Posts Tagged ‘Inspiration’


James 2:19-20, My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. 

 19: When we talk too much and listen to little, we communicate to others that we think our ideas are much more important than theirs.  James wisely advises us to re reverse this process.  Put  a mental stopwatch on your conversations and keep track of how much you talk and how much you listen.  When people talk with you, do they feel that their viewpoints and ideas have value? 

 19-20: These verses speak of anger that erupts when our egos are bruised “I am hurt”; “My opinions are not being heard.”When injustice and sin occur, we should become angry because others are being hurt.  But we should not become angry when we fail to win an argument or when we feel offended or neglected.  Selfish anger never helps anybody.


Under Gods Command

Isaiah 33:14-16, The Sinners in Zion are terrified; trembling grips the godless: “Who of us can dwell with the consuming fire? Who of us can dwell with everlasting burning? He who walks righteously and speaks what is right, who rejects gain from extortion and keeps his hand from accepting bribes, who stops his ears against plots of murder and shuts his eyes against contemplating evil, this is the man who will dwell on the heights, whose refuge will be the mountain fortress.  His bread will be supplied, and water will not fail him.

 These sinners realized that they could not live in the presence of the holy God, for he is like a fire that consumes evil.  Only those who walk righteously and speak what is right can live with God.  Isaiah gives examples of how to demonstrate our righteousness and uprightness, we can reject gain from extortion and bribes, refuse to listen to plots of wrong actions, and shut our eyes to evil.  If we are fair and honest in our relationships, we will dwell with God, and he will supply our needs.


Under Gods Command

 Isaiah 33:1 Woe to you, O destroyer, you who have not been destroyed! Woe to you, O traitor, you who have not been betrayed! When you stop destroying, you will be destroyed; when you stop betraying, you will be betrayed. 

The “destroyer” is Assyria.  Assyria continually broke its promises, but demanded that others keep theirs, it is easy to put ourselves in the same selfish position, demanding our rights while ignoring the rights of others.  Broken promises shatter trust and destroy relationships.  Determine to keep your promises; at the same time ask forgiveness for past promises you have broken.  Treat others with the same fairness that you demand for yourself.


Isaiah 31 6-7, Return to him you have so greatly revolted against, O Israelites.  For in the day every one of you will reject the idols of silver and gold, your sinful hands have made. 

Someday these people would throw their idols away recognizing that they are nothing but man-made objects, idols such as money, fame, or success are seductive.  Instead of contributing to our spiritual development, they rob us of our time, energy, and devotion that ought to be directed toward God.  At first our idols seem exciting and promise to take us places, but in the end we will find that we have become their slaves.  We need to recognize the worthlessness now, before they rob us of our freedom.


(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 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.