THE HOLY SPIRIT Series 2004—"prayer-starters"

  The Holy Spirit in the Kingdom of Christ
What Isaiah Saw as God’s Spirit Moved to Bring in the Messianic Kingdom

Isaiah saw beyond his time. With prophetic vision he saw on through the time when Jesus dwelt on earth as the Son of Man, the Messiah—then into our time. Beyond this, he saw unto the end of this age with the promise of the age to come.

DAY 1—Isaiah’s Prophecy was clear as to where Jesus would begin His ministry.

Isaiah 9:1,2—Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever. The land of Zebulun and Naphtali will soon be humbled, but there will be a time in the future when Galilee of the Gentiles, which lies along the road that runs between the Jordan and the sea, will be filled with glory. The people who walk in darkness will see a great light—a light that will shine on all who live in the land where death casts its shadow. ^[NLT]

Matthew 4:13-17—•Jesus left Nazareth. • He went to live in the city of Capernaum. •It was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali. •In that way, what the prophet Isaiah had said came true. •He had said, "Land of Zebulun! Land of Naphtali! •Galilee, where non Jewish people live! •Land along the Mediterranean Sea! •Territory east of the Jordan River! •The people who are now living in darkness will see a great light. •They are now living in a very dark land. But a light will shine on them."^[NIRV]

LORD, I believe that Isaiah’s Words were clear and precise. But much of it is difficult for me to understand. Please work in my mind so I can hear more of what he was saying. Give me understanding of his Prophetic Word that reaches for our time—now these I hold before You…

The Lord will give us the grace and wisdom to hear the Words of His Prophets—II Peter 3:1-11

DAY 2—The promise of the Messianic Kingdom is to renew Israel and usher in peace.

Isaiah 9: 3-5 •Israel will again be great, and its people will rejoice as people rejoice at harvesttime. •They will shout with joy like warriors dividing the plunder. •For God will break the chains that bind His people and the whip that scourges them, just as he did when He destroyed the army of Midian with Gideon's little band. •In that day of peace, battle gear will no longer be issued. •Never again will uniforms be bloodstained by war. •All such equipment will be burned.^{New Living Translation}

Isaiah 25:9 And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.^[KJV]

DEAR LORD, the hope of Israel seems almost gone, but we remember the Word of Isaiah that waited eight centuries for the stem of Jesse to bud. We believe You, O, Lord! We believe Your Prophets. We open our lives to the faithfulness  and the power of Your Word.

Without faith it is impossible to please the Lord—II Chronicles 20:20; Hebrews 11:1-6

DAY 3—What a hope is ours as we expect the Kingdom of the Messiah in all the earth!

Isaiah 9:5,6 •In that day of peace, battle gear will no longer be issued. •Never again will uniforms be bloodstained by war. •All such equipment will be burned. •For a Child is born to us, a Son is given to us. •And the government will rest on his shoulders. •These will be His royal titles: •Wonderful Counselor, •Mighty God, •Everlasting Father, •Prince of Peace^{. NLT}

Isaiah 22:22 And the key of the House of David will I lay upon His shoulder; so He shall open, and none shall shut; and He shall shut, and none shall open.^KJV

DEAR LORD, help us learn that armed battles do not fully solve world problems. May the understanding of Your Kingdom’s rule increase in our nation and in us here. Let these I hold before You know the rule of Your Kingdom in their lives.

Even in this age we are called to reign in life by Christ Jesus—Romans 5:17; Revelation 5:9,10

DAY 4—What a hope is ours as we await Christ’s Kingdom throughout the earth!

Isaiah 9:7 Of the increase of His Government and peace there shall be no end, upon the Throne of David, and upon His Kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.^KJV (The Lord's great love will make sure that happens. ^NIRV)

Psalm 72:8,9 He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth. They that dwell in the wilderness (the Bedouins of the desert) shall bow before Him; and His enemies shall lick the dust.^KJV

Revelation 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever.^KJV

FATHER, the only hope we have in the conflicts we face comes from Your Kingdom. Please let the believers in our land become Kingdom people. Bring to our understanding how great is the authority and power of Your Kingdom.

All the ends of the world shall remember and turn  unto the LORD—Isaiah 2:2,3; Psalms 22 27,28

DAY 5—Wherever the Gospel is received, there the Spirit of the Lord is given.

Isaiah 11:1,2a And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: and the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him…

Acts 13:22,23 (Paul spoke in the Synagogue) …After removing Saul, He made David their king. He testified concerning him: 'I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.' From this man's descendants God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as He promised…^NIV

FATHER, how faithful You are to Your Word! Even after all those centuries You remembered Your Word through Isaiah, and Your Word to David! I bless Your Holy Name, for I know that Your Word is still true for Your people today. Oh, let the power and light of it come over on my life—and on these I hold before You!

The Holy Spirit takes barren wombs to bring out of them the work of His Salvation—Luke 1:31-35

DAY 6—The wisdom of God moves in Christ’s Kingdom as a force of divine energy.

Isaiah 11:1,2 Out of the Stump of David's family  will grow a shoot—yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root.  And the Spirit of the Lord will rest (remain) on Him—the Spirit of wisdom…^NLT

Zechariah 6:12,13  Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the Man whose Name is The BRANCH; and He shall grow up out of His place, and He shall build the Temple of the LORD: even He shall build the Temple of the LORD; and He shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon His Throne; and He shall be a Priest upon His Throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both,^KJV (“So He will combine the positions of King and Priest in Himself.”^NIRV)

FATHER, the One Whom You named the BRANCH has become our Savior. Though there remains much for us to understand, we are at least beginning to know that He brings the power of David’s Covenant with Him. He brought us into His Temple. He is our Priest. He is our King.

Jesus is the Priest of the Temple of which we form a part —Hebrews 7:24; 8:3; 9:12; 10:12

DAY 7—With the understanding of God’s ways, Christ will rule in His Kingdom.

Isaiah 11:1,2 …And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest (remain) upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding…

John 1:32-34 And John (the Baptist) bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon Him.  And I knew Him not: but He that sent me to baptize with water, the Same said unto me, Upon Whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, the same is He which baptizeth with the Holy Spirit.

John 3:34 For He is sent by God. He speaks God's Words, for God's Spirit is upon Him without measure or limit.^{New Living Translation}

O, LORD JESUS, You are the One Who came to rule in this Kingdom into which You have brought us. Rule us with wisdom and understanding! Give us the understanding we need to live as children of Your Kingdom. Move now on these whose names I  call in Your presence.

His Redemption has brought us into His Kingdom—Colossians 1:13; I Thessalonians 2:11,12; Hebrews 12:28

DAY 8—By the counsel of the Lord we may live safely in our times of trouble.

Isaiah 11:2 …And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him,…the Spirit of counsel and might,

Ephesians 1:11 (Jesus Christ) In Whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him Who worketh all things after the counsel (unalterable purpose) of His Own will (desire)…

Revelations 3:18 I counsel thee (deliberate together with you) to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see (symbolic language calling for the anointing of the Holy Spirit).

 LORD JESUS, please bring me out of the mess I’ve gotten into. The advice of man has proved wrong. Please forgive me for not seeking to know what You would have me do. Teach me well so I will follow Your counsel.

When we follow the counsel of the Lord, He brings us onward to become wise in all we do.
—Psalms 16:7;  Psalms 32:8;  Psalms 73:24

DAY 9—The mighty power of Christ’s Kingdom—both in us and for us—continues.

Isaiah 11:2 …And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him,…the Spirit of counsel and might

I Corinthians 1:25-29 For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.  Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before Him.^NIV

LORD, thank You for bringing us into this situation. It is so difficult there is no way we can come out of it except by Your might. But—I believe we will come through with a greater testimony because You will show us Your power and Your love. Please move in these who are involved with me so they too can know Your power and Your love.

DAY 10—By a perception of what God wants, Christ will rule us when we know His Kingdom.

Isaiah11:2 …the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge (perception and discernment)…

Colossians 2:1-3 I (Paul) want you to know how hard I am working for you. I'm concerned for those who are in Laodicea. I'm also concerned for everyone who has not met me in person. I want their hearts to be made cheerful and strong. I want them to be joined together in love. Then their understanding will be rich and complete. They will know the mystery of God. That mystery is Christ. All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Him.^NIRV

LORD, I want Your supreme rule. If this means You must overthrow some of my ways of thinking, then please do this. Overrule the foolishness of my ways. Cause Your Spirit to work into me the ways of thinking and responding to life that Your Kingdom demands.

An abundant entrance into Christ’s Kingdom awaits us who embrace His promises
—II Peter 1:3-11

DAY 11—By the counsel of the Lord we may safely live.

Isaiah 11:2 …And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord (deep respect for what God wants)…

Hosea 3:5 Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days.

Revelations 15:4 Who shall not fear Thee, O Lord, and glorify Thy Name? for Thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before Thee; for Thy judgments are made manifest.

FATHER, I don’t know if we’re living in the last days or not. I suspect we are. Please bring in us, Your people, a deep respect for all that You are saying, by Your Spirit and by Your Word. Please keep us on track with Your divine purposes. Please don’t let us miss Your will.

God used Bathsheba and Nathan to counsel David when he was old and not aware —Kings 1:11-34

Isaiah 11:2,3 …And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest on Him… He will delight in obeying the Lord. He will never judge by appearance, false evidence, or hearsay. ^{New Living Translation}

Isaiah 33:5,6  The Lord is exalted; for He dwelleth on high: He hath filled Zion with judgment and righteousness. And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation…(The fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure. ^NLT)

Psalms 115:1 Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy Name give glory, for Thy mercy, and for Thy Truth's sake.

GRACIOUS LORD, the delight of my heart is to obey You—and love You supremely—and trust Your wisdom and counsel. Please search out whatever remains in me that attempts to draw me away from full obedience.

DAY 13—The whole world waits for the glory and authority of Messiah’s Kingdom.

Isaiah 11:4 But with righteousness He will judge (bring justice to) the poor, and decide with fairness for the afflicted of the earth; and He will strike (bring judgment upon) the earth with the rod (scepter) of His mouth, and with the breath (the Spirit) of His lips He will slay the wicked (the wicked one.)^NASB

Psalms 72:12-14 •People who are in need will cry out, and He will save them. •He will save those who are hurting. •They don't have anyone else who can help them.  •He will take pity on those who are weak and in need. •He will save them from death. •He will save them from people who beat others down. •He will save them from people who do mean things to them. •Their lives are very special to Him.^NIRV

LOVING FATHER, we look forward to the Kingdom that You promised in Your Oath unto David. We pray, “Let Thy Kingdom come!” But, Father, we are believing that its power and authority is ready to work even now in us Your people. Oh, let these I hold before You come to know its grace, its mercy, its strength, its light…

Jesus spent His last days teaching about His Kingdom.— Luke 24:44,45; Matt  28:18; Acts 1:3

DAY 14—The Lord Jesus instructed His disciples to pray that His Kingdom would come.

Matthew 6:9-13 Therefore, you should pray like this:

•Our Father in heaven,

•Your Name be honored as holy.

•Your kingdom come.

•Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

•Give us today our daily bread.

•And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

•And do not bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

•For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.

•Amen.

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