My Wedding Dress

O. T. #1708  "My Wedding Dress"
June 9, 2020
Isaiah 61-Part 4
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.
(verse 10)

LET IT GLOW

Ladies, did you as a bride wear a special wedding dress-garment? Did you adorn yourself with jewels?
I recall spending a week with my sister in the summer before our wedding looking for that one dress in Houston. It had crocheting on the upper part and netting for the flowing part and long sleeves. I didn't want a train, for it was too fancy for this country gal.  My husband wore a brown suit that he specially bought. The only jewelry I wore was a simple necklace he gave to me, shaped like a heart. We were simple folks with hearts filled with the joy of love. (Although, our parents were not excited for us, since I was only 18 and he was 19.) But that love has lasted almost 48 years. We are looking for the golden anniversary to celebrate soon.

Read our key verse above. Here are some questions dealing with it:

• Are we greatly rejoicing in the LORD Jesus today?
• Is our soul joyful in our God?
• Is our soul clothed with the garments of salvation that Jesus has provided?
• Are we covered with a robe of righteousness from Him?

The English translation of I will greatly rejoice, is rejoicing I will rejoice.
After enumerating the many blessings of God upon His people, the chapter concludes with an exuberant and joyous song of praise to Jehovah. It is an inner joy that comes from the soul. (Falwell)

If you cannot rejoice today, perhaps you do not know Jesus as your Savior, friend. Simply ask Him to forgive your sins, come into your heart, and be your Savior.
If you already have done so, then are you rejoicing in Jesus?

LET IT GROW

What do we read in the last part of verse 11? So the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.

Is the joy of the Lord your strength? Do we thank Him for the little things that He provides?

LET IT GO

I greatly rejoice in You today, King Jesus!
Your grace is greater than all my sin.
Peace be still. Comfort and strengthen everyone who reads this.
Let faith rise up in us.

Live It and Give It

O. T. #1707  "Live It and Give It"
June 8, 2020
Isaiah 61-Part 3

LET IT GLOW

After the captivity was over for Israel, the ancient ruins were rebuilt. Those that returned to Jerusalem rebuilt the Temple, their homes and businesses, and the walls around the city. Their enemies became servants. The three men who led the return journey became governors-Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah.

In the new kingdom during the Millennial reign of King Jesus, Israel will be a nation of:

• Priests of the LORD; (Moses was promised that His people would become a kingdom of priests, in Exodus 19:6.) (verse 6)
• Ministers of our God;
• recipients of a double honor and everlasting joy; (verse 7)
• having an everlasting covenant; (Everyone will recognize Israel as the blessed people of God.) verse 8

We can see God's grace and mercy as He forgave and will forgive His chosen people for their idolatry and not acknowledging Jesus Christ as the Son of god and Messiah.

LET IT GROW

What about us Gentiles of non-Jewish blood? (Acts 13:34), since it was an essential event in fulfilling this promise made to David that his seed would be ruler over Israel in an everlasting kingdom. If Christ had not fully satisfied God by His atoning death, He would not have risen; if He had not risen from the dead, He could not eventually sit on David's earthly throne. But He did rise and will fulfill the kingly role. The whole world will come to Jesus as the great King. (MacArthur)

Under the new covenant, all believers are priests of the Lord (1Peter 2:5) reading God's Word and seeking to understand it, confessing their sins directly to God, and ministering to others. (Life Application Study Bible)

Each one of us can be ministers of God when we obey, do justly, and love mercy; when we pray, and give to orphans and widows; when we do so cheerfully, with humility, and live godly and uprightly before God. We must be a grateful people who praise God with our lips and our heart.

Are we living and ministering to others and our God?

LET IT GO
Use us to show Your love to others, Jesus.
Help us to not only speak the Truth, but also live it.
Live it and Give it.

You Can Be a Strong Oak

O. T. #1706  "You Can Be a Strong Oak"
June 5, 2020
Isaiah 61-Part 2
To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them, beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He might be glorified.  (verse 3)

LET IT GLOW


Christ was appointed to be hope and encouragement to those who come to Him by faith. His life mission was to show God's love for sinners and  ultimately give His life as a perfect sacrifice for people who would  believer in Him as Savior and Messiah.

What else was Jesus appointed to do?
He exchanges:

• beauty for ashes of repentance; in times of great mourning people would cover themselves with ashes for a sign of their condition. Only Jesus can change hearts.
• the oil of joy for mourning; instead of sorrow there will be joy in the heart that comes to Jesus.
• the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; as the burden of sin is lifted when we confess it, we praise Jesus for renewal.

Are you weighted down with the burden of sin, perhaps a secret sin? Just confess it to Jesus and let Him make your life beautiful, joyful, and praise to Him.

LET IT GROW

We have many oak trees on our farm. They have stood tall and strong against high winds that have come to us. In the latter part of this verse, Jesus refers us Christians as trees of righteousness. He plants us in churches to bring forth spiritual fruit and grace. We need each other as encouragers when the winds of life blow us here and there.

The oak tree represents greatness, strength, and a tree capable of enduring all of the adverse elements of nature. God's righteousness is that which makes His people as oak trees. (Falwell)

All of this is so God is glorified. Is our life glorifying Him?

LET IT GO
Continue to pray for each other during this pandemic. God knows what we are going through. Keep a strong faith so we glorify Him.

Are You in Need Today?

O. T. #1705  "Are You in Need Today?"
June 4, 2020
Isaiah 61
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me; because the LORD hath anointed Me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hat sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.  (verse 1)

LET IT GLOW

Some that He was just another ordinary man; some thought He was a good teacher; some thought He was a blasphemer claiming to be the Messiah. Jesus set the record straight recorded in Luke 4:17-21. He read this passage in the Jewish synagogue, the words Isaiah wrote over 600 years earlier. Jesus made it clear that He fulfilled that prophecy.
Jesus was a Jew, one of them. Nazareth was His hometown and He was known as the local carpenter's son (Luke 4:21-22). The appearance of Jesus was not impressive. He wasn't the Messiah they expected, having might and power to conquer the Roman government. The Jews would have thrown Him over a cliff had He not passed through the midst of them.
What made Jesus different? He was born of a virgin Mary, as well as being conceived by the Holy Spirit of God.

Another thing, Jesus had the Spirit of the Lord God upon Him. did you know that the Hebrew word, Messiah and the Greek word Christ mean Anointed One? Jesus was anointed by God the Father to redeem His world and reign over His kingdom. Christ the Messiah was set apart for a special task-to be the Savior and Redeemer and Messiah.

What was Christ anointed (to consecrate; to be filled; be full of) with the Holy Spirit, in verses 1 and 2, to do what?

• to preach (to announce (glad news); bear, bring, carry, preach, tell) good tidings unto the meek (depressed; in mind-gentle or circumstances-needy; lowly; poor);
• sent to bind (to wrap firmly, compress; to stop; to rule) up the brokenhearted (to burst; break-down, off, in pieces; crush; hurt;
• to proclaim (to call out to-address by name; pronounce; say; publish) liberty to the captives (prisoner; that was taken; take away);
• open the prison (jail-delivery)prison to them that are bound(to yoke or hitch; to fasten; put in bonds).

Are you depressed or needy or poor? Jesus is the good news you need.
Are you brokenhearted, crushed by another's words or actions? Jesus will wrap you up in His unconditional love.
Are you held captive by a sin, a lifestyle, or someone? Jesus can set you free.
Does your mind need to be freed from that which has you bound up in your mind?
We can be set free from sin through the salvation Jesus has provided. Will you ask Him to be your Savior and forgive you of your sins, if you have not done so before?


LET IT GROW

In verse 2 Jesus says that He was anointed To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn.

In Luke 4:18-19, as Jesus read Isaiah 61:1 and part of verse 2 in the synagogue, He stopped after "to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD."  Rolling up the scroll, He said that day this Scripture was fulfilled. It was the year that God provided salvation to all who would believe in Him. His first coming provided salvation, but His second coming will bring vengeance, judgment upon His enemies and restore Israel to a place of glory. We are under God's favor, yet His wrath is coming. Are we ready?

I almost passed over the last phrase. Jesus came to comfort all that mourn. When we seek Jesus and not the world, we will find comfort. Are we mournful over our sins and failures? The Holy Spirit can change our sorrow into songs of praise.

LET IT GO



Everything I've needed, Lord Jesus, You've always been-my Savior, Sustainer, when I'm at my end; Healer, Redeemer. Everything I've needed Lord, You've always been. Thank You, Jesus!

Let go of the worries and cares and receive Peace.
Let go, relax, be still, and know that He is God.

It's Your breath in our lungs so we pour out our praise to You, Holy God.

A New Jerusalem is Coming!

O. T. #1704  "A New Jerusalem is Coming!"
June 3, 2020
Isaiah 60-Part 3

LET IT GLOW

In verses 19-22, Isaiah is looking beyond the millennial kingdom and sees a view of the New Jerusalem, Celestial City, as in Revelation 21 and 22.
How does he describe it?

• There will not be anymore the sun and moon for light. The brightness of the glory of the Lord will fill supply it. (verse 19)
• God will be an everlasting light. He says this twice. He won't change nor diminish.
• The people will be righteous, which is imputed by faith in Jesus. (verse 21)
• Their inheritance of the land is to be permanent.
• They will receive care and nourishment from God Himself.
• A few humble children of faith will increase into an expansion of joyous fellowship of many.(verse 22)

[Resource: Liberty Bible Commentary]

We are reassured that the Sovereign Jehovah will bring this to pass;it will be fulfilled rapidly.
The Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in 12 caves  by Bedouin shepherds between 1946 and 1956. All of the OT books were found except for Esther and Nehemiah.
Israel has a museum located there. We were able to see the writings of Isaiah, which were in Hebrew, preserved there. Monks had written them and hid them in the caves so the Roman army would not destroy them. How marvelous our God is! Today, we are able to read what Isaiah dictated from God so long before this.

Let us keep the faith, dear one. The best is yet to come for us. How beautiful heaven must be! Is your reservation made?

LET IT GROW



In his book, Great Days with the Great Lives, Charles Swindoll says some appropriate things for us in our time that might just help us:

When the day of reckoning arrives, God is always fair. He blesses those who have walked with Him. He forgives, restores, rewards, and heals. God doesn't miss a thing. Have you been abused, abandoned, treated unfairly, ripped off, neglected, misrepresented? God doesn't forget. He just doesn't adjust His plan to our timetable. His Accounts Settlement desk doesn't operate on a nine-to-five schedule. He doesn't handle our cases when we want them handled. He has a perfect plan. His plan is unfolding. God's arrangement of things is not a frustrated plan. He knows exactly what He's going to do and when He's going to do it. He didn't miss anything in Job's life and He hasn't missed anything in your life either.

I hope that is helpful to you like it is to me.
When the going gets tough, may our faith in Jesus get stronger. He never stops fighting for you and me. One day, He will make all things right. In the meantime, trust His timing. Continue to forgive and love in spite of....

LET IT GO

I have carefully mapped out every inch of your journey through this day, even though much of it may feel haphazard. I never leave your side. Let the Holy Spirit guide you step by step, protecting you from unnecessary trials and equipping you to get through whatever must be endured. As you trudge through the sludge of this fallen world, keep your mind in heavenly places with Me. Thus the Light of My Presence shines on you, giving you Peace and Joy that circumstance cannot touch.

Jesus Calling, a devotional book by Sarah Young.

A Glorious God

O. T. #1703  "A Glorious God"
June 2, 2020
Isaiah 60-Part 2

LET IT GLOW

If you have read this entire chapter, you will find one word, and its forms, that permeate it.

Glory is found in verses 1,2, and 13; it means splendor; honor. The first two are in reference to the glory of the LORD. His splendor will shine upon Jerusalem and will be seen there.

Glory, found in verses 7 and 19, mean honor; majesty; beauty. The first one is in reference to the House of His Glory, while the second one describes the New Jerusalem, Celestrial city, having God as its glory, an Everlasting Light.

Glorify, in verse 7, the second appearance, refers to gleam; embellish; beautify.

Glorified, which is in verses 9 and 21, means the same as the previous word.

In Isaiah 42:8 and 48:11,  God says that He will not share His glory with another.

I have come to realize that God deserves and requires glory from us. He will get it one way or another. If it takes humbling us through harsh measures, He can. However, love in our heart will give our God and Savior honor and recognition as our Majesty King automatically.

Is what we say and do glorifying our God? What about our decisions and thoughts? Do we thank and praise Him enough? Or are we seeking glory for our self? Is He the One True Living God that we worship?


LET IT GROW

Some consider this chapter refers to the rebuilding of Jerusalem after the 70 year captivity. Others, including me, think it is speaking of the reign of Christ during the millennial kingdom, thousand years. If the latter is correct, how is this time described?

• The glory of the Lord will rise to dispel spiritual darkness for Israel.
• People will be attracted to the Light, Jesus Christ, and will come to Jerusalem to worship Him-Gentiles, kings of nations, sons and daughters of Israel, and strangers.
• Gifts of material wealth will be brought with them, silver and gold, then given.
• The gates of the city will be continually left open, for peace and joyous fellowship, plus worship of King Jesus will exist there.
• Hatred, despising, ill intent, plus jealousy, ignorance and being forsaken will not exist toward Israel.

Having visited Jerusalem, I realize that the golden dome, which sits over the place of the Holy of Holies in the Temple of God, will have to be destroyed because of the false worship of the Islamic religion. Also, the Eastern Gate, that is currently cemented shut, will have to be opened, for Jesus will enter through it. Of course, nothing is too difficult for our God. What Sovereign Jehovah has planned will come to pass, one day.

Wow! What a time to live and observe this!

LET IT GO
God, You are amazing and marvelous, all-powerful and wise, as well as indescribable and uncontainable.
You have it all planned so we trust in You.
Jesus, reign as King of our hearts today.
We give You glory, honor, and praise.

Hope of Light in a Dark World

O. T. #1702  "Hope of Light in a Dark World"
June 1, 2020
Isaiah 60
Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. (verse 1)

LET IT GLOW

Some people suffer more than others. We don't know why that is. Evil is around us, trying to destroy the believers of Jesus and their witness. However, let us not blame God for everything that happens in our life, especially the bad things. One day, God will be victorious over all of the evil. In the death and resurrection of Jesus Chris,t Satan was confronted and Jesus won! He is our hope and comfort.
[Resource: Billy Graham's devotional book, Wisdom for Each Day]

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world! (John 16:33)

On the timeline of future events, Charles Swindoll notes four events in his book, Insights on Revelation:

1. The Gospel will be preached to all nations, then the rapture of the church/believers (1 Thess. 4:13-18).
2. Then during the seven year tribulation, with 3 1/2 years of deception of the antichrist and 3 1/2 years of his reigning (Rev. 4-19). The Battle of Armageddon mentioned in Rev. 16:13-16.
3. Next, the second coming of Christ (Rev. 19:11-21), when He restores Israel and reigns 1,000 years of peace on earth.
4. Last, the Great White Throne judgment (Rev. 20:11-15) which leads to the new heaven and new earth, and finally eternity.

LET IT GROW

Now, with that said, Isaiah is prophesying hope for Israel. Instead of groping in darkness, Israel is commanded to:

• Arise, which means make to stand up; abide; strengthen; continue;
• and shine, which refers to be (make) luminous; (give, show) light.

How is it that Israel will be able to rise and shine? Their Redeemer, Jesus Christ, their light, is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.

As the sun rises to dispel the darkness, so the glory of the Lord will rise to dispel spiritual darkness for Israel. Jesus is the Light of the world. He will reign as King of kings and LORD of lords; with the beauty and radiance of the Lord shining upon Zion, Jerusalem. (verse 2) (Falwell)
The Jews will believe in Jesus as their Messiah and the Gentiles will come to Him, also. The riches of the gentile nations will all be delivered to Israel. (verse 5)

What a day that will be!
How does that apply to us today? When we come to Jesus, He gives us strength to carry on, even in the midst of suffering. We must hold onto Him as our Hope.
Is His light shining through us into a darkened, sinful world?

Jesus said, in Matthew 5:16, Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

LET IT GO
Jesus, You are the Light of the world.
Shine on our heart.
May our good works glorify You.