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As We Enter This New Year… The Lord Will Be With His People!
Isa 42:16d KJV – “These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.
For the SIH devotional on this subject:
Isa 42:16 (6): “Entering The Unknown By Faith”
(“The Lord promises He will care for us in our future situations. He will not turn His back to us.”)
INTRODUCTION TO OUR SERIES:
Folks, as the New Year comes upon us, we are reminded that we are embarking on a new part of our life’s journey that is filled with many unknowns. These unknown events can challenge a Christian’s faith to its very core. This is the reason that I felt it was important to take a few devotional lessons and address keys to “Entering The Unknown By Faith”.
In this six part devotional series, we will be looking at Isaiah 42:16. This is a wonderful text to use in this devotional series. In this series, we will learn about how to handle unforeseen, challenging life events based upon our trust in the Lord and His enabling graces.
Lord willing, by His grace alone, we will be uncovering the wisdom found in God’s Word that will help us to handle all the “unknowns” that this New Year will hold for us.
Our devotionals will be looking at:
1. Dec 26th – Our Uncertain Future…. Faith Is The Key!
2. Dec 27th – Our Blindness To The Events Our Future Holds
3. Dec 28th – Our Future Holds Events We Have Never Experienced
4. Dec 29th – Our Future Is Revealed To Us One Event At A Time… In The Lord’s Time
5. Dec 30th – Our Future Events May Be Hard To Maneuver But The Lord Straightens Them Out
6. Dec 31st – Our Lord Will Care For Us Every Passing Day
May the Lord bless our study!
TODAY’S TEXTS:
Isa 42:16 KJV
TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL:
The Lord promises He will care for us in our future situations. He will not turn His back to us.
Isa 42:16d KJV – “These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.”
Throughout this series, we have seen the Lord make a series of promises to His people….
1. “And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not;”- He will lead us into situations we cannot foresee
2. “I will lead them in paths that they have not known:” – He will lead us into situations we are not experienced to handle
3. “I will make darkness light before them,” – He will reveal to us our future events in His way and in His time.
4. “I will make…crooked things straight.” – The Lord will clear the way for us to victoriously serve Him in the midst of situations
And His final promises made in this text is:
5. “These things will I do unto them” – to keep His previous promises
6. “and not forsake them” – and to not abandon us
What a blessing it is for us to know He affirms these are promises that we can rely upon and He will not leave us destitute when the future difficult events of life come upon us…
A. Our Lord is in absolute control of our lives and every event that enters into them.
Isa 46:10 KJV- “Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:”
B. Everything that will take place will be either sent or allowed to come into our lives and they will result in our benefit and His glory.
Rom 8:28 KJV – ”And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
C. He will never walk away from us or turn His back on us. He will always be there every step of the way.
Heb 13:5 KJV – “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
PRACTICAL APPLICATION:
Folks, as we enter into this New Year, if we have a living relationship with the Lord God, Jesus Christ, we have nothing to fear, nor do we have reason to be anxious or concerned… He has promised us these things and reaffirmed them to us several times in His Word. We can count on Him to keep these promises to us.
May the Lord bless each one of us with His grace and peace as we enter this New Year trusting Him every step of the way!
Psa 25:4-7 KJV –
“Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.
Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old.
Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness’ sake, O LORD.”
Homepage… http://www.settledinheaven.org
Text Blog… http://www.settledinheaven.wordpress.com
Video Blog… http://www.youtube.com/settledinheaven
Email… settledinheaven@gmail.com
The Lord Clears The Path For Us To Follow Him!
Isa 42:16d KJV – “I will make … crooked things straight.”
For the SIH devotional on this subject:
Isa 42:16 (5): “Entering The Unknown By Faith”
(“Our Future Events May Be Hard To Maneuver But The Lord Will Straighten Them Out”)
INTRODUCTION TO OUR SERIES:
Folks, as the New Year comes upon us, we are reminded that we are embarking on a new part of our life’s journey that is filled with many unknowns. These unknown events can challenge a Christian’s faith to its very core. This is the reason that I felt it was important to take a few devotional lessons and address keys to “Entering The Unknown By Faith”.
In this six part devotional series, we will be looking at Isaiah 42:16. This is a wonderful text to use in this devotional series. In this series, we will learn about how to handle unforeseen, challenging life events based upon our trust in the Lord and His enabling graces.
Lord willing, by His grace alone, we will be uncovering the wisdom found in God’s Word that will help us to handle all the “unknowns” that this New Year will hold for us.
Our devotionals will be looking at:
1. Dec 26th – Our Uncertain Future…. Faith Is The Key!
2. Dec 27th – Our Blindness To The Events Our Future Holds
3. Dec 28th – Our Future Holds Events We Have Never Experienced
4. Dec 29th – Our Future Is Revealed To Us One Event At A Time… In The Lord’s Time
5. Dec 30th – Our Future Events May Be Hard To Maneuver But The Lord Straightens Them Out
6. Dec 31st – Our Lord Will Care For Us Every Passing Day
May the Lord bless our study!
TODAY’S TEXTS:
Isa 42:16 KJV
TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL:
Our Future Events May Be Hard To Maneuver But The Lord Will Straighten Them Out
Isa 42:16d KJV – “I will make … crooked things straight.”
The New Year will hold situations that make the course of our lives very difficult to negotiate. At times, our paths will be so twisted, we will not be able to see where it is taking us; at other times, it will be so confusing, we will not know what our next step should be.
These types of situations require faith in our Lord, His sovereignty in allowing this situation upon us, His ability to grace us with His leadership, His enablement allowing us to be profitable in His service, and His intervention to remove any roadblocks that stand in our way …
Isa 48:17 KJV – “Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.”
Isa 45:2 KJV – “I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:”
PRACTICAL APPLICATION:
For the Christian, it is these twisted times of life that cause us to recognize our vast inabilities and our need of Christ every step of the way…
1Jn 4:4 KJV – “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”
As we begin this New Year, let us enter it with a Godly attitude of humility and appreciation for His enabling graces during the crooked times of our lives.
Homepage… http://www.settledinheaven.org
Text Blog… http://www.settledinheaven.wordpress.com
Video Blog… http://www.youtube.com/settledinheaven
Email… settledinheaven@gmail.com
The Lord Reveals Our Future In His Time!
Isa 42:16c KJV – “I will make darkness light before them”
For the SIH devotional on this subject:
Isa 42:16 (4): “Entering The Unknown By Faith”
(“Our future will be revealed to us one event at a time”)
INTRODUCTION TO OUR SERIES:
Folks, as the New Year comes upon us, we are reminded that we are embarking on a new part of our life’s journey that is filled with many unknowns. These unknown events can challenge a Christian’s faith to its very core. This is the reason that I felt it was important to take a few devotional lessons and address keys to “Entering The Unknown By Faith”.
In this six part devotional series, we will be looking at Isaiah 42:16. This is a wonderful text to use in this devotional series. In this series, we will learn about how to handle unforeseen, challenging life events based upon our trust in the Lord and His enabling graces.
Lord willing, by His grace alone, we will be uncovering the wisdom found in God’s Word that will help us to handle all the “unknowns” that this New Year will hold for us.
Our devotionals will be looking at:
1. Dec 26th – Our Uncertain Future…. Faith Is The Key!
2. Dec 27th – Our Blindness To The Events Our Future Holds
3. Dec 28th – Our Future Holds Events We Have Never Experienced
4. Dec 29th – Our Future Is Revealed To Us One Event At A Time… In The Lord’s Time
5. Dec 30th – Our Future Events May Be Hard To Maneuver But The Lord Straightens Them Out
6. Dec 31st – Our Lord Will Care For Us Every Passing Day
May the Lord bless our study!
TODAY’S TEXTS:
Isa 42:16 KJV
TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL:
Our future will be revealed to us one event at a time
Isa 42:16c KJV – “I will make darkness light before them”
The Lord promises that He will reveal what lies ahead for us in His time and in His way. What a blessing that is for each of us! The Lord, who knows what our tomorrow holds, would only allow us to face our trials in life after He had worked in our hearts, matured us, and strengthened us in preparation for the trial that was to come.
1Pe 5:10 KJV – “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”
Keep in mind, there is a very good reason why we are not able to see what the future holds, for many of us, it would be a burden too great to bear. Stop and think about it. Picture yourself, when you were young, what would it have been like to have revealed to you all of the trials you would face during your lifetime. WOW! Would it not have been too much to bear? For me that would have been the case.
I am so thankful the Lord allowed many of my trials to remain hidden from me until the time came for me to face them. It allowed me to enjoy my life prior to the trial and allow me to concentrate on the Lord and His service rather than being constantly obsessed with the future and what trials I would have to face.
PRACTICAL APPLICATION:
Folks, we need to thank the Lord for not being able to know what the future holds for us. Although we know He will be with us every step of the way, if we know all the trials and heartaches that would be coming our way, it would be very difficult indeed.
Likewise, we need to be thankful that the Lord DOES know what our future holds for us. In that way, secretly, He is able to prepare us for what is to take place while still keeping us from days, weeks, or years of anxiety anticipating the trials that are yet to take place. Then, when His timing is right and His secret work of preparation was complete, He then allows the trial to come and accompanies us every step of the way.
What a wonderful Lord we serve. It is this same Lord that is constantly at work in our lives, preparing us for what lies ahead. He will lead and guide us every step for the way as we enter the New Year and the unknown events that it holds for us.
Job 23:8-10 KJV – “Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him: But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”
Homepage… http://www.settledinheaven.org
Text Blog… http://www.settledinheaven.wordpress.com
Video Blog… http://www.youtube.com/settledinheaven
Email… settledinheaven@gmail.com
The Lord Uses Unfamiliar Life Situations To Grow Our Experience and Wisdom
Isa 42:16b KJV – “I will lead them in paths that they have not known:”
For the SIH devotional on this subject:
Isa 42:16 (3): “Entering The Unknown By Faith”
(“Our future holds events that we have never experienced”)
INTRODUCTION TO OUR SERIES:
Folks, as the New Year comes upon us, we are reminded that we are embarking on a new part of our life’s journey that is filled with many unknowns. These unknown events can challenge a Christian’s faith to its very core. This is the reason that I felt it was important to take a few devotional lessons and address keys to “Entering The Unknown By Faith”.
In this six part devotional series, we will be looking at Isaiah 42:16. This is a wonderful text to use in this devotional series. In this series, we will learn about how to handle unforeseen, challenging life events based upon our trust in the Lord and His enabling graces.
Lord willing, by His grace alone, we will be uncovering the wisdom found in God’s Word that will help us to handle all the “unknowns” that this New Year will hold for us.
Our devotionals will be looking at:
1. Dec 26th – Our Uncertain Future…. Faith Is The Key!
2. Dec 27th – Our Blindness To The Events Our Future Holds
3. Dec 28th – Our Future Holds Events We Have Never Experienced
4. Dec 29th – Our Future Is Revealed To Us One Event At A Time… In The Lord’s Time
5. Dec 30th – Our Future Events May Be Hard To Maneuver But The Lord Straightens Them Out
6. Dec 31st – Our Lord Will Care For Us Every Passing Day
May the Lord bless our study!
TODAY’S TEXTS:
Isa 42:16 KJV
TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL:
“Our future holds events that we have never experienced”
Isa 42:16b KJV – “I will lead them in paths that they have not known:”
In this section of Scripture, we can see a very basic truth that we all have experienced in our lives on earth…
Our future holds events of which we not have prior experience.
As we progress through our lives, we all will face situations of which we have no previous life experience. In many cases, these are the most fearful of all situations we must face.
It is one thing to face a situation of which we are experienced and have a basic idea of how to successfully proceed; but, it is entirely different to face a dilemma which comes upon us unexpectedly and we have no past life experience to guide us.
When we go through these times of inexperience, uncertainty, and anxiety, we are reminded of our inability and great need of our Lord. But beyond working humility in our lives, it also reminds us that experience is a wonderful, and in many cases, unappreciated gift from God. Experience provides us with much wisdom and understanding of how to fulfill God’s will for us as we pass through life’s difficulties. Experience supplies boldness and confidence in the face of difficult life issues.
Job 12:12 KJV – “With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding.”
With age comes experience and with experience comes wisdom and understanding. This is why Solomon points to gray head as one that has great value and honor…
Pro 16:31 KJV – “The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.”
Pro 20:29 KJV – “The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head.”
There are many of us that look at old age as a burden to be borne and a hindrance to Christian service, but from the standpoint of experience and wisdom, old age is actually a great blessing that can enhance our service to God.
PRACTICAL APPLICATION:
When we are faced with unfamiliar life problems, we should always remember this is a wonderful opportunity for the Lord to teach us much needed wisdom in this area. Then, with that wisdom we will be able to deal with similar circumstances in the future, as well as help others who are faced with the same type of life situations.
Gaining experience in dealing with life’s problems should be looked upon as a great blessing with a heart of gratitude for the Lord leading us into this new life issue, thereby gaining valuable tools to help us and others as we live our lives for Him.
Pro 4:5-7 KJV – “Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.”
Homepage… http://www.settledinheaven.org
Text Blog… http://www.settledinheaven.wordpress.com
Video Blog… http://www.youtube.com/settledinheaven
Email… settledinheaven@gmail.com
The Lord Leads Us Into Unforeseen Trials So We Might Grow Spiritually
Isa 42:16a KJV – “And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not…”
For the SIH devotional on this subject:
“For We Are But Of Yesterday”
(The SIH 2016 New Year’s Devotional)
With the coming of each New Year, we are reminded of the quickly passing time and shortness of the physical life that we possess.
For some, the concept of a short lifespan on earth is a thing of dread and fear. They possess dread because they know that the pleasures, possessions and relationships of this world will quickly pass away; and fear, due to confusion and uncertainty about, and an unpreparedness for, a coming afterlife.
However, in comparison, there are those who recognize that life is only temporal and will be followed by an eternal existence that will offer a much better existence. These have prepared for its coming and joyously await its arrival.
As we come face to face with another New Year, I just wanted to take a few moments to review the Biblical teachings on the temporal nature of life on earth and the great need to prepare for a coming afterlife while the opportunity still exists for each one of us.
THE SCRIPTURE:
(For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, because our days upon earth are a shadow:) (Job 8:9 KJV)
“Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” (Jas 4:14 KJV)
THE STUDY:
Job, in our text, describes the quickness of the passing of our life as “we are but of yesterday”. In other words, Job is simply saying that, as we look back to the past events of our life, from birth onward, they seem to have just taken place “yesterday”. How very true this is!
On this New Year’s Day, stop and think about the past events of the previous year. For most of us, these events seem like they took place just yesterday.
Now, stop and think about some of your major life events that have taken place throughout your lifetime: births and deaths; sicknesses; new jobs and residences; anniversaries and graduations; and, for the Christian, the moment the Lord brought you unto Himself, trusting in Him for salvation. As you think about all these events, do they not seem to have taken place just a short while ago? For many of us, even the events of life that took place 30, 40, or even 50 years ago, now seem to be fresh in our minds and hearts, as if only a few days have passed.
Job even goes further in emphasizing the brevity of life when he says… “our days upon earth are a shadow”. See also: (Job 7:6, 9:25, 14:2; Psa 78:39, 89:47, 102:11; Isa 40:6).
Understanding the two basic characteristics of a shadow help us to understand what Job was trying to teach us. First of all, a shadow lasts only a short period of time, much like our life in comparison with the eternity that is to follow. Secondly, a shadow is constantly changing (due to movement of the person casting the shadow and the orbiting of the sun)… this pictures for us our temporal life and the many changes that take place on a day by day basis.
Job is bringing to our minds a very basic principle of living that we experience with every new day… Because our lives are uncertain and experience changes every single day, we do not know what each new day will hold for us. James even implies that because our lives are brief, uncertain, and changing, we cannot be sure if we will live yet another day…
“Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” (Jas 4:14 KJV) see also (Proverbs 27:1, 1 Sam 20:3)
Folks, looking back over this last year, we all know people who have passed on unexpectedly. Whether it be by accident, sickness, or the actions of another, every day people pass on before us suddenly with absolutely no prior warning. Perhaps, they expected to celebrate the coming of this New Year along with us but, sadly, they are no longer with us. In this fallen, sinful world unexpected deaths are a very common occurrence.
PRACTICAL APPLICATION:
With the passing of this, and every New Year, we are reminded of the changing, fleeting nature of our lives. The most important aspect of these life principles is the need to take advantage of the time we have been given on earth and use it wisely.
What is the wisest possible use of our time? It is living our lives in preparation for the eternity that is to come. Because our physical lives and the world in which we live are temporal in nature, only that which is done for eternity’s sake will be of lasting value…
“And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” (1Jn 2:17 KJV)
So how do we live for eternity? For the lost it means by coming to an understanding of the true God, our condition before Him, and our need of faith in Him, and the eternal blessings that await the people of God:
1. The Lord Jehovah is the true God over all men. God the Son, Jesus, is the only One through whom we can gain access to God the Father. (Psa 83:18, John 14:6; 1 John 5:20)
2. All men have committed sin and stand before God as guilty, unable to save themselves through their works of righteousness. (Rom 3:23, Rom 3:19, Titus 3:5)
3. It is by grace through the God-given gifts of repentance and faith that a sinful man can receive forgiveness and salvation from the punishment of their sins (Acts 3:19, Acts 11:18, Eph 2:5-8. 1 Thess 1:10).
4. The newly forgiven individual is adopted into God’s family, made a citizen of the eternal, spiritual nation of Israel, and made heirs of an eternal existence with God. This forgiveness, and the blessings that accompany forgiveness, are eternal in nature, can never be lost, based upon the completed work of Christ on the cross (Gals 4:5, Eph 2:19, Roms 8:16-17, Heb 10:10).
For the saved, it means to take advantage of the opportunities we have to show Christ to others around us, by living a Christ-like life through our words, actions, and lifestyles. (Roms 8:28-30, Eph 1:4)
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http://www.settledinheaven.wordpress.com
http://www.youtube.com/settledinheaven
Isa 42:16 (2): “Entering The Unknown By Faith”
(“Our Blindness To The Events Our Future Holds”)
INTRODUCTION TO OUR SERIES:
Folks, as the New Year comes upon us, we are reminded that we are embarking on a new part of our life’s journey that is filled with many unknowns. These unknown events can challenge a Christian’s faith to its very core. This is the reason that I felt it was important to take a few devotional lessons and address keys to “Entering The Unknown By Faith”.
In this six part devotional series, we will be looking at Isaiah 42:16. This is a wonderful text to use in this devotional series. In this series, we will learn about how to handle unforeseen, challenging life events based upon our trust in the Lord and His enabling graces.
Lord willing, by His grace alone, we will be uncovering the wisdom found in God’s Word that will help us to handle all the “unknowns” that this New Year will hold for us.
Our devotionals will be looking at:
1. Dec 26th – Our Uncertain Future…. Faith Is The Key!
2. Dec 27th – Our Blindness To The Events Our Future Holds
3. Dec 28th – Our Future Holds Events We Have Never Experienced
4. Dec 29th – Our Future Is Revealed To Us One Event At A Time… In The Lord’s Time
5. Dec 30th – Our Future Events May Be Hard To Maneuver But The Lord Straightens Them Out
6. Dec 31st – Our Lord Will Care For Us Every Passing Day
May the Lord bless our study!
TODAY’S TEXTS:
Isa 42:16 KJV
TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL:
Our Blindness To The Events Our Future Holds…
Isa 42:16a KJV – “And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not…”
This part of our text gives us a two-fold promise from the Lord…
Promise #1 – “The Blind By A Way That They Knew Not”… There will be times when we will face paths that are unfamiliar to us:
Folks, due to our humanity, we are blinded to life’s unfamiliar, stressful, circumstances that await us. Although we cannot foresee them, they should not surprise us when they occur, for they are a part of living in this fallen world.
These unexpected life events cause anxiety and tensions within us. These worrisome times are trials upon any Christian’s faith. However, although they are some of the most difficult times in our lives, they can also be some of the most profitable as well.
The Apostles Peter and James explain to us that, when we face trying times in our lives, they are blessings in disguise, producing spiritual growth, fruit bearing, and reaping eternal rewards for us…
Jas 1:2-4 KJV – “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”
1Pe 1:6-7 KJV – “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:”
These are the hidden purposes behind the many stressful times that enter every Christian’s life.
Promise #2 – “I will bring” … The Lord will be the One that will bring us to these unfamiliar paths in our lives.
Bringing us into ways we do not know is an act of God’s grace and an act of His hand of blessing in our lives.
Is there anyone among us that desires a closer walk with the Lord? From our previous experiences, we know that it is during the unexpected, trying times in our lives that we are brought to a closer relationship with the Lord. It is during these same times that we learn to more diligently seek His will as revealed in His Word, and turn ourselves over to a more complete reliance upon Him…
Psa 119:67-68 KJV – “Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word. Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.”
Our Lord loves us so much He allows unforeseen trials to enter our lives to bring (or keep) us closer to Him and grow in strength and knowledge. He does it to be of long-term benefit to His people. This is why our Lord actually leads us into these unexpected times of our lives… He is working for our good and His glory.
PRACTICAL APPLICATION:
Just a personal note… Over the years of my lifetime, I have learned that, in some cases, the ending of a trial in my life does not necessarily mean that “better times are ahead”. On the contrary, sometimes the end of one trial was the prerequisite to a greater trial that would swiftly come my way.
Although, at the time, facing a consistent stream of trials seemed to be overwhelming and even unfair; I now realize that many times the Lord bought the earlier trials in my life to prepare me for the greater trial that was to come. Without these preliminary smaller trials, I would not have been spiritually strong enough to handle the greater trial that I was destined to face.
Please always keep this in mind…. As we pass through each surprising difficulty in life one of two principles is at play. Either, it is the Lord wanting to bring us closer to Him so we can live a more useful, blessed, peaceful life in the near future; or else, He is graciously equipping us for a greater trial that is yet to come, that otherwise would be far too great for us to bear.
In either case, the Lord leading us into this time of unpredictable hardship is an act of His grace, working in our lives what is for our good and securing for us eternal rewards as we faithfully walk through our life’s trials with Him.
May we all look ahead to the unknown events of this New Year without fear. Instead let’s look ahead with joy, confidence and faith knowing our Lord will be with us and enabling and caring for us every step of the way as He brings us closer to Him and enables us to handle any hardship that may come our way.
Homepage… http://www.settledinheaven.org
Text Blog… http://www.settledinheaven.wordpress.com
Video Blog… http://www.youtube.com/settledinheaven
Email… settledinheaven@gmail.com
Are You Prepared For The Unknown That Your Future Holds?
Jas 4:13-14 KJV – “Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”
For the SIH devotional on this subject:
Happy New Years For Settled In Heaven Ministries!
{Postings of Settled In Heaven’s Daily Devotionals and Bible Studies will resume on January 2nd 2015}
New Years Holiday Devotionals:
A Christian’s New Year’s Devotional
SIH’s Think On These Things – New Year’s Devotional For 2013
2016 New Year’s Day Devotional: We Are But Of Yesterday
New Years Holiday Devotional Series:
New Years Devotional Series: Entering The Unknown By Faith
Isa 42:16 (1): “Entering The Unknown By Faith”
(Introduction – “Our Uncertain Future…. Faith Is The Key!”)
INTRODUCTION TO OUR SERIES:
Folks, as the New Year comes upon us, we are reminded that we are embarking on a new part of our life’s journey that is filled with many unknowns. These unknown events can challenge a Christian’s faith to its very core. This is the reason that I felt it was important to take a few devotional lessons and address keys to “Entering The Unknown By Faith”.
In this six part devotional series, we will be looking at Isaiah 42:16. This is a wonderful text to use in this devotional series. In this series, we will learn about how to handle unforeseen, challenging life events based upon our trust in the Lord and His enabling graces.
Lord willing, by His grace alone, we will be uncovering the wisdom found in God’s Word that will help us to handle all the “unknowns” that this New Year will hold for us.
Our devotionals will be looking at:
1. Dec 26th – Our Uncertain Future…. Faith Is The Key!
2. Dec 27th – Our Blindness To The Events Our Future Holds
3. Dec 28th – Our Future Holds Events We Have Never Experienced
4. Dec 29th – Our Future Is Revealed To Us One Event At A Time… In The Lord’s Time
5. Dec 30th – Our Future Events May Be Hard To Maneuver But The Lord Straightens Them Out
6. Dec 31st – Our Lord Will Care For Us Every Passing Day
May the Lord bless our study!
TODAY’S TEXTS:
Isa 42:16 KJV; Isa 43:1-2 KJV; Mat 6:25-34 KJV; Heb 11:8 KJV; Jas 4:13-14 KJV;
TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL:
Our Uncertain Future… Faith Is The Key!
Folks, as we begin this series I just wanted to remind us of the four basic principles we will be emphasizing in this devotional series…
Principle #1 – We cannot know what tomorrow holds…
Jas 4:13-14 KJV – “Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”
Principle #2 – The Lord promises that He will be with us and enable us as we face the coming unknown events in our lives…
Isa 42:16 KJV – “And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.”
Principle #3 – The key to handling the coming, unknown, events in life is our trust in the Lord and His promise of care that He made to us…
Mat 6:25-34 KJV – “Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”
Principle #4 Faith in the Lord is what allows us to remain faithful to the Lord as we step out into the unknown.
Heb 11:8 KJV – “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.”
These are the four principles that will prepare us the unknown events that this New Year will hold for each one of us.
PRACTICAL APPLICATION:
May we all look ahead to the unknown events of this New Year without fear. Instead let’s look ahead with joy, confidence and faith knowing our Lord will be with us and enabling and caring for us every step of the way!
Isa 43:1-2 KJV – “But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.”
May the Lord graciously bless us as we embark on this devotional series.
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Happy New Years For Settled In Heaven Ministries!
{Postings of Settled In Heaven’s Daily Devotionals and Bible Studies will resume on January 2nd 2015}
New Years Holiday Devotionals:
A Christian’s New Year’s Devotional
SIH’s Think On These Things – New Year’s Devotional For 2013
A New Year… A New Beginning
“The Former Things Are Passed Away… I Make All Things New”
A new beginning. For many of us, this is one of the greatest desires in our lives. We look back and see mistakes that were made; sins that were committed; and hurt, pain, and loss that cannot be undone. Our only hope is for a new beginning.
But for many of us, apart from Christ, there is no real hope for a new beginning. We understand that the effects things we have done, and things that were done to us, will continue to affect us as long as we are alive. And then, once our life comes to an end, there is absolutely no reason to believe that our condition will improve in anyway.
If we believe the record of the Bible, those without Christ can only expect a much worse experience after death than what was experienced here on earth. Ephesians 2:12 summarizes their condition in a very concise way when it says that a person without Christ is “having no hope, and without God in the world”.
But the story does not end there, all who have Christ, have the hope of a new beginning. A new beginning while yet on the earth, and a new beginning that will begin, and last, throughout eternity. What a wonderful blessing that the Lord has given to each one of us… the ability to have a totally new beginning that will remake us, lead us from the error of our ways, and erase all our regrets and sufferings for an eternity!
THE SCRIPTURES:
2 Corinthians 5:17 & Revelation 21:3-5
THE STUDY:
In the following texts, we can see the promise of a new beginning given to us by the Lord Jesus Christ. Our first text addresses a new beginning that can be had while yet on the earth. In our second text, we can see a new beginning that will be received, and will last, throughout eternity. In both of these texts one principle is constant, the presence of Christ in the life of the recipient…
2Co 5:17 KJV
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
In 2 Corinthians 5:17, we are told that “if any man be IN CHRIST”…. he has a new beginning: he HAS BECOME A NEW CREATURE while yet on earth….
In other words, a man has Christ is given a new existence while yet on earth. He is given spiritual life and renewal, a new source of strength, a new set of desires, and a new heart of love for His Lord and others around him.
Although he will still feel the past effects of sin in his life, now he has One upon which he can lean, One upon which he can receive guidance, and One by which he can be comforted. He truly has become a new creature in Christ, eternally loved by his Heavenly Father, forgiven through the shed blood of Christ, possessing a life revolutionized by the power and leadership of the Holy Spirit.
Rev 21:3-5 KJV
And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
In Revelation 21:3-5, we are told that the people of God… they have a new beginning: they WILL POSSESS A NEW EXISTENCE throughout eternity.
In other words, those who have Christ experience a new type of existence that far surpasses anything they have experienced on this sinful world. They will enjoy the physical presence of their Lord, they will have all causes of sorrow, pain, suffering, and death taken away, they will enjoy a new heavens and new earth that has not been touched by sin, nor corrupted by the workings of Satan.
THE SUMMARY:
As the Old Year passes away and the New Year begins, may it be a reminder of the new beginning that is promised to those who are in Christ. Just as the Old Year is gone, never to be revisited… so too, the portion of our life that has been lived never to be changed. Just as the New Year has arrived, awaiting us with open arms … so too, we have received an invitation to begin a new life in Christ.
By forsaking our past sins, failures, and rebellion and turning to Christ accepting Him as Lord and Savior by faith, accepting Him as our Lord and Savior, any one of us can receive a new beginning now, and throughout eternity. This is the key to living a life that is filled with joy and glory now, and throughout eternity!
1Pe 1:3-8 KJV –
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:”
May the Lord bless you as you seek His truth.
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Email Us At: settledinheaven@gmail.com
May the Lord bless your study of His Word. Like God’s Word… may your soul’s salvation and your life’s faithfulness be “Settled in Heaven.”
SIH’s Think On These Things: Hebrews 12:1-2
Happy New Year
My Commitment For 2014: Hebrews 12:1-2
1) Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2) Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2)
INTRODUCTION:
As we come to a close of our Proverbs series, let me just say it has been a great blessing, and privilege, to share the Word of the Lord with you. Thank you so much for your faithfulness in following the series.
Our next devotional series “Reflections of His Grace” will begin tomorrow. This series is will a verse by verse daily devotional from the book of Ephesians. We will normally cover two or three verses per devotion. I would count it a great blessing from the Lord if you would join me in this series of devotions.
But for today, as we begin the New Year, I would like to share with you the text the Lord has laid on my heart as my own personal commitment for this coming year… Hebrews 12:1-2.
EXPOSITION:
The motivation for the commitment:
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses,
What are the “witnesses” being described here? It is those whose faithful service to the Lord has been recorded in the Scriptures, especially those mentioned in the preceding chapter (Hebrews 11).
Folks, when we read of the faithfulness of David, Moses, Abraham and the others, we need to see that their faithfulness originated in the gracious intervention of the Lord in their lives. They were faithful not because of themselves, but because of their Lord. This gives us hope that, in spite of our many faults and hindrances, we too can be faithful servants of His.
The substance of the commitment:
let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
It is because of the examples set by these great Biblical characters of faith, that we can face our shortcomings, past sins, and difficult circumstances of life, and recognize that our Lord’s grace and greatness will overshadow these hindrances and enable us to remain faithful to Him. Notice how these hindrances to our faithfulness are described as:
1. weights – anything in our lives that will “drag us down” and slow our service for Him. This is speaking of those things that are not sinful, in and of ourselves, but seek to produce fruits of unfaithfulness to Him. These could include: physical infirmities, ungodly acquaintances, or other circumstances in life.
2. sin – anything in our lives that “stands firmly opposed” to His will and His calling for us. This is speaking of the different thoughts, desires, motives and actions that are sinful in nature. This would include any of a number of sins including both sins of omission or commission.
Note the remedies for these are two-fold:
First, to lay aside the hindrances –
The Greek term for “lay aside” has three aspects to it”:
a. It means to “take it off” (like clothing)
b. then to “cast it down”
c. and finally to “walk away from it”
This three-fold description speaks for itself. I can add nothing to the meaning of these instructions.
Secondly, to run with patience the God-given course for our lives –
the Greek term for patience means “to bear up under a burden”. It describes a donkey that allows their owner to continue to pile a load upon its back without kicking it off or sitting down and refusing to bear it.
Folks, this should be our great desire this coming year… to take off our sins and hindrances, throw them down, and proceed without them; then to continue on the God-given course for our lives. We can do this by patiently accepting our ministry and the responsibilities and opposition that go with it.
The focus of the commitment:
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
How can we fulfill the substance of our commitment to Christ? By keeping our focus on our Lord and all He has done for us. We are to keep our eyes fixed upon and closely examine Jesus. When we examine Him here is what we will find:
1. His person
He is the author and finisher of our faith – in other words, He is the One that initiated and completed our salvation. We owe Him our all because He has saved us from our sins and their eternal results. How did He accomplish our salvation for us?
2. His work on our behalf
who for the joy that was set before him – He joyfully, willingly gave His all for us, He did when He:
endured the cross, – He patiently endured the cross (the word for “endured” is the same Greek word that we saw in vs 1 translated “patience”. In other words, we are to “endure” in faithful service because He “endured” the cross for us.
despising the shame, – He not only suffered and died on the cross but He endured the shame associated with it. He was the sinless One who was looked upon and treated as if He was a rotten filthy sinner such as us.
and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
As we continue to examine Him, we also see His current position as Lord over all, exalted to God’s right hand as His faithful Son who did all to please His heavenly Father.
SUMMARY:
Folks, this is the commitment the Lord has placed upon my heart… to put off and leave behind anything in my life that may hinder my service to Him so that I may be faithful to the ministry He has given to me. My only hope to accomplish this seemingly impossible task is His marvelous grace.
As he sees fit, my heart’s desire is to keep my eyes upon Him and all He has done for me as the source of my motivation to serve Him in a way that brings honor and glory to Him and Him alone.
May we all seek to serve Him in greater ways this New Year. Lord bless you.
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