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Today is Sunday August 01, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Isaiah, chapters 1-4.
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Today's Message: God's Judgment

God has declared that all true worship, sacrifices, and offerings are a delight to Him, but they all become an abomination when offered by those who have no desire to love and serve Him with all their hearts, but use Him to fill their pockets with money. “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.... And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.” - Revelation 21:7,27. God is referring to all the false prophets, preachers, teachers, and religions deceiving the people. Did you ever wonder why every part of the world is in chaos? All over the world you are hearing about bad economy, wars, natural disasters, and diseases. Yet, all of our leaders are clueless to the fact that we are all facing God's judgment and it is just the beginning. Those of you that are bringing your children up in a Christian home I commend you, it is not easy with all the corruption and wickedness in the world today, yet you endure it all and keep going by your faith and trust in God. So, why is all the world facing God's judgment? Rebellion is the number one cause of all the destruction that is taking place. You know, if these people would just pick up a Bible and read the Old Testament they would see that we are facing the exact same judgment that Israel faced when they turned their backs on God. We as Christians have a lot of work to do, we can not stop God's judgment, but we can be prepared and let others know what is going on so they too can be prepared.

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 and all believers. 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), but 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 describing the same 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 them as well.

Isaiah recorded how the Lord had chosen and provided for the Israelites, only to have them turn against Him by worshiping idols. The Lord lamented that even the animals He had created knew who their Master was, but the sinful Israelites refused to recognize their responsibility to their Master. “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. 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 Bible based 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.

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. 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. 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.

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. “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.” - Proverbs 30:5. Praise God!

Enjoy the rest of your day/night and an awesome week.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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