Isaiah_60

Scripture - What stood out?Isaiah 60:1-31 “Arise, shine, for your light has come,    and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.2 See, darkness covers the earth    and thick darkness is over the peoples,but the Lord rises upon you    and his glory appears over you.3 Nations will come to your light,

    and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Observation - What does it say?The title to this chapter in NIV reads “The Glory of Zion”. The prophet Isaiah speaks to God’s future blessing and provision over Zion. The words seem to pertain to the people of Israel, the future king Jesus Christ who descended from the line of David, but I believe that this is a word that is for all of us who trust and believe in God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.   Understanding - What does it mean?I have never felt so confused in a very long time. With media, scientists, doctors, politicians, and religious figures all at odds over how to best respond to covid-19, I officially feel like there is a darkness that has covered the land. Maybe if you have lived longer than the 40 years I have perhaps you can remember a time when darkness covered the land much like I feel it does now.However…I believe that God is telling his people “Arise, shine, for your light has come…”“...the Glory of the Lord rises upon you.”And “Nations will come to your light.” Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? Arise.

Do you have the Love of Christ in you? Shine.

The glory of the Lord rises with you.There are people living in darkness who need that light.

Life Application - How can I apply this to my life today?Thank you Father for rising with me. Help me to share the light of Christ in everything that I do, from the mundane to the spectacular. Help me to be your light when times are dark. Help me to rise. Help me to shine. In the name of Jesus, amen. -kenneth lee 

Luke 22

Scripture

Luke 22:42

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”

 

Observation

After celebrating the Passover with His disciples Jesus goes to the Mount of Olives to pray. Here He will be betrayed by Judas, yet He willingly and humbly prepares Himself for His capture and death. Not only does He do these things, He also verbalizes His surrender to God.

 

Understanding

“Dead End”

I always thought it was really interesting that Jesus prayed this prayer. He knew what HIs sole purpose was, yet He was also (wait for it) human. It is so easy to forget that Jesus was just like us, in that He experienced every range of emotion and He still asked His Heavenly Father for favors He knew the answer to. Jesus literally asks God “to take this cup” from Him. Meaning, He didn’t want to have to experience the weight of the world crashing in on Him. He didn’t want to beat, mocked, crucified, and killed. Crazy right?! The Savior of the world did not want to suffer. And if it were up to any of us, I think we would leave the prayer right there. But Jesus seals His fate by adding, “YET not my will, but yours be done.”

I’ll keep my question to you simple today: What is holding you back from surrendering? I recently read something that I think perfectly sums this beautiful yet difficult act called surrender:

“At the end of the street I saw a street sign. It said simply “Dead End.” There was heartache, heartache so great it cannot be put into words. If you think it’s easy to go to the cross, it’s simply because you’ve never been there.”

Jesus proves that the journey to the cross is full of turmoil. The same applies to us. We think surrender simply implies dumping our problems and insecurities at the feet of the cross and moving on, but it isn’t. The journey to the cross means that we have to accept the fact we are not enough. Then we have to the even more difficult act of bearing our cross, and bearing it daily! It means I choose to die to myself everyday because of the second half of Jesus’ prayer “YET not my will, but yours be done.” What “Dead End” Street have you ventured down too many times because you’re afraid to bring it to the cross?

 

Life Application

I am not implying that God does not redeem your sacrifice and surrender by neglecting your problems and insecurities either. I’m saying that surrender is not easy, especially when we hold the problem or insecurity close to our chest. If we call ourselves followers of Christ, it means that we long to see the Father’s will accomplished NO MATTER THE COST. I know I always come back to this, but you are not alone in your venture to the foot of the cross either. Just because the journey is difficult means you have to go alone. Jesus went alone, so that we could go together, He paved the way for us. It’s time to turn our “Dead Ends” into surrenders and victories.

-Allison Khan

PS I would care to venture to say, that stress and fear about the coronavirus is a “Dead End” street. I think it’s about time to bear this cross too…

Psalm__11

Scripture

Psalm 11:1-7 NLT

“I trust in the Lord for protection. So why do you say to me, “Fly like a bird to the mountains for safety! The wicked are stringing their bows and fitting their arrows on the bowstrings. They shoot from the shadows at those whose hearts are right. The foundations of law and order have collapsed. What can the righteous do?” But the Lord is in His holy Temple; the Lord still rules from heaven. He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth. The Lord examines both the righteous and the wicked. He hates those who love violence. He will rain down blazing coals and burning sulfur on the wicked, punishing them with scorching winds. For the righteous Lord loves justice. The virtuous will see His face.”

Observation-What does it say?

In this psalm of David, David reiterates Who he finds refuge in (The Lord Almighty). As chaos and disorder begin to surround David, his counselors urge him to flee. But David stands firm. David knows that God is his protector, and that God is in control. David knows that he serves a God of truth and justice...and despises those who love evil. David understands the wrath of fire and brimstone that awaits the wicked. So David remains steadfast in his faith. David will fight his battles with the Lord God Almighty leading the way.

Understanding-What does it mean?

God is in control.

You ever hear people ask the question, “How can God let this bad stuff happen in the world?!” It is even a question we as Christians can find ourselves asking. We as a people have managed to think that we know better than God!..that we can manage this world ourselves! Now where did that leave us?! Just turn on your local news or go on social media. I’m sure it won’t take long for us to see.

But there is good news. God is STILL in control. Even with all the evil in this world, God is in control. He is at the throne of Heaven, observing our every action, hearing our every thought and prayer. God is waiting on us. Are we as a nation ready to turn back to Him? Are we as Christ Followers ready to stand in the gap, and pray on behalf of this nation? I encourage you to trust God (the way David did). See what God can do through all of this. We serve a God of order and justice. Let Him lead our way!

“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

Pray for our nation and its leaders.

Father God, I pray for our nation today. I pray for our leaders. I pray that You may instill them with wisdom on how to lead the people in a way that pleases You, especially during this Covid-19 season. Forgive us God for thinking we know what’s better for us. Forgive us Lord for turning our backs on You. Lord God Almighty, You are in control. Help us trust in You and Your ways once again. Heal our nation Lord. Restore this nation to make us whole again. Make us one nation, under God, (under Your reign and protection Lord). We give You all the glory, all the honor and all the praise Lord. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

-Moses Gaddi