relationships (Isaiah 65:1-25) Peace Found in Perfect Love

(Isaiah 65:1-25) 

1   “I permitted Myself to be sought by those who did not ask for Me;
     I permitted Myself to be found by those who did not seek Me.
     I said, ‘Here am I, here am I,’
     To a nation which did not call on My name.
2   I have spread out My hands all day long to a rebellious people,
     Who walk in the way which is not good, following their own thoughts,
3   A people who continually provoke Me to My face,
     Offering sacrifices in gardens and burning incense on bricks;
4   Who sit among graves and spend the night in secret places;
     Who eat pig’s flesh,
     And the broth of unclean meat is in their pots.
5   Who say, ‘Keep to yourself, do not come near me,
     For I am holier than you!’
     These are smoke in My nostrils,
     A fire that burns all the day.
6   Behold, it is written before Me:
     I will not keep silent, but I will repay;
     I will even repay into their laps,
7   Both your own wrongdoings and the wrongdoings of your fathers together,” says the Lord.
     “Because they have burned incense on the mountains 
     And scorned Me on the hills,
     Therefore I will measure their former work into their laps.”

8   This is what the Lord says:

     “Just as the new wine is found in the cluster,
     And one says, ‘Do not destroy it, for there is benefit in it,’
     So I will act in behalf of My servants 
     In order not to destroy all of them.
9   I will bring forth offspring from Jacob,
     And an heir of My mountains from Judah;
     My chosen ones shall inherit it,
     And My servants will live there.
10 Sharon will be a pasture land for flocks,
     And the Valley of Achor a resting place for herds,
     For My people who seek Me.
11 But as for you who abandon the Lord,
     Who forget My holy mountain,
     Who set a table for Fortune,
     And fill a jug of mixed wine for Destiny,
12 I will destine you for the sword,
     And all of you will bow down to the slaughter.
     Because I called, but you did not answer;
     I spoke, but you did not listen.
     Instead, you did evil in My sight
     And chose that in which I did not delight.”

13 Therefore, this is what the Lord God says:
     “Behold, My servants will eat, but you will be hungry.
     Behold, My servants will drink, but you will be thirsty.
     Behold, My servants will rejoice, but you will be put to shame.
14 Behold, My servants will shout joyfully with a glad heart,
     But you will cry out from a painful heart,
     And you will wail from a broken spirit.
15 You will leave your name as a curse to My chosen ones,
     And the Lord God will put you to death.
     But My servants will be called by another name.
16 Because the one who is blessed on the earth 
     Will be blessed by the God of truth;
     And the one who swears an oath on the earth 
     Will swear by the God of truth;
     Because the former troubles are forgotten,
     And because they are hidden from My sight!

17 “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth;
     And the former things will not be remembered or come to mind.
18 But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create;
     For behold, I create Jerusalem for rejoicing 
     And her people for gladness.
19 I will also rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in My people;
     And there will no longer be heard in her 
     The voice of weeping and the sound of crying.
20 No longer will there be in it an infant who lives only a few days,
     Or an old person who does not live out his days;
     For the youth will die at the age of a hundred,
     And the one who does not reach the age of a hundred 
     Will be thought accursed.
21 They will build houses and inhabit them;
     They will also plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
22 They will not build and another inhabit,
     They will not plant and another eat;
     For as the lifetime of a tree, so will be the days of My people,
     And My chosen ones will fully enjoy the work of their hands.
23 They will not labor in vain,
     Or give birth to children for disaster;
     For they are the descendants of those blessed by the Lord,
      And their descendants with them.

24 It will also come to pass that before they call, I will answer; while they are still speaking, I will listen. 25 The wolf and the lamb will graze together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox; and dust will be the serpent’s food. They will do no evil or harm on all My holy mountain,” says the Lord.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

The Lord will establish the Millennial kingdom, which will be Garden of Eden-like.  The only difference is that people will still have a sinful nature.  Those going into the Millennium will all be Christians, but those being born during that time will have to make a personal decision to put their faith and trust in Christ.  Since Jesus will be here on earth, reigning as King overall, there will be immediate justice and a literal peace on earth.  

As far as spiritual peace, no matter who you are or which time period a person finds themselves in, we all need to be saved in order to find that peace, satisfaction and joy-filled life.  And this salvation can only be found in having a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.  

- because He is love, He created us with a free will, and therefore He never forces anyone to love Him back

- because He is love, He died for all of our sins, and therefore offers His free gift of forgiveness to everyone

- because He is love, He desires that all come to know Him personally, and therefore continues to reach out and give everyone fair opportunity to come to Him

- because He is love, He is faithful to keep us forever once we have put our faith in Him and He has adopted us, and therefore we never have to worry or be afraid

- because He is love, He never forces anyone to be obedient but desires that we live in His will which leads to a better life, and therefore He continues to reach out, wanting to guide us, equip us, strengthen us, help us, and bless us

(2 Thessalonians 3:16)  Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all!

relationships (Isaiah 64:1-12) Always Maturing

(Isaiah 64:1-12)

1   Oh, that You would tear open the heavens and come down,
     That the mountains would quake at Your presence—
2   As fire kindles brushwood, as fire causes water to boil—
     To make Your name known to Your adversaries,
     That the nations may tremble at Your presence!
3   When You did awesome things which we did not expect,
     You came down, the mountains quaked at Your presence.
4   For from days of old they have not heard or perceived by ear,
     Nor has the eye seen a God besides You,
     Who acts in behalf of one who waits for Him.
5   You meet him who rejoices in doing righteousness,
      Who remembers You in Your ways.
      Behold, You were angry, for we sinned,
     We continued in our sins for a long time;
     Yet shall we be saved?
6   For all of us have become like one who is unclean,
     And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment;
     And all of us wither like a leaf,
     And our wrongdoings, like the wind, take us away.
7   There is no one who calls on Your name,
     Who stirs himself to take hold of You;
     For You have hidden Your face from us 
     And have surrendered us to the power of our wrongdoings.

8   But now, Lord, You are our Father;
     We are the clay, and You our potter,
     And all of us are the work of Your hand.
9   Do not be angry beyond measure, Lord,
     Nor remember wrongdoing forever.
     Behold, please look, all of us are Your people.
10 Your holy cities have become a wilderness,
     Zion has become a wilderness,
     Jerusalem a desolation.
11 Our holy and beautiful house,
     Where our fathers praised You,
     Has been burned by fire;
     And all our precious things have become a ruin.
12 Will You restrain Yourself at these things, Lord?
     Will You keep silent and afflict us beyond measure?

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

It benefits our lives when we try to be like the Lord, using Him as our perfect example, to be a better son, daughter, student, employee, friend, spouse, and parent...  But before we can try to be like Him, we need to know Him, and then, know that we need His help.  God is always reaching down and reaching out to us, we just have to open our eyes to see that.  Even after we become a child of God, He reminds us to keep looking to Him for His strength and help.  As our loving, caring heavenly Father, His hand is always reaching out to us, we just have to strive in a continuous effort to stay close to Him.

While "striving" may sound like so much work - it is much easier than we imagine.  In our humanness, we will be impatient and have questions and doubts, but God is faithful, He has all the right answers, and His timing is perfect.  It helps to remember the works that He has accomplished in the past.  It also helps to know that as we wait for God, He works on our behalf!  While we might become complacent and forget about Him, the Lord never forgets about us.

As we continue to go to the Lord in all circumstances, He shapes us and matures us in His righteousness, and gives us His strength and wisdom!  He created us, after all, and therefore knows what is best for us.  He actually knows us better than we know ourselves!  Even in those areas where we struggle, those things that we think are so well buried and hidden... the Lord wants to help us!  

Now, there are a few key points here that might not be so obvious, which would help us mature and be a better son, daughter, student, employee, friend, spouse, and parent...  In verse 9, the people ask God to not get angry at them beyond measure.  Well, that's such a human response, because we know that our own anger can get out of control.  We must know that the Lord is always fair and just!  Therefore, not only can we rest easy, but we can go to Him for help in this area.  Self-control is one of the fruits of the Spirit, and we are to do all things in God's love, to His glory.

As well, as we can see in verse 7, when we sin, God does allow us to go through consequences.  As a parent, we must allow our children to experience consequences - safely, and in age-appropriate ways - so that they will slowly learn to self-analyze, to realize what is right and wrong, to admit their wrong doings, and to lean on God to help them do what is right.  Otherwise, we are actually hurting them if we make everything perfect and comfortable for them.  

Children (and everyone) must learn from their mistakes, as well as as learn how to navigate through difficult times.  And so, parents should be there alongside them, teaching and guiding them towards being independently dependent on the Lord, and seeing and trusting in the Lord God as their loving, caring and faithful heavenly Father!  Whether consequences are a result of our actions, or someone else's actions, or natural disasters due to living in a fallen, broken world, the answer is always for us - not to run away - but to run to the Lord!

Therefore, in our striving, as we ask, the Lord does everything for us!  As we allow, He continues to work for us, in us, and through us.  To fully trust the Lord in all things, is to make our relationship with Him our top priority, always.  And it is in this close and amazing relationship that we find continuous maturity, rest, comfort, peace and security.

relationships (Isaiah 63:1-19) Worthy Friend

(Isaiah 63:1-19) 

1   Who is this who comes from Edom,
     With garments of glowing colors from Bozrah,
     This One who is majestic in His apparel,
     Marching in the greatness of His strength?
     “It is I, the One who speaks in righteousness, mighty to save.”
2   Why is Your apparel red,
     And Your garments like one who treads in the wine press?
3   “I have trodden the wine trough alone,
     And from the peoples there was no one with Me.
     I also trod them in My anger 
     And trampled them in My wrath;
     And their lifeblood is sprinkled on My garments,
     And I stained all My clothes.
4   For the day of vengeance was in My heart,
     And My year of redemption has come.
5   I looked, but there was no one to help,
     And I was astonished and there was no one to uphold;
     So My own arm brought salvation to Me,
     And My wrath upheld Me.
6   I trampled down the peoples in My anger 
     And made them drunk with My wrath,
     And I poured out their lifeblood on the earth.”

7   I will make mention of the mercies of the Lord, and the praises of the Lord,
     According to all that the Lord has granted us,
     And the great goodness toward the house of Israel,
     Which He has granted them according to His compassion 
     And according to the abundance of His mercies.
8   For He said, “Certainly they are My people,
     Sons who will not deal falsely.”
     So He became their Savior.
9   In all their distress He was distressed,
     And the angel of His presence saved them;
     In His love and in His mercy He redeemed them,
     And He lifted them and carried them all the days of old.
10 But they rebelled 
     And grieved His Holy Spirit;
     Therefore He turned Himself to become their enemy,
     He fought against them.
11 Then His people remembered the days of old, of Moses.
     Where is He who brought them up out of the sea with the shepherds of His flock?
     Where is He who put His Holy Spirit in the midst of them,
12 Who caused His glorious arm to go at the right hand of Moses,
     Who divided the waters before them to make for Himself an everlasting name,
13 Who led them through the depths?
     Like the horse in the wilderness, they did not stumble;
14 Like the cattle which go down into the valley,
     The Spirit of the Lord gave them rest.
     So You led Your people,
     To make for Yourself a glorious name.

15 Look down from heaven and see from Your holy and glorious lofty habitation;
     Where are Your zeal and Your mighty deeds?
     The stirrings of Your heart and Your compassion are restrained toward me.
16 For You are our Father, though Abraham does not know us 
     And Israel does not recognize us.
     You, Lord, are our Father,
     Our Redeemer from ancient times is Your name.
17 Why, Lord, do You cause us to stray from Your ways 
     And harden our heart from fearing You?
     Return for the sake of Your servants, the tribes of Your heritage.
18 Your holy people possessed Your sanctuary for a little while,
     Our adversaries have trampled it down.
19 We have become like those over whom You have never ruled,
     Like those who were not called by Your name.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

Even though Israel strayed from the Lord, the Lord remains faithful.  And even though Israel has strayed from the Lord, they as a nation will believe in Him when they see the signs of His second coming (the judgements) during the Tribulation.  God will fulfill His promises to them in His perfect timing.  He will rid the earth of evil and lead Israel and those who become believers during the seven years into the Millennial kingdom.  

As for us, we should ask ourselves: do we want God as our enemy, or do we want Him as our Lord and Savior?  Know that the Lord is holy, hates sin and cannot have a relationship with sinners.  We all are born with a sinful nature and have sinned and deserve punishment and death.  But also know that the Lord is mighty to save.  

Jesus paid the price for all sin and conquered death, so that in His unconditional love He will redeem those who seek Him and His salvation.  His mercy is abundant, protecting us from His wrath, which we deserve.  And His grace, His goodness and compassion is great, giving us eternal life and rewards which we do not deserve.  

When the Lord saves us, He then leads us in His indwelling Holy Spirit of promise.  When we call, He lifts and carries us.  We can rest in Him, as we trust Him to care for us, without worry or fear.  The Lord is so much more than a Friend, He is our faithful and caring heavenly Father, and is more than worthy to be praised!

relationships (Isaiah 62:1-12) Delight in a Close Walk Together

(Isaiah 62:1-12) 

1   For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent,
     And for Jerusalem’s sake I will not keep quiet,
     Until her righteousness goes forth like brightness,
     And her salvation like a torch that is burning.
2   The nations will see your righteousness,
     And all kings your glory;
     And you will be called by a new name 
     Which the mouth of the Lord will designate.
3   You will also be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord,
     And a royal headband in the hand of your God.
4   It will no longer be said to you, “Forsaken,”
     Nor to your land will it any longer be said, “Desolate”;
     But you will be called, “My delight is in her,”
     And your land, “Married”;
     For the Lord delights in you,
     And to Him your land will be married.
5   For as a young man marries a virgin,
     So your sons will marry you;
     And as the groom rejoices over the bride,
     So your God will rejoice over you.

6   On your walls, Jerusalem, I have appointed watchmen;
     All day and all night they will never keep silent.
     You who profess the Lord, take no rest for yourselves;
7   And give Him no rest until He establishes 
     And makes Jerusalem an object of praise on the earth.
8   The Lord has sworn by His right hand and by His mighty arm:
     “I will never again give your grain as food for your enemies,
     Nor will foreigners drink your new wine for which you have labored.”
9   But those who harvest it will eat it and praise the Lord;
     And those who gather it will drink it in the courtyards of My sanctuary.

10 Go through, go through the gates,
     Clear a way for the people!
     Build up, build up the highway,
     Remove the stones, lift up a flag over the peoples.
11 Behold, the Lord has proclaimed to the end of the earth:
     Say to the daughter of Zion, “Behold, your salvation is coming;
     Behold His reward is with Him, and His compensation before Him.”
12 And they will call them, “The holy people,
     The redeemed of the Lord”;
     And you will be called, “Sought Out, A City Not Abandoned.”

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

For "those God calls" - those who choose to believe and trust in Him - He will never give up on them.  God's desire was and is for Israel to demonstrate His righteousness and glory, but they as a nation rejected the Lord when He came to earth in flesh the first time.  The Lord will come again to fulfill His covenants with Israel in the Millennium, after they as a nation realize and believe in their hearts that He was and is their Messiah, King, Lord and Savior.  As for everyone else, the Lord is just as loving and just as vigilant, no matter who we are.

The desire of the Lord is that all come to know Him personally.  His desire is to delight in our walk with Him.  In Revelation 21 and 22, the Church is described as the bride, and the Lord is the groom.  This is the closest human relationship we have on earth to which we can relate, as a man and woman become one flesh.  When we become a Christian, the Lord's Holy Spirit of promise indwells us and seals us for all eternity.  We become one with Christ.  (1 Corinthians 6 15-20) 

And just like in a faithful marriage, once we become a Christian, the Lord does not leave us alone that we should flounder and wonder what to do next.  He is with us always and forever, and desires that we continue together in a close walk with Him.  This is why He provides us with what we need.  The words of the Lord are found in the Bible for us to know Him more.  The Holy Spirit is there to guide us in the way that we should go, leading us to a fulfilling life.  We can talk with the Lord in prayer, all day, anytime, anywhere and ask for help, strength and guidance.  

The Lord also provides us with a spiritual family - a community of believers - where we can serve and encourage one another towards maintaining a close relationship with the Lord.  And as we live in God's will, we will shine out the gospel message - the good news - the free gift of salvation which is offered to everyone, so that others might also embrace a close relationship with the Lord and be satisfied!

As Revelation 22:1 says, "The Spirit and the bride say, 'Come.' And let the one who hears say, 'Come.' And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires, take the water of life without cost."

relationships (Isaiah 61:1-11) Who is in Control?

(Isaiah 61:1-11) 

1    The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
     Because the Lord anointed me 
     To bring good news to the humble;
     He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
     To proclaim release to captives 
     And freedom to prisoners;
2   To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord
     And the day of vengeance of our God;
     To comfort all who mourn,
3   To grant those who mourn in Zion,
     Giving them a garland instead of ashes,
     The oil of gladness instead of mourning,
     The cloak of praise instead of a disheartened spirit.
     So they will be called oaks of righteousness,
     The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.

4   Then they will rebuild the ancient ruins,
     They will raise up the former devastations;
     And they will repair the ruined cities,
     The desolations of many generations.
5   Strangers will stand and pasture your flocks,
     And foreigners will be your farmers and your vinedressers.
6   But you will be called the priests of the Lord;
     You will be spoken of as ministers of our God.
     You will eat the wealth of nations,
     And you will boast in their riches.
7   Instead of your shame you will have a double portion,
     And instead of humiliation they will shout for joy over their portion.
     Therefore they will possess a double portion in their land,
     Everlasting joy will be theirs.
8   For I, the Lord, love justice,
     I hate robbery in the burnt offering;
     And I will faithfully give them their reward,
     And make an everlasting covenant with them.
9   Then their offspring will be known among the nations,
     And their descendants in the midst of the peoples.
     All who see them will recognize them 
     Because they are the offspring whom the Lord has blessed.

10 I will rejoice greatly in the Lord,
     My soul will be joyful in my God;
     For He has clothed me with garments of salvation,
     He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness,
     As a groom puts on a turban,
     And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11 For as the earth produces its sprouts,
     And as a garden causes the things sown in it to spring up,
     So the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise 
      To spring up before all the nations.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

Because of sinful pride, people think that they can work their way into God's favor and into heaven.  And/or they think that they can create a different way than what God has established.  Some people even believe that they are good enough just as they are in order to get into (some sort of personal version of) heaven.  And in all their efforts, they not only try to control their own lives and fate, but they will try to get others to conform their lives and beliefs to fit into their personal desires and agendas.  With some sort of guise of "unity" and order, it might even sound "good" and "right".  But one is deceiving themselves if they think they have any sort of control over what is right and what is the purpose for our existence.

Christianity, on the other hand, is not a manmade religion, nor should anyone try to make it so.  And it is not a set of dos and don'ts to earn God's love.  The Lord already loves all people, and therefore provided a way for all people to come to know Him, if they so choose.  This is why He created us in the first place.  Therefore, Christianity is a personal relationship with the Lord.

Salvation is from the Lord Jesus Christ.  No one is good enough to get into heaven, and we do not have to try to be "good enough" before going to Him for forgiveness and freedom from sin.  We are to go to Him as we are, but with a humble heart, realizing our sinful nature and our need for His forgiveness.  At the same time, He clothes us with His righteousness, and He begins to change us from the inside out.  Because we go to Him brokenhearted, He will build us up in His strength and wisdom, and guide us in His joy.

Therefore, Christianity is not a set of dos and don'ts to keep God's love and our salvation.  Salvation cannot be lost or even given away, because of the Lord's grace and faithfulness!  And our obedience will be the evidence of our love and trust in the Lord, as He is faithful to work for us, in us and through us, as we ask and allow.  

It is always within our control to ask and allow the Lord to be in control - because - we know He will do a much better job - at everything!!!  This applies to what happens in our own lives, as well as how and where we find unity, love and peace with others.  The Lord created us with the purpose of being His child, as well as desiring that we get along with our siblings and others.  Therefore, Christianity is about having a consistent two-way communication in a personal relationship with the Lord.  And it is the most important and blessed relationship one could ever have!

relationships (Isaiah 60:1-22) Spreading God's Love and Light

(Isaiah 60:1-22) 

1   “Arise, shine; for your light has come,
     And the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
2   For behold, darkness will cover the earth
     And deep darkness the peoples;
     But the Lord will rise upon you 
     And His glory will appear upon you.
3   Nations will come to your light,
     And kings to the brightness of your rising.

4   “Raise your eyes all around and see;
     They all gather together, they come to you.
     Your sons will come from afar,
     And your daughters will be carried on the hip.
5   Then you will see and be radiant,
     And your heart will thrill and rejoice;
     Because the abundance of the sea will be turned to you,
     The wealth of the nations will come to you.
6   A multitude of camels will cover you,
     The young camels of Midian and Ephah;
     All those from Sheba will come;
     They will bring gold and frankincense,
     And proclaim good news of the praises of the Lord.
7   All the flocks of Kedar will be gathered to you,
     The rams of Nebaioth will serve you;
     They will go up on My altar with acceptance,
     And I will glorify My glorious house.
8   Who are these who fly like a cloud 
     And like the doves to their windows?
9   Certainly the coastlands will wait for Me;
     And the ships of Tarshish will come first,
     To bring your sons from afar,
     Their silver and their gold with them,
     For the name of the Lord your God,
     And for the Holy One of Israel because He has glorified you.

10 “Foreigners will build up your walls,
     And their kings will serve you;
     For in My wrath I struck you,
     And in My favor I have had compassion on you.
11 Your gates will be open continually;
     They will not be closed day or night,
     So that people may bring you the wealth of the nations,
     With their kings led in procession.
12 For the nation and the kingdom which will not serve you will perish,
     And the nations will be utterly ruined.
13 The glory of Lebanon will come to you,
     The juniper, the elm tree and the cedar together,
     To beautify the place of My sanctuary;
     And I will make the place of My feet glorious.
14 The sons of those who afflicted you will come bowing to you,
     And all those who despised you will bow down at the soles of your feet;
     And they will call you the city of the Lord,
     The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.

15 “Whereas you have been forsaken and hated 
     With no one passing through,
     I will make you an object of pride forever,
     A joy from generation to generation.
16 You will also suck the milk of nations,
     And suck the breast of kings;
     Then you will know that I, the Lord, am your Savior 
     And your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.
17 Instead of bronze I will bring gold,
     And instead of iron I will bring silver,
     And instead of wood, bronze,
     And instead of stones, iron.
     And I will make peace your administrators,
     And righteousness your overseers.
18 Violence will not be heard again in your land,
     Nor devastation or destruction within your borders;
     But you will call your walls salvation, and your gates praise.
19 No longer will you have the sun for light by day,
     Nor will the moon give you light for brightness;
     But you will have the Lord as an everlasting light,
     And your God as your glory.
20 Your sun will no longer set,
     Nor will your moon wane;
     For you will have the Lord as an everlasting light,
     And the days of your mourning will be over.
21 Then all your people will be righteous;
     They will possess the land forever,
     The branch of My planting,
     The work of My hands,
     That I may be glorified.
22 The smallest one will become a thousand,
     And the least one a mighty nation.
     I, the Lord, will bring it about quickly in its time.”

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

This chapter is a prophecy about the Millennium, when Israel's covenants will be fulfilled, because they as a nation will have accepted Jesus as their Messiah, King, Lord and Savior.  While this prophecy doesn't fully pertain to us if we are not Jewish, we are of the other nations.  At the end of the Abrahamic covenant (Genesis 12:1-3), the Lord promises that through Abraham's seed all nations will be blessed.  

"The seed" meaning Jesus, and the nations being blessed is a two-fold prophecy.  Jesus' work on the cross fulfills the new covenant, as well as provides the way to fulfill the covenants with Israel.  Regarding the end times, everyone becoming believers during the Tribulation, will join Israel in the Millennium to experience peace on earth and of the Lord's blessings.  Regarding right now (and for all time), anyone can put their faith in the Lord Jesus and experience His spiritual peace and God's blessings, because His work on the cross paid for all sin, of all time, for all people!

From all prophecies and covenants, we can learn about how amazing the Lord is.  Not only does He keep His promises, but He wants us to find peace, rest and joy.  To find this eternal hope and security, we must follow the light.  The Lord Jesus is our light.  When we accept Him as our personal King, Lord and Savior, we receive His light.  And just as Israel had been called to shine His light to other nations, we as Christians are asked to shine His light to others.

The key to all of this is that the Lord does everything for us.  Apart from God, we are helpless and hopeless.  It is only in the Lord's light that there is salvation, redemption, peace, righteousness and eternal life.  When we are saved from the darkness, we then walk in His light.  His light illuminates, clearly showing us His way, and His light reveals God's glory!  When we see the light, we see His glory.  And as we shine His light, it will demonstrate His glory.  Whatever we do or say should bring glory to the Lord.

God's light is not to be used as a spotlight to bring attention to ourselves.  Although we are going to be seen and observed by the world, our prayers should be that we live in such a way that we reflect His love and His light, and that God's love and light will spread!  Oh that the Lord uses us to His glory so that His light may shine out into the dark places where people hide in unnecessary fear.  May their eyes be opened to see and realize their need for Him!  

In the Lord, there is eternal hope, and in a personal relationship with Him, we can lean on and rely on Him for our help!  He will build us up in His strength and love.  In this we are blessed.  And of course, we have our perfect, heavenly home to look forward to!!!