October 20, 2006 - Isaiah 59-61 and II Thessalonians 3
God has nothing to do with sin, so when we sin, our sins separate us from God. This is so evident from Isaiah 59:2. The whole chapter is a description of how sin infects the lives of people, and they come to the place where they have no peace. (59:8) I don't think that most of them realize that sin causes the lack of peace at first, but then, God convicts them of their sin, so they can repent. The society can get so bad like it has in America today, that a person who departs from evil is attacked. (59:15) God wants us as believers to intercede for our people. (59:16) God is a redeeming God. If we will pray, He will turn the hearts of the people back to Himself. (59:20) Redemption is the theme of Isaiah 60 and 61. I don't know which parts are speaking of the Millennial kingdom, when Christ will reign on the earth for 1,000 years, and which parts are speaking of heaven, but they all speak of a glorious time, when God's justice will reign. God's will is to bring beauty for ashes. (61:3) He doesn't want to destroy us because of our sins. He prepared a way of redemption through the blood of Christ. Now, we must pray for God to pour out a great revival on us, so we can see many people repent and turn to Him. We must be those intercessors He is looking for.
II Thessalonians 3 tells us that there was a group in the church who were rebelling against Paul's teaching, which he received from God. He told the believers to correct them as brothers. Then, there was another group, who would not work, because they said they were waiting for Christ to come. Paul told them not to feed them, if they would not work. In fact, we should work harder as we see the Day of Christ approaching. There are so many who need Christ and so much that needs to be done. I hope that we will exhort our brothers and sisters to turn from sin and to be ready to meet Christ face to face.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Isaiah 62-64 and I Timothy 1.
II Thessalonians 3 tells us that there was a group in the church who were rebelling against Paul's teaching, which he received from God. He told the believers to correct them as brothers. Then, there was another group, who would not work, because they said they were waiting for Christ to come. Paul told them not to feed them, if they would not work. In fact, we should work harder as we see the Day of Christ approaching. There are so many who need Christ and so much that needs to be done. I hope that we will exhort our brothers and sisters to turn from sin and to be ready to meet Christ face to face.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Isaiah 62-64 and I Timothy 1.