Chapter 24
v.14-16a -Evangelism worldwide. How great it is that the church has this dream. But we have to work, then with God's help it will be achieved.
Chapter 25
v.6-8 About Jesus , death will be swallowed up for ever. All tears will be wiped away. (Rev 21:4)
We need to be absolutely sure of these two things and know for certain where we are going.
Chapter 27
v.1-6 God's care for his people
v.7-11 their sufferings are due to their own sins and folly
v.12-13 but restoration awaits them
There is nothing new under the sun. Those three points are as true today as they were then. We just never learn. v. 12 now he gathers them 1x1 -such a precious picture. And we his vessles are to see that - not be put off by the billions unsaved -- just get on with the mission 1x1.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Thursday, March 29, 2007
DEAF AND BLIND
Chapter 22
v.5 Why do we ignore signs and warnings and carry on like it's not happening. I am thinking of health-wise and also spiritual-wise. We MUST speak up to give warnings to others and accept others warnings .
v.5 Why do we ignore signs and warnings and carry on like it's not happening. I am thinking of health-wise and also spiritual-wise. We MUST speak up to give warnings to others and accept others warnings .
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
OPPOSITION
Chapter 19
A prophecy concerning Egypt
v.1-10 the calamity of Egypt
v.11-15 its helplessness in the crisis
v.16-25 The outcome of the judgement a) state of terror b)recognition of God
v. 20 "When they cry out to the Lord because of their oppressors, he will send them a savior and defender, and he will rescue them. So the Lord will make himself known to the Egyptians, and in that day they will acknowledge the Lord."
Wow, all these crisis will happen in people's lives including mine. Unless we see our needs,
(it takes humility)we will not know God.
Hebrew scriptures were translated into Greek at the famous library at Alexandria. this helped the spread of the Gospel and teaching all nations about the one true God. God has control and we should not fear opposition and terrorism .... He does have an answer in his own time.
Chapter 20
Isaiah is willing to undergo personal humiliation to deliver God's message in an unforgettable fashion. "take off the sackcloth from your body and the sandals from your feet." Have I ever done something even approaching this??No.
I need to challenge myself more and do more radical things.
A prophecy concerning Egypt
v.1-10 the calamity of Egypt
v.11-15 its helplessness in the crisis
v.16-25 The outcome of the judgement a) state of terror b)recognition of God
v. 20 "When they cry out to the Lord because of their oppressors, he will send them a savior and defender, and he will rescue them. So the Lord will make himself known to the Egyptians, and in that day they will acknowledge the Lord."
Wow, all these crisis will happen in people's lives including mine. Unless we see our needs,
(it takes humility)we will not know God.
Hebrew scriptures were translated into Greek at the famous library at Alexandria. this helped the spread of the Gospel and teaching all nations about the one true God. God has control and we should not fear opposition and terrorism .... He does have an answer in his own time.
Chapter 20
Isaiah is willing to undergo personal humiliation to deliver God's message in an unforgettable fashion. "take off the sackcloth from your body and the sandals from your feet." Have I ever done something even approaching this??No.
I need to challenge myself more and do more radical things.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
FORGET- ME -NOT 毋忘我
Chapter 15,16
A prophecy against Moab
My thought:
pride rises its ugly head again. How often we won't bow our heads and just accept what's best for us.
Chapter 17
A prophecy against Syria and Israel. v.7-11 spiritual effect and it's cause --adoption of foreign Gods.
My thoughts:
v.10 forgetfulness is a sin when God's people fail to remember what he has done for us. If we do not focus on his saving acts, we will focus on our selfish desires and seek our own solutions to our problems. That's why I always pray that I will not forget God no matter what is going to happen in my life/brain !
Chapter 18
Isaiah addressed the Ethiopians who were sending ambassadors to other states to organize resistance.
My thought:
Amazing to me how Isaiah has all this knowledge of these small countries, their peoples (the Ethiopians are a tall race) & their national characteristics. Remember this was not a time when we had books, TV, travlers etc. Just shows the divine inspiration.
A prophecy against Moab
My thought:
pride rises its ugly head again. How often we won't bow our heads and just accept what's best for us.
Chapter 17
A prophecy against Syria and Israel. v.7-11 spiritual effect and it's cause --adoption of foreign Gods.
My thoughts:
v.10 forgetfulness is a sin when God's people fail to remember what he has done for us. If we do not focus on his saving acts, we will focus on our selfish desires and seek our own solutions to our problems. That's why I always pray that I will not forget God no matter what is going to happen in my life/brain !
Chapter 18
Isaiah addressed the Ethiopians who were sending ambassadors to other states to organize resistance.
My thought:
Amazing to me how Isaiah has all this knowledge of these small countries, their peoples (the Ethiopians are a tall race) & their national characteristics. Remember this was not a time when we had books, TV, travlers etc. Just shows the divine inspiration.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Amazing prophecies
Chapter 13 & 14
Series of prophecies on how God will deal with other nations. The judgement of Babylon and it's king. Isaiah prophesied this about 180 years earlier than it happened. Amazing in their accuracy & because they even tell about nations that weren't even known at the time. This amazes me!
My thoughts:
1) Death is universal. No matter who you are or what you have achieved, death will come.
2) v.3 thank God's fullfilment to his promises : give me relief from suffering and turmoil and cruel bondage . The greatest things of all is setting me free from my own sins daily.
Series of prophecies on how God will deal with other nations. The judgement of Babylon and it's king. Isaiah prophesied this about 180 years earlier than it happened. Amazing in their accuracy & because they even tell about nations that weren't even known at the time. This amazes me!
My thoughts:
1) Death is universal. No matter who you are or what you have achieved, death will come.
2) v.3 thank God's fullfilment to his promises : give me relief from suffering and turmoil and cruel bondage . The greatest things of all is setting me free from my own sins daily.
Saturday, March 24, 2007
THE SPIRIT FELL ON BAPTISM
Chapter 11
My thoughts:
1. V.2 The spirit fell on Jesus in a special way at his baptism .
There are 3 things:
-the Spirit of wisdom and of understand,
-the Spirit of counsel and of power,
-the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord
It should do the same for us too!
2. v.3-4 Ministry of Jesus was marked by His justice & righteousness on behalf of the needy. He saw things a different way John 7:24 Not judge by mere appearances. There were times , I thought my past experience mature enough for me to judge by looking at people's appearances
or their behaviors. What a proud thought!
My thoughts:
1. V.2 The spirit fell on Jesus in a special way at his baptism .
There are 3 things:
-the Spirit of wisdom and of understand,
-the Spirit of counsel and of power,
-the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord
It should do the same for us too!
2. v.3-4 Ministry of Jesus was marked by His justice & righteousness on behalf of the needy. He saw things a different way John 7:24 Not judge by mere appearances. There were times , I thought my past experience mature enough for me to judge by looking at people's appearances
or their behaviors. What a proud thought!
Friday, March 23, 2007
固執已见
Chapter 9
v.1-7 the bright future that lies ahead when the indestructible kingdom of the Messiah is established.
My thoughts:
in these 7 verses is what I so often find in the Old Testament. Great tales of anguish and suffering are suddenly lifted to a totally different plane of exceeding light & joy & hope.
I always be able to see the same kind of event happening to some sisters' lives. Rosanna is one of the great examples. No matter how hard her life is, her openness to seek input from God/others making her life full of hope and joy.
v.8-21 Sudden calamity will overtake Israel because of its sin and pride and self-confidence.
My thought:
Don't push God too far. For when we do , his anger is hard to appease.
v.14-15 once again the responsibility of leaders, discipler. Alluded to in Matt 15:14 "Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit."
Chapter 10
v.1-4 won't be able to withstand the attack.
My thought:
Without God's guidance , we won't be able to withstand satan's attack.
v.12-19 When God's purpose have been accomplished, God will punish the proud.
My thought:
the sin of pride- how God hates it - Prov 6:17 " There are six things the Lord hates, .....haughty eyes,...." Prov 8:13 "To fear the Lord is to hate evil, I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech." I checked the dictionary, perverse also means against the wishes of others.(固執已见). I checked with my heart and realized that I will easily fall into this sin with my mom. Especially when we are talking about her health issue. I need to apologize to her.
v.1-7 the bright future that lies ahead when the indestructible kingdom of the Messiah is established.
My thoughts:
in these 7 verses is what I so often find in the Old Testament. Great tales of anguish and suffering are suddenly lifted to a totally different plane of exceeding light & joy & hope.
I always be able to see the same kind of event happening to some sisters' lives. Rosanna is one of the great examples. No matter how hard her life is, her openness to seek input from God/others making her life full of hope and joy.
v.8-21 Sudden calamity will overtake Israel because of its sin and pride and self-confidence.
My thought:
Don't push God too far. For when we do , his anger is hard to appease.
v.14-15 once again the responsibility of leaders, discipler. Alluded to in Matt 15:14 "Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit."
Chapter 10
v.1-4 won't be able to withstand the attack.
My thought:
Without God's guidance , we won't be able to withstand satan's attack.
v.12-19 When God's purpose have been accomplished, God will punish the proud.
My thought:
the sin of pride- how God hates it - Prov 6:17 " There are six things the Lord hates, .....haughty eyes,...." Prov 8:13 "To fear the Lord is to hate evil, I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech." I checked the dictionary, perverse also means against the wishes of others.(固執已见). I checked with my heart and realized that I will easily fall into this sin with my mom. Especially when we are talking about her health issue. I need to apologize to her.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
繼續堅持
Chapter 8
V.16-22 Isaiah's confidence in his prophecies
I need to strive for building the same trust & confidence in God's word that Isaiah shows here.
I were used to skip reading those scriptures which I felt difficult,boring.....
Sharing my quiet time in the blog motivated me to study God's word consistently . Hurray!!!!!
1 Timothy 4:16 " Watch your life and doctrine closely, Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers."
V.16-22 Isaiah's confidence in his prophecies
I need to strive for building the same trust & confidence in God's word that Isaiah shows here.
I were used to skip reading those scriptures which I felt difficult,boring.....
Sharing my quiet time in the blog motivated me to study God's word consistently . Hurray!!!!!
1 Timothy 4:16 " Watch your life and doctrine closely, Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers."
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Spiritually Paralytic
Chapter 7
v.4a"Be careful , keep calm and don't be afraid. Do not lose heart because of these two smoldering stubs of firewood.
v.9b" If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all." (spiritually paralytic)
So grateful that I have the Holy Spirit and my best spiritual friends helping me to get healed. (Mark 2:1-5) . I can foresee what James 1:12 said" Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."
v.4a"Be careful , keep calm and don't be afraid. Do not lose heart because of these two smoldering stubs of firewood.
v.9b" If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all." (spiritually paralytic)
So grateful that I have the Holy Spirit and my best spiritual friends helping me to get healed. (Mark 2:1-5) . I can foresee what James 1:12 said" Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."
Monday, March 19, 2007
語重心長
Chapter 6
The prophet's call and commission
1. Evangelism
a) who will go
b) The reply-- send me
c) duration v.11-12 --forever (while earth moves), for my whole life. Keep on keeping on regardless.
2. v.10 "Make the heart of this people calloused" I always have this question in my heart. Why God make people's heart calloused/harden. Today, at last, I have a clue . When we faced trials, we did not turn to God and rely on him. Beside our pride , it shows :
- not trusting God
- no deep personal conviction
We need to have another trials to train us again .....until we realize. Wow!
Heb 12:11" No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."
The prophet's call and commission
1. Evangelism
a) who will go
b) The reply-- send me
c) duration v.11-12 --forever (while earth moves), for my whole life. Keep on keeping on regardless.
2. v.10 "Make the heart of this people calloused" I always have this question in my heart. Why God make people's heart calloused/harden. Today, at last, I have a clue . When we faced trials, we did not turn to God and rely on him. Beside our pride , it shows :
- not trusting God
- no deep personal conviction
We need to have another trials to train us again .....until we realize. Wow!
Heb 12:11" No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."
Saturday, March 17, 2007
DECEIT
Chapter 5
v1-7 Parable concerning Judah as a vineyard. Awesome passage showing divine sovereignty of God & human responsibility to it. God created the world & people & everything was perfect. He loves us so much but we are free to choose to follow him or not. BUT he is likewise free to deal with us as punishment. Look at Aids for example. The innocent suffers sometimes, but it is a result of sin. Our reaction to God is our own responsibility & privilege.
V8-24 Judgement upon Judah for not producing fruit. The deceit of sin! How easy to call it by another name-- to not see it as it is --be convinced it's something else & even nurture it. That's why I need disciplers in my life so badly- so I won't be deceived.
v1-7 Parable concerning Judah as a vineyard. Awesome passage showing divine sovereignty of God & human responsibility to it. God created the world & people & everything was perfect. He loves us so much but we are free to choose to follow him or not. BUT he is likewise free to deal with us as punishment. Look at Aids for example. The innocent suffers sometimes, but it is a result of sin. Our reaction to God is our own responsibility & privilege.
V8-24 Judgement upon Judah for not producing fruit. The deceit of sin! How easy to call it by another name-- to not see it as it is --be convinced it's something else & even nurture it. That's why I need disciplers in my life so badly- so I won't be deceived.
GOD'S PERFECT LOVE-STAND BY US ALWAYS
Chapter 4
V2-6 The day of the Lord, though a punishment for the wicked, will a salvation to the saved remnant. Jews always had problem with promise to Abraham, and God wiping them out for their sin. The remnant of the faithful few solved this.
v.5-6 God's all encompassing, unconditional love for these people. God's protections towards his people Ex 13:21-22 "By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people." (Ex 14:19-20) It happened to Israel.
It shows his intention to stand by his children today. It is never God who moves away-- always us.
V2-6 The day of the Lord, though a punishment for the wicked, will a salvation to the saved remnant. Jews always had problem with promise to Abraham, and God wiping them out for their sin. The remnant of the faithful few solved this.
v.5-6 God's all encompassing, unconditional love for these people. God's protections towards his people Ex 13:21-22 "By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people." (Ex 14:19-20) It happened to Israel.
It shows his intention to stand by his children today. It is never God who moves away-- always us.
Friday, March 16, 2007
BE A HUMBLE SERVANT
Chapter 3
1) V.1-15 ruin of social order in Judah is laid at feet of leaders. they will be punished. Seriousness and responsibility of leaders.
"To whom much is given, much is expected"--parable of talents Luke 12:48 Don't ever take it lightly.
2) Look what happens when women take over and or rule. God will take away what ultimately means the most to us-- in this case the having of children.
It reminds me James 3:1 "Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my sisters, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly."
It is very easy to become teacher when I study bible with others . I always need to be reminded . Rosanna was so brave and honest to tell me the truth in love.
1) V.1-15 ruin of social order in Judah is laid at feet of leaders. they will be punished. Seriousness and responsibility of leaders.
"To whom much is given, much is expected"--parable of talents Luke 12:48 Don't ever take it lightly.
2) Look what happens when women take over and or rule. God will take away what ultimately means the most to us-- in this case the having of children.
It reminds me James 3:1 "Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my sisters, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly."
It is very easy to become teacher when I study bible with others . I always need to be reminded . Rosanna was so brave and honest to tell me the truth in love.
IDOLATRY
Chapter 2
We must give up idolatry. What happens if we don't?
v.9 "Do not forgive them"
There is nowhere to escape from god's judgement
What is the present day idolatry in the world? The church? My life--my house, my spouse, my son, material, my house...? I need to ask around and hope others will tell me what they have noticed .
We must give up idolatry. What happens if we don't?
v.9 "Do not forgive them"
There is nowhere to escape from god's judgement
What is the present day idolatry in the world? The church? My life--my house, my spouse, my son, material, my house...? I need to ask around and hope others will tell me what they have noticed .
GOD REASONING WITH US INSTEAD OF COMMANDING
Chapter 1
V. 2 "rebelled against me" V. 4 " turned their backs"
God despises their worship. How about mine? A question I must constantly ask myself - is my worship pleasing to God or just pleasing myself?
V.18 "let us reason together"
God can just command. Shows his Humility, his deep unconditional love. v. 18 & 19 how much he wants a relationship with me--and what a relationship! How much do I long for --pant for this relationship. I should be running towards it.
Being a parent, I can learn from God--reason together with Mike instead of asking/commanding him.
V. 2 "rebelled against me" V. 4 " turned their backs"
God despises their worship. How about mine? A question I must constantly ask myself - is my worship pleasing to God or just pleasing myself?
V.18 "let us reason together"
God can just command. Shows his Humility, his deep unconditional love. v. 18 & 19 how much he wants a relationship with me--and what a relationship! How much do I long for --pant for this relationship. I should be running towards it.
Being a parent, I can learn from God--reason together with Mike instead of asking/commanding him.
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