Date: Saturday August 04, 2012
Today's Chapters: Isaiah 54-57
Message Title: Make A Difference

Hello My Friend,

While we as Christians think that everyone that comes to church on a fairly regular basis is saved and living their lives for God, we have no idea what they are really doing. Sadly, I have learned over the years that some saved Christians live a more wicked life than some that never step foot in church. It is no wonder that the world frowns upon the the Christian life, if they are seeing the wicked behavior of someone that is supposed to be a Christian than what is the point of converting into one. Here is the point, the few, faithful, true Christians who do live their lives for Christ actually do make a difference, they make a difference to God. “If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” - 1 Corinthians 3:15.

The Messiah that was promised to the Jews would not only be for the Jews, but Gentiles as well, through Isaiah, God reminds Israel that He will not only be the God of them, but the Gentiles as well. We also get a glimpse at the bride of Christ. “Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes; For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited. For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called. For the LORD hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God. For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee.” - Isaiah 54:2,3,5-7.

The Maker, the husband of the Jewish church is God, He is also the husband of the Christian church, through Jesus Christ. Those who believe in Him and accept Him become brides of Christ, members of His church. Christ is the Holy One of Israel, the Mediator of the covenant made with the Old Testament church. He will cleanse from sin, and cause every true believer to rejoice in this sacred union. “For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” - Ephesians 5:23-27.

Through Isaiah God tells all, Jew and Gentile, not to fear the things of the world, just trust in the Savior. “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” - Isaiah 55:1-3,6,7.

In the blink of an eye we are here and gone, in the blink of an eye Jesus will be here and all will be gone, out of the trillions of people who have come, gone, and yet to come, only a few will drink of the living water that only pours out from receiving Christ. If we die before or upon His return have not received His water, we will not be pardoned. “In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” - John 7:37,38.

While salvation is not given to us upon our works our works are necessary to develop a solid relationship with God and see His blessings. Through Isaiah God reveals the importance of the saved living righteously. “Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed. Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil. Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree. For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant; Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.” - Isaiah 56:1-5

While living right does not determine our salvation, remember, we are saved by grace, it is the living right that God does honor us with as we humble ourselves before Him, never forgetting that we are sinners saved by the grace of God. In fact, the more we live for God the more we realize just how sinful we are and do not deserve God's blessings and that is what gets God's attention. Through Isaiah, God gives more assurance to those who are saved and living the right way, but also gives a warning to those who are not.

“I will declare thy righteousness, and thy works; for they shall not profit thee. When thou criest, let thy companies deliver thee; but the wind shall carry them all away; vanity shall take them: but he that putteth his trust in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain; And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumblingblock out of the way of my people. For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” - Isaiah 57:12-15.

Those who claim to live the Christian life and are not are in constant turmoil, oh, they have their bit of fun to try and mask the guilt and shame, but it is all in vain, wasteful, and unprofitable. You cannot accept Christ into your life and continue to live a wicked life, once Christ is in you, conviction never ceases, it can not be masked because God knows everything and let me tell you, people see it too. No one has to live in guilt and shame, but sadly, they do and all they have to do to find peace within themselves is to humble themselves before God and ask for forgiveness, it's that simple. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” - 1 John 1:8,9.

Today's Prayer: God, I can not fathom the amazing grace that You gave me and still give me, to take a life that was a complete mess and turn it into one that has meaning and purpose to it is just a miracle that only You can produce. Thank You God, for seeing something in me that is of good use to you, thank you for your grace and mercy and never giving up on me. God, as I humble myself before You, be merciful to me, a sinner, lead me and guide me, help me to never cease from serving You with all my heart, soul, and might. I love You Lord and ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

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