by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
Isaiah 3-4
Whether it’s a nation, a church, or a family, groups of people need leadership. Of course, Jesus is ultimately everyone’s leader, but God’s design is for there to be “under leaders” representing Him and causing groups to work together in an orderly way to achieve His vision.
When leaders stop representing Him and begin to represent themselves, we have a problem. They turn their positions into self-serving roles. When leaders reject God, they reject wisdom, and become like spoiled children trying to lead. Their rebellion displays foolishness.
Rebellion and selfishness go hand in hand. When God’s people turn from him, they inevitably turn to self-centered lifestyles. In fact they begin putting themselves on a pedestal.
That’s what we see in these chapters of Isaiah. And God responds to their wicked ways. He is going to remove Himself from the scene – and believe me, that doesn’t make for a pretty sight.
Yet when our God has a rebuke for errant ways, He always has a promise of restoration to go along with it. In the 4th chapter of Isaiah we have promises of glorious days ahead – when the people turn back to God – and he will turn back to Him.
Our society in these times is in need of soul-searching. There are many who have not only turned away, they have mocked their Creator. Those of us who pray, should be praying for a turn-around.
We need God today – just as they did in the days of Isaiah! Today, just as in those days, there are self-centered, foolish leaders trying to lead – for their own gain.
Let’s pray for them – and check out our own leadership in our homes and on the job. Christ-centered leadership is the only kind that works.
Ephesians 2-3
God’s great mysteries are being revealed by God to Paul – and he in turn reveals them to us. “God did not reveal it to previous generations, but now by His spirit He has revealed it to His holy apostles and prophets.”(3:5)
There are two major revelations – which if we can receive, our lives will be transformed.
The first is that we are saved by grace and not by works. (2:8-10) That’s a concept that many repeat, without really knowing what it means. It means that salvation is not about being a “good” person, but about receiving the forgiveness provided by Jesus through the cross. It’s a free gift for us to receive – and honor.
None of us should feel that we have been good enough to earn God’s gift. We can’t earn it; it’s too big. What we can do is receive the gift and allow our Father to work within us, creating the masterpiece He had in mind when He designed us.
The second key revelation is that salvation is provided for all people who receive it. No longer are the Jews the only ones who are God’s people. All of us have a chance to be.
Now don’t get me wrong. Salvation is offered to all people of every nation, but not all will receive it. It’s a two-way deal and we have to buy in on it to have the gift in our lives.
I think of it a little like a contract for a purchase. A contract may be presented to you for the purchase of your home, but until you accept it and sign it, the offer doesn’t go forward. It’s the same with your salvation. An offer has been presented to you, but you have to accept it to receive the benefits.
I want to receive every detail of my Father’s offer. And I want to make sure that I receive every benefit available!
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
Isaiah 1-2
The Holy Spirit will “disclose to us what is to come.” (John 16:13)
In the Chronicles we saw the history of Israel – how it split into two kingdoms. We also saw the kings as they would rise and fall, based on their faithfulness to God. The northern kingdom, Israel, never turned back to God. They went through some imitations of worship, but their hearts were always filled with admiration for the idols of their neighbors.
The southern kingdom, Judah, however, had some faithfulness from time to time. Good kings would arise, and then bad kings would follow. The temptation was always there to substitute idols for the true God of Israel
As we come to the books of the prophets, we see a foreshadowing of what we read in John. And there is no greater foreshadowing of God’s prophetic gift than the book of Isaiah. He lived and prophesied during the last days of Israel – just before they were taken into captivity by Assyria, and during the days before Judah was captured by Babylon.
Babylon hadn’t been established yet, but Isaiah prophesied that Judah would fall to them. He saw the same errors occurring in the southern kingdom that he had seen in the northern, and his observations were dire.
All of Israel at one time had been such a holy people. God had created them as a nation and nurtured them as His own. He dramatically led them out of Egypt and into the Promised Land. He gave them a degree of prosperity which no nation had ever known before.
As we begin the prophecies of Isaiah, we see that things have changed. God’s people are not acting like they are His. They have turned to the idols around them and they have diluted their worship of Him.
There are warnings and there are promises which we will see throughout Isaiah’s book. If the people continue to desert God, He will no longer be faithful to them. Yet if they return, they will be blessed as before. The choice is theirs.
The good news is that “in the last days, the mountain of the Lord will be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills, and all nations shall stream to it.”(2:2).
Today is that day – the day in which the Lord Jesus has paid the price for us, and brought redemption to the world – to all who call upon His name. People from every nation are streaming to the One True God.
The Word hasn’t reached all, but it’s reached many. And there are many around the world who are continuing to stream to His Mountain. And there will be many more.
Ephesians 1
It’s time for us to realize what Christ has done for us, rise up, and live in His best. If we can just get this, our lives will be forever different.
There are some prayers in Ephesians which, if prayed daily, will change our lives. One of these in this first chapter.
Paul says that he is thankful for the Ephesians and their faithfulness to the Lord.
He prays that God will give them a “spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.”(V.17) and that the “eyes of their understanding will be opened so that they may know the great things of God.”(V. 18). These include His riches, His glory, and “the exceeding greatness of His power toward those who believe.” (V. 19).
When you read verses 18- 21, you will get an ear full! In fact you will have to read it several times even to understand what he is saying. But it is powerful, and the more you understand it, the more powerful it becomes.
So I would like to suggest that you read this prayer and pray it for yourself everyday for a while.
If our eyes are ever opened to see what our Lord has done for us, we won’t have trouble having faith. We will know from the depths of our beings that our God is working on our behalf – while we are praying.
It’s an exciting life we have before us. Let’s choose to live it with gusto!
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
Proverbs 26-29
Don’t you just love proverbs? There is one bit of truth after another – on many differing subjects. I know some people who read one proverb a day everyday – all year. They soak themselves in this wisdom as they carry on their business, interact with family and friends, and generally go about their days.
We have seen wisdom concerning honesty, hard work, truthfulness, our words, and many other subjects. Today, we see a ,lot about friends.
“Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy.” (27:6)
So why would that be? A sincere friend will be honest with you and me, because they desire the best for us. They won’t lie to us just to make us feel good, if they know the end will hurt us. If something needs to be said for our benefit, a sincere friend will say it.
An enemy is just the opposite. He will flatter you for his own advantage. That’s why many kisses from an enemy don’t mean anything. Be wary of those who try to trick you by their smooth tongue.
“Iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.”(27:17)
Continuing along the same vein, one of the true values of friendship – along with enjoyment of each other – is that good friends actually help us to stay on our best game. They sharpen us – and we sharpen them. Sometimes that “sharpening” is done through honest advice. Yet most of the time it’s done through bouncing thoughts off of each other.
When my husband and I are sharing insights into scripture with each other, he calls it “striking and igniting.” We both get energized by the conversation. It starts a fire in each of us to take our walk to the next level. Not only to continue in what we know to do, but to reach deeper into the vision and the plan.
That’s what true friendship will do for each of us.
II Corinthians 10-11
From the earliest days, fallen human nature was obviously trying to dominate God’s plan. Paul had to address this.
He was a true apostle. This man of God didn’t try to exalt himself. Paul wasn’t a smooth-talking preacher who swayed people by his charismatic presence. He was a humble man, but one who truly walked in God’s greatest purpose for his life.
Unfortunately, some of the smooth-talkers came along and tried to persuade the people to follow them instead of Paul. And their teaching was in error.
That’s why Paul lists all of his credentials – apologizing as he does. He wants the people to know that he is the true teacher and not the others. God’s truth is not based on someone who is silver-tongued.
This is a principle we need to be aware of in our day. With the rise of media, there are many silver-tongued preachers who are not representing the truth. That’s not to say that it’s wrong to be charismatic. But you can’t follow someone just because they are charismatic.
Look at the Word and let that guide you. Are they preaching the truth, charismatic or not? That’s who you want to listen to. If they are preaching error, run as fast as you can away from their teaching.
It’s like Paul said, “I didn’t come to you with beautiful speech, but with demonstrations of God’s power.”
Some of the most powerful teaching and example I have ever encountered have come from humble, soft-spoken people. People who live the Word and not just talk about it.
That’s the way I want to be. I want my life to be a written epistle of God’s goodness.
And I want Him to get the credit.
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
Proverbs 21-25
What does the Lord want from you and me? Does He want sacrifice? Does He want us just to give up everything?
There is a lot in the Bible about our Father’s expectations. Several times He makes reference to the fact that He doesn’t want our sacrifice. He wants our hearts.
Over the years I have known a number of people who were very sacrificial in their giving of money. Sometimes their hearts were right; sometimes they were not.
I have seen those who have given a lot to the church or to other causes, with expectations of many thanks for it. They did it for show – and to lift themselves up. Then I have seen others who have given significant amounts and have thought that somehow they have purchased special honor from God. They have not allowed Him to deal with their hearts – and as a result, they have been ornery and judgmental. But they gave.
“The Lord is more pleased when we do what is right and just than when we offer Him sacrifices.”(21:2)
When we allow our Father to correct us and strengthen us, we will give to Him – out of a pure heart. Then we will also be kind and just toward others. We will not lift ourselves up, but we will lift Him up.
That’s the sacrifice our Father wants. He wants our hearts – filled with praise toward Him.
In fact, the proverb goes on to say, “The sacrifice of an evil person is detestable, especially when it is offered with wrong motives.” (21:27)
Enough said about that!
Will I give? Of course I will. But not in place of my relationship with Him – and not trying to buy His blessings.
I give because I love Him.
II Corinthians 8-9
While we are on the subject of money and giving, the Lord has a lot to say about it here.
We don’t give just to receive blessings. However, when we give with the right motives, we can know that our God will bless us abundantly.
“Our God is able to make all grace abound toward you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed.” (9:8)
Keywords: always, sufficiency, abundance.
Think about what this is saying. When we are walking with our Lord in truth, allowing Him to lead us and guide us, and when we are giving as He leads, we can expect supernatural provision.
I personally have seen this happen. There have been times when there would be a need that seemed impossible at the time. Yet every time our Father has come through for me.
Four children through college, weddings, traveling needs, needs of the church. You name it. There has always been a way provided so that “all-sufficiency” was there.
I don’t desire to live a materialistic life, yet I do enjoy nice things. And my God has more than supplied – and He is continuing to do so.
Now let’s go on. “He provides seed to the sower… He will supply and multiply your seed.” (9:10)
This is the Word of God. He will supply your seed and multiply it if you are a sower into His kingdom.
I don’t know about you, but I love to sow – and I want to be a sower all the days of my life. There’s no greater joy than giving when He prompts me to. (And sometimes when He doesn’t).
When you “live to give,” as the saying goes, you will find your own needs being met in unusual ways – but they will be met.
It’s a fun life!
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
Proverbs 17-20
Have you seen anyone operate with “dishonest scales” or “unfair weights?” Do you know what I am talking about?
In the days of Solomon, the unfair weights were tricks of the merchants. They would have two weights in their bag with the same markings of measurement. The wicked merchant would have two weights marked “one talent” (75 lbs). If you came in to sell him something, he would weigh with the smaller weight; if you came to buy, he would use the larger one. Either way, you would be swindled, and he would make more money.
There are people today who are swindlers, but probably not you. But are you using differing weights in other areas of your life?
Do you give your children a pass on actions which you judge others for? (After all, it’s never your child’s fault, right)?
Or what about yourself? Do you harbor resentment for those around you for doing exactly what you do? Do you call them greedy, when you are? Do you get annoyed with their gossip, while you are doing the same?
Many times, the very attributes which annoy us in others are the attributes we share with them.
That’s a modern day version of “differing weights.” What we expect from others shouldn’t be more than what we expect from ourselves.
It all comes down to humility and honesty. Neither we nor our children are perfect. (A hard fact, but we have to face it. We and they are human, too).
So as we are honest in our praying and study, we will try to remove the sin from our own lives. That will be our concentration – not judgment of others.
The Lord has to be the one to deal with the others.
It’s amazing to see the peace which comes with such a sincere approach to life. Amazing!
II Corinthians 7
There are two kinds of sorrow. There is “godly sorrow,” which comes to us when we realize our sinful ways and choose to change them. Then there is a “worldly sorrow” which comes to those who refuse to change. They reap the rewards of their choices.
In Paul’s first letter he wrote about the man who “took his father’s wife.” He was to be kicked out of the church. It was a tough stance, and he felt sad as he wrote it.
However, he did the right thing. The church repented and the man repented. It produced “godly sorrow,” which led to repentance.
The second kind of sorrow may eventually produce repentance, but only after a big price has been paid.
I have seen many (and you probably have as well), who go through life with an arrogant, nobody-can-tell-me-what-to-do attitude. They continue down the wrong road, piling trouble onto the lives of those around them, as well as themselves.
At the end of such lives, there is always sorrow. There is loneliness, remorse, and depression for lives misspent.
So godly sorrow is good. It takes a person off the wrong path and gets them back on the track which leads to life and joy at the end.
If there are some things in your life which need to be changed, then don’t wait! Change them. God can help you get back on the right track (or get on the right track for the first time, if you have never been there).
Repentance is a wonderful gift we have from God. We get to start over any time we will. I love that!
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
Proverbs 13-16
Do you have a merry heart? Do you find humor even during the tough days? Do you laugh often? Laughter is like a medicine to us.
In recent years, many medical journals have reported on the importance of joy and laughter in physical health. Happy people generally suffer less illness and when they do get ill, recover faster.
It’s always interesting to me to see the many Biblical principles which “suddenly” appear in research as new-found truths. They have been there all along – in God’s great book of wisdom.
There is a definite spirit-mind-body connection, so that what affects one will affect the others. That’s why “hope deferred” makes the heart sick (13:12). That’s also why good news “makes your bones fat.” (15:30) (Bone marrow is the source of your healthy blood supply).
As we follow the principles laid out for us, we will be healthier all around.
One more note: twice during these proverbs do we get a certain message. “There is a way which seems right to a man, but the end of it is death.” (14:12; 16:25).
That could be, in a nutshell, what we have attempted to say over and over. If you just go by what “seems right” to the world, you are probably going down the wrong path – and it will eventually catch up with you. For instance, the social drink and happy hour may have seemed right. But to the alcoholic whose life has been shattered by it, it’s not as “happy” as they thought it would be.
Or maybe all of those extra pieces of pie, fried food, and gravy “seem right” at the time. But there is payback coming. Watch for it.
There are many other paths which lead to death. Greed, dishonest gain, strife, and many others.
God’s path is always a good path. There may be moments of trouble or sadness, which come to every life, but as we proceed down His path, we will see the wisdom He provides.
II Corinthians 6
Yesterday we talked about the new creation we become when we accept Jesus. Today, we read where Paul admonishes us to continue to live like the new person and not the old.
There are some who come to the Lord, but continue in their old ways. They allow their old friends to influence them to turn back to the sinful lives they once had. That’s not God’s way. He wants you to influence your friends, and not the other way around.
When people turn back to their old ways, they start disrespecting those who have influenced their growth. That’s what Paul was dealing with in this chapter. So he lists the many trials he has suffered for the sake of getting the gospel to the Corinthians.
Paul speaks of having been beaten, pursued by angry mobs, put in prison, worked to exhaustion, and gone without sleep or food in order to bring the gospel to these people. Yet they are now dishonoring him because of the company they keep.
He reminds these Corinthians that God has spoken to His people to “come out from among the unbelievers.” (V. 17)
There is a holiness which our God provides which is anathema to the way of the world. If we are not influencing others for Christ, they are influencing us to turn away.
It’s something to think about for our own lives. Who are you running with? It says something about you.
