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Good News Daily

Volume IX
February 1–7, 2009
Number 5

Sunday, February 1
Isaiah 51:9-16 Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD! Awake as in the ancient of days, in the generations of old. So the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with singing, with everlasting joy on their heads. (vv.9a, 11a NKJV)

Recall that human composition is spirit, soul, and body (1 Thessalonians 5:23). The Spirit of God, through the prophet Isaiah, is calling our entire being to awaken from slumber. What does a slumbering spirit look like? If I am sleeping, I’m not looking for the nudging of His guidance in all aspects of my life: relationships, work, church, and ministry. His Word also looses its edge in my life. It ceases to be that living Word that changes me and those I touch. I begin to have lazy love instead of alive, agape love that is always reaching for the other. So, I turn my face to the Father in this call to awaken my spirit and enter into a land of promise whose builder and maker is God. Everything changes then. Tasks that once were gray and lifeless now become joy building experiences.

“The LORD will give strength to His people; the LORD will bless His people with peace” (Psalm 29:11).

Psalms 24, 29; Hebrews 11:8-16; John 7:14-31

Monday, February 2
Isaiah 51:17-23 “Awake, Awake! But I will put it into the hand of those who afflict you, who have said to you, ‘Lie down, that we may walk over you.’ And you have laid your body like the ground, and as the street, for those who walk over.” (vv.17a, 23)

Why would God’s people (the Israelites) let others walk over them? They had forgotten their identity as His chosen people. How do I let others walk over me? In our present culture, Christian values and the teachings of the Bible are often put down as ignorant and lacking in political correctness. If I don’t press against these attitudes, I let others walk over me. God’s call for them and us is to awaken and come back to Him who delivers us from our Enemy. LORD, I throw myself at your feet. You alone have the plan and the power for me to walk rightly in this culture.

“Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in you” (Psalm 56:3).

Psalms 56, 57, 58; Galatians 4:1-11; Mark 7:24-37

Used with permission from the BIBLE READING FELLOWSHIP
P. O. Box 380, Winter Park, FL 32790
http://www.biblereading.org/

Tuesday, February 3
Isaiah 52:1-12 Awake, awake! Put on your strength, O Zion. Therefore My people shall know My name; Therefore they shall know in that day that I am He who speaks: ‘Behold, it is I.’” (vv.1a, 6)

I am listening for this God who speaks.

“My Precious Child, thank you for coming into my secret place today. You’re the One My heart is longing for. I have planned many special appointments for you today. Look deep into the hearts of those I have chosen to enter your life. Have compassion for each one as I had compassion on the thousands. They are hungry for the truths of my Kingdom. Feed them.”

“My soul waits silently for God alone” (Psalm 62:5).

Psalms 61, 62; Galatians 4:12-20; Mark 8:1-10

Wednesday, February 4
Isaiah 54:1-17 “Enlarge the place of your tent, and let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings; do not spare; lengthen your cords, and strengthen your stakes.” (v.2)

Ed Delph states in his book Church @ Community: “The church is the only organization in the world that exists primarily for its non-members.” The prophet encourages us to enlarge the place in our lives and hearts where community members will be welcomed. Those that may not be welcome anyplace else like: those socially unacceptable, addicts, prostitutes, mentally handicapped, those from every tribe and nation. In Mark’s gospel, the disciples were looking at the physical need for bread, but every human being (whether they know it or not) is seeking love from the Living Bread, Jesus the Christ. LORD, please make my life that living bread today.

“For He will deliver the needy when he cries, the poor also and him who has no helper” (Psalm 72:12).

Psalm 72; Galatians 4:21-31; Mark 8:11-26

Thursday, February 5
Isaiah 55:1-13 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”(vv.8-9)

In agreement with Isaiah, Proverbs 3 instructs me to lean not on my own understanding. My own understanding, my thoughts, and my ways confine me to that low earthly thinking instead of seeing life through heaven’s eyes. What is the practical application of that truth in my life today? In a couple of days, I am preparing to visit family in another state. My heart longs to see their true heart and character, not their faults and failings. LORD, please give me the grace and the courage to see everyone through your eyes.

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled with a yoke of bondage” (Galatians 5:1).

Psalms 70, 71; Galatians 5:1-15; Mark 8:27—9:1

Friday, February 6
Isaiah 56:1-8 “Even them I will bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on My altar; for My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.”(v.7)

My heart and mouth are filled with praise for my wonderful, healing God. I thank Him for all the people He has sent to our “little house of prayer.” Each day I am allowed to participate in His interaction with those who come for prayer. The stories vary greatly but it all boils down to one main thing: He delivers them from a lifetime of fear to a place of security in knowing His love for them. As I am accustomed to saying, “It’s the best seat in the house.”

“If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25).

“I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving” (Psalm 69:30).

Psalm 69; Galatians 5:16-24; Mark 9:2-13

Saturday, February 7
Psalm 75 We thank you, God, we thank you—your Name is our favorite word; your mighty works are all we talk about.(v.1 The Message)

Because the Spirit of God lives in me, I have entered into another realm of existence. My feet are no longer tied to this earth. With my spirit connected with God’s Spirit, He begins to allow me to see my life from His perspective. I soar like an eagle above the storm. That perspective changes everything. I no longer live in confusion concerning the meaning of my life. I can believe that everything that happens to me has a purpose. I may not grasp with my mind all the purposes, but I can rest in knowing that my Abba loves me passionately and has only good plans for me.

I bless your spirit in the Name of Jesus the Son, Father and Holy Spirit with the deep knowledge of His love for you. Amen.

Isaiah 57:3-13; Psalm 76; Galatians 5:25—6:10; Mark 9:14-29

by Charlene Laird