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Today: Psalms 105:1-11; 2 Corinthians 5:11-21; 2 Corinthians 6:1-2; Isaiah 1 & 2
2 Corinthians 5 – Worldly Vision vs. Eternal Vision
Paul’s messages to the Corinthians share the same goal as Jesus’ sermons — to shift the audience from worldly vision to eternal vision. “The old has gone, the new is here!” (v.17) We Christians are called to be new creations. If we seek Jesus, spend time with Him, treasure Him, He will indeed slowly (sometimes quickly) change us to become like Him. He will heal our thinking, our emotions, and our bodies.
But we have to seek it. We have to want it. He doesn’t force this change upon us.
It is very possible to say the words to become a Christian but experience no change of heart or soul. Many people go on loving the world instead of Christ, running after the world’s empty treasures just like before. And then they wonder why this Christianity thing isn’t doing anything for them…
Paul implores us to “be reconciled to God.” (v.20) Reconciliation is a process. It must be worked out piece by piece as we take each thing in our heart, the things of the world we still love and worship, and give them to God one by one. That is reconciliation. That is how to seek God and to be transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ. That is how to shift from worldly vision to eternal vision.
“I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2
Isaiah 1 & 2
Isaiah is my prophetic promise book. Over the years God has given me many words and promises from the book of Isaiah. It is my favorite book in the entire Bible. I am so excited to write through Isaiah with you this year.
Isaiah lived and prophesied during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah (all kings of Judah). These names should sound familiar because we have read about them twice now in the books of Kings and Chronicles.
Many of Isaiah’s prophecies applied to the Israelites; many of them have already taken place. But I also believe that Isaiah’s prophecies apply to US today as well. I think they apply to the entire world.
Biblical prophecies jump around from time period to time period. They all have multiple meanings and cover multiple future events. And they ALL come true.
If you want to know what God is saying to America, to His church, to the entire world RIGHT NOW, read Isaiah 1 and 2. Read it slowly. Read it out loud. Listen carefully to His word to us right now. IT WILL ALL COME TRUE.
“The LORD Almighty has a day in store for all the proud and lofty, for all that is exalted (and they will be humbled), for all the cedars of Lebanon, tall and lofty, and all the oaks of Bashan, for all the towering mountains and all the high hills, for every lofty tower and every fortified wall, for every trading ship and every stately vessel. The arrogance of man will be brought low and human pride humbled; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.” Isaiah 2:12-18
