Reason for the Reason Day 1

Jesus is the reason for the season, but what is the reason for the Reason, who is Jesus? In his very first sermon, Jesus unrolled a scroll to Isaiah 61 and proclaimed His reason for coming among us: "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Luke 4:20 tells us: "The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on Him, and He began by saying to them, 'Today this scripture is filled in your hearing.'" Isaiah is rich in messianic prophecy and celebrated during the Christmas season particularly as the starting point of Handel's Messiah. I invite you to walk daily with me up to Christmas in looking at nuggets in Isaiah 61, the same chapter Jesus cited as His reason for walking among us.

"The Reason for the Reason," Mark Noblin, 2011, The Rock Outreach, Inc.

The Spirit Is On You Day 2

"The spirit of the sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor." In claiming Isaiah 61 in his first synagogue address, Jesus conveyed His harmony in the Trinity with God the Father, Himself the Son and the Holy Spirit. Before Jesus' life on earth, God's spirit was gifted to certain people to equip them for specific tasks. But because of Jesus' birth, life, death and resurrection, through faith in Him we all have access to the same unlimited spirit as that which came upon Jesus (John 16:7). So by God's grace, we all can claim that "the spirit of the sovereign LORD is on me" as we emulate Jesus' life. In ministering in Africa or anywhere else, our aim at The Rock is to invite the spirit to be upon us so it may overflow onto others. What better Christmas gift could you offer your family and friends this season than to walk in awareness of the spirit of the Lord upon you and act accordingly?
"The Reason for the Reason," Mark Noblin, 2011, The Rock Outreach, Inc.

You Are Anointed Day 3

Jesus presented himself as anointed to carry out God's work as the fulfillment of Isaiah 61:1. In exactly the same way, each of us who proclaims our faith in Jesus is anointed by the Holy Spirit who indwells us as promised at the moment of salvation. While many of us feel inadequate to serve the Lord, the truth is as believers we already have received all of the anointing necessary. (2 Cor. 1:21, 1 John 2:27). I remember how encouraged I was by a veteran missionary who told me before I left on my first trip to Africa: "You already have received all the anointing you need." Rather than feeling puffed up, I instead felt humbled as I grasped the power of Jesus' work on thecross so that I might be prepared and anointed to do His work. I also realized whatever good I could do was not of my own power, but from His anointing. So what are you anointed to do? "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Ephesians 2:10) Sounds a lot like the Christmas spirit, doesn't it? Perhaps when we realize our anointing the Christmas spirit will be our everyday spirit.
"The Reason for the Reason," Mark Noblin, 2011, The Rock Outreach, Inc.

The Good News Is Jesus Day 4

Jesus is the Good News as the angel proclaimed in Luke 2:10-11: "I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord." As disciples, we are to be like Jesus. Are you proclaiming the good news as Jesus did? Born into a fallen world, our only hope before a perfect God is claiming Jesus righteousness. His death on a cross satisfied God's justice by paying the sin penalty for all who trust in Him. What better news is there than assurance of fellowship with God forever in heaven? Interestingly, Jesus specifically embraced Gods call in Isaiah 61 to preach good news to the poor. Evidenced by Jesus' birth in a stable, God shows His heart for those with little. Wealth is not bad unless money takes priority over God, leading to pride and self-sufficiency. It's all about the condition of the heart as noted by Matthew 5:3: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." In this verse, poor in spirit is contrasted with pride and independence. Frequently visitors with us to Africa marvel at the joy and spiritual richness of Africans they meet who are in stark poverty yet claim Jesus as their good news.
"The Reason for the Reason," Mark Noblin, 2011, The Rock Outreach, Inc.

Being a Sent One Day 5

Do you recall when you were sent to do something? You responded to a specific directive with a clear goal. In the same way, Jesus in identifying with Isaiah 61 says He was "sent to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." (Luke 4:18-19) The Great Commission calls you. "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations" Jesus said in Matthew 28:19. All cannoy travel overseas, but you can go to your neighbor and you can encourage those serving God globally. "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." (Matthew 9:37-38) Being a "sent one" requires a willing heart. Abraham left all behind when God commanded "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you." (Gen. 12:1) The result was that all people were blessed through him. What if Jesus and Abraham had resisted? We would be without hope. Are you embracing your role as a "sent" one? If not, blessings await your obedience.
"The Reason for the Reason," Mark Noblin, 2011, The Rock Outreach, Inc.

Broken Hearted Day 6

God has a special regard for the down trodden, as evidenced by Jesus fulfillment of Isaiah 61 to "bind up the broken hearted." God relates as He and Jesus have grieved. Jesus was rejected, despised, betrayed and hung upon a cross. When his friend Lazarus died, He wept in empathy with friends before He raised him from the dead Before the flood, Gods "heart was filled with pain" because man's wickedness filled the earth. (Gen. 6:6). The good thing about a human broken heart is that it represents a soft heart made of flesh, not a hardened one of stone. This illustrates Gods promise in Ezekiel 36:26: "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." David was a man after God's own heart because his heart was quick to break when he recognized his sin. So Jesus not only empathizes with your broken heartedness, He also uses it to draw you closer to Himself. "My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart, you, God, will not despise." (Psalm 51:17)
"The Reason for the Reason," Mark Noblin, 2011, The Rock Outreach, Inc.

Proclaim! Day 7
Jesus says he was sent to "proclaim" spiritual freedom. He did so in words and deeds, but in the end it was His act of obedience to death on the cross and His very essence that accomplished the purpose. Jesus proclaimed Himself to be the truth: "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:2) His words were backed up by His sinless life, sacrificial death and resurrection. So while we may proclaim Jesus in words, we also should exhibit Him from our core. My daughter Audrey sang in a church youth choir. Once after the choir sang, an elderly lady told me: "I just want you to know your daughter brought me to the Lord. I saw the joy on her face as she sang and I wanted what she had." So Audrey had proclaimed Jesus and even brought others to Him just by being herself and delighting in worshiping her Savior! What is your proclamation this season? Is it on a Christmas card, under the tree, hidden inside or radiating from your face? "For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing." (2 Cor. 2:15)
"The Reason for the Reason," Mark Noblin, 2011, The Rock Outreach, Inc.

Freedom Day 8
Jesus declared through Isaiah 61:1 that He had come to proclaim "freedom for the captives." Freedom ( translated as "liberty" in other versions) for the captives is drawn from language describing Israel's deliverance from the Babylonian captivity. The language also describes the year of jubilee. This occurred every 50 years when all who had worked to retire debt must be freed and allowed to return home. In both instances, the "captives" had tasted freedom but were under bondage. This applies to some Christians today who know Jesus yet are bound on earth. Satan cannot claim the soul of a believer, but he can restrain our joy and witness on earth. The devil is the father of lies and lying is his native tongue (John 8:44). His power was defeated on the cross. (Col. 2:15) Yet as Christians we sometimes grant Satan our own power by believing his lies. (God can never forgive me; God doesn't really love me; God doesn't care; I am worthless; I am unlovable). Most of us are captive to some emotional hurt. Jesus wants to set you free from that. A good place to start is by understanding who the Bible says you are in Jesus.
"The Reason for the Reason," Mark Noblin, 2011, The Rock Outreach, Inc.

Get Out of Jail Free Day 9

One day the Bible to me was gibberish, with a few useful fables. The next day the words leaped off the page into my heart. I saw truth and I wanted more. The difference was I experienced Jesus' gift as promised in Isaiah 61 of "freedom from darkness for the prisoners." I was blind and defiant toward the idea of God - and then Jesus miraculously opened my eyes with the gift of faith. "When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins." Col. 2:13 What a Christmas gift! Have you ever considered the Christmas tree is metaphorical for the tree (cross) on which Jesus was nailed to secure our peace with God? I love the song from Ray Boltz titled "The Perfect Tree." Here is the chorus: The perfect tree Grew very long ago And it was not decked with silver Or with ornaments of gold But hanging from its branches Was a gift for you and me Jesus laid His life down On the perfect tree
"The Reason for the Reason," Mark Noblin, 2011, The Rock Outreach, Inc.

The Lord's Favor Day 10

Christmas fulfills Isaiah 61:2, as Jesus birth ushers in a new meaning to "the year of the LORD's favor." Before Jesus, the phrase described the year of jubilee decreed by God in the Old Testament. This occurred every 50 years when all who had worked to retire debt must be freed and allowed to return home. Jesus' arrival began a new jubilee, or time of favor. Under this time in which we now live, we may be freed from our debt to God (unpunished sin) through faith in Jesus and His atoning death for us on the cross. Other blessings of the Old Testament jubilee were redemption of seized possessions and rest for the land for one year. In our jubilee, Jesus has claimed back by our faith in Him the spiritual heritage and unity with God that Adam and Eve lost in the garden. The Old Testament jubilee lasted for a year. Our jubilee provides an eternal reward to all who accept it. But Jesus' free gift offer has an unknown expiration date for acceptance. What a great motivation to share Jesus among friends and relatives this Christmas season.
"The Reason for the Reason," Mark Noblin, 2011, The Rock Outreach, Inc.

Day of Vengeance Day 11

Vengeance is not a word you would think of associating with Jesus or Christmas. But vengeance is a central tenet of the Christian faith and Jesus' purpose as stated in Isaiah 61:2 "to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God." Without vengeance (defined by Merriam-Webster as punishment inflicted for an injury or offense) there is no justice. There is chaos and anarchy. Like in the Book of Judges: "In those days, Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit." (Judges 21:25) Without vengeance, there is no need for the grace and mercy Jesus provides. Jesus came to be the object of vengeance for our sins that separate us from a holy and perfect God . He fulfilled His purpose by His sacrificial death as the Lamb of God on the cross to pay the price for the sins of all who trust in Him. His gift is available to all now, but He will return to judge and exercise vengeance on those who refuse the gift. As we celebrate the baby in the manger, let's also remember Jesus words in Rev. 1:17-18 . I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One: I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.
"The Reason for the Reason," Mark Noblin, 2011, The Rock Outreach, Inc.

Comfort for Mourning Day 12

As a hurt child runs to Momma, so Jesus wants us to turn to Him reflexively for comfort when we are mourning. In Isaiah 61:2, He promises to be there "to comfort all who mourn." Later, in Isaiah 66:13, the Lord says, "As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you." How we mourn and where we seek comfort says a lot. We mourn hurts like death, job loss, missed opportunity or broken relationships. Some may bypass the Comforter in trying to ease pain, seeking help in secular counseling, alcohol, drugs, sex or work. Jesus promises those who seek Him: "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." (Matt. 5:4) Sin and injustice also can cause us to mourn. When Christians mourn, we cry out to God in prayer. He answers. Nehemiah did what no one said was possible: rebuild Jerusalem from the ruins left by conquerors. But before he sought God's guidance and mobilized the work , he wept in mourning the sad state of affairs. What should you be mourning and crying out to the Lord about?
"The Reason for the Reason," Mark Noblin, 2011, The Rock Outreach, Inc.

Beauty for Ashes Day 13

"...to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes." Isaiah 1:3 Jesus promises beauty instead of ashes, a Jewish symbol of grief, self-abhorrence and humiliation. Abraham's descendants made their outward appearance show their inward misery. They donned sackcloths (made of coarse goat's hair), which they ripped to rags. Then they put ashes on their heads. In place of this stark portrayal, Jesus puts a crown of beauty! How many stories have you heard from people figuratively draped in sackcloth and covered with ashes by sin or circumstances? Jesus glorifies Himself by delivering them and giving them a beautiful testimony of grace. Even the name Jesus means "Deliverer." Making beauty for ashes is another expression of the promise of Romans 8:28: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." One of the greatest thrills of serving in the mission field is sharing Jesus' truth and love and watching Him turn ashes to beauty.
"The Reason for the Reason," Mark Noblin, 2011, The Rock Outreach, Inc.

Gladness Day 14
Jesus came to give us "the oil of gladness instead of mourning."(Isaiah 61:3) Gladness and joy are used almost interchangeably in different Bible translations. Both words denote more than a momentary mood. Joy is a "fruit of the spirit" in Gal. 5:22. Companions of gladness and joy are righteousness and gratitude."You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy." (Psalm 45:7) Sinful pleasure-seeking may provide thrills, but not the "oil of gladness." In Hebrew culture, oil was prized as a substance of anointing, consecrating, healing, cosmetic softening, strengthening, beautifying and perfuming. The results of gladness draw others. Gratitude is an expression of gladness that comes from praising God for His present and future love and care. Christmastime comes with memories that can make us happy, nostalgic or sad. But nothing should detract from the ultimate source of our gladness, Jesus, son of God, born in a manger to give us eternal peace with God the Father.
"The Reason for the Reason," Mark Noblin, 2011, The Rock Outreach, Inc.

Garment of Praise Day 15

Jesus says "apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5) and that includes even giving Him praise. Isaiah 61:3 says Jesus bestows "a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair." I have found it impossible to despair when praising Jesus. A sign of depression is someone saying they cant give praise or pray. The Holy Spirit awaits their summons. "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express." (Romans 8:26) An example of the "garment of praise" is the prodigal son who took his share of his inheritance for "wild living" that landed him in a pig sty. He regained sanity and went back to his father hoping to be accepted as a hired hand. Instead, his father exclaimed, "Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him." (Luke 15:22) That same unconditional love of our Father made possible by Jesus and His death on the cross for us is the ultimate source of our praise. We are cloaked with His never-ending mercy, grace, acceptance and love when we claim Jesus' sacrifice as payment for our sins.
"The Reason for the Reason," Mark Noblin, 2011, The Rock Outreach, Inc.

Oaks of Righteousness Day 16

"...They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor." (Isaiah 61.3) When we fully grasp what Jesus has done for us and exchange our sin for His righteousness, His strength shows through us. Psalm 1:3-6 says the person who delights in the law of the LORD "is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish." Our strength is rooted in Jesus. When our lives honor Him and our limbs reach upward as a mighty oak, they point to His splendor. It is He who planted us and nourishes us. Whatever we accomplish in His name is to His glory.
"The Reason for the Reason," Mark Noblin, 2011, The Rock Outreach, Inc.

Rebuild and Renew Day 17

"They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations." (Isaiah 61:4) This verse refers to restoration of those in Israel who mourned their fall into sin and captivity to the Persians. Jesus is, after all, the great restoration expert. Criticized for associating with sinners and unsavory characters, Jesus replied, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick." (Matthew 9:12) God placed Jesus Himself in the lineage of the former prostitute Rahab. Jesus chose the chief persecutor of Christians, Paul, to spread the Gospel to the gentiles. And He also selected Peter, who betrayed Him three times, to be the "rock" upon which He built His church. Nothing is beyond the Redeemer's grasp. "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38)
"The Reason for the Reason," Mark Noblin, 2011, The Rock Outreach, Inc.

Ministers of God Day 18

"Aliens will shepherd your flocks; foreigners will work your fields and vineyards. And you will be called priests of the LORD, you will be named ministers of our God." (Isaiah 61:5-6). Something I love about African Christians is the way they introduce themselves. It's usually similar to this: "My name is Joseph. I love Jesus and I am a saved man. I am the husband of one wife." Whereas, in the U.S., we might say, "My name is John. I am a teacher." We identify more to our jobs than to our identity in Jesus. In Isaiah 61:5-6, the Lord makes it clear His people have a higher calling. Our #1 priority is ministry. That does not preclude secular jobs, but rather means that your ministry my be in the work place. You can be a minister disguised as a teacher, lawyer or sales person, etc. But God makes it clear top priority is serving Him. "We may work or trade as others do," writes C.H. Spurgeon, "and yet we may be solely and wholly ministering servants of God. Our one occupation shall be to present the perpetual sacrifice of prayer, and praise, and testimony, and self-consecration to the living God by Jesus Christ."
"The Reason for the Reason," Mark Noblin, 2011, The Rock Outreach, Inc.

God's People Day 19

"Instead of their shame my people will receive a double portion ..." (Isaiah 61:8) This is the first verse in this chapter of Isaiah where God refers to "my people." Through faith in Jesus as God's perfect Son who gave Himself up on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins, we all have the opportunity to be a part of what God calls "my people." (Romans Chapter 11) Apart from Jesus, however, we cannot be a part of God's family. The popular statement, "We are all God's children," is unbiblical. "He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God." (John 1:11-13) Being a child of God is a right granted exclusively through faith in Jesus. "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me," Jesus said. (John 14:6) To find your Father, you need to get to know His Son .The Father sending His Son among us to reconcile us to Himself is the gift of Christmas.
"The Reason for the Reason," Mark Noblin, 2011, The Rock Outreach, Inc.

Double Portion Day 20

"...my people will receive a double portion." (Isaiah 61:7) God is not sparing in His blessings. Promising a "double portion" for the captive Jews is similar to showering Job with blessings after allowing him to be stripped of family, possessions and health. As Job trusted God and confessed the LORD's sovereignty, God "made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before." (Job 42:10) Zechariah 9:2 says, "Return to your fortress, O prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you." I saw God's extravagance to a crippled widow caring for orphans in a Kenyan village. She was the only villager who gave money (equal to a dime but a lot to her) to help feed an engineering team. The team was designing a church and orphanage and wanted villagers to have a stake. Unaware she was the only one to help, they were so touched by her care for the orphans in her home that upon return to the U.S. they collected funds to build her the finest home in the village! I love to say that it is impossible to out-give God.
"The Reason for the Reason," Mark Noblin, 2011, The Rock Outreach, Inc.

Your Inheritance Day 21

"...they will rejoice in their inheritance; and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting joy will be theirs." (Isaiah 61:7) As a believer in Jesus, you are a child of God and your inheritance is incalculable. "Now if we are children, then we are heirs - heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory." (Romans 8:17) Think of it - co-heirs with the One through whom "all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made." (John 1:3) What a Christmas gift Jesus' death on the cross for our sins provides! This isn't the gift for the "person who has everything," this is everything. And our Co-Heir, Jesus, told His disciples that He is preparing a place for us with Him in heaven forever: "...I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." (John 14:2)

"The Reason for the Reason," Mark Noblin, 2011, The Rock Outreach, Inc.

Joy Day 22
"...and everlasting joy will be theirs." (Isaiah 61:7) Christmas is a joyful time. "Joy to the World" is a favorite carol. A great childhood memory I have as the youngest of four boys is when my older brothers who had scattered all returned for the big day. My mom painted with a soap paste on the front window, "We're All Home For Christmas." The joy mentioned in Isaiah 61:7 refers to an everlasting event when all believers share a homecoming with Christ. "Everlasting joy" is used two other times by Isaiah (Isaiah 51:11 and Isaiah 35:10). In both cases, the verses celebrate the Jews' entrance to Zion, the symbol of a heavenly Jerusalem and the future throne of Jesus when He returns. (Isaiah 9:7 and Psalm 132:13-14). Jesus provides our present and future joy by His death on the cross to pay for our sins so that we may have eternal life with Him. Thus, we can experience joy on earth despite expected woes. "My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you - I, whom you have redeemed." (Psalm 71:23)
"The Reason for the Reason," Mark Noblin, 2011, The Rock Outreach, Inc.

Love and Hate Day 23

"For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery and iniquity..." (Isaiah 61:8) For God so loves the world and so hates the evil in our hearts that He sent His only Son as a lowly baby in a manger to grow up and die on a cross to crush the sin that separates us from Him. Many misapply the verse "God is love" ( 1 John 4:16) to be "Love is God." Love is a part of God's nature, but so is hate. He hates evil and unrighteousness and we are called to do the same. "Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked." (Psalm 97:10) Loving God means hating the sin and evil He hates. Jesus put it in a positive way in the great commandment, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself." (Matt. 22:37-39)
"The Reason for the Reason," Mark Noblin, 2011, The Rock Outreach, Inc.

Faithful Day 24
"...In my faithfulness I will reward them..." (Isaiah 61:8) You can trust God. He keeps His promises, as shown by more than 350 Old Testament prophecies fulfilled in the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus. "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." (Heb 13:8) Other verses of His faithfulness: "For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does." (Psalm 33:4) "Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made." (Psalm 145:13) "And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." (1 Cor 10:13) "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." ( 1 John 1:9)
"The Reason for the Reason," Mark Noblin, 2011, The Rock Outreach, Inc.

Your Reward - Day 25

"...In my faithfulness I will reward them..." (Isaiah 61:8) God described Himself to Abraham as "your very great reward." (Gen. 15:1) In Jesus, we have the Reward forever. Rewards we seek on earth show our priorities. "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal," Jesus said. "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matt. 6:19-21) We gain heavenly treasures by following Jesus teaching of loving God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength and others as ourselves. Earthly rewards come up short as the wise and rich King Solomon learned. "Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun." (Eccl 2:11) The Apostle Paul offers the antidote to Solomon's despair: " Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Phil 3:13-14)
"The Reason for the Reason," Mark Noblin, 2011, The Rock Outreach, Inc.

Blessed People Day 26

"...All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the LORD has blessed." (Isaiah 61:9) This verse is speaking of the Israelites and the fulfillment of their legacy. God told Abraham "all nations will be blessed through you." The blessing is evident to Christ-followers because the seed of Abraham produced the Savior, Jesus. But the prophecy that all "will acknowledge" the blessing is yet to come. The Bible says one day "that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:10) In the meantime, as Jesus lives in us, He calls us as His disciples to be His witnesses. "...You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8) What kind of witness are you? Does the joy of the Lord shine in you and your actions so it is obvious you are a person the Lord has blessed? Are you helping spread the Good News at home and "to the ends of the earth?"
"The Reason for the Reason," Mark Noblin, 2011, The Rock Outreach, Inc.

Delight Day 27
"I delight greatly in the LORD ..." Isaiah 61:10 Delighting in the LORD is key in attaining the abundant life Jesus promised when He said He came that we "may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10) Psalm 37:4 says, "Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart." As we delight in the Lord, we open our hearts to Him through prayer and rejoice deep inside ourselves in Him and His Word. As we do, He plants the desires in our hearts. It is not that He gives us what we think we want; but rather that His wants for us become our wants. How much greater our reward when we turn to God to direct our desires! " Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen." (Eph 3:20)

"The Reason for the Reason," Mark Noblin, 2011, The Rock Outreach, Inc.

Rejoice Day 28
"...my soul rejoices in my God." (Isaiah 61:10) Rejoicing shows an attitude of gratitude and a childlike innocence toward God, such as King David exhibited when the ark of God was brought to Jerusalem. "David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the Lord with all his might, while he and the entire house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets." (2 Samuel 6:14-15) Remember the joy of racing to the tree to open presents as a child on Christmas morning? That enthusiasm is why Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (Matthew 19:14) Do you run to the Saviors arms with the same fervor? The apostle Paul emphasized rejoicing: "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:4-7)
"The Reason for the Reason," Mark Noblin, 2011, The Rock Outreach, Inc.

Heavenly Wedding Day 29

"...For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels." (Isaiah 61:10) As we settle down to our Christmas feast, let us keep in mind the greatest feast yet to come: "the wedding supper of the Lamb." (Rev 19:9) The baby we celebrate on Christmas grew up! He now sits in all His glory at the right hand of God the Father in heaven (Matt 26:64), awaiting His bride the church. (Eph 5:25-27; Rev 2:2) As a believer in Jesus, you are treasured as His bride. After Jesus returns, we will celebrate the eternal marriage with Him in heaven! What an event the wedding supper of the Lamb will be as all believers eagerly gather to celebrate their eternal bond in heaven with their groom, Jesus! Can you imagine the menu, the flavors, the fellowship, the joy, the presence of Jesus, the sheer delight! "Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." (2 Cor 13:12)
"The Reason for the Reason," Mark Noblin, 2011, The Rock Outreach, Inc.

Spring Up - Day 30
"For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations." (Isaiah 61:11) God wants you to be His sprout of "righteousness and praise." He created you, planted you in His garden, sustains you, nurtures you and gives you eternal life through faith in Jesus. Just as a plant matures, grows seeds and multiplies, so God is calling you also to bear much spiritual fruit. Jesus tells us this expansion of God's Kingdom into the lives of others requires death to self. "I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life." (John 12:24) Similarly, Jesus told Nicodemus: "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.'" (John 3:5-7)
"The Reason for the Reason," Mark Noblin, 2011, The Rock Outreach, Inc.