April 3 – Egypt - Isaiah 19:1-4

 

 

April 3 – Egypt - Isaiah 19:1-4

 

     Isaiah is a prophet to the nations.  His knowledge both natural and supernaturally is amazing.  He then prophesises the ruin of Egypt.  The Lord had already dealt with Egypt and its idols during the time of Moses.  Each plaque was a direct attack on the gods and idols of Egypt.  This time the Lord will come like a storm on a swift cloud.  The idols of Egypt will tremble before Him, and the hearts of the people will melt with fear.  The results us that Egyptian, neighbor, family, city, and the whole kingdom will be fighting amongst themselves.

     The Egyptians will lose heart, their plans will come to nothing and when they consult their idols and demons nothing will change.  The mediums and spiritists will not be able to help.  They will be oppressed by an evil king and the Lord will make it happen.  Idols and occult activity is a sure fire way of being judged by God.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF OTHERS

 

The Significance of Others

 

Humility – “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3-4

 

Paul tells us to never do anything from rivalry which means you do it because someone else is doing it.  Also don’t do something because you get recognition or a buzz.  Do not do something to get something from someone.  But in humility.  That means to do something when no one is watching.  Do not let your right hand know what your left hand s doing.  A good example was the widow woman who gave all she had to live on when others we giving from the excess.  Sacrificial giving is so important.  Humility is putting others ahead of yourself.  It breaks selfishness and greed.  Paul says that we should put others before ourselves.  Jesus did when it came to us.  In the garden He said not my will but yours be done.  Put then says we are to put the interests of others before our own.  This is what the early church did.  It change their world.  God has called us to be a blessing  Like the old song says,  “Make me a blessing.”

 

Random House Dictionary says a blessing is this.

 

The act or words of a person who blesses.

A special favor, mercy, or benefit

A favor or gift bestowed by God, thereby bringing happiness.

The invoking of God's favor upon a person.

Approval or good wishes.

 

Giving obeys God’s command

As all of God’s commands are given to enhance our lives, obeying this command will increase our happiness.

 

2. Giving submits to God’s Lordship

Every act of obedience recognizes that there is a higher authority in our lives, that there is a Lord over us who is entitled to honor and respect.  If only we could remember that Divine Lordship is not a threat; rather it’s the place of greatest safety.

 

3. Giving exhibits God’s heart

God is THE giver of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17).

 

4. Giving illustrates God’s salvation

At the heart of the Gospel is sacrificial self-giving (John 3:16). That’s why when the Apostle Paul wanted to encourage the Corinthians to give more, he pointed them to the person and work of Christ. “When we give sacrificially, painfully, for the benefit of others, we are faintly and on a small-scale preaching the Gospel message.

 

5. Giving trusts God’s provision

 

We are expressing our faith and trust in God to provide for us and our family. This is not an argument for folly, but for faith. Many Christians have discovered the joy of casting their crumbs of bread upon the waters and multiple loaves returning after many days (Ecclesiastes 11:1). It’s such a joy to see God fulfill His promise of provision when we obey Him.

 

6. Giving widens God’s smile

The Lord loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 2:7). It delights Him to see His people gladly opening their hearts and hands to provide for the needs of His Church and indeed of all His creatures  There’s nothing that makes a Christian happier than knowing that she’s made God happy, and happy giving means a happy God.

 

7. Giving advances God’s kingdom

 

We are paying salaries of ministers and missionaries. We are funding resources for outreach, evangelism, and discipleship. But above all we are investing in the spiritual and eternal welfare of people from every nation, tribe, kindred and tongue. Our dollars are changing homes, relationships, countries, and even the eternal destiny of many souls.

 

8. Giving promotes God’s sanctification

Giving not only promotes God’s work through us, but also God’s work in us, our sanctification. Giving money, especially when it pains us, requires much self-denial and self-crucifixion. However, as every act of giving weakens and even breaks our sinful and selfish nature

 

9. Giving testifies to God’s power

 

10. Giving praises God’s character

Giving in a right spirit is an act of worship. It is rendering Him a tribute of praise. It is saying. “You gave me everything and here is a small expression of my gratitude and praise for all your good gifts.

Giving better that getting?

 

 

1. Give A Listening Ear

 

Take the time to listen to a friend or family member in need.

 

2. Use Your Resources

 

You can bake some cookies or a delicious recipe and bring some to a co-worker.  You can give an amount of money to help raise money for a cause.  You can use your connections to get someone a discount to new tires or something else.

 

3. Give Away What You Don’t Need or Use

 

4. Volunteer Time

 

You can serve food at an orphanage, volunteer time to feed the homeless, help at your church, or help someone at work.  Start with family and move on from there and see who else you can help.  Take time to do special for something for some.

 

5. Write A Note

 

I think this has been my favorite thing to receive.  Every time my students left me a note on my desk, it brought a smile to me.  When people write me a note just because and tell me something special, I feel instant happiness.  Be a blessing to someone by thanking them for something they do.  Write a note telling them what good workers they are or how special they are.  You will sure make them happy.

 

6. Use Your Words

 

There are so many people we can motivate and lift up with just a sincere compliment.  Someone may have needed a simple “you’re great at this” to feel better about themselves.  Maybe someone is having a rough day, and a compliment can brighten their day up, one word can change someone’s day into a positive one.

 

7. Lend A Hand

 

Try to do favors with a cheerful heart.  Do it because you care for them and really want to help.  Maybe someone needs you to babysit or someone needs a ride.  Cook for your spouse when they are busy.  You can be a huge blessing when someone is in desperate need for help, even at the most inconvenient times.

 

In 2008, 9-year-old Katie Stagliano brought a tiny cabbage seedling home from school as part of the Bonnie Plants Third Grade Cabbage Program. As she cared for her cabbage, it grew to 40 pounds. Katie donated her cabbage to a soup kitchen where it helped to feed more than 275 people. Moved by the experience of seeing how many people could benefit from the donation of fresh produce to soup kitchens, Katie decided to start vegetable gardens and donate the harvest to help feed people in need. Today, Katie's Krops donates thousands of pounds of fresh produce from numerous gardens to organizations that help people in need. Katie, now around 19, continues her work with the charity.

 

Whatever you do will make a blessing.  So go and do it in your world today.

 

 

QUOTES FOR APRIL 3, 2026

 

NOW YOU KNOW

 

All this I have told you so that you will not fall away.

 

1.        Knowledge and information ahead of time can prevent certain outcomes and circumstances not to happen.  In the faith there are challenges and situations that can cause us to doubt, fear and be uncertain.  Knowing the Lord is with you guiding, directing and helping is a great blessing, benefit and promise.

2.        There is always a possibility of falling away, neglecting our salvation and going astray.  Only reading God’s word, praying, attending church and sharing your faith are the insulators that keep our faith strong and active.  Jesus would pray for them in John 17, that they would not go astray or fall.

 

They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God.

 

1.        This is happening in more than 50 countries right now.  There are religions right now that are monotheistic that persecute ad kill Christians and believe they are doing God’s will.  Saul of Tarsus before he adopted his Roman name did this.

2.        Jesus was warning that there is a price to pay for se4ving the Lord.  We need to be like those in the hall of faith and know that this world is not worthy of us.  To remember we are pilgrims passing through.  We are in this world but not of it.  We are like Abraham looking for a city whose maker and builder is God.  Keep the right attitude and motive that we are here as first responders rescuing the perishing.  We are His ambassadors and representatives in this world currently.

 

They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me.

 

1.        Reality check.  People may say they know God but when they scorn mock, slander, demean and persecute the Christian it shows they do not know the Fathe or Christ.  Always watch the evidence and fruit of someone’s life.  It will show where their loyalties lie.

2.        Someone can only put on a persona for a while.  Their true nature, character, and essence can be only hide for awhile.  In times of stress, fear, failure and frustration the real person exhibits. 

3.        Knowledge is one thing relationship is another Jesus warns that people can know about the Father and the Son but not know them.  Intimacy is the key.

 

I have told you this, so that when their time comes you will remember that I warned.

 

1.        When the time comes where these things manifested around them and to them, they will remember.  Each of the disciples who came apostles except John would die for the faith.  There is a price to pay for serving Christ.

2.        This is also warning for us today.  Our three adversaries, the world, the flesh and the devil will not stand idly by and let you blissfully go about your eternal business.  Their agenda is to rob kill and destroy you.  They will accusation, temptation, deception, intimidation and manipulation to do this.  When warned you have time to react and be proactive.  This gives us  a great advantage if we will use it. 

FULL LOVE

 

One Sunday morning, a pastor announced to his congregation: ‘Friends, I have here in my hands three sermons: a $100 sermon that lasts five minutes, a $50 sermon that lasts fifteen minutes and a $10 sermon that lasts a full hour.  ‘Now, we’ll take the offering and see which one I’ll deliver.’

A Woman Caught in Adultery

8 Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives, 2 but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them. 3 As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd. 4 “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?” 6 They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. 7 They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” 8 Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust. 9 When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. 10 Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” 11 “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”

Seeking to entrap Jesus, the scribes and Pharisees burst into the women's court and threw a married (or betrothed) woman before Him. They "caught" her in the act of adultery and seized her. Consider the specific test they were putting forth: "Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now the Law of Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?"

Who is this woman?  The answer may surprise you.  She's you. And she's us.  We have all been "caught" in our sins. By the same token James said that if you break one commandment, you've broken them all (James 2:10). That places all of us, men and women alike, on the same moral level. We have all sinned. If every Christian would have eyes to see this truth, we would humbly eliminate all self-righteousness from our hearts.

We all have the propensity to sin. With one devastating statement Jesus demonstrated that the Law wasn't wrong, but if everyone saw the Law for what it was, we would understand that we are all guilty. Including the self-anointed, puritanical, moral guardians known as the scribes and Pharisees ... and those who follow in their footsteps.

It's interesting that John 8 opens with a group of men wanting to stone a woman, and it ends with a group of men wanting to stone Jesus. When people's hypocrisy is exposed, the typical instinct is to kill the person who did the exposing. And that's exactly what Jesus did in this scene. Self-righteous men exposed an adulterous woman. A merciful prophet exposed the hypocrisy of religious leaders.   According to Jesus, only the guiltless could rightfully carry out such a righteous sentence of justice.

Unfortunately, this same judgmental attitude lives in the hearts of many self-righteous Christians today. These are those who clearly see the evil in others while being blind to the evil residing in their own hearts. In the mind of God, righteousness and justice are grounded in grace. Whenever grace is removed, we are left with the heartless hypocrisy of Pharisaism. In this story, Jesus Christ didn't overturn the Law. Instead, He re-established righteousness on the basis of grace

Don't misunderstand. Sin is heinous. Whether it takes the form of adultery, or slander, or abusive words in a fit of rage, or jealousy, or gossip, or lying (pick your sin), God doesn't ignore it because sin harms the people He created.  

Grace ushers in forgiveness, but it also empowers us to walk in a new way. Holiness, then, is built on the experience of grace, He's in the business of rescuing and releasing us, while at the same time calling our sin for what it is: self-centeredness.

So what can we learn here 

1. WE ALL SIN.   Rom 3:23

2. Our sin will be uncovered. But Scripture promises our sins will find us out (Num. 32:23). As Moses said in Psalm 90:8, speaking to God, “You have set our iniquities before You, our secret sins in the light of Your presence” (NIV).

3. WE CAN’T TRICK GOD.  He sees—and wants—our hearts, open, honest, and laid bare before Him..

4. JESUS CAME TO SAVE, NOT CONDEMN.

Directly following perhaps the most oft quoted verse in Scripture, Jesus said, “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him” (John 3:17).  In this, we see our Father’s heart in sending His Son to earth and Jesus’ heart in taking our punishment upon Himself.  From the beginning of time, God consistently and persistently communicates a driving desire—to reconcile us, a bunch of stubborn and rebellious humans, to Himself., we see it in Jesus’ response to the adulterous woman in John chapter 8. Confronted with a choice to condemn or redeem, Jesus said to the woman, “Neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin” (NIV).  He essentially said to the woman, "Don't sin like this again." Not because she might be stoned. But because grace had rescued her—and she now possessed a new identity as a beautifully loved child of God. Jesus is the Christ who is greater than Moses. While the Law demanded execution, Jesus re-established righteousness on the basis of grace.

5.  JESUS OFFERS NEW LIFE.   If you have received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you are set blessedly free from condemnation. Not only can you not be condemned, you can't even be indicted. Why? Because you are in Christ, and He's unindictable.

6. GOD’S GRACE DEMANDS LIFE CHANGE.

Not only does Christ enable us to live transformed, His grace demands this. Whereas previously self-love, characterized by rebellion, drove us, once under grace, His love motivates us to live in a way that pleases Him.  Because God has placed you in Christ, making you holy and blameless in His sight, Jesus has called you to a brand-new life. A life no longer marred by sin, but baptized by grace—just like the woman caught in the act of adultery. Thus He says to you ... and to us ... Go and sin no more. I have written a new identity and a new future for you

7. WHEN JESUS SPEAKS, OUR ACCUSERS FLEE.

Imagine having your worst sin paraded in front of a packed congregation. Imagine standing, condemned, by the supreme religious authority of your day. The morning when the scribes and Pharisees thrust the adulterous woman in front of Jesus and what one can reasonably presume was a sizeable crowd, she experienced both.  But one even greater than the scribes and Pharisees stood in her midst—Jesus. Nothing the religious leaders said could override His authority, and when He spoke, her accusers fled. When He speaks mercy over us, by His blood, our accuser, Satan, flees as well. 

OVERCOMING DOUBT

 

I would like to start with something kind of funny.  A pastor was completing a sermon on abstaining from drinking alcohol.  With great expression, he said, ‘If I had all of the beer in the world, I’d take it and throw it into the river.’  With even greater emphasis, he said, ‘And if I had all of the wine in the world, I’d take it and throw it into the river.’  And then finally, he thundered, ‘And if I had all of the whiskey in the world, I’d take it and throw it into the river.’  The church was silent. Not a single congregant made a sound.  The music leader then stood up hesitantly and said, ‘For our closing song, let us sing the hymn “Shall We Gather at the River.”’

 

Jesus and John the Baptist

      18 John’s disciples told him about all these things. Calling two of them, 19 he sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”  20 When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’”  21 At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. 22 So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy[a] are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 23 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”  24 After John’s messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 25 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces.

What is doubt?  A feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction.  Doubt on an emotional level is indecision between belief and disbelief. It may involve uncertainty, distrust or lack of conviction on certain facts, actions, motives, or decisions. Doubt can result in delaying or rejecting relevant action out of concern for mistakes or missed opportunities.  Today the lessons we can learn from this.

 

Some thoughts about Doubt

 

“Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith.” President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

When in doubt, throw doubt out have a little faith.” E. A. Bucchianeri

“Removing doubt is like removing a blindfold.” Tim Fargo

“Don’t waste life in doubts and fears.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

1.  Even the most powerful and spiritual of people can have doubts. 

 

a.  Sarah and Abraham had been waiting so long when God said it was going to happened they both laughed.  God went ahead with their promise.

b.  Gideon doubted that God could use him to do it. He tested God twice (challenging God to provide proof of his reliability through a series of miracles) before he would believe. God humored him—and through Gideon, God lead the Israelites to victory.

Doubt is the gap between our current faith and perfect faith. If this is the case, we all doubt.

c.  John doubted because of his prison and isolation.  He doubted.  Now notice how Jesus dealt with John's doubt.  He told him the facts.  “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy[a] are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. "

 

How to deal with doubt

 

1.  Jesus never condemned him.  Have mercy on those who doubt.

Jude 22 tells us to “have mercy on those who doubt.” It is easy to judge, condemn, and look down on doubters as if they are second-rate Christians. But to have mercy on those who doubt is to be there for them, comforting and building them up.

2.  Realize doubt is often the birth pangs of deepened faith. this is not a bad thing. We all need to consider that the truths we espouse might be wrong, in order to embrace our faith more deeply. Such doubt often results in stronger faith.

3.  Sometimes we want all the answers.   Peter says we are to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.  Life is a journey and step by step.  You learn to trust when you work through your doubt. 

4.  Make the main things the main things.

Paul told the Corinthians he delivered to them things “of first importance” (1 Cor. 15:3). He goes on to talk about the atoning death and vindicating resurrection of Christ as being most central to the faith.  Don't major on the minors.  Paul said his focus was on Christ crucified,  Remember seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.  Keep your prayer life, study of God's word, going to church and telling others about Jesus your priority.  Your attitude and reaction makes or breaks what happens in these times of crisis.

5.  Live according to the faith you still have.

Doubt is not unbelief. Again, doubt is the bridge that connects current faith to perfect faith. And that bridge will stand until our death or Christ’s return. When we go through a faith crisis, though,  live as Christians, repenting and believing the gospel, even if you don’t always feel like Christians.

6.  Doubt your doubts.  For Christians, we can be sure that the central truths of our faith will never be outweighed by our doubt.   Jesus answered John's doubts with facts.  Jesus dealt with Thomas' doubt with reality.  Facts always dispel sincere doubt.

7.  Work through your issues.  If your doubt is because of personal sin repent.  If it caused by people then get the facts.  If you are dissatisfied go deeper into God.  Whatever is causing it deal with it with love, non jugdmentalness and facts. 

 

Be like David when he said.  Why am I so sad?

Why am I so troubled?

I will put my hope in God,

and once again I will praise him,

my savior and my God.

(Psalm 42:11)

 

The main thing is to go to God like John the Baptist. 

The last part here I love.  Jesus spoke highly of John and the Lord sees you as you become.  God welcomes doubt because He know what you will be like on the other side.  God lovingly dealt with Gideon because he saw what he became.  He kept his promise to Abraham because God sees the big picture.  In Thomas' case he saw Thomas in India establishing the church there.  Doubt is Ok for a while but do not let it become you king and country. 

QUOTES FOR APRIL 2, 2026