Tag: God

Isaiah 40-48: Behold Your God

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(44-45) Israel is going to be taken captive by the Babylonians.  Who is God going to raise up, and for what purpose (44:28-45:6)?

God predicted this over 170 years before it happened.  How would this encourage the people of Israel?  How does it encourage you as you think of other predictions from God?

(40-41) To what things is God compared in 40:15-26?  How does God measure up in the comparison?

In what ways can God help us (40:29-31, 41:10)?

How would God’s help comfort Israel in captivity?  Comfort us in our trials?  How should we respond (40:31, 41:10)?

(43-46) What idea is repeated in these verses: 43:10-11; 44:6-7, 24; 45:5-6, 18, 21-22; 46:9?  Why is this important for Israel to grasp in their captivity?  For us to grasp in our daily lives?

(47) What does Babylon claim for itself (v8, 10)?  In what ways are we tempted to act like this?

(41-46) How does God compare to the idols of the nations (41:21-29, 44:9-21, 45:16-20, 46:1-7)?

How does Isaiah’s description of idols in his day also describe the idols of our day?

(43-48) In what ways is God for Israel (43:1-7; 44:21-26; 46:3-4; 48:17-18)?

How would God’s actions for Israel comfort them in their captivity?  Comfort us in our current situations?

(42-45) Who is this servant (42:1-7 Matthew 12:18-21)?  What will he do?  How should we respond (45:22-23, Philippians 2:10-11)?

(40) Who is the one preparing the way of the Lord (v3-9, Matthew 3:1-3)?  Who is this Lord in Isaiah 40?  In Matthew?  Ponder the connection being made!

 

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

What Is It Like to Enjoy God? – John Piper (DG)
The enjoyment of God is the enjoyment of a Person — not just the enjoyment of a thing, or an idea, or a pattern of actions, or a mysterious force. The ultimate joy of God’s creatures is joy in a Person — joy in God.

10 Things You Should Know about the Resurrection – Adrian Warnock (Crossway)
…every Sunday should be Resurrection Sunday. The reason why the early church began to meet on the first day of the week was to celebrate Jesus’s defeat of death. Imagine what church would be like if we consciously gathered every week to celebrate the resurrection?

You Can Forget to Be Irritated – Scotty Smith (DG)
The more I remember God’s lavish, unwavering, inexhaustible love for us in Jesus, the more I forget to be irritated with others.

Worship as a Feast – Dustin Rouse (FTC)
As worshipers who come to church (this is also true, if not more so, for worship leaders), we need to come hungry. You can go to the nicest restaurant with the best reviews, but if you’re not hungry, you will not want to eat. It doesn’t matter what the meal smells or looks like, if you’re full, you won’t want to partake.

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day!

Q&A#5: More Verses

On By BrianIn PASSION Catechism

Q/A#5
Q: What is the moral character of God?
A: The moral character of God consists of his perfect love and holiness together, displayed in his mercy, grace, patience, faithfulness, righteousness, justice, and wrath.

Memory Verses
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.  – I John 4:7-8

But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct.  – I Peter 1:15

Further Supporting Verses
But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.   – Psalm 86:15

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.  – Psalm 89:14

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.  – Romans 1:18

Q&A#5: Loving and Holy

On By BrianIn PASSION Catechism

Q/A#5
Q: What is the moral character of God?
A: The moral character of God consists of his perfect love and holiness together, displayed in his mercy, grace, patience, faithfulness, righteousness, justice, and wrath.

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
– I John 4:7-8

But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct.
– I Peter 1:15

Q&A#4: Questions & Project

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

Reflection/Discussion Questions
How is God different than us?  What would be some proper responses to these attributes and verses?

How has our self-sufficient God provided for your needs recently?

Think about God’s many attributes.  Why is it a good thing that God doesn’t change?

Project
Look for reflections of God’s glory & beauty around 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

Q&A#4: Our Great God

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.

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 (ESV)

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

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

He Will Restore Your Soul – Jon Bloom (DG)
Do you feel forsaken by God? Jesus understands. He truly understands more than you know. We can feel forsaken by God; Jesus was forsaken by God. We feel lonely; Jesus was, for a horrible moment, truly alone. As our Great High Priest, he is able to sympathize with us in all our weaknesses….

The Easiest Sin to Justify – Tim Challies
When we sin in anger, we tend to absolve ourselves of blame by pleading the circumstances around the anger….

One Simple Thought On MLK Day – Kevin DeYoung
Just one thought, and it is this: every human being—regardless of color, nationality, economic status, or intellect—has been created in the image of God and should be treated with dignity and respect.

4 Practical Threats to the Church Today – Jared Longshore (Founders)
If I were the devil, I would get Christians separated. I would convince them that one hour a week is plenty of time for them to spend together.

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day with your local church worshiping our glorious God!