A Sacred Marriage

King James Bible Daily Devotion – Learning Scripture One Day At A Time
Date: Saturday, August 08, 2015
Chapters: Isaiah 61-63
Message Title: A Sacred Marriage

Hello My Friend,

Marriage, a union, a vow, a covenant between a man and woman, marriage is very sacred to God, in fact, it is so sacred that He calls those who believe in and accept His Son His bride. When you think about it, the second a person receives Christ there is a ring placed on that soul, a ring of blood, and this ring cannot be removed, even if we tried. His blood is the most precious gift we can ever receive from this marriage, and it is something that will last for eternity. “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:” - 1 Peter 1:18,19.

There is more to a marriage with Jesus than just salvation of our souls, just like any marriage it grows the closer we get to Him. A person who is growing closer to Christ truly stands out from the rest, even those in the world see Him in them, they might not know that it is Him, but they know there is something different. Through Isaiah, God reveals the blessings that come to a soul that unites with His Son.

“For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them. For I the LORD love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the LORD hath blessed. I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.” - Isaiah 61:7-10.

Before we come to know Jesus and join in marriage, we are lost, confused, and full of guilt and shame from sin. The good that we try to do never erases the bad, it literally haunts us forever, that is until we meet Jesus. Once we accept Him as our Saviour we are forgiven, set free from all that guilt and shame because He covers us with His robe of righteousness. “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.” - Romans 6:16-18.

Now, Jesus speaks to those who believe in Him and accept Him, He has an amazing gift that God Himself will give to all who join Him in marriage. “For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth. And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name. Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God. Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married.” - Isaiah 62:1-4.

Hephzibah, my delight is in her, Beulah, married, Jesus is saying if you trust in me, believe in me, and receive me than I will delight in You, my bride. God delights in every soul that receives His Son, they are no longer alone and will never be forsaken. Does God delight in all the things we do? No. He delights in our souls, because that is what is saved, and once His Son returns we will receive our crown and even have a new name. All the trials and tribulations we endure as a Bride of Christ will be worth the amazing gifts awaiting us when He comes to get us. “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.” - James 1:12,17,21.

A marriage with Christ is not like one between a husband and wife, yes it is sacred, and it takes a lot of effort and love to make it grow and bloom into something beautiful, but this is a spiritual marriage. Many people know of Him, and even believe that He died for man, but they do not all accept Him. Through Isaiah we find Jesus speaking to Israel about Judgment Day. He reveals a prophecy of the Jews rejecting the Messiah, who had become their adversary instead of Saviour.

“And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me. And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth. I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses. For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour. In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old. But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them.” - Isaiah 63:5-10.

The only begotten Son of God became the Angel or Messenger of His love, He redeemed them, yet they were never happy, despising and persecuting His prophets, and eventually rejecting and crucifying the promised Messiah. Many of the Jews still acknowledge God's great mercies and favors to their nation, but fail to recognize Christ as the Messiah they have been waiting for. Jew or Gentile, we are not exempt from judgment unless we are joined with the Saviour. “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.”- 1 Corinthians 12:12-14.

Today's Prayer: Jesus, You are my Lord and Savior, I believe in the sacrifice that You made for me, and the day I accepted You as my Saviour was the day You put Your ring of salvation on me. One day I will join You at the marriage feast, I know my works do not get me into heaven, but they do show You how much I love You. Lord, lead me and guide me, let me enter and remain under Your wings, protected and comforted in Your loving arms, at all times. Never let me forget that I am Yours and You are mine and no matter what I have done or will do that that will never change. I love You, Lord and ask this in Your name, Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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Let Christ Be LORD

King James Bible Daily Devotion – Learning Scripture One Day At A Time
Date: Friday, August 07, 2015
Chapters: Isaiah 57-60
Message Title: Let Christ Be LORD

Hello My Friend,

Christianity as we know it is on a steady decline, it use to mean something to say that you are a Christian, it meant honesty, integrity, and trustworthy. That is not the case anymore, and let me tell you, the majority of those who call themselves Christians do not even know Jesus Christ as their Saviour. What exactly is a Christian? It's a sinner saved by the grace of God through Jesus Christ, who let's Christ be LORD of their lives. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.” - Titus 3:5-8.

The world is looking for any reason they can to discredit Christians, but who they are really trying to discredit is God. I do not know how many times someone comes at me questioning how such a loving God can allow a child to be hurt or even to be born under gruesome circumstances. The truth is, God does not allow it, people do, but He will use any circumstance to bring others to His Son, even death. Through Isaiah, God reminds both Jew and Gentile that even death has no end for those who believe in His Holy One.

“The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come. He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness. When thou criest, let thy companies deliver thee; but the wind shall carry them all away; vanity shall take them: but he that putteth his trust in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain; And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumblingblock out of the way of my people. For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” - Isaiah 57:1,2,13-15.

We will never understand all of the ways in which God proves His love, but we can understand that He will even use the worse circumstances to reveal His Son, who is the greatest proof of all of His love. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” - John 3:16-18.

John 3:16 is probably the most quoted passage from the Bible, yet the majority of people who quote it have no idea what it means, and what follows that. There are huge consequences for those who do not believe in His Son. Yet, we all want God's blessings in our lives, everyone does, even those who do not know Christ. The problem is, not everyone wants to make Christ LORD of their lives, if they did that it means they would have to give up some of the things they love to do. Through Isaiah, God has something to say to those who seek His blessings, but do it for their own glory and not God's.

“Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God. Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours. Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high. Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?” - Isaiah 58:2-5.

Godly fasting is the most unselfish act a person can do and one that does get God's attention, it is omitting a meal or two in an attempt to get God's attention, not for personal gain (losing weight, revenge, etc.). Every person here on earth is capable of doing something evil, no matter how good we were brought up, we all have some wickedness in us, and this is why we can never do enough good to measure up to God's standard. Through Isaiah, God reminds all who are saved and fall away from Christ of why their salvation is only through Christ.

“Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness. None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity. And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.” - Isaiah 59:1-4,16.

Intercessor, Christ is our intercessor, the middleman that takes us to God and saves us from our iniquities. If we are saved and live a sinful life we can expect some judgment, but Christ will never let us go, He is right there holding on to us simply through our faith in Him. One day all this will be over and we who are saved and have endured all the judgments and trials from our loving Father will join Christ in His Kingdom, this goes for both Jew and Gentile who believes in and accepts His Son.

“Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise. The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory. Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended. Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.” - Isaiah 60:1,2,18-21.

Today's Prayer: God, I cannot fathom the amazing grace that You gave me and still give me, to take a life that was a complete mess and turn it into one that has meaning is truly a miracle that only You can produce. Thank You God, for seeing something in me that is of good use to you, thank you for your grace and mercy and for never giving up on me. God, as I humble myself before You, be merciful to me, a sinner, lead me and guide me, help me to never cease from Christ being LORD of my life. I love You Lord and ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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God's Thoughts

King James Bible Daily Devotion – Learning Scripture One Day At A Time – Words of Jesus Underlined
Date: Thursday, August 06, 2015
Chapters: Isaiah 52-56
Message Title: God's Thoughts

Hello My Friend,

Sin, it's a word the world shuns, but even they know that some things are just wrong to do. No one is proud of sinful behavior, in fact, the reason so many people get caught up in drugs and other addictions is because of sinful behavior. Sin does not just separate us from God, it separates us from everyone else as well, and that is why God does not look to our own righteousness as a means for our salvation. We simply cannot do enough good to keep ourselves from the punishments we face from sin. “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” - Romans 3:10,20,23.

Since sin is the one thing that keeps us from truly enjoying the life that God has given us and separates us from God and everyone else, it's imperative that God would come up with a way that we would be set free from it. Now, God could have chosen any way to set a body and soul free from the bondage of sin, but He chose a man, not just any man, a man that would be His Son, a servant. Through Isaiah, God describes His Son.

“Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.” - Isaiah 53:1-3,8-10.

There is one thing that all people living in sin avoid, that is Jesus, you cannot look at Jesus or anyone who walks with Him and not feel shame and guilt over sin. God sent Jesus to be the offering that would set a body and soul free from sin once and for all. Jesus took the punishment that we all deserve for our sins, and it pleased God that He gave His life to save our lives. Now, Jesus could have at any time forsaken His calling to be that sacrifice, He could have chosen not to give His life for a bunch of stubborn, self centered, sinful people, but He did it anyway. Jesus gave His life so that we can truly be set free from the bondage and punishments that follows sin. “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” - Hebrews 4:14-16.

We are reminded that God made each and every one of us, and while sin separates us from Him, His Holy One reunites us because of His mercy. “For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called. For the LORD hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God. For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer. No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.” - Isaiah 54:5-8,17.

Their righteousness is of me, when we believe in Christ and accept Him as the payment for our sin debt, God no longer sees a stubborn, self centered, sinner, He sees His Son, and His righteousness. It is His righteousness that keeps us from being forsaken by God, it is His righteousness that redeems us and sets us free from the bondage of sin. Oh, we will have to endure some chastening for sin, but it will not last, God's mercy will never leave those who come to Christ. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” - 1 John 1:8-10.
Since God sees things differently, naturally the flesh is not going to see eye to eye on the way He handles some things. Fear not, our Maker, Redeemer, the only and only, Jesus Christ, is here. While we may have to endure some suffering here on earth for sin, it will not last, because God's mercy endures. “Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” - Isaiah 55:3,6-9.

My thoughts are not your thoughts, God has much more in store for us than we think, we just are not always willing to wait for God to show them to us. Seek the LORD while He may be found, that is an understatement. The more corrupt our nations get the harder it is going to see Christ, and let me tell you, Christians who are just living the way they please with no thoughts on what it is doing, better step it up because we are the only hope there is left in this world. If the world cannot see Christ in us then why would they see the need for Him to be in their lives, especially if we are living more wicked lives than they are. God's mercy keeps the saved saved even when they are not living right, but until they return to Him they will continue to suffer.

“Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.” - 1 Peter 4:16-19.

Today's Prayer: God, While I do not understand all Your ways, I do understand that You reveal things to us as we are ready to know them, and you have a reason and purpose for everything You do and allow. I am going to be short and simple today, all I ask is for Your Power, give me Your Power God. Give me Your power. It is only through Your power that I can even get up in the morning. Give me Your power in every area of my life, give me Your power to endure all the challenges that You place before me, and the ones I bring about myself. I love You, Lord and ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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Listening When God Speaks

King James Bible Daily Devotion – Learning Scripture One Day At A Time – Words Of Jesus Underlined
Date: Wednesday, August 05, 2015
Chapters: Isaiah 47-51
Message Title: Listening When God Speaks

Hello My Friend,

There are times when you read the Bible and you are like, I've read this before, but there are other times when something so strong hits you that you literally cry when you hear what God is saying to you. I believe God speaks to us more in His Word when we are weary, broken hearted, or starting to walk down a path that can get us into trouble. If I have learned anything this year it is that God watches over His people like a hawk, and He tries to get our attention in many ways, all we have to do to hear Him is listen. “A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:” - Proverbs 1:5.

When you read the Book of Isaiah, the entire Bible comes out, everything from creation to judgment day is contained in this book. Something else is contained in this book, something that many Jews overlook, Jesus. Now, Jesus is found in every book, which is why they know of the Messiah, but rarely will you see a Jew read any of the prophecy books. Why? If they did they would have to admit that Jesus is the Messiah they have been waiting for, and that is something many refuse to do. Through Isaiah, God makes it clear that He will not save Israel (the nation) for their obedience, reminding them of how stubborn they are, but for His own sake.

“Thou hast heard, see all this; and will not ye declare it? I have shewed thee new things from this time, even hidden things, and thou didst not know them. For my name's sake will I defer mine anger, and for my praise will I refrain for thee, that I cut thee not off. Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction. For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another.” - Isaiah 48:6,9-11.

The furnace of affliction, because we are stubborn and don't listen to God we face the fire of affliction, this is affliction that will purify us, not with any material things, but eternal things, things that only God will get the glory for. Everything we go through and endure is for God's glory, He will not share His fame with another, therefore He makes sure we know He is the only one who can help us endure. “And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” - Romans 8:27,28.

God is Almighty in that He can be God, the Father, Jesus, the Son, and the Holy Spirit all at the same time, yet each person just as individual as you and I. Why God felt the need to use three separate identities, yet remain one God becomes clearer the more we study His Word. We get an amazing insight into the Son right here in the Book of Isaiah as Jesus Himself speaks, even to the Jews who would reject Him.

“Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain: yet surely my judgment is with the LORD, and my work with my God. And now, saith the LORD that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, and my God shall be my strength. And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth. But Zion said, The LORD hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me. Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.” - Isaiah 49:4-6,14-16.

Jesus spent the last three and a half years of His life on earth in the flesh preaching the Kingdom of God, most of that brought rejection by both Jews and Gentiles, but a few would accept Him. Jesus knows who are His, and while we may escape His presence if we get caught up in sin, each and every person who accepts Him is engraved in His hands, His nail pierced hands, and will return to Him when He calls their name. Jesus foretells the pain He will endure while captured and tried before being crucified.

“The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned. The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back. I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed. Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God.” - Isaiah 50:4-7,10.

We must admit that we are not so good at this Christian thing, we try to live right, but since we have this flesh and sin nature our right is not always God's right. That's where the Holy Spirit comes in, it is the Holy Spirit that indwells every believer and teaches them to hear what God is saying. And it is the Holy Spirit that tells us how to explain what He is saying to us and the world. Many will reject us like they reject Christ, we are of Christ and that is why they reject us, that is part of that furnace of affliction. However, once in a while we will get the attention of a lost soul who finds Christ, and that's what it's all about, to bring one more soul to Christ. We can't always be in the will of God, but we can do what we can to reach others to Christ. “Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.” - James 5:19,20.

Today's Prayer: God, You tell us things every day in hopes that we will hear You and do what You need us to do. Thank You for loving us and not giving up on us, thank You for Your endless mercy and grace, and thank You for giving Your own life through Your Son to save us from the pit we are bound in from sin. Lord, open our ears to hear Your still small voice, let us not be so distracted from the afflictions we are in that we drown You out with them. The afflictions You place before us purify us so that You get the glory for our enduring them, give us the wisdom, strength, and patience that only You can give us to endure these afflictions, and let Your Light shine on us that we may be a witness for You. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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God's Counsel Stands

Date: Tuesday, August 04, 2015
Chapters: Isaiah 43-46
Message Title: God's Counsel Stands

Hello My Friend,

How often do we face some kind of affliction and after a while start to question why God allows these things in the first place? Pretty often I believe. We all have these expectations, even after we are saved, but sometimes they are far from what we tend to get. God gives us the life that He wants us to have, we may not understand how and why He puts us where He has us, but we can understand that he has a great purpose for it, even if it is something so tragic that we cannot fathom why He allowed it in the first place. Affliction of any kind brings us closer to God, and brings others to Him as well. “Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.” - Isiah 46:9,10,13.

When God chose the sons of Jacob to be the people that would represent Him as the only living God, who gives power, strength, and prosperity to those who believe in Him, He did not choose them based on their faith. It was because of the covenant He made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who was renamed Israel after he wrestled with God. Now, the nation of Israel is facing judgment, far from what they had ever seen before. God assures Israel that He is still with them, but also encourages other nations to join them.

“Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled: who among them can declare this, and shew us former things? let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified: or let them hear, and say, It is truth. Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour. I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God. I am the LORD, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King.” - Isaiah 43:9-12,15.

God used Israel to be a witness that the most stiffnecked, hard-hearted, people can turn their fate around when they trust the only living God. The is true for the Christian today, we are not saved by our works, but by believing in the only Saviour, our God, our King and our LORD, Jesus Christ. We are witnesses also, that Christ can turn our fate around, and not only that, but bless us tremendously when we trust Him and let Him be our King and Lord of our lives. Our works do not determine our salvation, but they do show that Christ is in us. “But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;” - Ephesians 4:20-23.

When we accept Christ as our Saviour, we are known as reborn again, that means we are babies born with the Spirit of God in us. Just like all babies need to be nourished with good things to be healthy and happy, we too need to be nourished with good things to have a healthy and happy soul. God literally forms us and grows us, he creates us in the image of His Son, of we walk with Him daily. God tells Israel this very thing. “Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen: Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen. For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring: Remember these, O Jacob and Israel; for thou art my servant: I have formed thee; thou art my servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me. I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.” - Isaiah 44:1-3,21,22.

God can put us through some stuff if we get away from Him, not intentionally, it's what we choose to do, and He will not mess with our free will. However, once saved always saved, and He will never blot us out, He will blot out our transgressions though. You see, when God looks at us, He sees us through His Son, that means He sees no sin. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” - 2 Corinthians 5:17,20,21.

Everyone is born with the knowledge of God in them from birth, but lifestyles cloud the mind from that truth. Some will learn and accept, some will reject, some will block any kind of knowledge of Him whatsoever. We cannot escape God no matter how much we try, we will all face Him one way or another, we might as well learn of Him by acceptance rather than rejectment.

“I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else. I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things. Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the LORD have created it. Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?” - Isaiah 45:5-9.

We are the clay, God is the potter, He molds us and shapes us through the good, bad, and ugly times of our lives. Those who believe in and receive Christ are never ashamed of their confidence in that truth, not to mention their faith in Him. They shall be saved in Him for His name shall be their strong tower, into which they shall run, and in which they shall be safe when facing their Maker. Those who are saved shall never be ashamed of it, or the suffering they endured as a part of it, for the rewards will far outdo their expectations. Our goal in this life is to do whatever we can to please God, after all, He pleases us through our pleasing Him. “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” - 2 Timothy 4:7,8.

Today's Prayer: God, I know the importance of living by faith for without it I would not even be sitting here right now. Lord, lead me and guide me, help me to follow Your will by living in Your Word. Increase my faith so much so that everything I do and go through reminds me that You are at work in my life and that all my afflictions will come to past. Best of all I know that I will be blessed even more as I simply trust You and live the life that You want me to live. I love You Lord, and ask these things in Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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LORD Is My Name

Date: Monday, August 03, 2015
Chapters: Isaiah 39-42
Message Title: LORD Is My Name

Hello My Friend,

People view God in different ways, those who reject or deny Him view Him as someone cruel and heartless. Those who follow Him based on religion view Him as a someone who holds strict standards with hell to pay for breaking them. Those who follow Him through Christ view Him as a loving Father who is also a just Father, one who is merciful, and no matter how many times they mess up, there is hope if they trust Him. “Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. 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.” - Isaiah 40:28,31.

Yes, God is a just God, meaning He will chasten and bring judgment upon His people for disobeying Him. Now, disobeying God has nothing to do with salvation, but it has everything to do with our relationship with Him. If we want God in our lives we need to remove the things that He does not want in our lives. Through Isaiah, God reminds Israel that He has chosen them as His people, He encourages them to prepare the way for only redeemer to pardon them of judgment.

“Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. 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 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. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.” - Isaiah 40:1-5.

Prepare the way of the LORD, it was John the Baptist who God used to prepare the Jews for Christ' coming. Today, God uses His faithful people to prepare those in their area for Christ returning. One day all will know Christ, whether they learn of Him and accept Him as their Saviour or reject Him and meet Him when they die or upon His return. The punishment for sin is death and hell, this is not cruel, this is a just God who does have standards for His people. What is the standard? That they believe in Christ, more importantly, His sinless death, burial, and resurrection that is the only pardon for death and hell. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” - Romans 10:10:9,10.

Yes, God is a merciful God, meaning His judgments to not last, and He always gives a way out of judgment. Through Isaiah, God tells Israel that He has not forsaken them, not to be afraid of the judgment, and that He will even help them through it. “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah tree, and the myrtle, and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the fir tree, and the pine, and the box tree together: That they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the LORD hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it. Produce your cause, saith the LORD; bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob.” - Isaiah 41:10,13,14,19-21.

The worm of Jacob, meaning those in torment over the punishment of sin need not fear because God will help and redeem all who go to the Holy One of Israel, also known as the King of Jacob. The King of Jacob is the same King we are to come to for redemption, and that is Jesus Christ. Salvation comes through Christ alone, no it does not exempt us from suffering consequences associated with sin, but it does exempt us from the torment of hell awaiting us because of sin. God's mercy keeps a person saved or unsaved from being cast into hell in an instant, God's mercy gives every soul a chance to know His Son, God's mercy keeps a saved soul from being tormented even when they sin again. “This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” - Lamentations 3:21-23.

Yes, God is loving God, meaning His mercy is for all who believe in His Son, not just the Jews, He invites all to come to Him. The same torment of the Jews is the same torment we all get for sin, but even before Jesus came to earth God invited all, known as strangers or Gentiles to come to Him. Through, Isaiah God foretells the time that His Son, His servant will be a light for the Gentiles.

“Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house. I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.” - Isaiah 42:1-3,6-8.

Christ is the light of the world, He is God in the flesh, the only Redeemer, LORD is His name, by His love He opens up the understandings of sin and hell to blinded. By His love He sets all who come to Him free from the prison they are held in because of sin. God is a jealous God, LORD is His name, He will not share the glory of a saved soul with no other, and He will not share the glory of a life, once full of sin and corruption set free. If we choose God, we must destroy all the other gods or idols in our lives because He will not share Himself with no other. “Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee: But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves: For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:” - Exodus 34:12-14.

Today's Prayer: God, You truly are the Almighty God, time and time again you have proved that You have the power to do and make anything happen. Let me never forget the joy of my salvation and what you have brought me out of. Work in the hearts of those who are struggling and help them know the joy and comfort that I have as I serve You. Lord, give me Your power to live in obedience to Your Word, not out of obligation, but out of respect. Open my heart and eyes to serve you more faithfully, reveal to me and help me remove any idols that hinder my walk with You . I love you Lord and ask these things in Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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Praying To The Living God

Date: Sunday, August 02, 2015
Chapters: Jeremiah 35-38
Message Title: Praying To The Living God

Hello My Friend,

Prayer, it's our direct line to communicate with God, sometimes prayers are answered in an instant, while other times it takes years for them to be answered. Sometimes we get exactly what we want, while other times it is completely the opposite. We may not always understand the way God answers prayer, but we can understand that God knows what He is doing and he always answers us. “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” - 1 John 5:14,15.

See the key phrase here, “if we ask any thing according to his will”, many times God does not give us things because it is simply not in His will for us, at least at the time. God always has a reason for delaying or even denying our requests, perhaps sometimes sin is the reason. Isaiah was given the difficult task of telling the people of Jerusalem of the judgment placed upon them, God reminds him of the good that will come out of it. “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. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” - Isaiah 35:4-10.

Severe affliction has a way of opening our eyes to seeing things we haven't been doing right, especially when they have to do with God. I know the day I chose to be faithful to God was the day I thought I was dying. You see, sometimes, we who are God's can get so far off track that we are dangling off the edge of the cliff, and it often takes us being there to bring us back to Him. “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” - 2 Corinthians 4:17,18.

After God spoke of the judgments coming to all the nations, and what was about to happen to Jerusalem we are taken to the events that took place when Hezekiah was king in the Southern Kingdom and the Northern Kingdom had already been overtaken by Assyria. Now, they are in Judah, trying every tactic they can to get the people to go against Hezekiah's decision to trust God to deliver them. “Then Rabshakeh stood, and cried with a loud voice in the Jews' language, and said, Hear ye the words of the great king, the king of Assyria. Thus saith the king, Let not Hezekiah deceive you: for he shall not be able to deliver you. Neither let Hezekiah make you trust in the LORD, saying, The LORD will surely deliver us: this city shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria. Where are the gods of Hamath and Arphad? where are the gods of Sepharvaim? and have they delivered Samaria out of my hand? Who are they among all the gods of these lands, that have delivered their land out of my hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand? But they held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king's commandment was, saying, Answer him not.” - Isaiah 36:13-15,19-21.

Rabshakeh made a major mistake, he compared the living God to false gods. The world does everything it can to stop us from putting our faith in the only living God. What they fail to understand is that we have do have the all powerful living God on our side. Hezekiah did the only thing he could think of to come up with the right decision on how to handle the situation, he asked God, and Isaiah comes to him with an answer.

“Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent unto Hezekiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Whereas thou hast prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria: And this shall be a sign unto thee, Ye shall eat this year such as groweth of itself; and the second year that which springeth of the same: and in the third year sow ye, and reap, and plant vineyards, and eat the fruit thereof. And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward: For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant, and they that escape out of mount Zion: the zeal of the LORD of hosts shall do this. Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the king of Assyria, He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with shields, nor cast a bank against it.” - Isaiah 37:21,30-33.

Prayer really is the only way to get truly God's attention, and I am not talking about simple, day to day prayers, yes, He likes those, but sometimes He needs more than that. He needs the heart breaking, knee trembling, tears falling like rain, type of prayers. While God always loves to hear from us, it is this type of praying that really does get His attention. “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” - James 4:8-10.

We can never underestimate the power praying to the only living God, He and He alone has the power to give us life, death, and everything in between. Whether we see a person recover from a deathly disease via earth or heaven, it all comes from the hand of the Almighty God. And just when we think the worse is over, here comes sickness to challenge our faith in Him. After God delivers Judah out of the hands of the Assyrians Hezekiah became deathly ill, Hezekiah once again goes to God in prayer. “In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live. Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, And said, Remember now, O LORD, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. Then came the word of the LORD to Isaiah, saying, Go, and say to Hezekiah, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years.” - Isaiah 38:1-5.

God will never place anything before us that we can not handle and I believe that if the person wants to prolong their life here on earth that He will do it, just as He did with Hezekiah. God can and still does produce the same miracles for us that He did for every person we learn of in the Bible. The key to receiving those miracles is believing in and remaining faithful to the only living God. “Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” - Matthew 6:30-33.

Today's Prayer: God, I know that you are the only living God and because I put my faith and trust in Your Son that You are my God. I know the strength of my faith goes up and down like a roller coaster, but I also know that all I need is the faith the size of a mustard seed for you to produce a miracle in me. You already produced one by giving me eternal life, now, I am trusting in You to do more as you help me endure the circumstances in my life. Lead me and guide in me in Your will and Your way, Lord. I love you and ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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