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Q2. (2 Corinthians 1:9-10) How does facing a harrowing crisis help us grow in the Lord? How has a crisis helped your spiritual life? What is the value of learning not to rely on ourselves? What does this do to our pride? How does this improve our effectiveness as God's servants? For me this is a great and very difficult question to answer. I fear that most often I take back my will, but believe it is God's will. The serenity prayer is supposed to be a help so here goes,... "Lord please grant me the serenity to accept the things I can't change, courage to change what I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Let thy will be done, not mine, in all cases. Lord grant me the humble thoughts of one with a humble heart, bowing to your will. In Jesus name, amen.

Q1. (2 Corinthians 1:3-7) What kind of comfort do you receive from your faith in God? From your personal daily relationship with God? How might you share the blessing of this kind of comfort with a friend or relative who is currently suffering? What words of comfort can you bring to others? In my spiritual men's group we talk about this all the time, reminding each other to pray. There is the physical comfort of feeling God's love, there is also the benefit of noticing the blessing he gives us all the time because He loves us. In this same men's group very often, someone is suffering a bad moment in life and we must support and encourage him to remember to pray, and we must give him fellowship; who knows, some day I might need this kind of support! Best to pay it forward...

Q6. (Isaiah 66:22-24). Why do you think eternal punishment is mentioned at the end of such a glorious prophecy as Isaiah? Why is the enduring, eternal kingdom mentioned? Who will be included in this kingdom? Who will be excluded from it? It is like the thief on the cross next to Jesus. We are incapable of judging anyone in this world. Clearly the bible says, love the Lord your God above all else, love your neighbor neighbor like yourself. So will we need to be on our death bed to mean this deep in our hearts? I hope not. So why shouldn't a beautiful passage in Isaiah also remind us of what is going to happen if we don't honestly seek the Lord. This message will never change. God loves us so much, gives us good reason to love Him above ll else. Still the world of today beckons with many material objects. It is not easy to always be close to the Lord.

Q5. (Isaiah 66:1-4) If God prescribed temple worship in the Pentateuch, why does he seem to prohibit it in 66:3? What is missing from their worship? Have you ever had this element missing from your worship? What kind of heart is God looking for (66:2)? 2 For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the Lord: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. What a longing to have a mind and heart like the poor and contrite of spirit, fearing God fully and deeply in Awe of HIM. Let it come upon me. Let me have serenity, courage and wisdom to execute in this word for HIS Kingdom. Let me tremble and fall to my knees in full humility to say "thank you God for life today. Let me know your will for me today, in Jesus name, Amen.

Q4. (Isaiah 65:17-25) Why do you think the final state is referred to as the new heavens and the new earth? What is new about them? Which verse talks about the end of pain and sorrow? Which verse mentions instant communication? Which verse illustrates the peace of this Kingdom? Call to Jesus, ask him to come soon. There has been enough suffering on this earth. There has been much evil from the evil one. We are desperate for this promise to come true. We can not bear another second of this pathetic suffering foolishness. We are all broken, we are all the same. No man is better or worse. We are all sinners 24 And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. 25 The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the Lord Oh for his promise of peace to come to pass today!

Q3. (Isaiah 63:7-64:12) What is the basis of Israel's expectation of salvation according to this prophecy? What does 64:5-7 teach us about the quality of our righteousness? How are we to see our relationship to God according to 63:16 and 64:8-9? What does this passage teach about grace? Trying to put this into my own life today, I feel that much concentration, prayer and capturing every though are required. This is for survival. regarding the quality of our righteousness, may I humiliate myself in service to many who are as desperate as I am in this fallen world. My impatience is rewarded with the slow correcting hand of the Lord. May we all feel this, for HE is upon us and HIS will shall be done.

(Isaiah 62) The Jewish people have been humbled, scorned, and persecuted through the ages. According this passage, what will be their final state? Will Christians be included in these blessings? (Hint: Romans 11:11-24). If God has purposed to restore his people, why is intercessory prayer called for in 62:6-7? Where in the New Testament are we told to pray for what God has purposed? (Hint: the Lord's Prayer) Some say this [2010-now] is the period of the 5th great spiritual awakening in the USA. This is a period where "everyone" is praying in an organized manner. So can we hope it to be so today, as 2013 is preparing to be 2014? Will Jesus come to save us from this mess of which we are all responsible for? What hope is there but to pray for peace, in a world where more crazy people are "losing it and killing innocents?" These are the best of times and the worst of times; it is a supreme test to be vigil, not give in to the world, an do intercessory prayer. We are all desperate for God's love, since nothing else is really worth it in this fallen world. At least this passage give us some direction on something good to pray about Lord, we do not understand your plan, and we just pray to hear your will for each of us, so that we may slowly and humble do your will as well feel your calling to us. Oh mighty God, please give us each the focus we need to execute your will in our lives! Amen.

Q1. (Isaiah 61:1-3) Are words like “captive” and “prisoner” used literally or figuratively? How did Jesus intend them to be understood when he read them and spoke of their fulfillment? How are you personally doing in adopting Jesus’ agenda here? How is your congregation doing? We are all captives of the "world and its un-Godly ways." Only our savior can set us free from sin, no condemnation, praise God. We repent, we submit to His strong fatherly hand, and we are on our way to serve Him and be a light to others We are freed by His blood and resurrection! We humbly offer ourselves though we are not worth it; still He loves us so much to give His Son as an atonement

Q7. (Isaiah 59:1-2) How do disobedience and lack of repentance prevent our prayers from being answered? According to verse 2, who is causing the separation from God? How can it be corrected? God knows our heart to the core. We can hide nothing. We can't be on an "energy wave compatible with God's love if we are not loving and forgiving and repenting." its like trying to hear an FM radio station tuned into AM. It just doesn't work. With prayer, repentance, humility, love and meditation we can reconnect, if we are sincere, if we know what this means if we know how it feels. Spending humble, repenting, time with our creator. Now is the only time we have

Q6. (Isaiah 58:13-14) In these verses what positive actions align themselves with a true keeping the Sabbath? What negative actions should be avoided in a true keeping of the Sabbath? We must avoid at all costs superficial ritual practice on the Sabbath, e.g. fasting by not eating, but doing earthly things to others who are in need. This can be a daily practice also; whoever God puts in our path, honor them, respect them, listen to them, support them. Invite those in your path to worship on the Sabbath. Doing anything false with have the reverse effect on potential blessings Love all, serve all.

Q1. (Isaiah 53) From how large a group of people does God remove sins in Isaiah 52:13 - 53:12? In what sense is this a universal sacrifice of salvation? In what sense is Jesus’ sacrifice wasted on some people? God's love in so big it is not comprehensible; as is his wisdom; we don't notice so many blessings we have today, we are alive, we can see, walk, etc, I would hope to never judge if Jesus'sacrifice is wasted on a specific person such that I would not be kind to them, no matter what. I would pray for knowing the right "tough love" to give, and pass the peace of a smile. Well I'd try to be like this until I get caught up in myself. Two thief's on crosses next to him; he made it clear, no mater what you did, if you accept Him, all is forgiven. There is no way to lie to God. So we can always pass on a blessing, no matter what! Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.4 Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering,yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted.But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities;the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. Thank you Jesus!

Q9. (Isaiah 55:6-9) What does seeking the Lord entail? If God’s ways and thoughts are different than our own human way of thinking, what are the implications of this for success in our lives? Why is repentance necessary to this process? Why is humility necessary? What happens to us if our seeking is shallow? What happens if we put off seeking the Lord when we hear his invitation? Is it ever too late to seek the Lord? Can any real success be found by other means than seeking the Lord? Time to surrender, we simply need the higher power to have peace by focusing on HIM in a quiet place or moment. Repentance is daily or better yet, right after we start to screw up. Humility is the first ingredient, HE is infinite, we are like a speck in HIS kingdom. Sadly, We will be shallow because we are not like HIM, but looking at Jesus life should help. In this busy world, we continually miss his invitation which is 24/7. This is a great work day time out for me. I know things can get screwed up if I don't follow. But the good life is ready for us right now. Praise the Lord!!! Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. 8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. 9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Q8. (Isaiah 55:1-3) Why do people "spend" their lives doing things that they know won't satisfy them deep down? Where does hedonism or a love of pleasure lead? What are the gracious elements of Yahweh's invitation in this passage? What is the cost of accepting the invitation? Will this invitation be perceived as "good news" to those who hear it? How can you issue this invitation in today's vernacular? Bless the Lord for this message of satisfaction. I have seem many lost drinkers who don't know the answer is GOD will heal them. Alcoholic, sexahaulic, narcahaulic, Heaven help us. Send people to AA it is very spiritual, only by God are we healed, we are all broken, they are no more broken than we are. Dear Jesus, open the blind eyes, unlock the deaf ears, come to your people as we draw near. Hear us from heaven, touch our generation, we are your people, crying out in desperation! Amen.

Q5. (Isaiah 52:7-9) Why is a messenger or carrier of good news so beautiful? What is the original historical context of these verses? How does Paul apply this verse in Romans 10:15? I wish that I could meditate on this perhaps in the morning; the news of our salvation is the best news one can get. It is a wise one who can believe, and feel this beauty. Some how I feel rushed.... , 'Your God reigns!'Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices; together they shout for joy." This is something we need to feel as deeply as we can, in a quiet place, far from today's work or tomorrow potential problems; the Lord will provide for me despite my sinful self-centeredness. I am ashamed and seek him for my impatience tonight. Praise his holy name! God bless America, we are corrupt and fallen like Israel was. We an hope that foreigner like HIspanic Christians will populate and help save this country, with new laws on immigration, etc.

(Isaiah 50:10-11) How can you trust the Lord to guide you when you can't see where you're going? Have you ever experienced fear in this situation? How do you continue? What is the danger of creating your own "light" to substitute for the invisible God? I'm able to see recently that it has been my light and not his for many things. Now I have to live with it, and accept the cards God puts in my hands, I hope and pray to His Glory. Lots of prayer and meditaiton to try to hear Him better each day

4 The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed. 5 The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears; I have not been rebellious, I have not turned away. 6 I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting. 7 Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame. 8 He who vindicates me is near. Who then will bring charges against me? Let us face each other! Who is my accuser? Let him confront me! 9 It is the Sovereign Lord who helps me. Who will condemn me? They will all wear out like a garment; the moths will eat them up. Q3. (Isaiah 50:4-9) Who does Isaiah seem to speak about in our passage? In what way is he open to the Lord? In what way does he suffer? When was the Messiah vindicated in history? How will he be vindicated at the end of the age? What character quality is necessary for believers when their vindication doesn't seem to happen soon enough? We are sinners, we are impatient, we don't pray enought for others, and have many selfish moments, we are desperate to pray for the right thing; we don't herar him. The USA today glorifies football guys, never gives a thought to these kind of things. For us it is a blessing and a curse. How can we dare speak the words that "vindication doesn't ever happen soon enough." we are the clay, He is the potter. It doesn't matter what we see or ask for, His will shall be done in His time! I'm being taught to pray the serenity prayer, "Lord please give me the serenity to accept what I can't change" that is everfyone else... "give me courage to change what I can." that is me, with the help of the Lord. "and the wisdom to know the difference." That we hope will come over time, from GOD and GOD alone.

4 The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed. 5 The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears; I have not been rebellious, I have not turned away. 6 I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting. 7 Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame. 8 He who vindicates me is near. Who then will bring charges against me? Let us face each other! Who is my accuser? Let him confront me! 9 It is the Sovereign Lord who helps me. Who will condemn me? They will all wear out like a garment; the moths will eat them up. Q3. (Isaiah 50:4-9) Who does Isaiah seem to speak about in our passage? In what way is he open to the Lord? In what way does he suffer? When was the Messiah vindicated in history? How will he be vindicated at the end of the age? What character quality is necessary for believers when their vindication doesn't seem to happen soon enough? We are sinners, we are impatient, we don't pray enought for others, and have many selfish moments, we are desperate to pray for the right thing; we don't herar him. The USA today glorifies football guys, never gives a thought to these kind of things. For us it is a blessing and a curse. How can we dare speak the words that "vindication doesn't ever happen soon enough." we are the clay, He is the potter. It doesn't matter what we see or ask for, His will shall be done in His time!

But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me.” 15 “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! 16 See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me. 17 Your children hasten back, and those who laid you waste depart from you. 18 Lift up your eyes and look around; all your children gather and come to you. As surely as I live,” declares the Lord, “you will wear them all as ornaments; you will put them on, like a bride. Q2. (Isaiah 49:14-50:3) Paul teaches that "all Israel will be saved." According to Isaiah in our passage, what will happen to the scattered Jews in the Last Days. Does God seem to love Jews who haven't trusted in Messiah Jesus yet? How can you show your love for Jews?

Q1. (Isaiah 49:1-13) Why do people tend to disregard or even discriminate against aliens in their country? How can you increase your love for people of other nationalities? God's people are called to be a "light to the nations." What might that entail for the church in your community? In your country? We tend to not trust things we don't understand, what is different; foreigners are like this. I try to learn about my wife's family from El Salvador. Some day I would like to help the SHIP international orphanage there, in God's time. Some churches have Hispanic services, others seems to have different priorities. Let His light shine into the four corners of the earth. There are foreigners in all lands. Let God's will prevail so we can help them and understand them.

Q7. (Isaiah 44:7b) In what sense does God "bring prosperity and create disaster"? Is God the source of evil? Of trouble? Of prosperity? Of poverty? In what sense is he responsible for these? In what sense are we responsible for these things? Since we know that God is the source of both prosperity and disaster, what should we be doing? God's plan is not possible to comprehend, but we are a tiny and needed part of it. That is why we exist, for no other reason. The materialism in our life is part of it. it is all so big and complex we don't have a clue. The notion of prosperity and disaster are temporal in our lives, insignificant to eternity, but still fitting the plan he has for us. Its a long journey, but He is always there, He never fails, because its His plan.Evil will be repaid, poverty in material things is only of this world. Spiritual poverty or disbelief is a disaster for eternity. The choise is ours as he would have us believe. Given the above, best to recognize He is the big big boss, and loving Father. Obey, follow, praise, and thank Him for life today!!!!

Q6. (Isaiah 45:1-4) How can Cyrus be called by name more than a century before he was born? In what sense is Cyrus "anointed" by God? How can an unbeliever accomplish God's purposes? What does this tell us about God? About being humble in our judgments of others? TO know you are anointed, one must wait, meditate, and listen; when we hear it, we can rush to it, but for me, it all has to go slowly or it doesn't work. its not like Cyrus being name a century before his birth, but then agian it is when we think it through deeper. We are all called once we have given Him enought space and time in our mind and heart. God uses everyone to accomplish His will. He rules over all that He created, every one, believers and unbelievers, we will all bow in the end. His plan can never fail; best to surrender Roy, not any time to waste; our days are numbvered like a flower that grows and blossoms in its season and is gone

Israel’s Only Savior 43 But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. 3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush[a] and Seba in your stead. 4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life. 5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. 6 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth— 7 everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” 8 Lead out those who have eyes but are blind, who have ears but are deaf. 9 All the nations gather together and the peoples assemble. Which of their gods foretold this and proclaimed to us the former things? Let them bring in their witnesses to prove they were right, so that others may hear and say, “It is true.” 10 “You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. 11 I, even I, am the Lord, and apart from me there is no savior. 12 I have revealed and saved and proclaimed— I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “that I am God. 13 Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?” God’s Mercy and Israel’s Unfaithfulness 14 This is what the Lord says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “For your sake I will send to Babylon and bring down as fugitives all the Babylonians,[b] in the ships in which they took pride. 15 I am the Lord, your Holy One, Israel’s Creator, your King.” 16 This is what the Lord says— he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, 17 who drew out the chariots and horses, the army and reinforcements together, and they lay there, never to rise again, extinguished, snuffed out like a wick: 18 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. 19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. 20 The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen, 21 the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise. 22 “Yet you have not called on me, Jacob, you have not wearied yourselves for[c] me, Israel. 23 You have not brought me sheep for burnt offerings, nor honored me with your sacrifices. I have not burdened you with grain offerings nor wearied you with demands for incense. 24 You have not bought any fragrant calamus for me, or lavished on me the fat of your sacrifices. But you have burdened me with your sins and wearied me with your offenses. 25 “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more. 26 Review the past for me, let us argue the matter together; state the case for your innocence. 27 Your first father sinned; those I sent to teach you rebelled against me. 28 So I disgraced the dignitaries of your temple; I consigned Jacob to destruction[d] and Israel to scorn. Q5. (Isaiah 43) This chapter tells us specific purposes that God's people have been created for. How can you fulfill your purpose to show God's glory (verse 7)? To be his witness (verses 10, 12)? To proclaim his praise (verse 21)? What are the obstacles you are facing in fulfilling these purposes? How do youbenefit from fulfilling God's purpose for you? TO have an "easy life" can be viewed as one of sacrifice and even pain, it it is God's will; pain to reject all but Him, to renounce bad habits of the world. We were not created to be of the world, we are told to GO and baptize, all of us. We have reached our purpose when we have given it all up for Him. What a beautiful road to walk, to walk with HIM.

8 “Hear, you deaf; look, you blind, and see! 19 Who is blind but my servant, and deaf like the messenger I send? Who is blind like the one in covenant with me, blind like the servant of the Lord? 20 You have seen many things, but you pay no attention; your ears are open, but you do not listen.” 21 It pleased the Lord for the sake of his righteousness to make his law great and glorious. 22 But this is a people plundered and looted, all of them trapped in pits or hidden away in prisons. They have become plunder, with no one to rescue them; they have been made loot, with no one to say, “Send them back.” 23 Which of you will listen to this or pay close attention in time to come? 24 Who handed Jacob over to become loot, and Israel to the plunderers? Was it not the Lord, against whom we have sinned? For they would not follow his ways; they did not obey his law. 25 So he poured out on them his burning anger, the violence of war. It enveloped them in flames, yet they did not understand; it consumed them, but they did not take it to heart Q4. (Isaiah 42:18-25) According to this passage, in what ways is God's "servant" blind? Why? Who is the "servant" in this passage? How would you assess your own degree of spiritual blindness in the last 5 or 10 years? How effective is a blind servant in accomplishing his master's purposes? How effective have you been? I have been blind in the world, blind of my ego, and self-centeredness. Still God has used me and grown me, and helped me to understand what a giant ego I had. Spiritual progress, not perfection, that is my goal, and beg the Lord to refine me in what ever way He intends me to be refined. Praise is justice and perfection!

Q3. (Isaiah 42:6-7) What does it mean for God's people to be "a light to the nations"? In what ways are you "letting your light shine"? How well do you represent God's covenant in your everyday life? “I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, 7 to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness. One always wants to give more as God touches us deeper. His light shines far above all others. Anything else is from the deceivers. Breath HIM, feel HIM, let HIM lead us in all interactions with all people. In Jesus name!

Q2. (Isaiah 42:1-4) What do these verses teach us about the Messiah? What will characterize him and his actions? What does it tell us about his quest for justice? About his tenderness? If this describes our Messiah, what difference should it make in our lives, values, and demeanor? “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations. 2 He will not shout or cry out,or raise his voice in the streets. 3 A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth.In his teaching the islands will put their hope.” God is so wise and kind and loving and helpful in correcting us. As we feel HIS correction, we klnow it guides us in HIS path to Justice We are dirt, grass, we don't deserve this. Its not easy to understand HIS will and ways in many situations. We need to learn to wait, pray and expect great results for HIS kingdom.