God’s way vs. My Way

Isaiah 66:3 (NIV2011)
³  But whoever sacrifices a bull is like one who kills a person, and whoever offers a lamb is like one who breaks a dog’s neck; whoever makes a grain offering is like one who presents pig’s blood, and whoever burns memorial incense is like one who worships an idol. They have chosen their own ways, and they delight in their abominations;

Here in Chapter 61, Isaiah is contrasting two ways of living. These two ways consist of the life of humble people who follows the ways of the Lord, and who applies his teachings into their life. Then there is the disobedient person, who have chosen to follow their own path. A personal question that I have for you, is what person are you? Are you the obedient follower or Christ, or are you the disobedient person who decides to go off on their own path. Every chance we get, we need to do some self-evaluating about ourselves, in order to make sure that we are going on the right path. But the key to being obedient is to follow our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus.

Lord, may we be obedient to you rather than to ourselves, Amen.

Our Purifying Source!

Isaiah 64:6 (NIV2011)
⁶ All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.

Up to this point, God’s people have identified their unclean ways. They have realized that they were wasting away due to willingness to sin. There is a sense of confession on their end, for the sins they have committed against God, and they would need to turn to God to purify them from their sinful ways. Do you remember a time or numerous of times, where you have recognized that you were involved with filthy and dirty sin? Our conviction allows for us to realize what we are doing is wrong. But the key thing is our response. How will you respond to Christ’s leading? Jesus is our source for staying on track. The problem is, when we decide to go off on our own, a path that will lead to sin.

Lord, we are unclean, but you have the ability to make us clean. We thank you for willingness to purity our bodies, hearts, and minds, Amen.

He is Worthy of our praise!

Isaiah 63:7 (NIV2011)
⁷  I will tell of the kindnesses of the LORD, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the LORD has done for us— yes, the many good things he has done for Israel, according to his compassion and many kindnesses.

Israel should be praising the name of the Lord. He had done so much for them as a nation, and continued to show them mercy for their wrongdoings. God rescued them from their enemies on numerous of occasions and chose them to be his people. So he is worthy to be praised! What has God done for you? I can imagine that your list of things that he has done should be extremely long! But, we shouldn’t stop praising him once he has done things for us. He deserves our praise no matter what. So let us be intentional to praise him on a daily basis!

God, we love you! We praise and glorify your name today! You are the Great I am and we worship you today! Amen.

True Purpose!

Isaiah 61:1 (NIV2011)
¹  The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,

This particular passage, describes the purpose of the Messiah that was to come. The Messiah would come to bring good news to the people of Israel and to free them from their imprisonment from the sins of this world. Today, Christ purpose has never changed. He remained the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. The amazing thing is that he gives us opportunity to partake in his mission in order to add more people to his kingdom.

Lord, may your glory be revealed through us today. Thank you for sticking up for us, when Satan tries to scheme against us. Amen.

 

Joy of all generations!

Isaiah 60:15 (NIV2011)
¹⁵ “Although you have been forsaken and hated, with no one traveling through, I will make you the everlasting pride and the joy of all generations.

Israel as a nation, knows what it feels to be forsaken and hated. But even though this was the case, God had a purpose for this. God will cause all of the other nations to take pride in her. For Israel had been a chosen people, for they were considered the city of the Lord, and holy one of Israel. But God’s purpose was to work through them to reveal his glory. Today is no different for us. If God is for us, who can be against us. Although we may be criticized for being Christians, we are loved by God, and one day, he will honor our faithfulness to him. He has a purpose for our lives and for others around us as well.

Lord, thank you for your love, and though we may be persecuted for following you, may your glory be revealed through us. In Jesus name, Amen.

Everlasting Covenant!

Isaiah 59:21 (NIV2011)
²¹  “As for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the LORD. “My Spirit, who is on you, will not depart from you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will always be on your lips, on the lips of your children and on the lips of their descendants—from this time on and forever,” says the LORD.

The Lord is fighting for Israel and is fighting against their enemies. Once God brings his judgement upon the enemies, the Messiah will come to Zion and stay true to his covenant with his people. He has promised that his spirit will not depart his people, and that his words that he has placed in their mouths, will always be on the lips of his people, their children and for generations to come. I am amazed that the covenant that God has made with us. He will never forsake us, even when we deserve it. But when we mess up, let us take the courage to repent to him and admit our mistakes. God desires true relationship with us.

Lord, thank you for your faithfulness to us. We don’t deserve it at all, Amen.

Land of the Righteous

Isaiah 57:1 (NIV2011)
¹ the righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; the devout are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil.

God will acknowledge the righteous ones in Israel. He would come to take them away from encounters with evil. When we turn on the news, read the paper, or look at our phones, we often see in the news some act of evil. But as believers, we must trust and have faith that one day, Christ will return for his people, and with his return, his peace will reign over all evilness. This is exciting news to hear!

God, thank you for making a path for us, as we look to draw closer to you. We love you, in Jesus name, Amen.

May we thirst no more!

Isaiah 55:1 (NIV2011)
¹ “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.

God is inviting all who are in need to come and seek him. This verse talks about water and eating. For us, drinking and eating are temporary. We drink water and eat food, and then for the time being, we are no longer hungry or thirsty, until hours later. A repeated cycle. But God is referring to something that would be beneficial for the soul. Coming to God meant that you would be putting complete trust and faith in him. God offered his Salvation to all at no cost. We spend lots of money on food and it’s a necessity. But, God is offering something that doesn’t cost us anything and that is his Salvation. His Son Jesus Christ, paid for our sins, something that we are unworthy of. Don’t take that for granted.

Lord, we for you to refill our cups we when are empty and may we be fed by your word on a consistent basis. Amen.

From disgrace to grace

Isaiah 54:4 (NIV2011)
⁴ “Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.

In this chapter, The Lord is like a husband who would be willing to take back his wife. Even though Israel had been a people of sin and disgrace, The Lord was willing to redeem his people. I’m pretty sure that we have all had our moments where we have disappointed God, but thank God for his mercy. We have the privilege to repent to him and ask him of his forgiveness.

Lord, thank you for not forsaken us. Even though we mess up, we pray that you will forgive of our sins. Amen.

 

Breaking News!

Isaiah 52:8 (NIV2011)
⁸ Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices; together they shout for joy. When the LORD returns to Zion, they will see it with their own eyes.

Lift up your voice with praise! Isaiah describes of a time when true blessing will begin. He is prophesying about a time when Israel would bear witness to the return of the Messiah, who would come to reign over Zion. Christ would come to bring his peace amongst all men. As a believer, hearing this news brings excitement to my heart. I can picture on that day, where there will be no more tears, there will be no more pain, and we will be able to dwell with him forever.

Lord, we anticipate your return! But for now, may you continue to be the center of our lives. In Jesus name, Amen.