A thought from John 11:45-57 is that there is a need to rely on God for the possible when it seems impossible. When a plot to kill Jesus started, He went to a small village away from the public. He stayed with His disciples to prepare them for the rough days ahead. He gave up some comforts and went through adversity in order to fulfill His purpose; to die on the cross and save those who sought after Him.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us. – Psalm 103:12
Today’s video is East To West by Casting Crowns.
From “The Better Way” another great city is prophesized to feel the destructive wrath of God who hates greed and pride This would lead to the ruin of Tyre (v. 9). Tyre was a great city of trade during the time of Isaiah as ships from the eastern coastal city of Tyre would deliver items to far off places like Tarshish in the western part of the Mediterranean near Crete or off the coast of Spain. It made many people wealthy, but these people were not good stewards of the resources given.
This day with God, make your dreams and God’s dreams for you come true by being a good steward of the resources you’ve been given. Think of ways to use technology like WordPress which does not cost anything and is not too complicated to use. Use your talent of writing to build kingdom wealth by mining spiritual treasure from the Word of God. Then share this useful and meaningful treasure with others in an efficient way.
I remember a sermon from Reverend Molly Simpson years ago. The thought was that Jesus is better than the many things that the world offers so we should spend our time and money devoted to His Way. We should keep paying attention to the instructions given, the wonders, the signs, and to stay the course. Don’t get distracted but stay focused on Jesus who provides the better Way.
Reading today Isaiah 23, the better way was not being followed and another great city is prophesized to feel the destructive wrath of God. God hates pride and this would lead to the ruin of Tyre (v. 9).
The coastal city of Tyre is in present day Lebanon. During the time of today’s passage, merchants were made wealthy through trading. Ships from the Mediterranean would come from Tarshish (either Crete or off the coast of Spain), Italy, Greece, and pass by Cyprus over to the city of Tyre which is northeast of Jerusalem.
The city was full of greed and pride. God wants our money to be a benefit for a society and He wants people to be treated right. He controls all nations and in today’s passage, we are told that for 70 years Tyre would no longer be a great city until the Lord would let Tyre back into business (v. 15). Profits would then be set apart for the Lord (v. 18).
The lesson for us is to use material wealth to benefit society. To give incentive to those that work hard for their dreams coming true but at the same time, for them to be good stewards of the resources they’ve been given.
This day with You God, building spiritual treasure is our top priority and not worldly wealth. Use our talents and time in order to build kingdom wealth as we mine for spiritual treasure from Your Word to share with others. Help us to be good stewards of the resources we’ve been given. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Photo Source – “Bing.” Microsoft. N.p., n.d. Web. Images >.
We live in a busy world with busy schedules and being able to share some thoughts about this journey with others across this world through the Internet is truly a blessing. The below Questions for Reflection will stimulate thought and offer ideas for applying biblical principles. At all stages of life, the Bible is helpful in providing what is needed to thrive in life. If you have not done so yet, click the follow button on the top right side of this page to be notified of future posts.
Isaiah 23 – What remaining great city will feel the destructive wrath? Why will Tyre be restored to service? What is your attitude toward money? Business? What is a proper use of material wealth?
Isaiah 24 – What is to happen to the once wonderful world? Who is bringing this on? What justification does he give? Who burst into song?
Isaiah 25 – Who are the prisoners here? Into what darkness and prison are all to descend? What light shatters their darkness? At what merry-making feast will all peoples be gathered? What makes you jubilant?
Isaiah 26 – What causes the singing here? For what are the righteous waiting? While the earth’s proud rulers perish, what is going on inside Jerusalem? When have you been aware of God’s deliverance as a dew of light?
Isaiah 27 – What is being prophesized (see Isaiah 26:20-21)? What assurance does God give to encourage them? What assessment does Isaiah make of the people and their readiness to be taught? Does God’s method of instruction achieve final success?
Isaiah 28 – What does God have for the proud Samaria (See 8:7-8)? For the remnant? How does Isaiah describe the priests and prophets? Therefore, how will God teach them? How does God’s wonderful counsel and excellent wisdom relate to the harrowing of men?
Feel free to respond with a short note or a comment about any of the questions above. Also, I welcome any other thoughts or ideas, favorite inspirational videos, photos, or favorite Bible verses. Just add them to the comments.
To store up thoughts that are good for the soul, listen to a sermon. Download the free app in the App Store or on Google Play. Look for First Waco.
Resources and Supplementary Helps Used in Posts
Adeney, Carol. This Morning with God: A Daily Study Guide to the Entire Bible. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1978. Print.
“Sermons.” Sermons | FUMC Waco. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://fumcwaco.org/resources/sermons/>.
“Bible.” The Bible – The Word of God – ChristNotes. N.p., n.d. Web. 2017. <http://www.christianity.com/bible/>.
Nicholes, Lou. “Recent Commentaries.” Family-Times.net – Devotional Commentary Index. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.family-times.net/commentary/>.
“Bing.” Microsoft. N.p., n.d. Web. Images >.
“BibleGateway.” BibleGateway.com: A Searchable Online Bible in over 150 Versions and 50 Languages. N.p., n.d. Web. <https://www.biblegateway.com/>.
Over the last few weeks, I’ve been looking at ways to apply the word found in Isaiah 14-22 and sharing some thoughts that not only can benefit us now but also help the next generation too! The greatest of all possessions one can hand off to future generations are the guiding principles taught from the Word of God.
A takeaway from He Will Pull Us Through is that nothing can hold us down. Destiny says we are empowered to be pulled to the top because of God’s plan. So, prepare for and expect victory because our Savior loves, our Savior lives, and is always there for us.
An idea from Dedicate This Day To The Lord is to ask God for assistance in designing your life plan and how you can help others. Dream about how rewarding it will be to carry this plan out.
The amazing can happen if we Accept God’s Help. By starting now, a ripple effect that grows into a wave will happen because the Spirit of God will be on the move. Each of us can make a difference to our family, church, community, and nation.
A society can be renowned with wisdom and science yet collapse if it doesn’t understand the importance of lessons learned from the past, living according to the principles of God, and sticking with ideas that work. Some thoughts from Trust In What God Has Made are the need to go the way of God to receive peace at home and with neighbor. To come home to God and trust in His Way.
God’s word is full of warnings that help us to be made aware of what needs to be done to protect us from harm. As pointed out in Getting to the Other Side, without God’s instruction, there is no light of dawn. There is only distress, darkness, and fearful gloom.
Written in Life is not Always Peaches and Cream was the prophecy from Isaiah about the invasion and devastation of Jerusalem. History tells us that it has not always been peaches and cream for the city. It all started with bad leaders who did not pay attention to the warnings. They focused on themselves and what they could do rather than on the Lord and what He could do.
Let us realize that each day is a new day to act upon making yesterday better. That we can go to the Creator and aspire to follow God’s plan for us with realigned priorities. The Holy Spirit will be our guide, and we can be assured that we will step ahead to the destination with poise because victory is assured.
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