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.

Is. 11 [The Message]

It’s God’s nature to gather. Godly leaders gather, the enemy scatters.

Christ said, “If I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto me.” When Jesus is lifted up in your life, you will have a greater chance when you invite people to church.

Christ Jesus looks at all the wandering sheep who don’t have a Shepherd. He wants to gather them to Himself and continue forming His Church.

Be faithful to invite people to church.

Is. 10 [The Message]

Too often leaders excuse their faults and see them as insignificant compared to the importance of their leadership contribution. The truth is, God holds them to a higher standard than others. [James 3:1]

The King of Assyria was a proud and boastful man. It is said he had a “stout heart” and “high looks.” The Lord said He would raise His whip against the Assyrian and deliver the people like He did in the Red Sea exodus.

Think of it … can you remember any corrupt leader that did not ultimately meet his demise at God’s hand?

Leaders are to be an example for their constituents. [1 Tim. 4:2]

Is 7-9 [The Message]

The King James says, “Of (Christ’s Kingdom), there shall be no end.” The Message puts it this way … His ruling authority will grow,  and there’ll be NO LIMITS to the wholeness He brings.”

We are always limiting God . Our unbelief is shameful, frankly. Our attitude limits a God Who has no limits. Maybe we should include the mention of His UNLIMITED power when we pray.

Is. 7 [The Message]

The Lord spoke through Isaiah and said to King Ahaz of Judah,” If you don’t take your stand in faith, you won’t have a leg to stand on.”

Jerusalem was being taunted and threatened by the kings of Syria and Israel. Ahaz and all the people were very fearful. I can somewhat relate to the taunt because I was informed that my bone cancer is trying to come out of remission. I am being personally challenged to take my stand in faith. My trust is in the Lord and not in my medication or physician’s advice. I shall continue to take my medicine and do what they want me to do, but I TAKE MY STAND IN FAITH!

Is.3-6 [The Message]

Probably the most we use the term “holy” is when we say someone is “holier than thou.” We are greatly missing the importance and value of this word that we occasionally sing in a hymn.

When you get close to God’s inner presence as the prophet did, this word is the only one that can describe the fullness and quality of God. For us to “draw near to God,” we MUST take a greater interest in understanding what it is and how it is achieved.

Is. 2 [The Message]

Please read this chapter TODAY! (May I recommend reading it in The Message) It is surely a keen insight into the moral and carnal climate in the earth today.

In the Day of the Lord (His Judgement, His revealing), all the values and life lessons we learned of in His Word will be more than worth it. Those who have been deceived by the idolatry and materialism of our society will be sorry they didn’t buy into the Bible’s message.

It’s easy to fall asleep to the lullaby of worldliness and overlook the harmfulness of sin.

God, help us begin to understand what it is to hate sin like You do.