109th Week, Isaiah Chapters 63-66 (click on title for video intro)

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 Click on Title for Video Introduction


Monday, Isaiah Chapter 63
Isaiah 63
Verses 9-10
Matt Strayer

Verses 9-10:  In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them.  In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.  Yet they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit.  So he turned and became their enemy and he himself fought against them.

THOUGHT
I chose two verses today because I believe these two verses together illustrate a cycle that occurred over and over in the Old Testament. During our Bethel Bible study at Orchard this past year we studied the Old Testament.

One thing that occurred over and over throughout was this notion that God loved His people so much that He was distressed when they were, and He lifted them up and carried them through times of trouble. And yet the people still disobeyed what God had commanded. Then God would have to set them straight time and time again. I believe it is possible to draw a parallel from this into our own lives. 

When I look back at my life, I see these cycles that have occurred. I don’t mean to insinuate that all of you are disobedient towards God, but there are times when our pride, selfishness or just our plain humanness leads us down paths that God is not pleased with. God then has to set us straight. The cycles like this in my life have not been fun, but I know that God loves me and that without them I would not be who I am today.

A word of caution: If you have committed your life to serving God, it is certain you will be set straight a time or two because God loves you and wants you to be all you can be for His purpose.

PRAYER
God, we know that You love us and are with us always. We thank You for the book of Isaiah to once again show us how people long ago lived so that we might learn from their example. God, help us to be obedient to Your ways, but if we do get off track, set us straight in Your own mighty way.  AMEN


Tuesday, Isaiah Chapter 64
Isaiah 64
Verse 8  
Matt Strayer

Verse 8:  Yet, O Lord, you are our Father.  We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.

THOUGHT
I just love this verse about the media of clay.  It is just such a good way to illustrate how God can mold each one of us just the way He wants. I tried to think of all the tools God uses to sculpt us into who He wants us to be. 

I know there are countless ways but a few of them are the following:

He brings himself against us when we have disobeyed as we discussed in chapter 63. 
He honors us and brings joy when he delights in our ways. 
He lifts us up and carries us in times of trouble, and we learn to trust Him. The ways our endless.

One thing that Kristen has taught me over the last year is becoming “God’s Clay”. In the past, I always worked to serve God on my agenda. I never slowed to just allow God to work. I now slow down, focus on my surroundings and try to view God’s purpose in the situation. As a result He can mold me into who He wants me to be, not who I want to be. 

I feel this is such an important part of our lives, and it’s probably because of my personality. I always just want to accomplish what I want to and set forth to do so without watching God work. That’s why our Christian friends and family are so important to help us see what we cannot and aid God in His sculpting. I know the Salt Shakers have helped sculpt me, and I hope I will continue to allow you to do so. Thank you all.

PRAYER
God, please help us all to become more aware of the ways You are trying to sculpt and mold each of our lives. We submit to You and truly want to become all that we can be for Your kingdom. In Jesus Name we pray.  AMEN


Wednesday, Isaiah Chapter 65
Isaiah 65
Verse 17
Matt Strayer

Verse 17:  Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth.  The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.

THOUGHT
When I read though this chapter, the section on a new heaven and a new earth was the part that intrigued me the most. I find myself often asking questions about heaven and what it will be like. And even after I read scripture about it, I’m still not sure I really grasp it.  What I like about verse 17 was the part about the former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. 

I just think about all the concerns that we deal with on a daily basis, many of which have no eternal value. These things are unfortunately what life here on earth is like. In heaven these things will no longer come to mind. We can truly focus on worshiping God, our Father, without all the distractions of this world. 

The chapter goes on to say that the people will be joyful. Also, things will be safe and peaceful with plenty for all. Let us rejoice in these things for our time here on earth is short, and what lies ahead in heaven is going to be awesome. I am so thankful for scripture like this to give more insight into what lies ahead.

PRAYER
God, we are so grateful that You sent Your Son, Jesus, so that we who choose to believe in Him can have eternal life. This eternal heaven that You have created is filled with great things, and we thank and praise You for that.   In Jesus Name we pray.  AMEN


Thursday, Isaiah Chapter 66
Isaiah 66
Verse 2
Matt Strayer

Verse 2:  
NIV:  This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.

The Message Bible:   But there is something I’m looking for: a person simple and plain, reverently responsive to what I say.

THOUGHT
Well guys, I don’t think it can be made any clearer than the words above. If I take one thing from this book of Isaiah, it will be the statement above of how God really wants each of us to live our daily lives. He’s looking for us to be humble, simple and plain people that reverently fear and are responsive to what He says. It is as simple as that. These words are so different than what we see and hear in our society today. To be simple and plain is considered boring in today’s world. I challenge each of you to not bend towards society’s motives and to once again be responsive to God.

If there is one piece of advice that I could offer to anyone on this earth no matter who they were or where they are on their journey, it would be, “Fear your God”. I think for every person it would have a different meaning. For some I guess that may sound like a scary statement, but for those who follow close and do their best, it is just a reminder of the reverence we should have for our God and creator. As humans, we get to experience many feelings. The two that I believe have the most power over our actions is fear and love. I have learned fear is a feeling that can lead many to do things both good and bad. I believe in this case that God wants to use this scary feeling to benefit us and lead us closer to him. It keeps us all in the right place with God.

PRAYER
God, give us the discernment and wisdom to choose to be humble and contrite in the Spirit. Give us the strength not to conform to society’s ways. Allow us to respect and have reverence for You. In Jesus Name we pray.  AMEN


Friday, Isaiah - Special Verse Review
As I spoke about in my video introduction, there are so many wonderful verses in the book of Isaiah.  The following are some of the ones we hear most frequently.  Look them up again and rejoice in the reading.

Isaiah  1:18-19, 6:8, 9:2 & 6, 11:9, 12:2, 24:14-16, 25:8, 30:15, 40:31, 41:10, 53:5, 55:8-9, 60:1-3, 61:11

It has been a more difficult book to read but His Word never renders us void.  We have learned and grown closer because of our study.  

PRAYER
Father, thank you for the faithfulness of the followers of the book of Isaiah.  We praise You for the Holy Spirit's direction during our study and for the Salt Shakers devotions that made the chapter read so much more meaningful.  Help us never to tire of this great Book just because it is somewhat hard to understand.  Help us keep at it.  Direct out study in the weeks to come as we celebrate our Holiday Season.  We love You, Lord, and thank You for the Gift, the Holy Book of God.  In the Name of Jesus.  AMEN









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