Reaching New Heights

When you live in a terribly apathetic world, what are you to do? Pray to our God who gives us renewed power, strength, and direction and trust Him to do it. Prayers are not given to doubt, but to believe and God is always reliable. In Isaiah 41 God lays out the reasons for the children of Israel and us to trust Him. When we trust Him He takes us to new heights with a renewed spirit that is focused on glorifying Him.

1. God is with us. Isaiah 41:1 “Listen in silence before me, you lands beyond the sea.    Bring your strongest arguments.Come now and speak. The court is ready for your case.2 “Who has stirred up this king from the east, rightly calling him to God’s service?Who gives this man victory over many nations and permits him to trample their kings underfoot?With his sword, he reduces armies to dust. With his bow, he scatters them like chaff before the wind. Who is moving and shaking things up? It is our God. He is here and He is moving. In the midst of our trials God is visible and moving.

2. God paid the price for our reaching new heights by sending Jesus to pay for our sins and make our relationship with Him possible. When Jesus died on the cross to redeem us, He paved the way for the power of God to be seen and felt in our lives. God identifies it is Him who is our help and the price has been paid with blood. Isaiah 41:3 He chases them away and goes on safely, though he is walking over unfamiliar ground.

   4 Who has done such mighty deeds, summoning each new generation from the beginning of time? It is I, the Lord, the First and the Last. I alone am he.” It is God alone who reaches out to help us reach those new heights because we are His children and He loves us.

3. The world predicts doom for those who call Jesus Lord, but God is present in the midst of their doubt. Isaiah 41: 5 The lands beyond the sea watch in fear. Remote lands tremble and mobilize for war. 6 The idol makers encourage one another, saying to each other, “Be strong!” The world relies on their own strength, but we rely on our God in the midst of ridicule. As born again believers we must rely on the wisdom from the Word God and not rely on foolishness that is birth in man's own mind.

4. God always comes through for us. Isaiah 41: 10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you.

   I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. I am holding on to the victorious right hand of God because God always comes through. ALWAYS.

5. God does the impossible and makes it possible. What we cannot do God will do and Jesus said this in Matthew 19 when it comes to the area of salvation. Matthew 19:23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. 24 I’ll say it again—it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” 25 The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked. 26 Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”

   We will reach those new heights when we trust in the one who gives us flight. Isaiah 40:31 But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Time to take flight because new heights are waiting for you. Let God's wind lift you up to those new heights and He will sustain you when you get there.

   
   

   Today's Message,

   
   

   David Warren

   
   

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