Questions for Reflection for Study of Isaiah 23 Through 28

Posted on October 22, 2024 by Mark Shields

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/>.

Posted in Bible Study, Devotionals, Questions for Reflection | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Spiritual Journey Through Isaiah 14-22

Posted on October 21, 2024 by Mark Shields

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.

Posted in Bible Study, Journey, spirituality | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Thought From Devotional 10-18-2024

Posted on October 18, 2024 by Mark Shields

A thought from John 11:17-44 is that there is a need to rely on God for the possible when it seems impossible. It’s when you hit a wall that the opportunity for the Lord to make the impossible possible exist. With the help of the Holy Spirit, you can take on difficulty and figure out how to find a solution.

Posted in Thoughts From Devotional | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Spirit Intercedes

Posted on October 17, 2024 by Mark Shields

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. – Romans 8:26-27

Written in ”Life is not Always Peaches and Cream” was the prophecy from Isaiah about 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 take action at making yesterday work better. That we can go to the Creator and aspire to create a successful plan together. Then carry it out with confidence and determination.  As the song Back To God by Reba McEntire points out, let us turn to God and give this world back to Him.

Index of devotionals

Posted in Devotionals, Faith | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Life Is Not Always Peaches And Cream

Posted on October 16, 2024 by Mark Shields

Life is not always peaches and cream. It can be a difficult place and that’s why we need friends to help along the way to fortify the Spirit, mind, and soul. As we seek to apply the lessons of the Bible, let us keep in mind that God blesses those who request His advice and follow through on His guidance.

At one time, Jerusalem was a joyous city, but history tells us that it has not always been peaches and cream. In reading Isaiah 22, there is a prophecy of Assyrian invasion and devastation of Jerusalem, there would be difficult times of famine, sickness, and wars. They would have terrible leadership that would not turn to God.

The insight of Isaiah said that they would prepare for battle by building up Jerusalem’s defenses. Collecting armor, horses, chariots, and fortifying the walls that surrounded the city. They would work hard but not smart because they would not go to God in prayer to prepare.

It would not be peaches and cream because the people would not listen to the warnings. The vision of Isaiah demands reforms within the city. He demanded a change in leadership. Shebna was the palace administrator who was second in command. Apparently, he only cared about himself as the Lord reveals to Isaiah that he would build a monument to himself (v.16).

Also revealed to Isaiah is that Eliakim would take over and be an honorable leader who would care for his people. Making himself responsible to God in his position of power. He is called a servant (v. 20) … a picture of Jesus the greatest Servant of all.

Today’s passage makes us think about being responsible to God in our position of authority. There are people we have authority over, and we should want their attention focused on the Lord. Not on our authority over them but on the Lord and what He can do to help them in their life. Let them know that each day is a new day to take action at making yesterday work better. That we can go to the Creator and aspire to create a successful plan together. Then carry it out with confidence and determination.

Lord, life is not always peaches and cream but with You, we can expect the unexpected. We can expect greatness and praise You for what You have already done and what You will do in the future. We proactively prepare so when life is not peaches and cream, we have our faith to fall back on. This new and glorious morn is dawning, and we prepare now our heart and mind. We align our heart, our mind, and our actions by reflecting on the experiences of the past and building on Your plans for the future. Amen.

Photo Source – “Bing.” Microsoft. N.p., n.d. Web. Images >.

Posted in Bible Study, Faith | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments