I got on YouTube today, and I clicked on a link to a particular church’s Sunday gathering, and I was immediately struck in my spirit by the shirt the pastor was wearing in front of his congregation. The shirt read: “The Boys Are Back in Town!” And underneath that was, “Merry Christmas!” And the caricature … Continue reading Jesus Christ and Santa Claus
Isaiah
The Church At Large
“How the faithful city has become a harlot,She who was full of justice!Righteousness once lodged in her,But now murderers.Your silver has become dross,Your drink diluted with water.Your rulers are rebelsAnd companions of thieves;Everyone loves a bribeAnd chases after rewards.They do not defend the orphan,Nor does the widow’s plea come before them. “Therefore the Lord God … Continue reading The Church At Large
Repentant or Rebellious?
“Zion will be redeemed with justiceAnd her repentant ones with righteousness.But transgressors and sinners will be crushed together,And those who forsake the Lord will come to an end.” (Isaiah 1:27-28 NASB1995) Zion, under the New Covenant, is in reference to the city of God, the people of God, i.e. to God’s spiritual kingdom, the heavenly … Continue reading Repentant or Rebellious?
Cease With Evil, Now Do Good
I am reading in Isaiah, chapter 1. The people of God at that time, who lived in Judah and Jerusalem, were revolting against the Lord. They did not know God. They, as a nation, not necessarily including every individual, were a sinful nation, a people weighed down with iniquity. They were evildoers and those who … Continue reading Cease With Evil, Now Do Good
Anointed to Preach the Good News
“Remember not the former things,nor consider the things of old.Behold, I am doing a new thing;now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?I will make a way in the wildernessand rivers in the desert.”“Yet you did not call upon me, O Jacob;but you have been weary of me, O Israel!”“..But you have burdened me … Continue reading Anointed to Preach the Good News
That We May Know and Believe Him
“Bring out the people who are blind, yet have eyes,who are deaf, yet have ears!All the nations gather together,and the peoples assemble.Who among them can declare this,and show us the former things?Let them bring their witnesses to prove them right,and let them hear and say, It is true.‘You are my witnesses,’ declares the Lord,‘and my … Continue reading That We May Know and Believe Him
Judgment is Necessary
“The path of the righteous is level;you make level the way of the righteous.In the path of your judgments,O Lord, we wait for you;your name and remembranceare the desire of our soul.My soul yearns for you in the night;my spirit within me earnestly seeks you.For when your judgments are in the earth,the inhabitants of the … Continue reading Judgment is Necessary
Because We Trust in Jesus Christ
“In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah:‘We have a strong city;he sets up salvationas walls and bulwarks.Open the gates,that the righteous nation that keeps faith may enter in.You keep him in perfect peacewhose mind is stayed on you,because he trusts in you.Trust in the Lord forever,for the Lord God … Continue reading Because We Trust in Jesus Christ
God’s Ways are Higher Than Ours
“Seek the Lord while He may be found;Call upon Him while He is near.Let the wicked forsake his wayAnd the unrighteous man his thoughts;And let him return to the Lord,And He will have compassion on him,And to our God,For He will abundantly pardon.For My thoughts are not your thoughts,Nor are your ways My ways,” declares … Continue reading God’s Ways are Higher Than Ours
Listen to God and Eat What is Good
“Come, everyone who thirsts,come to the waters;and he who has no money,come, buy and eat!Come, buy wine and milkwithout money and without price.Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,and your labor for that which does not satisfy?Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,and delight yourselves in rich food.Incline … Continue reading Listen to God and Eat What is Good
Run With It 