Find Security In God’s Plan: See What is Right

Scripture: Isaiah 30: 10-14

They say to the seers, “See no more visions!” and to the prophets, “Give us no more visions of what is right! Tell us pleasant things, prophesy illusions. Leave this way, get off this path, and stop confronting us with the Holy One of Israel!”

Therefore, this is what the Holy One of Israel says: “Because you have rejected this message, relied on oppression and depended on deceit, this sin will become for you like a high wall, cracked and bulging, that collapses suddenly, in an instant. It will break in pieces like pottery, shattered so mercilessly that among its pieces not a fragment will be found for taking coals from a hearth or scooping water out of a cistern.”

Scripture Commentary: Welcome what is right even if it makes you uncomfortable

Some people in Judah may have sought refuge in Egypt. In their desire to find security, they wanted to hear only good news. They did not welcome the truth from God’s prophets.

Often the truth makes us uncomfortable. We prefer lies and illusions when they make us feel more secure.

It is much better to face reality than to live a lie. Don’t settle for something that makes you feel comfortable but is not true. God expects a lot from us, and many times following him can be painful but He always acts out of His love for us.

Next time you go through a difficult time, try to appreciate the experience and grow from it, learning what God wants to teach you. God may be showing you His love by patiently walking with you through adversity.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Isaiah Chapter 30

Take Shelter in the Lord in Every Storm

Scripture: Psalms 55: 1-8

Listen to my prayer, O God, do not ignore my plea; hear me and answer me. My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught at the voice of the enemy, at the stares of the wicked; for they bring down suffering upon me and revile me in their anger. My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death assail me. Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me. I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest – I would flee far away and stay in the desert; I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm.”

Scripture Commentary: God is our shelter in every storm

More than likely David wrote this psalm during the time of Absalom’s rebellion and Ahithophel’s betrayal. Even those who are especially close to God, as David was, have moments when they cry out to the Lord for shelter from their pressures and problems.

We are plagued by internal problems in our homes, cities, and churches. Violence, strife, malice, abuse, destruction, threats, and lies appear to be all around us. As a result, we also feel the need to cry out to the Lord to shelter us.

Although a constant threat, external enemies are not nearly as dangerous as the corruption inside. Even today, churches often look to defend themselves against trouble from the sinful world while they fail to see that their own sins are causing their troubles.

Nothing hurts more than a wound from a friend. Even though it hurts, there may be times when friends will need to lovingly confront you in order to help you. Your real friends will stick by you, especially in times of trouble, and will help bring healing, love, acceptance, and understanding.

What kind friend are you? Don’t betray those you love.

God is our helper, protector, and friend.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Psalms Chapter 55

Let God Give You A New Heart

Scripture: Ezekiel 36: 25-27

Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit I will put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

Scripture Commentary: God can give you a new heart to follow Him

In these verses Ezekiel felt that he was preaching to dead people. It’s the same today when people in and out of churches hear the Word but do not listen to what the Word is saying.

We look for things on our terms and time. Jesus told his disciples in John 8: 47 “He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.”

God is telling Ezekiel if he will give the people a new heart, not only physically but also spiritually. With a new spiritual heart you will truly follow God and not man.

If you become so callous in your ways, then you have lost all sensitivity to sin. Why try to patch your old self? Let God make you new again.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Ezekiel Chapter 36
John Chapter 8

What is Your Purpose?

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3: 1, 22

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.(1) Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that in his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?

Scripture Commentary:

What would you say is your purpose in life? Is it to make money or to provide for yourself and/or your family? Or is it to purchase things you want?

Purpose in life starts with whom we know; not what we have, what we think, or what we know. It is impossible to fulfill your God-given purpose without knowing God. God is first place in your life.

We have a spiritual thirst and an eternal value, and nothing but the eternal God can truly satisfy the thirst. If wealth, power, and status mean nothing to God, why do you attribute so much importance to them and so much honor to those who possess them?

Do not let material possessions be your purpose in life. What you have in your heart and what you do in your Godly way of living matters to God and endures for eternity.

In this chapter Solomon shows us the cycles of our lives and its the changes These cycles are not to be barriers, but rather opportunities to discover that without God, life’s problems have no lasting solutions. Jesus Christ is the only answer.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Ecclesiastes Chapter 3

“For God Himself is Judge” – Psalm 50:6

Scripture: Psalms 50: 1-6

The Mighty One, God, the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets. From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth. And God comes and will not be silent; a fire devours before him, and around him a tempest rages. He summons the heavens above, and the earth, that he may judge his people: “Gather to me my consecrated ones, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice.” And the heavens proclaim his righteousness, for God himself is judge.

Scripture Commentary: God will judge all – good and bad.

God judges people for treating him lightly. First, he speaks to the superficially religious people who bring their sacrifices but are only going through the motions. They do not honor God with true praise and thankfulness. He asks the superficially religious for genuine thanksgiving and trust.

Second, he chides wicked, hardhearted people for their evil works and immoral lives. He warns the evil people to consider their deeds, lest he destroy them in anger.

God will judge all – good and bad. If you think because you participate in religious activities, tithe, or attend church out of habit or conformity rather than out of heartfelt love and obedience that you agree with God, you are wrong.

The very act of sacrifice shows God that you agree with him wholeheartedly. We must pledge ourselves to obey God, and utilize our resources for the good of his kingdom.

God wants righteousness, not empty ritual. God’s judgment must begin with his own people.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Psalms Chapter 50