The first read through was tough. I got so confused. I had to go through this chapter piece by piece the second time.

Ariel: In Hebrew means ” Lion of God “, referring to Jerusalem.

It doesn’t look good for Ariel, they are going to be besieged. They will be filled with fear. But though the enemy may be many, they are nothing compared to the might of God. Their foes will be so overwhelmed, they won’t know what hit them.

These prophecies, when they were given to the original audience, were probably more confusing for the people of Israel than it is for me now. But that’s the thing with prophecies, unless God opens your heart and eyes it is impossible to understand. The requirement for that is humility and real love for God. No fakers, no know-it-alls.

There are still prophecies yet to be fulfilled. The promise of a wonderful future. Will we believe and act accordingly?

The Appointed Feasts:
• The Sabbath
• The Passover ( & Feast of Unleavened Bread )
• The Feast of Firstfruits
• The Feast of Weeks
• The Feast of Trumpets
• The Day of Atonement
• The Feast of Booths

From the messages at church, we now know the difference between tithes and offerings. It’s been a privilege to be able to faithfully bring our tithes, but how about offerings? I think it would be great if we could give more.

Again from the messages, we also have been thinking about the meaning of the Sabbath. I think we may have been spending our Sabbaths wrong. Time for a family meeting.

This has got to be the shortest Psalm:

“Praise the Lord, all nations! Extol him, all peoples! For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord !” (Psalm 117:1, 2 ESV)

That’s it! Short and simple – but still a powerful message : )

As we’ve been learning about the Holy Spirit in our Small Group for the past weeks, it’s interesting to read Paul’s letter through these fresh eyes. Paul is writing, but it is the Holy Spirit guiding him.

So right from the start, we don’t just see Paul introducing himself – we see the Holy Spirit affirming Paul’s identity as an apostle of Christ. We don’t just see Paul praising God, we see the Holy Spirit bringing glory to the Father and to the Son – just as Jesus said He would. And so forth : )

Lots of “him” pronouns here, it will be an interesting activity to figure out which person of God each pronoun is referring to. (Although really, with the nature of the Trinity, it’s basically interchangeable.) For example, I don’t know if this is right:

“In him (Father) we have redemption through his (Jesus) blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his (Father) grace, which he (Father) lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his (Father) will, according to his (Father) purpose, which he (Father) set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him (Jesus, I think), things in heaven and things on earth.” (Ephesians 1:7-10 ESV)

It goes on. The mystery of the Trinity – hope I will get to understand more.

The revelation of God through the Holy Spirit, is Paul’s prayer because just by understanding the heart of God toward us will give us great hope, will give us strength. If only we understand!

“These also reel with wine and stagger with strong drink; the priest and the prophet reel with strong drink, they are swallowed by wine, they stagger with strong drink, they reel in vision, they stumble in giving judgment.”
(Isaiah 28:7 ESV)

Staggering, Reeling (Disoriented, Lose Balance), Stumbling – these are not words I want to be used to describe me. Even a moment of blurred vision or unclear judgement will have long term consequences. Be careful.

Then it get’s really cryptic / prophetic from here on. I know this somehow refers to Jesus (as the cornerstone, the sure foundation), but there are other things in here I’m sure. I wonder if I should have a serious look / study on Isaiah and prophecies? Mostly I’m interested in fulfilled prophecies, because I know that glorifies God and strengthens our faith for prophecy yet to be fulfilled.

Interesting last part!
“For he is rightly instructed; his God teaches him….This also comes from the Lord of hosts; he is wonderful in counsel and excellent in wisdom.”
(Isaiah 28:26, 29 ESV)

The passage talks about how a farmer knows how to farm. This knowledge, and the wisdom on how to farm optimally, comes from God! Does God know computer programming, project management, sales processes and techniques, operating a business? Yes! Of course! He is able to give me counsel on these things : )