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“Purposeful Reality Offering People's Hearts Everywhere, Saving Yahweh! (P.R.O.P.H.E.S.Y)”

Ramesh C. Reddy
Publisher

SCRIPTURE:
“The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.  It is written in Isaiah the prophet: I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way" "a voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.” (Mark 1:1-3, NIV)

APPROACH QUESTION:
What is your view about prophesies in the Bible?

PURPOSE OF TODAY'S DEVOTIONAL:
The purpose of today's devotional was for me to understand the importance of prophesy and how prophesy can reveal the deity of Jesus Christ.

Observations:
I asked myself who are the CHARACTERS mentioned directly or indirectly in these 3 verses?
1. Jesus Christ, the Son of God
2. Isaiah, the prophet
3. I
4. Messenger
5. You
6. Lord

Observations/Interpretations:
I asked myself what are the CLAIMS being made about Jesus Christ?
1. The beginning of the gospel which is about Jesus Christ.
2. Jesus Christ is referred to as Lord.

Interpretations:
I asked myself the significance of v. 1-3?
I found it very interesting that the Gospel of Mark starts out with ‘The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God’ and moves right into prophesy.

I was reminded of what expert witnesses who are called into court to testify have to do. They give their credentials to why the jury, who are ordinary citizens, should believe what they have to say. After their credentials are given, they testify to what they were called in for.

In this case, in the Gospel of Mark  the readers are reminded about the Old Testament, especially regarding the prophesy given to Isaiah in the Book of Isaiah to set up the credentials for Jesus. Now the credentials that have been given in Isaiah become a reality in the New Testament as the testimony is given.

Observations:
I asked myself what 5 points are written in Isaiah the prophet?
1. I will send my messenger ahead of you,
2. who will prepare your way"
3. "a voice of one calling in the desert,
4. 'Prepare the way for the Lord,
5.  make straight paths for him.”

Observations/Interpretations:
I asked myself who the phrases in these verses refer to?
I decided to take a closer look at the above verses:
1. “I will send” refers to God speaking to Jesus Christ.
2. “my messenger” refers to God’s messenger.
3. “ahead of you”  refers to Jesus Christ
4. “who will prepare” refers to messenger
5. “your way” refers to Jesus Christ
6. “a voice of one calling in the desert”  refers to messenger
7. “Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.” refers to Jesus Christ.

Interpretations/Application:
I asked myself what is the significance of each phrase for my own life?

Point 1:  “I will send” refers to God speaking to Jesus Christ.
I was very excited to know this because it tells me that Jesus Christ existed during the Old Testament too! What we know is that God was speaking to Jesus Christ giving that prophesy to Isaiah.

Point 2: “my messenger” refers to God’s messenger.
Jesus is told that a messenger will come but no name is given.

Point 3: “ahead of you” refers to Jesus Christ.
Jesus is told that this messenger will precede His coming which tells me that Jesus would not come until the messenger foretold by God came first.

Jesus is referred to as God in Isaiah which is evidenced by "prepare the way for the LORD;  make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God." (Isaiah 40:3, NIV)

Point 4: “who will prepare” refers to messenger.
Jesus is told that this messenger will prepare.

Point 5: “your way” refers to Jesus Christ.
Jesus is told His way will be prepared.

Point 6: “a voice of one calling in the desert” refers to messenger.
Jesus is told this messenger will be 'a voice of one calling in the desert.'

Point 7: “Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.” refers to Jesus Christ.

When Isaiah 40:3 uses the word LORD and God, it is referring to Jesus Christ because when we compare Isaiah 40:3 with Mark 1:3, we realize the prophesy is referring to Jesus Christ.  This is so significant for our lives because here alone we come to discover that Jesus is God.

How so?

The word LORD as used in Isaiah 40:3 means Yahweh, Jehovah.  It is used for God or 'I AM'. When it is compared with Mark 1:3, we see that both verses are talking about Jesus. Hence the reference can be made that Jesus is God.

Throughout the Old Testament only God Almighty, the 'I AM' is referred to as Lord. Now this same title is being given to Jesus speaking of His Deity and Divinity. The name of the messenger is revealed too!

"And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. (Mark 1:4, NIV)

The messenger to precede Jesus would be John. He was “a voice of one calling in the desert” which is evidenced by “And so John came, baptizing in the desert region”

(To be continued)

IMPLICATIONS:
I asked myself so what are the implications for my own life?
The implications for my own life are profound when I realize that Jesus is God and revealed through prophesy. It made me see how prophesy can validate that Jesus is God and made me see how important the Old Testament is even for Christians if we want to get to know Jesus of the Bible. God spoke to Jesus in the Old Testament through a prophesy revealed to Isaiah. Both Old and New Testament are God's message for all people and not just a select few.

APPLICATION:
I ask you now dear friend, why believe in prophesy that Jesus is God?
Dear friends, prophesies in the Bible have always come true and will continue to come true. If you take prophesy seriously, let God’s Word speak to you not only through the New Testament but also through the Old Testament realizing the New Testament makes so much more sense and becomes exciting to read when we realize most of the events that took place in the New Testament were prophesized in the Old Testament revealing why Jesus Christ came to earth, why Jesus is God, and why things were taking place.

Prophesy still matters today and the Book of Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Revelations and other books of the Bible have prophesies that have come true in the past and that will come true in the future. The key is that none of them have been proved to be false. Predictions can be true or false but when God gives prophesy it will always come true. Many prophesies reveal to us that Jesus is God.

I personally know of an atheist who gave his life to Jesus Christ to be His Lord and Personal Savior because he was shown all the prophesies in the Old Testament about Jesus that were filled in the New Testament.  We were proud to invite him to InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at Pitt to speak to our students few years ago. I thank the Lord Jesus that IVCF still exists today at Pitt staffed by Dabney with student leaders such as Brian who continue to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

After becoming a believer, this former atheist has gone around testifying about prophesy revealing to others that Jesus is God. Testifying about prophesy is not ignoring the Gospel, for within prophesy the Gospel is revealed too. Isaiah 53 is an example!

Friend, you have the opportunity to study prophesy in the Old Testament and the New Testament to come to know that Jesus is God. The Word of God is near you and able to transform you. Pick up the Word and read it. Ask the Lord to let it speak to you.

If psychics, tarot cards, crystal balls, fortune-tellers etc maybe fascinating to you, they do not have the answers to life. Many times people hear someone predict something about themselves and it plays in their head. Without realizing, they themselves many times make that happen and think wow, he/she told me that it would happen and it did. Now they get more sucked into the occult. Predictions and prophesies are not the same. Predictions don't always come true. Prophesy from God's Word always comes true.

Jesus Christ, the Lord of the Universe knows the plans for you friend and they are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Yes, He does! We need not know what the future holds for us if we take the present as a gift and allow Him to guide us daily.  Knowing that Jesus is God, we can put our trust in Him and be so excited when we read His Word because we know He will reveal more of Himself to us through His Word that can carry us through. Yes, it can friend.

The future is not a mystery with the Lord God. Claim the promises God has for you that you can claim for your future. There are prophesies in the Bible that have proven to be true! That is exciting to know for you and I to confidently testify about prophesy and believe Jesus is God. Yes, it is!

Jesus testifies to His love for you based on being born on Christmas day as God-incarnate so one day He could rescue you and deliver you, not just you but all humanity who takes refuge in Him. Even Jesus' birth was prophesized. If you take prophesy seriously, you will come to believe in the Word of God as you ask the Lord to reveal Himself to you.

If you want to know more about Jesus and how He is God, I highly encourage all of you who read this to come to Oakland International Fellowship's Sunday School training in the Gospel of John at 11:30 a.m. led by Rev. Paul Bucknell assisted by Brian, Jesse, and me. Here we will learn indepth how Jesus is God.

CALL TO COMMITMENT:
You don't have to wait to acknowledge Jesus as your God and Savior. You can do that right now friend! Repent of your sin and confess them to the Lord. Ask the Lord Jesus Christ to cleanse you with His precious cleansing blood to wash you clean knowing He died for your sin. Believe that He rose on the third day to give you Eternal Life. Acknowledge that He is the Lord of the universe who you and I have the privilege of serving and being His children. This is exciting to know! He will dwell in your heart if you ask Him! He will direct you and lead you.

Won’t you come to Jesus this FALL of 2010 if you do not know Him personally?

Won’t you testify about prophesy and the love of Jesus in your life for He desires to give you a new identity?

You can live your life over. Though the years have gone by and you feel your life looks like its going nowhere, you can still have a new identity and a new start. Maybe you have messed up badly and feel like your life will never change, maybe you have been hurt so badly and feel like it cannot get any worse, maybe you have been stepped on all your life and feel like you cannot get up anymore. Even if you feel your future seems futile, I want you to know there is hope. Not the kind of hope that's wishful thinking but a real inspiring hope.

How many wonderful opportunities you have missed, it's not too late for you to change your life around. If you are discouraged and think, there is no way I can have my life changed around, I want you to know that with Christ all things are possible. You are turning to God of the Universe. Jesus loves you so much more than anyone can love you. We have limits on love based on what others do for us but Christ's love for you is unconditional. For unto us a child was born, unto us a Son was given and His Names are Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace!  If we do so much for those we love and our love is limited, think about how much Jesus will do for you whose love is unlimited. HE LOVES YOU! HE LOVES YOU! HE LOVES YOU!

Whether or not you have a job, a boy or girl friend, family, fame, fun, or fortune, etc that's not what Christ sees in you. He sees you as being so precious and special in His sight! He wants to take care of you. No matter where you have been or what you have done, you can come to the Savior and make Him Lord of your life. He wants to be your Lord and Savior if you ask Him to!  Your age does not matter as the Lord can make an impact in your life. He reaches out to you with His helping hands.

You have a golden opportunity to start this FALL of  2010  with the Lord Jesus on your side no matter what happened before. Let me assure you, the transformation you will see in your own life. When Christ touches the hearts of those who come to Him, there life will never be the same again, never be the same again.

I am not talking about a prosperity gospel or a counterfeit gospel. I am not telling you that all your problems will go away but what I am assuring you is that you will not face those problems alone but Christ the Lord will strengthen you. Your perspective of life will change inside of you.

During my dad's illness, my mom and all of us have seen the Lord's wonderful miracles throughout and His grace being imparted upon our dad even before he went to be with the Lord. Now he is in a better place in Heaven with Christ the Lord who offers His free gift of grace even to you. This means you don't have to earn Salvation but accept it as a gift of His love.

You will have a totally new perspective on life as you spend daily time with Him praying, reading & studying the Bible meditating on its precepts, and being plugged into a Bible believing fellowship of believers. Even when you face hardship, He will be with you through the storms of life to strengthen you. Yes friend, He will!

I would like to invite you to Oakland International Fellowship if you are looking for a church community to be part of. I want to also invite you to the newly formed 'Transformers' small group led by Calvin Chiang which will meet on Friday nights starting this Friday, Sept 10, 2010 at Oakland International Fellowship. As Calvin stated the name 'Transformers' for the small group is based on Romans 12:2.

Even as you face the storms of life, the winds cannot shake you for you will have a firm foundation on Jesus Christ, the Rock of Ages when you come to Him.

If you would like to invite Jesus Christ to come and  dwell in your heart and make Him a daily part of your life, you can this very moment. You will never be alone. You can claim God's promises for you in the Bible and see them come true, before your eyes, in His wonderful timing. You don't have to wait for a special time to come to the Lord. You can come right now as you pray the prayer below, meaning it in your heart and believing. Yes, you can!

"Purposeful Reality Offering People's Hearts Everywhere, Saving Yahweh!" (P.R.O.P.H.E.S.Y)/"Why believe in prophesy that Jesus is God?"

Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, it was prophesized in the Old Testament in the Book of Isaiah that you will come to earth. Thank you for coming to earth for us, to die for our sin on a rugged cross where your blood was shed to save us! Then you came back to life and now sit at the right hand of the Father. There are so many prophesies about you Jesus that are fulfilled in the New Testament that were prophesized in the Old Testament. Thank you Jesus! In Isaiah 40:3, it is prophesized about you and I learned that you are God. Thank you so much Jesus. I need you Jesus.

Lord, my sin has made me dirty on the inside and attacks of Satan have wounded me. I have gone astray and have done my own thing. My sin has separated me from you. You in your Holiness God cannot allow sin to enter your presence so you sent Christ, the Lord to become the bridge for us to be reconciled to you if we believe what Jesus was sent for and what He did.

I do believe Father God for all that Jesus did for me. Jesus, I know  you care for me and laid down your life for me on the cross to give me new life as you shed your blood for me to wash away all my sins. You are God-incarnate. Your Blood became the transfusion for those of us wounded by Satan. I accept the transfusion! Your blood heals all the wounded areas to give us a new life cleansing us of our sin.

I want that new life that you offer so I turn to you now as a sheep that has gone astray and ask for your forgiveness of all my sins! Wash me in your precious cleansing blood. Thank you for washing me in your Blood.

Please come dwell in my heart and save me Jesus. Deliver me Oh Good Shepherd! Thank you for your free gift of grace! I know you can save me when I turn to you and ask you to be my Good Shepherd. I want to hear your voice in my heart as I stay with you. I want you to stay with me Jesus in my heart and make my heart your home so I can always have you as my Good Shepherd with me guiding my path as my God and my Savior. Please fill me with the Holy Spirit and lead me in the right paths when I go the wrong way, leading me to green pastures. I love you Jesus! Thank you for making my heart your home, for living in me Jesus and I will live for you and serve you the rest of the days of my life. Thank you for loving me so much that you were born in a stable in Bethlehem so one day you could become my Good Shepherd.

I acknowledge you as my Lord and Personal Savior believing in my heart that you were raised from the dead and sit at the right hand of the Father.  You are my Lord. Thank you for being the Lamb of God. Thank you for being my Lord and Personal Savior and changing me. Thank you for filling me with the Holy Spirit and I believe you who began a good work in me will finish it to completion. I give myself to you, all that I am and ask you to make something of my life. Thank you Jesus so much. Thank you Jesus for coming into my heart and making my heart your home. Thank you for living in me and I will live for you and serve you the rest of the days of my life. Thank you Jesus you have heard my prayer and answered me. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!

No matter what you feel in your heart, know that Jesus has come in and resides with you! You are not alone! To make your walk strong with the Lord, spend time in prayer talking to Him as you would to a friend. You don’t need special words to talk to the Lord. Spend time in His Word reading Psalms and turning them into prayer. Next allow God to heal you and speak to you through the Gospel of John or Gospel of Mark before moving on to other Books of the Bible! Slowly, let the Lord show you to which Scriptures He wants you to go to next. It is also important to be part of a body of believers to help you grow in the faith. Find a Bible believing church that preaches the Word of God from Genesis to Revelation proclaiming Jesus Christ our crucified and risen Lord who brings us hope, healing, and help!

As a professional, it is not too late to join a church! As a student, it is not too late to join a fellowship on campus this  FALL of 2010! May the Lord's presence and peace fill you with His love now and forever! Amen!

Friend, if you have prayed this prayer and meant it in your heart, you are a new creation in Christ and all old things are passed away and everything has become new! You may feel something or may not but don’t base it on feelings but base your new life in Christ on the promises of our Savior who will never leave you nor forsake you! Amen!

Spend time in His word and let the Lord speak to you! Start out in the Gospel of John! You can also check out the Gospel of Mark which are the devotionals I have been going through.  Learn from Jesus through study and prayer. Also find yourself a church fellowship and a college fellowship you can be part of where you can be part of a community of believers to supplement your own walk with the Lord. Let it be a Bible-believing and Bible-breathing church! Believe in Bible LIVE Eternally!

Feel free to email me at reddy4hisglory2004@yahoo.com if you want to meet to study the Bible, pray with, talk about Spiritual issues or whatever is on your mind! My number is 412-641-9426

"This is my work and I can do it only because Christ's mighty energy is at work within me." (Colossians 1:29, TLB)

Express Your View

2010 DEVOTIONALS:

"Why bother with the G.O.S.P.E.L when you are enjoying life?" (Sept 06, 10, 12:21 p.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

“A.C.C.E.P.T.A.N.C.E is Adapting Caring Character Everyday Pointing Towards A Nurturing Compassionate Emmanuel!” (July 14, 10, 10:24 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

“F.R.I.E.N.D.S are Forever Readily Imparting Encouragement Now Dealing Sacrificially!” (July 07. 10, 1:22 p.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

“C.A.P.T.I.V.I.T.Y is Capturing A Person's Truth Imposing Vicious Ideas That Yammer!” (Tue, July 06, 10, 4:39 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

“I.N.D.E.P.E.N.D.E.N.C.E is 'Immanuel's Nurture Delivering Every Person Experiencing Now Deadly Evil, Nullifying Captivity Everywhere!” (Sun, July 04, 10, 8:13 p.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

“F.R.E.E.D.O.M is 'Forever Redeemer's Emancipation Everyday Delivering Omnipotent Message!” (Sat,, July 03, 10, 8:57 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

“P.A.S.T is People's Anxious Surrendered Torment!"(Thurs, July 01, 10, 5:03 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

"What do you do with your L.I.F.E to receive Eternal Life?" (June 15, 10, 6:55 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

"What is M.E.M.O.R.I.A.L Day to you?" (May 31, 10, 7:21 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

"Which commandment does your W.I.L.L break easily?" (May 26, 10, 6:23 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

"Why cannot you be G.O.O.D in life?" (May 24, 10, 7:00 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

"What do you do when you T.H.I.N.K about Jesus?" (May 21, 10, 7:51 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

"Whose life do you get I.N.V.O.L.V.E.D in?" (May 20, 10, 7:13 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

"What is the point of being a C.H.I.L.D?" (May 08, 10, 8:51 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Mark 10:13-16: "Whose T.E.R.M.S do you follow in life?" (May 07, 10, 7:21 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Mark 10:13-16: "What H.I.N.D.E.R.S you from coming to Jesus?" (May 04, 10, 8:23 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Mark 10:13-16: "What does who do you V.A.L.U.E. in life tell about you?" (Mon, April 05, 10, 9:54 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

"What does the C.R.O.S.S mean to you?" (Sat, April 03, 10, 11:49 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

John 12: "Will you be the offspring of the S.E.E.D cultivated?" (Mon, March 29, 10, 10:09 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

John 12:3: "What costly S.A.C.R.I.F.I.C.E will you make for Jesus remembering His stinky/dirty feet?" (Sat, March 27, 10, 11:06 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Proverbs 23: "What  has  A.L.C.O.H.O.L done to you in life?" (March 20, 10, 9:17 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Mark 10: "What do you do with an I.N.T.E.R.R.U.P.T.I.O.N in life?" (March 13, 10, 11:40 p.m.)

Mark 10:13: "Why S.H.A.R.E Jesus with others in life?" (March 09, 10, 4:59 a.m) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Mark 10:13: "Why B.R.I.N.G Doggy Poo to Jesus?" (March 08, 10, 9:01 a.m) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Mark 10: "When have you become an A.D.U.L.T.E.R.E.R in life and what now?" (Feb 24, 10, 9:31 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Mark 10: "Why D.I.V.O.R.C.E the one you marry in life?" (Feb 22, 10, 12:15 p.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Mark 10: "What do you do with what is P.E.R.M.I.T.T.E.D in your life?" (Feb 20, 10, 10:08 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

1 Corinthians 13: "How will you be someone's V.A.L.E.N.T.I.N.E using 16?" (Feb 13, 10,  12:16 p.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Mark 10: "Who do you become an A.T.T.R.A.C.T.I.O.N to and why?" (Feb 05, 10, 9:43 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Mark 9: "How can you be a S.A.L.T in someone's life today?" (Feb 04, 10, 11:27 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Mark 9: "What do you help your friends E.S.C.A.P.E from?" (Feb 03, 10, 12:30 p.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Mark 9: "Why bother with H.E.L.L in life?" (Feb 02, 10, 2:39 p.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Mark 9: "When are you planning to cut your hand, foot, or eye to escape Hell?"" (Feb 01, 10, 1:41 p.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

 Mark 9: "Why heed Jesus' W.A.R.N.I.N.G in your life?" (Jan 30, 10, 12:41 p.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy