Tag: Savior
The Holy One, Your Savior!
Scripture reading for July 9: Isaiah 43: 1-3 “But now thus says the Lord, He Who created you, O Jacob, He Who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, the flame shall not consume you. For I Am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.””
As we continue to explore Scriptures in Isaiah where God declares His “I Am” Name to encourage His people, we come to His declaration that He is the “Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” The Holy One declares God’s perfection in every way. He created the universe and man in particular. He formed the nation of Israel from Abraham, His friend. He called them all by name. “Jacob” was originally a cheat and one who wrestled with God. God changed his name to “Israel” meaning subdued by God. The Holy One of Israel was with them to help even in their weakness.
God redeemed His people from slavery in Egypt. He called them out of Egypt and lead them through the rivers and waters and the fiery desert. He proved His holiness and love through becoming their Savior and Redeemer. He tested their faith through their deliverance. They learned through the experience of going through the deep waters and the fire that God’s presence would sustain them and save them. He truly was their Holy One and Savior present with them on their journey to their eternal home.
These precious Scriptures remind us today that God is our “Holy One” and our “Savior” in whatever trial we are encountering on our journey through life’s wilderness. There are no waters to deep to walk through with Him nor is there a fire too hot that the flames will hurt us. We have His Holy Word and He is with us through His Holy Spirit!
Prayer: Father God, thank You for encouraging us with these “I Am” reminders. As I walk through life, empower me to declare by faith my identity as Your child, called by name. Make me holy as You are Holy! Amen.
God’s amazing plan for a Savior!
Scripture reading for June 29th: Matthew 1
Key Scriptures: Matthew 1:18-23 “Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a Son, and you shall call His Name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call His Name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).”
Matthew’s Gospel account of the life of Jesus was written primarily to a Jewish audience and contains many references to Old Testament Scriptures. This first chapter includes a genealogy of Joseph all the way back to Abraham, the father of the Jewish nation. (Mary’s genealogy is in Luke, and goes all the way back to Adam and the first prophesy of a coming ‘Seed of woman’ Who would crush the serpent’s head.) Matthew’s account stresses that Mary was found with child before having any relations with Joseph, but conceived by the Holy Spirit. Joseph, not wanting to shame Mary, was ready to divorce her quietly, but an angel gave him clear instructions regarding the child Mary was carrying. The angel confirmed the Holy Spirit as the One bringing conception. Before ultrasounds, the angel declared Mary would bear a Son, Who would be named “Jesus”, for He would be Savior of His people! This is the One announced by Isaiah the Prophet as “a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name “Immanuel”. God’s amazing preparation and planning is evident from the Holy Scriptures!
Matthew 1:24-25 “When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a Son. And she called His Name Jesus.”
Faith confession and prayer: Father God, Thank You for this amazing record of Your plans to bring Your Son Jesus Christ into this world through a virgin birth. Thank You for recording the prophetic words given proclaiming Your plans beforehand and for allowing me to hear and understand and proclaim this Good News of a Savior!
Acts 4:11-12 “This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the Cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
The priority to obey God!
Scripture reading for April 21st: 1st Samuel 3-5, Psalm 23, Acts 5
Key Scriptures: Acts 5:29-32 “But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised Jesus, Whom you killed by hanging Him on a tree. God exalted Him at His right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, Whom God has given to those who obey Him.””
The apostles had been arrested for preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Sanhedrin admonished them never to speak in Jesus’ Name again. Peter spoke up for the group, telling the Sanhedrin that they would obey God and not men. Peter then exalted Jesus as Savior of these men who had crucified Jesus, calling on them to repent! What amazing grace God gave to those Israelites through the apostles! Their example of obedience to God beacons to us to follow that all men might be saved by our merciful Savior and Leader!
Faith Confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for the example You set of obeying Your Father God and not men. Thank You for the apostles who imitated You. As my Shepherd, help me to hear Your voice today and do Your will in me and through me.
1st Samuel 3:10 “And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak Lord for Your servant hears.””
Psalm 23:1 “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.”
Rejoice: Jesus plundered Satan!
Scripture reading for October 23rd: Mark 3-7
Key Scriptures: Mark 3:24-27 “If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come. In fact, no one can enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can rob his house.”
Jesus was accused of being demon possessed and the Pharisees claimed that Jesus cast out demons by the prince of demons, Beelzebub. Jesus went on to explain that no house divided against itself will stand. If He were using Satan’s power to cast out demons, his house could not stand. But in truth, Jesus, the Strong Son of God, disarmed the strongman, Satan, and plundered his house. He bought back the lost children of God with His own blood!
Rejoicing in our Strong Son of God: “Can plunder be taken from warriors, or captives rescued from the fierce? But this is what the Lord says: “Yes, captives will be taken from warriors, and plunder retrieved from the fierce; I will contend with those who contend with you, and your children I will save. . . . Then all mankind will know that I the Lord, am your Savior, your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.” (Isaiah 49:24-25)