Thoughts By Scott

Friday, December 30, 2016

Jesus is the Light

Photo by The Church of Almighty God

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6-7

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.

Insights: This final blog for this week and this year also contains this military theme of Isaiah nine. These two verses today speak of this new government formed from the conquest of this new King. This new King will have a government which rests on His shoulders. His kingdom will have no end. His kingdom will usher in peace because there will be no rival nation to combat against Him. His kingdom will have justice and righteousness upheld. His zeal is the very foundation by which He will accomplish all these objectives. Pondering the zeal of our Lord Jesus is not something I do very often and I believe is one of my downfalls in my spiritual pilgrimage Beloved, as we look at this new kingdom ushered in by this conquering King let me encourage you to think about His nature, power, and motives behind His activities. I think you will be amazed and awed as You ponder these areas of contemplation. I also hope you find a great deal of comfort in knowing you worship and serve a God who is a wonderful counselor. I hope you are comforted by a God who is mighty and eternal. I also hope His peace provides you with comfort as well. These attributes that describe this King are also the same attributes that describe His kingdom of which you are a part as a born again follower of Jesus. Even this weekend, let me admonish you to tell someone else about this amazing God who ushers in this amazing kingdom. May He always be brought glory!

Questions:

1. Do the different names of Jesus give you comfort?

2. Do you ever ponder the idea of God’s zeal and what ignites it?

Prayer: Father, You are perfect in every way and You accomplish all Your desires by Your zeal. Lord, as I close this 2016 year, help me to be reflective and filled with faith about the future. Your zeal accomplishes all You have called me to do. Grant me Your strength to walk in Your ways. Amen.

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Thursday, December 29, 2016

Light Sets the World Free

Photo by Dale Cruse

Scripture: Isaiah 9:4-5

For You shall break the yoke of their burden and the staff on their shoulders, The rod of their oppressor, as at the battle of Midian. For every boot of the booted warrior in the battle tumult, And cloak rolled in blood, will be for burning, fuel for the fire.

Insights: For the third straight day we observe military language in this passage from Isaiah nine. Notice the words oppressor, battle, booted warrior, tumult, blood and fuel. The imagery is that of a victoriously good empire coming into a vile and evil dictatorship and delivering the people from their oppression. In a simi-modern context think back to video you have seen of the Allied Forces which entered into Dachau or Auschwitz. Think of the liberating moment of seeing lives who were freed from a yoke of burden that almost led to death for many of these prisoners. Satan may not, as of yet, have us locked up as physical prisoners of war, but he does imprison many in the mind. He places burdens of guilt from past sins. He reminds with oppressive attacks of our past failures. He strives to bloody our testimony with faithless acts. He is more vile than any earthly oppressor has ever been. Jesus, however, comes crashing on the scene and tells us He has delivered us from such tyranny. We are able to take on His yoke which is light and easy. We are able to cast our cares on Him because He cares for us. He transforms our situation and takes all of the enemies weapons and turns them into fuel for the fire. They will be burned up and we will be set free. Beloved, Satan attacks all of humanity. We, who are born again, are to be lifeguards throwing a ring buoy out to save the drowning victims of this atrocious battle. It is my prayer you and I will be intentional about sharing Jesus love to those who are under a burden of pain and suffering. They need a Redeemer and His name is Jesus.

Questions:

1. Have you been set free by Jesus?

2. What burdens have you been bearing that you need to release over to the Lord?

Prayer: Father, thank You breaking the yoke of my burdens and removing the oppression from my enemy. Thank You for setting me free from my captivity. Amen.

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Light Expands throughout the World

Photo by Steve Snediker

Scripture: Isaiah 9:3

You shall multiply the nation, You shall increase their gladness; They will be glad in Your presence As with the gladness of harvest, As men rejoice when they divide the spoil.

Insights: I mentioned it yesterday regarding the warfare language of Isaiah nine. In today’s verse notice the expansion of the nation. Notice the division of spoils. After Jesus invaded the world, which we discussed yesterday, He expanded His reign. It is for this reason we have language like multiplication of nations, an increase of gladness, gladness of harvest and division of spoils. All four of these phrase explicitly indicate growth or expansion. Jesus kingdom will grow. In fact, this growth is one of the primary, if not the primary, reason you are still on the earth if you have been born again. The Father has chosen us, His children, to be His mouth piece in this world. We are commissioned by Him to expand His kingdom. The way we do this kind of work is through evangelism. We tell other people about what Jesus has done for us and then ask them if they would like to meet this same Jesus you know. The problem in the modern western world church, however, is that it takes seventy-five of us to introduce just one person to Jesus. What this means is that in a calendar year, if your church is running seventy-five, then you will probably only have one outside conversion in that calendar year. Is this number a result of seventy-five people talking to this singular individual? The answer is a resounding, “NO!” The reason is because probably only one in that seventy-five are actually out there actively and intentionally sharing their faith, and even with them, not consistently. I am guilty of this fact myself. Beloved, let me encourage you to pray to the Lord of the harvest and ask Him to send out harvest workers. After you have prayed that prayer, then step out your door and become one of those workers. May we see many come to the saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ in this coming year.

Questions:

1. How are you helping to expand the Light, Jesus Christ, into the world?

2. Have you personally encountered this Light and experienced His salvific work in your life?

Prayer: Father, thank You for saving me from my sins. Let Your Spirit fall on me and may I be bold in proclaiming the gospel to those in need of You. Amen.

Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Light Invades the World

Photo by Beverly

Scripture: Isaiah 9:2

The people who walk in darkness Will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, The light will shine on them.

Insights: This week marks the end to our 2016 Thoughts by Scott blogposts. What better way to conclude our thoughts this year than with reflections on Christmas and the Light with entered the world to save humanity from their sins. As I preached this first point Sunday I read to the audience a blog post by Chad Bird (http://www.chadbird.com/blog/2016/12/17/when-a-dragon-tried-to-eat-jesus-the-nativity-story-we-dont-talk-about#.WFgbbuOSg_8.facebook). I recommend you click the provided link and read his blog post if you are not familiar with it. I shared this post because I think we all too often forget the militant language of Isaiah nine. The passage talks about spoils, battles, warriors, governments, and thrones. The passage is speaking of God’s invasion into the world in order to save the world from its sin. Bird reminds us out of the book of Revelation (12th chapter) that the dragon is before the woman ready to devour her child (Jesus). We think about the Bethlehem scene and think of tranquility and peace. The reality, however, is more like the beaches of Normandy than a Rockwellian Saturday Evening Post caricature. All too often I think we miss the significance of the Lord Jesus Christ’s incarnation. The eternal Triune God emptied Himself and came in the form of humanity in order to live amongst us and to teach us how to know Him. He then concluded His divine stay with us by giving up His life on the cross of Calvary for our sins. From the outset, this brith represented the greatest cosmic war invasion of all time. Beloved, let me encourage you to read the blog mentioned above and to reflect on the work of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Tomorrow, we will learn a little bit about our response to this invasion by the Lord. Let me encourage you to come back tomorrow to learn more about this amazing passage and this wonderful truth about the Savior, Jesus.

Questions:

1. Have you encountered the Light which invades the world?

2. In what ways does God’s invasion have impact in your life?

Prayer: Father, thank You for invading the world with Your Love, Jesus. My life has been completely transformed because of His work and I am eternally grateful for Your gift. Help me as we conclude this Christmas season to express genuine gratitude for Your grace and mercy. Amen.

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

God's Love Produces the Greatest Miracle of ALL

Photo by Patrick Q

Scripture: Isaiah 7:13-14

Then he said, “Listen now, O house of David! Is it too slight a thing for you to try the patience of men, that you will try the patience of my God as well? “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.

Insights: Today’s verses conclude our Thoughts by Scott this week and today’s verses really bring home the sermon title from this past Sunday. The sermon was titled For God So Loved the World. Remember the context of this passage. Ahaz is a wicked king who does not love God. God, however, loves him and wants a love relationship with him. So, God instructs Ahaz to give Him a sign, but Ahaz refuses. God, then, states He will provide a sign and that sign is a virgin will bear a son. This son’s name will be Immanual, which we know means God with us. The virgin birth is the greatest of all the miracles. The reason it is the greatest is because without this miracle, none of the other miracles happen. There is no feeding of the 5,000. There is no healing of the blind and lame. There is no raising Lazarus from the dead. There is no death on a cross which results in a pagan soldier declaring, “Surely this man is the son of God.” Without the virgin birth there is no resurrection from the dead for Jesus. All the miracles of our Lord are contingent on this singular miracle. God loved the world so much He sent His Son into the world. It was God’s invasion into the battle ground of our enemy, Satan, in order to rescue the perishing. Beloved, this is the greatest miracle of all. May we truly be reflective of all this miracle cost our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Over the next few days leading up to Christmas, may your thoughts, actions and intentions be centered around our loving Lord, Jesus. God bless you and Merry Christmas!

Questions:

1. Have you truly grasped the significance of the virgin birth of Jesus Christ?

2. Does the foundational miracle produce joy within your heart?

Prayer: Father, thank You for sending Your Son to the earth. This singular event changed everything. It set up the process for all the miracles of Your Son to occur. Even the miracle of saving my soul because of His work during Easter. May You be brought praise this Christmas season because of this amazing miracle of love. Amen.

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

How Would You Describe Your Relationship with the Lord?

Photo by Andrius Macko

Scripture: Isaiah 7:12

But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, nor will I test the Lord!”

Insights: Today’s verse almost makes it sound as if Ahaz is this godly man who knows the Scriptures tell us not to put the Lord our God to a test. The request God gave Ahaz in verse ten and eleven, however, is more indicative to what the Lord said to His people in the book of Malachi where He does tell them to test Him in regards to the tithe. So, when Ahaz gives this pious answer back to the Lord, it is not really genuine, but a cover for his lack of belief. You need to understand that Ahaz’ grandfather was Uzziah and the Scriptures tell us he was a good king. His father was Jotham and the Scriptures tell us he was also a good king. Ahaz’ son was Hezekiah and the Scriptures tell us he was a good king. Ahaz, however, the Scriptures tell us was an awful and wicked king. He even sacrificed his children on the altar to false gods. This man does not want to test the Lord God because he does not actually worship nor respect the One True God. The Father above, however, wants a relationship with Ahaz. He wants him to know Him in an intimate way. It was for this reason the Lord said to ask for a sign as deep as Sheol or as high as heaven. The Lord wants to prove He is who He claims to be and that he loves Ahaz. Ahaz, however, does not desire this intimacy with the Lord and acts the fool by saying, “I will not ask, nor will I test the Lord.” He tries to make himself look good, but fails miserably. Beloved, I wonder how often we play the fool and do not seek after intimacy with the Lord. I pray you will seek Him with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength. May you know Him and the fullness of His power.

Questions:

1. On a scale of 0-10 with 0 being not at all and 10 being perfect, what kind of relationship do you have with the Lord?

2. If you gave yourself a 0 or a very low number, why and would you want a relationship with Jesus.?

Prayer: Father, it is my desire to have true intimate relationship with You. Unfortunately, I often battle with my old sin nature and choose it over You. Lord, please forgive me when I choose sin and help me experience Your Spirit’s activity in my life to where I choose You more. Amen.

For What Grand Vision do You Challenge the Lord?

Photo by PHILIPPE BERDALLE

Ought to have been blog post 12/19/16

Scripture: Isaiah 7:10-11

Then the Lord spoke again to Ahaz, saying, “Ask a sign for yourself from the Lord your God; make it deep as Sheol or high as heaven.”

Insights: This week we begin to investigate the fourth candle during the advent season. This candle centers around the subject of love. I titled the sermon Sunday For God So Loved the World. When we get to the third point of the sermon this week, you will understand this love concept better. The first two points, however, were questions for which we need to think about our lives. The first question is the title of today’s blog. Notice with me in the verses today that God tells Ahaz to ask Him for a sign as deep as Sheol or as high as heaven. Is there anything too difficult for the Lord? God can do far more than we can possibly think or imagine. He desires for us to do God’s sized work for Him here on this side of eternity. Unfortunately, I think most of us, myself included, have a very small view of God’s abilities. We do not ask God for a grand vision. I used the word challenge in the question today, but Beloved, I want you to understand that our greatest thought is not a challenge to the Lord. As we rapidly approach 2017, let me encourage you to start thinking of what grand vision the Lord would have for you next year. Begin asking Him to make it possible to do amazing things through Him and all for His glory. Make your vision as deep as Sheol or as high as heaven. It will not be too difficult for the Lord. Let’s obey Him and be amazed at His provision for the great vision He gives to us.

Questions:

1. Do you have a grand vision from the Lord?

2. Are you playing it safe and not risking it all for His glory?

Prayer: Father, Your thoughts are so much greater than my own. You are grand and push on me to be better than I presently am. I know, however, that in You I will grow and live up to a grander vision for my life because of Your involvement. Open my eyes to what You would desire of me. Amen.