by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
Isaiah 50-52
Beautiful words of encouragement – stoking the coals of fire in the heart of Israel. Stoking the hot coals also in us.
You see once again the parallels between God’s dealings with the Jews and His dealings with us as Christians. Sure, these words were written to the Jews, but, as always with our God, He can speak to several groups at once. The words are also for us.
“Awake, awake, put on your strength, O arm of the Lord.” (51:9) “Rouse yourself. Rouse yourself. Arise, O Jerusalem.” (51:17) “Awake, awake, clothe yourself with your strength.” (52:1) “Shake off the dust. Loose the chains from around your neck, O captive daughter of Zion.” (52:2)
Verse after verse seems to be talking to us directly. We are the spiritual Jerusalem. We are Zion. When the church gets this and really believes it, we will see an explosion of purpose coming from His body.
All of what has gone on before has brought us to this place. Now we understand the power of God’s Words in our lives – and the power of His plans for us.
The church has been in Babylonian captivity – mixed up with the ways of the world. Now is the time for us to rise up and be the beautiful church He wants us to be. Clothed with His strength and His garments, we can take His message to those around us who don’t know Him.
God’s love is for all, if they will just receive it. They need for someone to tell them.
Will we do it?
I Thessalonians 5
Paul’s last words in this letter are rich with meaning.
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God for you.” (V.16-18)
These verses are foundational for a walk of faith. Rejoice, pray, give thanks.
Does it mean that everything that happens to us is God’s will? I don’t think so. But if we give thanks in the midst of whatever is going on, He will continue to work on our behalf. Our Father will bring good from evil – and what the devil meant for evil will be turned around for our good.
Then Paul strikes a note of encouragement to those who are growing weary. “May God sanctify you completely. He who called you is faithful, who will also do it.” (V. 23-24)
Our God is faithful!! He will do what he has promised.
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
Isaiah 47-49
Do you ever wonder why so much is said about Babylon in the Bible? In this passage of Isaiah’s prophecy, God really comes against Babylon, and He does the same throughout Bible prophecy.
Well, of course, one of the strikes against Babylon is that they destroyed Jerusalem and took the Jews captive. (They had to go to Babylon and serve that empire for 70 years). Yet there’s more, as there almost always is in scripture.
Babylon comes from the root word, babel, which means “confusion by mixing.” (Remember the Tower of Babel)?
In our modern times, we might say that the church has gone into Babylonian captivity. What do I mean? I mean that there has been confusion in the church because of mixing God’s pure doctrine with the ways of the world. Confusion is rampant.
When we mix God’s doctrine with the world’s ways, we come up with a counterfeit gospel – not a pure one. As a result, people don’t know what is truly from god and what is not. Whether we lived in the year 500 bc or the current year, God is smarter than we are, and we need to listen to Him and not to current trends for our guidelines.
The church which mixes the doctrine in this way is called the Babylonian church, and our Father is not pleased with it. He wants His pure doctrine expressed, because that’s the only doctrine which will save lives and change them into His likeness.
When we mix our ways with the ways of the world, we lose the power of God’s plan and purpose.
In fact, this is the true meaning of holiness. Not that we dress in an extreme way, but that we remain true to the Word of God and honor what He has to say. Purity – that’s what we are after in our lives.
I Thessalonians 3
Everyone should work. That’s Paul’s command to the Thessalonians, because there were some who were idling away their time, and becoming “busybodies.”
This concept can be a hard one to “get right.” Of course, when people have hard times, we want to be compassionate and share with them. Paul is not coming against true charity.
However, people were designed by God to be productive. There is greater satisfaction in a life lived with energy and drive than in a life lived in idleness. And further, everyone is expected by God to “do his part.” All working together for the good of all.
Laziness is not a godly attribute.
This is something to think about as we observe our modern customs.
Hmmm.
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
Isaiah 45-46
If you want proof that God’s plans are not random, this is it!
Isaiah wrote these passages 150 years before Cyrus, the king of Persia, would reign. Yet Isaiah named him, and declared God’s purpose for him.
“And why have I called you for this work? Why did I call you by name when you did not know me? It is for the sake of Jacob, my servant, Israel, my chosen one.” (45:4)
Did this come to pass? Absolutely. 70 years after Israel went into captivity, Cyrus was king of Persia. He issued a proclamation which said, “The Lord, the God of Heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth. He has appointed me to build Him a temple in Jerusalem. which is in Judah. Any of you who are the Lord’s people may go there for this task. And may the Lord your God be with you.”(II Chron. 36:23).
Amazing, isn’t it? That’s our God, all right. Amazing.
Now the Lord doesn’t treat us like puppets, but if you are His – as Israel was, you can count on his guidance – and His purpose being manifested in your life. He can call someone who doesn’t even know Him to bless you. He can give people dreams which will direct their paths to bring His purpose to you.
We can’t fathom the limitless ways that our God causes His plans to come together. The main thing is to trust Him and believe that He will direct your paths, and bring His best to pass in your life.
He will do it, if you let Him.
Let’s pray that we will hear His voice so that we will do our part, and that He will bring His best to pass in our lives.
I Thessalonians 3
There is always a certain amount of persecution when we decide to follow Jesus. The antichrist spirit tries to stop anything of God, so he tries to stop us.
Some, however, suffer more than others. Today in countries where Christians are in the minority and other religions are ruling, there is tremendous religious persecution.
That’s the way it was in Thessalonica. The Jews and the heathens were constantly bombarding these new believers. They were suffering heavy burdens under the iron fists of the oppressors. Paul was afraid that they would faint and give up on their beliefs. So he sent Timothy to find out about their well-being, and was pleased with what he found. The Thessalonians were remaining faithful!
When the enemy of our faith (the devil) sends persecution, his motive is clear. He wants to stop us in our tracks. If we allow discouragement and sorrow to influence us, we will stop, or at least grow weak.
Let’s be like the Thessalonians and say, “No way, devil. You aren’t stopping me.”
There are great rewards for us as we remain strong through the battles we face – and go through to the other side of the events. The outcome for those of us who remain steadfast is stronger faith, stronger character, and greater trust in our God. We get a chance to see first hand just how powerful our God is!
Be ye steadfast! And I will too!
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
Isaiah 43-44
What a contrast between those who trust in God and those who trust in idols!
In western cultures, there are few who build idols out of wood and bow before them. However, there are many who worship the bank accounts they have built – or are building. Or their stock portfolios. Or their houses and cars. They look to the material things for their identity – and for their comfort. Sad, indeed.
Those things which we acquire will never bring true happiness to the heart of man. A little pleasure from time to time, maybe, but not true happiness. Those are modern day idols and they are useless when trying to save a marriage, or help a wayward child, or receive healing for our bodies.
Augustine once said, “There is a God-shaped hole in the heart of every man, and he will never be satisfied until that hole is filled with Him.” I think that is true. People can search for other satisfaction, but there is only One who truly satisfies.
When we seek the One true God, we will be satisfied. And we will have the peace which only comes through Him.
There are many promises which go to those who seek the true God. When we go through the fire, we won’t be burned, and when we go through the floods, we won’t drown. (43:3). Our Lord’s protection will be there – along with His guidance, wisdom, and provision.
All of the promises to Israel are to us also. As we meditate on them, our faith will soar.
I Thessalonians 2
“God alone examines the motives of our hearts.” (V. 4)
Paul is speaking to the Thessalonians, elaborating on his ministry of preaching the good news to the gentiles as well as the Jews. He knows that many Jews misunderstand him – that’s why the persecution.
The same goes today for those of us who wish to be true to the gospel and our call to share it. There will be many who misunderstand. In fact, we may even experience mocking and ridicule from those who reject our Savior.
For us to have lives of integrity before our Creator, we have to have our confidence in Him – and Him alone. If we are living our lives true to Him, there will be times when we will be misunderstood, but that’s okay.
There is only One who judges us, and when others find fault, that’s not our problem.
Only when we come to this realization will we be able to live bold, confident lives.
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
Isaiah 37-39
Have you ever felt besieged on all sides? If so, I have good news for you. You have a God who is able and willing to handle any circumstance.
Hezekiah, who had tried to turn Judah back to the Lord, found himself in a position of profound distress. The Assyrian army had already besieged the nations around him, and they surrounded this small country as well. The mocking spirits started bullying Hezekiah – and even spoke directly to the people telling them not to trust in God. “He will not help you,” was the arrogant cry of the invaders.
In the natural, there was no hope. The Assyrian army was strong and mean, and very capable of doing what they threatened.
But with God, there is always hope. In fact, there is nothing too difficult for our God.
Hezekiah turned to prayer and fasting. He also consulted with Isaiah, the prophet.
The Word of the Lord was a good one – and a strong one. When Sennacherib, the Assyrian king, came against Israel, he also came against God Himself. The Lord promised that “Sennacherib shall not come to this city, nor shoot an arrow there; neither shall he come before it with a shield, nor throw up a mound against it. By the way that he came, he shall return, and not come back again.” (37:33-34)
That’s exactly what happened – with a little help from God’s angel. 185,000 troops died during the night, and when the Assyrian army arose the next morning, that’s what they found! Needless to say, the king’s plans changed, and he turned and went home, just as the prophecy declared.
The God who protected Hezekiah is with you today. If you are surrounded, His protection is available to you also.
Now we are not talking about God killing those mean people around you. We don’t war against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces around us. Demons, principalities, etc.
We can count on the power of God working on our behalf, if we are His and doing things His way.
Our biggest job is to saturate ourselves in His Word to the place where we believe Him to the fullest measure. God is faithful. His Word is true.
He can accomplish all things for you also.
Colossians 4
As Paul continues his letters from prison, (talk about making lemonade out of lemons. Paul could have sat around feeling sorry for himself; instead he conducted his greatest ministry – the epistles we hold so dear), he covers a variety of subjects. He explains the mystery revealed to him by the Holy Spirit, and he gives lots of practical advice relating to the walk of a true Christian.
At the end of each letter, he starts with various points specifically for that church, but ones which we can take to heart also.
My favorite verse in this chapter is the one in which he says to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”
That charge is one which we all need to heed. We are not all in full-time ministry, but all of us are called to do something – and to further the gospel in our corner of the world.
One of the darkest things which came out of the dark ages was the concept that the priests knew everything and their “subjects” were to just sit and listen. No and a thousand times, “No!”
The vestiges which still remain from that evil concept cause people to think that if they go to church on Sunday morning and sit and listen, they have “done their duty.” There is so much more to our walk than that.
Our Father God has called us to a life lived for Him – and that includes all of us. We all have gifts and talents put there by God, and lives lived for Him will use those for his purposes.
Do you have the gift of giving? Of exhorting? Of teaching? Of administrations? All of these are from God and when all are implementing the gifts He gave, our homes and churches run like well-oiled machines. When we don’t, the “preachers” are carrying loads they are not gifted for, and things don’t go so well.
Beyond these gifts, we all have the call of evangelism to those around us. Our family, our neighbors, and our co-workers need the gifts you have within you. They need your exhortation or teaching. They need your love and caring. They need for you to be an example of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
And besides those around us being enriched, we benefit as well when we give our gifts. We all will have happier and more fulfilling lives when we “take heed – and fulfill our ministry.”
