103rd Week, Isaiah Chapters 36-39 (Click on Title for Video Intro)

Click on Title for Video Intro

Monday Isaiah Chapter 38

Isaiah 38

Verse 5b

Jeanie Boldt

Verse 5b:  The Lord says, “I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will add fifteen years to your life.”

THOUGHT

Hezekiah had a serious physical condition, a boil infection. Can I say as a dermatology nurse, we see them frequently, and they are nasty? Back at that time they had no antibiotics or medicine to help. People suffered and died. That is exactly where Hezekiah was.

One question I ask each of you. If you were to pray to the Lord for the main desire of your heart right now, ‘What would it be? And do you have faith that the Lord could grant that desire for you?’  Never hesitate to ask God for radical changes if you will honor Him with those changes.  Second question is, ‘If the Lord saved your life and told you that you had exactly 15 years to live – ‘What would you choose to do?’  I had to really think about these things.

The first question was harder because I could think of many requests for those I love, and still at this time really find it hard to think of something personally unless it would be to put me in a mission field to spread the Word.  However, then I look around at what I have done at work, done with Stephens Ministry, worshipping with my spouse through our Couples Group and now the Race Track Ministry appears. I think the Lord has been answering my prayers. Sometimes we need to look around and take a double take and thank Him for where we are. The situation might have been given to us to look at and examine and pray for God’s help to gain something beneficial from it. 

I guess the main thing is that we need to pray CONTINUALLY and ask for the desires of our hearts and for our requests and praise Him. HE does hear, and HE does answer. In Luke 18 verse 1 the Lord told the disciples that they should always pray and NOT GIVE UP. This means to always keep our requests toward God constantly believing He will answer them. As we persist in prayer we grow in character, faith and HOPE.

The future is as bright as the promises of GOD.  If you are swept off your feet, it is time to get on your knees.

PRAYER

God our Father, thank You for the gift of prayer. How wonderful to be able to speak to You at anytime, anywhere and about anything. Thank You for listening no matter how small the request or how seemingly impossible.  We know that You care and are faithful to those who believe You can do anything You want. Help us never stop asking - never stop hoping - and NEVER EVER stop believing. You are the “Go-To-Man” when there is a need on our heart. Father, I know that each of the Salt Shakers have answered this question about the desire of their hearts. Please grant their requests. Perform miracles where they need to be done and grant faith, hope and love to each of them.  In The Name of Jesus.  AMEN

Tuesday, Isaiah Chapter 39

Isaiah 39

Verse 6

Jeanie Boldt

Verse 6:  The time will surely come when everything in your palace, and all that your fathers have stored up until this day, will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the Lord.

THOUGHT

The King of Babylon wanted one thing: Judah’s cooperation in opposing the Assyrians. The enemy is a liar and uses every excuse to get entry into your life. It was foolish for Hezekiah to welcome them and show them the royal treasures, but pride took over and discernment disappeared. Hezekiah gave in again. He was just glad that things would be peaceful during his time. How shortsighted can a man of faith become?! He had no concern for the future of his people?

I think this part of the story and the verse above are to remind me that “things” in this world are so temporary. They are not in the end, important things to have.  All the wealth and possessions in the world will not get us to the Lord’s Celebration. Things come and go. They age, become outdated and cannot be taken with us. Let’s never forget the main reason we are here. We are to be led to the saving grace of our Lord and Savior. Our purpose is to help as many as possible get to the celebration.

PRAYER

Creator and giver of all things, we thank You for all that we have. You have blessed us with cars, homes, trips, food, furniture, jewelry, clothing, computers, careers, shopping malls, church buildings, and the list goes on and on. Please do not let these things become more important to us than Your love and relationship. May we never be boastful or become so prideful that we forget who we are and what our purpose is. Help us to be ever so humble. Help us to be good examples of Your love so that we may hand the baton off to the next generation.  They can then share the news with the next and the next generation until we celebrate together the return of our Lord and Savior. Bless each of the Salt Shakers!! Thank You for hearing their requests and prayers for the desires of their hearts.  In The Name of Jesus.  AMEN

Wednesday,  Isaiah Chapter 36

Isaiah 36 

Verse 21

Tanya Ruden

Verse 21:  But the people remained silent and said nothing in reply, because the king had commanded, “Do not answer him.”

THOUGHT

It is interesting to hear the ‘bad guys’ point of view in this chapter. If I am not mistaken the field commander speaking is the ‘bad guy’ with Assyria who will be defeated. He tried bad mouthing the other leader, bribing him, bargaining with him.  You almost feel his lack of confidence. 

I like the verse above because it is like the leader does not want comments because of his lack of confidence. He doesn’t need his staff questioning what he said or contradicting his statements.

PRAYER

Thank You for weekends. Thank You for time to spend with family and for time to care for all the blessings we have.  Lord, sometimes the Old Testament is challenging to read and understand, but thank You for the history of our faith.  We praise You for the prophets who reveal You and Your power through their prophecies.   Point out to us the times when we should be quiet instead of talking.  AMEN

Thursday, Chapter 37

Isaiah 37

Verse 15

Tanya Ruden

Verse 15: “and Hezekiah prayed to the Lord”

THOUGHT

Once again, I am probably not the best person to be leading our Bible study when we are talking about war.  It is something I should study more.  I need a leader. Those of you who have studied the Old Testament or Isaiah I apologize for my simplistic view, but I liked this verse because it reminded me of how we as believers should be. Hezekiah is in the middle of war, about to be attacked by a bigger army, and instead of calling a meeting with all of his staff and planning and plotting, he prays. He calls upon God first. Isn’t that how we should be?

When the pressures of our day or unplanned events attack our day, instead of planning and plotting, shouldn’t we call upon God first? We all know that if we hand our issues over to God like Hezekiah, with him in control, the issues and unplanned items will be handled without trouble.

PRAYER

Dear Jesus, so often we try to handle things ourselves with our help and guidance. Help us to always turn to You first, giving You our days and problems and asking You first before ‘planning and plotting’.  Lord, we want You in control of our lives, every part of them.  Take over today and always!  AMEN

Friday, Time for Prayer

Today is a day for Prayer.  Hezekiah turned to Him as we learned this week so let us.  Take time to really be in relationship with our Lord and Savior.  Tell Him the desires of your heart, cry out to Him about the areas of your life that are hurting, share with Him your fears, Rejoice with Him, Praise Him, ask for forgiveness, and be still and feel His presence.