What choice have you made? The choice is one of devotion and dependance. Will you choose to depend on the idols that clutter your life or will you depend wholeheartedly on God alone as the source of sufficiency? The story of Israel in Jeremiah speaks to the wayward human heart that battles against God. The word of God to Israel, ”Go, and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, ‘Return, faithless Israel, declares the LORD. I will not look on you in anger, for I am merciful, declares the LORD; I will not be angry forever. Only acknowledge your guilt, that you rebelled against the LORD your God and scattered your favors among foreigners under every green tree, and that you have not obeyed my voice, declares the LORD. Return, O faithless children, declares the LORD; for I am your master; I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion.’” Jeremiah 3:12-14 Would you turn away from your idols and back to God if you were Israel? Are you worshiping idols today, will you forsake them and cling to God? Continue Reading…
Choice is a matter of volition, faith a matter of heart: Jeremiah 3 and 4
God will where you cannot: Isaiah 64 and 65
“Will you restrain yourself at these things, O LORD? Will you keep silent, and afflict us so terribly?” Isaiah 64:12 Why is life difficult? Why does such evil dwell in the hearts of men? Did I do something to deserve this treatment, this life? ”There is no one who calls upon your name, who rouses himself to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us, and have made us melt in the hand of our iniquities. But now, O LORD, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand. Be not so terribly angry, O LORD, and remember not iniquity forever. Behold, please look, we are all your people.” Isaiah 64:7-9 Continue Reading…
Hope is truly hope when God’s fingerprints are evidenced: Isaiah 60 and 61
How has life become like this? Can I honestly talk to anyone, can anyone relate or understand? I am on a hopeless journey of life with no prospect for my future. What was once filled with joy, peace, and hope has become a deafening silence of the soul that speaks to my longing. Can you relate to these thoughts or feelings? We all go through moments where we doubt and even despair in our journey. Continue Reading…
Urgency and devotion of the hearts desire: Isaiah 56 and 57
“Thus says the LORD: ‘Keep justice, and do righteousness, for soon my salvation will come, and my deliverance be revealed.’” Isaiah 56:1 The message within Isaiah 56 and 57 talks of two groups of people, those who set their hearts toward God and those who set their hearts away from God. The message proclaimed is one of urgency, devotion, and dependence. The time is drawing near when God will collect all those who have trusted, hoped, and believed in His Son, Jesus Christ. Where have you set your heart? Are you resting steadfast upon the promises of God or have you decided that your life is your own kingdom to be conquered? There is hope for everyone. No matter where you find your hearts devotion you can turn and trust in God alone for your hope. Continue Reading…
Will you abdicate the throne of life to the True King: Isaiah 48 and 49
What can be learned of God? As we look upon the interaction between God and his creation throughout scripture we start to glimpse how perfect God is and the completely dysfunctionality of mankind. We easily align ourselves in complete allegiance to God but do we truly live as a child of God? “Hear this, O house of Jacob, who are called by the name of Israel, and who came from the waters of Judah, who swear by the name of the LORD and confess the God of Israel, but not in truth or right. For they call themselves after the holy city, and stay themselves on the God of Israel; the LORD of hosts is his name.” Isaiah 48:1,2 Have we progressed to a point where we only view our faith and religious endevours as chic, trendy, fashion? What percentage of people claim to be religious because they attend church once a year or because they feel in tune with themselves or nature? Continue Reading…
God’s eternal, purposed, redemption of humanity: Isaiah 11 and 12
We are a part of a great story. God’s redemptive purpose from eternity past to redeem mankind from sin is playing out to this day as people come to place their hope and trust in Jesus Christ. The amazing breadth of God’s purposed redemption of humanity can be seen when our present circumstances are placed into the story presented in the Bible. In Isaiah chapters 11 and 12 we are presented with the promise of a righteous and fair leader who will bring hope and healing. “There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear, but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins.” Isaiah 11:1-5 We are in the midst of God’s continuing promise to redeem humanity from their sins. Can you fathom the overwhelming love of God? Continue Reading…
The proliferation of hope to a broken world: Isaiah 9 and 10
“For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.” Isaiah 9:4-7 What did the promised Messiah mean to the people of Israel? Did the Israelites look upon the promise of God hope of carte blanche retaliation on all their oppressors and a restoration of the glory of Israel? What was offered when God promised a renewal of the kingdom of Israel. Continue Reading…
After the whirlwind of life is over where will you stand: Proverbs 9 and 10
There is great value found in the in the way of wisdom that manifests hope, purpose, and understanding in the lives of those who seek and treasure it. The curse of sin rages against wisdom by promising great dividends while only offering foolishness, despair, and death. “‘Whoever is naive, let him turn in here! ‘ To him who lacks understanding she says, ‘Come, eat of my food and drink of the wine I have mixed. Forsake your folly and live, and proceed in the way of understanding.’” Proverbs 9:4-6 Will you answer the call of wisdom? Will you heed the voice of wisdom and turn aside from the path of folly that leads to death? Continue Reading…
Wisdom came to save mankind from the curse of sin: Proverbs 7 and 8
“With here many persuasions she entices him; with her flattering lips she seduces him. Suddenly he follows her as an ox goes to slaughter, or as one in fetters to the discipline of a fool, until an arrow pierces through his liver; as a bird hastens to the snare, so he does not know that it will cost him his life. Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, and pay attention to the words of my mouth. Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways, do not stray into her paths. for many are the victims she has cast down, and numerous are all her slain. Her house is the way to Sheol, descending to the chambers of death.” Proverbs 7:21-27 Sin brings about death. There is no way for us to escape the peril of our sinful condition through any action of our own. We are drawn into the snare of sin that captures our heart, mind, soul and strength. We must run away from the death but as we run we find ourselves completely trapped. Continue Reading…
What provisions have you made for your journey through life: Proverbs 5 and 6
The exhortation of Solomon bestowed to us in Proverbs 5 and 6 continues his plea and call for mankind to regard wisdom and know the peril of sin. Sin is seductive and very pleasing to our eyes. Sin tells us that we can claim whatever we desire at any moment if we just follow our own selfish desires. Solomon presents another voice that we can listen to and this voice is not at the outset as appealing but hope and sustenance are found by heeding this voice. Do you desire to follow your sinful lusts or the quiet steadfast voice of wisdom. “For the lips of and adulteress drip honey and smoother than oil is her speech; but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword… Now then, my sons, listen to me and do not depart from the words of my mouth. Keep your way far from her and do not go near the door of her house.” Proverbs 5:3,4,7,8 There are two forces in this world that desire us wholeheartedly. Will you follow the path of sin and death or will you choose to submit your life to God and trust in true wisdom to save you. Continue Reading…
