Tag: Bible

Reflections on Isaiah 10-12

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

God will use Assyria to bring judgment upon Judah, but restoration is ultimately promised.

  • God’s Sovereignty – Assyria’s attack against Judah is not beyond God’s control, but rather Assyria is being used by God to bring judgment on his people. God will judge evil and proud Assyria for their sins too.  God reigns over all the world.  How does this truth encourage you today in the midst of wars and rumors of wars?
  • Messiah’s Coming Reign – Chapter 11 speaks of a Messiah in the line of David who will rise. The Spirit of God will rest upon him.  He will reign with justice and peace.  The earth will be filled with the knowledge of God.  We know that this Messiah has come, and is coming again.  Use chapter 12 to praise the Lord for this certain hope.

Reflections on Isaiah 7-9

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Enemies threaten evil King Ahaz, but Isaiah calls him and all of Judah to look to the Lord for deliverance.  In the process, Isaiah proclaims the coming Messiah.

  • Sign of Immanuel – God tells Ahaz to ask for a sign of Judah’s deliverance. Ahaz, who has followed other gods, refuses, faking piety with religious language.  So God gives him a sign of a virgin conceiving and bearing a son called Immanuel.  This child will show Ahaz that God is with Judah.  Yet the ultimate fulfillment comes in the virgin birth of our Messiah (Matthew 1:23).
  • Coming King – Isaiah predicts the birth of a child in the line of David who will reign forever with peace and justice. This child has been born and we await his return and glorious reign!

Reflection on Isaiah 4-6

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

A glorious day is coming, but first judgment is coming for sin.  Isaiah is called to serve.

  • Woe to the Wicked – Isaiah pronounces judgment for those who call good evil and evil good (5:20). In what ways does our world confuse evil and good?  Isaiah sees his own wickedness and cries out his own woe upon himself as he stands before a holy God (6:5).  Through sacrifice (note the altar in 6:6), God cleanses him.  Before a holy God, we too stand guilty.  To whom do you look for forgiveness?
  • Call – God called Isaiah to proclaim his Word (6:8). What work has God called you to do?  Are you doing it faithfully?  If you are unsure how God wants you to serve, seek his direction.

Reflections on Isaiah 1-3

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Isaiah warns of coming judgment because of Judah’s sin, yet notes a coming day of blessing.

  • Repent – God condemns Judah for their sin: their insincere religious activities, their idols, and their haughty pride. Are you guilty of any of these sins?  He calls Judah to repent and return to the Lord.  If they will repent, God will forgive (1:18).  If they refuse, they will be judged.  For what sins do you need to repent?  Do it!  And then rejoice in God’s forgiveness!
  • Mountain of the Lord – Isaiah foretells the day when all the nations will serve the Lord, and peace shall reign over all the earth (2:1-4). How does this certain hope encourage you today?

Reflections on Joel 3

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Joel speaks of the final Day of the Lord when the nations will be judged, and God’s blessings will fall on his people.

  • Judgment – God’s judgment will fall upon the nations because of their sins. Will his judgment fall on you?  Or have you called upon the name of the Lord (2:32) so that you might be saved?
  • God’s Blessings – God will bless his people with plenty – like the Garden of Eden. No more will people hurt us in word or deed.  We shall know the Lord and he will dwell among us.  Ponder your glorious hope!

Reflections on Joel 1-2

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Joel speaks five times of the Day of the Lord in his book – a day of judgment followed by blessing.  The Day of the Lord is both past (locust invasion), coming soon (through a coming army), and future (at the end of time when Christ returns – II Peter 3:10).

  • Return – The day of judgment was near, so God calls the people to return to him with all their hearts. Consider that God is gracious, merciful, slow to anger, and full of love (2:12-13).  Ponder those truths.  Have you drifted?  Do you need to return to him?  Does he have all your heart?
  • The Spirit Comes – Joel predicts the day when God will pour out his Spirit on mankind (2:28-32). Peter saw this fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2. How have you seen the Spirit’s work in your life?

Reflections on Hosea 11-14

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

God will judge Israel for their sin.

  • Judgment – God will judge Israel for their sins. Assyria will come against them, and Israel will fall.  God hates sin.  Do you?  Do you take it seriously?  What sin in your life is God calling you to turn away from?
  • Return to the Lord – In chapter 14, God calls for Israel to return. If they do, God will restore them.  Are there ways you need to return to the Lord?  God calls them to walk in his ways.  Are you?

Q&A#4: More Verses

On By BrianIn PASSION Catechism

Q/A#4
Q: What are some further attributes of God?
A: God is eternal, self-existent, self-sufficient, and unchanging, full of glory and beauty.

Memory Verses
Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
– Psalm 90:2

Splendor and majesty are before him;
strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
– Psalm 96:6

Further Supporting Verses
For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself.  – John 5:26

The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.
– Acts 17:24-25

For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.
– Malachi 3:6

I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other,
nor my praise to carved idols.
– Isaiah 42:8

Reflections on Hosea 8-10

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Hosea is called to illustrate in his own life Israel’s unfaithfulness and God’s love.

  • Righteousness or Iniquity – Hosea calls Israel to sow and reap righteousness and love, but instead they sow and reap iniquity and injustice (10:12-13). What are you sowing and reaping?  How do you need to repent?
  • Eating Lies – Israel is eating the “fruit of lies” (10:13). What lies do you see in our culture?  How is our culture eating the fruit of those lies?  How are you tempted to do the same?

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

Too Busy to Love My Neighbor – Ryan (A Small Work)
I noticed one unpleasant effect of this busyness. At least in me, busyness aggravates self-centeredness.

The Devil’s Glasses – Barry York (GR)
When you are being tempted, the devil sets on your nose a pair of false glasses. These glasses make the sin look so small that you view engaging in it as trivial….

10 Bible Reading Habits I’ve Learned from My Pastor’s Sermons – Colin Smith
Here are 10 habits I have picked up from my pastor’s weekly sermons….

Seven Key Lessons in Diversity from Grace Fellowship Church – Tim Challies
Over a few hours (and some pretty tasty soup and sandwiches) we discussed diversity and arrived at a number of keys to our experience. Here, from Grace Fellowship Church, are seven lessons on finding unity in diversity.

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day with your local church!