Tooting Your Own Horn....

Who says “tooting your own horn” is not a desirable thing? King Solomon. And God too. We were never meant to praise ourselves. Let your actions speak for you. When you do this, God will surround you with people who will fill that need.

2 Let someone else praise you, not your own mouth–a stranger, not your own lips. Proverbs 27:2

Knowing Right, But Powerless To Do It...

Without God, people may know right from wrong, but they lack the power to do what’s right.

22 “My people are foolishand do not know Me,” says the Lord.“ They are stupid children who have no understanding. They are clever enough at doing wrong, but they have no idea how to do right!” Jeremiah 4:22

Wayward Hearts....

According to this passage, when we turn away from God, we damage our hearts. It’s only when we return to Him that He heals our wayward hearts.

“My wayward children,” says the Lord, “come back to Me, and I will heal your wayward hearts.” Jeremiah 3:22a

What God Wants.....

God reveals Himself throughout scripture. Here in Jeremiah chapter 3, we get a great portrait of want He wants from us. Our devotion, attention, more than anything else, our hearts committed to Him. Does this change the way you see God?

19 “I thought to Myself,‘I would love to treat you as My own children!’I wanted nothing more than to give you this beautiful land–the finest possession in the world.I looked forward to your calling Me ‘Father,’and I wanted you never to turn from Me.20 But you have been unfaithful to Me, you people of Israel!You have been like a faithless wife who leaves her husband.I, the Lord, have spoken.” Jeremiah 3:19-20

The Right People....

The only way to change America for the better is to take action. Voting is paramount. But even more important is praying and asking God to put the right people on the ballot.

15 And I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will guide you with knowledge and understanding. Jeremiah 3:15

Mistakes...

Learning from our own mistakes is paramount in our growth and maturity as human beings. But it’s just as important to learn from others’ mistakes. It teaches us without having to experience the pain and disappointment. If we pass up these opportunities to learn from others, we guarantee ourselves first hand experience in stupid regret.

6 During the reign of King Josiah, the Lord said to me, “Have you seen what fickle Israel has done? Like a wife who commits adultery, Israel has worshiped other gods on every hill and under every green tree. 7 I thought, ‘After she has done all this, she will return to Me.’ But she did not return, and her faithless sister Judah saw this. 8 She saw that I divorced faithless Israel because of her adultery. But that treacherous sister Judah had no fear, and now she, too, has left Me and given herself to prostitution. 9 Israel treated it all so lightly–she thought nothing of committing adultery by worshiping idols made of wood and stone. So now the land has been polluted. 10 But despite all this, her faithless sister Judah has never sincerely returned to Me. She has only pretended to be sorry. I, the Lord, have spoken!” Jeremiah 3:6-10

Repentance That Lacks Contrition...

Repentance that lacks contrition or conviction really isn’t repentance at all. It’s more like dragging God’s grace through the mud and expecting it to still benefit you. You can only pretend for so long. The only person you’re fooling is yourself. Change only occurs when it comes from a pure heart fully surrendered to God. It’s only then that sincerity will begin to live in your heart. The kind of sincerity that God honors.

4 Yet you say to Me, ‘Father, You have been my guide since my youth. 5 Surely You won’t be angry forever! Surely You can forget about it! ‘So you talk, but you keep on doing all the evil you can.” Jeremiah 3:4-5

“Plow up the hard ground of your hearts!Do not waste your good seed among thorns.4 O people of Judah and Jerusalem, surrender your pride and power. Change your hearts before the Lord, or My anger will burn like an unquenchable fire because of all your sins. Jeremiah 4:3c-4

In God We Trust....

The first step in restoring America today is the realization and acceptance of what it has done wrong. First, it has abandoned God. Second, it has tried to replace Him with broken vessels. In order to get back to being an effective, truth bearing society, it must deal with these two issues. If it continues to go in its rebellious direction, woe to America. It’s ironic how people live their lives driven by the lure of the dollar bill, yet fail to take heed to what’s actually printed on it, “In God We Trust”.

Has any nation ever traded its gods for new ones, even though they are not gods at all? Yet My people have exchanged their glorious God for worthless idols! 12 The heavens are shocked at such a thing and shrink back in horror and dismay, ”says the Lord.13 “For My people have done two evil things: They have abandoned Me–the fountain of living water. And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all! Jeremiah 2:11-13

17 And you have brought this upon yourselvesby rebelling against the Lord your God,even though He was leading you on the way! Jeremiah 2:17

19 Your wickedness will bring its own punishment.Your turning from Me will shame you.You will see what an evil, bitter thing it isto abandon the Lord your God and not to fear Him.I, the Lord, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, have spoken! Jeremiah 2:19

26 “Israel is like a thief who feels shame only when he gets caught. They, their kings, officials, priests, and prophets–all are alike in this. Jeremiah 2:26

31 “O My people, listen to the words of the Lord!Have I been like a desert to Israel?Have I been to them a land of darkness?Why then do My people say, ‘At last we are free from God!We don’t need Him anymore!’ Jeremiah 2:31

35 And yet you say,‘I have done nothing wrong.Surely God isn’t angry with me!’But now I will punish you severelybecause you claim you have not sinned. Jeremiah 2:35

A Fragrant Offering....

In the OT, fragrant offerings were given to honor God. Does your life reflect the fragrance of a field of flowers, honoring God? Or does your fragrant offering resemble a four day old bouquet of flowers still setting on the counter waiting to be recycled? Our service to God is our offering to Him. The question is: is it faithful? Is it our best?

17 But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. Philippians 2:17

Living With and Without God...

Finishing up the book of Isaiah tends to make me think of the difference in living with God and living without Him. All of this brings home a clearer picture of (as W.E. Vine says) “The folly, futility, and sinfulness of pursuing our own way, carrying out our own designs and turning after that and which God cannot take pleasure, instead of waiting upon Him, listening to His voice, and the delighting in the fulfillment of His Will. Through our walking with God, He fulfills, and will fulfill, all the promises of His word. He responds to delighted confidence in Him, by adding an Amen to His assurance. The peace of an obedient heart and a trusting spirit is that which enjoys the sunshine of His countenance and the calmness of holy communion with Him.”

22 “As surely as My new heavens and earth will remain, so will you always be My people, with a name that will never disappear,” says the Lord. Isaiah 66:22

Deterrents Serve a Purpose....

I recently read of a story about how parents who placed boundaries on their children behaviors, prevented them in the future from becoming drug users, sex addicts, or alcoholics. Simply by putting limits on certain activities, and discussing why these limits were there, acted as a deterrent to those types of behaviors. I look to society today and I see the protests going on everywhere. Sure people have the right to protest, but it seems like their rights to protest trump the rights of those displaying “deterrents” to certain types of behavior; abortion, same sex relationships, redefining the absolute meanings of words, and the legalization of certain drugs, to name a few. If research proves deterrents are useful and effective, why then are so many people protesting the display of them? One answer might just be that people have a hatred for light. Light exposes evil deeds. These people want to be left alone in the dark where they can continue live out their free-will, on their own terms. That’s fine with me. I only have a problem when they tell me I have to accept their behavior, and must teach my children that it’s okay, and when I refuse, they want to punish me. Hypocrisy is one thing Jesus hated, and brought to light in many instances. Tolerance is a double-edged sword. People need to be careful how they hold it, or it just may sever their own hand. Deterrents serve a purpose, God knows this. It’s why there will always be people speaking truth into a dark world. To rescue the remaining people destined for His Glory. Effective discipline/punishment will always be a deterrent to sinful behavior.

24 And as they go out, they will seethe dead bodies of those who have rebelled against Me.For the worms that devour them will never die,and the fire that burns them will never go out.All who pass by will view them with utter horror.” Isaiah 66:24

Where the Rubber Meets the Road....

As J Vernon McAgee used to always say, “my friend, this is where the rubber meets the road”. When it comes to explaining the sinful nature of man, that resides in all living human beings (yes, that means you and me), it couldn’t be more spelled out than here in Isaiah chapter 66. When we deliberately go against God, what we know to be true, it is sin. When we fight others and ourselves over issues we know are wrong, but try to justify them, it is sin. Deliberately ignoring God’s calling is an act of rebellion, and it’s a sin that will destroy the fabric of our lives. Knowing it, and yet still doing it, is the heart of our sinful nature. We all have it in us, it’s part of the choice of freewill. We always have a choice, but unredeemed, we don’t have the power to overcome these moments of temptation. Only God can grant us that. The road to redemption starts at the realization of this truth, and accepting its reality. We are all weak, fragile, and insecure. Until we realize we are in need of rescue (that’s what the Savior Jesus does), our lives will be filled will shame, guilt, sadness, and lots of regrets; the biggest coming at the end of our life.

For when I called, they did not answer. When I spoke, they did not listen. They deliberately sinned before My very eyes and chose to do what they know I despise.” Isaiah 66:4c

But Man Messed It Up....

People will always ask the question, “why does God allow evil to exist”? And part of the answer will always be (on this earth), He has to. If He didn’t, we would all be dead. He allows the wheat to grow along side the tares. If He pulled up the tares, the wheat would be destroyed with it. For those that can’t get past this question, listen to this. God has a plan. His plan was, from the beginning, to create human beings, and from their birth, establish a life-long, daily relationship with them; to walk with God. There would be no more death, disease, famine, plagues, or suffering. But man messed it up. God has a plan to redeem mankind from his mistake, but it is an individual, volitional, daily decision we all must make. His plan can redeem and restore the soul of a man. It has always been His plan, and one day (hopefully sooner than later), it will come to fruition. His intended plan can be seen here in Isaiah chapter 65. This just shows us we are wrong to accuse Him of any kind of evil or malicious intent when we either don’t understand the “why” of an event, or refuse to see His sovereign hand working in our lives for our good when tragedy strikes. His plan will be made a reality in the future. It doesn’t matter if we believe it to be true, for it will happen. What does matter is where our heart is in relation to His.

I will rejoice over Jerusalem and delight in My people.And the sound of weeping and cryingwill be heard in it no more. 20 “No longer will babies die when only a few days old.No longer will adults die before they have lived a full life.No longer will people be considered old at one hundred!Only the cursed will die that young!21 In those days people will live in the houses they buildand eat the fruit of their own vineyards.22 Unlike the past, invaders will not take their housesand confiscate their vineyards.For My people will live as long as trees,and My chosen ones will have time to enjoy their hard-won gains.23 They will not work in vain,and their children will not be doomed to misfortune.For they are people blessed by the Lord,and their children, too, will be blessed.24 I will answer them before they even call to Me.While they are still talking about their needs,I will go ahead and answer their prayers!25 The wolf and the lamb will feed together.The lion will eat hay like a cow.But the snakes will eat dust.In those days no one will be hurt or destroyed on My holy mountain.I, the Lord, have spoken!” Isaiah 65:19c-25

The Problem of Piety....

It’s easy to become pious, to allow your belief system to become “religious”. You start to disassociate with non-believers. You look down on others who don’t hold your same views. And worst of all, you think you are better than other people because you “do” certain things others don’t “do”. How does God see this type of behavior? He sees it as a stench of acrid smell that never goes away. Wow, and you thought you were doing Him a favor by being so pious? When our behavior begins to resemble these attributes, it’s a sure sign of one thing, we are not as close to God as we think. If we were, humility would be saturating our mannerisms.

5 Yet they say to each other, ‘Don’t come too close or you will defile me! I am holier than you! ’These people are a stench in My nostrils, an acrid smell that never goes away. Isaiah 65:5

“I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts, who tremble at My word. Isaiah 66:2c

Above the Law....

Modern day protesters and politicians and those who feel above the law need to read Proverbs 26 verse 27. They need to remember Haman in the book of Esther. They need to remember Nabal in first Samuel. When you stand against the truth, the truth will crush you. The truth has an ironic way of twisting the offender’s plot and turning it back up on himself. But the truth will also set you free when you stand on Its proper side. Never forget the Source of truth, God himself.

27 If you set a trap for others, you will get caught in it yourself. If you roll a boulder down on others, it will crush you instead. Proverbs 26:27 | NLT

Actions Speak Louder....

One thing I always tell people, when it comes to discernment regarding the true nature of a person’s character, is time will be the determining factor. As Jesus said, “you will know a tree by the fruit it bears”. What people say and what people do will eventually reveal their character. If they match up, then you’ll know if their genuine or not. They’re either genuinely evil, or have a heart for God and their actions prove it. No one is perfect, but those who truly seek God, will respond differently when they “screw up”. Don’t take what people say as law and gospel. Let their actions speak louder. They will eventually prove what kind of tree they are, when the fruit starts to appear. Actions speak louder than mere words. Genuineness is proven by the fruit a person bears. You can only pretend for so long.

24 People may cover their hatred with pleasant words, but they’re deceiving you.25 They pretend to be kind, but don’t believe them. Their hearts are full of many evils. 26 While their hatred may be concealed by trickery, their wrongdoing will be exposed in public. Proverbs 26:24-26

Living “Blessed by God”...

Do you live your life in such a way that people see you as blessed by God? Do you give credit where credit is due? Do you express your gratitude towards your Savior? When people are around you does it inspire them to pursue God personally? Does your life have the aroma of a fragrant offering? Do you love your neighbor, enough to witness truth to them? Do you have a heart for justice, mercy, and compassion? Does truth resonate throughout your speech? Do you love unconditionally? Do you point others to God when they are struggling and need answers? Does the way you live your life make it easy for others to believe in God? If not, what do you think is holding you back?

9 Their descendants will be recognized and honored among the nations. Everyone will realize that they are a people the Lord has blessed.” Isaiah 61:9

The Consequences of Outdated....

People say the Bible is outdated, it antiquated, it’s not relavant today. Reading through Isaiah chapter 59, I have found substantial evidence that proves God’s word to be true (relevant today). Written almost 2700 years ago, it’s relevance couldn’t be more accurate for the ever-changing (for the worse) sinful nature of man. You can read the entire chapter, but these words ring true today. Honesty is outlawed, and anyone who renounced evil is attacked. Does that not sound exactly like what’s going on in America today? “Don’t tell me what I can and cannot do”! The funny thing about hypocrisy and tolerance is the people promoting tolerance and opposing hypocrisy are doing the very opposite thing they oppose or promote. “Be tolerant of my .....”, but I won’t be tolerant of your view (if it opposes my view). “I will prosecute you if you cross the line”, but I move the line when it applies to me. In the end, just like in Isaiah’s day, God’s Justice will be served. And those that oppose Him, await their own demise. Sin is a bad thing, but it can be dealt with. You just have to be willing to handle its consequences, and be responsible to our Maker. God’s word ring true today, and it’s just as important today as it was in Isaiah’s day.

13 We know we have rebelled and have denied the Lord.We have turned our backs on our God.We know how unfair and oppressive we have been,carefully planning our deceitful lies.14 Our courts oppose the righteous,and justice is nowhere to be found.Truth stumbles in the streets,and honesty has been outlawed.15 Yes, truth is gone,and anyone who renounces evil is attacked. The Lord looked and was displeased to find there was no justice. Isaiah 59:13-15

Idolatrous Worship....

Idolatrous worship: when people worship anything substituted in God’s place. How does God respond to these practices? Cheated... people will go to the ends of the earth to try to fill the void of God’s presence and deserved worship. Death doesn’t even stop some from pushing the envelope. It’s amazes me to see the extent to which some go in their efforts to replace God with something else. The only thing this practice eventually achieves, is God being cheated out of what is rightfully His, and the justified condemnation of the practitioner. The only inheritance they will receive is false security, deception, and a life void of truth. And worst of all, no peace.

Good people pass away;the godly often die before their time.But no one seems to care or wonder why.No one seems to understandthat God is protecting them from the evil to come.2 For those who follow godly pathswill rest in peace when they die. Idolatrous Worship Condemned 3 “But you–come here, you witches’ children,you offspring of adulterers and prostitutes!4 Whom do you mock,making faces and sticking out your tongues?You children of sinners and liars!5 You worship your idols with great passionbeneath the oaks and under every green tree.You sacrifice your children down in the valleys,among the jagged rocks in the cliffs.6 Your gods are the smooth stones in the valleys.You worship them with liquid offerings and grain offerings.They, not I, are your inheritance.Do you think all this makes Me happy?7 You have committed adultery on every high mountain.There you have worshiped idols and have been unfaithful to Me.8 You have put pagan symbolson your doorposts and behind your doors. You have left Meand climbed into bed with these detestable gods.You have committed yourselves to them.You love to look at their naked bodies.9 You have given olive oil to Molech with many gifts of perfume. You have traveled far, even into the world of the dead, to find new gods to love.10 You grew weary in your search,but you never gave up.Desire gave you renewed strength,and you did not grow weary. 11 “Are you afraid of these idols?Do they terrify you? Is that why you have lied to Me and forgotten Me and My words? Is it because of My long silence that you no longer fear Me? 12 Now I will expose your so-called good deeds.None of them will help you.13 Let’s see if your idols can save you when you cry to them for help. Why, a puff of wind can knock them down! If you just breathe on them, they fall over! But whoever trusts in Me will inherit the land and possess My holy mountain. Isaiah 57:1-13

20 “But those who still reject Me are like the restless sea, which is never still but continually churns up mud and dirt.21 There is no peace for the wicked,” says my God. Isaiah 57:20-21

An Eternal Name...

Just imagine, for the faithful, true believer, God has given you a name that will last forever.

5 I will give them–within the walls of My house–a memorial and a name far greater than sons and daughters could give.For the name I give them is an everlasting one.It will never disappear! Isaiah 56:5

Much More to the Story...

There are reasons for everything. Sometimes we just fail to see them. The older I get, the more I begin to think about reasons why things happen. Things like Alzheimer’s, cancer, disease, murder, accidents, struggles and trials, etc... I begin to realize God’s hand in it. I may not fully understand the “why” or the pain it causes, but I see more and more of God’s grace and mercy being played out. When I hear the atheist or God haters ask the question, “why would God allow a child to suffer from cancer?”, I know for a fact that person has bitterness and hurt stored up inside them. I know that forgiveness is a foreign concept to them. I don’t have an answer to the question, but I do know that God allows and permits things to happen for His purpose. A little suffering now won’t compare to the glory all believers will experience one day. And for that child who suffers from cancer, God rescues them from their pain, and promises the day He meets them face to face, there will be no more pain, or tears, or suffering. He will gather them up, like a mother hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and they will rejoice in His presence. When a child dies, the only pain and suffering that’s left is with the living, for the child is with God in paradise. God is sovereign, we must trust His process, and start seeing with more spiritual eyes. Things are not always as they appear. With God, there’s always much more to the story.

1 Good people pass away; the godly often die before their time. But no one seems to care or wonder why. No one seems to understandthat God is protecting them from the evil to come. 2 For those who follow godly paths will rest in peace when they die. Isaiah 57:1-2

Debit or Credit....

The opposition always brings up the argument that people in OT times weren’t given the grace that Jesus ushered in the NT. I guess they’ve never read Isaiah chapters 53-55. Here in chapter 55 we clearly see the invitation to respond to the call of God. God’s Grace has never changed. The only difference between the OT and the NT is the way you view it. OT looked forward to it ( God granted it based on credit), and the NT looks back to it (based on debit). God grace has always been the same, it has to be, because God doesn’t change.

1 “Is anyone thirsty?Come and drink–even if you have no money!Come, take your choice of wine or milk–it’s all free! 2 Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength?Why pay for food that does you no good?Listen to Me, and you will eat what is good.You will enjoy the finest food. 3 “Come to Me with your ears wide open.Listen, and you will find life.I will make an everlasting covenant with you.I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David.4 See how I used him to display My power among the peoples.I made him a leader among the nations.5 You also will command nations you do not know,and peoples unknown to you will come running to obey,because I, the Lord your God,the Holy One of Israel, have made you glorious.” 6 Seek the Lord while you can find Him.Call on Him now while He is near.7 Let the wicked change their waysand banish the very thought of doing wrong.Let them turn to the Lord that He may have mercy on them.Yes, turn to our God, for He will forgive generously. 8 “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.“And My ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,so My ways are higher than your waysand My thoughts higher than your thoughts. 10 “The rain and snow come down from the heavensand stay on the ground to water the earth.They cause the grain to grow,producing seed for the farmerand bread for the hungry.11 It is the same with My word.I send it out, and it always produces fruit.It will accomplish all I want it to,and it will prosper everywhere I send it.12 You will live in joy and peace.The mountains and hills will burst into song,and the trees of the field will clap their hands!13 Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow.Where nettles grew, myrtles will sprout up.These events will bring great honor to the Lord’s name;they will be an everlasting sign of His power and love.” Isaiah 55

God’s Word Never Returns Void....

God’s word never returns void. It always accomplishes what it is set out to do (purpose), and nothing can stop it. Do you believe this? Does it reflect in your life? Believers have the greatest gift setting on their nightstands, end tables, and book shelves, that answers the bell every time it rings. Why do we take it for granted? Why do we look elsewhere for answers?

11 It is the same with My word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it. Isaiah 55:11

You Complete Me.....

In the movie “Jerry Maguire”, there comes a scene at the end of the movie that melts every woman’s heart. Jerry says those famous movie words, “you complete me”. These warm and fuzzy words make us all feel good. But this isn’t possible for man if God isn’t in it. No one is complete. It’s not until a person humbles himself, allowing honesty to reign in his heart through repentance, that Christ comes and makes His home there. When this happens, we are made complete with the fullness and power that comes from God. It’s a work that God can only do, but we have to ask and comply.

14 When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, 15 the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. 16 I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. 21 Glory to Him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:14-21

Displaying God’s Wisdom...

We, like Paul, are commissioned to tell others about the endless treasures available to them in Christ. God’s purpose for the Church is to display His wisdom to all. Remember, unbelievers are blinded to the truth. It’s our duty to show people God’s plan. We do this in word and deed. It’s not our obligation to change someone, for only God can do that, it’s only to present the Gospel in its true light. And that is only accomplished through God’s power being effectively displayed through our accepting of His plan. His grace is sufficient. It works best when we humble ourselves, getting out of God’s way, and allowing Him to speak through and demonstrate with us. We have to know this, in order to be effective witnesses.

8 Though I am the least deserving of all God’s people, He graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ. 9 I was chosen to explain to everyone this mysterious plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning. 10 God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display His wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was His eternal plan, which He carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord.12 Because of Christ and our faith in Him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence. 13 So please don’t lose heart because of my trials here. I am suffering for you, so you should feel honored. Ephesians 3:8-13

The Messiah....

Isaiah chapter 53 is about Jesus, or as the Jews would call Him, the Messiah. It’s fascinating to hear or see a Jews reaction to this chapter. Many have deleted it from history. Others never read it. Here’s a very powerful video of a man reading it to people in Israel. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cGz9BVJ_k6s Watch their reactions. Everyone agrees about Who it’s about, yet it doesn’t change their hearts. Amazing, isn’t it? Just goes to show that knowledge doesn’t change a heart, only God can do that.

1 Who has believed our message?To whom has the Lord revealed His powerful arm?2 My Servant grew up in the Lord’s presence like a tender green shoot,like a root in dry ground.There was nothing beautiful or majestic about His appearance,nothing to attract us to Him.3 He was despised and rejected–a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.We turned our backs on Him and looked the other way.He was despised, and we did not care. 4 Yet it was our weaknesses He carried;it was our sorrows that weighed Him down.And we thought His troubles were a punishment from God,a punishment for His own sins!5 But He was pierced for our rebellion,crushed for our sins.He was beaten so we could be whole.He was whipped so we could be healed.6 All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.We have left God’s paths to follow our own.Yet the Lord laid on Himthe sins of us all. 7 He was oppressed and treated harshly,yet He never said a word.He was led like a lamb to the slaughter.And as a sheep is silent before the shearers,He did not open His mouth.8 Unjustly condemned,He was led away.No one cared that He died without descendants,that His life was cut short in midstream.But He was struck downfor the rebellion of My people.9 He had done no wrongand had never deceived anyone.But He was buried like a criminal;He was put in a rich man’s grave. 10 But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush Himand cause Him grief.Yet when His life is made an offering for sin,He will have many descendants.He will enjoy a long life,and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in His hands.11 When He sees all that is accomplished by His anguish,He will be satisfied.And because of His experience,My righteous Servant will make it possiblefor many to be counted righteous,for He will bear all their sins.12 I will give Him the honors of a victorious soldier,because He exposed Himself to death.He was counted among the rebels.He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels. Isaiah 53:1-12

Dealing with the Bible....

All religions have to deal with the Bible. They have to give an answer for it, to explain it to it’s own practitioners. An example of this would be the Hindu’s response to Hebrews 9:27. We all die once, not over and over, until we reach nirvana. Here in Isaiah chapter 53 we read of the prophecy of Jesus. It says He died without any descendants. That means he didn’t have children. The Mormon faith would argue some different meaning, but it’s crystal clear as to what it says. When we read the Bible, we have to be very careful to interpret correctly, avoiding the natural tendency to make it mean what suits our needs. We need to accept God’s word as it is, not for what we want it to be.

8 Unjustly condemned,He was led away. No one cared that He died without descendants, that His life was cut short in midstream. But He was struck down for the rebellion of My people. Isaiah 53:8

A Humble Position...

With hatred, racism, and violence being rampart in today’s world, everyone looks for a solution. The sad part is the ultimate Solution is being overlooked, surpassed by pride, ignorance, and rebellion. The end of racism can be found at the foot of the cross; you just have to be willing to meet there. There’s level ground at Jesus’ feet. People aren’t so high and mighty when they are in a humble position (on their knees).

14 For Christ Himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in His own body on the cross, He broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. 15 He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in Himself one new people from the two groups. 16 Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of His death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death.17 He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from Him, and peace to the Jews who were near. 18 Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us. Ephesians 2:14-18

Lead From the Front, Protect From the Back....

When you come to know God, I mean truly know the God of the Bible, you begin to realize the peace, comfort, and confidence God brings into the relationship is real. If you were a child hiking out in the wilderness, and all of the sudden your parents both left you, how would you feel? You’d probably panic, be so scared, and eventually sit down and cry out for help. You’d be sad, scared, and lonely. Your parents wouldn’t be there for you, to lead, teach, provide, and protect. This would shape your thinking, and drive your actions; all because of this new found set of circumstances. For the believer, when God is paramount in your life, you never have to worry about Him leaving or abandoning you. For He says, “I will never leave or forsake you” (Heb 13:5-6). This is the peace that passes all understanding. It’s knowing God has your back. This doesn’t make life easier, it just gives us the confidence of knowing that whatever happens, God with be there with us, helping us through it. He will lead from the front, and protect us from the back. We just have to faithfully follow, moving forward, not stagnating, paralyzed with fear, shame, or regret. And certainly not trying to live in the past. We can trust God to do what He says He’ll do, and that trust helps us constantly move forward with confidence.

12 You will not leave in a hurry, running for your lives. For the Lord will go ahead of you; yes, the God of Israel will protect you from behind. Isaiah 52:12

7 They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them.8 They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly. Psalms 112:7-8

Confident Hope....

Faith in God equals confident hope. Is this something you strive for? Is this how you see your faith? Is this how you measure your temperament? If not, why? When you trust God with your day, everything becomes a blessing, because you know you’re not standing in His way with your pride or selfishness. God honors those that honor Him.

I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope He has given to those He called–His holy people who are His rich and glorious inheritance. Ephesians 1:18a

The Flesh vs the Spirit....

The flesh vs the Spirit, it’s a constant battle. It’s a battle worth fighting. The greatest thing about Grace is knowing when we mess up, it’s not permanent.

16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. 17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. 18 But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses. Galatians 5:16-18