Is.58-60 [The Message]

Arise, shine! For thy light (Jesus) is come. All nations and their kings shall come to the brightness of Your radiant sunrise.

Israel is going through a bitter trial right now. The nations are all taunting her and challenging her right to exist. in effect, they are stirring the Mighty God of Heaven to rise up to defend her and fulfill His end-time plan. Yes, we Christians have come to a saving knowledge of Christ and entered into a covenant relationship with God that lets us taste the new life to come. But there is a time soon to come whereby “Every tongue will confess Him, every eye will see Him, and every knee shall bow to Him.”

We will be SO GLAD we came to Christ voluntarily (errr, the conviction of the Holy Spirit had alot to do with it). God’s glory will arise and be seen upon us. Great days ahead!

Is. 57 [The Message]

“Are we there yet? Are we there yet?” Most parents have heard this question when on a trip with their children. Many of us ask this question about the times we live in. We ask, “Jesus, are you coming soon? Our world is caving in right before our eyes.”

The prophet clarifies how we are to live as we wait: “Maintain justice, and do what is right.” It’s almost an “Occupy til I come” exhortation. Herein lies the key. We keep LOOKIN’ and OCCUPYIN’. He will come to those who look for Him.

Here is Gordon Jensen, the composer of “Redemption Draweth Nigh.” One important line is, “Keep your eyes upon the Eastern skies.”

ALSO: Thanks for praying for me. I had my 12th bone marrow biopsy done and all tests went well. I will meet with Dr. Solomon after Thanksgiving to discuss where we go from here. You are all GREAT FRIENDS.

Is. 56 [The Message]

My oncologist, Dr. Goldklang, noticed a spike in one of my critical indicators for the cancer in my blood. He referred me to Dr. Solomon, my transplant Dr. who is truly an expert on my disease, Multiple Myeloma.

This morning, Patty is taking me to Northside Hospital for testing … bone marrow biopsy, full body bone scan, and blood work. Dr. Solomon wants to do his own testing to draw necessary conclusions.

Ask God to destroy this disease at the root. I want to go to heaven, but not just yet. I want to live to be available to my family and to continue being a witness of Christ.

Thanks!

Is. 55 [The Message]

Can you believe it? God provides everything for FREE. Oh, there was a price to pay, and Christ Jesus did it. He took our sin and provided eternal life, healing, deliverance, prosperity, everything we need to live an abundant life. There is no cost in dollars and cents. All we need to do is … DIE TO SELF.

Everything’s free, but there is a cost to our pride, our own plans for our life, our lusts and carnal appetites, and our reputation.

“When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we’d first begun.”

Is. 54 [The Message]

Quite possibly the promises made in this chapter refer to both Israel AND The Church, all born again believers up to the present day.

God says, “If anyone does attack you, it will not be My doing;  whoever attacks you will surrender to you.” Israel was most certainly attacked without provocation last week. The prophet further says, “The destroyer is My creation, BUT! No weapon formed against you shall prosper.”

Life brings on attacks of every kind, BUT … no weapon shall prosper. We weather the storms and attacks with the confidence that God will rise up and protect us.

We are all watching and waiting to watch our Heavenly Father rise up and defend Israel

These things I (Jesus) have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. [Jn. 16:33]

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Is. 53 [The Message]

Tim Orcutt is my cousin, the oldest son of my father’s youngest sister. He is at Riverside Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. He is in desperate need of a miracle right now. He’s undergoing tests to determine his diagnosis. He’s nearly my age and can’t speak or sit up. Please mention his name to the Lord in prayer and ask God for what’s best for Tim.

I really appreciate it.

Is. 51 [The Message]

You can serve God on a desert island, but He really wants you smack dab in the middle of your culture to be an influence and multiply.

He instructed Adam and Eve to multiply. He wanted Abraham to have a family … his son Isaac was the promised seed who bore Jacob who bore the 12 sons/tribes of Israel.

Christ Jesus baptized the early Church in the Holy Ghost and commanded them to go and be witnesses to the uttermost parts of the earth. (My son, Mark, is in Africa right now on a mission trip)

When we accept Christ, we have a mission to tell others what He has done for us. How can we not share SO GREAT A SALVATION?

Is. 50 [The Message]

Do you desire to hear from God like Isaiah did? The prophet gives us a big clue … he listens for God IN THE MORNING.

The Lord God gave me the ability to teach. He has taught me what to say to make the weak strong. Every morning he wakes me. He teaches me to listen like a student. [Is. 50:4 ICB]

David titled it “The womb of the morning.” Spiritual conception took place when he got up early and sought the Lord. [Ps. 110:3]

Jesus also valued the morning to speak to and hear His Heavenly Father.

And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. [Mark 1:35]

Morning prayer changed my life.

Is. 48 [The Message]

Cyrus was a mysterious Persian ruler credited for helping Jews return from exile to Jerusalem 2,500 years ago to rebuild the Temple. Cyrus ruled an empire that included the ancient Near East, Southwest and Central Asia, and the Caucasus. Jewish tradition has been consistent in treating him as a pagan agent of God’s divine plan for Jews to return to the Land of Israel from their exile in Babylon (modern-day Iraq). In Isaiah, God chooses Cyrus “to subdue nations before him and to strip kings of their armor … so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel.”

Somewhat popular among evangelical Christians is that our former president, Donald Trump, is a modern day Cyrus. Be-it there is a gap between Trump’s, ahem, personal behavior and his support for policies that advance the pro-Israel agenda.

In no way am I trying to push one political candidate over another. The parallels between Trump and Cyrus are worth noting. Just sayin’ …

(I credit Andrew Siloh-Carroll of The Times of Israel for the bulk of my information in this post.)

Is. 46 [The Message]

When you get older, you need more care. I know. I feel sorry for old folks who don’t have any family to care for them. They have to pay great sums of money for someone to look after them. They use up all their life savings and have little to pass on to their offspring.

God promised to Israel that He would carry them when they were old and gray headed. All of their promises are ours because we inherit Abraham’s blessings because of our faith. This gives me comfort to know that my Heavenly Father will look after me when my health and strength are nearly gone. I need Hum more every day.