Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today is Saturday August 1, 2009 and we are beginning our studies in the book of Isaiah, please read chapters 1-4 in your Bible or Click Here to read them.

Today's Message: God's Grief
Just like a father or mother would grieve over the rebellion of their children, God grieves also over His children rebelling, but He is always joyful when they come to Him and willing to forgive them.

The book of Isaiah is the twenty-third book of the Old Testament/Bible and contains sixty-six chapters. The author of the book is Isaiah and it was written to Judah. The purpose of the book was for correction and reproof. What we are to learn from the book is that rebellion leads to retribution (punishment). Repentance leads to

restoration. The book of Isaiah is actually a mirror to the entire Bible. -The Bible has 66 books. Isaiah has 66 chapters. -The Old Testament has 39 books covering the history and sin Israel. The first section of

Isaiah has 39 chapters on the same subject. -The New Testament has 27 books describing the ministry of Jesus Christ. The last section of Isaiah has 27 chapters focusing on this subject.-The New Testament begins with the ministry of John the Baptist. The second section of Isaiah begins by predicting his ministry. -The New Testament ends by describing the new heavens and earth. Isaiah ends by describing the same things.

The God of Creation chose the Israelite's to reveal Himself to all people as the One True God who is the Written Word. Isaiah recorded how the Lord had chosen and provided for the Israelite's, only to have them turn against Him by worshiping idols. “Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me. The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider. Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.”- Isaiah 1:2-4. God lamented (grieved) that even the animals He had created knew who their Master was, but the sinful Israelite's refused to recognize their responsibility to their Creator.

God has provided His Written Word which guides us through the indwelling Holy Spirit, and teaches us how to experience the joy of forgiveness and deliverance from the guilt and condemnation of sin. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” - II Timothy 3:16,17. Many godly parents are heartbroken when they see their children turning from the Lord. Like our Heavenly Father, they too feel grief over children who are uncommitted to the Lord, to reading the Bible, or to regular worship in a local church. Whether or not our children succeed or fail in their earthly goals, by comparison, it is of little eternal consequence, for only their spiritual achievements will bring true success and eternal rewards.

Isaiah prophesied of a coming King who would reign in righteousness and peace over children who had returned to Him. “And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” - Isaiah 2:2-4. Of course that person is none other than our Lord Jesus Christ. There will be a time when Jesus comes and this prophecy will be fulfilled.

There is everything in the character of God, in the ministry of Christ, and in the power of the Holy Spirit to inspire and confirm our confidence in His Word. The will of God is that He will in no wise cast out all who come to Him, regardless of past sins and failures. God is willing to forgive all sinners who will confess and forsake their sins. “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” - John 6:37-40. All who accept Jesus as their Savior enjoy everlasting life and will one day get to see Him face to face. That alone is one of the most exciting things to look forward to.

Today's Prayer:

Dear God,
Lord, You know those to whom you are leading us to share the Gospel message. Sometimes they are on our hearts for years and we've prayed for them time and again. Other times we are prompted by the Holy Spirit to speak to an individual we've never met. We know that you have given us all authority to go and make disciples of all nations. It is not in our own strength, wisdom, personality or talents that we share the message of salvation to those who are lost. It is in the power of the Holy Spirit that we go forth bringing the message of hope and forgiveness to those who seek it. Help us to not be discouraged when we don't see an immediate response for we know that we are all involved in the planting of spiritual seeds.  Germination may take place over a number of years, but we will rejoice in a spiritual harvest soon to come.  In Jesus' Name............Amen

Have a wonderful and blessed day/night and weekend.
God Bless You,
Christina