Jan 06 2021
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Seek yourself second – Matthew 6:33

By Sodwana Bay

Day 1 Seek yourself second… Matthew 6:33 – Amplified Bible “33 But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.” It’s now more than ever, amidst the uncertainty of tomorrow that we need to put aside the fickle things of this world and honestly and sincerely seek the Father’s heart. This which is happening around us today is nothing new – the bible is full of stories where Gods people are “tested” by circumstances that are totally out of their control.  These challenges aren’t sent by God – they are part of life – if you are alive you will face difficulties; you can bet on that. If you walked a strong solid walk with God, these “tests” will not be difficult for you – it will be a walk in the park, but like most of us – we aren’t always at the spiritual place/level we should be. Our Father is forgiving and understanding but He can’t do anything – you are the one which needs to come closer to Him. He is always near… So, when we are faced with these challenges – our first response is to act out and moan how awful things are because we do not understand and are not in sync with the Holy Spirit. Instead of submitting our path and knowledge to God we go into a full on childish tantrum mode and miss the whole point of the exercise. When things get rough in our lives, I constantly have to remind myself: You chose this path: Read the full chapter for context >Isaiah 43 The moment I made Jesus my Lord and Savior; I started walking away from the masses into Gods glory and his Kingdom. I chose a personal relationship with my maker. This will be hard as I am now busy on my journey of RENEWAL.  The renewal process is one of discovery and honesty and takes courage to be real and admit flaws and faults. I will be tested with water – rivers – fire and storms so that I can be purified! I will get through this… these things SHALL pass. Isaiah 43:2 “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you. God is always ready to help: The moment you commit or choose to sin – there is ramifications – Good & Bad! God will forgive you but cannot just rip you out of the place/circumstances you are in right now. You will have to endure the storm – GO through it! But there is a Bonus – even though you might not feel his presence Jesus is right there next to you.  It might be time to slow down and surrender “thy self”… our “ego” closes our ears to His voice – to his calling. You might feel God is stripping all the most important bits from you but He is actually removing all the burdens from your life; the clutter, the half truths and filth of sin. If you will only allow Him – you will see the awesome results! Yes, the covid-19 is a real threat but it is time to understand our part to play in the “foreplay” of the coming of the one true KING – JESUS CHRIST. Realize this today – Our Messiah is coming back! I can’t say how long or when precisely, but JESUS is coming. The covid-19 and all the things which will follow have been predicted – so God gave you a heads-up so that you will not be full of fear… or in the dark for all that is coming. Prayer: Lord, I am a sinner and need you now more than ever. I submit/exchange my will – plans – hopes – dreams for your purposeful dreams and plans. Help me to see through your eyes – to see others as you see them. May my hands – feet – voice be all yours. I am yours, make with me as you please… Amen! Put your lives secondly so our Fathers Kingdom will come – Maranatha!!!   [wp-review]

Jan 06 2021
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Isaiah 43 – Israel Redeemed

By Sodwana Bay

43 But now, this is what the Lord, your Creator says, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you [from captivity]; I have called you by name; you are Mine! 2  “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you. 3  “For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I have given Egypt [to the Babylonians] as your ransom, Cush (ancient Ethiopia) and Seba [its province] in exchange for you. 4  “Because you are precious in My sight, You are honored and I love you, I will give other men in return for you and other peoples in exchange for your life. 5  “Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east [where they are scattered], And gather you from the west. 6  “I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ And to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring My sons from far way And My daughters from the ends of the earth, 7  Everyone who is called by My Name, Whom I have created for My glory, Whom I have formed, even whom I have made.” Israel Is God’s Witness 8  Bring out the people who are blind, even though they have eyes, And the deaf, even though they have ears. 9  All the nations have gathered together So that the peoples may be assembled. Who among them (the idolaters) can [a]predict this [that Judah would return from captivity] And proclaim to us the former events? Let them provide their witnesses so that they may be justified, Or let them hear and say [in acknowledgement], “It is the truth.” 10  “You are My witnesses,” declares the Lord, “And My servant whom I have chosen, That you may know and believe Me And understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, And there will be none after Me. 11  “I, [only] I, am the Lord, And there is no Savior besides Me. 12  “I have declared [the future] and saved [the nation] and proclaimed [that I am God], And there was no strange (alien) god among you; Therefore you are My witnesses [among the pagans],” declares the Lord, “That I am God. 13  “Even from eternity I am He, And there is no one who can rescue from My hand; I act, and who can revoke or reverse it?” Babylon to Be Destroyed 14 This is what the Lord your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel says, “For your sake I have sent [one] to Babylon, And I will bring down all of them as fugitives, Even the Chaldeans [who reign in Babylon], into the ships [b]over which they rejoiced. 15  “I am the Lord, your Holy One, The Creator of Israel, your King.” 16 This is what the Lord says, He who makes a way through the sea And a path through the mighty waters, 17  He who brings out the chariot and the horse, The army and the mighty warrior, (They will lie down together, they will not rise again; They have been extinguished, they have been put out like a lamp’s wick): 18  “Do not remember the former things, Or ponder the things of the past. 19  “Listen carefully, I am about to do a new thing, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even put a road in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert. 20  “The beasts of the field will honor Me, Jackals and ostriches, Because I have given waters in the wilderness And rivers in the desert, To give drink to My people, My chosen. 21  “The people whom I formed for Myself Will make known My praise. The Shortcomings of Israel 22  “Yet you have not called on Me [in prayer and worship], O Jacob; But you have grown weary of Me, O Israel. 23  “You have not brought Me your sheep or goats for your burnt offerings, Nor honored Me with your sacrifices. I have not burdened you with offerings, Nor wearied you with [demands for offerings of] incense. 24  “You have not bought Me sweet cane with money, Nor have you filled Me with the fat of your sacrifices; But you have burdened Me with your sins, You have wearied Me with your wickedness. 25  “I, only I, am He who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake, And I will not remember your sins. 26  “[c]Remind Me [of your merits with a thorough report], let us plead and argue our case together; State your position, that you may be proved right. 27  “Your first father [Jacob] sinned, And your spokesmen [the priests and the prophets—your mediators] have transgressed against Me. 28  “So I will [d]profane the officials of the sanctuary, And I will consign Jacob to destruction and [I will subject] Israel to defamation and abuse. Footnotes Isaiah 43:9 Lit announce. Isaiah 43:14 Lit of their rejoicing. Isaiah 43:26 Or Report to Me. Isaiah 43:28 Or pierce. Amplified Bible (AMP) Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.