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Lessons from the Book of Job

October 16, 2019 by memullin

One of many benefits of reading through the Bible each year is that once a year, I must ready the book of Job, 37 chapters of man’s wisdom followed by 5 chapters of God’s.

When I read the book of Job, I learn:

▸ I am like Job’s friends. I spend for too much time, energy and words trying to figure out why friends and loved ones severe or repeated suffering and trial. I search for hidden sin in their lives. I usually fail to consider the universal truth, “God’s ways are far past finding out.” How can finite man understand an infinite and almighty God?

▸ I am like Job. I tend to think God is dealing unjustly with me when He tests me or allows trials in my life. I accuse God of being far from me, not remembering me, or forsaking me. I am prone to think of God as a mere man, like me, capable of error, neglect, and thoughtlessness. I imagine at times that God might need my insight, vision, or my plans.

▸ I am so relieved to hear from God. After 37 chapters of rambling by those not much brighter than me, and I read the words, “The LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind,” and my heart quickens. His truth washes over me, verse after verse confronting me with my impotency and insignificance in stark contrast to His omnipotence, omniscience and omnipresence.

Like Job, my only response to the awesome power and knowledge of God is to mumble with my face in the dirt, I am vile . . . I have nothing to say.”

Posted in Job | Tagged , |

Isaiah 58

October 15, 2019 by memullin

Read Isaiah 58
1. What criticism does God make of their fasting in Isaiah 58:3-5?

2. What does God say about fasting, what He desires in the fast in Isaiah 58:6-12?

3. What does God promise if His people fast His way?

4. What does God say about the Sabbath in Isaiah 58:13-13-14? What promises does He make?

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Stand Still

October 14, 2019 by memullin

And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. Exodus 14:13

Are you facing a terrible enemy today? Is there someone, a group of someones or something that has enslaved you, kept you bound, treated you cruelly, heartlessly abused you, having no concern for you–crushing all hopes of a future?

Did you escape–flee from the oppressor only to have them chase you down, corner you, leave you no way of escape?

So it was with Pharaoh, his army and the children of Israel. They were slaves to Pharaoh–he was cruel to them–depriving them, forcing them to work under difficult conditions. He was even threatening and killing their babies.

He was against them in every way. He had chased them to the edge of the Red Sea–a mountain on each side. They had nowhere to go. The children of Israel were afraid, defeated and without hope.

At that moment, Moses, filled with faith and experiential knowledge of God, speaks to them.

First, he speaks to their fear: Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today.

Then, he speaks to their future: For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever.

May God do for you what He did for them in the midst of your Red Sea experience.

Posted in Devotional, Exodus | Tagged , , , |

Isaiah 57 – Futility of Idolatry and Healing for the Backslider

October 12, 2019 by memullin

Read Isaiah 57
1. What promise does God give in Isaiah 57:1-2 to the righteous?

2. Who is the prophet/God describing in Isaiah 57:3-13? What does He say about them?

3. What do the following verses teach about this subject?
□ Leviticus 19:4
□ Psalm 106:36-43
□ Psalm 135:15-18
□ Jeremiah 2:11-13
□ Jeremiah 5:7-9

4. What do the following scriptures say about how the one true and living God compares to useless idols?
□ 1 Kings 18
□ 1 Chronicles 16:26
□ Isaiah 19:1
□ Habakkuk 2:18-20

5. What does God say of Himself in Isaiah 57:15-20?

6. Copy Isaiah 57:21. Meditate on that. Record your observations/thoughts.

Posted in Isaiah | Tagged , , |

Flip the Switch

October 11, 2019 by memullin

Do you every feel like a darkness has descended and you cannot escape it? Do you ever wish you could just flip the light switch on?

I [Jesus] have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes and trusts in Me [as Savior—all those who anchor their hope in Me and rely on the truth of My message] will not continue to live in darkness. John 12:46

There’s the switch you’re looking for–belief in Jesus.

This belief is not just mental assent to the idea of a historical Jesus; rather this is belief:

  1. Jesus was who He said He was–God incarnate; and
  2. He did what He said He did–met the legal requirements under the Jewish law to atone for the sin of the world–satisfying the law and releasing those who believe from the curse and bondage of sin.

If you believe and ask that Jesus’ sacrifice apply to you, the light switches on–you will be bathed in the light of the world. Darkness must flee at the name of Jesus.

This is the message [of God’s promised revelation] which we have heard from Him and now announce to you, that God is Light [He is holy, His message is truthful, He is perfect in righteousness], and in Him there is no darkness at all [no sin, no wickedness, no imperfection]. 1 John 1:5

Posted in salvation | Tagged , , , |

Isaiah 56 – Salvation for the Gentiles

October 9, 2019 by memullin

Read Isaiah Chapter 56
1. What is the promise of Isaiah 56:1-8? How does this minister to you in your relationship with the LORD?

2. The prophet/LORD mentions the Sabbath and keeping the Sabbath several times in this passage. Review the verses that mention the Sabbath. What do you see?

3. What do the following verses teach about the Sabbath?
□ Genesis 2:1-3

□ Exodus 20:8-11

□ Exodus 31:13-17

□ Matthew 12:8

□ Mark 2:27-28

Going Deeper:
Review the Gospels and record the miracles that Jesus performed on the Sabbath. How were they received?

4. Copy Isaiah 56:7 here. What do you see?

5. Read Mark 11:15-17. What is Jesus upset about? How does it relate to Isaiah 56:7? What was the difference between how the Temple was intended to function in the community/world and how it was functioning when Jesus was there?

6. Who is being called out in Isaiah 56:9-12? (Hint: See Lamentations 4:13-14, Ezekiel 34:2-3, Micah 3:11) What is being said of them?

7. Record what was required of the priests in Leviticus 10:8-11. What reason does God give for this requirement?

Posted in Isaiah | Tagged , , |

Isaiah Chapter 55 – Seek the LORD while He may be found

October 8, 2019 by memullin

Read Isaiah 55

1. What is the message in Isaiah 55:1-2?

2. Who is speaking in Isaiah 55:3-5? What is the message being given?

3. What is the reader exhorted to do in Isaiah 55:6-7?

4. Copy Isaiah 55:8-9 here. Mediate on this. What application can you make of this verse to your life, your situation?

5. Read Isaiah 55:10-11 and write it out in your own words. How does this truth play out in your life? What hope to you receive from it?

6. Who is going to sing according to Isaiah 55:12?

7. How will you apply the truths from Isaiah 55 going forward?

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Posted in Isaiah | Tagged , , |

The Helmet of Salvation

October 7, 2019 by memullin

And take the helmet of salvation. Ephesians 6:17a

Salvation changes our head–it changes the way we think.

When we consider salvation, we know that a person has to be born again. (See John 3:3) With that, the Bible teaches that “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5:17-18. We also know that as we live a life with God here on earth, we are renewed in our mind. (See Romans 12:2) Our minds do not stay the same.

Perhaps a helpful picture of the helmet in use is found in 2 Corinthians 10:5 where we read, “for though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.” It is in disciplining our thoughts that we realize the work of the helmet of salvation.

It is our salvation, our relationship with God through Messiah, made possible by the blood shed on the cross, the empty tomb, and the Spirit poured out on the believing heart that enables us to discipline our thoughts, to take our thoughts captive and to make them obey Christ. God keeps us, but we need participate in guarding our thoughts and hearts–our minds.

The helmet of our salvation protects our thoughts–it gives us a new way of viewing the world, our situation, our future. The helmet protects our mind–it allows us to put aside anxiety, worry, grief, and any manner of thought patterns that might entrap us and rob us of the peace we were promised.

 

Posted in Spiritual Warfare | Tagged , , , |

Isaiah Chapter 54

October 5, 2019 by memullin

After the sorrow of chapter 53, comes the singing of chapter 54.
–Jon Courson, Application Commentary

Read Isaiah Chapter 54
1. What does the prophet encourage the reader to do in Isaiah 54:1?

2. Read 2 Chronicles 20. What was the battle strategy of Jehoshaphat in that chapter? How might we apply that to our lives today?

3. Read Acts 16. What happened when Paul and Silas began to sign hymns at arguably one of their darkest hours?

4. What do the following verses teach about joy and rejoicing?
□ Nehemiah 8:10
□ Philippians 4:4
□ 1 Thessalonians 5:16

5. What can be done “to enlarge the place of your tent?” In your life? In the local church? In the body of Christ? What do you see as your role or calling in that?

6. In Isaiah 54:4-8, God is speaking to the nation Israel, being sent into captivity and the promise to bring her back out, the promise to restore her. What is the first thing the prophet says in this section (verse 4a)?

7. Consider some of the other times in the book of Isaiah has told His children not to fear and made great promises to them.
□ Isaiah 41:10, 13, and 14

□ Isaiah 43:1, 5

□ Isaiah 44:2-5

8. Copy Isaiah 54:5 here. Why do you think God says that He (our Maker) is our husband?

9. Copy Isaiah 54:7-8 here. Meditate on this truth. What are your impressions? How can you make application of this to your life, your current situation?

10. What do the following verses add to the truths of Isaiah 54:7-8?
□ Psalm 30:5

□ Psalm 103:9

□ Micah 7:18

□ 2 Corinthians 4:17

□ 1 Peter 1:6

11. What promise does God remind them of in Isaiah 54:9?

12. What promise does God give them in Isaiah 54:10?

13. What promise does God make in Isaiah 54:13? 14? 15-17?

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Posted in Isaiah | Tagged , , |

Shield of Faith

October 4, 2019 by memullin

Above all, lift up the [protective] shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Ephesians 6:16

“Lift up”reminds us that it is a choice to pick up the armor. We must daily choose to believe the God is who He says He is, has done what He said and will do what He promised to do.

Where does this faith come from? Are we responsible to summoning it up? The Bible teaches that faith comes by hearing and hearing from the Word of God. It is the systematic, verse-by-verse study of the Bible that builds and increases faith.

Within the verse we are given information about our enemy, namely that he wants to turn up the heat. He will be attacking us with flaming arrow intended to catch fire and burn us.

Before a battle, the Roman soldiers would soak their shields in water to reduce the risk of fire when the enemy soldiers shot at them with flaming arrows soaked with pitch or other flammable material. Not unlike those solider, our enemy wants to consume our faith with the fire of destruction and leave us without protection. But we can soak our shields in the water of the Word of God and make it much less likely that we will catch fire when the enemy shoots us with his arrows.

Faith in God is like a shield. It protects our vital organs, keeping us alive that we might stand until the end of the battle.

Posted in Spiritual Warfare | Tagged , , , , |

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