October 5, 2006 - Isaiah 23-25 and Philippians 1
It is so important for us to take the Word of God seriously. It is truth, and what it says will happen. There is no reason for us to ever doubt His Word. Most believers today neglect God's Word, and they do not consider its truths when they make decisions. This is a terrible error. I believe we will be able to see why this is so bad from the passages we have to read today.
Isaiah 23-25 shows us that God will accomplish His purpose in every case. Isaiah 23:9 tells us that God purposed to bring down the proud people in this world, and it is specifically speaking of the people of Tyre. God had a specific purpose, and He fulfilled it. For seventy years Tyre was brought down. (23:15) Then, He allowed the country to rise again, but He used their wealth for His purposes. (23:18) Do you see how specific God is when it comes to His purposes? Isaiah 24 tells us that one day He will bring the whole earth to its knees. He will shake the earth like an olive tree. (24:13) This chapter is referring to the Tribulation time at the end of this age. It will be a terrible time when God will punish all of the proud people who rebel against Him. It will even effect the sun and the moon. (24:23) Then, Jesus will come to reign in Jerusalem for 1,000 years. That will happen, because God has purposed it. Are you fighting against God's purposes? Read the Bible closely. Notice what God has decreed, and line up your life with His will.
Philippians 1 is so clear on this. God's purpose for believers is that we grow in love more and more. He has designed for us to bear the fruit of righteousness abundantly. (v.11) If we do not do this, we are going against His purpose for us. Paul said to live is Christ. (v.21) That means Christ should fill the life of the believer, and He will lead us to live a life worthy of the gospel. If we don't live a worthy life, we are going against His purpose. There are many believers who think that if they have accepted Christ that is all they need to do. That is wrong. That begins a relationship with Christ, and we are to grow in that relationship. For us to grow we have to be conformed to His purposes and live His way. We do not get a vote. He is sovereign God. His purposes will come to pass. We will either follow His will or be punished until we do. Read I Corinthians 11 :30. Believers died because they did not take God's purpose for the Lord's Supper seriously. That is just one example. I urge all of us to realize that it makes a difference to God how we live.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Isaiah 26-27 and Philippians 2.
Isaiah 23-25 shows us that God will accomplish His purpose in every case. Isaiah 23:9 tells us that God purposed to bring down the proud people in this world, and it is specifically speaking of the people of Tyre. God had a specific purpose, and He fulfilled it. For seventy years Tyre was brought down. (23:15) Then, He allowed the country to rise again, but He used their wealth for His purposes. (23:18) Do you see how specific God is when it comes to His purposes? Isaiah 24 tells us that one day He will bring the whole earth to its knees. He will shake the earth like an olive tree. (24:13) This chapter is referring to the Tribulation time at the end of this age. It will be a terrible time when God will punish all of the proud people who rebel against Him. It will even effect the sun and the moon. (24:23) Then, Jesus will come to reign in Jerusalem for 1,000 years. That will happen, because God has purposed it. Are you fighting against God's purposes? Read the Bible closely. Notice what God has decreed, and line up your life with His will.
Philippians 1 is so clear on this. God's purpose for believers is that we grow in love more and more. He has designed for us to bear the fruit of righteousness abundantly. (v.11) If we do not do this, we are going against His purpose for us. Paul said to live is Christ. (v.21) That means Christ should fill the life of the believer, and He will lead us to live a life worthy of the gospel. If we don't live a worthy life, we are going against His purpose. There are many believers who think that if they have accepted Christ that is all they need to do. That is wrong. That begins a relationship with Christ, and we are to grow in that relationship. For us to grow we have to be conformed to His purposes and live His way. We do not get a vote. He is sovereign God. His purposes will come to pass. We will either follow His will or be punished until we do. Read I Corinthians 11 :30. Believers died because they did not take God's purpose for the Lord's Supper seriously. That is just one example. I urge all of us to realize that it makes a difference to God how we live.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Isaiah 26-27 and Philippians 2.