Monday, October 14, 2024

THEY THAT WAIT ON THE LORD ISAISH 40:31

 WAITING ON THE LORD


Isaiah 40:31


31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.


OBSERVATION OF THE VERSE

31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.


  • There are 8 verbs in the verse. It is an action-packed verse

  • It Indicates two types of people; those who wait and those who don’t

  • This indicates a mature believer

  • Indicates an experienced individual

  • Indicates a transformed individual

  • Indicates a focused individual 

  • Indicates a strong relationship

  • Indicates faith



INTRODUCTION

From the time Israel entered the Promised Land, they disobeyed God’s Commands worshipping  Idol gods and eventually rejecting His rule for an Earthly king. The God we serve is tolerant long suffering and forgiving. He allowed Israel’s disobedience for 700 years before His planned punishment. Our disobedience does not change God’s plan of redemption

Malachi 3:6 The Lord said I change not,

The temple in Jerusalem was burned to the ground and most of the people were taken to Babylon for 70 years of captivity.  While God planned a punishment for Israel, He also gave them hope for restoration and return to the promised. Gos’s chastisement is always for our good.

THEY THAT WAIT ON THE LORD WILL RENEW THEIR STRENGTH AND MOUNT UP ON EAGLES  


In this lesson, I want to focus on the meaning of each verb.


THEY THAT WAIT

THE WORD WAIT IN HEBREW IS QAWAH WHICH MEANS WINDING OR TWISTING ORDERING ACTIVITIES AROUND GOD


When we put our trust in God we bind ourselves to the person, the power, the plan, the protection, and His divine will. We no longer operate alone but with God’s help. When we are wound up in the Lord our thinking and actions Are aligned with His will. It is not us that act, but the God in us.


WE HAVE TO LEARN THE BENEFIT OF A BOND WITH CHRIST JESUS 



RENEWED STRENGTH


THE WORD RENEW IN HEBREW IS THE CHALAPH,

WHICH MEANS SPRING UP OR GROW UP TAKING OFF THE OLD CLOTHING AND PUTTING ON NEW CLOTHING.

 

EXCHANGING OUR WEAKNESS FOR GOD’S POWER


In time through life experience, we grow up in the Lord, relying on

His strength.


GRACE IS SUFFICIENT, MY POWER IS MADE PERFECT 

IN WEAKNESS.    2 CORINTHIANS 12:9


 WHEN WE ARE WEAK, GOD IS STRONG 



MOUNT UP AS EAGLES

To soar like an eagle you must be In tune with the spirit of God, You must let go of the circumstances of life and embrace the divine hope You must let yourself go and embrace the agenda of Jesus. Strength, emotional, psychological, and physical are intertwined with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ

Eagles fly high above their prey. In the Lord Jesus, we can rise above our daily circumstances and see clearly the plan of God. Eagles glide on the winds of the air without much effort. In the spirit of trusting and relying on Jesus, we can glide above our daily trials and tribulations

A COMPARISON BETWEEN EAGLES AND THE BELIEVER IN THE SPIRIT

Eagles fly above the storm. In the spirit, we live with no worry


Eagles have keen eyesight. In the Spirit, we know the truth which is the enlightenment of God


Eagles are fearless. God has not given us the spirit of fear.


Eagles sit motionless at rest. Meditation and prayer is renewal for believers.


Eagles are trained for discipline. The word teaches obedience.

.

Eagles live a solitary life. Our life is focused on Jesus


Eagles have one mate for life. Jesus is our bridegroom for life.


Eagles shed their feathers. We shed sin for righteousness.


Eagles sit high and look low. God we serve does the same


EAGLES ARE A SYMBOL OF STRENGTH, VISION, RENEWAL AND PROTECTION


THEY SHALL RUN AND NOT BE WEARY

The race is one of love, sacrifice, service, kindness, gentleness, righteousness, endurance, hope, and self-control. The race can only be run with Jesus Christ. If we run with the grace of Jesus, we run the victory He has won and we have no need to worry

There is a quote that says;

When you run alone it is called a race

When God runs with you it is called Grace

THEY SHALL WALK AND NOT FAINT

We walk in the fear of the Lord. When we walk in obedience and in the light He provides, we walk trusting Him. The walk in Jesus's love orders our steps. When we understand that we are in Him and He is in us, we have the strength not to faint


THE BLESSED HOPE OF REDEMPTION

While we live on earth, we have trials and Tribulations designed by God for our growth and development. There is no faith without Testing. 

James said to count it all joy when fall into divers temptations knowing this that trying of your faith worketh patience that you may be perfect lacking nothing 


INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT EAGLES

  • EAGLES CAN SOAR UP TO 40,000 FEET

  • THEIR KEEN EYESIGHT LETS THEM SEE LIVE PREY

  • THEY DON’T EAT ROADKILL

  • BUZZARDS FLY HIGH BUT ONLY EAT DEAD ANIMALS

  • BELIEVERS ARE THE PREY OF THE DEVIL

  • THE DEVIL CAN ONLY CONSUME THE SPIRITUALLY DEAD

THOSE CHOSEN TO STAY DEAD BY THE LORD   EPHESIANS 1:4

  • THE LORD JESUS IS OUR EAGLE IN HEAVEN

  • HE BRINGS THE SPIRITUALLY DEAD ALIVE FOR HIS GLORY


SUMMARY

In Summary when you are wound up in Jesus you take on His strength, His victory, and our place in Heaven. Trusting Jesus allows us to run each day in the confidence of victory. We have no need to worry or desire to faint because Jesus is with us each step of the way.


They that are wound up in the Lord take on his character and His strength

And are able to glide through each day with hope and confidence



Saturday, October 5, 2024

WHO IS THIS GOD THAT SAVES PEOPLE? WHY ME?

 WHO IS THIS GOD THAT SAVES PEOPLE, AND WHY ME?

John 3:13-16



  14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. 


16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life

NIV


GOD ALWAYS HAS PEOPLE IN HIGH PLACES 


This conversation began with Nicodemus, a pharisee who  was part

Of the Jewish ruling religious committee. The majority of the Jewish

The ruling hierarchy wanted to kill Jesus,  Obviously, Nicodemus did  not

Agree with them but was too scared to speak up. He came to Jesus

By night wanting salvation.  Imaging what impact Nicodemus could

Have had if he opposed wrong. 


The New Testament was written in Greek. The original layout of John 3:16

Is as follows


So for Loved, God the world that the Son, his only begotten He gave that whosoever believeth in Him not should perish but have life, everlasting


The word So in Greek is houtos which means “In this manner’   This takes you back to verse 3:14 which refers to Numbers 21:9-9



Numbers 21:8-9

8 The Lord said to Moses, "Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live." 9 So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake lived. 


The people of Israel in the desert began grumbling against the Lord after He gave the victory over the Cannanite. God got steamed and sent 

Poisonous Serpents in the camp to bite them. Some died. 


They came to Moses confessing their sins and pleaded with him to 

Intercede to God for them. Moses did.  Likewise, Jesus is our intercessor

Before the Almighty Father.


The lifted-up serpent on the pole represents Jesus lifted up on the cross 


IN LIKE MANNER, BELIEVERS LOOK TO JESUS

Anyone believing in Jesus will live. We have been bitten by the serpent of

Sin and in the same manner we look to  Jesus as savior. High and lifted up

with a humble attitude.


Notice in Numbers, some died but some were saved. Similar to the church

And the world.  Some die and some will live. Some come to light and some

Remain in darkness.


GOD WANTS TO FEAST WITH YOU

The Word love in Greek is agape which means love feast. It's in the past tense which means God always loved the world.  Sin did not change God’s love for the World, it just moved Him to His plan of redemption


What is a love feast?  Its grace and mercy, tolerance, forgiveness sacrifice,

Kindness, gentleness, rebuking, 


Some say Agape is sacrificial love, which it is, but the Greek definition does

Not describe it that way, God shows us sacrifice as love in action

Love is not self-centered, but God-centered with an outflow to mankind.



Who is this God?

He is omnipotent.  Has all power.  There is nothing too hard for God.

He is the creator of all things seen and unseen

Do you rely on Him for all your help?  Do you think of God when you get out of a chair? Getting into and getting out of your car. Or do you call on God for the big and important things?  Is your God big enough to handle

The small things?



He is omniscient. He knows everything all the time.  Is God the first person you contact when you have a problem? Do you see God giving

You advise through other people?  How often do you consult God?


He is Omnipresent.   Is God in your car when you drive? Or do you invite

Satan in on the popular radio? Is God on your mind before you fall asleep?

Would God like your attitude in the grocery store?


The Bible gives us a lot of terms to describe God. Is He that for you/?


He is Jehovah Jireh The Lord will provide.   Gen 22:14   Does Hw always

Provide or do yourself sometimes going wanting?


He Jehovah Rapha  The God who heals  Ex 15:25   Are you still

Waiting on God to heal you?  Are looking for your own solution?


He is Jehovah Nissi  The Lord My Banner   Exodus 17:8  Are you loosing waiting on God? Are you confident He will win the battle for you?



He is Jehovah Shalom The Lord is peace Judges 6:24  Is there trouble in your Life. Can you sleep at night.? Will God bring peace?


He is Jehovah Shammah  the Lord is there  Ex:48:35    Have You called on God And got no answer. He was there for others. But what about you?


How you see God determines how you trust and rely on Him.  Only you

Can answer these questions.


The World, not the earth is God’s focus which includes every human being. Good bad or indifferent


JESUS WAS SON BEFORE HE TOOK ON HUMAN FLESH

His only begotten son   The word begotten is momogene means a unique one, One of a kind, There was no sperm of Joseph to connect with an egg of Mary.  The spirit of Jesus was placed in Mary by the Holy Spirit to 

Take on human flesh to become a man. Jesus was fully God and fully man.


The Word gave in the text means brought forth. Jesus was brought forth to

Dwell with us. 


THE HOLY SEED, OUR SALVATION

Genesis 3:15-16 describes God’s plan of redemption for mankind

After Adam sinned. “A woman's seed will crush the head of the serpent (Satan). The seed represents Jesus.

Luke 1:31-33 describes the planting of the seed in the womb of Mary


Jesus the eternal second person in the Holy Trinty humbled Himself

Before God and man to take on human flesh. He did not think it

Robbery to take off His robe of glory become man to die on the cross

For our sins. 


After His death on the cross, He ascended back into heaven and took His Seat at the right hand of the Father making intercessions for you and me.



BELIEVE IN JESUS AS YOUR SALVATION


Sunday, September 22, 2024

What Will You Do For Love? Matthew 16:21-23

 What Would You Do For Love?

Matthew 16:22-23


22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. "Never, Lord!" he said. "This shall never happen to you!" 

23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." 

NIV




This verse follows the question Jesus asked His disciples


Matthew 16:15-20

15 "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" 

16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 

17 Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.  19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."  20 Then he warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ. 


Peter may have been on an all-time high, filled with pride because Jesus

Had singled him out as the one who had a word from the Father in Heaven


This was three years into Jesus' ministry on earth. The disciples had been 

Taught by Jesus. They had witnessed all the miracles He performed. 

They had seen His popularity grow among the people. They

Had come to the conclusion that Jesus would free them from Roman

Rule and be their King.


From their youth, they had been taught the Word of God

Isaiah 54:13-14

13 All your sons will be taught by the Lord, and great will be your children's peace. 14 In righteousness you will be established:

Tyranny will be far from you; you will have nothing to fear.


The disciples were not ignorant or illiterate as the Pharisees and Scribes 

Described them, They did not have the formal theological training, but they

Have the teaching of the Old Testament from their youth. And they held on

To God promises of a Messiah (Isaiah  9:6-7, Jeremiah 23:5)


When Jesus claimed that He would be killed by the Jewish leaders including The Chief priest, Peter was alarmed. He went into his defensive protective Mode to ensure Jesus that would not happen under his watch.


John Baptist looked at Jesus and proclaimed that He was the Son of God

This was the start of their journey with Jesus

 


Matthew 16:21-23

21 From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. 


22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. "Never, Lord!" he said. "This shall never happen to you!" 


Point  1

Don’t put your agenda ahead of God 


Notice Peter didn’t hear that Jesus said He would be raised on the third day. He would die, but He would not stay dead.


Peter had the word of God confirmed by Jesus,  He, Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God. He would be their King. Except His kingship was

Not of this world 


Peter’s boldness was not without Biblical truth but wrong in his timing and concept. Peter thought he knew best for Jesus. We can’t tell Jesus how 

Carry out His divine plan. 


PETER LOVED JESUS

What was behind Peter’s superior domineering tone? Some would say it was pride, but Some commentaries said he was arrogant. I Say it was love.

Jesus was his friend. He loved his friend. 


He trusted Jesus enough to get out of the boat in a storm and walk on water.

He wanted to protect his friend, so he carried a sword for protection


He loved Him enough to leave the family business. He loved Jesus

Enough to spend his days away from his wife but with Jesus


Point 2 

You and I need to be careful that we don’t read into God's Word what we want to believe



23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." 


Don’t let love and empathy block your understanding of God’s Word. 

Your love can become a stumbling block to God’s plan and rational thinking and decision-making. 

Peter saw Jesus as king of the Jews and rightly so. But Jesus would be the

Spiritual king, not the replacement of the Roman empire. 


I love my grandkids, But that doesn’t mean they can do what they want to do and be right. 


Peter loved Jesus, but he was planning a life separate from Jesus' divine plan’ Peter’s plan was today, now. But Jesus' plan was an eternity. 

Peter’s plan was freedom from Rome. but Jesus' plan was freedom for

Life in Jesus Christ.

Peter’s plan was freedom from problems. But Jesus' plan was freedom from problems through faith in Him.


In all our planning, we must be mindful of God’s Word.  If our thoughts and

Ideas don’t line up with God, throw them out.


Jesus’ plan for the crucifixion and the death was eternal life.

Any man who wants to save his life will lose it. Any man wants to lose

His life will save it 


Peter remembered the prophecy for the coming Messiah ( Isa 9:6-7)

But he ignored the prophecy of his death and resurrection (Isa 53:12



Point 3 

 KEEP SATAN BEHIND YOU


Satan is sneaky, sly, and out to destroy.  He will influence your love to be in opposition to the Word of God. Daddy Daddy can you buy me a car said

My teenaged son. I love you son but you are not responsible enough to 

Drive a car. GET BEHIND ME SATAN


It’s a rebuke to Satan and a prayer of strength to Jesus,


There are many times in our day when we need that proclamation 


When the line is too long in the grocery store, GET BEHIND ME SATAN

When I just got cut off on the freeway and I am thinking of giving the finger

GET BEHIND ME SATAN


When I am upset with something and about to get angry, GET BEHIND ME SATAN


When I am about to judge you by my standards, GET BEHIND ME SATAN


When I am about to watch what I shouldn’t watch, GET BEHIND ME SATAN



We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but spiritual wickedness in high places 


Point 4

Don't Be A Stumbling Block To Jesus

Daily we fight this battle against what we want and what God wants for us.

Jesus said to Peter you are a stumbling block to ME.


Whenever we put our desires before God, we are a stumbling block to

The proclamation of the Gospel.


Whenever our character does not mirror Jesus we ar a stumbling block.

Any doubt we have in Jesus becomes a stumbling block to the faith

Of others. 



Point 5

Don’t Disregard The Rebuke of Wisdom

Peter heard what Jesus said, but still carried his sword to protect

Jesus.  When the Chief priests and the elders came to arrest Jesus,

It was Peter who cut the ear of a servant off. 


It was Peter who denied knowing Jesus three times before men during

The trial of Jesus. Had Peter listened and abided by Jesus' instructions 

He would have rejoiced at the crucifixion of Jesus. Certainly, it would

Have been painful to watch, but there would have been hope in the resurrection.


The Word of God is the whole truth which contains trials and tribulations

But with joy and hope. 


LET THE LOVE OF GOD BE YOUR OBJECTIVE