Date: Sunday, August 03, 2014
Today's Chapters: Isaiah 49-51
Message Title: Encourage Jesus

Jesus, we truly do not realize just how amazing He is. Yes, we love Him, praise Him, and thank Him for what He has given us, but rarely do we stop to think about the great sacrifice He made for us. Nor do we understand the love He really does have for every soul He creates. In a world that rejects God, and pretty much everything He stands for, He could use a little bit of encouragement from the very souls He has redeemed. “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;” - Ephesians 5:1,2,19,20.

As the generations get closer and closer to very few people believing in and receiving Christ, it's a bit sad and heartbreaking. Imagine how God must feel? When we take the time to read through the Book of Isaiah, and stop to think about who it is that is actually speaking, you can truly hear the cries of Jesus Himself, pleading with all to come to Him. Through Isaiah, we are reminded that once saved, always saved. “And now, saith the LORD that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, and my God shall be my strength. And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth. Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee. Thus saith the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages;” - Isaiah 49:5-8.

God's amazing mercy and grace, to save, protect, and preserve all who believe in His Son, no matter how many stupid things we do, even after we are save. Oh, we could fall into deep, deep sin, and even forget God, but can I tell you, that He never forgets us nor the time we received Christ as our Savior. God knows we are going to mess us as long as we have this flesh, and while we may have to face some earthly judgment for our sins, it's not forever. Jesus will find His people. “But Zion said, The LORD hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me. Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me. Thy children shall make haste; thy destroyers and they that made thee waste shall go forth of thee. Lift up thine eyes round about, and behold: all these gather themselves together, and come to thee. As I live, saith the LORD, thou shalt surely clothe thee with them all, as with an ornament, and bind them on thee, as a bride doeth.” - Isaiah 49:14-18.

Through Isaiah, we are revealed an amazing prophecy of Jesus telling of the suffering He will face in order to be our Savior. He reminds all that come to Him that their sins are forgiven, but if they refuse to come to Him, only they are to blame for the suffering they face. “Thus saith the LORD, Where is the bill of your mother's divorcement, whom I have put away? or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away. Wherefore, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stinketh, because there is no water, and dieth for thirst. I clothe the heavens with blackness, and I make sackcloth their covering. Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God.” - Isaiah 50:1-3,10.

I was reading an article about a restaurant that gives their customers a discount if they see someone praying for their meals. They do not have a sign posted for this, it is just something they do for people who are thankful to God for their food. One person made a comment that it was a dishonor to God to pray in public, that in doing so we are being show offs. Never in my life have I ever thought that I was showing off when I pray before my meal. We encourage God by not being ashamed to pray and or sing to Him in or out of public. We give honor to Him by loving, respecting, and being obedient to Him no matter where we are. “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.” - 2 Timothy 2:19-21.

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and God Himself, could have came up with any way to save man, He chose to become man. He chose to be subjected to sin and the devil, He gave His power over to God, the Father, subjecting Himself to temptation, hunger, poverty, and pain. He could have let man suffer their own judgment only to be cast into hell. He chose to be the sinless sacrifice that would save all who believe in Him. Even through Isaiah, He pleads with all to come to Him, before it is too late.

“Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people. My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust. Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished. Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away. Thus saith thy Lord the LORD, and thy God that pleadeth the cause of his people, Behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, even the dregs of the cup of my fury; thou shalt no more drink it again:” - Isaiah 51:4-6,11,22.

Zion, the habitation of peace, one day, all who are redeemed will join Jesus in Zion. I use to think that no person is capable of changing their ways, but One person can, and that is Jesus. No, He cannot force Himself upon us, no one can, but when we allow Him to come into our lives and live in it, He truly does change our ways of doing and even thinking things. Jesus has our name written in His hands, we never escape Him for one second. How amazing is that? Isn't it time to encourage Jesus? To give back to Him a little bit of what He gives to us? Not because it is required, but out of respect for Him? “Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.” - James 5:13-15.

Today's Prayer: Jesus, As much as I thank You for saving me from hell and my sin, I still do not comprehend all that You have done for me. It's so overwhelming that You died for me to save me from something I have every right to be punished for. Thank You, Jesus. I know there is nothing I can do to repay You, but I love You, and want to give honor to You. You are my Lord and Savior, there is no other, and I am glad that there is no other. In Your name, Jesus. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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