Good day!
We have now completed week 4 using the READ SCRIPTURE APP . See my previous post for more information on this if you are just now joining us!
(CLICK HERE TO READ THE PREVIOUS POST INTRO)
WEEK 4 includes Isaiah 28-51.
Below is a brief Outline
A warning comes to receive the word attentively, “line upon line, precept upon precept” (Isaiah 28:9-14)
God will lay a new foundation with a strict measuring line (Isaiah 28:15-22)
Help is Not in Egypt (Isaiah 30-31)
The King (is coming) in His Beauty (Isaiah 32-33)
A king will right the wrongs (Isaiah 32:1-8).
Although in the nearer future Judah will undergo great suffering and loss, there is a time in the more distant future when a king will reign in a new Jerusalem that will never pass away. Those who dwell in this kingdom will be forgiven of their iniquity forever. Isaiah presents these facts.
Hezekiah‘s reign Isaiah (36-37)
(Isaiah 40-51) deliver a series of messages to Judah and the remnant of Israel. Isaiah looks into the next two centuries. He sees beyond the Babylonian captivity to the fall of Babylon, the rise of Persia, and the rebuilding of Jerusalem, and foresees…
-John the Baptist/ministry (Isaiah 40:3-5, Mark 1:1-5).
-Christ the Good Shepherd (Isaiah 40:9-11)
-Messiah, the chosen Servant of God (Isaiah 42:1-4).
-The Creator speaks of His glory (Isaiah 42:5-9).
In the last verse of chapter 44 Isaiah names a future king of Persia who would shepherd the remnant of God’s people and oversee the rebuilding of Jerusalem. All this came to pass.
God tells all the remnant of Israel to listen and remember. He reiterates that he is their true God and that He will save them from Babylonian exile when he calls Cyrus from the east, Cyrus the man of God’s purpose. (Isaiah 46:3-13)
God reminds Israel that he has chosen Cyrus to rescue them from the Babylonians (Isaiah 48:14-16).
Isaiah 49- 51 Christ for the world, God ’s love for sinners, Awake and listen to Me!
It’s so hard for our human mind to comprehend the fullness of God’s Sovereignty and at the same time to grasp the depth of His love and provision for His people.
Like Thomas, we want to see up close, for ourselves. We want to feel it, touch it, experience it…we want proof! We certainly have proof, if we take the time to step outside of ourselves and look up!
“Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens:
Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one
and calls forth each of them by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength,
not one of them is missing.” -Isaiah 40:26
In our sin nature, we a drawn to be self focused. We have a message playing in the background of our mind that says what’s in it for me? We act, with expectation of a return on our investment. (even though it’s hard to admit this to ourselves) We often do good, with the hope that the favor will be returned according to our expectations. This is a heart problem. Our motivation to serve will come from a place of gratitude and selflessness when we start believing who our God is, and who He has made us to be. Loving God and loving others will become a natural response that extends from experiencing His presence and provision. We have to practice using our PAUSE BUTTON, to look up & see.
This is what I chose to capture as a visual : a memorial of God’s truth. It was the focus of one of our class projects. (Both “galaxy images” done with watercolor)
I had a few boo-boos in the one above:( Ink splotch from my messy fingers to name one!)
When I teach journaling classes, my goal is to meet each person where they are by providing some options. We are each in a unique place on our spiritual journey. We each respond to the creative process within the framework of our individuality. Some art forms are not appealing at first, but God uses them to stretch us beyond what we think we are capable of! As an instructor, this is one of my greatest joys…watching someone be challenged, stepping forward through fear, to grow beyond what they would have hoped or imagined. This mimimicks our journey of faith! As we take one step out into faith, trusting our God to provide what we need, He meets us there in our obedience and we get to experience His presence! (And His provision) It usually doesn’t come the way we think it will:)
While some who are taking class are ready to jump into their Bible to record visuals, others are not. I don’t EVER want someone to leave a class feeling frustrated or defeated. Class begins with time spent discussing what God has revealed to us throughout the week in our study. We are INSPIRIED & ENCOURAGED as we each share God’s specific provision and revelation. This is where the art starts….in the heart…having personal experience with our Father.
I am constantly learning from others, as God works His miracles through the body…stretching us, refining us, sharpening us. I wish I had some pictures to share with you from the group. This week, there were some powerful lessons shared through the visuals of truth God revealed to each heart. Some images were detailed, some were plain and simple…both powerful, MEMORABLE, and life giving.
My pages will never be perfect, there will always be flaws…just like me. BUT, I know my God is not flawed. I know that He has a perfect love and a perfect plan for me because I HAVE seen Him up close and personal. He provides for me everyday, when I take the time to look up & listen!
Below was a second project option. It is something that can be down in the margin, and a good example of a design that uses simple shapes and lines. This one was done with acrylics.
(The inspiration for this piece came from something I saw on Pinterest several years ago. I went back to try and find it and could not! I apologize to that artist!)
Below are a few more powerful, prophetic verses found in Isaiah.
And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me. -Isaiah 6:8
“They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” -Isaiah 11:9
“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.” -Isaiah 12:2
“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet,they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson,they shall become like wool.
If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land;” -Isaiah 1:18,19
“They lift up their voices, they sing for joy; over the majesty of the Lord they shout from the west.Therefore in the east give glory to the Lord; in the coastlands of the sea, give glory to the name of the Lord, the God of Israel. From the ends of the earth we hear songs of praise, of glory to the Righteous One.” -Isaiah 24:14-16
Does a farmer always plow and never sow? Is he forever cultivating the soil and never planting? Does he not finally plant his seeds—black cumin, cumin, wheat, barley, and emmer wheat—each in its proper way, and each in its proper place? The farmer knows just what to do, for God has given him understanding.” -Isaiah 28:24-26 (NLT)
“For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” But you were unwilling.” -Isaiah 30:15
“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” -Isaiah 40:8
“Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars?
He brings them out like an army, one after another, calling each by its name.
Because of his great power and incomparable strength, not a single one is missing.” -Isaiah 40:26
“but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” -Isaiah 40:31
”Draw near to the Lord and He will draw near to you!”
Blessings!
1Arthouse 