Isaiah_24

 

Scripture

 

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭24:1-3‬ ‭NLT

 

“Look! The Lord is about to destroy the earth and make it a vast wasteland. He devastates the surface of the earth and scatters the people. Priests and laypeople, servants and masters, maids and mistresses, buyers and sellers, lenders and borrowers, bankers and debtors—none will be spared. The earth will be completely emptied and looted. The Lord has spoken!”

  

Observation-What does it say?

 

All whose treasures and happiness are laid up on earth, will soon be brought to want and misery. Sin has turned the earth upside down; the earth has become quite different to man, from what it was when God first made it to be his habitation. The world we live in is a world of disappointment, a vale of tears; the children of men in it are but of few days, and full of trouble, See the power of God's curse, how it makes all empty, and lays waste all ranks and conditions. Sin brings these calamities upon the earth; it is polluted by the sins of men, therefore it is made desolate by God's judgments. Carnal joy will soon be at end, and the end of it is heaviness. Let men learn to mourn for sin, and rejoice in God; then no man, no event, can take their joy from them.-(Matthew Henry’s Commentary)

 

Understanding-What does it mean?

 

The time to repent from our sin and turn back to God is now!

 

I sound like one of those guys preaching with a megaphone on some street corner when I say that, but it is so true...especially in the time we are living in now! No government or economy is exempt from this pandemic we are facing right now. You see people being scattered and ‬‬isolated from one another-(vs. 1). You see hundreds of people dying, and this pandemic is only going on for 3 weeks! If we are to learn anything from the history of the Bible, you see that man's wickedness awakens God’s wrath. The solution is quite simple: Turn away from our sin, and reach out to God. For believers, we need to stand in the gap for our fellow man, and pray for forgiveness, and repentance. We need to pray for this world’s salvation. For unbelievers, it’s time to put your faith in Jesus Christ. For it is only through our faith in Him that we are saved. The Bible tells us that God doesn’t want to see anyone go to Hell. He did everything possible for that not to happen-(see John 3:16). Some may think “Why would God let this happen?!” I see it as an opportunity, before it’s too late to accept Jesus’ free gift of salvation. Isn’t it time we wake up as a people, and put our faith and trust in Him?

 

“Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.”-2 Chronicles‬ ‭7:14

 

Life Application

 

Take advantage of this opportunity God has given you.

 

Some people are panicking. Some people lost their jobs. Some people are in need of supplies. Some people are sick and are in need of help. Some people just need a little light in their dark situation. “Calling my brothers and sisters in Christ!” Will you answer this call and opportunity that God has given us to be a light for those in need? Remember: “Good deeds leads to good will that leads to the Good News”-some wise old guy from DSC. 😉

 

-Moses Gaddi

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2 Corinthians 10

Scripture 2 Corinthians 10:17-18-17 But, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”[b] 18 For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends. Observation-What does it say?

 

The Apostle Paul is humbly defending his ministry to the Corinthian church.

 

Understanding-What does it mean?  Paul did not seek glory for himself. He was trying to prove to the church that what he writes in his letters would translate the same if he was in person with them. I love the statement he gave at the end of this chapter. He boasts in the Lord, not in himself. God is the one who approves us, not men (or people).  Life Application The good works we do should boast of the Lord’s goodness, not our own. It gives us an “in” to share the Gospel message and our own testimony of His faithfulness and goodness in our lives, with others. We do our Good Works not so that we can get a pat on the back or praise from people, but so that God would be glorified through them.  “Good Works lead to Good Will that leads to the Good News.” -Pastor Gary Khan “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your Good Works, and Glorify your Father who is in heaven.” -Matthew 5:16 NKJV “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every Good Work.” -2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV What good works have you done in the past couple of weeks?  Please share in the comment section so that we can give each other ideas of ways to continue to be on mission for Jesus Christ, even through this time. Thank you and blessings to you all! -Michelle Gaddi

2 Corinthians_9

Scripture:

2 Corinthians 9:6-8⁶ Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. ⁷ Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. ⁸ And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 

Observation:

Paul is writing to the Corinthian Christians who were already well known for their willingness to give – so much so that they were an example to others. 

Understanding:

Therefore by their fruits you will know them. -Matthew 7:20By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. -John 13:35Now, more than ever, we have an opportunity to live a life of example – both in our love and our generosity. Our giving should be…

• abundant, bountiful
• from a right and cheerful heart
• for each one (everyone should give of what’s been given to them)
• what’s been decided in our hearts (with the Holy Spirit’s prompting, but without coercion or manipulation)

As a result, our giving will be blessed and with abundance.  God is SO GOOD in that way!  He provides beyond what can be imagined, beyond expectation.  He’s the best provider, the best gift giver, outgiving even our best attempts.   

Life Application:

May we be crazy generous right now – with those we know, those we don’t.  May we listen in the stillness, quiet our hearts and hear the prompting of the Holy Spirit…whether it’s to share of an abundance of food, our last roll of toilet paper, a gift of soap or hand sanitizer or just an encouraging word. May we be known by our actions, our fruits and our love for others.  Go love on somebody! <3Rei