Monday... It can be confusing.

Isaiah was a prophet who was given the task of telling God's chosen people what was to come and a big portion was bad but there also was some very good. Now some of it wasn't confusing but some could have been at least when it was happening.

In Isaiah 9:8-9 (NLT) he says, "The Lord has spoken out against Jacob; his judgement has fallen against Israel. And the people of Israel and Samaria, who spoke with such pride and arrogance, will soon know it."

And then down to verse 13, "For after all this punishment, the people will still not repent. They will not seek the Lord of Heaven's Armies." That was not a message that was easy to give and not one that was easy to receive, but Isaiah was faithful in giving it.

But there was another message God gave him to share. It was a very encouraging message but one that later could have been confusing. Verse 2 says, "The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in the land of deep darkness, a light will shine." Verses 6 & 7 says, "For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven's Armies will make this happen."

Now move forward to when Jesus was born in a manger. God's chosen people were being ruled by Rome and they were not really looking for a child to save them even though that is what Isaiah said. They were looking for someone that the physical government would rest on his shoulders. This one that they had been looking for for so many years did not come as they expected. They were looking for someone to save them from the outside punishment for their rebellion not from their individual rebellion toward God. Yes, they were confused but if they had really had a great desire to serve God and were not searching for a political leader but for a spiritual one then they would have reached out to Jesus and for the kingdom he had come for us to live in.

Could it be that we too are confused? We too are looking for one that the government will rest on his shoulders. We may be confused as to what God's kingdom is all about. He wants to be the king of our heart and he came to live on the throne of our hearts. His is not a physical throne but a spiritual one.

Hebrews 7:25 says, "Therefore he is able, once and forever to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf." Satan wants to confuse us from what Jesus came to save us from. He didn't come to save us from the Republicans or the Democrats or whatever our form of government we may be.

The Amplified Bible says it this way. "Therefore he is able to save forever (completely, perfectly, for eternity) those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede and intervene on their behalf [with God]." That is why Jesus came to earth.

He came to save us personally and for us to be a part of his kingdom. So let's not be confused. Let's serve him! Yes, yes! #todaysbeginning

Tuesday... It is so worth it. It really is!

Tuesday... It is so worth it. It really is! Look at this, Proverbs 5:21-23 (CEV) says, "The Lord sees everything, and he watches us closely. Sinners are trapped and caught by their own evil deeds. They get lost and die because of their foolishness and lack of self-control." That is true of so many. Now look at this, Luke 15:1-7 says, "Tax collectors and sinners were all crowding around to listen to Jesus. So the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law of Moses started grumbling, 'This man is friendly with sinners. He even eats with them.' Then Jesus told them this story: If any of you has 100 sheep, and one of them gets lost, what will you do? Won't you leave the 99 in the field and go look for the lost sheep until you find it? And when you find it, you will put it on your shoulder and carry it home. Then you will call in your friends and neighbors and say, 'Let's celebrate! I've found my lost sheep.' Jesus said, 'In the same way there is mo

Tuesday... Let's be smart.

Tuesday... Let's be smart. Proverbs 12:16a (CEV) says, "Losing your temper is foolish." It really is. And it is so hard to take it back. That is not smart. There are always consequence when we lose our temper and they are usually not good. Think of the last time you lost your temper at home, at your kids, at your spouse, at your pets. at your life, at where you live, at where you work. There are always repercussions and they are not good. The New Living Translation says, "A fool is quick-tempered." The Message says, "Fools have short fuses and explode all too quickly." The Amplified Bible says, "The [arrogant] fool's anger is quickly known [because he lacks self-control and common sense]." It just is not a good thing. is it? But then the rest of this verse, this proverb (CEV) says, "ignoring an insult is smart." It really is. I have striven in dealing with people to give them a benefit of doubt. They didn't mean that, they

Friday... But, can be such a beautiful word.

Friday... But, can be such a beautiful word. It really can be life changing. Look at what Paul writes in his letter to the Ephesians. In 2:1-3 (NLT) he says, "Once you were dead because of your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil - the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God's anger, just like everyone else." There it is, there it is. That is the way we are living or have lived. Dead is a definite word of finality. At least the devil thought so and maybe you do too. And then verses 4-5 starts by saying, "But", that beautiful life changing word of opportunity even though we are dead. Yes, we are subject to God's anger, "But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even t

Todays Beginning

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