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Why Can You Exalt God's Word in Worship (Insights in NT)

6/15/2013

The reasons you can exalt God's word in worship are:
1. Response to martyrs' victory over the antichrist
2. Know God's judgment amplifies His grace in the heavenly temple
3. Know God's physical, ecological and celestial judgments often harden peoples' hearts
4. Clothe yourself with Jesus during natural disasters to prepare for Christ's second coming
5. Celebrate man's destruction of idolatrous, religious system
6. Celebrate God's destruction of materialistic and deceptive political and commercial system that killed believers
7. Praise God's reign and church's righteous acts as preparation for wedding feast of the Lamb
8. Praise God's word from Jesus' mouth will defeat Satan so God rules on earth

Exalt God's Word in Worship as Response to Martyrs' Victory
Seven angels completed God's wrath with seven last plagues. John saw what looked like a sea of glass mixed with fire that were those victorious over the beast, image and number of his name. They held harps and sang the song of Moses and the Lamb about the Lord God Almighty's and King of the ages' great and marvelous deeds along with His just and true ways. Everyone should fear and bring glory to Him for He alone was holy. All nations would come and worship for His righteous acts were revealed (Rev. 15:1-4). Exalt God's word in worshiping His works and ways as response to the martyrs' victory over the antichrist.

Know God's Judgment Amplifies His Glory in the Heavenly Temple
John saw the tabernacle of Testimony open in heaven. Seven angels with their seven plagues came out of the temple dressed in clean, shining linen and wore golden sashes around their chests. One of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls filled with God's wrath. The temple was filled with smoke from His glory and power. No one could enter the temple until the seven plagues were completed (Rev. 15:5-8). Know God's judgment amplifies His glory in the heavenly temple.

Know God's Physical, Ecological and Celestial Judgments Often Harden Peoples' Hearts
The seven angels poured out seven bowls of God's wrath on the earth. The first angel sent ugly and painful sores on those with the mark of the beast who worshiped his image. The second angel turned the sea into blood so every living died in it. The third angel made the rivers and springs of water become blood because the Holy One judged truthfully and justly those who shed the blood of saints and prophets. The fourth angel gave the sun power to sear people by intense heat so they cursed God refusing to repent. The fifth angel plunged the beast's throne and kingdom into darkness so men gnawed their tongues in agony and cursed God refusing to repent what they did (Rev. 16:1-11). Know God's physical, ecological and celestial judgments often harden peoples' hearts.

Clothe Yourself with Jesus During Natural Disasters to Prepare for Christ's Second Coming
The sixth angel dried up the Euphrates River to prepare the way for the Eastern kings. John saw three evil spirits like frogs coming out of the dragon's, beast's and false prophet's mouth. They gathered kings together for the final battle of Armageddon. God told His people to stay awake and clothed so they would not be naked and shamefully exposed when He came back like a thief. The seventh angel sent flashes of lightning and a severe earthquake unlike any previously. Jerusalem split into three parts and other cities collapsed. God remembered Babylon the Great and filled her with His wrath. Every island and mountain were not found. Huge, 100 pound hailstones fell upon men so they cursed God (Rev. 16:12-21). Clothe yourself with Jesus during natural disasters to prepare for Christ's second coming.

Prepare for Idolatrous, Religious System to Be Destroyed by Men
One of the seven angels showed the punishment of the great prostitute that kings and inhabitants committed and intoxicated with her adulteries. John saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast covered with blasphemous names, seven heads and ten horns. She was filled with abominable things and adulteries with "Mystery, Babylon the Great" written on her forehead. She was drunk with the blood of the saints and those bearing testimony to Jesus. The beast she rode came out of the Abyss to go to his destruction. The seven heads were seven hills on which the woman sat. Five kings fell, one was and the other had not yet come. The beast was the eighth king. The ten horns had not received a kingdom but the kings and beast received authority. They gave their power and authority to the beast. All of them warred against the Lamb and His faithful followers. The Lord of lords and King of kings overcame the kings and the beast. The woman was the great city that ruled over the kings of the earth (Rev. 17:1-18). Celebrate man's destruction of idolatrous, religious system.

Prepare for Materialistic Commercial System To Be Destroyed by God
Another angel said Babylon the Great fell and became the home for demons. All nations, kings and merchants drank her adulteries and grew rich from her excessive luxuries. A heavenly voice commanded God's people to come out and not share in her sins or plagues. Her sins piled up to heaven and He remembered her crimes. He gave her as much torture and grief as the glory and luxury she gave herself. She boasted of being a queen and never mourning. In one day her plagues of death, mourning and famine overtook her. Kings and merchants mourned when they saw the smoke of her burning ruining her power, riches and splendor so no one bought her cargoes. God judged her for the way she treated believers, apostles and prophets. Her merchants were the world's great men. Babylon led astray every nation by her magic spell. In her was found the blood of prophets and those killed on earth (Rev. 18:1-24). Celebrate God's destruction of materialistic and deceptive political and commercial system that killed believers.

Praise God's Reign and Church's Righteous Acts to Prepare for Wedding Feast of Lamb
A great multitude shouted that salvation, glory and power belonged to God since His judgments were true and just. He condemned the great prostitute whose adulteries corrupted the earth and avenged the blood of His servants. The 24 elders and four living creatures fell down and worshiped God seated on the throne crying, "Amen, Hallelujah." A voice from the throne said for His servants to praise God. A great multitude shouted that the Lord God Almighty reigned, the Lamb's wedding had come and His bride made herself ready with clean linen representing the saints' righteous acts. The angel told John how blessed were those invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb. The testimony of Jesus was the spirit of prophecy (Rev. 19:1-10). Praise God's reign and church's righteous acts to prepare for wedding feast of the Lamb.

Praise God's Word from Jesus' Mouth to Defeat Satan So God Rules on Earth
A white horse whose rider called Faithful and True judged and made war. His eyes were like blazing fire, head with many crowns and a name written that only He knew. His robe was dipped in blood and His name was the Word of God. Heaven's armies dressed in white linen followed Him riding on white horses. A sharp sword came out of His mouth to strike down the nations and rule them with an iron scepter. On His robe was written, "King of kings and Lord of lords." An angel said to gather for the great supper of God to eat the flesh of kings, mighty men and all people. The beast and earthly kings made war against the rider on the horse and His army, but they captured the beast and false prophet. They were thrown alive in the fiery lake of burning sulfur and killed the rest with the sword that came out of the rider's mouth on the horse (Rev. 19:11-21). Praise God's word from Jesus' mouth to defeat satan so God rules on earth.

Exalt God's word in worship because of the martyrs' victory over the antichrist, which used His word from Jesus' mouth to defeat Satan so God rules on earth.

Praise God's reign and church's righteous acts as preparation for wedding feast of Lamb knowing His judgment amplifies His grace in the heavenly temple.

Celebrate God's destruction of idolatrous, materialistic and deceptive religious, political and commercial system by clothing yourself with Jesus in preparation for His second coming.

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How to Receive Power, Wealth, Wisdom, Strength, Honor, Glory and Praise (Insights in NT)

6/12/2013

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A person receives power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory and praise by praying for empowerment by the Holy Spirit knowing Jesus sits on the throne in heaven; worship a holy God and crucified Savior continually by giving Him glory, honor and power; and connect with Christ's death on the cross through His word to purchase men everywhere who serve His kingdom and reign on earth.

Pray for Empowerment By the Holy Spirit
A door in heaven was standing open before John to show him future events. Someone sat on a throne in heaven with the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow like an emerald encircled the throne and 24 other thrones surrounded it. There were 24 elders dressed in white and gold crowns seated on them. Lightning and thunder came from the throne. Before it were seven spirits and what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal (Rev. 4:1-6a). Pray for empowerment by the Holy Spirit knowing Jesus sits on the throne in heaven.

Worship a Holy God Continually
In the center around the throne were four living creatures covered with eyes and six wings each like a lion, ox, face like a man and flying eagle. Day and night they never stopped saying, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." When the living creatures gave glory, honor and thanks to Him sitting on the throne who lived forever, the 24 elders fell down. They worshiped Him and cast their crowns before the throne saying, "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being (Rev. 4:6b-11). Worship a holy God continually by giving Him glory, honor and power.

When you know that Jesus sits on the throne in heaven, you can give Him glory, honor and power.

Connect with Christ's Death Through His Word
John saw a scroll written on both sides sealed with seven seals in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. No one was worthy to open the scroll and look inside except the the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, who triumphed. He saw a slain Lamb standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders with seven spirits of God. After He took the scroll, the creatures and the 24 elders fell down before the Lamb holding a harp and golden bowls of incense or prayers of the saints. They sang that He was worthy to open the scroll because He was slain and purchased with His blood men for God from every tribe, language, people and nation to be made a kingdom and priests to serve Him and reign on the earth (Rev. 5:1-10). Connect with Christ's death on the cross through His word to purchase men everywhere who serve His kingdom and reign on earth.

Receive Power, Wealth, Wisdom, Strength, Honor, Glory and Praise
John heard the voice of countless angels that encircled the throne, living creatures and elders. They sang that the worthy Lamb was slain to receive power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory and praise. Every creature sang to Him who sat on the throne and gave praise, honor, glory and power to the Lamb. The four living creatures said, "Amen," and the elders fell down and worshiped (Rev. 5:11-14). Receive power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory and praise from the crucified Savior through worship.

Connect with Christ's death on the cross through His word and Spirit-empowered prayer to purchase people who serve Him, which reaps power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory and praise from the Crucified Savior.

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How to Have a Heart for Jesus (Insights in NT)

6/9/2013

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In order to have a heart for Jesus, mourn Him as the Almighty ruler who freed you from sins, respond to His testimony in your life, hear His word and take seriously the events written in Revelation.

Mourn Jesus as Almighty Ruler Who Freed You from Sins to Serve God
John received a revelation of Jesus through God's word and Christ's testimony concerning what would take place. Blessed was the one who read, heard and took to heart what was written. The seven churches in Asia received grace and peace from Him who is, who was and who is to come, and from Jesus Christ, faithful witness, first-born from the dead and ruler of the earth's kings. He loved, freed them from their sins by His blood and were made into a kingdom and priests to serve His God and Father. Every eye saw and mourned Jesus who is, who was, and who is to come in the clouds as the Alpha and the Omega, the Almighty (Rev. 1:1-8). Mourn Jesus as the Almighty ruler who freed you from sins to serve God and will come back in the clouds.

Respond to Jesus' Testimony After Seeing His Eyes Like a Blazing Fire
John endured suffering on the island of Patmos because of the word of God the and testimony of Jesus. He wrote on a scroll what he saw and sent it to the seven churches in Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea. John saw seven golden lampstands and among them was someone like a son of man dressed in a robe with a golden sash around his chest. His head and hair were white like wool and snow. His eyes were like blazing fire (Rev. 1:9-14). Respond to Jesus' testimony after seeing His robe, head, hair and eyes like a blazing fire.

Hear Jesus' Word as Double-Edged Sword
His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace. His voice was like the sound of rushing waters. He held seven stars in his right hand and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance (Rev. 1:15-16). Hear Jesus' word as double-edged sword seeing His feet and face along with hearing His voice like the sound of rushing waters.

Take to Heart Jesus as Living One in Past, Present and Future Events
John fell at His feet as though dead and Jesus placed his right hand on him. He said to not fear as He was the First and the Last, the Living One, was dead, now alive eternally and held the keys of death and Hades. Jesus said to write what he saw, what was now and what will take place later. The seven stars were the angels of the seven churches and the seven lampstands were the seven churches (Rev. 1:17-20). Take to heart Jesus as Living One who holds the keys of death and Hades in past, present and future events.

Take time to mourn Jesus who freed you from sin. Consider how Jesus made Himself known in your life. Listen to His word in Scripture. Take to heart the events revealed in the book of Revelation.

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How to Gain a Life-Giving Faith (Insights in NT)

5/10/2013

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James explains how to gain a life-giving faith. Those who persevere joyfully in trials, study and apply God's word, love their rich and poor neighbors, express good works through their faith, praise God with their tongue and choose heavenly wisdom gain spiritual maturity, receive crown of life, express pure religion, show mercy and active faith, prevent corruption and bear righteousness.

Persevere Joyfully in Trials
When Christians considered trials as pure joy when their faith was tested, they developed perseverance, maturity and completeness without lacking anything. God gave generously without finding fault if they asked Him for wisdom in faith without doubts and double-mindedness. Those in humble circumstances were in a high position compared to the rich who faded away like a flower. Those who persevered under trial received the crown of life promised to those who loved God. Temptations were caused by evil desires. If birthed sin after conception leading to death when full-grown. Every good and perfect gift came from the Father of the heavenly lights who chose to birth people through the word of truth as firstfruits of all He created (James 1:1-18). Persevere joyfully in trials for spiritual maturity to gain the crown of life.

Study and Apply God's Word
Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger in becoming righteous without moral filth. They humbly received the word implanted for salvation. Deception occurred when those listened to the word without obedience like looking in a mirror and forgetting what they looked like. Blessing came to those who looked intently and did according to the perfect law of liberty. Those who did not rein their tongue deceived themselves and had worthless religion. People with pure and faultless religion looked after orphans and widows in their distress and kept themselves unstained by the world (James 1:19-27). Study and apply God's word by speaking carefully, looking after orphans and widows and refusing worldliness.

Love Rich and Poor Neighbors
If believers showed favoritism or gave special attention to a rich person and discriminated against the poor, they became judges with evil motives. God chose the poor to be rich in faith and inherit the kingdom promised to those who love Him. The rich exploited, dragged people into court and slandered peoples' good name. People did good and kept the royal law by loving their neighbor as themselves. They sinned by showing favoritism. Whoever kept the whole law and stumbled in one point was guilty of breaking it. Judgment without mercy was shown to anyone who had not been merciful. Mercy triumphed over judgment (James 2:1-13). Love rich and poor neighbors by showing mercy and not judgment.

Express Good Works Through Your Active Faith
If someone told a brother or sister without clothes and daily food to be warm and well fed without helping their physical needs, his faith was worthless. Faith without works was dead and useless. Demons believed and shudder. Abraham was considered righteous when he offered his son Isaac on the altar. Faith and actions worked together to complete his faith by what he did. Abraham was called God's friend after he believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness. People considered Rahab the prostitute righteous when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them in a different direction (James 2:14-26). Express good works through your active faith.

Praise God with Your Tongue
Those who presumed to be teachers were judged more strictly. By not stumbling in speech, they kept their body in check. Small parts like bits, rudders and tongues directed horses, ships and people, respectively. A small spark set a great forest on fire. Likewise, the tongue corrupted and set on fire the whole person being from hell, evil and full of deadly poison. The tongue praised God and cursed men who were made in His likeness. Fresh and salt water could not flow from the same spring. A salt spring could not produce fresh water (James 3:1-12). Praise God with your tongue to prevent corruption.

Choose Heavenly and Pure Wisdom
A wise and understanding person produced deeds done in humility. Bitter envy and selfish ambition that were earthly, unspiritual and devilish tempted a person to boast or deny it. It contained disorder and every evil practice. Wisdom from heaven was pure, peace loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sowed in peace raised a harvest of righteousness (James 3:13-18). Choose heavenly and pure wisdom as a peacemaker who bears a harvest of righteousness.

To gauge the condition of your faith, rate yourself on a scale of 1 to 10 (one being lowest and ten the highest) in the following areas:
1. Persevere joyfully in trials to gain spiritual maturity and crown of life
2. Study and apply God's word to express pure religion
3. Love your rich and poor neighbors to show mercy
4. Express good works through your active faith
5. Praise God with your tongue to prevent corruption
6. Choose heavenly wisdom to bear righteousness

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How to Confront Sin (Insight in Prophets)

3/18/2013

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“Indeed the safest road to Hell is the gradual one--the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts,...Your affectionate uncle, Screwtape" (C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters).

To have boldness to confront sin, hear God's word and see His glory. Listen to the Holy Spirit and speak God's word. Warn people of their sin using object lessons. Open your mouth when God speaks and be silent when He desires. Obey God so you don't waste away in anxiety, despair and slavery. Prophesy God's word against lust of idols.

Hear God's Word and See His Glory
Ezekiel saw visions of God when the heavens opened and His word came to him in Babylon. He saw an immense cloud with flashing lightning surrounded by brilliant light. In the fire looked like four living creatures with four faces and four wings each. Their wings touched one another. Each one had a face of a man and an eagle, on the right side a face of a lion with an ox on the left. The appearance of the living creatures was like burning coals of fire moving back and forth. Ezekiel saw a wheel sparkling like chrysolite on the ground beside each creature and intersecting one another. They went in all four directions and the four rims were full of eyes all around. Wherever the spirit would go, the living creatures and wheels went. When the creatures moved, Ezekiel heard the sound of their wings like the roar of rushing waters or voice of the Almighty. Above the expanse over the heads of the creatures looked like a throne of sapphire. High above on the throne was a figure like a man. From his waist up looked like glowing metal full of fire with brilliant light surrounding him, which was the glory of the Lord (Ezek. 1:1-28). Hear God's word and see His glory when the Holy Spirit reveals it.

Listen to the Spirit and Speak God's Word
The Spirit told Ezekiel that He was being sent to the rebellious and stubborn people of Israel. They would know a prophet was among them. He should not fear or be terrified even though he lived among thorns and scorpions. Ezekiel must speak His words whether they listened or not. He must listen to the Spirit, not rebel like rebellious Israel, open his mouth and eat what was given him. He saw a scroll with written words of lament, mourning and woe written on both sides. The Spirit told Ezekiel to eat the scroll, speak to Israel, open his mouth and fill his stomach with it. He ate the scroll and it tasted as sweet as honey in his mouth. They would not listen to Ezekiel because they were not willing to listen to God. Israel was hardened, but did not have an obscure or difficult language. He would make him harder than flint. After the Spirit took him away with bitterness and anger to the exiles living at Tel Aviv, he sat overwhelmed for seven days (Ezek. 2:1-3:15). Listen to the Spirit and speak God's words whether people listen or not.

Warn People of Their Sin
When seven days were complete, God made Ezekiel a watchman to hear His word and warn Israel for Him. When God told a wicked man he would die and Ezekiel did not warn him from his evil ways to save his life, he died for his sin. God held Ezekiel accountable for his blood. If Ezekiel warned the evil man and he did not turn from his wickedness, he died for sin and Ezekiel saved himself. When a righteous man did evil and God put a stumbling block before him, he would die. Since Ezekiel did not warn him, he died for his sin and the righteous things were not remembered. Ezekiel was held accountable for his blood. If Ezekiel warned a righteous man not to sin and took the warning, he lived and Ezekiel saved himself (Ezek. 3:16-21). Warn people of their sin so they are rescued and you are not accountable for their blood.

Open Your Mouth When God Speaks
The Lord told Ezekiel to go out to the plain where He would speak to him. There stood God's glory similar to what he saw earlier. The Spirit told him to shut himself inside his house where he was bound with ropes to prevent him from going out. He made his tongue stick to the roof of his mouth to keep him silent unable to rebuke the rebellious house. When God spoke to him, He opened his mouth saying that whoever listened, let him listen and whoever refused, let him refuse (Ezek. 3:22-27). Open your mouth when God speaks and be silent when He desires.

Obey God to Not Waste Away
God told Ezekiel to draw the city of Jerusalem on a clay tablet, erect siege works against it and battering rams around it. As a sign to Israel, he took an iron pan as a wall between him and the city in order to besiege it. God instructed him to lie 390 days on his left side, eat bread and 20 shekels of food using human excrement as fuel. It represented placing 390 years of Israel's sin upon himself and eating defiled food among the nations God would drive them. Then he was to lie down 40 days on his right side to bear 40 years of Judah's sin. God said Jerusalem would eat rationed food in anxiety and drink rationed water in despair because of scarcity. They would waste away because of their sin (Ezek. 4:1-17). Obey God to not waste away in anxiety, despair and slavery.

Use Object Lessons to Warn People
God told Ezekiel to shave his head and burn some of it representing fire and sword spreading to whole house of Israel. He said Jerusalem rebelled against God's laws more than the nations around her. Because of their idols, fathers ate their children and children their fathers. God withdrew His favor because they defiled His sanctuary with vile images and practices. A third of the people died of the plague or famine, another third by the sword outside their walls and a third scattered to the winds being pursued with drawn sword. Jerusalem became a ruin and reproach among the nations with famine, wild beasts, plague, bloodshed and sword against them (Ezek. 5:1-17). Use object lessons to warn people of the deadly consequences of sin or idols leading to famine or plagues.

Prophesy God's Word Against Lust of Idols
Ezekiel heard God's word to prophesy against Israel that a sword destroyed high places, demolished altars, smashed incense altars and killed people in front of their idols. They knew He was Lord. Those who escaped the sword remembered God's grief over their adulterous hearts lusting after idols. They loathed themselves for their evil and knew He was Lord. He made the land a desolate waste from the desert to Diblah (Ezek. 6:1-14). Prophesy God's word against the lust of idols because people hate themselves even though they know He is Lord.

Listen for God's word and see His glory so you are empowered to confront sin.

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Preparation to Receive God's Word (Insights in Prophets)

8/26/2012

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We wonder why people don't obey God's word after hearing it. Certain things must be in place for people to be doers of the word. For disciples to receive God's word, they must consider His holiness, experience forgiveness of sin, trust God's protection and presence and reject faith in humankind and their strategies.

Consider God's Holiness
In the year King Uzziah died, Isaiah saw the Lord sitting on a high and exalted throne with the train of his rope filling the temple. Above Him were seraphs with six wings each calling to one another, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of His glory." The doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. Isaiah cried out that he was ruined with unclean lips and living among a people of unclean lips but his eyes saw the King, the Lord Almighty (Is. 6:1-5). Consider God's holiness to reveal personal and community sin.

Experience Forgiveness of Sin
A seraphim flew with a burning coal taken from the altar and touched Isaiah's mouth. He said his iniquity was taken away and sin forgiven. The Lord said, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" Isaiah said, "Here am I. Send me!" He said to go and tell this people that they were always hearing but never understanding and always seeing but never perceiving. Their hearts were insensitive, ears dull and eyes dim so they could not hear, understand, return to the Lord and be healed. The Lord said Isaiah would do this until cities lie ruined without people, houses deserted, fields ravaged and land completely forsaken. A tenth as the holy seed would remain in the land as a remnant like a stump in the land (Is. 6:6-13). Experience forgiveness of sin and hear God's call as an ambassador of reconciliation.

Trust God's Protection
Rezin, king of Aram and Pekah, king of Israel, battled against Ahaz, king of Judah, without conquering them. Israel's king and peoples' hearts shook like trees in the wind. Isaiah and his son told Ahaz to be calm, not fear or be fainthearted because of the fierce anger of these two kings who planned evil against them. God said their terror would not make a breach in its walls. Within 65 years Ephraim would be no longer be a people because of their unbelief (Is. 7:1-9). Trust God's protection, stay calm and do not fear when people seek evil.

Live in God's Presence
The Lord told Ahaz to ask for a sign but he refused not wanting to test God's patience. The Lord gave the sign of a virgin who would bear a son whose name would be called Immanuel. He would eat curds and honey when he was old enough to refuse evil and choose good. The land of the two kings they dreaded would be laid waste in the early childhood of the boy. The Lord would bring the king of Assyria causing great natural and economic trials to Judah (Is. 7:10-25). Live in God's presence instead of testing His patience by exercising faith in humankind.

Reject Faith in Humankind
The Lord said to write ordinary letters on a large tablet, "Swift is the booty, speedy is the prey," and called Uriah the priest and Zechariah as reliable witnesses. He went to a prophetess and she gave birth to a son named, "Swift is the booty, speedy is the prey." The wealth of Damascus and spoil of Samaria would be carried away by the king of Assyria. These people rejected the gently flowing waters of Shiloah and rejoiced in Rezin and Pekah. As a result, Judah experienced devastation by the king of Assyria (Is. 8:1-8). Reject faith in humankind to prevent your land from being devastated.

Reject Human Strategies
All nations that prepared for battle would be shattered. They devised their strategy but it was thwarted "for God is with us." God warned them with mighty power not to follow the way of this people and say, 'It is a conspiracy,' what the people called a conspiracy. They were not to fear what they feared or be in dread of it, but regard God as holy. He was their fear and dread. He would become a sanctuary for both houses of Israel as a stone that caused men to stumble and a trap and snare for the people of Jerusalem (Is. 8:9-15). Reject human strategies by regarding God's holiness and presence.

To be in position to receive the Word, these prior things--consider God's holiness, experience forgiveness of sin, trust God's protection and presence, and reject faith in humankind and their strategies--must be in place.

Receive God's Word
Bind up the testimony and seal the law among His disciples. Isaiah would wait and trust in the Lord who hid his face from the house of Jacob. He and the children God gave him were signs and wonders in Israel from the Lord Almighty. They consulted the Lord and not mediums and spiritists men suggested. If they did not speak according to the law and testimony, they had no dawn but were distressed, hungry and their anger caused them to curse their king and God. They would see only distress and fearful gloom and be thrust into utter darkness looking toward the earth (Is. 9:16-22). Disciples receive God's word so they can consult and speak of the Lord as signs and wonders in the land.

Preparation Steps in Receiving God's Word:
1. Consider God's holiness to reveal personal and community sin.
2. Experience forgiveness of sin and hear God's call as an ambassador of reconciliation.
3. Trust God's protection, stay calm and do not fear when people seek evil.
4. Live in God's presence instead of testing His patience by exercising faith in humankind.
5. Reject faith in humankind to prevent your land from being devastated.
6. Reject human strategies by regarding God's holiness and presence.

To be in position to receive the Word, these prior things--consider God's holiness, experience forgiveness of sin, trust God's protection and presence, and reject faith in humankind and their strategies--must be in place first.

7. Disciples receive God's word so they can consult and speak of the Lord as signs and wonders in the land.

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Greatest Power in Bringing People to Christ (insights in Prophets)

9/23/2010

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When I first came to know Christ, we got into many doctrinal discussions trying to convince people that our way was right. We forgot the most important doctrine. Let me ask a very important question. What is the greatest power to allow the unsaved come to know Christ? Is it prayer? Good deeds? Evangelism? Granted, all these are necessary. The greatest power is unity (John 17:21). Five will chase a 100 and hundred will chase 10,000 (Lev. 26:8). We see the power of unity demonstrated in Judges 3-4.

Motivation to Unity
The Lord used five nations to test and train Israel in warfare to determine if they would obey Him since they had no experience of war in Canaan (Judges 3:1-5).
1. Spiritual opposition (world, flesh and devil) motivates the church to seek unity.

Defense of Unity
Israel's sons and daughters chose mates among these five nations causing them to serve Baals and Aheroth and forgetting the Lord. The Lord strengthened Eglon king of Moab because they did evil in God's sight (Judges 3:6-7,12).
Marriage is God's first line of defense against idolatry and preserving unity.
2. Being unified in marriage prevents a couple from serving false gods and experiencing unnecessary spiritual opposition.

Fight of Unity
Ehud made a sword with two edges and bound it on his right thigh under his cloak. He blew a trumpet and Israel struck 10,000 Moabites. The land was undisturbed for 80 years (Judges 3:16-30).
3. Peace comes as the corporate body of Christ fights spiritual battles in unity against sin.

Weapons of Unity: Prayer
Israel did evil in sight of Lord after Ehud died. Lord sold them into hand of Jabin king of Canaan. Israel cried to the Lord since Canaan owned 900 iron chariots and oppressed them severely for 20 years (Judges 4:1-3).
4. Deliverance from oppression begins when we corporately pray and cry out to the Lord in unity.

Weapons of Unity: God's Word
Sisera was told that Barak had gone up to Mt. Tabor and called together all this chariots and people. Deborah said to Barak that this day the Lord gave Sisera into his hands because the Lord had gone before him. Sisera's army fell on edge of the sword with no one left (Judges 4:12-16).
5. Victory over world, flesh and devil occurs when corporate body of Christ uses sword of God's word in unity.

Prerequisite for Unity: Every Member Mobilized
Jael, Heber's wife, used a tent peg and hammer to kill Sisera while he was sleeping (Judges 4:17-24).
6. Each member of Christ's body has important role in defeating spiritual enemies and building God's kingdom.

What is God saying to you about unity and fighting the spiritual battle in the world?

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