A Spiritual Guide

The Lord’s Side 08.30.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today we are completing our studies on the book of Jeremiah, please read Chapters 51-52 in your Bible or Click Here to read. Cut & paste to your browser: biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah%2051-52&version=9

Today we will read and learn about the judgement of Babylon; the fall of Jerusalem; and the captivity of Judah. Today’s message focuses on the importance of realizing that the time is swiftly coming when enemies of God will be judged. Be sure you are on the Lord’s side.

The spectacular and gigantic empire of the Chaldeans surpassed anything that the world has ever known. It’s capital, Babylon, appeared invincible with walls 360 feet high and 80 feet broad. They were enjoying absolute rule over all the nations when Jeremiah declared the judgement and destruction upon them. “Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the LORD’s vengeance; he will render unto her a recompence. Babylon hath been a golden cup in the LORD’s hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad. Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed: howl for her; take balm for her pain, if so be she may be healed.” (Jeremiah 51:6-8).

And as foretold by the prophet, the Babylonian capital “suddenly fell.” This was on the night that Belshazzar the king made a great feast (See Daniel 5). Babylon’s defeat came at a time when its leaders were filled with pride and feasting, and were fearless of all the world. It was the signal for freedom and redemption for the faithful Jews in captivity who were warned more than once to flee from Babylon and ater its defeat by Cyrus, they were at liberty to remain in Babylon and enjoy its luxury and new-found freedom; but they were commissioned by prophecy to restore the desolations of the once-magnificent Jerusalem.

The unwillingness of the majority of the Jews to forsake the luxuries of Babylon for the poverty and hardships they would experience in returning to Jerusalem is a reflection of what we are facing throughout the world today. How accurately this describes some who love the pleasures of the world and will not respond to the invitation of Christ. “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.” (Luke 9:23-24).

More often than that, many will accept Jesus and consent to follow Him, but quickly fall away when things become difficult. Jesus illustrates the life of a Christian/ Non-Christian with seeds sown, “Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow: And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.” (Mark 4:3-8). 

God gives us a choice, we can either follow Jesus or follow the world. Whether we choose to follow Him or not we will still face trials and tribulation. Without Him the result often leads to depression and dependencies on worldly things or people, however with Him we can be at peace and prevail knowing that He is with us and will carry us through every step we take. God never gives us any obstacle that we can not handle, He knows our strengths better than we do and the more we seek Him the stronger we become and are able to prevail against any person or thing that the devil uses to get us to dry up and wither away. Trust in Jesus and You will prevail!

In today’s reading Jesus Christ is revealed through the Creator of the universe (Jeremiah 51:15). All things were created for Him and by Him. “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” (Colossians 1:16-17).

Today’s Prayer:
Dear Lord,
You reign over all the earth and You also reign in my heart! What an awesome blessing this truth brings to me today. As I consider that it is not by my might, nor by my power but by the Spirit of the Lord of Hosts that my personal mountains are removed. Jesus, I know that many of the mountains I face are not just blown away by a simple prayer of faith, but these mountains are often the very essence of how You work through my life to reveal Your faithfulness and Your power in the midst of my struggles. You develop godly character as I am challenged to remain steadfast and faithful in my Christian walk. It is You who I put my trust in and will prevail. In Jesus’ name…..Amen.

Enjoy the rest of your day and be blessed.
God Bless,
Christina

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Your Faith in God 08.07.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Thursday August 7, 2008 and today we are continuing our studies on the book of Isaiah. Please read Chapters 27-31 in your Bible or Click Here to read. Cut & Paste to your browser: biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2027-31&version=9

Today we will read and learn about the judgment of Ephraim; Jerusalem’s warning; Israel’s rebuke for its alliance with Egypt; and their future destiny assured. Today’s message focuses on the importance of realizing that we need to have faith in God. He is the One that created all things and can do what seems to us to be impossible.

The magnificent northern kingdom of Israel was enjoying great prosperity when the Lord led Isaiah to prophesy its coming captivity by Assyria. “And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall beat off from the channel of the river unto the stream of Egypt, and ye shall be gathered one by one, O ye children of Israel. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the great trumpet shall be blown, and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and the outcasts in the land of Egypt, and shall worship the LORD in the holy mount at Jerusalem.” (Isaiah 27:12-13).

Isaiah declared, “Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower, which are on the head of the fat valleys of them that are overcome with wine! Behold, the Lord hath a mighty and strong one, which as a tempest of hail and a destroying storm, as a flood of mighty waters overflowing, shall cast down to the earth with the hand. The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim, shall be trodden under feet: And the glorious beauty, which is on the head of the fat valley, shall be a fading flower, and as the hasty fruit before the summer; which when he that looketh upon it seeth, while it is yet in his hand he eateth it up.” (28:1-4).

Fearing an Assyrian attack, King Hezekiah sent his ambassadors to Egypt with a large amount of wealth. They were requesting military aid and desiring to make a treaty with Egypt, a nation that had been a great world power for centuries. From a human point of view, this seemed to be the only possible means of security against Assyria. Egypt had a great military system, including numerous chariots and horses. In addition, Ethiopia was closely associated with Egypt, and the combined armies of these two powerful nations would seem invincible. However, Isaiah warned them against seeking aid from the wrong people. “Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin: That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt! Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion.” (30:1-3).

When danger threatens, do we immediately seek counsel of our friends and professional advisers? Or do we, through daily searching of His Word, discern God’s principles of direction and then, in prayer, trust Him wholeheartedly to enlighten our understanding concerning the specific problem before us?

We can praise the Lord that while there is life, there is still hope. We make the mistake of trying to do what we think is right instead of putting our faith in God only to fall even more. However, God will never let us suffer with anything that we cannot handle or get out of. Therefore it is important for us to live by faith. ”For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:7).

In today’s reading Jesus Christ is revealed through a tried Stone, a precious Corner Stone, a sure foundation (Isaiah 28:16). Jesus became the Chief Corner Stone.

Today’s Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from You. As recipients of Your tender compassions and tremendous comfort help us to be like cisterns pouring out the mercies we receive from You into the lives of those who desperately need it.

Have a great and blessed day!
God Bless,
Christina

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Patience 07.17.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Thursday July 17, 2008 and today we are continuing our studies on the book of Psalms. Please read Chapters 120-131 in your Bible or Click Here to read. Cut & Paste to your browser: biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20120-131&version=9

Today we will read about a prayer for deliverance from lying lips; sustaining power; a prayer for the peace of Jerusalem; and blessings for trusting God. Today’s message focuses on the importance of realizing that we must wait patiently on God. It becomes easier to be patient when we fully realize God never goes back on His Word and that He is with us even when we think He is not.

The Law required all male Jews physically able and ceremonially clean to go to Jerusalem three times a year to participate in the seven feasts (Exodus 23:14-17; Deuteronomy 16:16). Some of the men may have traveled from one to three weeks to arrive in Jerusalem, but these were to be journeys of great joy. They sang with assurance that the Lord would protect their homes and possessions during their absence. “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.” (Psalm 121:1-5). Just as we pray in our hearts for help in our time of need, protection from our enemies, or give joyful praise to God them men sang praise to God during their travels.

Christians have frustrations and fears and it is of utmost importance that we know how to resolve these emotional problems. God led the psalmist to reveal the true source of help during these problems. “In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me.” (120:1). “I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.” (130:5). The Israelites were taught to trust in the Lord for provisions and protection, and to wait for Him.

Patience is indispensable as we wait upon the Lord our God, at first, we may even submit to the Lord even against our will, but once we begin to let Him in we learn that past experiences teach us that patiently waiting is our wisest course and that through God we finally have that hope we have been longing for. We want His will in us. Waiting upon the Lord is the expression of our faith in Him and allows God to deal with us in such a way and time as He thinks best.

To many it will appear impossible and too difficult to wait upon God, they lost their faith and either walk away from Him completely or can never believe that there is a true God that will protect or save us. The one who knows God will not depend upon his own judgment or his own ability, but will put their faith in Him, never giving up and will wait until God gives them direction. Patiently waiting upon God is a test of our faith in Him and brings His rich reward to us. “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.” (Psalm 37:7-9).

In today’s reading Jesus Christ is revealed as the One who preserves us. (Psalm 121:8). “And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (II Timothy 4:18).

Today’s Prayer:
Dear Lord,
For many the circumstances in life are so uncertain and the solutions to our problems can be very perplexing and seem beyond our grasp. There are many things that we do not seem to understand, but we know You are our Savior and Protector and that You give us the hope we need for tomorrow. Thank you, God, that You do not expect us to have all the right answers or to fully understand all that concerns us. You simply want us to trust You as we hold on to Your unchanging hand while You go before us making our paths straight. Grant us the grace to trust You more and give us the wisdom and understanding of Your Word to know Your will for our lives. In Jesus’ name…..Amen.

Enjoy the rest of your day!
God Bless,
Christina

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