever because he is taking care of our eternity and we can trust him.
The key to peace and assurance is righteousness. Are you righteous? The only way to righteousness is by trusting in Christ.
In Christ,
Rody
Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
During the days of Isaiah, he was calling the people back to God. They had given in to the idolatry around them. They gave lip service to God, but their hearts did not belong to him.
Isaiah 29:13 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:
Isaiah called the people to return to the Lord. They forgot their God. They were so far from him. As a result, they were not at peace. The prophet tells us something very interesting about peace. He says the work of righteousness is peace. When a person is right with God, they will have peace. If there is not peace, there is no righteousness.
Do you have peace? The Bible tells us that we can be assured of our salvation in Christ. It brings a wonderful peace knowing we are saved and our home in heaven is secure. The effect of righteousness is quiet and assurance. Do you know for sure you are saved? Do you know for sure you are righteous? If you do, you will have peace.
But what of the religious person? They can never have assurance of their salvation because they can never be sure they have done enough good to bring about righteousness.
However, when you believe in Jesus, he gives you righteousness as a free gift. Then you can have peace and quietness. When you trust in Christ, you can have assurance forever because he is taking care of our eternity and we can trust him.
The key to peace and assurance is righteousness. Are you righteous? The only way to righteousness is by trusting in Christ.
In Christ,
Rody
Thursday, July 19, 2012
According to thy name, O God
Bible Reading: 2 Kings 18:1-8; 2 Chronicles 29-31; Psalm 48
Psalms 48:10 According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness.
The name of God is something that is amazing to think of and study out. According to the Psalm, the praise of God throughout the earth is according to his name. If you know God, you can praise him. If you do not know him, you cannot praise him by name.
When you hear someone praise the name of God it is wonderful and you know that they have a relationship with him. So what is the name of God? Amazingly, there are literally hundreds of names of God used in Scripture. Each of them denotes an aspect of his character and his nature. He is called:
Elohim, Adonai, Jehovah-Jireh, The Almighty, The God of Comfort, and many, many more.
Each name of God helps us understand a little more of his nature and his character. He provides, he comforts, he heals, he is righteous, he is mighty, he is loving and he is merciful. All these names are wonderful (by the way, his name is Wonderful!)
Yet out of all these names, the Bible tells us there is a name above all names. Now that does not mean one name of God is above all others. It means that THE name of God is above all names of other people and angels and demons. Do you know that name?
Philippians 2:9-11 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
At the name of Jesus, every knee should bow. Jesus has a name above every name. According to the name of Jesus so is his praise unto the ends of the earth! When you hear the name of Jesus praised, you know that they know the one true and living God!
It always amazes me when I witness to someone and ask them about salvation or life after death or heaven or hell that they talk about going to heaven, but don't mention the name of Jesus. Just the other day, a man told us how he thought God would let him into heaven because he had lived a 'good' life. He never mentioned Jesus.
How can you be saved and not give praise to the One who saved you? You can't. This man was telling me about his own righteousness. He was not praising the name of Jesus whose right hand is full of righteousness.
Praise the name of Jesus! He is Lord! If we have any righteousness, it is because he has given it to us as a gift! He is the one who is righteousness.
His name is Jehovah-Tsidkenu (Jeremiah 23:6) The Lord our righteousness.
1 Corinthians 1:30-31 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
In Christ,
Rody
Psalms 48:10 According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness.
The name of God is something that is amazing to think of and study out. According to the Psalm, the praise of God throughout the earth is according to his name. If you know God, you can praise him. If you do not know him, you cannot praise him by name.
When you hear someone praise the name of God it is wonderful and you know that they have a relationship with him. So what is the name of God? Amazingly, there are literally hundreds of names of God used in Scripture. Each of them denotes an aspect of his character and his nature. He is called:
Elohim, Adonai, Jehovah-Jireh, The Almighty, The God of Comfort, and many, many more.
Each name of God helps us understand a little more of his nature and his character. He provides, he comforts, he heals, he is righteous, he is mighty, he is loving and he is merciful. All these names are wonderful (by the way, his name is Wonderful!)
Yet out of all these names, the Bible tells us there is a name above all names. Now that does not mean one name of God is above all others. It means that THE name of God is above all names of other people and angels and demons. Do you know that name?
Philippians 2:9-11 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
At the name of Jesus, every knee should bow. Jesus has a name above every name. According to the name of Jesus so is his praise unto the ends of the earth! When you hear the name of Jesus praised, you know that they know the one true and living God!
It always amazes me when I witness to someone and ask them about salvation or life after death or heaven or hell that they talk about going to heaven, but don't mention the name of Jesus. Just the other day, a man told us how he thought God would let him into heaven because he had lived a 'good' life. He never mentioned Jesus.
How can you be saved and not give praise to the One who saved you? You can't. This man was telling me about his own righteousness. He was not praising the name of Jesus whose right hand is full of righteousness.
Praise the name of Jesus! He is Lord! If we have any righteousness, it is because he has given it to us as a gift! He is the one who is righteousness.
His name is Jehovah-Tsidkenu (Jeremiah 23:6) The Lord our righteousness.
1 Corinthians 1:30-31 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
In Christ,
Rody
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
We have waited for him
Bible Reading: Isaiah 23-27
Isaiah 25:9 And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.
Isaiah saw a day when God would return to his people with salvation and there would be great rejoicing. God's people have always been taught to wait for him to come and save them.
This is where we live as Christians. We are waiting for the coming of the Lord to save us. Oh, yes, we are saved eternally now if we believe in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. But when he comes he will save us completely. He will give us a new body and he will set up his throne on earth. His kingdom will be a reign of righteousness and it will never end!
James 5:7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
1 Corinthians 1:7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:
The Bible tells us how the Thessalonian believers had turned from idols to Christ and were waiting for his return.
1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; 10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
A complete salvation is coming with the coming of the Lord Jesus. This is our God. He will save us! We will wait for him!
In Christ,
Rody
Isaiah 25:9 And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.
Isaiah saw a day when God would return to his people with salvation and there would be great rejoicing. God's people have always been taught to wait for him to come and save them.
This is where we live as Christians. We are waiting for the coming of the Lord to save us. Oh, yes, we are saved eternally now if we believe in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. But when he comes he will save us completely. He will give us a new body and he will set up his throne on earth. His kingdom will be a reign of righteousness and it will never end!
James 5:7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
1 Corinthians 1:7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:
The Bible tells us how the Thessalonian believers had turned from idols to Christ and were waiting for his return.
1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; 10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
A complete salvation is coming with the coming of the Lord Jesus. This is our God. He will save us! We will wait for him!
In Christ,
Rody
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
In that day
Bible Reading: Isaiah 18-22
Isaiah 19:23-25 In that day shall there be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians shall serve with the Assyrians. 24 In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land: 25 Whom the Lord of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance.
About 2700 years ago, the prophet Isaiah was commanded by God to walk naked and barefoot for three years as a sign against Egypt and Ethiopia. The Assyrians would come and take the Egyptians away captive and their humiliation would be that their buttocks would be bear as they were taken captive (Isaiah 20).
Their idolatry had brought God to a point where he would humble them greatly. However, even before Isaiah was a sign to them, God promised that they would be called blessed. They would call upon the Lord and know him!
Isaiah 19:21-22 And the Lord shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the Lord in that day, and shall do sacrifice and oblation; yea, they shall vow a vow unto the Lord, and perform it. 22 And the Lord shall smite Egypt: he shall smite and heal it: and they shall return even to the Lord, and he shall be intreated of them, and shall heal them.
Can you imagine the land of Assyria, Egypt and Israel all united together with a highway system and people going and coming between these countries at will? It's hard to imagine right now, since the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt is trying to destroy Israel. Right now Israeli tanks are situated on the Egyptian border protecting construction crews working feverishly to build a fence between Egypt and Israel!
Isaiah saw something WAY down the road! He saw the future and you and I can look forward to that future as well. There will be a day when the Lord Jesus reigns on his glorious throne in Jerusalem and the nations will live at peace! The Egyptians will cry unto the Lord.
Romans 10:13-15 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
There will be a revival in Egypt! The Lord has promised. In the meantime, we must get the gospel message out! We must preach the forgiveness of sins and the eternal life that is only in Jesus Christ!
In Christ,
Rody
Isaiah 19:23-25 In that day shall there be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians shall serve with the Assyrians. 24 In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land: 25 Whom the Lord of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance.
About 2700 years ago, the prophet Isaiah was commanded by God to walk naked and barefoot for three years as a sign against Egypt and Ethiopia. The Assyrians would come and take the Egyptians away captive and their humiliation would be that their buttocks would be bear as they were taken captive (Isaiah 20).
Their idolatry had brought God to a point where he would humble them greatly. However, even before Isaiah was a sign to them, God promised that they would be called blessed. They would call upon the Lord and know him!
Isaiah 19:21-22 And the Lord shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the Lord in that day, and shall do sacrifice and oblation; yea, they shall vow a vow unto the Lord, and perform it. 22 And the Lord shall smite Egypt: he shall smite and heal it: and they shall return even to the Lord, and he shall be intreated of them, and shall heal them.
Can you imagine the land of Assyria, Egypt and Israel all united together with a highway system and people going and coming between these countries at will? It's hard to imagine right now, since the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt is trying to destroy Israel. Right now Israeli tanks are situated on the Egyptian border protecting construction crews working feverishly to build a fence between Egypt and Israel!
Isaiah saw something WAY down the road! He saw the future and you and I can look forward to that future as well. There will be a day when the Lord Jesus reigns on his glorious throne in Jerusalem and the nations will live at peace! The Egyptians will cry unto the Lord.
Romans 10:13-15 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
There will be a revival in Egypt! The Lord has promised. In the meantime, we must get the gospel message out! We must preach the forgiveness of sins and the eternal life that is only in Jesus Christ!
In Christ,
Rody
Monday, July 16, 2012
I will be like the most High
Bible Reading: Isaiah 13-17
Isaiah 14:13-14For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven,
I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
Satan wants God's seat. That is the bottom line. When he came to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, the events of Isaiah 14 had already taken place. He lied to them saying they could be like gods. That is what he wants as well. He wants to be like God. Isn't it interesting that Satan would say he wanted to be 'like' the most High. Why didn't he say he wanted to be greater than God?
The reason is in the very nature of God. He is the Greatest. Even the most sinister villain of all cannot conceive in his evil mind anything greater than God. The title "Most High" says it all! This is who God is - he is the Highest.
This is why Satan wants his worship and why we must worship God alone. It is incredibly foolish to worship anything lesser than the Most High. There are an infinite number of idols of lesser degree. They are not creators. They cannot redeem the soul. So why would anyone want to give them worship? It does not make sense.
Even in the setting of his throne, Satan could only set his sights on getting it above the stars of God. It didn't even enter into his diabolical mind to set a throne higher than God's throne. There is no higher place! All he could do was try and usurp God's authority. He couldn't even dream of being greater.
The Bible says:
John 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
The Father is seeking worshippers. So is Satan. He wanted the worship of Jesus!
Matthew 4:9-10 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
The answer from the mouth of the Son of God is the answer of every true Christ follower and worshipper - worship the Lord thy God! Don't allow the lesser to grab your attention. The Father is seeking worshippers. Let's be those worshippers who try with our limited understanding and faltering lives to give all of our worship to the One True and Living God - Jesus Christ!
In Christ,
Rody
Isaiah 14:13-14For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven,
I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
Satan wants God's seat. That is the bottom line. When he came to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, the events of Isaiah 14 had already taken place. He lied to them saying they could be like gods. That is what he wants as well. He wants to be like God. Isn't it interesting that Satan would say he wanted to be 'like' the most High. Why didn't he say he wanted to be greater than God?
The reason is in the very nature of God. He is the Greatest. Even the most sinister villain of all cannot conceive in his evil mind anything greater than God. The title "Most High" says it all! This is who God is - he is the Highest.
This is why Satan wants his worship and why we must worship God alone. It is incredibly foolish to worship anything lesser than the Most High. There are an infinite number of idols of lesser degree. They are not creators. They cannot redeem the soul. So why would anyone want to give them worship? It does not make sense.
Even in the setting of his throne, Satan could only set his sights on getting it above the stars of God. It didn't even enter into his diabolical mind to set a throne higher than God's throne. There is no higher place! All he could do was try and usurp God's authority. He couldn't even dream of being greater.
The Bible says:
John 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
The Father is seeking worshippers. So is Satan. He wanted the worship of Jesus!
Matthew 4:9-10 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
The answer from the mouth of the Son of God is the answer of every true Christ follower and worshipper - worship the Lord thy God! Don't allow the lesser to grab your attention. The Father is seeking worshippers. Let's be those worshippers who try with our limited understanding and faltering lives to give all of our worship to the One True and Living God - Jesus Christ!
In Christ,
Rody
Friday, July 6, 2012
The Lord is able to give thee much more than this
Bible Reading: 2 Kings 14; 2 Chronicles 25
2 Chronicles 25:6-9 He hired also an hundred thousand mighty men of valour out of Israel for an hundred talents of silver. 7 But there came a man of God to him, saying, O king, let not the army of Israel go with thee; for the Lord is not with Israel, to wit, with all the children of Ephraim. 8 But if thou wilt go, do it, be strong for the battle: God shall make thee fall before the enemy: for God hath power to help, and to cast down. 9 And Amaziah said to the man of God, But what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the army of Israel? And the man of God answered, The Lord is able to give thee much more than this.
Amaziah, king of Judah started out good as a king. However, he apparently was not a man of prayer because he did not ask God's counsel before making decisions. He was going to war against Edom and he hired 100,000 men of Israel to go and fight with him.
It was not God's plan for Judah to make covenants and partnerships with the apostate Israel. When God sent the prophet to Amaziah he told him that God was not with Israel. He warned him that he would fall if he went into battle alongside Israel.
Amaziah's question was about the bottom line. What about the money he had paid to hire them? The man of God's answer is very important.
"The Lord is able to give thee much more than this."
In the economy of God, it is not about earning. It is not about acquiring. It is about receiving! God gives and he is able to give more than you can imagine.
The Bible reminds us of this in the New Testament.
1 Corinthians 4:7 For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?
What do you have that you did not receive? We are the recipients of God's grace. We ask for the things we need and God is the giver of good gifts. He is able to give us not only what we need but above and beyond all we could even imagine. Jesus says:
Matthew 7:7-8 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
However, the Bible reminds us that a right heart and right motives are necessary when we pray to God.
James 4:2-3 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. 3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
As followers of Christ, we need to know that he is the giver and we are recipients of his grace. The Lord is able!
Ephesians 3:20-21 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
In Christ,
Rody
2 Chronicles 25:6-9 He hired also an hundred thousand mighty men of valour out of Israel for an hundred talents of silver. 7 But there came a man of God to him, saying, O king, let not the army of Israel go with thee; for the Lord is not with Israel, to wit, with all the children of Ephraim. 8 But if thou wilt go, do it, be strong for the battle: God shall make thee fall before the enemy: for God hath power to help, and to cast down. 9 And Amaziah said to the man of God, But what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the army of Israel? And the man of God answered, The Lord is able to give thee much more than this.
Amaziah, king of Judah started out good as a king. However, he apparently was not a man of prayer because he did not ask God's counsel before making decisions. He was going to war against Edom and he hired 100,000 men of Israel to go and fight with him.
It was not God's plan for Judah to make covenants and partnerships with the apostate Israel. When God sent the prophet to Amaziah he told him that God was not with Israel. He warned him that he would fall if he went into battle alongside Israel.
Amaziah's question was about the bottom line. What about the money he had paid to hire them? The man of God's answer is very important.
"The Lord is able to give thee much more than this."
In the economy of God, it is not about earning. It is not about acquiring. It is about receiving! God gives and he is able to give more than you can imagine.
The Bible reminds us of this in the New Testament.
1 Corinthians 4:7 For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?
What do you have that you did not receive? We are the recipients of God's grace. We ask for the things we need and God is the giver of good gifts. He is able to give us not only what we need but above and beyond all we could even imagine. Jesus says:
Matthew 7:7-8 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
However, the Bible reminds us that a right heart and right motives are necessary when we pray to God.
James 4:2-3 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. 3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
As followers of Christ, we need to know that he is the giver and we are recipients of his grace. The Lord is able!
Ephesians 3:20-21 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
In Christ,
Rody
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
A noise of chariots
Bible Reading: 2 Kings 5-8
2 Kings 7:6 For the Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great host: and they said one to another, Lo, the king of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us.
The Syrians had the Israelites hemmed in and there was a terrible famine in the land. Because of a lack of supplies, the inflation was astronomical. There was very little food and people were getting desperate.
The king of Israel thought it was the fault of Elisha, but Elisha said that it would all end tomorrow.
2 Kings 7:1-2 Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the Lord; Thus saith the Lord, To morrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria. 2 Then a lord on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, Behold, if the Lord would make windows in heaven, might this thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof.
As the Israelites sat inside the walls of the city, the Syrians were camped outside besieging the city. Four lepers sat outside the gate and the finally decided that it would be better to go and see what was happening in the camp of the Syrians than to perish sitting outside the gate of Samaria. When they came into the camp of the Syrians, they found them all gone and the camp and all their goods abandoned.
It turns out that in the night, the Lord had made them to hear the sound of chariots and they assumed the Israelites had hired another army to come and rescue them. The truth of the matter is that God miraculously delivered Israel by causing them to hear something that wasn't there!
God can do anything. Even when it seems that there is no way, there is a way. God can make a way. Trust him!
In Christ,
Rody
2 Kings 7:6 For the Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great host: and they said one to another, Lo, the king of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us.
The Syrians had the Israelites hemmed in and there was a terrible famine in the land. Because of a lack of supplies, the inflation was astronomical. There was very little food and people were getting desperate.
The king of Israel thought it was the fault of Elisha, but Elisha said that it would all end tomorrow.
2 Kings 7:1-2 Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the Lord; Thus saith the Lord, To morrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria. 2 Then a lord on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, Behold, if the Lord would make windows in heaven, might this thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof.
As the Israelites sat inside the walls of the city, the Syrians were camped outside besieging the city. Four lepers sat outside the gate and the finally decided that it would be better to go and see what was happening in the camp of the Syrians than to perish sitting outside the gate of Samaria. When they came into the camp of the Syrians, they found them all gone and the camp and all their goods abandoned.
It turns out that in the night, the Lord had made them to hear the sound of chariots and they assumed the Israelites had hired another army to come and rescue them. The truth of the matter is that God miraculously delivered Israel by causing them to hear something that wasn't there!
God can do anything. Even when it seems that there is no way, there is a way. God can make a way. Trust him!
In Christ,
Rody
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