Some people are called to a tough life. What they experience and have to do is more stringent than most people. God has built and equipped them for this role. They can endure more than most humans. Jeremiah was a person like this. He was called to stand up to the rulers of Israel. God…
Read MoreGod has hundreds of promises in His Word. One of those promises is that he looks after those who are humble and contrite. Here in Isaiah, God promises to revive your spirit if you are humble. Everyone is going to get down and need some encouragement. Even the humble and contrite get discouraged. God sees…
Read MoreThe more you become an expert in something like music or sports, the more you need to practice to remain at that level. Baseball players take more groundballs and musicians play more scales. One area where we don’t need any practice is being a sinner. Nothing comes more naturally to us than sinning. It constantly…
Read MoreTime is something you can never get back. As of writing this, no time machine has been invented. So we have to be wise with how we use our time. We shouldn’t fritter it away or, even worse, use it for the wrong purposes. Paul tells us to redeem the time by sharing the Gospel…
Read More.When you are struggling, you can have others come alongside you and support you, but they can’t carry your sorrows. Loved ones can surround you, but they can’t feel the pain of your disease. While their love and support make the sorrow easier, it is yours to carry alone. When it comes to your sin,…
Read MoreWhat fills your heart with joy? Is it your family or friends? Maybe it’s your hobby? Whatever it is, it fills your heart and puts a song on your lips. Did you know that you fill your heavenly Father’s heart with joy? You make creation sing for joy. The mountains break forth into singing because God…
Read MoreI am usually up before the sun. I can see it rise from where I sit while I do my devotions. Those first rays of the morning bring everything to life around my window. The Birds start to chirp, the animals and insects start to move to the warmth, and the plants start to turn towards the light. When we follow Jesus, that darkness no longer can overcome us. He is the light that brings new life.
John 1:4-5“In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
The light brings new life. It shines in on the darkness. It wakes the world up and brings warmth to the cold. Jesus came into the world to bring new life. He shines in on the darkness of your soul and gives you hope. He brings life to dead bones and illuminates the darkness so His disciples can see the way. Nothing can stop His penetrating light.
Do you know there are over seven hundred promises from God in the Bible? What’s amazing is that God has kept every one of them. Many of these promises are for you today. Entering into God’s promises takes a step of faith on your part. Are you going to leave what is comfortable and step into the unknown? That is usually what it takes. Today we see Israel was on the cusp of the Jordan river and entering into God’s promises.
Joshua 3:17 “Then the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan; and all Israel crossed over on dry ground, until all the people had crossed completely over the Jordan.”
This is the second time God has parted the waters for the Israelites. This time they are crossing the Jordan and entering the promised land. They are about to realize all that God has promised them. Notice how it still took a step of faith? Moses was gone, and Joshua was in charge. Can I trust him? On top of that, they had to pass through the Jordan during the flooding season. What if the water breaks away and we drown? When God promises something He will bring it to completion.
Read MoreHave you ever been around children who live in poverty? Even in the worst circumstances, they go about having fun with their friends. They find joy wherever they are. Do you realize that Jesus came to give you abundant life? Are you moping around feeling sorry for yourself? That isn’t what God intended when He sent His Son. He came that you would be made alive in the Spirit. That means we can live a life with peace and joy.
1 Peter 3:18
“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit,”
Peter presents the Gospel of Jesus Christ in one of the clearest and straightforward verses in all of the Bible. We have been made alive in the Spirit because Jesus suffered and was put to death. Look at the transaction that was necessary here. The just, which means without sin, did this for the unjust. This is so revolutionary. Have you ever heard of a good person sacrificing himself for the bad? History is full of the unjust suffering for the just, yet Jesus turned that on its ear and suffered for those of us who don’t deserve it.
Read MoreWhen you go through a significant change, it produces a profound impact on almost every area of your life. That change often changes your outlook on life and causes you to speak and act differently. Society calls it “Singing a different tune.” When you let Jesus into your heart, and he comes and cleans house and fills it with His Spirit, you start singing a new song. All those old things are in the past, and new life has sprung forth.
Isaiah 12:2
“Indeed, God is my salvation; I will trust him and not be afraid, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my song. He has become my salvation.”
Isaiah chapter twelve is a short song that God gave to the people. God wanted to be the strength and song for the Israelites. Isaiah recognized that. Sometimes singing it in a song can help people remember better. That is the case here where Isaiah declares God is his salvation and the source of his strength. Because of this, Isaiah will sing about his trust. Do you have the song of salvation in your heart? Are His praises continually on your lips?
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