We really live (Isaiah 45-46 / I Thessalonians 3)

Isaiah 45:1 and 45:13 teaches that God's will was to raise up Cyrus to rebuild His city, Jerusalem so that men would acknowledge there is no God besides the Lord of Israel (v. 6). This action was for the benefit of Israel (v. 4) and the nations (NIV CBC, p. 371). Truly, there is no God like ours (46:9). There is no one else who can tell the end from the beginning and whose purposes stand the test of time (46:10). Every new day, God is weaving yet another beautiful strand into His grand narrative using our lives, our nation, and our world. When we look back one day, we will look back with awestruck wonder. Fortunately, for us, we have been given the Bible, and God has already revealed some things that will happen in the end times. We should not however focus on the end times more than the Lord himself. God raised up Cyrus in his lifetime to do what God had planned for Cyrus. The question you should ask yourself is "what is God raising me up to do?"

Yesterday, I wrote about how Paul and his boys (a group of God-fearing men) lived it (see entry). Now in I Thessalonians 3:8, Paul says, "we really live." One of Paul's boys was Timothy and Paul had sent Timothy to the church of Thessanolica to encourage the church in their trials (v. 2-3). Because the church of Thessanolica was also living it (the Christian life), Paul could say "we really live." This church was "standing firm" (v. 8) in their faith and this made Paul extremely happy. In your trials, are you standing firm or is your faith wavering? Maybe you need an encourager like Timothy to come into your life? Or maybe you just need to recommit yourself to the Lord's ways? When "we live it", "we really live!"

We lived it (Isaiah 43 - 44 / 1 Thessalonians 2)

Isaiah 43 is a prophetic word about Israel's future deliverance from the nation of Babylon. Previously, God had delivered Israel from Egypt by a great exodus through the Red Sea (Exodus 14, Isaiah 43:2). God had dried up the river so his people could cross, but in deliverance from Babylon, God promises to bring water out of a dry place (Is. 43:18-21). God used two different modes of deliverance for His people using the same items (water and land). Our One God has many different ways He can deliver us! We all once were steeped in sin to the point of no return, however, through Christ the blind can now see and the lame can now walk! What hole do you find yourself in where you can pray and witness yet again God's hand of deliverance?

In I Thessalonians 2, Paul is basically telling the church, "we lived it." Paul and those who ministered with him were not fakes. Paul's crew (v. 6) was like that of a good mother (v. 7) and a good father (v. 11-12). They tirelessly worked (v. 9), lived holy lives (v. 10), and were not concerned with man's praise (v. 6). Now compare yourself to Paul and his boys. How do you act in church? Do you find yourself caring for (v. 6) and encouraging your brothers and sisters in Christ (v. 7)? And do you do a lot of work for or at the church (v. 9) with a good attitude (v. 10) working as for God and not for men (v. 6)? These are all good characteristics of a good church member.

Am I a Thessalonican? (Isaiah 40-42 / 1 Thessalonians 1)

The previous chapter (Isaiah 40) states that nations are like a "drop in the bucket" (v. 15) in God's eyes and that "God is sovereign over the nations" (v. 21-25, NIV Compact Bible Commentary, p. 369). In chapter 41, we see some of the outworking of above mentioned verses. 1.) God stirs up the Persian King Cyrus to come save his people 2.) God had promised to raise this deliver up many years beforehand 3.) God was doing this all on behalf of his beloved chosen people, Israel (NIV CBC, p. 370). In Chapter 42, a new servant is mentioned (v. 1-4). This just happens to be the "messianic Servant of the Lord" (NIV CBC, p. 370), Christ Himself! Likewise, this Servant would rescue God's servant Israel out of their own blindness (v. 7, 18-19). This Servant also rescues us out of our own spiritual blindness! In what ways have your eyes been opened since you first came to know Christ as Savior and Lord?

The Thessalonicans possessed a real and vibrant faith (I Thes. 1:1-10)! Key in on verses 3 and 8-10. These Thessalonicans worked hard and long while maintaining a spirit of love (v. 3). They had a reputation (v. 8-9) and a testimony (v. 9-10) among the people. Would you consider yourself as being similar in spirit to a Thessalonican?

In God We Trust (Isaiah 30-31 / Philippians 4)

While reading Isaiah 30-31, an easy comparison could be made between the nation of Egypt and the United States Armed Forces. Egypt was a mighty nation and many looked to them for protection (30:2, 31:1). However, Egypt was not God (30:3). We tend to forget that God is a "jealous" God (Joshua 24:19) and that He wants to be worshiped alone as God. We tend to forget that battles and people and nations are all in the palm of His hand as He directs history to work in accordance to his sovereign plan. I am a great fan of the US military and am thankful to all those who have served and currently serve our country. In fact, many of my friends have followed this course for their life. However, my trust is not in our great military, but rather in God who can grant our military success or failure. Psalm 20:7 reads, "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God." Where is your trust? Even the back of our dollar bill reads, "In God We Trust."

Philippians 4 is chock full of sound advice. We are to find ourselves rejoicing in the Lord and enjoying His peace (v. 4-9), being content in all situations (v. 12), relying on his strength to get us through this life (v. 13), while at the same time viewing the Lord as the Provider of all of our needs (v. 19). How do you stack up in evaluating your life in these categories?

Christ-likeness (Isaiah 28-29 / Philippians 3)

In Isaiah 28-29, God brings about two judgments. The first judgment is pointed toward the Northern Kingdom of Israel (ch. 28) while the second judgment is pointed toward Judah (ch. 29). Only Judah, however, would be delivered due to God's promises made beforehand to King David. God's people were doing great in terms of religious duty (29:13). However, God was not concerned with their outward form of religion. His main concern has always been the heart of His people. How is your relationship with God? Notice the question is not if you walked an aisle, gave your tithes and offerings, or if you sing in the choir? What has God been teaching you from His Word and how have you begun to obey Him hese matters?

Even the apostle Paul admitted that he was not perfect (Philippians 3:12). Paul knew this journey in life was not about a destination, but a transformation (Philippians 3:21). What specific ways are you becoming more like Christ?

Attitude Adjustment (Isaiah 26-27 / Philippians 2)

Isaiah 26 is a picture of the inhabitants of Judah praising God for the establishment of his kingdom. God freeing Israel from her enemies was like a battle with Leviathan (Isaiah 27:1). A few of my favorite verses from the Bible come from Isaiah 26. 26:8-9 captures the essence of what it looks like when God comes in first place in our lives. 26:3 has been a big help for me in times of trouble while 26:12 may indeed be my favorite verse in the Bible. In 26:12, God is the One who receives the glory or who is credited with anything good that takes place in our lives. Just like God delivered Israel from her enemies, He can do the same for us. What enemies are you facing that you need God's help with? These enemies need not have to represent people but rather could come in the form of idolatrous desires of the heart such as unforgiveness, hatred, or lust.

There is much to say in the world today about "attitude." There are some who promote finding the positive in everything while we all know of those on the opposite end of the spectrum who advocate extreme pessimism. The real question we must ask ourselves is what does the Bible have to say about "attitude?" Philippians 2:5 teaches us what our attitude should be like while 2:6-11 shows us how this attitude looks in reality. Does your attitude resemble that which is found in this passage?

High Point (Isaiah 23-25 / Philippians 1)

Isaiah 23 mentions the defeat of one of Israel's historical enemies, Tyre. Tyre was the last nation mentioned in a long list of enemies whom God would defeat for the peace of Israel and for the peace of the nations. Isaiah 24 begins with an "apocalyptic vision of the destruction of all nations and humankind" (NIV Bible Compact Commentary, p. 365). These actions by God bring Isaiah to a point of high praise for his King (25:1-12). Isaiah 25:8 reminds me of Revelation 21:4. I think we all, like Isaiah, look forward to the day where there will be "no more tears." Have you allowed a future vision of what God says is to come (Read Revelation 21-22) bring you to a point of high praise?

Trip Lee sings a song that sums up well the book of Philippians. In his song, he raps the words, "Our life is nothing but Christ is all. So conduct yourself worthy of his righteous call." This is exactly what the apostle Paul is saying in Philippians 1:27. To watch the video by Trip, click on this: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Rny8qet-IQ