Isaiah 13:11 “Thus I will punish the world for its evil and the wicked for their iniquity; I will also put an end to the arrogance of the proud and abase the haughtiness of the ruthless.”

GET READY

I know what you are thinking.  “Carl, Isaiah was talking to people way back then, not us.”  There is no doubt he was addressing his nation and the pagan nations around them, but these words apply to us, as well.  One day, God the Father is going to send His Son Jesus back.  Only this time He won’t come back as a baby in a manger. He will come back to rule and to reign.  All knees will bow.

Heavy stuff, right?  Yep!  But it’s stuff that has to be understood.  We have an obligation to the lost to warn them. We have a responsibility to share the message of salvation to as many as we can before He returns.  Aren’t you concerned?  Aren’t you burdened for your lost friends and family?

TEACHING MOMENT

There really is no need to “scare” your children with the impending doom of God’s judgment on the earth.  But we do have to be upfront and share with them the importance of His return and their need to be prepared.  The urgency of the times demands it.  As I have written about many times in this devotional, explain to little Johnny and Susie about the Lord coming to take all of us, who are believers, home one day.

They need to understand, though, that not everyone will go.  Only those who have accepted Christ Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior will enter heaven.  That will undoubtedly burden them to share with everyone.  I have seen children approach total strangers and witness to them with absolutely no fear.  We need to be as bold.

What are you doing about preparing your family for His return?  Are you busy sharing with others?  Are you teaching your children about the joys of heaven?  There are so many things to teach.  We need to get excited.  He’s coming back!  And soon!

Lord Jesus, we anxiously await Your return.  Thank You for promising to come back and take us all home.  I know where I am going.  Help me to bring as many as I can with me.

Isaiah 10:12 “So it will be that when the Lord has completed all His work on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem, He will say, ‘I will punish the fruit of the arrogant heart of the king of Assyria and the pomp of his haughtiness.’”

HAUGHTY SPIRIT

This is the time of the year when I can get too big for my britches, but it has nothing to do with haughtiness. It has to do with too many Christmas parties.  Lol.  But boy, I just love those desserts.

Seriously, Isaiah is telling the nation that God has not forgotten about Assyria.  His instrument of judgment has become proud.  The king thinks he has done all of this on his strength alone.  God is about to show him who is boss.

Listen close.  We are EXACTLY the same.  We think when we have a little success that we have achieved something. We think our works really matter.  We are only prosperous and successful because of HIM. There is nothing that we can do on our own.  Even the wicked among us are only successful because the Lord allows it.  Why He does I don’t understand, but He is God and that’s His business.

TEACHING MOMENT

How do we teach our children this key life principle?  How do we show them the importance of giving all credit to God?  They have to hear us doing it, first of all.  Then we have to point it out to them each and every time they have a victory.

The next time your little Rebekah or Bubba brings home an “A” on that test, take a moment and thank the Lord for the abilities God has given them to study and learn their school work.  The next time Gertrude gets that trophy in gymnastics give God praise for giving her the athletic ability to do all those jumps and twists.  You get the picture.

What has God blessed you with that you have acknowledged Him for?  What achievement in your life has been accomplished for which you took all the credit.  Confess that as haughtiness.  Confess that as sin.  Give God all the praise for working in and through you.

O Lord, I know that all I am is because of You.  But Lord, remind me to point others to You when they congratulate me. Remind me to give You all the praise.

Isaiah 7:14 “‘Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.’” 

GOD IS WITH US

Naming a child is such an important thing.  Of course, today the gender reveal party has taken over as the number one thing.  It seems the name of the baby has taken second place to revealing the gender.  But here in Isaiah, the Lord gave the name – Immanuel – God with us.  What a perfect verse for this season of the year.

God IS with us – every day of the year.  Why is it we seem to only use this name of Jesus at Christmas.  We don’t hear Immanuel mentioned much the rest of the year.  Ironically, we act like the world most of the year.  We don’t live as if God is with us.  We don’t treat others like God is with us.  We don’t talk like God is with us.

TEACHING MOMENT

Our children need to know that God is with us.  They need to be able to feel secure that no matter what may come into their lives – God is with them.  As believers in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, there will never be a time when God is not with them.  He indwells them through His Holy Spirit.  They cannot escape His presence.

This is so important for them to understand as they leave home.  When Johnny or Susie head out your door on their own (okay, grab the tissues, lol) you can rest assured that God is with them.  They may make some decisions that are not very godly, but God is still with them.  They may go some places you wouldn’t go, but God is still with them.  Immanuel is in them.  They can’t run away from Him.

Do you get the theme for today?  God is with us.  As you enter this Christmas season, remember to tell your family every day that God is with them.  Remind them that His holy presence is among them.  Then Christmas will take on a fresh new meaning.

Thank You Lord, for sending Immanuel to live, not only on earth, but also in me.  His presence in my life through the power of the Holy Spirit gives me the strength to live each new day.

Isaiah 4:5 “then the Lord will create over the whole area of Mount Zion and over her assemblies a cloud by day, even smoke, and the brightness of a flaming fire by night; for over all the glory will be a canopy.”

CLOUD BY DAY AND A FIRE BY NIGHT

When I read this verse my mind flashed back to the Exodus of the Hebrew people from Egypt.  Do you remember?  God led them in the wilderness by a cloud and a pillar of fire.  He protected them from Pharaoh by that pillar of fire all night.  You see, the cloud and fire mentioned here in Isaiah is simply (well not simply) referring to God’s presence.  Don’t you want that?

We may not see a cloud or pillar of fire, but we can rest assure that God is present with us.  How do I know?  Because He lives within me through the presence of the Holy Spirit.  How do I know that?  Because He promised.  How do I know that’s true?  Because He has NEVER broken a promise.

TEACHING MOMENT

Teaching children about the presence of God is no easy task. They want to see something.  Try this.  Have them stay in one room of the house and you go to another so they cannot see you.  Then have them call out to you.  Answer them, “Can you see me?”  When they say no then ask them, “Then how do you know I am still here?”  They will probably laugh and say, “Cause I hear you Daddy.”  Then say, “How do you know it’s Daddy?”  They will undoubtedly say, “Cause I know your voice.”

Then come back into the room and tell them that’s exactly how I know God is here.  He speaks to me and I know His voice because of the Holy Spirit in my life.  I don’t have to see Him to know He’s there.

Do you want to know God is there?  Then talk to Him.  Hear His voice.  Feel His presence through the Spirit of God in you.  If you are not a believer, I just lost you.  You can’t relate.  But I promise if you know Jesus as Your personal Savior, you can hear God if you listen closely.

Father, remind me today of Your presence in my life.  Let me hear Your voice as You direct me today.

Isaiah 2:4b “And they will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, and never again will they learn war.”

PEACE AT LAST

Can you imagine?  No more war!  It seems the United States has been at war forever.  This latest war against terrorism has stretched into two decades and soon to be three, unless the Lord returns.  But what else can you expect as long as men are living for themselves or THEIR ideologies.

There will come a day, according to Isaiah, when weapons of war will be no more.  I cannot comprehend that.  That seems too good to be true.  But it will happen.  God says so.

TEACHING MOMENT

Our children who are under 16 years of age have never known a time when we were NOT at war.  Do you realize that?  Their world has been in chaos since September 11, 2001.  We need to reassure them that God is in control.  He is not caught unaware. He knows exactly what is going on and has a plan which has been in place since the foundation of the world.

Can we explain all the chaos?  Sure, we can.  It’s called sin!  Sin gives mankind the rationale to do as he pleases.  Sin deceives mankind into thinking he is in charge.  Sin leads mankind down a slippery slope.  That’s why we must teach our children to flee from it and run to Jesus.  Only then will they understand.

I don’t know about you, but I get weary of all the bad news.  I am ready for some good news.  Do you want to hear some?  He is coming back soon.  Jesus, our Redeemer, is on His way.  He is sitting on ready.  The moment His Father, Our Father in heaven, says, “Go get Your bride” He is here.  Hallelujah!

God, I eagerly await Your return.  I look forward to that day when there will be no more war.  Thank You that in the meantime You are watching over us and leading us where You want us to go.

Psalm 93:1 “The Lord reigns, He is clothed with majesty; the Lord has clothed and girded Himself with strength; indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved.”

MAJESTIC

They say the right clothes make a man.  When I was in high school I bought my first three-piece suit.  Don’t judge, they were in style back then.  I remember going to the B.C. Moore store several times to spy out this suit.  Of course, I didn’t have a credit card, so I had to save up to buy it.  I loved that suit.  I eventually got it, and I must say, I looked awesome.  Lol.

But I did not look majestic.  Nothing I could wear could make me majestic.  Only God is majestic.  This verse goes on to say He is also clothed and girded with strength.  Now that is some fancy stitching.  Can you imagine one day being able to actually look at God?  What a sight that will be.

TEACHING MOMENT

The next time you are dressing little Johnny or Susie, read this verse to them.  As you put on their pants and shirt or their socks and shoes, talk about how they think God is dressed.  I am sure they will think about a robe or sandals or something like that.  Have them draw it.  But then have them draw this verse.  I wonder what they could draw.

We want to clothe our children in strength, don’t we.  We want the majesty of the Lord to envelope them.  We want God to be just all over them.  Well, we can help “stitch” that.  We have to be diligent about surrounding them with things of the Lord.  We have to teach them about the Lord and read them His Word.

How are you clothed today?  Most days I “dress” pretty good.  But other days I am dressed kind of shabby.  Some days I am not decent to be seen by anyone.  But the God Who is clothed in majesty and strength stands ready to give me His clothes, to present me as His child.

O Majestic King of Glory, clothe me today with Your power.  Put Your strength on me so that all who see me will be in awe of You.  Praise You!

Micah 4:5b “As for us, we will walk in the name of the Lord our God forever and ever.”

HIKING

I really like going for hikes in the woods.  There is just something rejuvenating about getting back to nature and enjoying the outdoors.  But I found out something a few years ago about hiking.  You have to prepare carefully where and when you go.

My son, Christopher, and I had planned this day hike for weeks to the Stone Door area about an hour outside of Chattanooga, TN, where we live.  The only problem was a cold front came in that week and the temperatures dropped into the teens in Chattanooga and into the single digits where we were going.  But being men (lol) we toughed it out.  Needless to say, it was an exhilarating, challenging and, at times, scary hike.

TEACHING MOMENT

Our walk with the Lord can be unpredictable, too.  We never know what is just around the next bend in the trail.  That is something we need to teach our children.  Life is challenging.  But if we are following the trail blazed by the Master Trailblazer, we are safe.  The trail may go up and then down, around bends and across roaring rivers.  But if we continue to walk with Him, we are just along for the hike.

Why not take your children on a hike this week?  Find a nature trail or a park and go for a walk.  Quote this verse to them as you walk and ask them what it means to walk with the Lord.  They may ask, “Do we walk on clouds?” or “What does God wear on a hike?”  Laugh a little, enjoy the walk.  Just like we should do with the Lord.

Walking with the Lord is great exercise for our soul just as walking a trail here is good for our bodies (unless you are doing it in subzero weather, lol).  Take the time today to thank the Lord for walking with you.

Father of all creation, help me to enjoy my walk with you.  Allow me to stop and “smell the roses” along the way.  That way, when I encounter the bridge that has been washed out, I will remember that sweet smell and know You are with me.

Micah 1:3 “For behold, the LORD is coming forth from His place.  He will come down and tread on the high places of the earth.”

LOOK UP

When the Lord returns (and He will) He will tread on the high places.  What does that mean?  He will be above ALL.  There won’t be anything or anyone over Him.  When He came the first time, He was lowly.  He came as a baby.  He was born in a manger. He was a little Jewish boy.  Not next time.

But for those who are watching for Him, there will be no worry.  We are expectantly waiting for Him.  I, for one, can’t wait.  Sure, there are friends and family I want to see come to Him before He returns.  But there is an anticipation of His return.

TEACHING MOMENT

Our children need to know that His return is nothing to fear, if they are believers.  Christ comes for us to take us HOME.  Who doesn’t want to go home.  I truly believe He is as anxious to come as we are for Him to come.  He is just waiting on the Father to say, “Go!”

Now, this verse in Micah was referring to God’s judgment on a nation.  When Jesus returns He will bring judgment on the world.  His next appearance will be a final judgment.  He will take His bride, the church, home and leave the world in the hands of the evil one for a period of time.  Now, that is scary.

I am so thankful that I am going home with the first bunch, if I am around when He returns.  What a day that will be!

Father, I anticipate His coming.  Let me usher my children into His presence before He arrives, so they too will be carried to Glory with me.  Use me to bring as many as I can.

3 John 4 “I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.”

WALK THIS WAY

Our walk with Christ is so important.  How we walk influences a lot of people, many of whom we are not even aware.  But people are watching!  I can promise you that.

But what a joy when we can walk in a way that others are led to Christ.  Every day we need to be aware that our words and actions are under a microscope.  That may sound unfair, but if we are walking with Christ, there should be nothing to hide, nothing of which to be ashamed.

TEACHING MOMENT

But look again at the verse.  John is taking joy in seeing his “children” walk in truth.  Now these children weren’t his biological children, of course.  They were his spiritual children.  We, however, can take such joy when we see our biological children begin their own walk with Christ.  Our job, as parents, is to walk with them in their young journey and then let them go.

What!  Let them go!  Yes!  You can’t walk their walk for them.  You can’t live their faith for them. We prepare them for the steps beyond our grasp.  Letting go of them is hard, but necessary.  And then to watch them walk on their own – what joy!

Don’t give up on your own walk.  Little eyes are watching and learning.  They will model your steps in the same way they put your shoes on when they are little and walk down the hall.  Make sure your steps are on the right path.

Father, help me make sure my steps are on Your path.  Help me lead those around me to You.  Let my walk be true.

Hosea 7:2 “2 And they do not consider in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness.  Now their deeds are all around them; they are before My face.”

CONSTANT AWARENESS

Have you ever had one of those moments when you kind of zoned out?  You know what I mean.  You realize when you snap out of it that minutes have gone by and you were not aware of anything.  That’s okay if you are sitting down somewhere. It’s not okay if you are driving down the interstate.  HaHa.

God NEVER zones out.  He is always aware of everything everywhere.  Wow!  Nothing escapes His sight.  Ephraim thought they could hide their sins from God.  They thought He wasn’t watching anymore.  Or at least it appeared that way because they were sinning without any remorse.

TEACHING MOMENT

That’s a sure sign your child understands grace – when they are remorseful for sin.  Now, wait just a minute.  Don’t jump to conclusions.  I know a lot of parents who want to see their child INSTANTLY remorseful.  I didn’t say that.  Our flesh is strong if we are are not surrendered daily.  And sometimes it takes a while for our flesh to yield.  Your child is no different.

Children need to learn the importance of confession of sin.  But they also need to learn the necessity of making things right with whomever they have offended.  That’s so much easier with a friend.  It’s not so easy with a sibling.  Make it all about grace, not law. Help them understand that you too struggle with this.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t like to apologize.  Why?  Because that means I have to admit that I made a mistake.  Lol.  Who wants to do that?

Father God, I know I am not perfect.  I know I fall short everyday of Your plan for my life.  Help me to confess that and if need be, make things right with others whom I may have wronged.