The Family Bible Journey Podcast

Prince of Peace, Isaiah 9-10, OT S1:E454

The opening verses of Isaiah 9 are read each year by many Christians as a part of the Christmas Eve liturgy. We are reminded of the One who came from the Galilee, Jesus Christ our Lord. Our faith is strengthened when we hear these verses that so clearly describe our Lord, knowing they were written over 600 years before Jesus was born.

Image of the Invisible God, Colossians 1, NT S1:E231

Colossians is written to a small, declining agricultural community that Paul never visited himself. He writes to encourage them in their faith, which was under atttack. Some were trying to get the Colossians to put their faith in something less than Christ. Paul's words encourage them, as they do us, by rooting us deeply in Christ, the Source of our love and life.

The Prey Gets Away, Isaiah 8, OT S1:E453

Judah and Jerusalem had no chance against the overwhelming power of her neighbors to the north who were conspiring against her. But God saved Jerusalem from destruction, as yet another example of His saving power. The idea of the prey escaping the jaws of certain death offers a vivid illustration of Israel's fate in this episode.

The Sign of Immanuel, Isaiah 7, OT S1:E452

God offers wicked King Ahab the opportunity to ask for a sign of His divine power. In a false pretense of faith, Ahab rejects the Lord's offer. God, undeterred by the king's stubborned unbelief, gives the believing Jews the sign of Imanuel as assurance of His loving redemption.

I Can Do All Things, Philippians 4, NT S1:E230

Paul accomplished untold good for people who were blessed by His labors. We are encouraged to know that when we labor with the Lord and for the Lord, that He will prosper us. It may not look like it. It may not always feel like it. But we know that the Lord's purpose will endure at the end, so we do well to serve the Lord in boldness and love.

The Prophet's Call, Isaiah 6, OT S1:E451

Isaiah recounts the day he was called into heaven's glory, and made a prophet of the Most High God. In one of the few places in holy scripture we get to see into heaven, we learn that God's prophets are His, not ours. Those whom God calls into holy ministry serve Him, not us. Their divine call carries great weight and tremendous responsibility for both the preachers and the hearers.

Fruit of Selfishness, Isaiah 5, OT S1:E450

The parable of the vineyard is used by Isaiah, and at least three times by Jesus, as a warning not to use God's love and mercy as the excuse to indulge sinful selfish desires. We live in a world that celebrates ungodliness. We may be tempted to use God's forgiveness as an excuse to indulge our sinful desires. Resisting this temptation, let us strive to live in the Lord's way, as unpopular as that may be.

Citizens of Heaven, Philippians 3, NT S1:E229

Philippi was a town full of citizen soldiers. They enjoyed the blessings of being citizens of a favored Roman colony. They also knew the price that must be paid, often by others in blood, for the blessings of citizenship. As we read this chapter, we are encouraged in our valiant fight for Christ, and encouraged by the promised resurrection and life everlasting that are ours in Him.

The Branch of the Lord, Isaiah 4, OT S1:E449

Despite Judah's rank idolatry, God still loved His people. He promised, in the midst of their spiritual rebellion against Him, that He'd love them. Instead of treating them as they deserve, He will would send a Savior to them.

God Judges Judah, Isaiah 3, OT S1:E448

By the time God sent Isaiah to Judah, they had fallen deep into spiritual depraivity. His judgment began at home, and extended to the godless nations around them. God had grown tired of their hypocrisy, which favored self and friends over foreigners and enemies.