(Isaiah 30:21-22) Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it. “Then you will defile your idols overlaid with silver and your images covered with gold; you will throw them away like a menstrual cloth and say to them, “Away with you”
When the people of Jerusalem left God’s path, he would correct them. He will do the same for us. But when we hear his voice of correction we must be willing to follow it.
Under Gods Command
Isaiah 30:10-11
“They say to the seers, See no more visions!” and to the prophets, “Give us no more visions of what is right! Tell us pleasant things, prophesy illusions. Leave this way, get off this path, and stop confronting us with the Holy One of Israel”
Some people in Judah may have sought refuge in Egypt. In their desire to find security, the wanted to hear only good news. They did not welcome the truth from God’s prophets. Often the Truth makes us uncomfortable. We prefer lies and illusions when they make us feel more secure. It is much better to face reality then to live an lie. Don’t’ settle for something that makes you feel comfortable but is not true.
Under Gods Command
Isaiah 30:1- Woe to the obstinate children, declares the Lord, to those who carry out plans that are not mine, forming an alliance, but not by my Spirit heaping sin upon sin.
The people of Judah sought advice from everyone but God, When we are driven by fear, we tend to search everywhere for comfort, advice, and relief, hoping to find an easy way out of our troubles. Instead, we should consult God. Although he gives emergency help in a crisis, he prefers to be our Guide throughout our lives. By reading his Word and actively seeking to do his will, we can maintain our bond with him who provides stability no matter what the crisis.
Under Gods Command
Isaiah 22:4 – Therefore I said, “Turn away from me; let me weep bitterly. Do not try to console me over the destruction of my people.”
Isaiah had warned his people, but they did not repent; thus they would experience God’s judgment. Because of his care for them, Isaiah was hurt by their punishment and mourned deeply for them. Sometimes people we care for ignore our attempts to help, so they suffer the very grief we wanted to spare them. At times like that we grieve because of our concern. God expects us to be involved with others, and this may sometimes require us to suffer with them.
Under Gods Command
Isaiah 27:11 States: When its twigs are dry, they are broken off and women come and make fires with them. For this is people without understanding, so their Make has no compassion on them, and their Creator shows them no favor.
Isaiah compares the state of Israel’s spiritual life with dry twigs that are broken off and used to make fires. Tree in Scripture often represent spiritual life. The trunk is the channel of strength from God, the branches are the people who serve him. Tree branches sometimes waver and blow in the wind. Like Israel, they may dry up from internal rottenness and become useless for anything except building a fire. What kind of branch are we? If you are withering spiritually, check to see if you are firmly attached to God.
Please remember that these emails are going to over 100 people. I used BCC to keep your email address private. I just want to share my own personal walk with you, and yes, please hold me accountable for my actions. I love you all and there is nothing that you can do about it.
Under Gods Command
Isaiah 23:9 – The Lord Almighty planned it, to bring low, the pride of all glory and to humble all who are renowned on the earth.
God would destroy Tyre because he hated its people’s pride. Pride separates people from God, and he will not tolerate it. We must examine our lives and remember that all true accomplishment comes from our Creator. We have no reason for pride in our selves.
Please remember that these emails are going to over 100 people. I used BCC to keep your email address private. I just want to share my own personal walk with you, and yes, please hold me accountable for my actions. I love you all and there is nothing that you can do about it.
When the people of Moab experienced God’s wrath, they sought their own idols and gods. Nothing happened, however, because there was no one there to save them.
Isaiah 17:12 – When Moab appears at her high place, she only wears herself out. When she goes to her shrine to pray, it is to no avail.
When we seek our own ways of escape in order to get through our daily troubles, the effect is the same. No pleasure, pastime, or man-made religious idea will come to save us. Our hope lies in God, the only One who can hear and help.
Sexual Temptations are difficult to withstand because they appeal to the normal and nature desires that God has given us. Marriage provides God’s way to satisfy these natural sexual desires and to strengthen the partners against temptation. Married couples have the responsibility to care for each other; therefore husbands and wives should not withhold themselves sexually from one another, but should fulfill each other’s needs and desires.
1 Corinthians 7:3-6 – The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife’s body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband’s body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
A preacher once said “People say that the grass is not greener on the other side, well it depends what side is being water the most”. Do not lead each other into temptation, because that is exactly what you are doing if you are denying each other of sexual attention.
Coming up my Mother always taught me to never let things control you, but you stay in control. Those words were some of the great things that were taught to me by her. You see, a person is a slave to whatever controls him or her. Many believe that freedom means doing anything we want. But no one is ever completely free in that sense. If we refuse to follow God, we will follow our own sinful desires and become enslaved to what our bodies want. If we submit our lives to Christ, he will free us from slavery to sin. Christ frees us to serve him, a freedom that results in our ultimate good. Thank you Mom
2 Peter 2:19 – They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him.
Let the Spirit change your way of thinking. Ephesians 4:23 by Rick Warren
Throughout the Bible we see an important truth illustrated over and over: the Holy Spirit releases his power the moment you take a step of faith.
When Joshua was faced with an impassible barrier, the floodwaters of the Jordan River receded only after the leaders stepped into the rushing current in obedience and faith. Obedience unlocks God’s power.
God waits for you to act first. Don’t wait to feel powerful or confident. Move ahead in your weakness, doing the right thing in spite of your fears and feelings. This is how you cooperate with the Holy Spirit, and it is how your character develops.
The Bible compares spiritual growth to a seed, a building, and a child growing up. Each metaphor requires active participation: seeds must be planted and cultivated, buildings must be built – they don’t just appear – and children must eat and exercise to grow.
While effort has nothing to do with your salvation, it has much to do with your spiritual growth. At least eight times in the New Testament we are told to “make every effort” in our growth toward becoming like Jesus. (Luke 13:24 NIV; Romans 14:19 NIV; Ephesians 4:3 NIV; 2 Timothy 2:15 NCV; Hebrews 4:11 NIV; Hebrews 12:14 NIV; 2 Peter 3:14 NIV)
You don’t just sit around and wait for it to happen.
Paul explains in Ephesians 4:22-24 our three responsibilities in becoming like Christ.
Third, we must put on the character of Christ by developing new, godly habits. Your character is essentially the sum of your habits; it is how you habitually act. The Bible says, “Put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:24 NIV)
Under Gods command 