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Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Wednesday, 28 June 2023:
Isaiah 54:1 — “Sing, O barren one, who did not bear; break forth into singing and cry aloud, you who have not been in labor! For the children of the desolate one will be more than the children of her who is married,” says the Lord.
God can turn everything around, regardless how impossible is might seem.
Isaiah 54:2 – Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes.
From Henry T. Blackaby — When God comes to a life in power, it is always a time of rejoicing and expectation for the future! Isaiah described this experience as similar to that of a child born to a previously barren woman. The child’s arrival changes everything! Life cannot continue as usual! Whereas the dwelling place might have been large enough for two, it must now be made bigger. The child’s presence causes the parents to completely rearrange the way they were living. Isaiah proclaimed that when God comes, you must make room for Him in your life. You must “enlarge the place of your tent” because God’s presence will add new dimensions to your life, your family, and your church. You do not simply “add Christ on” to your busy life and carry on with business as usual. When Christ is your Lord, everything changes. Whereas before you may not have expected good things to come through you or in your life, now you should have a spirit of optimism. You ought to expect your life to become richer and fuller. You can anticipate God blessing others through your life. You can look for God to demonstrate His power through your life in increasing measure. As a Christian, how do you make room for Christ in your life? You repent of your sin. You allow Christ the freedom to do what He wants in you. You watch eagerly for His activity in your life and in your family and in your church. You live your life with the expectancy that Christ will fill you with His power in the days to come and will “stretch” you to do things in His service that you have never done before.
Isaiah 54:5-8 – For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is his name…. For the Lord has called you like a wife deserted and grieved in spirit, like a wife of youth when she is cast off, says your God.
Throughout the Bible, God uses marriage as a symbol of His love relationship with His people, and He expects His people to model this love in their marriages as a testimony to a watching world. The Bible presents the marriage as the most important institution on earth. Jesus warned that no man should destroy what God has created in marriage. In a marriage, Christians are called to give more honor, respect, glory, and love to their spouses than they deserve, to pour out the grace that Christ exemplified. A married person first shows their appreciation for Jesus by how they treat their spouse. Your relationship with God brings you glory and honor you don’t deserve, erasing all previous disgrace. Remember the Lord’s Prayer: “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.” How you forgive your spouse is how you should expect God for forgive you.
Isaiah 54:13 – All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.
The Holy Spirit is the ultimate teacher of God’s children. All Christians want their children to be taught by the Lord which is only possible if they have salvation through Jesus and the embodiment of the Holy Spirit.
Isaiah 54:15 – If anyone stirs up strife, it is not from me; whoever stirs up strife with you shall fall because of you.
If there is strife in the church or among God’s people it is only because they have chosen to reject the power of the Holy Spirit that is available to them.
Ephesians 5:15-16 – “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.”
Look carefully how you walk, one step at a time. Romans 8:29 points out that our goal is to grow in Christ-like character. Character is formed over time one decision at a time, one step at a time. What you choose to think, say and do in the moment both reveals your current character and shapes who you are becoming – thoughts become decisions; decision become actions; actions become habits; and habits become character, which in turn shapes your thinking. Some people are on a virtuous cycle of Christ-like character development, and others are on a vicious cycle, one step building upon another. Today’s readings say, rather than just envisioning your final destination or who you hope to become one day, watch your step today. Carefully examine the decisions you are making right now, in the little things which become big things over time. The steps you are taking today reveal the direction you are heading and who you are really following.
Make the best use of the time by focusing on today. “Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:34) Rather than worrying so much about where God is taking us in life, we need to concentrate on being faithful today. The past is behind you, and the future is yet to be revealed, but today is yours to influence in order to promote a brighter future. Not that we shouldn’t plan, but even long-range plans require daily discipline to succeed. An infantryman’s focus on a long march to battle changes significantly when he knows he is crossing a minefield – no careless steps. Today’s readings warn, “Watch your step!” So, how do we do it? “Be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:1, 2) To walk through today’s minefield, we need to follow Jesus’ lead, and step in his footprints. Jesus, said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23) Denying self, taking up your cross, and following Jesus isn’t a general principle, it is a continuing action. Just as your physical bodies require that your mind never stops working and your heart never stop beating, your spirit requires that you never stop following, one step at a time – “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:25)
- Genesis 5:24 — Enoch walked with God….
- Genesis 6:9 — Noah walked with God.
- Deuteronomy 8:6 — So you shall keep the commandments of the LORD your God by walking in his ways and by fearing him.
- Psalm 86:11 — Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.
- Psalm 116:9 — I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.
- Psalm 26:3 — For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in your faithfulness.
- 2 Chronicles 6:14 — “O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven or on earth, keeping covenant and showing steadfast love to your servants who walk before you with all their heart….”
- Micah 6:8 — He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
- John 10:27 — My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
- Proverbs 28:26 — Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.
From Henry T. Blackaby — These days we are bombarded with opportunities that entice us to invest our time and energy. Each day the voices of urgency cry out for every available moment. So many causes promise that time spent on them will reap great rewards; how can we recognize God’s voice among so many competing voices?
A fool makes unwise choices with his time. With every new opportunity that comes along, the fool chases off in a different direction, not questioning whether that is the best choice. The loudest voice gains his attention. At some point the fool discovers to his dismay that he has squandered the investment of his time.
The days in which you live are evil. Marriages are under tremendous pressure, families are disintegrating. Multitudes are dying each year without hearing the gospel of Jesus Christ. Investing your life wisely is critical to you and to those around you. Foolishly spending your time in sinful or wasteful pursuits can cost you and others dearly.
Often, it is not evil pursuits that rob your time. Rather, the temptation is to sacrifice what is best for what is good. The enemy knows that blatantly tempting you with evil will be obvious, so he will lure you with distractions, leaving you no time to carry out God’s will. He will tempt you to so fill your schedule with good things that you have no time for God’s best. You may inadvertently substitute religious activity for God’s will, pursuing your own goals for God’s kingdom instead of waiting for His assignment. Time is a precious commodity. Be sure to invest it wisely.
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 28 June 2023: Today, keep in step with the Spirit and follow Jesus, one step at a time – one thought at a time, one decision at a time, one word at a time, and one action at a time. Partner with others who are equally committed to walking with Him today.
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 