106th Week, Isaiah Chapters 50-54 (Click on Title for Video Introduction)

 Click on Title for Video Introduction

Monday, Isaiah Chapter 50

Isaiah 50

Verse 4

Mindy Strayer

Verse 4:  The Servant of God says The Lord God has given me the tongue of a disciple and of one who is taught, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary. He wakens me morning by morning; He wakens my ear to hear as a disciple as one who is taught.

THOUGHT

I did some research on Isaiah 50:4 and came across a piece of writing which had some great things in it so I thought I would incorporate some of it into today’s devotion. 

“When we enter turbulent times we must bring a word of grace, a word from God. It is required of every single one of us. We are called to speak words of life and truth. We are called not just to speak but to communicate with our lives, to authenticate the words that we speak by the consistent lifestyle we live out in submission to Jesus, the perfect Teacher. Jesus said to his disciples that they (and we) must be able to discern the times to figure out what’s going on around us and then speak appropriately in response.” (Taken from the writing)

Jesus got His words from God the Father. That is why Jesus said, “I have not spoken on my own authority; the Father who sent me has himself given me commandment what to say and what to speak” (John 12:49). “I don’t say anything,” Jesus claimed over and over again, “as coming from myself. I

speak what God tells me to speak.”

I liked this verse because it made me feel more confident in my ability to comfort others during hard times. Not just with my family and friends, but for all of the people that I serve at Harborview where I work. Death of course, is something that I am often confronted with at work. But there is also chronic disease that wearies the soul, sudden acute illnesses/diseases that can destroy one’s world in a second, abuse (physical and mental), mental illness, and broken homes and relationships that scar hearts and

make people bitter and full of anger. Then there are those that are constantly dealing with seemingly un-ending consequences for bad choices made. What does one say to these people? 

Only God knows what to say, right? Well, because we know God through studying His Word and speaking and listening to Him in prayer, we too can know what to say to those who are heavily burdened. We too can provide a word of grace, a word from God.

PRAYER

Lord, help us to be responsible Christians and to bring Your Word into the lives of those that are hurting, those that are feeling like they are at their wits end, those that have lost hope. Use us, we pray, to tell of Your grace and mercy, and the freeing power that comes from knowing Jesus Christ as our Personal Savior. In Jesus Name. AMEN

Tuesday, Isaiah Chapter 51

Isaiah 51

Verse 7

Bart Strayer

Verse 7:  (The Message) “Listen now, you who know right from wrong, you who hold my teaching inside you: Pay no attention to insults, and when mocked don’t let it get you down.”

THOUGHT

We live in a nation with the freedom to worship our God. It is hard to conceptualize the pain and suffering that some people in faraway nations must go through to remain true to God. The above verse makes mention of ‘mockery’. We know, however, there are people on this earth that must go through more severe forms of insult.

Can you remember the last time that you were confronted by someone that insulted your beliefs? Questioned your faith? Mocked you or your Christian brothers and sisters? Because our love for Jesus runs deep, it can become painful to listen to and witness. The Bible says that we are not to fear or become hurt when we are faced with trials like these.

When people insult us for our faith, God is with us and truth will prevail.

PRAAYER

Dear Jesus, we thank You for being that strength in us when we are tested by the secular world. Help us to seek You more and more each day so that there would be no distance between us. Help us to tuck right in behind You as You lead us. Help us to draw ever nearer to You so that we may never deny You or forsake You. Make us strong in faith and love. We love You! In Your Name we pray. AMEN

Wednesday, Isaiah Chapter 52

Isaiah 52

Verse 14

Bart Strayer

Verse 14:  (New Living Translation) Many were amazed when they saw him beaten and bloodied, so disfigured one would scarcely know he was a person.

THOUGHT

This verse was thrust into the spotlight shortly after the release of ‘The Passion of the Christ’.  Mel Gibson was criticized for making the movie too bloody. Christian leaders along with Gibson validated the film by referencing this verse.

If you believe the Bible as the truth, I want you to picture what it means to be beaten beyond recognition. Which means - unrecognizable.

Webster’s Definition: unrecognizable means defying recognition as e.g. because of damage or alteration.

Not pleasant to think about, but yet, for me it deepens my love for Jesus.  He understood the fulfillment of the prophecy.  He saved the world of sins, and yet He did not waver. 

That is why it saddens me when people say that there is more than one way to God, or that good works gives you salvation. If that were true, then Jesus’ pain and death were a waste.

PRAYER

Dear Jesus, we thank You for the pain and suffering You endured for us. Help us never to take the cross for granted. Help us to keep You in the fore front of our thoughts as we go about our lives. We ask that You go with us in our travels and keep us safe. Help us to put our trust in You so that we may have peace in knowing You are in charge. We thank You for this group.  We ask for Your guiding hand over our devotions in the weeks to come. In Your Name we pray. AMEN

Thursday, Isaiah Chapter 53

Isaiah 53

Verses 4-5

Delores Little

Verses 4-5: Surely, He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered Him stricken by God, smitten by Him, and afflicted. But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that bought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed.

THOUGHT

Jesus was not well liked.  He was rejected, a man of sorrows, despised, and all our sins and diseases and sickness were put upon Him. God sent Him into  the world for such a time as this. If He had not come, we could not be with Him right now. He suffered for us all so that we could come before Him daily in praise and thanksgiving and prayer.  All He asks of us is to confess our sins and accept Him as our Savior.  We don’t have to offer up goats, lambs, or a sacrifice as He did it all.  We can go right to Him every day of our life and know He is there for us.

After watching the movie “Passion of the Christ”, it so touched me that my Father loved me so much that He gave His only begotten Son so I can have life with Him.  Jesus loved us so much.  He did just as the Father ask Him to do. PREFECT LOVE INDEED.

Did you ever notice He said we are healed? That is spiritually as well as physically.  He didn’t say I will heal you some day, but WE ARE HEALED. That is now. 

I Peter 2:24: “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; BY HIS WOUNDS YOU HAVE BEEN HEALED.”

Exodus 15:26c: “for I Am the Lord, who heals you.”

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, cleanse us daily from our sins. You say Your Word never returns void.  For all of us who need healing on our souls and bodies we ask You to touch and do Your healing on us. We praise and thank You for what You are doing and about to do for us all.  What a mighty LOVE You have for us all.  Let us never forget it, no matter what we face. In Jesus Name. AMEN

Friday, Isaiah Chapter 54

Isaiah 54

Verses 4-8, 17

Delores Little

THOUGHT

This is a wonderful chapter for me personally. It spoke to me many times after my husband died in 2001, and I will share the verses with you today.

Verses 4-8: “Do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood. For your Maker is your husband--the Lord Almighty is His Name--The Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; He is called the God of all the earth. The Lord will call you back as if you were a wife deserted and distressed in spirit--a wife who married young, only to be rejected, says your God. For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with deep compassion I will bring you back.  In a surge of anger I hide my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you.” says the Lord your Redeemer.

Verse 17: “No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the Lord, and this is their vindication from Me.”

THOUGHT

This speaks to us and is also speaking to God’s people back then, as He is their husband and also now ours.  Having lost my husband, I can so relate to this chapter and verses. I cannot tell you what a comfort it is to me to know Jesus is my husband now, and He will never leave or forsake me.

It was in this walk that I met Jeanie, my Stephen Minister, and know just as sure as anything God sent her into my life.  What a blessing and joy she has been.  Every day since losing a loved one is very hard, but I tell you it is much harder without Jesus to help us through the walk. Knowing that my husband, Willie, knew Jesus was a comfort for me as I know he is with his Lord now. When I found out Willie had cancer, I wept a great deal and prayed so hard for his earthy healing but God chose to give him the very best healing with Him. One day in prayer, I truly was in the Holy of Holies with my Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit and never wanted to leave it.  I was there for about 5 to 10 minutes, and it was awesome. Two days after Willie died, God ask me if I remembered that time with Him? I said, “Yes”, and He said, “I only give you a taste of where Willie is now.”  I know without a doubt that I would never want him back here for heaven was that wonderful. 

Now verse 17 is so great to pray in for all believers as it says it all.  Just a couple weeks ago God spoke these verses to me again, and I felt He was telling me to let go of Willie as I AM your only husband now. Praise the Lord.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, today I spoke as a widow to the Salt Shakers and maybe it was to give them the hope to look forward with You later in their lives.  Thank You for answered prayers.  To God be the glory for them all.  Bless each one today in their walk with You and let them take time always to hear Your voice in their heart and mind through Your Holy Word.  In The Name of Jesus.  AMEN