Bible Scripture Reading

"Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for 29 June 2012"

Today's Blog Title: "Fasting That Pleases God"
Today's Blog Scripture: Isaiah 58:1-14
Today's Key Verse: Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the LORD shall be your reat guard."

In the closing chapters of Isaiah (58-66) we see the introduction of the Messiah's program of peace for the world.  Here we are lifted beyoud His First Coming to the time of His Second Coming as Lord, Judge, and King of the universe.  "Cry aloud...show my people their transgressions" indicates that Isaiah was about to shout against the sins of Israel and Judah.  God further warns that that though they delight to "seek me daily," they will judged for making a mere show of their religion.  The true "fast" is contrasted with the false external show of piety.  Thus God's fast will "loose the bands of wickedness and undo the heavy burdens" for those who truly repent.

What is fasting as discribed in the Bible?  Fasting is the discipline of abstaining from food for Biblical reasons.  It is called "afflicting one's soul" (verse 3), and is often practiced to demonstrate the sincerity of our prayers.  There are several reasons for fasting.  We as Christians should fast when facing a national crisis (2 Chronicles 20:3; Ezra 8:21; Esther 4:16), for individual needs (Matthew 17:21), during periods of distress (2 Samual 3:35; Psalm 35:13), when facing spiritual decisions (Matthew 4:2; Acts 13:2), and in anticipation of Christ's return (Luke 5:35). 

Many people have found that heavy burdens are relieved through fasting (Isaiah 58), wisdom is obtained through fasting (Daniel 10), God's protection from danger is secured by fasting (1 Kings 21:27-29), recovery of a sick loved one may come after fasting (Psalm 35:18), and the inauguration of a great ministry that may follow fasting (Matthew 4:2).  When we as Christians fast, we should begin with a short fast, one day from sundown to sundown, and spend time alone with God during the fast.

Today's Biblical Truth: "The thing that is most honoring to God, is our Faith and Trust in Him."

Click on the link at www.cindi-davis.blogspot.com for a Bible Verse from Hebrews 13:5-6.

Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day. Go in Peace and Serve the Lord our God with Gladness.
Love God More Today. Always remember taht when you have a spiritual dilemma in your life and you yell out, "I CAN'T," GOD Whispers to us, "BUT I CAN." 

"Let each of you look not only for his interests, but also for the interest of others." Philippians 2:4

May God's Love, Peace, Strength, and Grace be with you all.

Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi

     

Bible Scripture Reading

"Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for 27 June 2012"

Today's Blog Title: "Israel's Futile Idolatry"
Today's Blog Scripture Reading: Isaiah 57:1-21
Today's Blog Key Verse: Isaiah 57:19 "I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him who is far off and to him who is near," says the LORD, "And I will heal him."

The message that was begun  in chapter 56 is continued throughout this chapter.  The "righteous perisheth" refers to the suffering of the godly.  "Slaying the children" refers to the practice of child sacrifice.  "Clifts of the rocks" is a description unique to Isaiah, appearing only here and in Isaiah 2:21. 

The terminology "cast ye up, prepare the way," is a technical term for constructing a highway by heaping up a mound of earth.  God is pictured here as inhabiting both "eternity" and the hearts of those who have a "contrite and humble spirit."  Chapter 57, ends with the observation that "there is no peace...to the wicked," who are described as a "troubled (restless) sea."

Today's Biblical Truth: "If you want changes in your life that God hasn't made yet, don't become impatient, instead, leave it n God's Hands, and Trust in God's Timetable."

May God's Love, Peace, Strength, and Grace be with you all.

"Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness." Psalm 119:142

Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi    

Bible Scripture Reading

Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for 25 June 2012"

Today's Blog Title: "Salvation for the Gentiles"
Today's Blog Scripture Reading: Isaiah 56:1-12
Today's Blog Key Verse: Isaiah 56:7 "Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, And make them joyful in My house of prayer.  Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices Will be accepted on My altar; For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations."

In contrast to Isaiah's message of  salvation to all who will repent, chapter 56 introduces God's message of condemnation to those who refuse to repent.  Thus, the "blessed" man is the one who turns away from "doing any evil."  The "sons of the stranger," refer to Gentiles who are willing to "love," and "serve," the Lord, and thereby partake of His "covenant."

The temple, is called a "house of prayer for all people."  This phrase was quoted by Jesus in Matthew 21:13 in His dispute with the mony changers.  This chaper ends, with an indictment of the "watchmen" (or prophets) who are "blind...ignorant...dumb dogs."

We as Christians, don't "do justice" to merit salvation.  We commit ourselves to do what is right, because we believe God's Word, that His salvation is close at hand.  Such faith changes our lives, and results in blessing.  None of us merit God's favor.  Yet he speaks of reassurance to us, and lets us know in unmistakeable terms, that we are welcomed and secure.

Jesus Reigns!!!  May God's Love, Peace, Strength amd Grace be with you all.

Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi 

Bible Scripture Reading

"Greetings in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for 22 June 2012"

Today's Blog Title: "An Invitation To Abundant Life"
Today's Blog Scripture: Isaiah 55:1-13
Today's Blog Key Verse: Isaiah 55:11 "So shall word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."

In Isaiah 55:1-7, we read about God's Free Gift of Salvation which is offered to all who will receive it.  Those who are spiritually hungry and thirsty may come to eat and drink "without money" (freely).  God promises an "everlasting covenant" to the Gentiles like the one He established with Israel.  His invitation to all men is clearly stated by the appeal, "Seek ye the LORD and call upon Him."

In Isaiah 55:8-13, we see where God's sovereignty and omniscience are extolled by the statement that His "thoughts" (purposes or intentions) and "ways" (directions) are "higher" than ours.  While God may certainly be known by all men, He is still incomprehensible in the totality of His person and purposes.  Therefore, He reveals Himself to men by His "Word," which shall not return to Him "void" (in vain).  The Word of God, therefore, accomplishes His purposes in announcing salvation to all mankind.

"If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you." Matthew 6:14

Jesus Reigns!!!  May God's Love, Peace, Strength, and Grace be with you all.

Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi 

Bible Scripture Reading

"Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for 21 June 2012"

Today's Blog Title: "A Perpetual Covenant of Peace"
Today's Blog Scripture Reading: Isaiah 54:1-17
Today's Blog Key Verse: Isaiah 54:10 "For the mountains shall depart And the hills be removed, But my kindness shall not depart from you, Nor shall my covenant of peace be removed," Says the LORD, who has mercy on you."

Chapter 54, portrays the results of the atoning work of the Servant and its universal extent to all nations.  The gentiles are depicted as a "barren" and "desolate" woman who beaks forth into songs of praise.  The imagery depicts the Israelites as the "married wife" and the Gentiles as estranged from God.

In verses 5-17 God is pictured as both the "Maker" and "husband" of the Gentiles.  He is the "Redeemer" of all men and yet the same One who is the "Holy One of Israel."  Thus He is called the "God of the whole earth."  The reference of the cessation of the "waters of Noah" in verse 9, is used as an illustration of the cessation of God's universal judgment on the Gentiles.

Today's Biblical Truth: "Peace flows from God's unfailing love."

Click on the link at www.cind-davis.blogspot.com for a Bible Verse from Romans 3:23-26.

Jesus Reigns!!!  May God's Love, Peace, Strength, and Grace be with you all.

Your Sister in Christ
Cindi

Bible ScriptureReading

"Greetings in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for 18 June 2012"

Today's Blog Title: "The Suffering Servant"
Today's Blog Reading: Isaiah 53:1-12
Today's Blogs Key Verse: Isaiah 53: "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastiement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed."

In Isaiah 52 we see the personal Messiah, the Son of God, who alone can atone for sin.  His message is rejected (verse 1); His person is refused (verse 2); and His mission is misunderstood (verse 3).  Nevertheless, His vicarious suffering provides atonement for our sins (verses 4-6); and though He suffers (verse 7) death (verse 8) and burial (verse 9), He will ultimately be exalted (verses 10-12).

To miss the fact that Jesus is the central figure in this passage is to stumble in unbelief over the cornorstone and foundation of all gospel. The question "Who hath believed our report?" is more of an exclamation than an interrogation.  Speaking for all the prophets, Isaiah calls attention to the worlds lack of faith in general.  "The arm of the LORD" is the the emblem of divine power.

The Servant is described as a tender plant (suckling or shoot) and a "root out of dry ground," which has already been described as springing from the stump of Jesse (the Davidic line).  "No form nor comeliness" denotes His humble origin, rather than His personal appearance.  "Beauty" may be read "elegance."  This description does not mean that He will be homely or ugly, but that He will not appear on the scene in the regalia of a king.  He will come as one who is common.  Nothing could better describe the humble appearance of Jesus as common rabbi. 

Click on the link at www.cindi-davis.blogspot.com for a Bible Verse from Romans 8:28-29.

Jesus Reigns!!! May God's Love, Peace, Strength, and Grace be with you all.

Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi

Bible Scripture Reading

"Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for 6 June 2012"

Today's Blog Title: "God Redeems Jerusalem"
Today's Blog Scripture Reading: Isaiah 52:-1-15
Today's Blog Key Verse: Isaiah 52:10 "The LORD has made bare His holy arm, In the eyes of all nations; And all the ends of the earth shall see, The salvation of our God."

Isaiah 52, actually stands as the introduction to the prophecy of the Suffering Servant in Chapter 53.  The subject of both passages is the "servant" of the Lord individualized as the Messiah who  will suffer for our sins.  He is the culmination of all Isaiah's messianic prophecies. 

He is the miraculously born Son of the Virgin--Immanuel, "God with Us" (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23).  He is the branch (Isaiah 11:1) who springs up out of the stump of the Davidic line. He is the new David (Isaiah 9:7) who will bring in a new Exodus and a new redemption for the people of Israel.

 Further, He is the One who deserves to rule the world, because He is the One who suffers redemptively for all humanity.  The terms "exalted and extolled, and be very high" are used in Isaiah 33;10 and Him.  His "visage' refers to his appearance (or face), which will become so "marred" (disfigured) by beatings and scourging, that He will barely be recognizable.

The verb for "shall he sprinkle" is a technical term found in the Mosaic Law for the sprinkling of blood in order to "cleanse" or "purify" from sin. This reference has nothing to do with water baptism. Here the Servant of the Lord is viewed as our high Priest who offers His own blood for our sins.  Before this Suffering Servant, the nations of the world rendered speechless as they observe this unbelievable demonstration of God's Love.

Click on the link at www.cindi-davis.blogspot.com for Scripture Reading from Romans 12:1-2.

Jesus Reigns!!!  May God's Love, Peace, Strength, and Grace be with you all.

Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi
          

Bible Scripture Reading

"Greetings n the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for 4 June 2012"

Today's Blog Title: "The LORD Comforts Zion"
Today's Blogs Scripture Reading: Isaiah 51:1-23
Today's Blogs Key Verse: "Isaiah 51:7-8 ""Listen to Me, you who know righteousness, You people in whose heart is my law: Do not fear the reproach of men, Nor be afraid of their insults.  For the moth will eat them up like wool; But My righteousness will be forever, And my salvation from generation to generation."

In Chapter 51 of Isaiah, the heaven and the earth of the material universe are contrasted with God's Salvation and righteousness.  The material is impermanent and will "vanish like smoke."  God's Salvation will remain forever.  How vital to anchor our hopes in the salvation rather than anything in this passing world.

God calls "Jerusalem" to "awake" from her spiritual drunkenness.  God has made her drink.  Thus, they are "drunken, but not with wine" but they are intoxicated by their own sins.

The theme of God's deliverance for His people in Isaiah 52, now reaches its greatest expression in the "Servant of the Lord" who will suffer for the sins of His people.  Isaiah foresees the Millennium, when Jerusalem will once again be "the Holy City," and the "uncircumcised and the unclean" (unrighteous) will no longer enter her gates.  The reference to the "beautiful...feet of Him that brings good tiding" is repeated in the New Testament in Romans 10:15 and Ephesians 6:15.  To bring good tidings, means to "preach" or "carry good news."  It certainly anticipates the gospel (good news) of the New Testament and results in "peace and salvation." 

Jesus Reigns!!!   May God's Love, Peace, Strength, and Grace be with you all.

Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi