Nathan Neighbors
Follower of Christ, Husband, Father, & Youth Pastor
This week Ashley and the boys and I joined some of my side of our extended family for a week at North Litchfield Beach. Ashley and I have tried to take pictures of our family each year to help us chronicle our family and the boys’ growth. This year five of the photos turned out great. Check them out in the slide show below.
A few days ago I said that the beginning of Isaiah was hard to read because of the amount of wrath. Today’s section of Isaiah, on the other hand, is amazing. It’s full of the Gospel. Here are seven awesome passages that I underlined in today’s reading.
- Isaiah 53 – This entire chapter is prophesy of the coming Christ.
- Isaiah 55:6 – “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.” This seems to indicate that there will be a time when we can no longer come to Christ. We have much to do to spread the Good News until that day comes.
- Isaiah 55:8-9 – God’s ways are truly higher and better than anything we can think.
- Isaiah 56:12 – “…each one cries, let me get wine! Let us drink our fill of bear!” This is the first time I’ve ever seen the word, “beer” in scripture. It’s telling that this scripture is under the section titled: “God’s Accusation Against the Wicked.”
- Isaiah 59:2 – The Bad News “But your iniquities have separated you from your God…”
- Isaiah 59:20 – The Good News “The Redeemer will come to Zion to those in Jacob who repent of their sins, declares the Lord.”
- Isaiah 66:2b – “…This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.” May we always be people after God’s own heart and never cease studying (and obeying) His Word.
It’s been said that the book of Isaiah could be seen as a microcosm of the entire Bible. It has 66 chapters like the Bible has 66 books and it covers the basics of the point of the Bible. In today’s reading we come across passages like Chapter 43 where we find out why God has done what he has done for us.
Isaiah 43: 1b-4a
…Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.3 For I am the LORD, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
Cush and Seba in your stead.4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
and because I love you…
Nathan Neighbors 