Date: Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Today's Chapters: Isaiah 9-11
Message Title: God's Stretched Out Hand

While many people get saved, there is something extra special about those who walk with Jesus. No, they are not sinless and they are not better than those who do not, but they do a shine a light around them that lets people know that Jesus is with them, or something is different about them. “Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:” - Ephesians 5:6-8.

Those who live in the world, even Christians, are darkened by all the flesh pleasing devices used to keep them away from God. God constantly pleads with His people to remove these devices from their lives so they can see the Light around them. Sadly, many do not, and that is why judgment comes to our nations, God gives hope of a time when we will see and be guided by the light.

“The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian. For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.” - Isaiah 9:2-7.

Our Wonderful Counselor, Jesus Christ, He judges all righteously, and fairly, those who get under His wing find peace no matter what circumstances they face. While we cannot change the fate of the world, we can change our attitude by trusting that Jesus' light will lead us to victory. “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” - 1 John 5:4,5.

A life with Jesus is not just a free pass to get out of hell, sure we do not need to do anything for our salvation nor to keep it, but that does not mean we have a free pass to live a wicked and immoral life here on earth. God will remove anyone who refuses to listen to His warnings. “For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the LORD of hosts. Therefore the LORD will cut off from Israel head and tail, branch and rush, in one day. The ancient and honourable, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail. For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed. Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows: for every one is an hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.” - Isaiah 9:13-17.

God also has a warning for those who lead His people astray, and they will suffer a great deal. “Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed; To turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless! And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory? Without me they shall bow down under the prisoners, and they shall fall under the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.” - Isaiah 10:1-4.

As our government sets rules and regulations to restrict us from consuming everything from soda to hamburger, they have no problem taking the poor mans money to fatten themselves up on whatever they want. You know, years ago, if a person was severely obese that meant they were rich because poor people could not afford to eat that much. One day, even the rich will not be able to use their money because it will be worthless, and then where will they be, yet, God still has His hand stretched out to them. “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one.” - John 10:27-30.

Through Isaiah, God foretells of the new Kingdom in which Jesus will reign as King to all who believed in and accepted Him. Not only will we seen an end to all suffering and sin, we will also see some amazing things. “And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.” - Isaiah 11:7-11.

What an amazing experience that those who put their faith and trust in Christ will have, to live with Him, to enjoy life without any corruption of a wicked world. To never age, to never feel sorrow or pain, to never be a victim or even do anything evil to others, that alone is reason to look to the Savior. Jews and Gentiles alike will stand before the throne of Jesus and His judgment will be based on one thing and one thing only. Knowing Him personally. “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.” - Matthew 7:21-25.

Today's Prayer: Jesus, It still amazes me that You went through so much pain to save me and my simple faith and trust in Your finished work is all I need to be saved from hell and the lake of fire. When I think of the years I was caught up in false religion and where I would be if I died before I knew the truth I cringe. Lord, work in the heart of every unsaved soul who reads this and help them understand what You did for them and how important it is to know and walk with You. Give me Your power, use me to be a witness to the lost, and help me to be bold to ask all if they know You. In Your name Jesus. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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