JanMary

Q6. (Isaiah 45:1-4) How can Cyrus be called by name more than a century before he was born? The Lord prophetically spoke through Isaiah letting him know who the future deliverer would be. In what sense is Cyrus “anointed” by God? Cyrus was set apart before he was born (by 150 years) , given the name of God's choosing, and appointed to fulfill God's plan for the nation of Israel through defeating opposing kings, with God's power, favor and authority. How can an unbeliever accomplish God’s purposes? Since God knows the future, he knows when a person will be born, what their disposition, personality, gifts and talents will be. He knows every thought before it is thought, and every word before it is spoken, so He can confidently prophecy then use the individual for His purposes. He raises up one (either for blessing or as correction for a nation, or for trials to promote a believer's growth for example. He brings down leaders, as well). What does this tell us about God? He is Almighty God! Omnipotent, Omniscient, Creator of the Universe....Nothing escapes Him since He is all knowing. He is never surprised.....by anything or anyone. He is seated, and never wrings His "hands" about any subject! About being humble in our judgments of others? We should mind our own business and trust that God is at work, and trust HIS judgment, and lean not on our own understanding. Ungodly presidents and leaders may be used to discipline nations, as in Israel's history and in nation's currently experiencing leadership which leads to darkness. Perhaps when it is dark, Christians have more opportunity to shine with His light.

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)? By walking with Him and following wherever He leads. He predestined the works He planned for me, and since He only reveals things piece by piece to me, I know only to follow closely in His footsteps. I was created to bring Honor and praise to my Lord, and to enjoy Him, and His Promise is that will happen as I live a surrendered life and allow Him to live through me. To be his witness (verses 10, 12)? By surrendering to Him each morning and walking out where and to whom He leads me and behaving and speaking what He gives me to say...as a privilege, not a duty I HAVE to fulfill, but with joy. It's been a journey to remember to ask Him to order my steps (and my stops, as George Mueller said) and the challenge to follow His promptings! To proclaim his praise (verse 21)? I've only learned to worship and praise Him in the past 10 years! (not just sing the choruses at church) That is true bliss! But I proclaim His praise whenever I tell others what He has done in my life, or what I see Him doing around me or I rejoice in the beauty He has created. I keep a gratitude journal and jot down every day what I'm thankful for! (I tell Him, not just think it, as I used to do) What are the obstacles you are facing in fulfilling these purpose I still struggle with praise when I'm afraid or discouraged. I did ask Him as a new believer, enamored by Abraham, to work in my life as He did in Abraham. I didn't realize that mostly Abraham WAITED...and I've waited 25+ years for His promises so I'm discouraged and weary in the waiting. It is a decision to worship, so my "want to" can be an obstacle! When I remember that waiting creates patience and character, I can praise Him for that! How do you benefit from fulfilling God’s purpose for you? The greatest joy for me is when I'm aware that I'm flowing in His purpose for me! Or when He has used me in some way. True fulfillment in living, not just existing, as I did for so many years. Another benefit is the peace and security of being in fellowship with Him and rebellion has finally been laid at His feet. There is nothing as sweet as communion with Holy Spirit!

Q4. (Isaiah 42:18-25) According to this passage, in what ways is God’s “servant” blind? Though in covenant relationship with God, "the servant" totally forsook Him by worshipping idols, while turning a blind eye and a deaf ear to their Father and creator, who loves them. (still true today for many in Israel) Why? They preferred their own will and ways to His "consistent purpose to magnify instruction and revelation and to glorify them." Who is the “servant” in this passage? Israel. How would you assess your own degree of spiritual blindness in the last 5 or 10 years? I've been growing slowly in grace. The longer I've been His child and walking with Him the more my eyes and ears have been opened to His voice. But two years ago, I grew weary of the 25 year trial and wilderness of my circumstances and no longer wanted to read the Bible. One morning I said "Lord, I'm not going to read every day just to get the check mark in the box. I'm laying Your Word down until you create a hunger and love in me to read again". I didn't read the Bible for several months. Then one day I woke up with such a hunger that I couldn't put the Bible down. I read the entire Bible in 3 months, outlining every chapter, putting notes of revelation in the margins....It was an amazing experience! I would describe it as huge scales of a years of religious training and tradition falling off. When I read now, it is with fresh revelation. I see Jesus everywhere in the old testament, in type and shadow now, where I was "blind" before. He shines from every page! How effective is a blind servant in accomplishing his master’s purposes? Not very! The blindness keeps one from seeing, and understanding His Person, and His purposes. How effective have you been? Because I gave Him permission many years ago to do in me whatever was needed to insure that I would not be ashamed when I see Him face to face, but have "sheaves of wheat" and a crown to offer Him with precious stones (of His doing through me), rather than a pile of wood, hay and stubble (of self effort), burned to ash at my feet....I have no regrets. When I ask Him to order my steps each morning, I trust that together we will accomplish His purposes for that day. Looking back, I see where sin and failure became plan B....and how He's used those times to deepen my love for Him, to understand Grace, and to give me compassion for other "compulsive strugglers" (my son's words for my early years). Early rebellion has trained me to listen for His slightest whisper to obey. I'm now at rest in His leadership and Lordship, and trust that I'm walking the path He planned for me. I'm certain "I have not been effective" (my flesh) but pray that His work in and through me will bring Him glory!!! Only He knows what will be the final outcome of my life in Him.

Q3. (Isaiah 42:6-7) What does it mean for God’s people to be “a light to the nations”? As He lives inside me I'm to allow His glorious love to shine through me as I live out my days. We are called to be Light Bearers...His ambassadors of truth in a dark and dying world. In what ways are you “letting your light shine”? However He leads, be it praying with others, praying for others, sharing the gospel, extending the grace and mercy He gives freely to me, encouraging and supporting, sometimes keeping my mouth shut, (not responding in my flesh!), assisting when I can, letting His joy show through laughter and fun, weeping with others who are hurting. How well do you represent God’s covenant in your everyday life? Only He would know how to answer that, but He also knows my heart's desire is to represent Him well. I want everyone to come to know my lovely Lord. I prayed as a fairly new believer, asking Him to do whatever is necessary in my life to ensure that I'm not ashamed when I meet Him face to face...that the crown I offer Him will be full of precious stones of His doing through me, rather than a pile of ashes from wood, hay and stubble of self effort. He has taken me through at lot, and He uses it to encourage others, almost daily!

Q2. (Isaiah 42:1-4) What do these verses teach us about the Messiah? Jesus is a servant, upheld by His Father who delights in Him. He brought forth (and continues to bring) justice, right, and revelation of truth to the nations. He will not cry out or shout aloud to be heard. He supports and encourages (does not break or quench "dimly burning wicks") He brings forth justice in truth, for which many expect and await. He is a mighty warrior (does not fail or become weak, crushed or discouraged) and will establish justice in the earth. What will characterize him and his actions? Velvet and steel; Victorious and gentle; powerful yet meek; decisive while patient; love and justice. What does it tell us about his quest for justice? He intends to finally bring justice to cover the injustice which has reigned in the hands of the unrighteous and will not rest until He reigns on His earthly throne. About his tenderness? He is a gentle shepherd, has a heart of love, tenderness and mercy, encouraging even a "glimmer" of hope and faith in those who are "sinking". If this describes our Messiah, what difference should it make in our lives, values, and demeanor? When I experienced His love, tenderness, mercy, grace and forgiveness (unlike when I believed He was harsh, hard, sharp and piercing), I fell madly in love with Him. The difference it has made is that knowing I'm a delight to Him, I am able to extend those qualities to others....My goal is to consistently "decrease" so that He may "increase."

Q1. (Isaiah 40) What does Isaiah 40 teach us about the necessity of preparing ourselves for the Lord (verses 3-5)? Isaiah is saying that each of us is a HIGHWAY for the Lord to move through and we are to make it straight and remove any obstacles to intimacy in our relationship. Every valley (Self loathing, shame) shall be lifted, every mountain and hill (pride, self effort) shall be made low. The crooked places (unbelief, wrong beliefs) made straight, and the rough places (wounds and places of unforgiveness) a plain. This is His work, (highway under repair) but our cooperation is needed in surrendering all to Him whenever we're aware of distance between us....and since He is constant and never moves, I know that I've allowed some obstacle to crop up, and in essence I'm saying "Detour, take next exit, highway blocked ahead, use by-way or alternate route, until He and I sort out the issue. (Surrender!) About God’s tenderness and compassion (verse 11)? This is one of my favorite verses in the Bible. After a life of abuse and violence, I saw the Lord as an angry, finger pointing dictator Who was always angry and watching for me to make a mistake....this verse is one He used to renew my mind as I was getting to know Him and His true nature. Now I know that He loves and cherishes me, that He rejoices over me with singing, knows everything about me and still loves me, with his crazy, perfect, accepting love! I count on Him to carry me close to His bosom when I'm afraid or weary, and He does! He is my Shepherd! When we "fall into or jump into sin," He will leave the 99 to come and rescue one of His lambs! About God’s glory vs. the glory of nations (verses 15-17)? He is Sovereign and Majestic Creator, Ruler over ALL...while "Nations are as nothing "but dust on scales, or drops in a bucket." They continue to exist only as He allows them and for His purposes and glory! Why do we get so enamored by the glitter and glory of the world? I think it's because it's what we can easily see with our eyes, where although "He hides in plain sight" we can be unaware of His Presence while focusing on what's around us, vying for our attention. We also have an enemy who works through our eyes, flesh, and pride of life to distract us from His presence and glory. What pieces are we missing (verses 15-17, 21-26)? Wisdom, understanding, spiritual acuity. We live in a fallen world, burdened by our flesh and spiritual blindness....to really know and see Him and His glory has taken many years in relationship with Him, resulting in growing in spiritual maturity which has drawn me to desire Him more than the world and what it offers. (He has been faithful to expose some of the obstacles from the question above, and helped me to surrender those to Him, and to prefer Him.) According to verse 31, how can we draw strength from the Lord? Waiting upon Him in expectation, looking for and hoping in Him and believing His Word, and His promise is that He will supply His strength (Those highway signs all speak of my weakness/sin and need to surrender to His might and power)

Q4. (Isaiah 38:3) What is the basis on which Hezekiah asks for healing? Hezekiah asks on the basis of his devotion and faithfulness to God and personal conduct in regard to others. Why is personal righteousness and holiness important in getting your prayers answered? How can unrighteousness prevent answered prayer if all gifts from God are grace anyway? A. God is loving, kind, gracious and generous, eager to pour blessing upon His children. On a personal note, the Lord answered prayers in miraculous ways before I was born again, and therefore completely unrighteous, while praying "God if you're there...." time and again, He answered. For example when I was terrified of childbirth and I prayed that way, our first baby, nearly 9 lbs. was born in an hour with no labor, and no pain, to everyone's amazement.....I know now that He "set me apart before the foundation of the world" so His answers were to draw me to Himself in relationship. B. Every believer is righteous (backslidden or not) based on faith in the finished work of Jesus on the Cross. We don't lose our righteousness when we sin, because it's a gift from our Father. But In I Peter 3:7 husbands are admonished to dwell considerately with their wives, the weaker vessels, as joint heirs, or their prayers may be hindered. We may have some prayers unanswered when we pray with wrong motives. If God didn't answer the prayers of the backslidden or rebellious, there would be no hope for their cries of "Help me, deliver me from this pig pen or pit that I've either fallen in or into which I've jumped." The Lord's discretion decides when and how prayers are answered, and He may say "No" or "Not Yet" and delay an answer until "the set time", regardless of holiness and faithfulness. In my experience, delays have more to do with how He is going to be glorified in the final outcome, than me "getting my prayers answered" now.

Q3. (Isaiah 38:2-3) Why is Hezekiah’s healing important for his nation? His healing extended his godly reign for another 15 years, and provided an heir to sit on the throne he would vacate. (Although some say he should have kept his mouth shut, because his son Manasseh, who was a wicked king, was then born, and reigned for 55 years! He established idol worship, undid all of the reforms instituted by his father, slaughtered all who opposed him, including perhaps Isaiah, his father's best friend who was sawed in half during Manasseh's ruthless reign) But in a different light, it provided continuity of leadership during dangerous times and without Manasseh's birth, Josiah the child king who was a wonderful king, would not have been born.) How did it relate to God’s promises made to David (2 Samuel 7:11b-16)? God's promise was that David's throne would be established forever. The line of David would continue through the ages, pointing to Messiah Jesus, the final King to sit upon the throne forever and ever!

Q2. (Isaiah 37:16) How do the first two sentences of Hezekiah’s prayer (verse 16) correspond to the first sentence of the Lord’s Prayer? Both direct the prayer to Almighty God in Heaven....the One and only God. Both acknowledge the existence of God, Who both sees and hears and has the power to act and answer, and that the one praying is subject to and dependent upon God. How are they important to faith? When I pray, if I'm fearful, the fear dissolves when I verbalize WHO HE IS......God in Heaven, Creator of the Universe, My Father Who loves me and knows everything about me, and cares about the smallest things.....no matter how big my request is, I regain the perspective that NOTHING is too big or too small for the One Who loves me. How are they important to God answering the prayer? Addressing Him by Name, honoring Who He is, makes the request personal, rather than an "I wish someone out there might be listening or interested in helping". We are acknowledging that we are dependent upon Him and looking to Him alone for the answers....When He answers, we know without question, that the answer was not a coincidence, but God Who responded to our prayer, and we thank Him.

Q1. (Isaiah 37:14) What is the significance of Hezekiah spreading out the enemy’s message before the Lord? It was an acknowledgement that this battle was the Lord's!... it was surrender to God's Sovereignty, the only way that deliverance would come. In doing so, He was also seeking guidance for what his own role would be, if any through prayer. What is the underlying principle illustrated here? I believe it's a demonstration of Hezekiah's subjection to the Lord. "You're God, I'm only your servant., and am powerless ..I'm listening for instructions". How can we apply this principle to our own lives? I've learned to do this from experience of trying to solve things on my own with a negative outcome....Now with a negative report, a bill that was more than expected and no money to pay the difference, a troubling letter from a family member, unresolved relationship or childhood issues, whatever!....I literally lay it out before him, confessing my utter dependence upon Him, then in prayer, ask what He wants to do (acknowledging the He's God and I'm clueless)...and how He would have me respond. If I'm in fear, I ask for faith to increase to trust Him for impossible situations. What happens when we don’t apply this principle? If I forget or fail to turn the problem over to Him, I feel overwhelmed, then worry and fret (In spite of His command to "Fret Not" Ps 37) If I leave my Father out of what feels like it's my battle it's never a good outcome. From these failures, wisdom has taught me to stop, wait and listen for instructions! I love this quote from Ann Voskamp ("1,000 gifts"...a book about God's grace and gratitude that has changed my life!) "Worry is belief gone wrong....because you don't believe He'll get it right...But, Peace is belief that exhales, because you believe that God's provision is everywhere like the air."

Q6. (Isaiah 35:1-10) How do you think these verses brought hope to their first readers? What glorious promises...and reassurance! These words speak to every need, fear, concern, expectation, disappointment they and we have faced or will face! What is promised here? Abundance, prosperity, healing, freedom from fear, streams and free flowing clean water in the desert (provision, material and spiritual) guidance, redemption, righteousness, recompense for all they've (and we've) lost and suffered, safety from harm, singing, worship and unity in the Spirit! Why do you think Isaiah relies on heavily figurative language to communicate these promises? Probably because what is promised was unfathomable to their ears and experience. How does he describe the “highway of holiness”? Who will walk on it? A holy Way, for the redeemed (simple ones and fools included!) Isaiah and Psalms declare that each believer is a highway. We can choose to allow Him free access to our lives, or we put up "Detour, Under construction take alternate route, Road closed, Big dip ahead slow down, Stop! You're going the wrong way!....rather than allowing Him to heal our broken places so that He can flow/travel freely in and through us. Who won’t? The unclean...those not redeemed. What does it mean to be redeemed and ransomed? Redeemed means to have been once owned, then lost to another, and bought back by the rightful owner. Ransomed means to pay a price for the privilege of buying back one's own property.(The believer's position in Christ, by His shed blood, death and resurrection)

a. It demonstrates that we honor and revere God, that we understand that we are His ambassadors in the world, and we want others to know what He's like as we represent Him well. We are to be His light in the world to draw others to Him. Because we love Him, we want to reflect Him and His goodness to others. b. To take bribes and to demonstrate corruption leads to more corruption, distrust in government...a slippery slope to more and more evil, and finally at some point judgment and destruction from God. "As the leader goes, so goes the nation".

a. I think it's because we have been conditioned to want instant gratification! He may make us wait (more than likely). At times tears or manipulation may bring us what we want, instantly, from those around us. But I think the most common one is that we simply forget to ask Him...so used to doing things ourselves. I've even heard different people at times say: God is busy...I don't want to bother Him with my needs. (That would fall into the category of either immaturity, or ignorance of Scripture....not knowing Him yet as Father. b. It's relying on others, preferring others as our source, rather than our Father God! c. Jesus said, Rather than fretting and worrying about our needs, remember that our Father knows we need them, and as we seek first His Kingdom..put Him first in our lives, all of our needs will be provided.

Q3. (Isaiah 30:15-29) Why does God long to show us grace (30:18)? His great love for us... He is God, we are His children who are lost and terrified when left on our own...His love brings us into REST, TRUST, and PEACE. He FIRST loves us...this draws us into relationship with Him. What prevents his grace? Pride...the belief in the deception that we are able to care for ourselves, to exist and thrive apart from God. What does that say about God’s character? He is Gracious, Merciful, Just, Kind, Peace, Joy, and desires companionship with His children, as a gentle Shepherd, not as a domineering, angry, tyrant! Have you ever experienced the kind of guidance Isaiah mentions in verse 21? This question made me smile! One of my deficiencies is a perceptual issue...I am direction challenged. When I've forgotten to ask for His help and I'm lost while driving, or forget where I parked the car at the mall. Lord, please help! and I hear the whisper "Turn right" or "turn left at the corner"....but because I've learned how much I need Him, I receive this kind of guidance nearly every day for one thing or another...some big and some small. Last week while in Carmel for our daughter's birthday, we were enjoying shopping and heard "go to the beach"...so we walked down to the beach and noticed people pointing and taking pictures. As we got close to the water we saw dorsal fins in the water....we had prayed before leaving home that He would direct our steps (Psalm 37) and delight our eyes to what would bring us joy.....to our amazement, there was a pod of about 20 dolphins, playing, turning back flips, and jumping near the shore. The seals were among them playing! In all the years we've gone to Carmel, seeing dolphins was a first....we watched them for an hour and when we turned to leave, they left too! This was a HUGE hug from our Father! What is necessary in us so that we can hear God’s voice? For me, first it was the awareness that He is speaking all the time! Then it was the desire and the NEED to hear His voice. I hear Him best when I'm at REST inside, and my mind isn't fretting and anxious. But He will speak in those moments too, when I am listening and expecting to hear Him. I "hear" Him when I read His Word. I hear Him when enjoying His creation. (He's given me parables through nature, when I asked Him "what is the point to parables?"....and He speaks into my life through them. Most recently a little male Junko who comes to our bird feeder, after his last meal in the evening, hops up on the roof top, throws out his chest and his beak pointing to Heaven, sings the most beautiful love song of praise and thanks to our God....a beautiful reminder for me to be thankful for the blessings of each day, before bed.

Q2. (Isaiah 29:13) Have you ever seen a religious person go through all the religious motions, but whose heart is far from God? Yes! I was that person! Religious, judgmental, pious....trying to work my way and to earn God's love. How can we detect this in ourselves if it applies to us? The Holy Spirit showed me that self effort and works of the flesh were driving me further away from God What is the remedy? The remedy was SURRENDER....to His love, His grace, His mercy, His sacrifice on the Cross, and to let Him live THROUGH me. (He showed me an empty glove...me....then His Holy Spirit filling the empty glove with Himself to live and work through my frail self to accomplish His purposes. How can you tell if your practice of religion is merely following “rules taught by men”? I felt "driven" by a slave driver, rather than being led by my gentle Shepherd. I felt guilty...enough was never enough...how much would fill the "quota" to make me O.K.? The answer was in His sufficiency, not in my effort. What is the danger of a rule-based faith? The rules are always changing, like the mirage in the desert! And if we approach what we think is fulfilling the rules, then pride rears up and we can take any glory from the situation. Keeping the law breeds self righteousness and superiority, as well as insecurity, fear and guilt! How does it differ from a love-based faith? Grace covers all....my sin, my fear, my guilt from "not measuring up or missing the mark". REST and PEACE are the difference...I'm now free to ENJOY Him and to receive all of the goodness and love and favor He showers upon me. I am accepted in the beloved! I rejoice that the Father chose me and gave me to Jesus as His love gift. The Holy Spirit "courted" me and introduced me to Jesus. Jesus redeemed and dressed me in His robe of righteousness and gave me back to the Father as His love gift. JOY is my lot now!

a. Pride and stubbornness blind us to our true, fallen nature. Like 2 year olds, we "want to do it ourselves", rather than depending upon God. Jeremiah said : "The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly perverse and corrupt and severely mortally corrupt...Who can perceive, understand, be acquainted with his own heart and mind?" ( Jer 17:9 ) This keeps unbelievers from seeing their need for a Savior, and keeps believers stuck in old, comfortably familiar beliefs. b. Growing in Christ is a long process! Lies have been deeply entrenched, and only studying and learning His Word (TRUTH) can renew our minds. Jeremiah also said the "people cannot be deceived except by their own consent". (Jer 14:16b) To continue to believe lies, indicates that we are more comfortable with deception because it serves our purposes, rather than allowing His Holy Spirit to awaken us to truth. c. We stumble over Him because we don't want to admit we are sinners and have need of His Salvation and forgiveness. (Satan is the great liar and deceiver, and his goal is to blind the unsaved and take them to hell with him, and to blind the believer of his/her need for Jesus every moment of every day! d. We can live and allow Him to be glorified in our lives so others may hunger for the love, joy and forgiveness we have. We can "let our lives lovingly express the truth in all things, speaking the truth in love, and grow up in every way and in all things into Him Who is the Head, even Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed) one. (Share the Gospel of Grace, both in word and deed, whenever the opportunity presents itself) e. He will judge them for their rebellion and refusal to receive His gracious, free gift of salvation and eternal life. They will experience the wrath He has reserved for the unrepentant. (How I thank God that Jesus took all of that wrath upon Himself in judgment for my sin, so that I don't have to experience it!)

a. When I first read these verses, I thought it was about the "Rapture of the Bride" which occurs after Jesus blows the trumpet (The feast of trumpets) and sets the stage for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb in Heaven before the tribulation. (1 Thess 1:10 Jesus Who personally rescues and delivers us out of and from the wrath of God bringing punishment which is coming upon the impenitent and draws us safely to Himself) The references which accompany the Isaiah verses leads me to another conclusion.(Mt 24; Rev 11:15) The reference in Mt 24 is written specifically to the Jews, rather than to the Church (which didn't exist until after Jesus death and resurrection when the Holy Spirit breathed life into His disciples and they became born again then filled with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost......the beginning of the Church age when the New Covenant was sealed with His shed blood) Isaiah 27:12,13 Is referring to the celebration in Heaven with shouts of joy, after the 7th angel blows a trumpet, (after the first 3 and a half years of the tribulation) " The dominion, kingdom, sovereignty, rule of the world has now come into the possession and become the kingdom of our Lord and His Christ the Messiah, and He shall reign forever and ever!. (At this point during the Tribulation, everyone who will be born again has said "yes" and the believers already in Heaven and those new believers still on earth) and are gathered to Him and the celebration in Heaven begins ...while on earth the last of God's wrath is poured out on the corrupt unbelieving world.

a. Yes, I believe it does...."your dead saints shall rise".. "the earth shall cast forth the dead to life again..." (The dead body lies in the ground, but at death, the spirit has gone on...if a believer, "to be absent from the body is to be present with Christ". And if an unbeliever, to the place assigned to them until the White throne judgment, when unbelievers will experience the second death for rejecting God's gift of eternal life while they were living, and in their eternal body they will be sent to hell. b. It Teaches that the dead saints, buried in the dust, or who have become dust, shall rise to life supernaturally by God's Hand. (1 Cor. 15:42-44 "So it is with the resurrection of the dead (the body) that is resurrected is imperishable (immune to decay, immortal) It is sown in dishonor and humiliation; it is raised in honor and glory. It is sown in infirmity and weakness; it is resurrected in strength and endued with power. It is sown a natural, physical body; it is raised a supernatural (a spiritual) body. As surely as there is a physical body, there is also a spiritual body.) c. Many, 500 I believe, saints rose from the dead when Jesus was resurrected and walked around, testifying! When the living Bride of Christ is raptured, the dead in Christ shall rise first to meet Jesus in the air receiving their new bodies at that time, such as Jesus walked around in after His resurrection....he ate with the disciples, but was not held to earth by gravity, as He ascended to Heaven. There will be a resurrection of the dead unbelievers after the tribulation period, and they will receive their immortal bodies at that time....and then sent to hell (their choice, since they rejected God's free gift)

a. His promise is that when my mind is stayed on Him, is committed to Him, and my hope is confidently in Him, always, He will guard and keep me in His peace. b. When my eyes are no longer on Him due to the distraction, I give place to the things Satan would have me focus on, and I become either, afraid, worried, preoccupied with self, striving in the flesh to figure things out.....or all of those, and then confusion or feeling victimized, perplexed, or at times faint and without hope, depending on how long I stay distracted! c. He is the only solid ground...in which there is "no shadow of turning"....He never sinks, wavers or worries. He's never angry at me, or without the answer or encouragement I need. He never turns away, abandons, or neglects me. His every thought is toward me, and knows my every thought before I think it....and is absolutely faithful and trustworthy, and promises to "perfect that which concerns me"....and when I fail, "Underneath are His everlasting arms!"

a. In the death of my brother in July, it comforts me to have the assurance that he's with the Lord...his suffering is over, and he's living out the eternal life which began several years ago when he received Jesus as his Lord and savior. There will be no second death for him! When those we love die and whose salvation is in question, we only have the hope that they died believing in Him and just didn't tell us. b. I have the promise and assurance of Eternal life with my Lord...so there is no fear about death.....only the joy of seeing Him face to Face. (Now He sees me Face to face. ) c. Abundant and eternal life, glorious freedom from bondage, sickness, fear, loneliness, lack, replaced with unspeakable JOY forever and ever in His Presence! We will be here on earth for the 1,000 year reign with Christ, in our new glorified bodies, received when we were raptured! "EVEN SO, COME LORD JESUS!"

a. It's symbolic of His coronation festival inaugurating the Lord's reign on the earth, juxtaposed against all of the gloom, judgment and terror of the last days (tribulation period) prior to His second coming! His Bride, the Church, which was raptured, will join Him in His earthly reign, and the people who survived the tribulation (including the Jews who will now recognize Jesus, their Messiah) will worship Him on His holy hill in Jerusalem. Isaiah 55:1,2: Wait and listen, everyone who is thirsty! Come to the waters; and he who has no money, come buy and eat! Yes come, buy (priceless spiritual) wine and milk without money and without price (simply for the self-surrender that accepts the blessing.) Why to you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your earnings for what does not satisfy? Hearken diligently to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness (the profuseness of spiritual joy!) b. His death for us and His Resurrection swallowed up death in victory, and will wipe away the tears from all the faces, and He will take away the reproach of His people Israel.

a. They made military preparations, using the ideas of a pompous leader, rather than looking to their God, Commander in Chief, Lord of Hosts, and felt secure in their own efforts, and celebrating their imagined victory with eating, drinking and partying. b. They did not look to their maker for guidance and in repentant weeping and mourning for their unbelief and presumption! c. He was contemptibly presumptuous and arrogant...puffed up and prideful. d. Yes I have. Fear was the reason...so like Judah and Shebna, I trusted my own strength, resources, and ability to do what the Lord asked, instead of looking to Him to work through me in His power and might. (I eventually repented and did what He called me to do, trusting the outcome to Him and not my effort...which was successful because He did the work!

a. Isaiah was to be a "visual aid" to God's people...a prophecy of what was to come as a consequence of their unbelief in God. A warning that continued stubborn disobedience would result in their being stripped of everything. b. It was meant to demonstrate that Egypt was a poor substitute for God...that Egypt was going to be defeated by the Assyrian King, and his Egyptian and Ethiopian captives and exiles were going to be led away naked and barefoot, "even with their buttocks uncovered", which was the ultimate in degradation! I recall that David's men suffered the same humiliation, and how horrified David was. c. It appears that they heeded Isaiah's warning. d. I've thought many times about the weird things God asked His prophets to do...such as Isaiah walking about naked, and Ezekiel shaving his head and beard, dividing the hair in thirds, and burning one third, striking a third with the sword, and scattering a third to the wind, or God "taking away from Ezekiel the desire of his eyes (his wife) with one stroke, yet "you shall neither mourn nor weep neither shall your tears flow, sigh and groan but not aloud", and Ezekiel obeying God by not mourning when his wife died, as he "was commanded" ....his wife's death a sign to Israel. I'd like to believe that I would obey...but only God knows "my frame and that I am dust". (Psalm 103:14) He's asked some very difficult things of me, such as giving up our home and being stripped of dignity, being penniless and totally dependent upon Him for the next piece of bread, homeless, but being taken in by strangers for a year and a half, losing our business and income, etc. and He has been glorified in all of it, so I'd like to believe that if He asked me to walk about naked, He'd give me the same grace that I've received every day of my walk with Him. He promises strength for the journey and I receive it every day....I just hope He doesn't ask!

a. His attitude is one of unspeakable arrogance and pride....self glorification. b. In v. 12 "you have fallen from Heaven, You've been cut down to the ground". v. 13 "I will exalt my throne above the stars of God". v. 14 " I will make myself like the Most High." "You light bringer", is translated Lucifer in the Vulgate translation. Clearly this is not just a human being. I believe this also aptly refers to Sadam Hussein, the last "King" of Babylon, who believed and behaved as though he were a god..but was cut down to BELOW the earth, cowering in a filthy hole when he was captured. There is another "veiled" reference like this in Ez 28:13-18, You were in Eden, the garden of God, every precious stone was your covering, blameless until iniquity and guilt were found in you,.....I cast you out as a profane thing from the mountain of God"...etc, also referring to the King of Tyre. I believe both have double identities....to Satan and the Kings/ leaders mentioned. c. Yes, I'm sorry to say that I have. In the early days over something that I was determined to have/ do, I actually shook my fist at God and said "It would be just like you to try and stop me...I'm going!" d. It differs only in that I wasn't seeking a throne or to rule over people.....just over my own sorry will. e. When I came to my senses (what I wanted turned to ashes in my hands...thank you, Jesus!), I told the Lord how sorry I was, that He is always right, and I was wrong, and asked His forgiveness. Actually that experience served me well, in that as a new Christian, I saw how depraved the fallen nature is, and much I need a Savior every moment of every day! It's a delight in my old age to see how far we've come, walking together, with my will in submission to His All-Wise, All-Knowing, Loving care.