Potholes of Life

O. T. #1602  "Potholes of Life"
Jan. 8, 2020
Isaiah 26
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength.
(26:3-4)

LET IT GLOW

Is your mind troubled? Is your life in turmoil? Do you keep falling into the same potholes of life, like me? Read on friend to find out how to survive.

*Christians, pray for our military people in Iraq as you go throughout the day.
Iran launched missiles in our military bases last night. Ask God to intervene and stop this attack of evil. Also, pray for Israel's protection, too. Ask God to direct our President 'a decisions.

This is the last of two songs of praise that will be sung in the land of Judah. Isaiah say the remnant will sing over Jerusalem. After the Jews spent 70 years in Babylonian captivity, they returned to Jerusalem and rebuilt the temple, city, and the walls. In the book of Nehemiah, we read in chapter 12 where the Jews sang, gave thanks, and had gladness as they dedicated the wall around Jerusalem. What a joyous time for them. During the millennial kingdom, when Christ reigns in the New Jerusalem, there will be singing by the righteous, also.

Let's take a closer look at our key verses. Not only can it be encouraging words for the Jews, but also for us:

• God will keep us in perfect peace. Keep means guard, protect, maintain, preserve. Peace refers to happy, safety, rest. God will maintain and preserve us with His safety, rest, and peace.
• This happens when our mind is stayed on Him. Stayed is to lean upon or take hold of; sustain. What we do to receive His peace is to keep leaning upon Him.
• It happens because we are trusting in God. Trusteth refers to hope, confident, secure.

When we put our confidence and hope in God, trusting in Him totally, leaning upon Him entirely, we will be sustained by Him alone, with the peace  of God. He promises us complete security when we trust in Him. Where else can you get such a guarantee?
Who is the object of our faith? The LORD JEHOVAH is. He is our everlasting strength.
Where do we put our confidence? Is it in our bank account or Jesus? He is Jehovah Jireh, our provider.

LET IT GROW

Read over verses 7-11 now.  The NIV  makes it easier to understand:
The path of the righteous is:

• level; (verse 7a) 
• smooth; (verse 7b)
• a wait as we walk in His laws; (verse 8)
• the Lord as the desire of their hearts; (verse 8)
• yearning and longing for Him night and day; (verse 9)
• learn righteousness from God as His judgments come upon the earth; (verse 9)
• peace; (verse 12)
• accomplishments that God has done; (verse 12)
• honoring God; (verse 13)
• a whispered prayer; (verse 16)
• one whose dead live eternally and bodies rise during the millennial; (verse 19)
• shouting for joy. (verse 19)

Do we desire a life that is smooth? Live righteously. Potholes are on our path, but we don't have to step in them and stay in the pit. When we find our self down there, Jesus stretches out His arms to lend us a hand to get out-look up and reach up. Let love pull us out and live above our problems.
Do want peace in our soul? Live right with God, making Him the desire of our heart.
Are we praying without ceasing?
When our loved ones die, be assured that if they are believers in Jesus, they will rise again. As Christ arose from the dead, so shall we. (Philippians 3:20-21)

LET IT GO

Jesus, help me live above these potholes I keep stepping into on my country road of faith.
Help me get up again today and walk by faith in You.
Keep my mind in peace as I lean on You.

Christians, pray for our military people in Iraq. Iran has sent missles at our base and embassy. This is a serious situation. Pray for Israel,too.
God gives us perfect peace to those whose mind is leaning on Him. Trust Jesus with this situation.

Have You Accepted Your Invitation?

O. T. #1601  "Have You Accepted Your Invitation?
Jan. 7, 2020
Isaiah 25

LET IT GLOW

The horrid people of this world back in Isaiah's time broke God's Divine laws and moral laws. They worshipped pagan, false gods and idols, as well as immoral acts. The Assyrians conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel. They were noted for stripping their captives naked and skinning them alive. The Babylonians, who later captured Judah, put captives in the fiery furnace (3 Hebrews) and into the lions den (Daniel). So God's judgment upon the earth was and is coming upon all people.

How did Isaiah react to this world judgment? In chapters 25 and 26, we read of the two songs of thanksgiving for redemption. He honors God with praises. Isaiah is looking into the Millennial Kingdom of Christ:

• God has done wonderful things.
• His plans of long ago will be implemented.
• The mighty cities become heaps of ruin.
• The strong walls turn into rubble.
• Beautiful palaces (of terrible kings) will be destroyed.
• All people will fear God.
• Proud nations will be brought low during the Great Tribulation.
• In Jerusalem, Jesus will invite the surviving believers to a feast. Invitations will go out and all will attend, Jews and Gentiles saved.
• Jesus will destroy death.
• He will wipe away tears from all faces.
• The rebuke of His people will be taken away.
• The feast of fat things will be the nourishing gospel that is digested.
• The refined wine will be the gospel that  makes glad the heavy hearts and raise their spirits.
• Those will be of good cheer for Christ has overcome the world.
• The light of Jesus will remove the dark veil of sin in hearts.
• The One on whom everyone was waiting finally arrived.
• We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.

Oh wow! What a day that will be! The world will see nobody but Jesus! Have you accepted your invitation, dear one? The invitation to come to Jesus as your Savior? Have you repented of your sins and asked Jesus to forgive you and be your Savior? If you have, then you are awaiting your invitation to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. One day it will happen, just as John wrote in Revelation 19.

LET IT GROW

Moab, all adversaries of God's people, will be down trodden under The LORD Jesus. That includes the devil and his demons being cast into the Lake of Fire, forever and ever. That includes the nations who oppose His beloved Israel. No more hate, sin, or temptations.

So are you happily awaiting the coming of Your LORD Jesus? We will be with loving people loving our Savior. Have you RSVP your invitation? Jesus personally holds it out to you.

LET IT GO

I will fear no more, what people say about me, what mean things they do to me.
I will praise Thy name, Jesus, for Thou hast done wonderful things!
Thank You for inviting me to come to You for salvation and being my Savior!!

When the Party is Over

O. T. #1600  "When the Party is Over"
Jan. 6, 2019
Isaiah 24

LET IT GLOW

Our children are being conditioned to the philosophy of eat, drink, and be marry, for tomorrow we die-party hardy while you can. Drugs and alcohol are becoming legal to use, but they are only an escape from real life. Where is the work ethic? Do our best. Serve others. But one day the party will be over. We will all stand before a Holy God and give an account of our life. Will there be singing or wailing?

Isaiah 's prophecies were first directed to Judah, then to Israel, and to the surrounding nations. Finally, it is directed to the whole world, found in chapters 24-27. In those last days when God judges the whole world, He will finally and permanently remove evil.

Look at verses 14-16. What is the remnant, the saints, going to be doing?

• They will raise their voices, shouting for joy. (verse 14a)
• From the west they acclaim the LORD's majesty. (verse 14b)
• In the east they will give glory to the LORD. (verse 15a)
• In the islands, they will exalt the name of the LORD, the God of Israel. (verse 15b)
• From the ends of the earth we hear singing, "Glory to the Righteous One."

These people will be singing songs, not sighing, of praise, honor, and glory to God.
Can we sing His praises as we survive times of trouble in our life?

LET IT GROW

When the party is over, there is a payday some day. Isaiah saw a terrible time coming to the earth during the Tribulation Period. We can read more detail in Revelation that John wrote.
Why is this coming? Verse 5 explains:

1. The people disobeyed God's laws.
2. They violated the statutes He established for their good.
3. They broke the everlasting covenant.

Mankind will be living for themselves and not for God; most will not worship Him, but false gods. Wickedness will be here as a result. It will be as in the days of Noah, when God sent water to cleanse the earth. The next time, it will be done with fire.  Only the righteous ones will escape, those believers in Jesus as Savior. Babylon will fall and Satan will forever be cast into the Lake of Fire, Hell. Jesus will reign a thousand years, and there will be a new Jerusalem. Afterwards, a new heaven and a new earth.

Folks, this is serious business. Do we know the laws, statutes, and covenants of God? Are we following them?

LET IT GO

In Christ alone my hope is found.

Giving

O. T. #1599  "Giving"
Jan. 3, 2020
Isaiah 23

LET IT GLOW

10. The Burden, Oracle, or Message to Tyre

This is the last of the messages, prophesies, that Isaiah had to deliver to the nations. For some background on this very old city, which dated back to about two millennials before Christ.
Tire, which is modern Lebanon, was:

• located on the Mediterranean Sea, so it was an important shipping city;
• very rich due to the sear merchants;
• a part of the Phoenician Empire, north of Israel;
• famous for their purple dye cloth-purple was extracted from the sea snails off its coast;
• the provider of lumber for Solomon's temple and sailors for his navy;
• part of the city-state politically independent unit;
• fell under siege 5 times between Isaiah's prophesy and 332 BC (Assyria, Babylon);
• Alexander the Great leveled Tyre and it was under captivity for 70 years;
• of the Canaanite religion, who had temple prostitution, child sacrifices, and Baal worship;
• the place wicked Jezebel was from.

Tyre's false god worship and pride brought on the judgment of God, but was warned to repent through Isaiah.

We must be careful to remain faithful to our God even if we are prosperous or important.


LET IT GROW

In verse 18, we read of a time when Tyre's commercial enterprise would be restored during the millennial kingdom reign of Jesus. Her profits will be given to the LORD. Her wealth will provide good food and fine clothing for the LORD's. She will be holiness to Him.

We must first give up ourselves to be holiness to the Lord before what we do, or have, or get, can be so. 
Do we have a heart of God's love? Do we have charity? Are we supporting the ministry? When we do, then our wealth and works are not stored up on earth but in heaven.

LET IT GO

Use me to meet needs of people and ministry.
May Jesus be the love of my heart.

Keys to the Kingdom

O. T. #1598  "Keys to the Kingdom"
Jan. 2, 2020
Isaiah 22
And the key of the house of David will I lay upon His shoulder; so He shall open, and none shall shut; and He shall shut, and none shall open. (verse 22) 

LET IT GLOW

I can't say enough thanks to everyone who was a faithful Bible study friend with us last year. How I wish we could gather around my kitchen table with some hot tea and share what all we have learned this past year in studying God's Word together. Where has our walk of faith taken us in the Bible? Last year, on January 1, 2019, we were in Job 5. Then we studied Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon. Dare I say that we have found some encouragement, wisdom, love, and principles to apply in our life? God has taught me so much, brought me through turbulent times, and has blessed me beyond measure. Especially when we traveled around His Beloved Israel and Jerusalem. I pray He has blessed you, too. Please continue to pray for God's leading and direction as I prepare each lesson for us.

9. The Burden, Oracle, or Message to Jerusalem

The Valley of Vision refers to the city of Jerusalem, where God revealed Himself. Although Jerusalem sits upon a hill, it is surrounded by high mountains. So it can be considered a valley, also.
The city would be attacked unless God's people returned to Him. However, they trusted in their water under the wall as a reservoir, weapons, and even pagan neighbors. They partied hardy. During King Hezekiah's reign over Judah, the Assyrian Empire came in 701 B.C., but because the king prayed to God, the Assyrians failed.

Although, the weapons, wall, and water were not enough to secure Judah. Their work was pointless because they never asked God for help. Then in 686, King Manasseh rebuilt idols and high places of worship to pagan gods, and Judah became a subservant to Assyria, paying them money.  In 612, Babylon crushed Assyria's capital of Nineveh. Finally, in 605, Babylon conquered Judah.

Do we concentrate on our work for achievements, ignoring God and doing His work?
Do we carry on life as usual without asking God for His direction and help?


LET IT GROW

Not only were Isaiah's words of prediction for Judah's time, but for the time in the book of Revelation.
In verses 15-25, Shebna, the treasurer in the royal chamber, would die a pauper in a far country (Babylon).  Eliakim would replace him and reign as Hezekiah's prime minister.

The key of the house of David refers his responsibility in advising and protecting the Davidic line. God would fasten him as a nail in a sure place, as a large peg built into the wall of houses in that day which were virtually irremovable. Eliakim's descendants would enjoy the permanence of his position while Shebna would not. However, his nail was removed when Babylon conquered Judah.

Verse 22 is quoted in Revelation 3:7 by Jesus as John wrote to the church in Philadelphia.
Jesus has the keys to the door of heaven and the door of hell. When we keep His Word and do not deny His name, in the end remain faithful to Jesus, we will enter heaven. It is not by our works that gets us there, but faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior, the Messiah. No one can pry open the door nor shut the door except Jesus.

Are we ready for eternity when the door is opened to us?
Jesus has the key to God's kingdom. Is He your Key?

LET IT GO

Thank You, Jesus, for being my key to heaven.
How wonderful that will be, when my Jesus I will see!!

Handwriting on the Wall

O. T. #1597  "Handwriting on the Wall"
Jan. 1, 2020
Isaiah 21

LET IT GLOW

Aren't these years flying by? Did you ever think about writing the year 2020? Not me. What if God gave you a handwriting on the wall telling you what was going to happen in your life this year, how would you react? Would you fall on your face before a Holy God?
This actually happened to the king of Babylon, Belshazzar. We find the event in Daniel 5. The great empire of Babylon was going to fall, but the king didn't repent of his sins.

First of all, recall 14:24-27 where God says as He thought it, it will come to pass; as He purposed, it will stand; His hand is stretched out to the nations on the whole earth; who can disannul His purpose and who can turn back His hand stretched out? (my summary)
God had all the nations under His control. He gave them a warning to repent and believe in Him, not idols, but they would not heed the warning. Sad isn't it?

Next, in verses 1-10 of chapter 21, we read of another prophesy to Babylon through Isaiah. Keep in mind that during these 200 years (600 B.C to 400 B. C.) there were battles over world dominance. The empires were Assyria, Babylon, Media, and Persia, yet God was in control of them. (Stick with us friend, for all of this information will come in handy later as we study other prophets during this time.) Again, I hope this timeline will help us keep these historical events in perspective.

--689 BC: Babylon fell to Assyria
--612 BC: Nineveh, Assyrian capital, fell to control of Babylon and Medes
--605 BC: Babylon conquered Judah under King Nebuchadnezzar
--586 BC: Babylon destroyed Jerusalem and Temple
--542-540 BC: Daniel was in Babylon under King Belshazzar, Neb's son; Belshazzar saw God's
                         finger writing on the wall that Babylon was given to the Medes and Persians
--537 BC: First group of Jews return to Jerusalem to rebuild it, under King Cyrus of Persia

During the 70 years of the Jews in captivity, God's prophets of Ezekiel, Obadiah, Jeremiah, and Daniel prophesied. Those empires mentioned above were going to fall. Their idols of false gods could not and would not prevent this.

Keep in mind that not only are Isaiah's predictions for those times before Christ, but also during the times Revelation speak about happening in the last times. Babylon will fall; Iraq will fall.


LET IT GROW

7. The Burden, Oracle, or Message to Dumah

In verses 11-12, we read of a prophesy to Dumah, which is Edom, located south of Moab. The people of Edom were descendants of Esau, and where usually were enemies of Israel. They rejoiced whenever Israel fell to the Assyrians (chapters 34 and 63) and this sealed Edom's doom.The watchman keeps watch night and day for enemies. The Medes and Persians took over this area after defeating Babylon.

8. The Burden, Oracle, or Message to Arabia

In verses 13-17, Arabia would fall. They allied with the Philistines to invade Jerusalem, but were later defeated by Uzziah. There were trade routes through Arabia, so the land was important during that time. Assyria first invaded Arabia in 732 BC and again in 725 BC.
You don't mess with God's people and get away with it.

Have you looked back over the last year? Was it a year of heartache and loss, tragedy and sorrow? Or was there happiness and joy, success and achievement? Did you close the book on last year with regret, or with relief? How do you think God looks on this past year in your life? Did it bring you any closer to Him? What lessons will you take from last year into this coming year? What did God teach you? (from Billy Graham's devotional, Wisdom for Each Day)

Philippians 3:13-14 says, but one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

LET IT GO

Learn from the past and let it go.
Live in today.
Look to the future in heaven.
 Happy New Year!