ISAIAH

Today is Thursday.  It is overcast today and a little bit a relief from 86 degree temperatures.  I'm in Isaiah, and here are a few items to share: 1) DO YOU KNOW YOUR MASTER?  Isaiah 1:3, God says that even the ox knows his Master's crib, but Israel doesn't know their master... GOD!  Do we know our Master?  Do we act like it and live like it?  We certainly ought to know that the LORD is our Master because He saved us and bought us.  We have been bought with a price, and we are not our own.  We belong to God! 2) WHAT DELIGHTS GOD? Isaiah 1:11- "and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats."  Even in the Old Testament, God makes it clear that it is not the blood of these animals that He delights in.  God delights in obedience, love, dedication, and such things from our lives.  The blood was payment for our sins, and actually a pointing to the real payment of Christ's shed blood for our sins, but he delights in obedience from His children. 3) DON'T DRINK WINE  Can I tell you again that the Bible is against alcohol?  Isaiah 5:22 tells us that there is a WOE pronounced against the one, even strong men, who drink wine and strong drink.  Wine would be weak alcohol, but the Bible speaks bad of it.  Strong drink would be much more alcohol involved and God is also against it.  Just stay away and not have to deal with the baggage that comes with it. 4) KEEPING OUR FOCUS ON GOD- Isaiah 10:20 says: .."but shall stay upon the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth."  God looks forward to that day when this will be the case for Israel, and we should already be looking to the LORD this way, because we are indeed His children!  Dear Lord, help me today to stay upon You.  Not just today, but everyday.  Help me to keep my mind ever mindful of you and your love for me, and my love for you.  Help me to stay upon you in truth, oh Holy One of Israel, My Redeemer, My God! Amen!   Hope you have a wonderful day!  Pastor Mike Mutchler