Listening to the Word

Isaiah 60-62; John 1   “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will; but born of God.” John 1:12, 13 When salvation becomes primarily about our choice to receive Jesus into our lives, we have created our own ‘test tube’ babies. We are not born again solely through our own choice, “nor of human decision;” we are born of God. It is God himself who must fill us with his Spirit to give us his life. Without the evidence of the Spirit’s presence within us we are not yet born of God. How many struggle with the question of whether they are truly born again of God? Sharing Scripture verses and convincing arguments are no substitute for a personal encounter with God. The Father welcomes seekers who are willing to die to their life of self and fully surrender their lives to his indwelling presence. We must both receive him and believe on his name. T...

Isaiah 57-59; Psalms 103; 2 Peter 3 “Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits – who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” Psalm 103:1-5 Renewal of joy for life begins with freedom, healing, and forgiveness in our inmost being. Only God can accomplish that for us. Money can’t buy inner peace and freedom. Power can’t influence whether our destiny is the “pit” of destruction or the crown of life. Like the constant molting of an eagle’s feathers, our life can be renewed. Not renewed through the accumulation of things or a new love-interest but renewed through the inner contentment of being at peace with God our Creator and Sustainer. The Lord knows our desires as well as what we need to enjoy life in abundance. Trusting G...

Isaiah 53-56; 2 Peter 2 “’Sing, O barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labour; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband,’ says the Lord. ‘Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.’” Isaiah 54:1, 2 The pain of barrenness can turn a person inwardly with their questions. However, that is not the picture or outcome in Isaiah’s vision. Instead of fear and despair, Isaiah saw a barren woman in song, shouting for joy with the certain hope of a large family. In expectation and faith, God calls the barren person to expand their tent to hold many more family members. Many of us in the bride of Christ have never led someone to Christ, and our local churches are in decline. We could see ourselves as spiritually barren. Will we receive God’s promise of spiritual reproduction? Will we prepare ourselves to birth many ...

Isaiah 50-52; Psalms 92; 2 Peter 1   “The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, ‘The Lord is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.’” Psalm 92:12-15 This Psalm of Moses gives us keys to aging well. The key to flourishing in old age, like a stately palm tree or cedar, is to be planted in the presence of God, living each day enjoying the presence and person of God. It is the Holy Spirit within us who keeps us fruit-bearing, fresh, and green in old age. Those who age well don’t blame God for the tests and trials they face in life. Instead, they grow deeper roots through the tests. They rely on their Rock for security, strength, and living water. Does this describe us? Moses lived to 120 years of age. His most productive season was after age eighty. Let us age we...

Isaiah 46-49; 1 Peter 5 Isaiah 46-49; 1 Peter 5 “…Before I was born the Lord called me; from my birth he has made mention of my name. He made my mouth like a sharpened sword…he made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver….’It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you many bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.’” Isaiah 49:1, 2, 6 The refining, shaping, and molding work of God in our lives is not meant just for our own sanctification. We are being forged like weapons or instruments in his hand to both live and carry his Word to the nations. God’s mission has always been the salvation of the nations. Israel’s role was to carry this message of salvation, and now those who give themselves into the hand of the Lord have the same privilege. We are not our own. We were bought with a price. We have a mission and it’s not to live for ours...

Isaiah 43-45; 1 Peter 4 “Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin…But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.” 1 Peter 4:1, 13 Peter’s simple encouragement is that suffering as a Christ-follower is normal. Expecting this suffering can arm us against fear, doubt, and a crisis of faith when we face it. Jesus Christ our leader suffered as he lived for the will of the Father and so should we. Knowing that we are paying a price for choosing to live for God and not ourselves should fill us with deep joy that only the Holy Spirit can give. We value what we pay a lot for.   Can “cheap grace” fill us with gratitude and joy? Jesus promised us suffering and he promised that our future glory with him would far outweigh any cost we have paid. If we are not suffering in some way for knowing and following Jesus in his ...