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 40-42
These chapters begin some of the greatest of the Bible, in my view. Isaiah has gone through some very dire prophesies concerning the nations and their futures. Now comes the good part.
In chapter 40 Isaiah starts by saying, “Comfort, O comfort My people, says your God.” Wonderful days are coming – days of rejoicing and peace. Days of deliverance from all of the oppression around. Great days which only God Himself can bring to the earth.
When I read these thrilling words, I always read them on two levels. On the first level, He is talking to Israel, His great nation. On another level, He is speaking spiritually to us in our time. When Isaiah tells the Israelites to repent, I see it also as a word for me – and our generation. We need to repent and reap the rewards of loyalty to our God. And indeed there are rewards!
There have been times in my walk when I would feel very weary from the trek. The warfare may have been rougher than usual, or the workload have been heavier. Whatever the cause, I would feel weak and inadequate for the tasks at hand.
During those times, I would often turn to Isaiah 40:28-31 and read. Just in reading of those words, I would sense a return of energy to my deepest being. My spirit was being refreshed as only our God could do it.
“Those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength. They will rise up with wings as eagles. They shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (40:31)
Refreshment. Energy. New hope. New vision.
I can do this! And so can you!
I Thessalonians 1
In Acts 17, we saw where Paul had to escape Thessalonica by night because of the mobs. “Those who have upset the world have come here also,” was the cry of the Jews who were out to get the apostle.
Yet there were some who believed and Paul’s letters are to those. He commends them for “their work, their labor of love, and their steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” (V. 3)
These new believers have proven themselves because of their own testimonies to the cities around them. Their faith has reached to Macedonia and Achaia, among other places.
They have become imitators of Paul – and of the Lord as they have been persistent in their faith.
That’s what I would like to have said of us. Of you and me. I would like to be called steadfast in the spreading of the gospel. And I would like to be called an imitator of Jesus.
During the days this letter was written, persecution of Christians was rampant. If Paul himself had to be sent away for his safety, think about what awaited those who lived there and became followers. Their lives were on the line every time they proclaimed Jesus. Yet they did it anyway.
I pray that you and I will have the same boldness for the Lord. As we share the truth of the gospel at work – or with our friends, we may encounter some mocking. Yet let’s not let that stop us.
It takes courage and determination to live for Him. I pray that we have the strength to do it!
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.”
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
Isaiah 3-4
Whether it’s a nation, a church, or a family, groups of people need leadership. Of course, Jesus is ultimately everyone’s leader, but God’s design is for there to be “under leaders” representing Him and causing groups to work together in an orderly way to achieve His vision.
When leaders stop representing Him and begin to represent themselves, we have a problem. They turn their positions into self-serving roles. When leaders reject God, they reject wisdom, and become like spoiled children trying to lead. Their rebellion displays foolishness.
Rebellion and selfishness go hand in hand. When God’s people turn from him, they inevitably turn to self-centered lifestyles. In fact they begin putting themselves on a pedestal.
That’s what we see in these chapters of Isaiah. And God responds to their wicked ways. He is going to remove Himself from the scene – and believe me, that doesn’t make for a pretty sight.
Yet when our God has a rebuke for errant ways, He always has a promise of restoration to go along with it. In the 4th chapter of Isaiah we have promises of glorious days ahead – when the people turn back to God – and he will turn back to Him.
Our society in these times is in need of soul-searching. There are many who have not only turned away, they have mocked their Creator. Those of us who pray, should be praying for a turn-around.
We need God today – just as they did in the days of Isaiah! Today, just as in those days, there are self-centered, foolish leaders trying to lead – for their own gain.
Let’s pray for them – and check out our own leadership in our homes and on the job. Christ-centered leadership is the only kind that works.
Ephesians 2-3
God’s great mysteries are being revealed by God to Paul – and he in turn reveals them to us. “God did not reveal it to previous generations, but now by His spirit He has revealed it to His holy apostles and prophets.”(3:5)
There are two major revelations – which if we can receive, our lives will be transformed.
The first is that we are saved by grace and not by works. (2:8-10) That’s a concept that many repeat, without really knowing what it means. It means that salvation is not about being a “good” person, but about receiving the forgiveness provided by Jesus through the cross. It’s a free gift for us to receive – and honor.
None of us should feel that we have been good enough to earn God’s gift. We can’t earn it; it’s too big. What we can do is receive the gift and allow our Father to work within us, creating the masterpiece He had in mind when He designed us.
The second key revelation is that salvation is provided for all people who receive it. No longer are the Jews the only ones who are God’s people. All of us have a chance to be.
Now don’t get me wrong. Salvation is offered to all people of every nation, but not all will receive it. It’s a two-way deal and we have to buy in on it to have the gift in our lives.
I think of it a little like a contract for a purchase. A contract may be presented to you for the purchase of your home, but until you accept it and sign it, the offer doesn’t go forward. It’s the same with your salvation. An offer has been presented to you, but you have to accept it to receive the benefits.
I want to receive every detail of my Father’s offer. And I want to make sure that I receive every benefit available!
