Isaiah 61: A Church Rebuilt
And they shall rebuild the old ruins,
They shall raise up the former desolations,
And they shall repair the ruined cities,
The desolations of many generations.
Isaiah 61:4 (NKJV)
The Jews were and ARE God's chosen people.* But like people everywhere, they faltered…
Shifting from glory days to gory days,
From bright thriving to barely surviving.
The temptations they faced face us RIGHT NOW!
Repeatedly, God allowed His children to suffer the tough-love consequences of their misplaced actions and affections. But never forget:
God’s Word is more than a history book. It's about today!
When Jesus came to earth, everything changed! His life, His death, and His resurrection… blew the roof off man-driven religion.
His new church didn’t depend on buildings, traditions, or intercessory priests. It depended on the Father and Son. Consequently, the church of God blossomed!
Like those who open their homes to orphans, God opened His Home to orphaned people. To us!…desolate drifters without hope.
When we chose Jesus, the Father chose us! God adopted us!
Orphans became heirs!
The lost became found!
The poor became rich!
Tragically, Isaiah's 'old ruins' now describe much of modern Christendom. Like many of our Jewish ancestors, we were tempted into idolatry. It’s foolish to think our church is immune, while preachers bow to modern-day idols… as they give God the lip service He hates.
'Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in Heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your Name, cast out demons in Your Name, and done many wonders in Your Name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' ' (Matthew 7:21-23).
Actors, models, and talent for Christ: Like Jesus, consider yourselves builders, raising God's 21st-century church. The old one crumbles. The new one rises.
It has no roof and it has no limits!
Denominations are the clothes we wear. They cover us in all kinds of fashions, but underneath them, we all look alike. Like what? Like Jesus!
'But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in Spirit and truth' (John 4:23-24).
Isaiah 61: A Church Rebuilt (Part 5)
* Christians, God’s adopted children, are equally loved by the Father. As adopted children are ‘chosen,’ we (Christians) have also become God’s chosen people. BUT… let us not become arrogant in this status.
NOTE: This is a 2023 update of a 2013 Carey Lewis Devotion. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players. Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.