Podcasts about when isaiah

“Search me Lord and know my heart, test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24) When was the last time you prayed a prayer such as this?  David, the writer of Psalm 139 knew that he was surely sinful from birth (Psalm 51:5).  Each of us has a beautiful “true self” inside of us which is God's gift to us. But often instead of displaying our God given identity, we hide our true selves behind a masquerade of defense, mistrust, and reactive behaviours toward others and toward God. We want to hold ourselves up as people with good morals who put on a good appearance that all is well and that we are good.  We don't want to admit that something may be wrong with us. But this appearance of goodness on our part can be a defense. A way of covering up our sin leaving us thinking that we have nothing to confess. But in truth, we all sin.  Sin is anything that breaks relationships.  The ten commandments are each one about relationship either with God or with others.  They were given in order that the Israelites would not sin.  But sin is inevitable in our lives.  We all do it.  And so, self-examination and confession are important disciplines. True repentance means opening ourselves and all the wrong in our lives up to God.  It means not only praying a general prayer that God would forgive our sins but asking Him to reveal specific sins to us so that we can name them and allow His Holy Spirit to work in us and redeem us in those areas of our lives.  Confession is good for our soul, but it can be a difficult thing.  It involves entering that place where we look beneath our appearances and good morals and see what is hindering the light of Christ from being fully revealed in us. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9). To see who the Lord is brings us to confession. When Isaiah caught sight of the glory of God he cried, “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!” (Isa. 6:5).  Our sinfulness becomes evident when we look at it in light of the holiness of God.  In the presence of God we give up appearing good and fixing ourselves, opening ourselves to Jesus and asking His forgiveness. At our church we have a time of confession during our worship services, where we ask God's forgiveness for specific sins in our lives.  Often our pastors pair this with a children's message.  Confession is important for all members of the Church.  Asking select family members or close friends to help you see your blind spots can also be a way for God to reveal where He is not first in our lives. You can ask about ways that you display love, what it's like to be around you, whether you are self-focused in conversation or show interest in others.  Asking these sorts of questions and others like this to trusted people in your life can be another guide into a time of confession.  One important point I want to make in all of this is that just as we are not to put our focus mainly on our own goodness, it is also not healthy or right to turn our focus mainly on our sin.  Christ died so that we could have freedom from sin. “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free (Galatians 5:1).  He became sin for us so that we would not be condemned. “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us so that in him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21).  Every time we confess how we have missed the mark of God's love and truth we open ourselves up to the healing and mending work of the cross.  Through confession we live into the truth of being God's new creation.  The old is gone, the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5:17). God knows all about us.  He formed us in the womb and knew us fully and completely before our parents knew we even were.  All our ways are known by Him.  Our thoughts, attitudes of our heart, our habits, inclinations, and quirky tendencies that make us exactly who we are.  We cannot hide anything from God. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.  Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me” (Psalm 51:10-12).  This week, spend time reflecting on Psalm 139, or Psalm 51.  Ask God where you've missed the mark, confess those places, ask for His Holy Spirit to guide you into godly living and live into the new life that we have freely been given in Christ.

Isaiah 25 is divided into three parts. In the center is a festive banquet (Isa. 25:6–8). On either side is a song. The first is sung by a solitary singer, doubtless Isaiah himself (Isa. 25:1–5); the second is a communal song of praise (Isa. 25:9–12).At the feast (Isa. 25:6–8) the food is the finest, and free—“a feast of rich food for all peoples.” The “shroud” or “sheet” that “covers all nations” (Isa. 25:7) is death itself, the result of the curse mentioned in the preceding chapter. This feast is a celebration because God “will swallow up death forever” (Isa. 25:8). Indeed, all the results of the curse will be obliterated: “The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces” (Isa. 25:8; compare Rev. 21). Indeed, the blessings depicted in this verse are secured by Jesus (see Luke 14:15–24), who vanquishes death (1 Cor. 15:25–26, 51–57; 2 Tim. 1:10). This feast is for “all peoples” (Isa. 25:6)—another of the many Isaianic prefigurings of the universal application of the Gospel—yet they must come to “this mountain” (Isa. 25:7); for salvation, as Jesus insists to the Samaritan woman, is “from the Jews” (John 4:22). When Isaiah adds that God will remove the disgrace of “his people” from all the earth, the reference is slightly ambiguous: this may be a reference to Israel, or it may be a reference to those drawn from “all peoples” who truly prove to be his people on the last day.The song of the lone singer (Isa. 25:1–5) abounds in exuberant praise to God because he is perfectly faithful. This faithfulness is demonstrated both in the devastating judgments he has brought about and in God’s perennial care for the poor and needy (Isa. 25:4). In short, God is praised for the faithful justice of his judgments. The final communal song (Isa. 25:9–12) finds God’s people collectively praising him: “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us” (Isa. 25:9). But here, too, the inverse activity of God is to be praised: God has brought judgment on those full of pride. Moab is singled out as an example of such waywardness. So at the end, there will be two communities: God’s people at the festal banquet where God himself is host and death is destroyed; and the utterly proud, who will not bend the knee but whom God brings down “to the very dust” (Isa. 25:12). One commentator (Barry G. Webb) writes, “Either repentance will bring you to the feast or pride will keep you away, and the consequences will be unsullied joy or unspeakably terrible judgment. The alternatives which the Gospel sets before us are as stark as that.” This podcast is designed to be used alongside TGC's Read The Bible initiative (TGC.org/readthebible). The podcast features devotional commentaries from D.A. Carson’s book For the Love of God (vol. 2) that follow the M’Cheyne Bible reading plan.

Probably Isaiah’s vision of God and his commission (Isa. 6) took place at the beginning of his ministry, but it is reported only here, for thematic reasons. After the series of “woes” pronounced on the people, Isaiah pronounces one on himself (Isa. 6:5), which shows that his stance as a prophet has never been self-righteous. Moreover, the sequence of his own call—seeing God (Isa. 6:1–4), deep awareness and confession of sin (Isa. 6:5), cleansing (Isa. 6:6–7) and commissioning (Isa. 6:8–13)—is precisely the sequence that Israel must experience if they are to return to their proper role as servant of the living God. It is the sequence we must follow too. Moreover, several elements in Isaiah’s call are then picked up in the ensuing chapters (as we shall see), making this placement of the narrative of his vision of God highly strategic. Some notes:(1) It was when King Uzziah died that Isaiah saw the Lord seated on a throne—as if the earthly king had to die before Isaiah could begin to grasp the awesomeness of the divine King.(2) The seraphs, a high order of angelic beings, enhance the throne by their adoration and praise. God is the “thrice holy” God. In its core usage, “holy” is almost an adjective for God, and embraces both his transcendence and his righteousness (Isa. 5:16).(3) When the finite, the unclean, and the mortal comes into contact with the infinite, the pure, and the immortal, there must be, there ought to be, a profound sense of inadequacy. To begin to see God is to begin to see how awful and desperate our plight is. The holiness of God discloses our rebellious and dirty nature to us in a way that mutual comparisons among the members of the rebel race never can. Here Isaiah condemns himself, for in the presence of God degrees of sin seem superfluous.(4) Only the cleansing provided by the altar that God himself has prescribed will suffice to take away Isaiah’s sin.(5) For the first time in this vision, God speaks, and looks for volunteers (itself a gracious act of condescension). When Isaiah responds, it is less the cry of the hero than the petition of the pardoned. It is as if he is begging, “Here! Please! Will I do? Is there any way I can help? Will you please use me?”(6) The substance of the commission Isaiah receives is to preach on until the irrevocable judgment falls. There is no prospect of revival. It is too late. The preaching will serve only to harden the people. The only hint of hope—a hint powerfully developed later in the book (Isa. 11:1)—is that out of the stump of the destroyed nation new life will spring, and through this remnant the promised seed (Isa. 6:13b). This podcast is designed to be used alongside TGC's Read The Bible initiative (TGC.org/readthebible). The podcast features devotional commentaries from D.A. Carson’s book For the Love of God (vol. 2) that follow the M’Cheyne Bible reading plan.

When Isaiah saw the Seraphim around the throne of God, those heavenly creatures revealed much to him that he needed to know.

When Isaiah saw a vision of the sublime glory of God, it changed his life forever. Today, R.C. Sproul explains what the prophet witnessed when he gazed into the throne room of the Holy One. Get the 25th Anniversary Edition of 'The Holiness of God': https://gift.renewingyourmind.org/1633/the-holiness-of-god Don't forget to make RenewingYourMind.org your home for daily in-depth Bible study and Christian resources.

Encounter. When Isaiah the prophet encountered the Living God in the Temple, he said, "...I saw the Lord, sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of God's robe filled the Temple." Isaiah also saw seraphim, those angelic ministers imaged as a flame of fire, and heard their eternal hymn, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory." It was amazing. Even more amazing is to recognize that the basic pattern of Isaiah's experience (1. perceiving the glory of God 2. being undone in God's presence 3. being put back together by God's grace & 4. being sent by God into the world) is also the basic pattern of Moses' encounter with God at the burning bush; of Paul's encounter on the Demascus road; of John the Revelator's encounter on the Isle of Patmos...and our's every Sunday we gather for worship. Join in, and enter that pattern with us now, as we gather around God's Word, being undone, put back together, and sent into the world in this most foundational, God-glorifying process.

There was utter devastation, with vast areas of scorched, burnt bushland left behind, following the Australian bushfires in 2019. Then some photographers captured an amazing sight. Vibrant green and pink shoots were seen rising up in the middle of blackened forests! The photographers described the hope they felt – seeing shoots of life in the middle of all the charred mess. And they shared the pictures as widely as they could to give others hope. Parts of the bible, like the one we are looking at today, provided - and still provide - a glimpse of hope like that for people. Isaiah uses the same picture – a fresh, green shoot - when it seemed that God’s promises in and through the house and line of David were finished. So here in these chapters, the Bible gives us hope. Here’s the thing: there’s reality behind the imagery. When Isaiah prophesied, he was declaring the line of God’s ultimate hope for the lost and the hope-starved. He was sharing real, tangible hope with the fearful and the broken. And that hope is for you and your family and your neighbours and friends, too.

When Isaiah prophesied Jesus' coming he depicted Jesus shining into darkness, exposing sin, and ruling with justice by heralding the news that to us a child, a savior, would be born. This savior would restore mankind to God. This is news we urgently need still to this day. We don't need a new year or a new start, we need a savior! ‘Christ The King: A Savior Is Born' is our new Christmas sermon series based on Isaiah 9:1-7. During this 5-week series, we will be examining the meaning and significance of the various titles Jesus is given in Isaiah's prophesy: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.

When Isaiah prophesied Jesus' coming he depicted Jesus shining into darkness, exposing sin, and ruling with justice by heralding the news that to us a child, a savior, would be born. This savior would restore mankind to God. This is news we urgently need still to this day. We don't need a new year or a new start, we need a savior! ‘Christ The King: A Savior Is Born' is our new Christmas sermon series based on Isaiah 9:1-7. During this 5-week series, we will be examining the meaning and significance of the various titles Jesus is given in Isaiah's prophesy: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.

When the Psalmist called upon all that was within him to bless the Lord for His benefits, he cried, “Bless the Lord, O my soul...who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases” (Ps. 103:2-3). When Isaiah foretold the deliverance of his people, he added, “The inhabitant SHALL NOT SAY, I AM SICK; the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity” (Isa.33:24).

When Isaiah prophesied Jesus' coming he depicted Jesus shining into darkness, exposing sin, and ruling with justice by heralding the news that to us a child, a savior, would be born. This savior would restore mankind to God. This is news we urgently need still to this day. We don't need a new year or a new start, we need a savior! ‘Christ The King: A Savior Is Born' is our new Christmas sermon series based on Isaiah 9:1-7. During this 5-week series, we will be examining the meaning and significance of the various titles Jesus is given in Isaiah's prophesy: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.

When Isaiah speaks about the coming Messiah he gives him the name, Everlasting Father. While we may have different ideas about what a Father should look like, Jesus is both our father and puts on display the Father. As we look at what Jesus has...

When Isaiah prophesied Jesus' coming he depicted Jesus shining into darkness, exposing sin, and ruling with justice by heralding the news that to us a child, a savior, would be born. This savior would restore mankind to God. This is news we urgently need still to this day. We don't need a new year or a new start, we need a savior! ‘Christ The King: A Savior Is Born' is our new Christmas sermon series based on Isaiah 9:1-7. During this 5-week series, we will be examining the meaning and significance of the various titles Jesus is given in Isaiah's prophesy: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.

When Isaiah prophesied comfort and hope to Israel, he prophesied this: your bondage will end when the Lord returns. The birth of Christ ushered in an age of spiritual bondage-breaking, but as we go forward in faith, we still struggle with suffering and sin. For us, today, Isaiah's promise still holds true: our bondage will end when the Lord returns.

When Isaiah prophesied Jesus' coming he depicted Jesus shining into darkness, exposing sin, and ruling with justice by heralding the news that to us a child, a savior, would be born. This savior would restore mankind to God. This is news we urgently need still to this day. We don't need a new year or a new start, we need a savior! ‘Christ The King: A Savior Is Born' is our new Christmas sermon series based on Isaiah 9:1-7. During this 5-week series, we will be examining the meaning and significance of the various titles Jesus is given in Isaiah's prophesy: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.

When Isaiah promised the birth of a savior for the people of Israel, they didn’t know how long it would take to get the gift which was revealed in Jesus. Like a child waiting for Christmas morning, the believer can be confident that in due time, what God gives will not disappoint. Series: God With Us, Speaker: Pastor Don Dodge, Scripture: Isaiah 9:2-7, Micah 5:2, Isaiah 7:14, Psalms 72:10-11, Isaiah 9:1, Isaiah 9:6-7, Isaiah 35:5-6, Isaiah 53:3, Psalms 22:16-18, Zechariah 12:10, Isaiah 52:14, Isaiah 53:5, Isaiah 53:9, Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P96gRsXHW7Y, Webpage: https://www.avalonchurch.org/sermons/god-with-us-prophets-version-of-the-story-part-1/, Discussion Questions: 2020-11-29_god-with-us_discussion-questions.pdf, Notes: 1. The Prophet Micah revealed: But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf. –Micah 5:2 (NLT)2. A prophet named Isaiah also prophesied about this future king: Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. –Isaiah 7:14 (NLT)3. He will be so influential that: The western kings of Tarshish and other distant lands will bring him tribute. The eastern kings of Sheba and Seba will bring him gifts. 11 All kings will bow before him, and all nations will serve him. –Psalm 72:10-11 (NLT)4. Isaiah prophesied: Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever. The land of Zebulun and Naphtali will be humbled, but there will be a time in the future when Galilee of the Gentiles... will be filled with glory. –Isaiah 9:1 (NLT)5. Yet it was in Galilee that Isaiah said: For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.–Isaiah 9:6-7 (NIV)6. But even more, when the King comes: And when he comes, he will open the eyes of the blind and unplug the ears of the deaf. 6 The lame will leap like a deer, and those who cannot speak will sing for joy! --Isaiah 35:5-6 (NLT)7. He was despised and rejected— a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. –Isaiah 53:3 (NLT)8. He said: My enemies surround me like a pack of dogs; an evil gang closes in on me. They have pierced my hands and feet. 17 I can count all my bones (none are broken). My enemies stare at me and gloat. They divide my garments among themselves and throw dice for my clothing. –Psalm 22:16-18 (NLT)9. Zechariah uses similar imagery describing what Messiah will be like when he is killed: “Then I will pour out a spirit of grace and prayer on the family of David and on the people of Jerusalem. They will look on me whom they have pierced and mourn for him as for an only son.–Zech 12:10 (NLT)10. But many were amazed when they saw him. His face was so disfigured he seemed hardly human, and from his appearance, one would scarcely know he was a man. –Isaiah 52:14 (NLT)11. But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. 6 All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on him the sins of us all. –Isaiah 53:5 (NLT)12. He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man’s grave. –Isaiah 53:9 (NLT)

2 Kings 20 is one of the sadder chapters of Scripture. It pictures a man who has been faithful in the past, now withering away in the complacency of selfishness.King Hezekiah ruled over Judah, the southern kingdom, in the waning days of the northern kingdom of Israel. Once the Assyrians had defeated Israel and transported its leading citizens, leaving behind only a shattered wreck of a nation, there was plenty of reason for discouragement in the south. But in truly heroic fashion, Hezekiah, guided in part by the prophet Isaiah, withstands the withering siege of King Sennacherib of Assyria, simply relying on the mercy of the Lord God. Sent by God himself, plague sweeps through the Assyrian camp, killing almost two hundred thousand people. Jerusalem and Judah are spared (2 Kings 18–19; Isa. 36–37). Moreover, Hezekiah’s commitment to God in the early years of his reign was not characterized by the typical compromise, which maintained some sort of allegiance to Yahweh while not touching the high places and other sites of pagan worship. Far from it: he cleaned things up, earning the judgment, “He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father David had done” (2 Kings 18:3–4). He even recognized that the bronze serpent Moses had made (Num. 21:4–9) had now become a superstitious snare, and destroyed it.Then he fell ill and wept bitterly. Somehow he got himself into the position where he thought his righteous deeds meant that God owed him a long and prosperous life (2 Kings 20:2–3). In his mercy, God assigned him fifteen more years, and gave him a miraculous sign to confirm the promise (20:1–11). During that fifteen-year span, however, Hezekiah failed an important test: when emissaries came from Babylon, instead of seeking the Lord’s face and walking humbly, Hezekiah played the role of a proud potentate, showing off the kingdom’s rising wealth. Everything was duly recorded in the books of Babylon, in preparation for the day, more than a century later, when Babylon would be the superpower and crush Jerusalem and send her people into exile (2 Kings 20:12–18).But this is not Hezekiah’s most grievous lapse. When Isaiah the prophet tells him what will happen, the king does not repent of his arrogance, or seek forgiveness, or intercede with God. The threatened judgment is slated for the future: Hezekiah refuses to accept any deeply felt responsibility. He piously comments, “The word of the LORD you have spoken is good”—while the writer comments, “For he thought, ‘Will there not be peace and security in my lifetime?’” (2 Kings 20:19). Hezekiah has become a moral and strategic pygmy.Far better to die young after genuine, godly, achievements, than to die old and embittered, poisoning your own heritage. This podcast is designed to be used alongside TGC's Read The Bible initiative (TGC.org/readthebible). The podcast features devotional commentaries from D.A. Carson’s book For the Love of God (vol. 1) that follow the M’Cheyne Bible reading plan.

When Isaiah was born with Cerebral Palsy, Felicia and Thomas were shocked. It changed their whole world, and yet they still stand firm in the goodness of God, and continue to extend the Kingdom in multiple ways. Felicia’s Blog https://www.abundantlifewithfelicia.com Cooking with Felicia https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAdbrlKt2S6FJyjiGFZ5p-w Felicia’s Instagram @AriseFelicia47 Music: https://freesound.org/people/DaveJf/sounds/534313/ If you would like to support this podcast, you can donate in one of the following ways: Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/alancrookham CashApp: Acrookham Venmo: @Alan-Crookham Facebook page: Revival Carriers Podcast Email us at: revivalcarrierspodcast@gmail.com

We All Need Encouragement Reader: Jon Watson Date: 15th August 2020 Time: ------------------- Encouragement! A dictionary definition of the word tells us that it is to give courage to someone or to inspire with hope or boldness. Courage, hope, boldness — do you have plenty of these, or are you like me and needing all the encouragement you can get? When Isaiah wrote the words at the top of the page he was writing a message from God to his people who were still in captivity in Babylon. The chapter goes on to speak of the people having to pass through waters, walk through fire and through rivers — in other words they had to face many and terrifying difficulties. They really did need courage, hope and boldness! But God said to them "You are mine." Yes the people had to come through difficulties but nothing would destroy them or take them out of God's hand. He loved them, he saved them and he would take them back home again. The same message comes to us in the New Testament. Just think of this: "Do you think anyone is going to drive a wedge between us and Christ's love for us? There is no way! Not trouble nor hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats ... None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. (Romans 8:36-37, The Message). Courage, hope, and boldness — we can have them all with the Lord Jesus on our side! ## Prayer Thank you Lord for the encouragement of your word. Amen.

When Isaiah witnessed the majesty, power, and holiness of God it was so real and so permanent that he could never go back. He would never, ever be the same again. Visit the following link for more information on the Barnabas Bridge: https://www.thebarnabasbridge.org/ Check out videos on the "Barnabas Bridge" YouTube Channel!!

When Isaiah comes face to face with God's holy presence, God meets him in a surprising way. Not consuming him, but transforming him. A message from Mckenzie Towne Church, August 9th, 2020.

As the USA burns in judgment for forsaking God, the righteous will be protected by God. When Isaiah prophesied the destruction of Israel he was inspired by the Holy Spirit to, -Say to the righteous that it will go well with them.-

God Chose YouEphesians 1:4 July 5 - CommunionI. Introduction:A. I have great news for you You’re Richer than You Think! That was the title tothe book Erwin Lutzer wrote regarding the spiritual riches/spiritual blessings thatwe have in Christ!1. Some of you do not even know that you have a heavenly joint account thatyou share with Jesus where He did all the work, made all the deposits into theaccount and we get to make withdrawals on this account!2. Some people know they have an account but really have not grasped the factthat they are already spiritual billionaires as they live in spiritual poverty anddefeat most of the time.3. The name on the account is in Christ.B. We were introduced to this account last week and in weeks to come, we are goingto see and understand a bit more of what is available for us to withdraw from thisaccount!1. Let me read what we learned last week. Read Ephesians 1:32. God has already blessed us with every spiritual blessing there is to have andHe did this in Christ.3. We also learned that these blessings have to do with whom we are at thedeepest core of our being, the place where our spirit is.4. These blessings have to do with our past justification, things that became trueof us when we were saved, things that are being worked out in our lives nowas God is sanctifying us, things that will be completed and fully true of us inthe future when we are glorified in Christ’s kingdom!• So today, we will continue our series called “This is us!” as we start to understandbetter just who we are! The first question I hear from many is …II. What does “in Christ” mean?A. It seems so vague, like some kind of abstract spiritual tag on in many verses.B. When a person puts their trust in Jesus, they become one spirit with Him! Read 1Corinthians 6:17.1. We learned last week:a) In John 3:6 – that which is born of the spirit is spiritb) We also learned in John 7:37-38 that the Holy Spirit dwells at the core ofour being!2. So Jesus’ spirit has become one, joined together, and indwelling my spirit atthe core of my being!C. Now listen to John 14:19-20.Read v19 Jesus said that after his resurrection we would know something:1. Read v20 Three things:a) Jesus is in the Fatherb) We are in Jesus = in Christc) I in you – Christ dwelling in us, abiding in us2. So bottom line the same way that Jesus and the Father are one and mutuallyindwell each other, so Jesus and us are one and mutually indwell each other,thus becoming one!3. So our oneness with Jesus - Him in us and us in Him is as easy to understandas the trinity – the Father, Son and Spirit as one!D. So how do I get into Christ – it is something that God did at the moment we putour faith in Jesus Christ to save us!1. Read 1 Corinthians 1:3– it is something that God does, not something we do!2. Ephesians 1:13 – we are sealed, secured, locked in Christ by means of theHoly SpiritE. Illustrate with glass of milk (Jesus) and chocolate (us)1. Before we knew Christ – separate, distinct, apart2. When we believed – pour chocolate into milk and stir together.3. The chocolate is now in the milk4. Identified as one, together, united.5. What is true of the milk is now true of the chocolate!F. We are now in Christ and Jesus’ experience has now become my experience (hisdeath, burial and resurrection has now become my death, burial and resurrection).His possessions (all his riches, inheritance, and future kingdom from the Fatherhave become my possessions as a joint heir with Jesus) and his victories havebecome my victories, etc.G. Our great work here is to believe that all of this is true and already all done by theFather and Jesus and the Spirit. There is not anything we need to do to get inChrist and get all these blessings but rather that battle is to believe it has alreadybeen done and given to youH. This is us if you are a believer – you are already in Christ• So it is true – we are richer than we think because we are in Christ so let’s look at thevery first possession that is oursIII. Chosen in Him to be holy and blamelessA. Read v4 - this verse is not that hard to understand, the battle is believing itbecause it is so mind blowing.B. First God choose you and me to be in Christ. Read 1:4a1. Not only did He do the work of getting us in Christ but even before that Hemade a decision, a choice as to who would be in Christ! Out of all the worldof people that would ever be born He choose you and me that are believers!2. Yes God did prefer you over someone else – mind blowing and raises a lot ofquestions –a) If you want to pursue this a bit further I did two complete messages inRomans on this topic for which you can order the CD.3. This morning I just want to give us some insight into why He choose manyof us.a) I know it is true in my case see if it fits you!b) Read 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 Listenc) This removes all boasting and should turn us to worship and gratitudebecause what we are learning is what Jesus said – “you did not chooseme but I chose you.” Being saved is not the smartest thing you ever didbut the greatest gift you ever received!C. When did God chose you and me to be in Christ? Read 1:4a-b1. He made this decision to include you and me in Christ before God created theworld, sometime before Genesis 1:1!2. Isn’t that mind blowing – before God created the world He chose you to be inChrist? That does not mean you were placed in Christ before the world wascreated, that happened when you believed but rather He made a decision andchoice at that time for you to be one of those to be in Christ!D. Now it even gets better listen to why he chose you to be in Christ – read 1:4c1. Holy (pure vessel, cleaned up and set aside for His use) and blameless (nodefect, without blemish - without fault)2. Before Him – in His eyes in His sight this is the way that God sees you rightnow as holy and blameless because you are in Christ – remember what is trueof Jesus has become true of you3. Read Galatians 3:27– paraphrased – all of you who were placed in Christ(that is what baptized into Christ means) says we are clothed with Christ –a) Grateful for clothing as it covers our blemished and defective body.b) Illustrate - put paper (you and me) in Bible (Jesus)! - You do not see(paper – me); you see the Bible (Jesus) and that is how God sees us rightnow!E. The problem is that most of us look at others and ourselves, as we were apartfrom Christ, as unclothed and not hidden in Christ. Thus, we focus on our faults,weaknesses and sins rather than the holy and blameless people we really alreadyare at the level of our spirit.F. Remember from last week:1. Our identity relates to our spirit and was dealt with in the past when we werejustified – we are holy and blameless at the core of our being2. In the present time God is at work in our souls to make us more holy andblameless in our daily walks – we call that sanctification3. And in the future when our entire spirit and soul and body will be completelyholy and blameless – we call that glorified!• As we go to …IV. CommunionA. Consider this - read Jude 24.1. V24 a – God’s present work in our sanctification – keep us from stumbling2. V24b – God’s future work in our glorification!B. As you take communion consider this:1. When Moses stood before God’s glory, God told him he could not look onthe fullness of God’s glory because to see the fullness of God’s glory wouldinstantly kill him2. When Isaiah saw God’s glory while He sat on his throne his response waswoe is me, for I am ruined – PBP paraphrase – man I am in deep trouble for Iam going to die because I am a sinful man and my eyes have seen the king!3. Now consider this verse – when you stand in the presence of God in thefuture, you will stand there blameless with great joy.4. The only response to that is this – read v 25!

Friendship God means that God is not just for us… he is with us. But what does “God with us” look like in our daily lives? Series: UNCERTAIN: Discovering Who We are Through Difficult Times, Speaker: Pastor Don Dodge, Scripture: Ephesians 1:6-8, John 15:12-16, Joshua 1:5, Psalm 34:17-18, Isaiah 41:8-10, Matthew 1:23, John 1:14, Matthew 18:12, Mark 4:34, Matthew 28:19-20, Revelation 3:20, Revelation 21:3-4, Psalm 23, John 15:12-14, John 15:15-16, Isaiah 7:14, Video: https://www.facebook.com/avalonchurch/live, Sermon page: https://www.avalonchurch.org/sermons/uncertain-i-am-a-friend-with-god-part-6/, Sermon Notes: 2020-05-03_uncertain-part-6_sermon-notes.pdf, Discussion Questions: 2020-05-04_uncertain-part-6_discussion-questions.pdf, Notes: Good morning, Avalon Church. Make sure you grab your communion elements for later. So, our series called “Uncertain.” But it’s the subtitle that is most important, …Discovering Who We Are THROUGH Difficult Times. You see, …It’s IN the difficult times that we are moldable. …when we’re most open to change. I hope these have been helpful messages. Our identity is found “in Christ,” It’s in him that we truly find abundant life And experience hope no matter what we go through. And we are going through it, right now, Aren’t we? Which is what we’re talking about today. Today’s message it titled, “I am a friend WITH God.” …Not just a friend ‘OF’ God.” We’re going to focus on a specific aspect of that friendship, …That God is with us. And to begin, I want to share my best experience of friendship. I want to share a story about a friend named Ronnie. Ronnie I was in 10th grade when I finally heard, …Really heard the invitation to follow Jesus, I was all in. There was an 11th grader in the youth group. His name was Ronnie. We quickly became best friends. 2 years later, we went to PBAU together   …Lived in the same dorm. …Had the same major. We became known as the “Ronnie and Donnie Show!” We were inseparable. He truly was one of the greatest gifts God ever gave me. My relationship with Jesus, Me being a pastor, All of it was shaped with Ronnie. I got married in college and Ronnie was my best man. He graduated from college a year before I did And moved back to Lakeland about 4 hours away. It was toward the end of my final year in college that my wife unexpectedly died. It was after midnight on March 3. I have no idea how the word got out so late at night, …But at 10am that morning, …Ronnie and my youth pastor were there to pick me up and take me home. 4 hours each way, Just so I wouldn’t have to be alone. That’s true friendship, He was WITH me. A couple nights later, Ronnie brought 4 or 5 other friends over. We grieved together and wept for a bit. Then we started sharing stories. And for the next hour we laughed like I have rarely laughed since. It was such an incredible time of healing. Being with my friends during the worst moment of my life. “Being With.” We I was told once, “Jesus is not our friend; he’s our King.” Half of that is true. The other… so wrong. Jesus is our king. And he is our truest friend. Being a friend doesn’t minimize his glory, It magnifies it. …It shows his immeasurable love and …grace, which he has freely given us. That he has lavished upon us. –Ephesians 1:6-8 (NIV)   Lavish That’s a word of adoration. It’s a word of love. It’s a “friend-kind-of-word.” Devotional Let’s do something a bit different today. Rather than a sermon, …Let’s make today more like a devotional. There are so many amazing Scriptures about God being with us. Let’s listen to how God speaks to us through his Word. Maybe you’ll want to grab a notebook to write down the verse numbers and read them later. Because we’re going to be all over the place. Buty let’s start with Jesus’ words about friendship. Before going to the cross, Here’s what he said to his followers. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. –John 15:12-14 (NIV) Jesus gives us a command. Love the way I love you. But then he explains, that the greatest way to love someone is to lay down your life for them. But… But people lay their life down for kings. …NOT the other way around. And that week, King Jesus did just that. “You are my friends,” He said. You are my family, …Not because of power or authority, …But because of love. That’s what I command. And he continues… 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you… –John 15:15-16 (NIV) Kings usually have servants. But the ultimate relationship our king desires with us, …is friendship. And what does friendship look like to Jesus, …To God in the flesh?   He says it right here; …Sharing with you my deepest secrets. …Choosing friendship with you before you even chose me. To Abraham, to his children, To Moses, to Joshua, The message was the same… I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. –Joshua 1:5 (NIV) Wherever you are, I am with you. Whatever you go through, I will go through it with you. You are not alone. The Psalmist declares, 17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. 18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. –Psalm 34:17-18 (NIV) God is close to us. He listens to us. He is with us. When the Jews were facing exile And the end of everything they knew, God told them, …You descendants of my friend, Abraham… Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you… --Isaiah 41:8-10 (NIV) You are scared. You are facing a troubling and unknown future. I am with you. I will walk with you through the struggle. I know you want it to end now. Trust me in the unknown. I am with you. In fact, that is what the name Immanuel means. “God with us.” When Isaiah made that prophecy that we quote each Christmas, that… 14 … The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God with us’). –Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23 (NIV) God was affirming that his promised Messiah Would truly be “God with us!” Jesus is “God with us.” That’s the definition of Incarnation.   14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. –John 1:14 (NIV)   God become human. His glory became flesh and dwelt among us. He walked with us. Invited us to follow him, And find life in him. And what does “God being with us” look like? What does friendship with Jesus look like? 12… leaving the ninety-nine to go to look for the one that wandered off? –Matthew 18:12. It’s leaving the comfort and security of home to pursue others and love on them …and invite them to come home with you. … To talk with you. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything. –Mark 4:34 (NIV) It’s Jesus patiently explaining over and over …How his kingdom is the exact opposite of anything they expected, …and allowing them the time to process and change. The Great Commission, where we get Avalon Church’s Mission Statement to GO and GROW TOGETHER …And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. –Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV) “Go and Grow Together.” Jesus says that surely he is with us, always, To the very end of this age …Through Coronaviruses, …And layoffs, …And wars, …And tragedies, Through it all, I will be with you each step of the way. Of that, you can be certain. And in the age to come? After this age is over? That’s when we feast together at his banquet table. To all those who have heard my voice and opened the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. --Revelation 3:20 As we have been imitating through Communion for 2,000 years, There will be a day when we sit at the table of the King, Feasting together, …Not as servants, …But as friends, …Made possible because the greatest friend displayed the greatest love when he laid down his life for us. And that banquet will happen when heaven and earth are re-united, …A new heaven a new earth, And we will hear a loud voice from the throne of God saying Words that describe what eternity will be like… 3…Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ u or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” --Revelation 21: We will be his people. And God himself with be with us. God desires friendship. Being together. Walking together. Growing us. And transforming us into a people of maturity… …Who experience life, and peace, and wholeness in Jesus’ name. Like my experience with Ronnie before he, too, passed away, …Genuine friendships are always transformative. You cannot remain stagnant in a friendship. You cannot remain the same. I didn’t. Application: So What? That’s why it’s so critical to grow your relationship with God. Mutually pursuing him as he continually pursues you. Choosing to be with him as he continually chooses to be with you. I want to give you an action step that you can either Do on your own or with your life group this week. I want you to spend some time in a very famous Psalm this week, Psalm 23. You know, “The Lord is my shepherd.” Every single line of this Psalm reveals a new and different attribute of God’s relationship with us. I encourage you to read the Psalm several times this week. And, as you read, …Write how the Psalm says that God cares for you and shows love to you. And then write down examples How this is true in your own life. For instance, “The Lord is my shepherd, I have all I need.” So… God is my provider. Write that down. Then list some specific ways he provides for you. Maybe it’s a job. Or the ability to work. Food. Housing. Maybe he’s provided a safe place while you look for a job. Or medical care for you or a loved one. The list is endless for this one attribute. It might take you a couple of days to get through the whole Psalm, But it will be worth it. You will begin to recognize God’s love in new and fresh ways, Who’s willing to do that with me? Closing and Challenge I want to close in prayer, But I also want to offer you an opportunity. Maybe you don’t experience God as a friend. Maybe you haven’t chosen to follow Jesus as your King and Lord and Friend. He is inviting you to do that today. Right now. IF that is your desire, As I pray, Make this prayer your prayer.

When Isaiah said, "By His stripes we are healed," did he mean that those who have faith to believe God today can expect healing for their bodies? And does the Bible tell us what Christians ought to do when they get sick?

Isaiah 64: 1 Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains would tremble before you! 2 As when fire sets twigs ablaze and causes water to boil, come down to make your name known to your enemies and cause the nations to quake before you! 3 For when you did awesome things that we did not expect, you came down, and the mountains trembled before you. 4 Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him. 5 You come to the help of those who gladly do right, who remember your ways. But when we continued to sin against them, you were angry. How then can we be saved? 6 All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away. 7 No one calls on your name or strives to lay hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us and have given us over to our sins. 8 Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. 9 Do not be angry beyond measure, Lord; do not remember our sins for ever. Oh, look upon us we pray, for we are all your people. 10 Your sacred cities have become a wasteland; even Zion is a wasteland, Jerusalem a desolation. 11 Our holy and glorious temple, where our ancestors praised you, has been burned with fire, and all that we treasured lies in ruins. 12 After all this, Lord, will you hold yourself back? Will you keep silent and punish us beyond measure?   Revival An increasing number of us at BCC are praying for revival in our town and in our nation. We pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Church, for God to come in power. Let’s see what we can learn from the prayer we have just read in the book of Isaiah.   1: Revival in the Bible For this study I’m going to avoid looking at past examples from outside the bible as models, e.g. Welsh revival, Hebrides, etc. that we might of heard or read about. We can learn something from these, and definitely be inspired by the stories. But our doctrine is based on the word of God. Let’s start at verse 1: Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains would tremble before you! (Isaiah 64:1) So, if we want to be biblical about what revival might look like, it would mean that when it happens, we’d all agree that it was as if God had torn the sky wide open and manifest his presence and power so clearly that it was undeniable to all who witnessed it! This reminds me of the day of Pentecost: 1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. (Acts 2:1-4) And that was just the beginning! Look a few chapters later and you read: After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. (Acts 4:31) So if we are to pray for revival as the Bible portrays it, let’s pray that God would rend the heavens over our town. But let’s get back to our passage.   2: Why did Isaiah pray this prayer? Mountains 1 Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains would tremble before you! When Isaiah prayed that mountains would tremble, I wonder if he had in mind physical mountains only. Perhaps there are other mountains that cannot be moved without God’s help. Obstacles in our way. Certainly in 700 BC Isaiah saw many obstacles to the perfect will of God. When we pray for revival, let’s think of some of those obstacles and pray that God would cause mountains to tremble! Remember,

When we hear the words "wonderful counselor" we think of someone who's a terrific therapist. When Isaiah prophesies that the Savior will be called Wonderful Counselor he means something quite different.

Rev. Curtis Deterding, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Fort Myers, Florida, joins host Rev. AJ Espinosa to study Isaiah 35. “Waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert.” In chapter 35, Isaiah summarizes all his oracles of good news. In the wake of the Assyrian devastation, there will be relief and restoration for Judah. When Isaiah speaks of “wilderness” and “desert,” he does not refer to a sandy faraway place, but rather to Judah itself. The words in Hebrew should be understood to refer to “wasteland,” a place that has become uninhabited and uncultivated, as we saw in chapter 34. The power of God’s Word through baptism gives life not just for the individual, but for the places we live and work.

When Isaiah the prophet wrote, the birth of Jesus was still almost 800 years away. Yet there is good reason to believe key parts of the book of Isaiah are pointing to the coming Savior. Near the end of the book, we see this clearly. Isaiah 60:1 says, “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.” It is reasonable to believe that this has dual meanings. One, the prophecy speaks of the wise men from the East seeing the star in the sky. They then traveled to see the baby Jesus in Bethlehem. A longer view looks ahead far into the future, when Jesus will return to Earth and set up His Kingdom of righteousness. As believers, we know what it feels like when the spirit of God dwells in us. It is that glow God intends for us to share with others. Jesus has come! Share that Good News with all those you meet. Let’s pray. Lord, your Gospel is our mission. Give us endurance for our race! Amen. How can we pray for you today? Members of Team Kerusso meet on a regular basis to pray, and we would be honored to pray for you. Visit Kerusso.com/pray to submit a request. That’s K-E-R-U-S-S-O dot com.  

This week Jaquelle and Sean give an introduction to the book of Isaiah. They also talk about the differences in generations, Sean’s summer schedule, and how old John MacArthur actually is. Episode Highlights 09:16: Introducing this week’s topic12:19: When Isaiah was written (+ a 2-minute history of Israel)14:41: Isaiah’s primary audience14:50: Who Isaiah was17:20: Understanding...

At the 2019 Southwest Believers’ Convention, Kenneth Copeland shares biblical examples of steps ordered by The LORD. When Isaiah prophesied Jesus’ birth, the Holy Spirit moved people and situations for years until He was born in a stable! The Spirit of Power, the Great Planner, is planning your life!

Isaiah 36:1 This was the 14thyear of the reign of Hezekiah. Isaiah was called in the year King Uzziah died (Isaiah 6:1). Isaiah’s ministry then spanned the time of four kings of Judah (Isaiah 1:1) and lasted at least 47 years. Uzziah 1 year (Isaiah 6:1) King Jotham 16 years (2Kings 15:32-33) King Ahaz16 years (2Kings 16:1-2) Hezekiah 14 years (or more) (Isaiah 36:1) ------------------------------------ A minimum of 47 years The geopolitical map of the world changed dramatically during this time in history. When Isaiah began his ministry,Assyria was not the dominating world power that it had become. The northern kingdom of Israel was still a sovereign nation with Samaria as its capital city. King Ahaz brought much evil to Judah(2Kings 16:2-4; 2Chronicles 28:16-25; Isaiah 7:1ff). Rather than trusting in Yahweh, he relied on the king of Assyria for help. This was his downfall. The Assyrian Empire rose to greatness during this time, defeating many nations including northern Israel and Syria. And now this mighty nation was about to defeat Judah as well. Under King Sennacherib,all the fortified cities were seized. The only thing remaining for the nation of Judah was the city of Jerusalem and King Hezekiah. All of the other fortified cities had been defeated. Isaiah 36:1ff King Sennacherib had sent Rabshakeh to speak to the leaders and people of Jerusalem in a propaganda campaign to weaken their resolve. Isaiah 37:1-7 Hezekiah tore his clothes and covered himself with sackcloth -a way of showing humility, penitence, and mourning.Isaiah’s first words to Hezekiah “Do not be afraid.” Isaiah 37:10-13 More of the message was sent to Hezekiah in a letter. Isaiah 37:14-20 Hezekiah took the letter and spread it out before Yahweh in the temple. Isaiah 37:21-35 Isaiah receives an answer from Yahweh to Hezekiah’s prayer. Isaiah 37:36-37 One angel of Yahweh defeated 185,000 Assyrians in one night! Total deliverance! Praise Yahweh!

"Therefore, the Lord will give you a sign. The young woman is pregnant and is about to give birth to a son, and she will name him Immanuel."When Isaiah wrote those words, who was he talking about? We immediately want to say "Jesus," but (in the words of Lee Corso), not so fast! By digging in to the original context, we can better understand why Matthew chose this text for his birth story of Jesus. Happy Advent!

    By the Holy Spirit through Mary Lindow   In one of His most confrontational statements Jesus said, “I have come to bring fire on the earth.”   There are times in the Scripture in which fire is a symbol of judgment but in the great majority of references fire is used to point out God’s divine presence. His words make it clear that the meaning behind His words, “I have come to bring fire” refers to something more than a cozy flame to cuddle up to!   In this unique statement from Jesus the fire He is speaking of is not literally fire as in flames but a spiritual representation. He is speaking of the burning, exciting, dynamic presence of God in the lives of people. The fire that illuminates His incredible presence, produces unlimited power, burns away the dross and impurities and attracts people to Him. That is the Fire of God.   THE FIRE OF GOD IS NOT GIVEN TO MAKE US COZY…  …But holy, and to stir us up.    When Moses saw the burning bush God first warned him that he was standing on holy ground, and then told him of the great thing He was about to do, to release Israel from the captivity of Pharaoh (Ex 3). When Isaiah was in the temple and it filled with smoke of the burning holiness of God, his awareness of being unclean came first, before God equipped him to be His messenger. When God’s fire comes to the hearts of men and women their spirits are freed from the awful bondage of idolatry. When God’s fire comes, the enemy will be destroyed. That is why we should pray, “O, Lord -send the fire. Your fire. Send your consuming, changing, restoring, victorious fire!”   WE SING ABOUT THE FIRE OF GOD IN MANY OF OUR HYMNS.  There is a song I have known for years that says,  “Oh, Lord, you’re beautiful. Your face is all I seek. For when your eyes are on this child, your grace abounds to me. O Lord, please light the fire, which once burned bright and clear, Replace the lamp of my first love, that burned with holy fear.”   OH, MAY OUR PRAYER BE HEARD!   “Lord, send your fire! May we sense and know Your burning, exciting, dynamic presence in our lives and among Your people.”     “OH HOW YOU FEAR THE FIRE!” - A PROPHETIC WORD   “It is as if you think that I might truly do something unloving to burn you or disfigure you! I am a God of fire! Yes! But a HOLY fire! 
A fire that burns away wood, hay, and dead scraps lying around 
in your heart. They are littering the places that I want to bring My Glory into!   When My Fire pursues you it drives away any voice or lust or 
any other enemy of your soul! You will come to a place where 
you no longer need to have the splash of fanfare or the 
rumblings of the earth to know that I Am in your presence!   Instead. 
The Fire brings you to a place just like it did Moses !
He saw My Holy Fire in a bush on a hill. 
I spoke to Him and told Him He was on HOLY ground!   "Is not my word like fire," declares the LORD, 
 "And like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?”
 Jeremiah 23:29   I was a still, small voice, speaking out from inside of a fire!
 Listen! 
I am calling out to you! Be quiet! 
Silence the noise around you! 
 Get quiet with Me. 
Put away the busyness that you get caught up into!   After the “Fire” a still small voice. 
 1Kings19: 12   My Passion Fire is calling out to You!   I have things I want to whisper into your spirit-man! 
I have words that will sustain you through all of the
 fiery trials and tests you will inevitably pass through!   “If this is so, 
 Then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials.” 
 2 Peter 2:9   If you want the Fire of I the Living God to be evident
 in your ministry, whether it is in the marketplace, the home,
or abroad, Listen to My still small voice.  It will in turn resound like a roaring ocean to those whom 
you will minister to.   “O Lord of hosts, 
 How blessed is the man who trusts in You!”
 Psalms 84: 12   Trust. 
The issue that everyone on earth deals with day in and day out. 
 Putting your trust in things that last for only a season or a few years can be very risky and very disappointing.   I have told My people to trust in ME with ALL of their heart
 and I will make their paths straight. Yet - continually they put
 their trust in people, and idols made of gold, positions of power, 
and in themselves and invented doctrines of seasonal passing!   Lasting blessings can only come from trusting in Me. 
 The real issue is that you don’t really think that I will do
 what I say I will do!  So... You take it into your own hands! When you finally lay down your need to control those all around you and trust in Me, then you will be blessed! Blessed with safety, peace of mind and above all, 
blessed by My pleasure in your resting in My plan.   “See to it that you do not refuse HIM who is speaking!” 
 Hebrews 12:25   Oh how many times My people have said to Me, 
 “Later Lord! I will do it Later?” 
 You exhort others to obey quickly and yet you will drag your
 feet and put Me off until you “feel” like following through!   “It is the LORD your God you must follow, 
and him you must revere. 
 Keep his commands and obey him; 
serve him and hold fast to him.” 
 Deuteronomy 13:4   Do not refuse Me when I speak to you when I send you to do
 something in My Name!  You might fear for your own reputation, 
but a life could be hanging in the balance! 
 You do not have the luxury of “denying your King!”    If you wish to be caught up into higher dimensions in My Spirit, 
and, if you long for the “deep that calls unto deep", be faithful 
to ACT when I give you a command!!”   Psalm 119:57
 "You are my portion, O LORD; 
 I have promised to obey your words." Psalm 119:60
 "I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands."     
Duplication and sharing of this writing is welcomed as long as complete message, podcast   and website information 
for Mary Lindow is included. 
 Thank You!


 Copyright © 2017 " THE MESSENGER " ~ Mary Lindow 


www.marylindow.com  www.globalprayerrooms.com http://marylindow.podbean.com/mobile/    

Are You Qualified for the Job?(Isaiah 6:1-8)Isaiah 6:1-8--In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” 4 At the sound of their oices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. 5 “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.” 6 Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” 8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”I’m sure that most of you have had to fill out a resume before. Maybe it was for a summer job, when you were a teenager. Maybe it was for the full time job that you are currently working at. Or maybe it was something as simple as scholarship application for school. But whatever it was, I’m sure that most of you have filled out a resume before. If you are anything like me, you can feel awkward filling out a resume. You can feel awkward, talking about your strengths and weaknesses, awkward trying to convince someone that you are the right man or the right woman for the job. Most of us are our own worst critics, right? So, when we have an evangelism focus in our service, when we are talking about being fishers of men and proclaiming the Word of God, we can feel a little awkward. We look at our strengths and weaknesses and wonder if we are the right man or woman for the job. That’s why our text from Isaiah is so important. By looking into our text from Isaiah, we can answer this question. We can answer the question, are you qualified for the job?When Isaiah first saw this vision of the glory of God, this vision that gave him a glimpse of the glories of heaven, Isaiah certainly didn’t think he was qualified for the job. He certainly didn’t think that he was the right man to speak God’s Holy Word, the right man to be a prophet of God. This vision of the glory of God, this glimpse into the glories of heaven was so glorious and magnificent, that it scared Isaiah to death. Literally.Look at what Isaiah saw in this glorious vision. He saw, “the Lord seated on his throne, high and exalted.” He saw the train of the robe of the Lord, filling up the entire temple. He saw these six winged seraphs, flying around the glory of the Lord. If that wasn’t enough, these six winged seraphs were calling back and forth to one another saying “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty, the whole earth is full of his glory” a song that is so simple that we sing it during every communion service, a song that was so glorious that it shook the foundations of the temple and filled it all up with smoke.While we may think, ‘Wow! That would be so awesome to see. I wish I could see a vision like that.’ Isaiah didn’t really think that way at all, when he saw this magnificentvision. Do you remember what Isaiah said in response to this vision? He said, “Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”Yes, Isaiah knew that he was unqualified for the job. He knew that he was not worthy to proclaim the holy Word of God. He wasn’t saying, “Here am I. Send me” yet. He wasn’t standing up in front of the vision of the glory of the Lord saying, ‘I think I’m the right man for the job. I think I have what it takes to proclaim this Holy Word.’ No! Not all! Instead Isaiah thought he was going to die. He thought that because he saw the glory of the Lord, the holiness of the Lord, he would be ruined, because of who he was.Isaiah knew that he was a sinner. Specifically Isaiah knew that he was a man “of unclean lips” as he says in our text. He knew the filthy and harmful words that had come out of his mouth. He knew the times that he had uttered curse words, wishing harm upon someone or condemning something to hell, without even thinking about what he was saying. He knew the lies that he had told as a kid, lies he continued to tell as an adult. He knew how he had embellished truth at times in his life to make himself look better, how he had mocked people with his words instead of building them up in love, and how he had lost his temper at times and yelled at people for no good reason. He knew all the sinful words that had come out of his mouth.Because Isaiah knew what filthy and harmful words had come out of his mouth, because Isaiah knew that he was a man of unclean lips, a man who had often sinned by the very words he had spoken, Isaiah knew that he was unqualified for the job. He knew that he was unqualified to be a prophet of God and speak his Holy Word. He knew that he was unqualified to be a child of God, who could stand in God’s glorious presence for all eternity. Isaiah knew that all sinners, all, who have unclean lips, should not be allowed to speak God’s holy Word, but should immediately be put to death any time those holy words are present. We must confess that we know the same thing about ourselves right?I think that I can safely say about each and every one of you, no matter how long you have been a member of the Lutheran church, I think that I can say about each and every one of you that you are man or a woman of unclean lips. I think that you can probably look back in your life and remember a bunch of filthy and harmful words that have come out of your mouths. And I can too.We remember those curse words that we have spoken, where we have wished harm upon someone or condemned something to hell, without even thinking about what we are saying. We remember the lies that we told, when we were kids, the lies we continue to tell, when we are adults. We remember how we have often embellished the truth, how we often mocked people and hurt them with our words, how we have been filled with anger and yelled at people for no good reason. We can remember all those things.Yes, you and I, we are men and women of unclean lips, men and women, who say filthy and harmful words over and over and over again. So like Isaiah, not only must we confess that we are unqualified for the job, unqualified to speak his Word, unqualified topraise his holy name, but on top of it all, like Isaiah, we must confess that we are unqualified to be his child and stand in his glorious presence for all eternity. God is so glorious and so holy that no unclean man or woman should ever be allowed to stand in his holy presence and live, let alone speak his holy word.That’s why the ending of our text is so amazing. After Isaiah proclaimed that he was unqualified for the job, unqualified to stand in his glorious presence for a second, let alone for all eternity, God didn’t immediately say ‘You’re right’ and strike him dead, though he had every right to do so. Instead out of his great love and mercy, listen to what the Lord did for Isaiah. We read, “Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it, he touched my mouth and said, ‘See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.’”Isn’t that amazing? God had a seraph take a live coal from the altar, the place where sacrifices are made, and he had that seraph touch Isaiah’s lips with that live coal, not to burn them shut over all the unclean words Isaiah had spoken, though he had every right to do so, but he had the coal from the altar of the Lord, the place where sacrifices are made, he had that coal touch his lips to cleanse them, to take away his guilt and atone for all his sins, including the sin of all the harmful and filthy words he had spoken.After this happen, after Isaiah’s lips were cleansed by the live coal that came from the altar of the Lord, the place where sacrifices are made, Isaiah is completely changed in every way. No longer does he think that he is going to die. No longer does he think that he is unqualified for the job, unqualified to speak God’s Holy Word. Instead, after he was cleansed, after his guilt was taken away and his sins were atoned for, when Isaiah heard God ask, “Whom shall I send and who will go for us?” Isaiah could boldly and confidently declare, “Here am I. Send me.”The same is true for you. God doesn’t strike you dead, because of your unclean lips, though he has every right to do so. He doesn’t prohibit you from speaking his holy Word or praising his holy Name, though, again, he has every right to do so. Instead, just like he did with Isaiah, he points you to the greatest altar ever erected. He points you to the altar on Mt Calvary, where the greatest sacrifice, the sacrifice to end all other sacrifices was made. He points you to the sacrifice of his one and only Son, Jesus Christ, which happened on the altar of Calvary’s cross.When he takes the blood from that sacrifice, the blood of God’s Son Jesus Christ and touches your lips with it, which first happened when you were baptized and now in an even more visual way, happens when you come forward to receive Christ’s body and blood with your mouth, along with the bread and wine in the Sacrament of Holy Communion, when he takes that blood of Christ’s sacrifice and touches your lips with it, your lips are cleansed. They are cleansed from all the filthy and harmful words you have spoken. The blood of Christ’s sacrifice takes away your guilt and atones for all your sins, including the sins of the words you have spoken. And having been cleansed, you can now boldly and confidently declare, ‘Here am I! Send me.”You are now qualified for the job. You are qualified to proclaim his Holy Word. You are qualified to praise his holy name. You are qualified to spread his Word to your friends, relatives and neighbors. You are qualified because your lips are cleansed by the blood of Christ. You are qualified to teach your children about Jesus and bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. You are qualified because your lips are cleansed by the blood of Christ. You are qualified to encourage or comfort your spouse or another Christian friend in time of need. You are qualified because your lips are cleansed by the blood of Christ. You are even qualified to sing glorious praises to God’s holy name, proven by the fact that in just a few short moments, you will sing the same praises that the angels in heaven are singing, when sing “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty.” You are qualified because your lips are cleansed by the blood of Jesus.So, when we have an evangelism focus in our service or talk about being fishers of men and proclaiming God’s Word, it’s easy to think that others are much more qualified than I am. While it is true that God gives us all different abilities and talents, let’s be clear of this one thing. All of you are qualified. You are qualified to speak God’s Holy Word. You all are qualified to praise his Holy Name. Whether it is praising God in church, teaching your children in home or going door to door, you are qualified. Since you have been cleansed by the blood of Christ, since your guilt is taken away and your sins are atoned for, you are now qualified to speak God’s holy Word. And more than that, you are qualified to stand in his glorious presence for all eternity.

Despite the promises of peace made by kings and politicians throughout the ages, the kingdoms of this world are constantly at war. When Isaiah announced the promise of a coming Savior, he called Him the “Prince of Peace.” Seven hundred years later, when the angels announced the birth of Jesus, they declared, “peace on earth, good will toward men.” The Son of God was called the Prince of Peace and then the Son of God told His followers that if they wanted to be called “children of God,” they would be peacemakers. In part 4 of Let Earth Receive Her King, we will discuss the difference between the peace of the kingdoms of this world and the peace of Christ.

When Isaiah saw the Lord it changed everything in his life. Have you met Him?

Chapter 15 spoke of the destruction of Moab. When Isaiah was given this message, Moab was fairly small, but it was a productive nation. You may remember from our reading of the book of Ruth that this is where Naomi went when there was a famine in Canaan. And yet, Isaiah says that it shall...

Chapter 15 spoke of the destruction of Moab. When Isaiah was given this message, Moab was fairly small, but it was a productive nation. You may remember from our reading of the book of Ruth that this is where Naomi went when there was a famine in Canaan. And yet, Isaiah says that it shall be put to ruin. The timing for the fulfillment of this prophecy is key. We learn in chapter 16 , verse 14 that it will take place within three years. Isaiah was given this prophecy to give to his people in order to show them that there is One who is in control of the world and the kings in it, and that all who worship false gods are accountable to that One, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. That the prophecy came true was a confirmation to all that Isaiah’s mission and his prophecies were true. Your thoughts?

When Isaiah says to “look to the rock,” in Isaiah 51:3, he is reminding Israel of where they come from and, more importantly, the One from whom they come. In this Thanksgiving message, Pastor Jedidiah Maschke reminds us why that’s important for us to remember, too, as we celebrate the holiday and remember to give thanks to the One from whom all blessings flow.

Wouldn't it be great if God really showed up? When Isaiah actually encounters God we find that the presence of God is a lot less comfortable than we might think.

"I will take revenge on you, my enemies, and you will cause me no more trouble. I will take action against you. I will purify you the way metal is refined, and will remove all your impurity." (Isaiah 1:24,25) Fire is a repeated theme of this book. When Isaiah encountered God in all his glory he felt guilt and shame until a burning coal touched his lips. "God is a consuming fire" (Hebrews 12:29) in the book of Isaiah: "God, the light of Israel, will become a fire. Israel's holy God will become a flame, which in a single day will burn up everything, even the thorns and thistles." (Isaiah 10:17) The basis for understanding the smoke that ascends "forever and ever" in Revelation comes from Isaiah chapter 34. And finally, this most tantalizing passage: "Now I will do something and be greatly praise. Your deeds are straw that will be set on fire by your very own breath. You will be burned to ashes like thorns in a fire. Everyone, both far and near, come look at what I have done. See my mighty power! The sinners in Zion are terrified; trembling grips the godless: 'Who of us can dwell with the consuming fire? Who of us can dwell with everlasting burning?' He who walks righteously and speaks what is right..." (Isaiah 33:10-15) What is the consuming fire of God? Get the powerpoint presentation here - http://www.godscharacter.com/files/ppt/Isaiah_refining_fire.ppt

When Isaiah speaks of a "way" in the future, he gives us a picture of our Messiah coming to us in the future

Ever take a vacation and then when you got there didn't know what to do? When Isaiah entered the presence of God, that triggered a response. Isaiah knew what to see and what to do.

Ever take a vacation and then when you got there didn't know what to do? When Isaiah entered the presence of God, that triggered a response. Isaiah knew what to see and what to do.

When Isaiah saw the Lord, he was inspired to a greater level of service and personal commitment to God and His people. Have you ever seen the Lord? If you have, what kind of change did it spark in your life?