Isaiah

January 23rd – Luke 1:25

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Luke 1:25

Year after year Elizabeth and her husband prayed for a child. And year after year their prayers went unanswered. Yet as the years passed and the waiting continued, never did Elizabeth gave up on God or on her life serving Him. Instead she continued walking in obedience and trusting in whatever plans He had for her life. And as He so loves to do, God rewarded Elizabeth’s faithfulness. At the age of around 60, she became pregnant with a son. Not just any son, but the promised messenger of God. The one who would proclaim the soon to be born Messiah and prepare the way of the Lord! (Isaiah 40:3-5, Malachi 3:1) Because of her great faith and obedience God not only blessed Elizabeth with a child, through her, He fulfilled a promise made to Israel hundreds of years before her birth. Isn’t that just like God! He loves to bestow upon His children blessings far greater than we could ever imagine!

January 23rd – Luke 1:25 Read More »

January 16th – Isaiah 6:8

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Isaiah 6:8

Have you ever thought you washed a window to crystal clear perfection only to find it full of streaks when the rays of the sun shined on it? That’s how it is with us. No matter how hard we try, or how clean we think our lives are, they are nothing more than dirty, streaky windows compared to the perfect goodness of God. But because of His boundless love, just like He did for Isaiah, God provides a way for our iniquity to be taken away and our sin forgiven. That way is Jesus Christ. Through His work on the Cross and the shedding of His precious blood the minute we receive Him as our Savior, the Holy Spirit goes to work. First he humbles and convicts us about the filthiness of our lives, then begins transforming, cleansing, and getting us ready for God’s service. No longer unworthy, and like the prophets before us, we can be eagerly obedient to God’s calling. And after our own life changing encounter with the Lord, with a thankful heart we too can say to God, “Here am I. send Me!”

January 16th – Isaiah 6:8 Read More »

January 5th – Psalm 31:14-15

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Psalm 31:14-15

Sadly, as long as there is sin there will be suffering. And this side of heaven we may not understand the reason behind God letting it in our lives. But like David, we can trust that no matter what we endure, God always has a purpose for our pain. I think of Jesus. Satan appeared before Him in the wilderness and offered Christ the crown without the Cross. (Matthew 4:8) Jesus could have walked away from the cup of agony He was about to drink. But instead He chose to His Father’s will done, no matter the cost. And because of what Jesus endured, we are now blessed with the gift of eternal life. We will all have painful times. But our future is held securely in the hands of the One who controls the storms. And God will be there as our impenetrable fortress every step of the way. So trust in His perfect wisdom. And cling to His beautiful promise to, “Comfort all who mourn, giving them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting, so they will be called oaks of righteousness.” (Is. 61:3)

January 5th – Psalm 31:14-15 Read More »

January 1st – Isaiah 43:19

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Isaiah 43:19

There’s a quote by Aj Martinez which says, “January is the first month of a new year. It’s a time for new beginnings; to start fresh. May all His people see the Glory of the Lord and His Salvation; may they open their hearts and minds to His Ways and His Promises and be renewed.” I love how the new year is just bursting with new blessings and new possibilities! Time to leave the hurts and sorrows of the past year behind. Time to take a deep breath, and look forward to what God has in store for the future. For He is always at work taking all we experience and making something wonderful spring forth. The Lord has great plans for each of us, so we can head forth into the new year confident, hopeful, and thankful. So with a joyful heart we say goodbye to the old, and with anticipation, look to the new and amazing things God is doing!

January 1st – Isaiah 43:19 Read More »

December 26th – Psalm 46:10

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Psalm 46:10

The phrase “be still”, comes from the Hebrew word, “raphah.” Translated it means to relax, cause yourself to let go, or to let yourself become weak. And although it seems counterintuitive, it’s only when we deliberately surrender all to God, our fears, worries, and hurt, can we really take control of any situation. For as Isaiah 30:15 tells us, “in quietness and trust is your strength.” When we put God in charge, following instead of leading, we are free to walk through every circumstance with an inner quietness only He can provide. Why? Because just like Moses told the Israelites, “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (Ex.14:14) I once heard a minister say that when we fight instead of surrender we are actually sinning against God. For we might not only be fighting a battle which is the Lord’s, but fighting against the Lord Himself! So be still and leave the fighting to God. For He is our refuge and our safe port in every storm!

December 26th – Psalm 46:10 Read More »

December 8th – Isaiah 28:29

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Isaiah 28:29

Theologian Albert Barnes once said, “There is nothing more foolish than an act of wickedness; there is no wisdom equal to that of obeying God.” Have you ever said to yourself, “I’m so glad I…!” or, “I wish I didn’t…!” The Bible is filled with story after story of those who made both wise and unwise decisions, and the consequences of their choices. And from them we learn when we first seek the Lord, we save ourselves from a life filled with regret. Because God’s advice is perfect and His wisdom unmatched. And by applying practical principles we can receive His wonderful counsel, and great wisdom. These include surrendering our will to His, meditating on His Word, spending time in prayer, having patience in waiting to hear from Him, and trusting completely in the answer He gives. Gods knows our story from beginning to end. And if we ask Him, will guide us perfectly through every situation!

December 8th – Isaiah 28:29 Read More »

December 5th – Habakkuk 3:19

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Habakkuk 3:19

It’s easy to have a deep and obedient faith when God answers our prayers exactly the way we want. But what about when He doesn’t? The prophet Habakkuk cried out to God to deal with the wickedness of Judah. But when God’s answer was the nation’s destruction, Habakkuk couldn’t understand the Lord’s reasoning. Have you ever felt like that? Unable to understand why God’s answer to your prayer would involve suffering? In Isaiah 55:8-9 we are told that the thoughts and ways of God are higher than our human brains can comprehend. So even if we don’t understand His methods, we can trust that God uses all things for our good. (Rom. 8:28) That’s what faith is all about! Trusting that even though this life is filled with trials and suffering, and we don’t have all the answers, we can still praise God. For He is our strength and our joy. And in His perfect love will never let us falter, carrying our feet to high places of safety!

December 5th – Habakkuk 3:19 Read More »

November 18th – Isaiah 53:5

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Isaiah 53:5

I am thankful that the punishment I deserve, Jesus took upon Himself. 

With the advancement of modern medicine, there are very few wounds that cannot be healed. Except for the wound of death. No doctor, pill, or surgery can resurrect the dead. There is only One who has the power to save. Only One who has conquered death forever. Jesus Christ, the perfect, unblemished, Lamb of God is that One. Our Lord and Savior came to take away the sin of the world and reconcile us back to God. Even though that meant He had to suffer and die for us to live. The Lord knew all He would endure at the hands of the very people He came to redeem. Yet He came anyway. And Jesus did all of this to fulfill the will and plan of the Father, walking in perfect obedience and surrender to Him. And how thankful we are that because He took our punishment, even to the death on a cross, we are healed!

November 18th – Isaiah 53:5 Read More »

November 13th – Isaiah 9:6

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Isaiah 9:6

I am thankful for the many names of Jesus

Did you know in the Bible there are over 200 names and titles given to Jesus? All to express the divine glory, sinless character, and mighty position He holds as the only begotten Son of God. And oh are His names awesome! As our Wonderful Counselor, He hears our petitions, guiding us on the path we are to follow. As our Mighty God, He is our Creator and Savior who left His heavenly throne to become a sacrifice for our sins. As our everlasting Father, He never forsake or leave us, loving us perfectly, without end. And as our Prince of Peace, He came to restore our relationship with God, giving us a spiritual peace that this world can never shake. How thankful I am that Jesus was given to us as a gift of grace so that all who call Him Savior can be saved. Our Lord became everything and gave everything to give us an eternal life spent by His side!

November 13th – Isaiah 9:6 Read More »

October 12th – Isaiah 49:15

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Isaiah 49:15

God’s Promise – “Even if your mother forgets you, I will never forget you.”

It is often said there no greater love than the love a mother feels for her child. Yet as Christians we know there is a greater love still, the love God has for everyone He calls His own. Because even though some are blessed with wonderful parents, others aren’t so lucky. And still others have no parents at all. And that’s why God’s love is so great it surpasses even a mother’s love. A love that calms every fear, nurses every hurt, and provides for our every need. Earthly parents are fallible. But not our Heavenly Father. When others reject us, He will not. When our own family forgets us, God never will. Psalm 27:10 reminds us, “Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.” For He has engraved us on the palms of His hands. And those who receive Jesus as their Savior will be forever loved by our Abba, Father. And if we have His love, we need no other!

October 12th – Isaiah 49:15 Read More »