Praise / Worship / Glorify God, Psalms

O Lord, Your Majestic Name Fills the Earth

It is so easy to get busy in our daily lives and neglect to praise and honor God when things are going well. Psalm 8 is a wonderful scripture that gives praise and glory to God.

Psalm 8

1 O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!
    Your glory is higher than the heavens.
2 You have taught children and infants
    to tell of your strength,[b]
silencing your enemies
    and all who oppose you.

3 When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—
    the moon and the stars you set in place—
4 what are mere mortals that you should think about them,
    human beings that you should care for them?[c]
5 Yet you made them only a little lower than God[d]
    and crowned them[e] with glory and honor.
6 You gave them charge of everything you made,
    putting all things under their authority—
7 the flocks and the herds
    and all the wild animals,
8 the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea,
    and everything that swims the ocean currents.

9 O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!

When we reflect on who God is and praise Him, it helps to put in perspective what is truly important in our lives and reminds us that we are better able to live our lives with God as a centerpiece rather than our own desires.

We should encourage each other to give praise to God often. Take a few minutes and just reflect on who God is and what He has done. Think about what He has done in your life. Give thanks. Praise Him and allow yourself to be in awe that He wants to be in relationship with each of us.

Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

All Knowing, His Ways Are Not Our Ways, Learning To Pray Effectively, Submitted / Servant, Suffering / Adversity

Let This Cup of Suffering Be Taken Away From Me

In this world we encounter times of anguish and distress. When we turn to God it is important to know how to pray. Some say to pray as if God will give us whatever we ask for, but this is not right. God loves us as a parent who loves their children. Sometimes children do not understand which is the right path and must rely on their parents. We need to trust God in this way.

Immediately before being taken into custody which eventually led to His brutal death on the cross, Jesus showed us how to pray when we are crushed under the weight of despair. He knew what was to happen next.  Matthew 26:36-46

36 Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, “Sit here while I go over there to pray.” 37 He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed. 38 He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

39 He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”

40 Then he returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? 41 Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!”

42 Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, “My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away[f] unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 When he returned to them again, he found them sleeping, for they couldn’t keep their eyes open.

44 So he went to pray a third time, saying the same things again. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said, “Go ahead and sleep. Have your rest. But look—the time has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Up, let’s be going. Look, my betrayer is here!”

Jesus shows us that we can ask God to take away the suffering, but we should submit to His will. Do not be discouraged if your prayer is not answered the way you want. Do not stop trusting God or turn away from Him. Do not get discouraged and blame yourself for not having enough faith.

God did not “answer” Jesus’ prayer by taking away the suffering, but instead provided a way for all of us to receive salvation through Jesus’ death on the cross. I am glad he did. God knows best.

Take a few minutes in prayer right now. Bring before you any situation for which you need God’s help. Ask Him to take away your suffering, but trust Him regardless of how He answers. Give Him thanks that He provided a way for us to be reconciled to Him and that He gives us hope.

Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Church / Body of Christ, Holy Spirit / Ruach HaKodesh, Prophecy, Purposeful / Intentional, Self Control, Submitted / Servant, Teachable

All Things Must Be Done Properly and in an Orderly Manner.

I find this section of scripture fascinating and challenging to study. Paul lays out some specific instructions for conducting church in an orderly manner in 1 Corinthians 14. He addresses prophecy and speaking in / interpreting tongues with some interesting considerations that can certainly still be applied today. He also addresses a subject that is sure to make some people uncomfortable or even angry as he speaks regarding women remaining silent in church. For our culture, this is roundly rejected… but should it be? We truly should always challenge ourselves to study context to better understand if this specific instruction was generally applicable or applicable to the church of Corinth due to its specific situation at the time. In any case, the broader point is clearly that we should have order and not confusion in order to edify God, help the body of Christ, and draw in new believers to Christ.

1 Corinthians 14:20-40

Instruction for the Church

     20Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature. 21In the Law it is written, “BY MEN OF STRANGE TONGUES AND BY THE LIPS OF STRANGERS I WILL SPEAK TO THIS PEOPLE, AND EVEN SO THEY WILL NOT LISTEN TO ME,” says the Lord. 22So then tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophecy is for a sign, not to unbelievers but to those who believe. 23Therefore if the whole church assembles together and all speak in tongues, and ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad? 24But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an ungifted man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all; 25the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you.

      26What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. 27If anyone speaks in a tongue, it should be by two or at the most three, and each in turn, and one must interpret; 28but if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God. 29Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others pass judgment. 30But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, the first one must keep silent. 31For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted; 32and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets; 33for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

      34The women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says. 35If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church. 36Was it from you that the word of God first went forth? Or has it come to you only?

      37If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment. 38But if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.

      39Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues. 40But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.

Don’t miss the broader point of the scripture about needing to proceed in an orderly manner for tongues and prophecy and teaching in the church, about needing an interpreter for tongues and so on. Don’t focus solely on the verse about women keeping silent and miss the broader point. God is a God of order and not of confusion. We must conduct ourselves as the body of Christ in an orderly manner.

Curious or upset by the command for women to keep silent in church? Want to explore it more? I encourage each of us submit our spirit to God, quiet our preconceived notions based on our local culture, pray for help and click through to more study resources to explore what Paul may have intended more closely. From the link provided, you can select different commentaries and study multiple perspectives or do you own search. I need to spend more time with it myself. The immediate context may be limited to speaking in tongues or prophesying or interpreting tongues in church setting, which was the topic Paul was addressing, but it is difficult to avoid the possibility that it may be broader than that associated with women not taking a leadership role or authority role over men in the church. The issue of submission for women is covered in 1 Timothy, Ephesians, and 1 Peter in addition to here in 1 Corinthians (refer to link above labeled “study resources”)… not to mention Genesis 3:16.

Try to sort through the topic without bias of “what you are used to” or “what our culture has taught you” or even “current church teaching”. Be teachable and submitted to God. Look not to emotions, but to what the scripture actually says and in what context. Don’t rush to judgement on this topic. Meditate on it. Study it. Pray.  It is not our role to agree or disagree with scripture (e.g. with God), but rather to study it and change our lives to reflect what God instructs. Look around, there are plenty of examples of commonly accepted church practices which are wildly out of step with scripture and God’s instruction… always has been. Look to scripture and God Himself.

Our challenge is to shape ourselves into God’s image, not to reshape Him into our own.

Spend time in prayer and ask God to reveal to you more discernment and wisdom on the specific instructions given here and on the broader topic of maintaining a proper and orderly manner in the body of Christ and in church.

—-

Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? Are you living today filled with the peace and joy of truly knowing and following Jesus Christ? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Church / Body of Christ, Contentment, Envy / Jealousy / Coveting, Holy Spirit / Ruach HaKodesh, Thankfulness

Spiritual Gifts Are to Build Up the Body of Christ and Bring Glory to God

All of us are made in God’s image. We have a diverse set of gifts and abilities that vary from person to person. Those of us who choose to submit to and follow Christ enter into the body of Christ and may receive spiritual gifts associated with the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of us. It is ok to pray and ask God for Him to fill you with His Spirit and bestow upon you spiritual gifts, or even to ask for a particular spiritual gift. Keep in mind, however, that He makes the final decision.

Be mindful. The ultimate purpose of your spiritual gifts is not your own glory or edification. The greatest purpose for your gifts is to build up the body of Christ and bring glory to God.

1 Corinthians 14:1-19

Prophecy a Superior Gift

     1Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 2For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries. 3But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation. 4One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church. 5Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edifying.

      6But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what will I profit you unless I speak to you either by way of revelation or of knowledge or of prophecy or of teaching? 7Yet even lifeless things, either flute or harp, in producing a sound, if they do not produce a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the harp? 8For if the bugle produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle? 9So also you, unless you utter by the tongue speech that is clear, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air. 10There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of languages in the world, and no kind is without meaning. 11If then I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be to the one who speaks a barbarian, and the one who speaks will be a barbarian to me. 12So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church.

      13Therefore let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. 14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also. 16Otherwise if you bless in the spirit only, how will the one who fills the place of the ungifted say the “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying? 17For you are giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not edified. 18I thank God, I speak in tongues more than you all; 19however, in the church I desire to speak five words with my mind so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue.

Be content with and thankful for what He gives you. Focus on edifying the body of Christ rather than yourself. Do not covet or envy gifts that others receive. They each have a purpose. Give thanks to God for whatever spiritual gifts He gives you and use them to bring glory to Him through the body of Christ.

Take some time in prayer to ask God to give you spiritual gifts or to ask for discernment on how best to use the gifts He has given you. Don’t rush this time. Focus on His glory, not your own.

Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Grace / Forgiveness, Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Loving / Kind, Merciful, Prophecy, Through Prophets

Yeshua Suffered for Our Sins; Let Us Be Grateful!

As you read the prophecy about our Messiah, Yeshua, in Isaiah 53, Do not rush through it. Let each verse sink in and experience the fullness of meaning therein. It was for our sins that He suffered. Personalize it. He suffered so we could be reconciled to the Father. We did not deserve it or earn it!

Isaiah 53

The Suffering Servant

1Who has believed our message?
And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?

      2For He grew up before Him like a tender shoot,
And like a root out of parched ground;
He has no stately form or majesty
That we should look upon Him,
Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him.

      3He was despised and forsaken of men,
A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief;
And like one from whom men hide their face
He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.

      4Surely our griefs He Himself bore,
And our sorrows He carried;
Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken,
Smitten of God, and afflicted.

      5But He was pierced through for our transgressions,
He was crushed for our iniquities;
The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him,
And by His scourging we are healed.

      6All of us like sheep have gone astray,
Each of us has turned to his own way;
But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all
To fall on Him.

      7He was oppressed and He was afflicted,
Yet He did not open His mouth;
Like a lamb that is led to slaughter,
And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers,
So He did not open His mouth.

      8By oppression and judgment He was taken away;
And as for His generation, who considered
That He was cut off out of the land of the living
For the transgression of my people, to whom the stroke was due?

      9His grave was assigned with wicked men,
Yet He was with a rich man in His death,
Because He had done no violence,
Nor was there any deceit in His mouth.

      10But the LORD was pleased
To crush Him, putting Him to grief;
If He would render Himself as a guilt offering,
He will see His offspring,
He will prolong His days,
And the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand.

      11As a result of the anguish of His soul,
He will see it and be satisfied;
By His knowledge the Righteous One,
My Servant, will justify the many,
As He will bear their iniquities.

      12Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great,
And He will divide the booty with the strong;
Because He poured out Himself to death,
And was numbered with the transgressors;
Yet He Himself bore the sin of many,
And interceded for the transgressors.

Take a few minutes right now in prayer and give God thanks for making a way for our sins to be forgiven and for us to be reconciled to Him based solely on His grace and mercy. It is totally undeserved on our parts!

Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

All Powerful / King of All, Grace / Forgiveness, Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Protector / Deliverer

The Lord Redeems and Restores His People

As I read Isaiah 52, I see two parallel stories being proclaimed. The first is a tie to Israel and them being set free again from bondage to other nations by God’s power. The second is God’s people being set free from bondage to sin through Messiah.

We are redeemed without money. How lovely are the feet of those who bring the good news of happiness and salvation! The Lord restores and redeems His people. Rejoice!

Isaiah 52

Cheer for Prostrate Zion

1Awake, awake,
Clothe yourself in your strength, O Zion;
Clothe yourself in your beautiful garments,
O Jerusalem, the holy city;
For the uncircumcised and the unclean
Will no longer come into you.

      2Shake yourself from the dust, rise up,
O captive Jerusalem;
Loose yourself from the chains around your neck,
O captive daughter of Zion.

      3For thus says the LORD, “You were sold for nothing and you will be redeemed without money.” 4For thus says the Lord GOD, “My people went down at the first into Egypt to reside there; then the Assyrian oppressed them without cause. 5“Now therefore, what do I have here,” declares the LORD, “seeing that My people have been taken away without cause?” Again the LORD declares, “Those who rule over them howl, and My name is continually blasphemed all day long. 6“Therefore My people shall know My name; therefore in that day I am the one who is speaking, ‘Here I am.’”

      7How lovely on the mountains
Are the feet of him who brings good news,
Who announces peace
And brings good news of happiness,
Who announces salvation,
And says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

      8Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices,
They shout joyfully together;
For they will see with their own eyes
When the LORD restores Zion.

      9Break forth, shout joyfully together,
You waste places of Jerusalem;
For the LORD has comforted His people,
He has redeemed Jerusalem.

      10The LORD has bared His holy arm
In the sight of all the nations,
That all the ends of the earth may see
The salvation of our God.

      11Depart, depart, go out from there,
Touch nothing unclean;
Go out of the midst of her, purify yourselves,
You who carry the vessels of the LORD.

      12But you will not go out in haste,
Nor will you go as fugitives;
For the LORD will go before you,
And the God of Israel will be your rear guard.


The Exalted Servant

13Behold, My servant will prosper,
He will be high and lifted up and greatly exalted.

      14Just as many were astonished at you, My people,
So His appearance was marred more than any man
And His form more than the sons of men.

      15Thus He will sprinkle many nations,
Kings will shut their mouths on account of Him;
For what had not been told them they will see,
And what they had not heard they will understand.

The last few verses point to Yeshua, our Messiah. We are reminded that it is He who was key in setting us free from bondage to sin.

Take a few minutes and give thanks to God for restoring and redeeming us even when we are not worthy. It is grace and mercy! “Deserve” has nothing to do with it!

Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Learning To Pray Effectively, Praise / Worship / Glorify God, Psalms, Seeking God

God Is My Protector and My Refuge

So many of the Psalms remind us to seek protection and safety in God. We are reminded that David, though a man after God’s own heart, had many trials in his life. David consistently turned toward God when He was enduring hard times. We should also go to God for help during adversity and storms in our lives.

Psalm 7

1 I come to you for protection, O Lord my God.
    Save me from my persecutors—rescue me!
2 If you don’t, they will maul me like a lion,
    tearing me to pieces with no one to rescue me.
3 O Lord my God, if I have done wrong
    or am guilty of injustice,
4 if I have betrayed a friend
    or plundered my enemy without cause,
5 then let my enemies capture me.
    Let them trample me into the ground
    and drag my honor in the dust. Interlude

6 Arise, O Lord, in anger!
    Stand up against the fury of my enemies!
    Wake up, my God, and bring justice!
7 Gather the nations before you.
    Rule over them from on high.
8     The Lord judges the nations.
Declare me righteous, O Lord,
    for I am innocent, O Most High!
9 End the evil of those who are wicked,
    and defend the righteous.
For you look deep within the mind and heart,
    O righteous God.

10 God is my shield,
    saving those whose hearts are true and right.
11 God is an honest judge.
    He is angry with the wicked every day.

12 If a person does not repent,
    God[b] will sharpen his sword;
    he will bend and string his bow.
13 He will prepare his deadly weapons
    and shoot his flaming arrows.

14 The wicked conceive evil;
    they are pregnant with trouble
    and give birth to lies.
15 They dig a deep pit to trap others,
    then fall into it themselves.
16 The trouble they make for others backfires on them.
    The violence they plan falls on their own heads.

17 I will thank the Lord because he is just;
    I will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.

When David sang this psalm before God he was clearly undergoing significant adversity and felt confident that he was innocent of any wrongdoing.  Once again we are reminded that we will endure many hardships in this life, even when we have a genuine heart for God.

David ends by singing out that he will thank God and sing praise to Him, even while he is still in the midst of the trials. David had strong faith and trust in God. David knew God was bigger than any difficulty he was experiencing. David was a man after God’s own heart.

Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Love

What Does It Look Like to Really Love One Another?

Love is very important, but it is also often misunderstood. People have many definitions and tests that they place on others in regard to “loving” or “being loved”. People talk about falling in love as if love is not a choice, but rather something that happens to you outside your control. Beware of and reject the world’s definitions of love. Seek to understand God’s definition instead.

1 Corinthians 13

The Excellence of Love

     1If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.

      4Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, 5does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, 6does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

      8Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part; 10but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away. 11When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. 12For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. 13But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.

There are many good scriptures to memorize, and this is definitely one to consider. Understanding love as God defines it is incredibly important. It has significant impact in our relationship with God and with others. This scripture should not only guide how we act to show love to others, but also help us truly recognize who truly loves us.

Take a few minutes in prayer before God. Thank Him for loving us and helping us to understand how to love others. Thank Him that He also helps us love others when perhaps we would not choose to love those individuals on our own. Think about each of these descriptions of love in the verse today. Are you applying them to your spouse? children? parents? co-workers? friends? and even people you don’t really know? That is what God is calling us to do! What do you need to change? Ask God for help!

Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Church / Body of Christ, Envy / Jealousy / Coveting, Faith / Trusting God, Submitted / Servant, Thankfulness

Spiritual Gifts Within the Body Of Christ

We are each parts of the body of Christ. Each of us with different gifts, talents, and abilities. The body functions best when all the parts work together. If a part is missing, it affects the whole body. The parts are not designed to work on their own, apart from the other members. Each part has a specific design and intent. What a wonderful metaphor for the body of believers who follow Christ!

1 Corinthians 12

The Use of Spiritual Gifts

     1Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware. 2You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the mute idols, however you were led. 3Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is accursed”; and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

      4Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. 6There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. 7But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. 11But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.

      12For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

      14For the body is not one member, but many. 15If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. 16And if the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. 17If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? 18But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. 19If they were all one member, where would the body be? 20But now there are many members, but one body. 21And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; 23and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, 24whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, 25so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

      27Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it. 28And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues. 29All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of miracles, are they? 30All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they? 31But earnestly desire the greater gifts.
And I show you a still more excellent way.

Give thanks to God for how He made you. Pray for the Spirit to guide you in discovering and using your spiritual gifts for the glory and honor of God amongst the body of Christ. Let not envy rise up within you, desiring the gifts He has bestowed on others. All parts are needed. Do not use your gifts just for your own benefit, but rather use them to glorify God and serve the body of Christ.

Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Blessed, Comforter, Compassionate, Grace / Forgiveness, Protector / Deliverer

The Lord Will Comfort His People Who Pursue Righteousness

In chapter 51, Isaiah is sharing a word from the LORD for His people who pursue righteousness. They have experienced his wrath and punishment. They were in captivity. He now encourages them to look toward Him again and He will comfort them and bless them. Their time of suffering is almost past.

We can likewise be encouraged that if we are going through a season in which we face hardship at the hands of the LORD, that season will have an end. We will experience His grace and mercy once again. Keep our eyes toward Him and pursue righteousness.

Isaiah 51

Israel Exhorted

1“Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness,
Who seek the LORD:
Look to the rock from which you were hewn
And to the quarry from which you were dug.

      2“Look to Abraham your father
And to Sarah who gave birth to you in pain;
When he was but one I called him,
Then I blessed him and multiplied him.”

      3Indeed, the LORD will comfort Zion;
He will comfort all her waste places.
And her wilderness He will make like Eden,
And her desert like the garden of the LORD;
Joy and gladness will be found in her,
Thanksgiving and sound of a melody.

      4“Pay attention to Me, O My people,
And give ear to Me, O My nation;
For a law will go forth from Me,
And I will set My justice for a light of the peoples.

      5“My righteousness is near, My salvation has gone forth,
And My arms will judge the peoples;
The coastlands will wait for Me,
And for My arm they will wait expectantly.

      6“Lift up your eyes to the sky,
Then look to the earth beneath;
For the sky will vanish like smoke,
And the earth will wear out like a garment
And its inhabitants will die in like manner;
But My salvation will be forever,
And My righteousness will not wane.

      7“Listen to Me, you who know righteousness,
A people in whose heart is My law;
Do not fear the reproach of man,
Nor be dismayed at their revilings.

      8“For the moth will eat them like a garment,
And the grub will eat them like wool.
But My righteousness will be forever,
And My salvation to all generations.”

      9Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD;
Awake as in the days of old, the generations of long ago.
Was it not You who cut Rahab in pieces,
Who pierced the dragon?

      10Was it not You who dried up the sea,
The waters of the great deep;
Who made the depths of the sea a pathway
For the redeemed to cross over?

      11So the ransomed of the LORD will return
And come with joyful shouting to Zion,
And everlasting joy will be on their heads.
They will obtain gladness and joy,
And sorrow and sighing will flee away.

      12“I, even I, am He who comforts you.
Who are you that you are afraid of man who dies
And of the son of man who is made like grass,

      13That you have forgotten the LORD your Maker,
Who stretched out the heavens
And laid the foundations of the earth,
That you fear continually all day long because of the fury of the oppressor,
As he makes ready to destroy?
But where is the fury of the oppressor?

14“The exile will soon be set free, and will not die in the dungeon, nor will his bread be lacking. 15“For I am the LORD your God, who stirs up the sea and its waves roar (the LORD of hosts is His name). 16“I have put My words in your mouth and have covered you with the shadow of My hand, to establish the heavens, to found the earth, and to say to Zion, ‘You are My people.’”

      17Rouse yourself! Rouse yourself! Arise, O Jerusalem,
You who have drunk from the LORD’S hand the cup of His anger;
The chalice of reeling you have drained to the dregs.

      18There is none to guide her among all the sons she has borne,
Nor is there one to take her by the hand among all the sons she has reared.

      19These two things have befallen you;
Who will mourn for you?
The devastation and destruction, famine and sword;
How shall I comfort you?

      20Your sons have fainted,
They lie helpless at the head of every street,
Like an antelope in a net,
Full of the wrath of the LORD,
The rebuke of your God.

      21Therefore, please hear this, you afflicted,
Who are drunk, but not with wine:

      22Thus says your Lord, the LORD, even your God
Who contends for His people,
“Behold, I have taken out of your hand the cup of reeling,
The chalice of My anger;
You will never drink it again.

      23“I will put it into the hand of your tormentors,
Who have said to you, ‘Lie down that we may walk over you.’
You have even made your back like the ground
And like the street for those who walk over it.”

Find encouragement in the word of the LORD that He will remove the cup of suffering from us at some point and we will be restored.  Our God is loving and kind, merciful and gracious.

Take a few minutes and give thanks for the restoration He provides. Commit to keep walking in His ways and drawing near to Him.

Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

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