October 1, 2006 - Isaiah 11-13 and Ephesians 4
In our reading today we see a great example of the Greatness and the Power of God working in this world. I pray that we will never doubt His power to do wonderful things that we can't even imagine.
Isaiah 11 has more prophecies about Jesus coming. This time it is about His second coming and His reign in the Millennial Kingdom. Notice all of the changes. Even the lions will eat straw instead of meat. (v.7b) Then, Isaiah says that there will be a second remnant at that time. (v.11) This is not in Isaiah's time, but in the end of time as we know it. It is when God gathers the Jews back to the Holy Land for the end. (v.12) That is already happening. We are seeing this prophecy being fulfilled. Then, Isaiah breaks out in a hymn of praise to God for His salvation, and another prophecy about Babylon. Did you know that the ancient city of Babylon will never be rebuilt? (13:20-22) Saddam started to rebuild it several years ago, and now look where he is. He is in jail, and Babylon is still a desert. That is the power of God in this world. Give Him all of the praise.
Now, look at Ephesians 4. What a fabulous passage of Scripture! What is God doing in this world? He is building His body, the church. He is giving the gifts of the Holy Spirit to believers, and He is sending leaders to equip them for His service. (v.12) It is His will for each of us to grow up into the image of Jesus. That is the new person we become when we come to know Christ. (v24) Our new person is what we are like when we are as much like Jesus as possible in this world. The Spirit empowers this change. There are several examples of what the Spirit wants to do in us. (v.25-32) Do you see these things happening more and more in you all of the time? If not, there is something wrong in your relationship with Christ, because that is His design for each believer.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Isaiah 14-16 and Ephesians 5.
Isaiah 11 has more prophecies about Jesus coming. This time it is about His second coming and His reign in the Millennial Kingdom. Notice all of the changes. Even the lions will eat straw instead of meat. (v.7b) Then, Isaiah says that there will be a second remnant at that time. (v.11) This is not in Isaiah's time, but in the end of time as we know it. It is when God gathers the Jews back to the Holy Land for the end. (v.12) That is already happening. We are seeing this prophecy being fulfilled. Then, Isaiah breaks out in a hymn of praise to God for His salvation, and another prophecy about Babylon. Did you know that the ancient city of Babylon will never be rebuilt? (13:20-22) Saddam started to rebuild it several years ago, and now look where he is. He is in jail, and Babylon is still a desert. That is the power of God in this world. Give Him all of the praise.
Now, look at Ephesians 4. What a fabulous passage of Scripture! What is God doing in this world? He is building His body, the church. He is giving the gifts of the Holy Spirit to believers, and He is sending leaders to equip them for His service. (v.12) It is His will for each of us to grow up into the image of Jesus. That is the new person we become when we come to know Christ. (v24) Our new person is what we are like when we are as much like Jesus as possible in this world. The Spirit empowers this change. There are several examples of what the Spirit wants to do in us. (v.25-32) Do you see these things happening more and more in you all of the time? If not, there is something wrong in your relationship with Christ, because that is His design for each believer.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Isaiah 14-16 and Ephesians 5.