Thursday Thought -- July 31, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

“The oppressor will come to an end, and destruction will cease; the aggressor will vanish from the land. In love a throne will be established; in faithfulness a man will sit on it -- one from the house of David – one who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness.” (Isaiah 16:4-5)

Isaiah prophesied about the coming Messiah. He will bring the oppressor to an end and cause destruction to cease. No longer will Satan have his way with us. No longer will Satan’s schemes dominate our lives and bring its appointed end. God will deal with Satan once and for all.

A new kingdom will be established and its King will reign in love. Satan’s kingdom is a kingdom of fear and distress, a kingdom of oppression and destruction. The kingdom of the Messiah will have love as its very foundation.

The new King will reign in faithfulness. He can be counted on. He will never let us down. He will always be there when we turn to Him. His presence will never be taken away. No power will ever be able to wrest Him from the throne.

Justice and righteousness will be the hallmarks of His work.

Sounds like a great kingdom of which to be a part doesn’t it. A kingdom of love, a faithful king, a kingdom of justice and righteousness. Isaiah predicted it and Jesus is fulfilling it!

Thank God for your King. Remember how much better He is than your old one! “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.” (Colossians 1:13)

His, by Grace,

Steve

Wednesday Thought -- July 30, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

“The LORD Almighty has sworn, ‘Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will stand.’” (Isaiah 14:24)

There is one thing that is certain in this life, one thing you can absolutely count on: what God declares will come to pass!

Nothing can stand in the way of God accomplishing what He has planned. There is no enemy powerful enough to thwart God’s plans. Satan can’t. He tries, but always fails. In fact, God turns what Satan tries to use to thwart His plan and uses it to accomplish it. That’s the promise of Romans 8:28, “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose.” The ultimate illustration of that truth is in what God did with the cross!

Man’s cooperation is not required for God to accomplish His plan. True, our cooperation would be helpful, but it’s not required by God, it’s helpful for us! When we stand against God’s plan, we do so to our own distress and pain. God’s plan will be accomplished with or without our cooperation.

No force of nature or turn of circumstances surprises God and makes Him change His plan. Every circumstance is foreseen by God and works toward His plan.

God’s ultimate plan for this world has already been declared: one day all things, including all people who have ever lived, will bow in submission and worship to Him. Although we don’t see it yet, it is absolutely certain. God has declared it.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Tuesday Thought -- July 29, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

“How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ But you are brought down to the grave, to the depths of the pit.” (Isaiah 14:12-15)

There are times when prophecy has a dual meaning and this seems to be one of those times. It’s stated message is about Babylon and is a word from God to say that Babylon is not being used to discipline the people of Israel because Babylon is so righteous and so much in God’s favor. Rather, Babylon is just a tool that God is using in His work to bring the people of Israel to repentance and when Babylon’s part of that work is finished, then Babylon will be finished, too. God will bring judgment on Babylon. That judgment will come because of Babylon’s arrogance, even exalting itself above God Himself.

The hidden meaning in this prophecy may well be about an older and deeper battle. It may well be about the battle between God and Satan that has raged from before the creation of the world. Satan tried to exalt himself above God. He wanted the throne for himself. God allowed the rebellion, but ultimately God brought the rebellion in heaven to its end and Satan was cast down to the earth. He still rages – for now – but the time will come when the battle will be completely over and Satan will be ushered into the pit for eternity. His arrogance cost him heaven and will cost him earth, too.

Arrogance never wins in the end. It always leads to a great fall.

Our hope cannot be in our own will and power and abilities. It can only be in humble submission to the One who is great, the One who is worthy of all praise and submission.

Humility before God leads to His pleasure and to our reward. Arrogance leads only to destruction.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Monday Thought -- July 28, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

Babylon was a tool of God used to discipline Israel. But the fact that God used Babylon did not justify its wickedness or its rejection of God. In Isaiah 13, God foretells the destruction of Babylon. It is a history lesson, told before it happened and a case study in what happens to a people who reject God!

“I have summoned my warriors to carry out my wrath. They come from faraway lands, from the ends of the heavens -- the Lord and the weapons of His wrath -- to destroy the whole country.” (Isaiah 13:3,5)

What is predicted for Babylon, and what actually happened to it, was not pleasant.

“Terror will seize them, pain and anguish will grip them; they will writhe like a woman in labor. They will look aghast at each other, their faces aflame. See, the day of the Lord is coming -- a cruel day, with wrath and fierce anger -- to make the land desolate and destroy the sinners within it.” (Isaiah 13: 8-9)

I think Babylon is a small picture of what God will do to all the wickedness of the world one day. He says, “I will punish the world for its evil, the wicked for their sins. I will put an end to the arrogance of the haughty and will humble the pride of the ruthless.” (Isaiah 13:11)

And when God destroys, He can cause it to stay destroyed. “Babylon will never be inhabited or lived in through all generations, no Arab will pitch his tent there, no shepherd will rest his flocks there.” (Isaiah 13:20) And true to what God predicted, Babylon remains uninhabited these 2,000 plus years later!

For me, the story of Babylon says a lot about God’s power. It says a lot about God’s ultimate punishment of sin. We dwell a lot on God’s patience, and He is patient. We dwell a lot on God’s grace, and it is abundant. But for those outside of Christ, a day of wrath is coming and it will be even fiercer than what Babylon faced.

And some people wonder why evangelism is so important! Some people are uneasy about bothering people with what we believe!

His, by Grace,

Steve

Friday Thought -- July 25, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

“In that day you will say: ‘I will praise you, O LORD. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me. Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.’ With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.” (Isaiah 12:1-3)

Isaiah spoke of a day that was coming when God’s anger at man would turn to salvation and comfort. This prophecy looked to the day when the branch of Jesse would come forth and bring peace. And He has! The anger of God has been satisfied. The payment for sins has been paid in full. God no longer looks upon men in anger, but sees through the blood of Jesus.

Isaiah goes on to speak of what our response should be to this new relationship with God, this relationship of comfort and salvation.

“In that day you will say: ‘Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world. Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.’” (Isaiah 12:4-6)

Give thanks to Him.

Spread His message of comfort and salvation to the world.

Sing to Him in worship.

Shout in joy.

He has earned our thanks and worship, for He has done glorious things among us. It is a message worth sharing. It’s what the world needs. It’s what our neighbors need. It’s what our friends need.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Thursday Thought -- July 24, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

“The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the hole of the cobra, and the young child put his hand into the viper’s nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his place of rest will be glorious.” (Isaiah 11:6-10)

A day of peace is coming. Not just peace among men, but even peace among the things of nature. The wolf will no longer be the predator of the lamb, the lion will no longer be the enemy of the cow, and snakes will no longer use their fearful poison.

The day of peace won’t come because of America’s influence around the world. Our nation doesn’t hold that kind of power, not over man and certainly not over nature. That kind of peace can only come from one Source. “The earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord. – The Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples.” It is the presence of Jesus and His influence that will bring peace.

When will it happen? How will He bring it about? What will it be like?

Those are all questions left to be answered. But peace is coming to the world. A peace that is beyond comprehension. A peace that is beyond anything man can accomplish, beyond anything man can even imagine.

The peace of Jesus is coming. Sounds good to me.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Wednesday Thought -- July 23, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

“A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him -- the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD -- and he will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked. Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist.” (Isaiah 11:1-5)

Isaiah continues his prophetic word about the coming Messiah in this passage. Jesse is the father of King David, so this is another word about the One who would come through David’s family line. This passage speaks of the character He will bring to the leadership of His kingdom.

For judgment, the Lord does not rely upon just what He sees and hears, not just upon what can be discerned outwardly. He goes beyond that to look deep into the heart of men and women. He sees motives and intents. He doesn’t just see the way things turn out, but the way we wanted them to turn out. He sees desires and dreams. In perfect justice and perfect righteousness, He judges. There are no false motivations or uncertainties in Him, only perfect knowledge and perfect justice.

God’s Kingdom is a realm in which we don’t have to worry about the selfishness of the King nor His less-than-perfect motivations. A King we can trust. A Kingdom perfectly ruled. That’s what is offered in following Jesus.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Tuesday Thought -- July 22, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

“For the Lord says: ‘By the strength of my hand I have done this, and by my wisdom, because I have understanding. I removed the boundaries of nations, I plundered their treasures; like a mighty one I subdued their kings. As one reaches into a nest, so my hand reached for the wealth of the nations; as men gather abandoned eggs, so I gathered all the countries; not one flapped a wing, or opened its mouth to chirp.’ Does the ax raise itself above him who swings it, or the saw boast against him who uses it? As if a rod were to wield him who lifts it up, or a club brandish him who is not wood!” (Isaiah 10:13-15)

Have you ever wondered why America turned out like it has? Who provided us with our

wealth? Who gave us our power and influence? Is it by our own strength? Is it through our own superior intelligence? Is it fate, because of our natural resources and the timing of their discovery?

No to all of the above. According to what God spoke through Isaiah, nations are like axes in the hands of a forester, like a saw in the hands of a carpenter, like a rod or club in the hands of a warrior. All of these are only tools, instruments in the hands of ones who control them and use them. So nations are tools in the hands of God. They are instruments for Him to use to accomplish His purposes.

America is not what it is because we have achieved it. America is what it is because God has allowed it, even provided it. America is what it is because God has chosen to use us in this way for this time. According to His will, He can choose to use us for a different purpose in a time yet ahead.

Does that make you feel uneasy, as though you are standing on slippery ground? It shouldn’t. Ultimately, all of God’s purposes are good. And whether in pain or pleasure, glory or dishonor, we are God’s to use to accomplish His purposes.

It shouldn’t bring uneasiness, but an awesome awareness that we are involved in something bigger than America, bigger than earthly pleasure, bigger than ourselves. We are involved in what God is doing in history and for eternity.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Monday Thought -- July 21, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

“Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless. What will you do on the day of reckoning, when disaster comes from afar? To whom will you run for help? Where will you leave your riches? Nothing will remain but to cringe among the captives or fall among the slain. Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised.” (Isaiah 10:1-4)

God cares about those who are oppressed and helpless. The poor, the oppressed, the widows, the orphans all have a special place in God’s heart. He sees what happens to them. He knows who comes to their aid and who brings more trouble to them.

Not even nations can get away with turning their backs on those in need. God will punish nations who turn from their foundational purpose of protecting those who cannot protect themselves. A day of reckoning will come for them.

America has had a long history of providing for those in need. The heart of America to help the helpless has been clearly evident in days past. No doubt, America’s blessings can be traced to that heart, at least in part.

Yet, today, there are the helpless that we overlook. The unborn cry out as helpless and America turns its back on them. Those with limited access to health care – those in sexual slavery – immigrants and other groups and individuals are hurting and are often ignored. God’s warning is as valid today as when Isaiah first uttered it. A day of reckoning will come. God’s anger is not turned away. His hand is still upraised.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Friday Thought -- July 18, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

Isaiah spoke of a time of great darkness that was coming. It would be a time of stumbling and falling away from the Lord. The people would turn to spiritism in an attempt to figure out what was going on in the world. Isaiah challenged the people not to follow that advice, but to turn to God instead of mediums. “When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?” (Isaiah 8:19)

The time of great darkness would not last forever. Through Isaiah, God promised to break the darkness by sending the Light. “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” (Isaiah 9:2)

The darkness could not and would not be conquered by the people. Only God could break through. Of course, the Light would be Jesus. Hear Isaiah’s clear picture of the Messiah God was promising.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.” (Isaiah 9:6-7)

In our own day, it would seem a time of great darkness has returned. Masses in America turn to spiritists of many forms and to other places seeking light and being fooled by what is not light at all. Around the world the same is true. It’s not because the Light has been removed, but because people choose to shut Him out of their lives. But all who look to Jesus find He is the same Messiah that Isaiah promised. He is still the Wonderful Counselor, with advice and direction for us to follow that is best for us. Still the Mighty God, with the strength to help in our time of need, to see us through whatever life brings. Still the Everlasting Father, nothing and no one can keep Him away from us and time will not bring His influence to an end. Still the Prince of Peace, bringing peace, not conflict; resolution, not distress. Still reigning in His Kingdom and in the lives of those who look to Him.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Thursday Thought -- July 17, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

“The LORD spoke to me with his strong hand upon me, warning me not to follow the way of this people. He said: ‘Do not call conspiracy everything that these people call conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it. The LORD Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread, and he will be a sanctuary; but for both houses of Israel he will be a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall. And for the people of Jerusalem he will be a trap and a snare.’” (Isaiah 8:11-14)

What do the people of this world fear?

Death. Sickness. Pain. Poverty. Hunger.

But these are not the things to fear. These are not the things that control life, nor that determine life’s purpose and life’s outcome.

There is only One to fear. There is only One who controls life. There is only One who controls death. There is only One who controls pain and sickness and poverty and hunger and all of the other things of this world of which men are afraid.

And we need not fear Him! The world may tremble at Him. But He has made His love known to us. He has shown His love in ways that can never be doubted.

Death, sickness, pain, poverty, hunger, oh, they may come into our lives, but they need not be feared. God in His great love and mercy has overcome them all for us in Christ.

Death, it doesn’t end life, He has overcome it and uses it to usher us into eternity with Him. Pain and sickness and poverty and hunger, He uses to teach us, discipline, mature us.

To some, God seems a stumbling block because life doesn’t always turn out the way we think He should make it turn out. But to those who truly know Him – He is a safe haven, a sanctuary, even amidst the storms that others fear.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Wednesday Thought -- July 16, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14)

One of the things that Isaiah is known for is the way in which he pointed prophetically to the coming of the Messiah. Isaiah describes a miracle Israel could look for and when they saw it they could know that God had sent a special child, Immanuel.

It would be quite a miracle – a virgin would give birth. That’s impossible! It truly is humanly impossible, but isn’t that what a miracle is? If it wasn’t humanly impossible it wouldn’t be a miracle! If we believe that God did indeed create the world, then we must also acknowledge that He can intervene to do something out of the ordinary, something that could not happen without His intervention.

And He did! As strange as it is, as impossible as it seems, God did cause a virgin to give birth to a son. Matthew looks back to Isaiah’s word and affirms that it came true in the birth of Jesus.

Matthew recorded the angel’s word to Joseph, “‘She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.’ All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ -- which means, ‘God with us.’” (Matthew 1:21-23)

Imagine that, God broke in to our world to send Someone very special, born in an impossible way. Isaiah told us of the way in which He would come hundreds of years before it happened. There must be something very remarkable and very significant that such a one will do!

There was. There is!

His, by Grace,

Steve

Tuesday Thought -- July 15, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

“Then I said, ‘For how long, O Lord?’ And he answered: ‘Until the cities lie ruined and without inhabitant, until the houses are left deserted and the fields ruined and ravaged, until the LORD has sent everyone far away and the land is utterly forsaken.’” (Isaiah 6:11-12)

God was looking for volunteers to take His message to the people and Isaiah volunteered. It was a noble act on Isaiah’s part when he said to the Lord, “Here am I.  Send me!” Isaiah was willing – but he did wonder how long was the assignment for which he was volunteering – “For how long, O Lord?”

That is a question we might ask, too. God is still looking for volunteers to take His message to the people. He has offered to use us as His ambassadors and encouraged us to take His message to the whole world. Many have volunteered. Many are willing to take the message of the Lord to their family members and friends and co-workers and even be involved in taking or sending the message of the Lord into every corner of the world. But we might also have the same concern that Isaiah did – how long is the assignment for which we have volunteered?

God’s answer to Isaiah gives us a clue as to how long our assignment is to last, too. God told Isaiah that His message was to keep being proclaimed as long as there were cities and as long as there were people. Isaiah would be released from his assignment only when the cities were lying in ruins and all of the inhabitants had fled. When everyone was gone, then the message could stop being proclaimed. In other words, God was saying to Isaiah that he was to keep proclaiming God’s message as long as there was anyone to hear it – as long as there was even a remote chance that someone might respond.

That is our task, too. We won’t be finished with our assignment to spread God’s message of love and salvation until there is no one left to hear it and no one left to respond. We are to keep preaching till Jesus comes!

His, by Grace,

Steve

Monday Thought -- July 14, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

“Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, ‘See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.’ Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’” (Isaiah 6:6-8)

Isaiah saw the Lord in His majesty and holiness and he saw himself in his sinfulness. When he did, two things happened:

God took away Isaiah’s guilt, He covered Isaiah’s sin.

Isaiah made himself available for God’s use.

That is a pattern that is common in the Bible. When we acknowledge our guilt, God takes it away. God doesn’t make us wallow in guilt. He doesn’t wait until we’ve made a sufficient effort to pay off our guilt. He only waits for us to acknowledge it and then He takes it away.

That was David’s experience: “When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.” (Psalm 32:3) As long as he tried to hide his sin, it stayed with him and had a negative effect on him and on his relationship with the Lord. “Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD’ -- and you forgave the guilt of my sin.” (Psalm 32:5) When he admitted his sin, God took it away and his relationship with God was fully restored.

That is the promise of John, too. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

Hide your sin and it will continue to impact your life, the guilt will continue to eat at you and there will be a hindrance in your relationship with God. Acknowledge your sin to God and it will be gone!

Of course, that is based upon already having a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. In Him, we don’t need to hang on to our guilt!

His, by Grace,

Steve 

Friday Thought -- July 11, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

“In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.’ At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. ‘Woe to me!’ I cried. ‘I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.’” (Isaiah 6:1-5)

When Isaiah saw the Lord for who He really is, two things became obvious:

God is holy.

Isaiah was not.

There are times when our view of God becomes less than it ought to be. God has drawn Himself close to us. He has welcomed us as His children, allowing us to call Him “Father.” And even more intimate, we can call Him “Abba,” the kind of title small children use when they speak to their father. He has entered into a personal relationship with us and made Himself known to us.

But He hasn’t left His throne! He’s still the King, the Lord Almighty. He is worthy of our worship and respect, even our awe. The angels adore Him. They serve Him immediately and gladly.

Step back a moment to gaze again upon the Lord. See His glory? See His majesty? See His power? See His holiness?

Worship Him! Serve Him! Love Him!

He is worthy!

His, by Grace,

Steve

Thursday Thought -- July 10, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

“The LORD Almighty has a day in store for all the proud and lofty, for all that is exalted (and they will be humbled).” (Isaiah 2:12)

“The arrogance of man will be brought low and the pride of men humbled; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day, and the idols will totally disappear. Men will flee to caves in the rocks and to holes in the ground from dread of the LORD and the splendor of his majesty, when he rises to shake the earth.” (Isaiah 2:17-19)

There is a great deal of arrogance in our world. People take great pride in what they have accomplished and in who they are.

Intellectual pride abounds, arrogance at the things we have discovered, the facts we have learned.

The pride of wealth is widespread in our country. We live in luxury and think we’ve earned it and that we deserve it.

There is the pride of being independent. We don’t need anything or anyone. We’ve made it on our own. We can take care of ourselves.

A day is coming when all pride will be dealt with and brought low. A day is coming when arrogance will be replaced in an instant with humility. All splendor and glory will go to one place, it will go to the Lord.

The Lord is patiently waiting for man to recognize how much we need Him, how dependent we are upon Him for everything, for life and all of its gifts.

Learn it now, and be humble before God. There will come a day when all men, even the most arrogant men you know, will join you in humility before the Lord.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Wednesday Thought -- July 9, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

“In the last days the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. Many peoples will come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.’ The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. Come, O house of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the LORD.” (Isaiah 2:2-5)

Isaiah was given several prophetic views into the future by the Lord. In this vision, he saw a time of peace that was coming. Worship of God would be widespread among many people. God’s presence would be evident in the world. Peace would reign between nations.

It sounds great, doesn’t it. Such a time is what we long for, what we hope for and what we wait for. It hasn’t happened yet, not since Isaiah’s day. From Isaiah’s day until today, worship of God has been by the remnant minority not widespread among the nations. God’s presence is evident in the world to those who believe in Him, but the vast majority of the world is blind to Him. Peace has never reigned in the world, it has been a constant season of war somewhere in the world. The day Isaiah spoke of is still in the future. It is still coming. Delayed thousands of years, but right on track with the timing God had in mind when He spoke it through Isaiah.

What do we do while we wait? Isaiah tells us: “let us walk in the light of the Lord.” Let us live in ways that are pleasing to God while we wait for the day of peace. Worship God in your own life and encourage others to do the same. Recognize God’s presence in your life and in the world. Spread peace in your own circles of influence.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Tuesday Thought -- July 8, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

Isaiah begins his prophetic writings with a review of the sins of the people of God. The Jews should have known better. They had been given every advantage. They were God’s people. They had been given the Law. They had seen God’s hand at work among them in miraculous ways. They had been led by godly men on many occasions who taught them well. But they gave in to corruption and sin.

It was not a pretty picture that Isaiah painted. It was a picture of rebellion against God. (Isaiah 1:2) A picture of a people bearing a load of guilt. (1:4) They had forsaken and spurned God. (1:4) It was a country desolate, without spiritual life. (1:7) They continued their religious practices, but there was no meaning in them. (1:11ff) God took no pleasure in their meetings, their sacrifices, their religious rituals. (1:11-12) God had stopped listening to their prayers. (1:15)

It was a desperate situation. But then came the good news. The marvelous offer of God.

“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” (Isaiah 1:18)

Forgiveness was being offered. A clean slate was theirs for the asking. Grace and mercy abounded in God’s offer.

And to us, too. No matter how desolate. No matter how sinful. No matter how far from God. Grace and mercy are being offered. Forgiveness is being held out to us by God. A clean slate, a chance to start fresh again. It’s there every morning, every day. God is extending His hand to each of us. Receive the grace and forgiveness He offers to you.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Monday Thought -- July 7, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

“In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage -- with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” (2 Timothy 4:1-4)

The World Cup soccer tournament is almost over. Each week a few more teams will be eliminated and in just a few weeks the champion will be crowned. The players will hang up their cleats and put away their uniforms. Lots of sports are seasonal sports .. football, baseball, basketball, soccer and others. There are times when the teams play and times when the sport takes a rest.

As you look at the way the Gospel has advanced through the years you can see a similar pattern. There are times when certain people and geographic regions are especially open to Lord -- the season is in. Revival sweeps a particular area and multitudes respond to the Lord. Paul came into some cities and found them anxious to hear the Gospel and ready to respond in great numbers. Sometimes, however, it’s like the whole city is resistant. You can preach the same message that was so effective with one audience and it seems to have no effect -- the season is out.

It’s tempting to hang up the cleats -- to put away the Bible and stop sharing the Gospel until you see the mood of the community change. But that’s not the right answer. The right answer is to keep preaching – in season and out -- to keep sharing the Gospel. For one thing, we don’t know when the season will change. It could happen quickly and if you keep preaching you’ll be there for opening day and ready to participate in the harvest. For another thing, even when the season is not in there are a few who buck the trend and are ready to respond. Even a small response – even the response of one -- is worth continuing to share the Gospel, despite the large number of rejections.

In parts of the world today there is a revival happening and people are responding to the Gospel by the multitudes. In America, it seems that the season is out and the response to the Gospel isn’t great. So, let’s do all we can to support and encourage and participate in the great harvest that’s happening elsewhere -- and let’s keep sharing the Gospel here, too, praising God for the few who do respond and praying for opening day!

His, by Grace,

Steve

Friday Thought -- July 4, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God -- having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.” (2 Timothy 3:1-5)

The description of the people in what Paul calls the “last days” sounds familiar, doesn’t it? It sounds a whole lot like what is happening among the people around us right now. Self-focused, greedy, arrogant, ungodly – that’s what much of our world is like. Although it grieves us, it shouldn’t surprise us. Without Christ there is no motivation toward godliness and no power to change if someone wanted to. The power of evil within a person can’t be controlled without God’s presence in a life.

We could condemn the world for its ungodliness. Many Christian spend their time criticizing and speaking with disgust about how the world is getting worse. I’d say

grief is a more appropriate response. The people of the world are ultimately hurting themselves and moving in a direction that will result in their eternal destruction. Grieve for them!

And there’s another response that Paul instructs us to have toward the ungodly people around us: have nothing to do with them. He’s not saying don’t try to reach them with the Gospel. If that is what he meant it would deny everything he gave his life to. He’s saying that we must not buy into their attitudes and their ungodly actions. Don’t get caught up in the world.

There is a powerful inner lure to move in the same direction of ungodliness that much of the world moves in. But, remember, there is an even more powerful power that resides in you to move you away from it.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Thursday Thought -- July 3, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

“And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.” (2 Timothy 2:24-26)

Not everyone agrees with what we believe. Some reject Christ and His message openly. Some try to embrace Christ, yet don’t want to accept the discipleship that He calls us to. They believe they have a better understanding of the right way life is to work.

Paul’s message here to Timothy is about how you treat those with whom you disagree.

Arguing doesn’t help. Arguing tends to hurt relationships and solidify people in their positions. Kindness is a better answer. It is possible to be kind even to those with whom you disagree. Our kindness may open the door to opportunities for us to share what we believe and why we believe it.

How do we present our beliefs? An “in your face” approach turns most people away from our message. That kind of method doesn’t draw them to our message. Paul instructs us to use the gentle approach. Those who have rejected Christ and His message are lost. They are destined for destruction. Our gentleness may open the way for them to turn from that direction and come to the Lord in repentance.

Do kindness and gentle instruction characterize your approach to those with whom you disagree?

His, by Grace,

Steve

Wednesday Thought -- July 2, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

“You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs-he wants to please his commanding officer. Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.  Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.” (2 Timothy 2:1-7)

Where does your strength come from? It comes from the only place it can come from – it comes from the Lord and His gift to us. The Psalmist knew that truth. “I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord.” (Psalm 121:1-2) It’s not our own physical, emotional, psychological, intellectual, or spiritual abilities that give us the strength to make it. Those who rely upon such things ultimately fail. Only those who find their strength in the Lord endure.

That’s a message that needs to be passed on from generation to generation. You’ve heard the message and embraced it – now pass it on to the next generation and encourage them to pass it on to the generation that comes after them. Someone once said that the church is always just one generation from extinction. You’ve received the grace – pass it on to those who will pass it on again. The chain has been unbroken for 2,000 years – God will not allow our generation to break the chain now.

It will be tough. We face hardship and difficulty, but that for which we endure the hardship and difficulties is worth it. Soldiers endure hardship for the sake of their country and that’s a worthwhile cause for which hardship is to be endured. But our cause far outweighs the value of our country. The athlete endures hardship for a prize – a temporary victory. We endure hardship for much greater prize – an eternal one – not just for us, but for those to whom we pass the baton. Farmers endure hardship for the crops they produce. But the Gospel produces a far more nourishing crop than any farmer. Endure whatever hardship is required because the cause is worth it.

The cause is God’s grace. It sustains and strengthens us. It’s what we are to pass from generation to generation. It’s why we endure whatever hardship we must face for it.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Tuesday Thought -- July 1, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

“And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.” (2 Timothy 1:11-12)

I’ve made a choice to trust Jesus Christ. That’s a very big deal because what I’ve trusted Him with is the most important thing imaginable. I’ve made a choice to trust Jesus Christ with my eternity!

It’s not a blind trust. There are many reasons I can point to for trusting Jesus. The historical records are powerful evidence that Jesus lived and taught and worked miracles and died and rose again. No one has been able to explain away the empty tomb. It stands as a convincing testimony that death could not keep hold of Jesus, that He truly was and is the Son of God. And the testimonies of the lives He has changed, from New Testament days clear through to the present, they give confidence to the trust I’ve placed in Him.

However, though it is not a blind trust, it is still trust! I can’t see the result of my trust. I can’t look into the future and know from my own experience that it’s true. I can’t talk with those who are going through death and hear of what they’ve found on the other side. It’s a trust.

And I’ve chosen to trust Jesus Christ with more than just my eternity. I have chosen to trust Him with my life from now till then. I choose to follow His instructions for life. I choose to follow His teaching about relationships. I choose His ordering of my priorities. I choose to follow Him now, making His will the most important pursuit of my life.

I’ve chosen to trust Jesus Christ -- and I’m convinced I’ve made the right choice!

His, by Grace,

Steve