Isaiah chapter 7

Isaiah chapter starts out describing a war where an evil alliance was formed between Israel and Assyria. They had made an alliance to go down and attack Ahaz the king of Judah. Then we read that Isaiah is talking to King Ahaz saying to ask God for a sign but Ahaz states that he will not tempt God this way. Isaiah then ask an interesting question. "It is a small thing that you weary men, but will ye weary my God also?" Isaiah proceeds to give him the sign anyway, he proceeds to tell of a virgin giving birth and him being called Immanuel. Clearly a foretelling of the coming of Jesus. Then he goes on to describe that the land will turn to thorns and briers, that it becomes war torn. This has all already taken place. For many years this land has been desolate and we all know how war torn that this region is. It is amazing how accurate that the prophecy that Isaiah gave really was. Looking ahead over the next 750 years all the way trough 2700 years later. It really is amazing.

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Missionaries to Spain

Here is a short video of Global Missions in Spain! 

Global Missions Update

Here is our Global Missions Director updating us on what is going on in our mission fields!

Set a fire down in my soul!

I was just listening to a song this morning as I was praying and the words go like this.

Set a fire down in my soul
That I can't contain
That I can't control
I want more of you God
I want more of you God

The song is by a band called Jesus Culture and it is a great worship song, But I was using it this morning as a prayer. I have been thinking about this song all morning. Here are my thoughts on it. Matthew chapter five describes us as being a city that is set on a hill that can't be hid and that we are the light of the world and you don't light a candle just to hide it. Why would God create a fire in us if we are just going to hide it away for us to enjoy it by ourselves when there are so many others in this world who are lost. The Bible states that it is  Gods will that no man should perish, and in Acts 1:8 as well as Matthew 28:19 that we are to be witnesses and teachers of the word of God unto all men. God, I want to be a raging fire, that I draw the attention of people, that they ask questions, that God gives me the answers, and that I have a boldness in the Holy Ghost! Let me be that Godly example! Allow me to be used in the areas that you want me to be used. Don't let me just be a flickering candle but a raging fire! Thank you God for this opportunity, but I hope, I don't ever squander that opportunities that you have presented me!

Isaiah Chapter 6 - Isaiah's Vision of the Lord

When: Approximately 758 BC in the year of King Uzziah's death.

We see a description of heaven in Isaiah's vision that would just be breathe taking. He describes the Seraphims as having six wings and standing at the ready singing "Holy, holy holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!" Isaiah Chapter 6:3 ESV. The Prophet is describing these angelic beings as being right there to minister unto the King of Kings and Lord of Lords at all times and singing praises to his blessed and holy name. I looked into some more information about the seraphim and I pretty much just found a lot of speculation from a 12th century scholar and some medieval scholars, so I am really going to leave it alone.

What I love, is the description of God looking for someone to send to his people. Isaiah was just saying how impure that he was and the seraphim placed the hot coal from the altar upon his lips to purify him! Now the Prophet is standing the saying send me Lord, I will go! This is quiet a change in tune, one minute he is fearing for his life and the next volunteering for a special assignment for the most high God. It is amazing what an experience at the altar will do in a persons life.

Let me strongly recommend that if you have not entered into the throne room of God today please find a place to do so. You don't know where a little bit of prayer or an experience at the altar can take you! Give it a try and see where it goes! God bless you and have a great day!

Isaiah Chapter 5 Part 2

I am going to start at  verse 11 as I am working my way through chapter 5 of Isaiah. Verse 11 states "Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them! 12. And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the Lord, neither consider the operation of his hands.

Doesn't this remind you of eat, drink and be merry. It also seems to be a reflection of so many people today. Apparently this was also a problem in Isaiah's time, approximately 700 B.C. However, I think that this could be much more than drunk on wine, you see we can get drunk just on the things of this world. We get caught up in the next best technological gadget, the next relationship, following our favorite sports star and follow the stars from Hollywood as if we need to know every little detail of their lives. We become intoxicated with the things of this world! This is what the Bible is saying that we should have no other God's before him, simply saying that we shouldn't be putting these things before God. Any time we get addicted to these things they become Idols in our lives. When we are missing church to watch the football game (yeah even the super bowl) you are telling God that the game is more important than your relationship with him!

When God is first in our lives, I cannot begin to tell you how much more satisfying and complete that it makes us. Lets give all that we have to God! Let's see what he can do! After all, what do we really have to lose?

Josh Mailman
You can follow me on Twitter as @Cardvilleyouth or Facebook. I hope you enjoyed!

Isaiah chapter 5 Part 1

I just finished up Isaiah chapter 5. It is quite a bit longer then chapter 4 but a very interesting chapter to read. We see Isaiah comparing the people of Judah to a vineyard where the intended crop was not what the caretaker hoped for. We see that he had planted grapes and cultivated the land, removed the rock built towers and hedges to protect the crop. Yet even after all this effort something still managed to get in? What is the caretaker to do? In fact he even ask that question. He says what more could I have done or in other words, did I miss something? I did everything right! I followed the books, I planted this just like the Internet told me too. Yet the only thing that I can do now is just let it go.

I am going to be real honest about this passage for a minute. I have felt this way before. When I see a young person walk away from God I start with the could I have done something different, I have prayed for them, and taught them, I have read all the best books and I gave them great illustrations and they were doing so well. But some how wild grapes have taken root. It was no fault of my own but to this day the results are the same. Could I have said or done something different? The only thing that I can do is to stay true, let my light shine and continue praying for those that have left that first love.

That concludes the first part of chapter 5 part 1. Feel free to comment or visit me on Google+.

A new app for learning new worship songs

Today I downloaded a new app on my phone. It is called isingworship. So far from what I have see of it is is really a handy tool to have.

It will display the Lyrics for you (either on the mobile device or even on a projector)
It will display on the projector providing that you have CCLI license number (this is an insurance you can get for displaying Lyrics on a multimedia device in front of your congregation, that protects you from copy write infringement lawsuits. I also recommend that  your church does this as well).
It will display the Cords for the song as it is playing.
The app is very user friendly.

I am not a worship leader but it does seem to be something that could be useful to a worship team that is trying to learn a new worship song

Negatives - Yea the app is free but the individual songs do cost money. From what I saw $0.99 to $2.99 per song.

I used it on my Iphone and I do not know if it is on Android or other smart phones.

Thank you for your time and I am looking forward to bringing other tools and resources to help you in the future...  

Isaiah chapter 4

I just finished reading chapter 4 of Isaiah and it is a really short chapter of only 6 verses. It almost appears that verse 1 of chapter 4 more aptly fits with the last verse of chapter 3. I say this because we see a quick change in topic from seven women taking one mans name to remove the reproach of their lifestyle to the remaining five verses talking about the blessed and holy that remain in Jerusalem. We also the description of what one could say is today's church as a place to rest and receive strength and healing whether physical or spiritual. That is just a few thoughts that I have on chapter 4. If you have any thoughts please feel free to comment. I appreciate the feedback.

Isaiah Chapter 3 (initial thoughts)

3:1. -4 For, behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, doth take away from Jerusalem and from Judah the stay and the staff, the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of water,

2. The mighty man, and the man of war, the judge, and the prophet, and the prudent, and the ancient,

3. The captain of fifty, and the honourable man, and the counsellor, and the cunning artificer, and the eloquent orator.

4. And I will give children [to be] their princes, and babes shall rule over them.


I read this and it seems to be a very startling comparison to today's society, Those who are experienced both in politics and the craftsmen of yesterday seem to be gone. The people who could unite the people instead of divide them are no longer with us and as verse four states, that he has given us over to babies (people laking in experience, ie community organizers) to be our rulers.


5. And the people shall be oppressed, every one by another, and every one by his neighbour: the child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient, and the base against the honourable.


Anybody else notice the division in our country over the last couple of years, neighbors and friends on different sides of the political spectrum can't get along anymore. Not to mention the young people of this generation want the best of everything now and their ideal job when they get out of school is upper management. They where there pants around their knees, don't take their hats off in doors or while they eat, say whatever and do whatever they please and do not care what child or person is around them.


6. When a man shall take hold of his brother of the house of his father, [saying], Thou hast clothing, be thou our ruler, and [let] this ruin [be] under thy hand:

7. In that day shall he swear, saying, I will not be an healer; for in my house [is] neither bread nor clothing: make me not a ruler of the people.


I read these two verses and I cannot help but think about the call of the occupy wall street to "Eat the rich". I am taking from the fact that the people who have material wealth (clothing and food), as being blamed for the destruction of the nation. I look at our current nation and see the hurt and the people without work and I hear the cries of the lower and middle class as the government tries to blame the Wall Street tycoons for their own destructive policies. In verse 7 I believe we see the same people saying that it isn't them that brought this on and that they are hurting as well, they were just doing business as they always had.


8. For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen: because their tongue and their doings [are] against the LORD, to provoke the eyes of his glory.

9.The shew of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide [it] not. Woe unto their soul! for they have rewarded evil unto themselves.


We live in a society where anything goes. If it feels right do it, yet the Bible is stating that this mentality will lead to the destruction of a nation. It even goes as far as to reference Sodom which God destroyed in Genesis for it's homosexuality and immoral living and we see it in our once God fearing country as if it is no big deal. It is a very big deal to God!


10. Say ye to the righteous, that [it shall be] well [with him]: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.


Some encouraging words for those who live right! God is not going to abandon you and in fact looks upon you favorably. Look what he did for Noah when he was the only righteous man that God could find on the Earth!


11. Woe unto the wicked! [it shall be] ill [with him]: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.


A reap what you sow kind of verse that ties in nicely with "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life".


12. [As for] my people, children [are] their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause [thee] to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.


We see here that people who were not ready to rule who had no experience (through no fault of their own maybe), but they were placed in a position of authority where their decisions, based on good intentions, just don't work. The consequences is very bad.


13. The LORD standeth up to plead, and standeth to judge the people.

14. The LORD will enter into judgment with the ancients of his people, and the princes thereof: for ye have eaten up the vineyard; the spoil of the poor [is] in your houses.

15. What mean ye [that] ye beat my people to pieces, and grind the faces of the poor? saith the Lord GOD of hosts.


We see that God is going to stand and judge all those who are placed in authority who have allowed policies that were not in accordance to his word. God's is making a stand for those righteous who are serving him.


16. Moreover the LORD saith, Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing [as] they go, and making a tinkling with their feet:

17. Therefore the Lord will smite with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will discover their secret parts.


People are walking around and being greedy, taking everything that they can, being greedy and not giving anything, This is not the rich. We have already seen that they are going to blame the rich. I believe it is those who take from the rich and poor a like. God is an advocate of growing your funds, we see this in the parable of the Talents. But what we need to understand it is the people who want everything for nothing and keep demanding more and they do this pridefully.


18. In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of [their] tinkling ornaments [about their feet], and [their] cauls, and [their] round tires like the moon,

19. The chains, and the bracelets, and the mufflers,

20. The bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the headbands, and the tablets, and the earrings,

21. The rings, and nose jewels,

22. The changeable suits of apparel, and the mantles, and the wimples, and the crisping pins,

23. The glasses, and the fine linen, and the hoods, and the vails.


We see the people ornamenting themselves with nose rings, jewelry and necklaces, bracelets and rings. Very descriptive of today's culture. I understand that this is talking about Jerusalem and Judea, but our situation is very similar. Here take a look.


24. And it shall come to pass, [that] instead of sweet smell there shall be stink; and instead of a girdle a rent; and instead of well set hair baldness; and instead of a stomacher a girding of sackcloth; [and] burning instead of beauty.

25. Thy men shall fall by the sword, and thy mighty in the war.

26. And her gates shall lament and mourn; and she [being] desolate shall sit upon the ground.


All this will not be turn out well. We will see a war where our mighty men and sons, brothers and fathers are taken from us in violence. we will see that people will be desolate and without the things that longed so much for. All that will be left is sit a mourn the loses as Job sat and mourned for the loss of his children.


The contrast is startling. I see so much of today in this chapter of Isaiah! Please leave me comments and some scripture to help develop my thoughts on this. You can follow me on Twitter at Cardvilleyouth, facebook as Josh Mailman, or on Google +. Thank you and looking forward to hearing from you!

Isaiah chapter 2

I just finished reading the second chapter of Isaiah. It has me really thinking about the world events as of late. Palestine being recognized as a state and the violence that has been going on in Syria, Gaza and in Israel. I am looking forward to the day when the Lords kingdom is on the earth and idols are melted down and there is peace on the earth. Just think about this. What would CNN and foxnews report on? No more defense budgets and armies. No more companies dedicated to creating new weapons systems designed to kill people. A world of actual peace with our great wonderful God in charge of it! Oh I am looking forward to the fulfillment of Isaiah chapter 2.

Isaiah 1

I read Isaiah chapter 1 in my personal bible reading tonight. I could not help the strong language that the prophet used in regards to the backsliden state the nation of Israel was in. Then I wonder how does he really feel about us at times. When we let things creep into our lives does it make him sick when we come to church and worship as if nothing has happened? Does it become a burden to him to see the assembling together of those who are laiden with iniquity but have no intention of repenting. Ohh Lord. I pray that I am never a stench in your nostrils but found to be holy and acceptable in your sight.

Great things

It is amazing the things that God is doing at Cardville United Pentecostal Church. When you look close you see all kinds of little small events that work together so that when you stand back and view what is going on you see this intricate and amazing work! I cannot help but stand in awe as God works out the fine details of peoples lives to bring them to a point where call on his precious holy name. I cannot go into specific details because it deals with the privacy of new members of the church, but I can say that it is wonderful how the Creator of the universe will put someone in your path at a craft fair to invite you to church, or you experience a hurt in your life that places a draw in your heart toward God. What a great God. No wonder he says that we are fearfully and wonderfully made! Thank you Lord!