Tag: the church

Posted in A Father's Love, Holiness, spiritual warfare, wisdom, worship

Isaiah 12–Isaiah Prophet and Worship Leader

Posted on by Michael Smith

Isaiah’s role as a prophet was a very multi-faceted role. Historian, truth teller, evangelist, battle strategist.  But on this day, Isaiah was a worship leader.  It must have been unique to see the future destruction and then the restoration of God’s people.  It would have been hard to keep from judging the sin of Israel or trying to figure out the mind of God.

Isaiah did neither of those things.  Isaiah simply spoke the truth.  To him, having a glimpse of God’s perspective that looks at all places and times at once, was a gift.  Isaiah was worshipping the Lord and watching God’s chosen worship the Lord, because God had, in fact, destroyed Israel’s enemy and returned them to their inheritance.  For Israel, the song was yet premature, they had not yet been exiled nor had the Assyrians and Babylonians been destroyed.  The Remnant had not left, much less been returned.  But this song that Isaiah wrote was an accurate ballad for a later date.  What is more, it was a promise for hope–when the history of Israel had become abysmal.

It grows more apparent, in these times, that the world is exploding.  Across the globe, God is systematically being excluded from government, education, and families.  In America, we are banning worship at church, but encouraging protesters by the thousand to gather in the streets. The great news is that God is patient.  He truly wants His people to humble themselves and to seek His face. As with Israel, God wants to restore us, His people, but that requires repentance and revival.  

We simply need to face the fact that our nation and our world is teetering on the brink of judgement–but, as with Israel, we can turn and be restored. Pray, seek God and His truth, walk humbly, and turn toward God and His plan. Do not turn away from God to do your own thing.  Then we can join Isaiah in worship and praise God for His restoration. Then we can walk in peace without fear.

God Bless You

In that day you will say:

“I will praise you, Lord.
    Although you were angry with me,
your anger has turned away
    and you have comforted me.
2 Surely God is my salvation;
    I will trust and not be afraid.
The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense[a];
    he has become my salvation.”
3 With joy you will draw water
    from the wells of salvation.

4 In that day you will say:

“Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name;
    make known among the nations what he has done,
    and proclaim that his name is exalted.
5 Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things;
    let this be known to all the world.
6 Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion,
    for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.”

Posted in A Father's Love, Devotions, Holiness, Marraige, spiritual warfare, wisdom, worship

Teaching and Living the Christian Life–Titus 2 Part 1

Posted on by Michael Smith

Paul knew that the community of believers were hungry for direction on how to Live the Christian Life.  He also knew the message for each person and life stage had to be tailored to where they were living.  So Paul gives specific direction for people in different points of the journey.  For us old guys, Paul tells Titus–teach them to act with self-control, live a life worthy of respect and be wise…It is certainly easy, as we get older, to let things go and be less self-aware.  But, if we are disciplined and wise, we can have a life changing affect on others. 

The same holds true with ladies that are well along the path.  They set the tone for their families, and they can train younger women to be grateful for their husbands and family, even when both are imperfect. To do that, these amazing women have to live and walk in a way that shows themselves worthy of respect and honor. No loose tongues that spread gossip or spit out angry and vile rhetoric–such talk lessens and even negates any long term impact they may have.

As for the younger set–women must love and care for your husbands and families–make them your ministry and be the guardian of your household.  Young husbands are the protectors and providers–but, let’s face it, without young wives and moms–homes and families would be a complete disaster.

Finally, young men need to practice humility and submission to God. The world would tell you “No Holds Barred” but, as young men make choices in their youth, those choices could and do affect the rest of their lives and the lives of their families–It is therefore critical that young men make wise choices and life affirming decisions. They need to adopt mentors that are godly and wise and listen and learn. Otherwise, before we know it, Godly influence will disappear and anarchy will reign supreme.

Hard to teach, hard to do–but, when we follow and honor God–He blesses us; and allows us to bless those in our lives. We are not disqualified by age or gender–We all are called to a critical mission.

God Bless You

As for you, Titus, promote the kind of living that reflects wholesome teaching. 2 Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience.

3 Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers.[a] Instead, they should teach others what is good. 4 These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, 5 to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes,[b] to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God.

6 In the same way, encourage the young men to live wisely. 7 And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching

Posted in devotion, Fathers Love, Holiness, spiritual warfare

Who Can Win the Battle–1 John 5 Part 1

Posted on by Michael Smith

It is great to distinguish yourself.  One need only open You tube to find countless examples of people working to set themselves apart and establish their place in this world.  We are also called to be set apart. And God, being the father that he is simply wants us to be set apart from a world gone bad.  So How do we set ourselves apart?

In this passage we see three factors that make us unique. 1) Believing Jesus is the Christ (Messiah). 2) Loving God and Loving his kids.  3) Keeping his Commands–By faith.  It is mostly a matter of trust–trusting God to be God, trusting Christ to be the risen Savior and trusting God’s plan to be designed to make us like him and to prepare us for Eternity.  If we do that, we will be SET APART.

God Bless You

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ[a] has become a child of God. And everyone who loves the Father loves his children, too. 2 We know we love God’s children if we love God and obey his commandments. 3 Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome. 4 For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. 5 And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.