Is. 29, 30 [The Message]

This could be the theme of God’s message to the Jews from the beginning of their existence. “Come back to Me. I love you. You are making it hard on yourselves.” (My personal summation}

The horrors of the war now taking place in Israel and Gaza point up the seriousness of ungodliness.What is there to do except pray for the Lord to intervene and stop the carnage? War is hell. Resisting God leads to hell.

Is. 28. (The Message)

In this chapter Isaiah foretells of Christ’s kingdom being established in righteousness and justice. Those are wonderful principles that seem to be so lacking in our country’s present political posture. Regardless, the culture in our homes should be founded upon these principles to cultivate a right sense of propriety in the hearts of our children. The kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever.

Is. 26, 27. (The Message)

God has traditionally dealt with Israel when opposing nations attack them. Please pray for both Jews and Palestinians during this present conflict. Born again believers are members of The Church and need our prayers right now. A missionary from Rome Georgia started two Christian schools there … The Jerusalem School and the Bethlehem School. I have visited both. He said God is actually doing more in the Palestinian community than the Hebrews will allow him to.

Patty and I are in Ohio today. We will be attending a cousin’s reunion from members of my mother’s side of the family. Please pray that we have opportunity to be a light and pray for needs. Also, pray that we have a good trip back.

Is. 23-26. (The Message)

I’ve been to the site in Jerusalem known as Mount Zion. I was expecting more than I actually saw. For years I have read the Psalms of all the importance placed upon this hill where King David performed his devotion to God. It was easy to conclude that it’s importance was spiritual rather than physical.

We can live on God’s mountain. Being there gives an elevated perspective on life and all that is carnal. We can go there in the mornings and ride victoriously through every day. “Beautiful for elevation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion on the sides of the north, the city of the Great King.”. (Ps. 48:2)

Is 22. (The Message)

Isaiah prophetically declared that Christ would inherit the key to the Davidic throne. Imagine the rush in the prophet’s spirit as he penned words that foretold of the Anointed One. The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. (Rev. 9:10)

We also can experience God’s fresh anointing when we witness or testify of Christ to others. You too are a prophet and didn’t even know it.

Is. 19-21. (The Message)

Jerusalem was partying but that was not God’s plan for the city. In fact, partying will happen in heaven, after the work here is done.

God’s plan will generally involve the redemption of people. He loves people. We should love people too. When we see people walking about on their merry way, living an existence that doesn’t serve any real purpose, we begin to pray. God, how can I impact this person for your kingdom?

Listen to the song, “People need the Lord.”

Is. 18, 19 [The Message]

The prophet describes how Egypt from the despair she lives in will cry out to God. He will hear her and send them a savior. Hmmmm. Here again is a concealed prophecy of Christ.

Romans 10:13 says, Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” This is possibly the greatest soul winning verse we can know. Memorize it RIGHT NOW.

These are the words He’s listening for all over the universe. There is POWER in the name of Jesus.

Is. 15-18 [The Message]

God spoke through Isaiah to cities, countries, and people groups. More often than not, He identified their sin and moral decay with a verdict on their punishment. Sodom and Gomorrah are examples of God’s punishment upon depraved societies. Our country has some cities that no doubt have His attention. New York comes to my mind first.

David Wilkerson was called to minister and speak to NY as described in his book, The Cross and the Switchblade. Every Christian should read this book. It’s a classic. The church he started, Times Square Church, is still there in the midst of the culture preaching the Gospel and ministering to sinners. God also raised up the Brooklyn Tabernacle which has a large praying group that sings … Brooklyn Tab. Choir … which touches the lives of the city’s inhabitants.

Application: When we pray, we should identify a city before God’s Throne and ask Him to bring revival.

Is. 14 [The Message]

Along with the Bible’s most complete description of Satan and his fall, this chapter foretells Judah’s release from the Babylonian captivity. God did what they could not do … He sprung them free and dealt His vengeance upon their captors.

He turned Israel’s captivity in Egypt as described in Exodus. He protected and delivered Daniel from the den of lions. He accompanied and delivered the three Hebrew boys who were cast into a furnace of consuming fire. Then, we see Jesus forgiving the sin of a woman caught in adultery and setting her free from a life of moral impurity. He said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin NO MORE!”

Whatever captivity may be holding you or the ones you love, call on Jesus. Be set FREE.

Is. 12, 13 [The Message]

We often extol God’s love, and rightly so. He is also capable of unspeakable wrath. It is rarely shown. He did however give us a glimpse in the way He dealt with Babylon after they tried to destroy Jerusalem and the well-being of God’s Chosen People.

Chapter 13 details God’s wrath against the nation of Babylon, and a parallel glimpse of the ultimate “Day of the Lord” judgement which will come at the end days. Men think war is hell … they have no idea what REAL HELL is like. War merely uses man-made weapons. God uses the natural elements to include sun, moon, and stars. We weren’t at Sodom and Gomorrah to witness the brimstone and fire that exploded from Heaven. Some scientists think it was an asteroid that leveled 200 sq. miles of earth north of the Dead Sea. Regardless, God is capable of destruction on an unthinkable scale.

It’s good to know Him as Lord and Savior. He will KEEP us.