Isaiah (part 1) - lesson 70

What a blessing to learn that every day that we live is to be lived in a way that we glorify God. That can be the blessing of an illness. To live each day to bless God. What a blessing to understand that no man can take our life until God is done with it here on earth. Resting in that almighty truth.

This lesson also cleared up the chronological order of Isaiah. Learning that chapter 39 goes to chapter 36 next (chronologically).

I have really loved these reminders that there are blessings with our enemies and blessings with our illnesses. And I might add, blessings with any hard times.

Isaiah (part 1) - lesson 69

I love the challenge that our primary goal in all of our struggles an trials is to honor God's name above all. Still learning about how our enemies and illnesses can bring us blessings.

• The enemy provides us with stories of God's deliverance.
• Our enemies drives us to prayer to lean on our almighty God.
• Our enemies are used for our good and God's glory.
• Illness drives us to the one who has numbered our days (God).
• Illness and enemies can cause us to be more Christ-like.
  

God desires our highest good. What a wonderful promise from God. He loves us and desires the best for us. And that best is for us to become more Christ-like. Just loving this lesson today. Fantastic truths to ponder in my heart.

Isaiah (part 1) - lesson 68

More notes on how the enemy works.

• The enemy rules by fear. We need to cling to the truths of God's word and hang on when the fear comes. This causes us to trust in God.
• The enemy seeks to divide us. The blessing is that we are part of a body of Jesus Christ. When one suffers, all suffer. When one rejoices, all rejoice.
• The enemy offers an alternative that spares us. This causes us to evaluate the truth. God gives us a way to escape.
  
• The enemy will challenge God's power to save. This allows us to stand firm in the truth that NOTHING is impossible for God.
• Our enemy is a blessing when they drive us to God. And forces us to seek God in prayer for peace and protection.
• The enemy is a blessing when we see the divine sovereignty of God.

Let's resist the enemy. The enemy does not triumph, God does. Trusting God today and resting in that truth. =)

Isaiah (part 1) - lesson 67

This lesson is sharing and encouraging us of how enemies can be a blessing. Kind of an odd thought, but see how there is truth to focus on. A few timeless lessons that we can learn from these next few chapters are as follows.

• The enemy challenges our faith.
• The enemy shows us who we are trusting in (God-the all powerful one.)
  
• The enemy tests our loyalty to God and His Word. (We need to know the Word so we can fight against the enemy).

Isaiah (part 1) - lesson 66

What a blessing when a lesson starts off with the truth reminder that God causes all things to work for good for those that are called according to His purpose. And the idea that there are blessings in enemies and blessings in illnesses. Doesn't that just go against all of what the world says?

We got the reminder that God shows Israel their sin in chapters 1-6. In chapter 7-12 we are introduced to Ahaz and his lack of faith. (Uziah, Jothum, Ahaz and Hezikiah - reigns during Isaiah). The reign of Jothum isn't covered in Isaiah. Isaiah 13-23 God lays out the destiny of the nations. Chapter 24-27 God is the God of the earth. Chapter 28-33 God shares his woes on Judah and Jerusalem. (because they have not listen to God) Chapter 34-35 God is coming with vengeance.

This lesson also took us back to Isaiah 7 where we also saw a king being challenged. Both of these chapters shows us different responses to enemies. What a great contrast.

Isaiah (part 1) - lesson 65

Sorry it has been so long since my last notes on my lessons. I have gotten behind and I am trying to catch up again.

This lesson brought us back to Gen. 12 and we learned about the nations and their response to Jerusalem and how their would be blessings and curses depending on the actions. The nations are going to be judged for their treatment of Israel. Again, I am reminded of how important it is to take God's judgment to heart and be obedient to Him.

One last reminder that the Lord is the stability of times.

Isaiah (part 1) - lesson 64

This lesson is finishing up chapter 34 of Isaiah. This chapter is dealing with the judgment of Edom (present day Jordon).

Just a quick side note, I never noticed that the image that Precepts uses for the logo is a plum line. That is what we are to judge our life against. God's word should be what all of the rest of our life is adjusted from. Thought that was interesting.

The question is why would God judge Edom so strongly? We were brought back to Jacob and Esau (of Edom). Of Esau selling his birthright for the stew. As we see in Hebrews 12 Esau was referred to as godless and immoral. I was glad that this lesson was tied back into this passage in Gen. 25. It helps with understanding why God is judging Edom so strongly.

Isaiah (part 1) - lesson 63

This lesson is finishing up Isaiah 33 and moves into Isaiah 34. The theme of the week is that the Lord is the stability of our times.

One of the main points of this lesson is that God is our King. And Kay does a great job of asking about giving God priority in our lives. Do I give God absolute rule in my life? She reminds us that God will not share His throne with anyone. God needs to be the ruling, dominate force in my life.

Finding the HOPE that God has in His Word for us.

Isaiah (part 1) - lesson 62

These lessons today for me were so clearly just what I needed. I needed these verses of HOPE and TRUTH. Even the reminder of the verse in Isaiah 26:3

You will keep in perfect peace
those whose minds are steadfast,
because they trust in you.

Such comfort in God's peace and truth. Again I am clinging to the truths that my salvation comes from God. And God will be my stability in my (difficult) times. God is my wealth of salvation, wisdom and knowledge. Again, longing to be righteous so I can see the King's beauty.

Isaiah (part 1) - lesson 61

The Lord is the stability of my times. Though my thoughts don't tend to live in fear of terror (terrorists), I can still find comfort and stability in God ALONE during the shakiness of my times. Just from the first few verse in Isaiah 33 reminds me that God is my stability, salvation and wisdom and knowledge come from Him. He is the one that keeps me "grounded" when my life feels turned upside down. The fear (respect and awe) of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Walking in perfect peace because I am walking in Christ.

Getting to know God's Word is how we build the fear of the Lord in our life. Spending time everyday in the Word. Pouring those truths over yourself. Clinging to the truths. Only telling yourself the truth. Knowing and studying the Word daily is so important to find that stability in my difficult times. Only by knowing God can I rest in Him.

Isaiah (part 1) - lesson 60

This lesson covers Isaiah 32 and touches on the glorious day of the return of Jesus and what that will be like when He is here and ruling.

We see the contrast of what the fool and the rogue and the noble man is like. Whenever I see a description of the fool, it is such a warning to me to be cautious not to live like the fool.

How refreshing to have a challenge from this lesson as a women of God to live in a way that shows respect to God and His ways. And as a mother to set a standard that is appropriate for my children.
Will I live up to this challenge? Long for righteousness and not gravitate to sin. Longing for that time of peace, waiting on the Lord.

Isaiah (part 1) - lesson 59

The subject of the week is that the Lord is waiting to be gracious to you. He longs for us to come to Him and wait for Him. How blessed are all those who wait for the Lord.

Seeking God in prayer and counsel of others is one of the ways to wait on God. Seeking God first in in His word, in prayer and THEN in the counsel of others. I love these truths that are reinforced in this study. Rather than running to the world for our strength, we need to run to the Holy One of Israel.

The passage in Isaiah 30:27 ff show us about who God is. We see Him in His righteousness and in His fierce anger. This passage talks about God's judgment. We see the judgment with fire.

Main message that the theme of Isaiah is...you have sinned, you must be judged, return to God, there is a hope and future for you.

Isaiah (part 1) - lesson 58

God is waiting to be gracious to me...and He is waiting to have compassion on me. For God is a God of justice. He is waiting for me to wait on Him.

That truth is so full of comfort and full of God's blessing. Oh how I long to just wait on Him. Resting and full of repentance. (Isaiah 30:15 and 18). How wonderful to find these truths in His word. How grateful I am to have been invested in this study and find these truths. I am praying that I don't respond in spite or anger or with a lack of faith (vs. 15b). This passage brings God's fatherly-ness. Like a parent waiting for a stubborn child to try and figure it out the hard way. I want to be blessed...so therefore I must wait on the Lord.

In order to wait on God, I have to know God. Know His ways. Studying God's word. Disciplined in the daily walk with my Maker. I also need to understand that there is a future and a hope. That future and hope is for those that wait on God. The waiting is worth it.

Isaiah (part 1) - lesson 57

In this part of chapter 30, I am amazed at the arrogance of the people that turn their backs on God and how they do not want to hear God's truth. They just want to hear nice things. Things that make them feel good. It was good to be reminded back to the beginning of Isaiah that we learned that these people will listen but not perceive, they will look, but not understand. Their ears were dull and their eyes dim.

Sounds like times like now. People want to hear things that sound nice, not the harsh truths of God's judgment. May we be a remnant of people that desire to hear the whole truth of God. Even when the truth hurts.

Isaiah (part 1) - lesson 56

My kids are sick so I am able to do several lessons a day as I am sitting here with them while they recover from their weakness.

I really never thought that I would get so much out of this book of Isaiah. It is just amazing me that as we are studying these Woe's there are fantastic timeless truths that are hidden in these chapters. Don't you just love the verse in 30:18??? The Lord longs to be gracious to you. He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the Lord is a God of justice. How blessed are all of those who long for Him.

We are to pour over God's word and wait and long for Him. Then will God will be gracious to us and then He will have compassion on us. To walk independently from God is to to walk in sin. In this chapter we see what happens when Israel walks independently from God. Here is an opportunity to learn from the wrong choices of others.

The woe in 30:1 is such a serious warning. The warning of executing a plan that is not the Lord's. I have been convicted of doing this. Of forging ahead with a plan when it might not have been God's plan.

Just loving this study. Loving these truths. So thankful that God led me to this study.

Isaiah (part 1) - lesson 55

This lesson is covering all of Isaiah 29. This chapter includes 2 woes. The woe to Ariel (Jerusalem - the lion). Here we learn about God's judgment on this beloved city. Yet there is the contrast of how God will judge the enemies of His beloved city. Warnings of those who go against Jerusalem.

There is also a good warning of those who go through the motions of the religion. (29:13). Those that draw near with their words and honor with their lips...but their hearts are removed from God. Are we part of the ones that are coming to God with rote or is it a true relationship?

I love how this study has been both a challenge and and encouragement for me to live in a way that truly glorifies God. Yet at the same time, it is a wonderful history lesson on biblical times. Again we learn about 586 BC the 1st siege (Solomon's temple) which was 100 years after Isaiah prophesied this. And then the mention of 70 AD the 2nd siege (Herod's temple).

Desiring to make sure I come to God in true relationship with Him.

Isaiah (part 1) - lesson 54

This lesson reinforces the importance of trusting in GOD as our refuge and stronghold. In this passage in Isaiah 28 we see what happens when you trust in falsehood and find our refuge in deception. You can not escape and hide in anything other than God. We must trust in Jesus as our stronghold. Our cornerstone. (1 Peter 2:5-7).

Love that verse about justice as the measuring line and righteousness as the level. Again, another opportunity to let the truth of our faithful God be our refuge and strength.

Isaiah (part 1) - lesson 53

This lesson starts into Isaiah 28 (after we have had a few lessons of review). Now we are diving into the WOE to the proud crown of the drunkards of Ephraim (Northern Kingdom). This chapter has the contrasts of the proud crown and the righteous crown. Good cross reference to Amos 6.

There is such a strong warning in this lesson about listening to God. When Kay mentioned the celebs of today that people tend to follow, I was reminded of how easy it is to fill your time reading those kinds of gossip magazines. And when you spend time and energy and thoughts on junk like that.

Verse 12 in chapter 28 reminds us that there are consequences to NOT listening to God.

Isaiah (part 1) - lesson 52

As we move into this new section of Isaiah, this lesson was a great overview of what we have studied so far. As I answered the questions it was so great to recap all what we have learned. I found it helpful to go back over the different segments of Isaiah and make bullet points of the themes of the different segments.

• Segment One (chapters 1-12) -God talking to the southern kingdom (Judah) - God's faithful people who go into exile for their lack of knowledge. Important verse says that "if you do not believe you will surely die."
• Segment Two - (chapters 13-23) God of the Nations - Oracles against the surrounding nations. Babylon, Philistia, Moab, Demascus, Egypt, Wilderness of the Sea, Edom, Arabia, Valley of Vision (Judah), Tyre. "What God has planned, so it will come to pass".
  
• Segment Three - (chapter 24-27) - God of the Earth - Judgment on Earth - the earth is polluted by the inhabitants, broken covenant, scattered inhabitants, earth laid waste, devastates it. "the steadfast of mind, you will keep in perfect peace, because you put your trust in God."
  
• Segment Four - (chapter 28-33) God talks to Judah and Jerusalem- Woes to those who will not trust in the Lord - "God, the holy One of Israel, in repentance and rest you will be saved, in quietness and trust is your strength".

God is the potter, and I am the clay in the Potter's hand. Oh how I have loved this study. The Word of God has come alive to me as I dig deep into His word.

Isaiah (part 1) - lesson 51

This lesson starts a new section of Isaiah that includes chapters 28-33 and the 6 woes. This lesson is a little bit of an overview as we begin this new section. We have learned to look at the Northern and the Southern kingdom and we are seeing that when Israel has the enemy (Assyria) they don't understand who to turn to because they were NOT turning to God. That important timeless truth of turning to God is seems to be a theme of Isaiah. Turning to God.

I am almost sure this lesson would be really confusing without a map. I am a map girl. I need to see the map as we study these areas and these woes.


Hope this helps if you didn't print the map. Use this for your reference.