Author Archives: Jen O'Sullivan

Friday Fruit Audit ~ Do You Share Jesus with People?

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People really don’t want to hear about Jesus. I don’t want to offend anyone. I’m terrible at going up to people. I believe what I believe and I let others believe what they want to believe. Evangelizing is OK for pastors and people who seem just a little socially off, but I don’t feel called to do it and besides I’m no good at it anyway.

These are just a few of the excuses I hear people use, myself included. Do you realize that if Paul, Peter, James or any of the other disciples felt this way and acted on their feelings, NONE of us would be saved? Jesus did not just ask his first disciples to preach the gospel, he asked everyone who calls himself or herself a believer and follower of Christ. The Holy Spirit helps us but we must be willing to be his ambassador. We are privileged to help God in the calling of his people.

“But I honestly don’t know how to spread the gospel.” This is a valid response however if your child said, “but I don’t know how to read” I bet you would just stop and say, “You know what? I get it. It is just too hard and confusing for you. Don’t worry about it then. You will be fine…” Yeah, right. Like that would happen. Stop acting like a child and do what your Father has asked you to do. Here is a short list that will help you get started.

1. Practice.
You will never get good at anything unless you practice. Person by person. Start today with just one person.

2. Be prepared.
You need to know what you are sharing. Going around saying to people they need God because he will make their lives better and that he loves them is the worst thing you can do. If you understand the costs associated with following Christ, then you are more able to explain it to someone else. A great place to learn how to share the gospel is at www.sharetheumbrella.com.

3. Understand Your Roll
You should not go up to people and say “Do you want to hear about Jesus?” Think about the last time you bought something that was sold to you. Why did you buy it? You did not just wake up and decide “I’m going to buy a new Toyota today.” There would have been some great marketing done by Toyota along with your own forethought and research to back up your purchase. We do business with people we know like and trust. Don’t assume spreading the gospel is any different than selling anything else. I don’t want to cheapen the gospel by any means but I do want you to think about it the next time you try to shove your religion down anyone’s throat. It never works. There will be times when someone will flat out ask you to share, point by point, what the gospel is. However, more often than not, people will be drawn to your “light” because of your love and the way you live your life. Look for opportunities to share a little bit of Jesus in every conversation. Literally try to think, “How can I mention the name of Jesus in this conversation?” You will start getting good at inserting the Word of God in all your conversations.

4. Pray, Pray, and Pray

  • Ask God every morning for “divine appointments” meaning opportunities to share God’s Word.
  • Ask God every morning for “low hanging fruit” meaning people who want to talk about Jesus who may not know him fully yet.
  • Ask the Holy Spirit to speak through you.
  • Any time you share the gospel or are building a relationship with someone, pray for them often.
  • When you share the gospel with others pray regularly for them. Pray that the Holy Spirit would do a great work in them and bring them to repentance.

 

Don’t ever forget, Jesus calls us as his ambassadors to “make disciples.”

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” – Matthew 28:19

“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” – 2 Corinthians 5:20

Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible. (Eph. 6:24)
Maranatha! (Come, Lord Jesus!)

~ Jen O’Sullivan
www.HolyJustLove.com

Quote of the Day ~ What Rankles Us and Makes Us Howl by R. C. Sproul

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“Somehow we don’t mind the exception of the Cross. It is the Fall that rankles us. We don’t mind having our guilt transferred to Jesus or having his righteousness transferred to us; it is having the guilt of Adam transferred to us that makes us howl.”
– R. C. Sproul, Chosen by God

Daily Bible Reading ~ Isaiah 65-66 and 2 Thessalonians 1

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DAILY BIBLE READING LINK FOR OCTOBER 18, 2013

Pastor’s Note:

Today we wrap up this year’s read through the great book of Isaiah. I trust that this view to a “new heaven and new earth” brings much of the theology of Isaiah into sharp focus. May the memorable words in Isaiah 66:1-2 lead us to resolve to be people—“humble and contrite in spirit.” Today we also begin reading the second letter of Paul to the Thessalonians which, in the very first chapter, reminds us that God is a just God and will vindicate his people. What an important reminder in a world where good is often disdained as evil.

– Pastor Mike Fabarez of Compass Bible Church and Focal Point Ministries

Isaiah 65-66

Judgment and Salvation

65:1 I was ready to be sought by those who did not ask for me;
I was ready to be found by those who did not seek me.
I said, “Here am I, here am I,”
to a nation that was not called by [1] my name.
2 I spread out my hands all the day
to a rebellious people,
who walk in a way that is not good,
following their own devices;
3 a people who provoke me
to my face continually,
sacrificing in gardens
and making offerings on bricks;
4 who sit in tombs,
and spend the night in secret places;
who eat pig’s flesh,
and broth of tainted meat is in their vessels;
5 who say, “Keep to yourself,
do not come near me, for I am too holy for you.”
These are a smoke in my nostrils,
a fire that burns all the day.
6 Behold, it is written before me:
“I will not keep silent, but I will repay;
I will indeed repay into their bosom
7 both your iniquities and your fathers’ iniquities together,
says the Lord;
because they made offerings on the mountains
and insulted me on the hills,
I will measure into their bosom
payment for their former deeds.” [2]

8 Thus says the Lord:
“As the new wine is found in the cluster,
and they say, ‘Do not destroy it,
for there is a blessing in it,’
so I will do for my servants’ sake,
and not destroy them all.
9 I will bring forth offspring from Jacob,
and from Judah possessors of my mountains;
my chosen shall possess it,
and my servants shall dwell there.
10 Sharon shall become a pasture for flocks,
and the Valley of Achor a place for herds to lie down,
for my people who have sought me.
11 But you who forsake the Lord,
who forget my holy mountain,
who set a table for Fortune
and fill cups of mixed wine for Destiny,
12 I will destine you to the sword,
and all of you shall bow down to the slaughter,
because, when I called, you did not answer;
when I spoke, you did not listen,
but you did what was evil in my eyes
and chose what I did not delight in.”

13 Therefore thus says the Lord God:
“Behold, my servants shall eat,
but you shall be hungry;
behold, my servants shall drink,
but you shall be thirsty;
behold, my servants shall rejoice,
but you shall be put to shame;
14 behold, my servants shall sing for gladness of heart,
but you shall cry out for pain of heart
and shall wail for breaking of spirit.
15 You shall leave your name to my chosen for a curse,
and the Lord God will put you to death,
but his servants he will call by another name.
16 So that he who blesses himself in the land
shall bless himself by the God of truth,
and he who takes an oath in the land
shall swear by the God of truth;
because the former troubles are forgotten
and are hidden from my eyes.

New Heavens and a New Earth

17 “For behold, I create new heavens
and a new earth,
and the former things shall not be remembered
or come into mind.
18 But be glad and rejoice forever
in that which I create;
for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy,
and her people to be a gladness.
19 I will rejoice in Jerusalem
and be glad in my people;
no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping
and the cry of distress.
20 No more shall there be in it
an infant who lives but a few days,
or an old man who does not fill out his days,
for the young man shall die a hundred years old,
and the sinner a hundred years old shall be accursed.
21 They shall build houses and inhabit them;
they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
22 They shall not build and another inhabit;
they shall not plant and another eat;
for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be,
and my chosen shall long enjoy [3] the work of their hands.
23 They shall not labor in vain
or bear children for calamity, [4]
for they shall be the offspring of the blessed of the Lord,
and their descendants with them.
24 Before they call I will answer;
while they are yet speaking I will hear.
25 The wolf and the lamb shall graze together;
the lion shall eat straw like the ox,
and dust shall be the serpent’s food.
They shall not hurt or destroy
in all my holy mountain,”
says the Lord.

The Humble and Contrite in Spirit

66:1 Thus says the Lord:
“Heaven is my throne,
and the earth is my footstool;
what is the house that you would build for me,
and what is the place of my rest?
2 All these things my hand has made,
and so all these things came to be,
declares the Lord.
But this is the one to whom I will look:
he who is humble and contrite in spirit
and trembles at my word.

3 “He who slaughters an ox is like one who kills a man;
he who sacrifices a lamb, like one who breaks a dog’s neck;
he who presents a grain offering, like one who offers pig’s blood;
he who makes a memorial offering of frankincense, like one who blesses an idol.
These have chosen their own ways,
and their soul delights in their abominations;
4 I also will choose harsh treatment for them
and bring their fears upon them,
because when I called, no one answered,
when I spoke, they did not listen;
but they did what was evil in my eyes
and chose that in which I did not delight.”

5 Hear the word of the Lord,
you who tremble at his word:
“Your brothers who hate you
and cast you out for my name’s sake
have said, ‘Let the Lord be glorified,
that we may see your joy’;
but it is they who shall be put to shame.

6 “The sound of an uproar from the city!
A sound from the temple!
The sound of the Lord,
rendering recompense to his enemies!

Rejoice with Jerusalem

7 “Before she was in labor
she gave birth;
before her pain came upon her
she delivered a son.
8 Who has heard such a thing?
Who has seen such things?
Shall a land be born in one day?
Shall a nation be brought forth in one moment?
For as soon as Zion was in labor
she brought forth her children.
9 Shall I bring to the point of birth and not cause to bring forth?”
says the Lord;
“shall I, who cause to bring forth, shut the womb?”
says your God.

10 “Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad for her,
all you who love her;
rejoice with her in joy,
all you who mourn over her;
11 that you may nurse and be satisfied
from her consoling breast;
that you may drink deeply with delight
from her glorious abundance.” [5]

12 For thus says the Lord:
“Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river,
and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream;
and you shall nurse, you shall be carried upon her hip,
and bounced upon her knees.
13 As one whom his mother comforts,
so I will comfort you;
you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
14 You shall see, and your heart shall rejoice;
your bones shall flourish like the grass;
and the hand of the Lord shall be known to his servants,
and he shall show his indignation against his enemies.

Final Judgment and Glory of the Lord

15 “For behold, the Lord will come in fire,
and his chariots like the whirlwind,
to render his anger in fury,
and his rebuke with flames of fire.
16 For by fire will the Lord enter into judgment,
and by his sword, with all flesh;
and those slain by the Lord shall be many.

17 “Those who sanctify and purify themselves to go into the gardens, following one in the midst, eating pig’s flesh and the abomination and mice, shall come to an end together, declares the Lord.

18 “For I know [6] their works and their thoughts, and the time is coming [7] to gather all nations and tongues. And they shall come and shall see my glory, 19 and I will set a sign among them. And from them I will send survivors to the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, who draw the bow, to Tubal and Javan, to the coastlands far away, that have not heard my fame or seen my glory. And they shall declare my glory among the nations. 20 And they shall bring all your brothers from all the nations as an offering to the Lord, on horses and in chariots and in litters and on mules and on dromedaries, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, says the Lord, just as the Israelites bring their grain offering in a clean vessel to the house of the Lord. 21 And some of them also I will take for priests and for Levites, says the Lord.

22 “For as the new heavens and the new earth
that I make
shall remain before me, says the Lord,
so shall your offspring and your name remain.
23 From new moon to new moon,
and from Sabbath to Sabbath,
all flesh shall come to worship before me,
declares the Lord.

24 “And they shall go out and look on the dead bodies of the men who have rebelled against me. For their worm shall not die, their fire shall not be quenched, and they shall be an abhorrence to all flesh.”

2 Thessalonians 1

Greeting

1:1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving

3 We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, [8] as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. 4 Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.

The Judgment at Christ’s Coming

5 This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering— 6 since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7 and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels 8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from [9] the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, 10 when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. 11 To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (ESV)

Footnotes

[1] 65:1 Or that did not call upon
[2] 65:7 Or I will first measure their payment into their bosom
[3] 65:22 Hebrew shall wear out
[4] 65:23 Or for sudden terror
[5] 66:11 Or breast
[6] 66:18 Septuagint, Syriac; Hebrew lacks know
[7] 66:18 Hebrew and it is coming
[8] 1:3 Or brothers and sisters. The plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) refers to siblings in a family. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, adelphoi may refer either to men or to both men and women who are siblings (brothers and sisters) in God’s family, the church
[9] 1:9 Or destruction that comes from

Baby Burns in Inferno

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I read a story the other night in an R.C. Sproul book about a massive fire in a burning building. Everyone was outside and someone realized there was a baby still trapped inside. It was too dangerous for anyone to go in. Suddenly a man rushed through the firefighting line and ran inside. He came out moments later filled with smoke and singed by the flames with a bundle tightly wrapped in his arms. Everyone’s cheers turned to horror when they realized he had grabbed his life’s savings and not the baby. I don’t know about you but this type of rampant selfishness is everywhere today. Let’s see how we can share Jesus through our love. When someone makes you mad today, do something nice for them. When someone wants to cut in line, graciously let them. Do the thing that no one would do. That is the love Jesus spoke of.

Maranatha! (Come, Lord Jesus!)

~ Jen O’Sullivan
www.HolyJustLove.com

Quote of the Day ~ Prerequisite for coming to Christ by R. C. Sproul

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“Admitting our fallenness is a prerequisite for coming to Christ.”
– R. C. Sproul, Chosen by God

DBR Thought of the Day “Yay! I’ve been Un-Friended!”

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I have lost a lot of “friends” over the past few months and I have to say I am quite proud of that fact. Had you asked me what my number one problem was last April I might have told you I was sad to not have any real friends since I have recently moved to my new city. I was always obsessed with making everyone happy and making lots of friends. Now, all I care about is shouting Jesus from the rooftops. I have offended some but others have come out of the woodworks and have aligned with me for the sake of Jesus. I will not keep silent! I will not be quiet!

For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent,
and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet,
until her righteousness goes forth as brightness,
and her salvation as a burning torch.
– Isaiah 62:1

Maranatha! (Come, Lord Jesus!)

~ Jen O’Sullivan
www.HolyJustLove.com

 

 

Thursday Theology ~ The Holy Spirit, a systematic study of Pneumatology by Dr. Mike Fabarez

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The Holy SpiritPastor Mike Fabarez of Compass Bible Church is doing a phenomenal series on the Holy Spirit. If you live close by (Orange County, California Area) I highly recommend you come join us. If not, watch it live each Thursday night on Live Stream.

Compass Night 2013

Our Creator has revealed himself to us in the Bible as a triune being—one Essence eternally existing in three Persons. While it is perhaps easier for us to grasp the inherent distinctions between the roles of the Father and Son, we often fail to comprehend and appreciate the unique role and ministry of the Holy Spirit. In this important twelve-part lecture series Pastor Mike will help us broaden our understanding and deepen our gratitude for the daily operations of the Holy Spirit. Join us this fall on Thursday nights for Compass Night as we engage in a systematic study of Pneumatology.

– September 12 – The Personhood & Deity of the Holy Spirit (See below for notes)
– September 19 – The Titles & Emblems of the Holy Spirit
– September 26 – The Holy Spirit in Creation, Revelation & Inspiration
– October 3 – The Old Testament Ministry of the Holy Spirit
– October 10 – The Holy Spirit & Christ’s Ministry – Dinner: Beach Pit BBQ
– October 17 – Common Grace and the Holy Spirit
– October 24 – Special Guest: Pastor Mike Elliott
– October 31 – OFF for Fall Fest!
– November 7 – Special Guest: Pastor Pete
– November 14 – The Regenerative Work & Baptism of the Holy Spirit
– November 21 – The Indwelling & Sealing of the Holy Spirit
– November 28 – OFF for Thanksgiving
– December 5 – The Holy Spirit & Spiritual Gifts
– December 12 – The Filling of the Holy Spirit

Compass Night starts with a family-style dinner at 6:00p. AWANA and Thursday night KIDS Club are available for those attending Compass Night or Thrive. Parents or guardians MUST remain on campus when children are in KIDS Club.

Click here for details and registration for AWANA & KIDS Club.

NOTES FOR THE FIRST STUDY

THE HOLY SPIRIT #1
a systematic study of pneumatology

1. THE WORD “PNEUMATOLOGY”

Components:                      Pneumato                         /        logy

Hebrew & Greek:               Ruach or Pneuma             /     logos

Occurrences:  OT 375 times. NT 379 times  /. 339 times

Definitions & Imagery:  Wind, breath, spirit.  / word, speech, study

2. Or study of Pneumatology

A. What we will cover

1. Who the Holy Spirit is
2. What the Holy Spirit does
3. How we interface with the Holy Spirit

B. Why this is so important today

1. Lots of unbiblical teaching regarding the Holy Spirit
2. Lots of dangerous practices regarding the Holy Spirit
3. Lots of misunderstanding regarding the Holy Spirit’s role

C. The importance of “Roles” in the Trinity

1.  School Yard Illustration
Small town. Only 3 adults in the school. You have been taught to respect them each as the authority. They all and different roles. You need to function under their authority.

~ The Father is the Principal
Admin, planning, oversight

~  The Son is the Teacher
Instructs, leads, directs students

~  The Holy Spirit is the Custodian
Facilitate, repair, protects, sets up

 

4. The Holy Spirit is a Person

A. Personhood

Personhood                               The Holy Spirit
Intellect, reason, logic.             Isaiah 11:2

Isaiah 11:2 (ESV)
And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.

Emotion, feelings, passion.    Ephesians 4:30

Ephesians 4:30 (ESV)
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Will, volition, purpose.            1 Corinthians 12:11

1 Corinthians 12:11 (ESV)
All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

B. He takes personal action.

HE GUIDES
John 16:13

HE HEARS
John 16:13

HE SPEAKS
John 16:13

HE DECLARES
John 16:13

HE CONVICTS
John 16:8

HE CARRIES
Acts 8:39-40

HE HELPS
Romans 8:26

HE INTERCEDES
Romans 8:26

HE DECIDES
Acts 15:28

HE TEACHES
1 Corinthians 2:13

C. He is described as a person

~. HE IS OUTRAGED
Hebrew 10:29

~. HE IS LIED TO
Acts 5:3

~. HE IS BLASPHEMED
Matthew 12:31

~. HE IS OBEYED
Acts 10:19-21

~. HE IS A HE
John 16:13-14

 

5. The Holy Spirit is God

A. The Holy Spirit is ascribed divine attributes

~ HE IS OMNISCIENT
Isaiah 40:13

~ HE IS OMNIPRESENT
Psalm 139:7

~ HE IS ETERNAL
Hebrews 9:14

~ HE IS CREATOR
Genesis 1:2 and Job 33:4

B. The Holy Spirit is engaging in divine actions

~ WORKED MIRACLES
Hebrews 2:4

~ AGENT OF THE VIRGIN BIRTH
Luke 1:35

~ DIVINE CAUSE OF SCRIPTURE
2 Peter 1:21 and Revelation 2 & 3 “hear what the Spirit says to the Churches”

C. The Holy Spirit is described as “Another”
John 14:16
He is not a modalists. Meaning he does not wear various hats.

D. Associated with the Father and Son

~ WITH THE FATHER
1 Corinthians 6:11

~ WITH THE SON
Acts16:7

~ WITH BOTH
Matthew 28:19 and 2 Corinthians 13:14

E. Bears Divine Titles

1. GOD
Acts 5:3-4

2. LORD
1 Corinthians 12:4-6

I don’t think I want to be a Christian anymore…

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“Christian” meant “little Christ” in the days following Jesus, and as Jon said in his post, it was meant as a slam on the people of that time. I agree that the word is now thrown around with little to no meaning. I personally would love it if it’s original meaning still applied. It is kind of like being called a “Jesus Freak”. I had a conversation the other day with a friend who said he did not want to be labeled as something like how Ellen is a Lesbian Comedian or Obama is a Black President and I instantly thought, what an honor to be labeled as a Jesus Freak. Jen O’Sullivan is that Jesus Freak Photographer. Love it!

bigfogblog's avatarbig fog

But let me explain…

I’ve been really struggling with what it means to be a “Christian” and what that looks like in this world. A few things have been deeply resonating within me that have brought me to this conclusion…

Did you know, the term “Christian” is only used 3 times in the bible? And the term “Christian” is used in a derogatory fashion towards other believers. Beyond that, Jesus never called his followers “Christians” and nobody else in the bible called themselves (or referred to other followers of Jesus) as “Christians” with the exception of Peter, but his reference was to those who suffered under the persecution. Jesus and the other believers simply called each other disciples or brothers & sisters. But that isn’t really the big issue…

I have realized that the term “Christian” has become increasingly diluted and that anyone who wants to say they are a…

View original post 283 more words

Daily Bible Reading ~ Isaiah 62-64 and 1 Thessalonians 5

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DAILY BIBLE READING LINK FOR OCTOBER 17, 2013

Pastor’s Note:

More today on the restoration of God’s people, the Lord’s just response to sin, and the hope for the remnant of contrite people who turn to God in honest confession—clinging to his grace. In our New Testament reading we should be encouraged and challenged by this short letter from Paul, which is filled with hope and practical instruction.

– Pastor Mike Fabarez of Compass Bible Church and Focal Point Ministries

Isaiah 62-64

Zion’s Coming Salvation

62:1 For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent,
and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet,
until her righteousness goes forth as brightness,
and her salvation as a burning torch.
2 The nations shall see your righteousness,
and all the kings your glory,
and you shall be called by a new name
that the mouth of the Lord will give.
3 You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord,
and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
4 You shall no more be termed Forsaken, [1]
and your land shall no more be termed Desolate, [2]
but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her, [3]
and your land Married; [4]
for the Lord delights in you,
and your land shall be married.
5 For as a young man marries a young woman,
so shall your sons marry you,
and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride,
so shall your God rejoice over you.

6 On your walls, O Jerusalem,
I have set watchmen;
all the day and all the night
they shall never be silent.
You who put the Lord in remembrance,
take no rest,
7 and give him no rest
until he establishes Jerusalem
and makes it a praise in the earth.
8 The Lord has sworn by his right hand
and by his mighty arm:
“I will not again give your grain
to be food for your enemies,
and foreigners shall not drink your wine
for which you have labored;
9 but those who garner it shall eat it
and praise the Lord,
and those who gather it shall drink it
in the courts of my sanctuary.” [5]

10 Go through, go through the gates;
prepare the way for the people;
build up, build up the highway;
clear it of stones;
lift up a signal over the peoples.
11 Behold, the Lord has proclaimed
to the end of the earth:
Say to the daughter of Zion,
“Behold, your salvation comes;
behold, his reward is with him,
and his recompense before him.”
12 And they shall be called The Holy People,
The Redeemed of the Lord;
and you shall be called Sought Out,
A City Not Forsaken.

The Lord’s Day of Vengeance

63:1 Who is this who comes from Edom,
in crimsoned garments from Bozrah,
he who is splendid in his apparel,
marching in the greatness of his strength?
“It is I, speaking in righteousness,
mighty to save.”

2 Why is your apparel red,
and your garments like his who treads in the winepress?

3 “I have trodden the winepress alone,
and from the peoples no one was with me;
I trod them in my anger
and trampled them in my wrath;
their lifeblood [6] spattered on my garments,
and stained all my apparel.
4 For the day of vengeance was in my heart,
and my year of redemption [7] had come.
5 I looked, but there was no one to help;
I was appalled, but there was no one to uphold;
so my own arm brought me salvation,
and my wrath upheld me.
6 I trampled down the peoples in my anger;
I made them drunk in my wrath,
and I poured out their lifeblood on the earth.”

The Lord’s Mercy Remembered

7 I will recount the steadfast love of the Lord,
the praises of the Lord,
according to all that the Lord has granted us,
and the great goodness to the house of Israel
that he has granted them according to his compassion,
according to the abundance of his steadfast love.
8 For he said, “Surely they are my people,
children who will not deal falsely.”
And he became their Savior.
9 In all their affliction he was afflicted, [8]
and the angel of his presence saved them;
in his love and in his pity he redeemed them;
he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.

10 But they rebelled
and grieved his Holy Spirit;
therefore he turned to be their enemy,
and himself fought against them.
11 Then he remembered the days of old,
of Moses and his people. [9]
Where is he who brought them up out of the sea
with the shepherds of his flock?
Where is he who put in the midst of them
his Holy Spirit,
12 who caused his glorious arm
to go at the right hand of Moses,
who divided the waters before them
to make for himself an everlasting name,
13 who led them through the depths?
Like a horse in the desert,
they did not stumble.
14 Like livestock that go down into the valley,
the Spirit of the Lord gave them rest.
So you led your people,
to make for yourself a glorious name.

Prayer for Mercy

15 Look down from heaven and see,
from your holy and beautiful [10] habitation.
Where are your zeal and your might?
The stirring of your inner parts and your compassion
are held back from me.
16 For you are our Father,
though Abraham does not know us,
and Israel does not acknowledge us;
you, O Lord, are our Father,
our Redeemer from of old is your name.
17 O Lord, why do you make us wander from your ways
and harden our heart, so that we fear you not?
Return for the sake of your servants,
the tribes of your heritage.
18 Your holy people held possession for a little while; [11]
our adversaries have trampled down your sanctuary.
19 We have become like those over whom you have never ruled,
like those who are not called by your name.

64:1 Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down,
that the mountains might quake at your presence—
2  [12] as when fire kindles brushwood
and the fire causes water to boil—
to make your name known to your adversaries,
and that the nations might tremble at your presence!
3 When you did awesome things that we did not look for,
you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence.
4 From of old no one has heard
or perceived by the ear,
no eye has seen a God besides you,
who acts for those who wait for him.
5 You meet him who joyfully works righteousness,
those who remember you in your ways.
Behold, you were angry, and we sinned;
in our sins we have been a long time, and shall we be saved? [13]
6 We have all become like one who is unclean,
and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment.
We all fade like a leaf,
and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.
7 There is no one who calls upon your name,
who rouses himself to take hold of you;
for you have hidden your face from us,
and have made us melt in [14] the hand of our iniquities.

8 But now, O Lord, you are our Father;
we are the clay, and you are our potter;
we are all the work of your hand.
9 Be not so terribly angry, O Lord,
and remember not iniquity forever.
Behold, please look, we are all your people.
10 Your holy cities have become a wilderness;
Zion has become a wilderness,
Jerusalem a desolation.
11 Our holy and beautiful [15] house,
where our fathers praised you,
has been burned by fire,
and all our pleasant places have become ruins.
12 Will you restrain yourself at these things, O Lord?
Will you keep silent, and afflict us so terribly?

1 Thessalonians 5

The Day of the Lord

5:1 Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, [16] you have no need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. 5 For you are all children [17] of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. 6 So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

Final Instructions and Benediction

12 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, [18] encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.

23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.

25 Brothers, pray for us.

26 Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.

27 I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.

28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. (ESV)

Footnotes

[1] 62:4 Hebrew Azubah
[2] 62:4 Hebrew Shemamah
[3] 62:4 Hebrew Hephzibah
[4] 62:4 Hebrew Beulah
[5] 62:9 Or in my holy courts
[6] 63:3 Or their juice; also verse 6
[7] 63:4 Or the year of my redeemed
[8] 63:9 Or he did not afflict
[9] 63:11 Or Then his people remembered the days of old, of Moses
[10] 63:15 Or holy and glorious
[11] 63:18 Or They have dispossessed your holy people for a little while
[12] 64:2 Ch 64:1 in Hebrew
[13] 64:5 Or in your ways is continuance, that we might be saved
[14] 64:7 Masoretic Text; Septuagint, Syriac, Targum have delivered us into
[15] 64:11 Or holy and glorious
[16] 5:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 4, 12, 14, 25, 26, 27
[17] 5:5 Or sons; twice in this verse
[18] 5:14 Or disorderly, or undisciplined

Quote of the Day ~ The Job Description of the Redeemed by Jay Adams

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It is now the task of the redeemed people of God to “make known” God’s wisdom to all creation.
– Jay Adams, The Grand Demonstration
(This is a hard book to find but is a great one if you struggle with the issue of how evil and sin came about in light of a perfect God.)