September 30

Today's Reading

We are near the end of Isaiah and God uses him to share wonderful promises of God's mercy and grace visited upon His people. He promised to draw Israel from the ends of the earth and bring them home. That started happening literally during the 1940s. Each of these promises would seem to have a literal fulfillment -- some won't be until the Last Days -- and also a spiritual application. For instance, "4 Never again will you be called 'The Forsaken City'
or 'The Desolate Land.'
Your new name will be 'The City of God’s Delight'
and 'The Bride of God,'
for the Lord delights in you
and will claim you as his bride." The New Testament makes it clear that those who follow Christ are His bride and He is the bridegroom.

Philippians. "Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people." This is just as relevant today as it was 2,000 years ago.

Psalms. I think it's likely that Solomon wrote this Psalm in memory of his dad, King David. God Himself is the perfect example of it.

Proverbs. We are to help people in dire circumstances and not just "look out for number one."

I found myself challenged once again by the Scriptures for today. How about you?

September 29

Today's Reading

If Isaiah 58 is any indication, God has a particular disdain for the times we act religious without repentant hearts. O God, be merciful to me for the times I have spoken prayers with my lips while my heart was far from you. Forgive me for the times I enjoyed looking pious, but my life was totally self-centered. Forgive me for the times I have played the role of publicly following you while privately I ran the other way.

Someone wrote a commentary on Philippians a number of years ago and called it "God's Book For The Joyful Look." Paul even found joy in the fact that some people preached with wrong motives, but the Gospel changed lives anyway. I struggle sometimes when I see the outward success of those who seem to use their preaching as a way to build a personal kingdom. I need to have the same attitude as the apostle.

Psalms. "15 I will tell everyone about your righteousness.
All day long I will proclaim your saving power,
though I am not skilled with words." I have found that it's easy to make this promise and often not so easy to follow through with it. I am growing in this area. When shared in love, the Gospel gains reception among many unbelievers.

Proverbs. "10 If you fail under pressure,
your strength is too small." Ouch! Maybe it's because I don't rely on God's strength during those times!

What strengthens you today as you read the Word?

September 28

Today's Reading

Isaiah follows the prophecy of a Suffering Servant who would come with words of comfort for all those whose hearts are broken and repentant. Then, as if to say that God is still fierce against sin, he reminds them of all the sinfulness that has prevailed.
These are beautiful, comforting passages. One among them sticks out to me: "10 “The rain and snow come down from the heavens
and stay on the ground to water the earth.
They cause the grain to grow,
producing seed for the farmer
and bread for the hungry.
11 It is the same with my word.
I send it out, and it always produces fruit.
It will accomplish all I want it to,
and it will prosper everywhere I send it." When we keep watering our lives with the Word of God, some of it is like snowpack up in the high mountain peaks. It resides there, ready for the day when the heat comes to melt it and send it to where it is needed. You and I get heated up through trials and the Words begins to flow and do it's work.

Paul's graphic depiction of spiritual warfare was obviously needed by the Ephesians. We need it, too. Notice that Paul specifically asked for prayers for himself as he fought spiritual battles. As I grow older, that means more than ever to me.

Psalms. "5 But as for me, I am poor and needy;
please hurry to my aid, O God.
You are my helper and my savior;
O Lord, do not delay." Me, too!

Proverbs. We build our reputations slowly, but we can destroy them quickly!

What is building in your life? What are these passages saying to your heart?

September 27

Today's Reading

I found myself reading Isaiah 53 and changing the plural pronouns to the first person singular. We becomes I. Our becomes my. It moved me to think of the greatness of the sacrifice which Christ made for me.
On another note, 6 But I will reveal my name to my people, and they will come to know its power. Then at last they will recognize that I am the one who speaks to them. (Isa 52:6). Read the book of Acts again. See the example of power in Jesus' Name. You and I who know Christ also bear the power of that Name, as long as our motives are His kingdom.

Ephesians. The more I think about it, the church in 21st Century USA has many struggles with the sins in Ephesians 5. It is essential that we must repent and return to the God who empowered our forefathers to establish this nation. Otherwise, we will certainly fall and it could happen soon!

Psalms. David wanted God to clearly identify the people who genuinely love Him and the people who are hypocrites. That day is coming!

Proverbs. May you and I be wise and not be people for whom wisdom is "too lofty!"

What thoughts and questions do you have today?

September 26

Today's Reading

Isaiah today begins what are called the Suffering Servant passages. Surely the prophet couldn't understand just how graphic were the descriptions he was writing about Jesus Christ because it was hundreds of years before Christ was born. For instance, "5 The Sovereign Lord has spoken to me,
and I have listened.
I have not rebelled or turned away.
6 I offered my back to those who beat me
and my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard.
I did not hide my face
from mockery and spitting."

As I read today's Ephesians passage, I realized how much I have lived like the "Gentiles", my heart hard and my mind closed to the things of God. God has been so gracious to call me back to Himself and allow me to repent. Never again to I want to live the life of accepting Christ's forgiveness, but keeping my heart far from Him.

Psalms. I have felt some of the same things David must have felt when he wrote this Psalm. The answer is the same as his, too. I cry out to God (usually after I try and fail to fix it myself) and He is quick to provide His presence and comfort.

Proverbs. Any more, I shudder when I see people make big decisions without seeking and heeding counsel.

What speaks to you today?

September 25

Today's Reading

Isaiah. Great nations rise, then fall. They depend on false gods that aren't gods at all. Will the U.S. fall? It depends who whether or not we make God our Lord. After we were attacked on 9/11/01 millions went to church. Unfortunately we didn't see widespread repentance from the sins which have hardened our hearts against God. We raised our collective fists in defiance against the enemies who attacked us, but we didn't fall on our knees in brokenness before the God whom we have mocked. We have made our own strength our god. O, God of the heavens, we cry out for a wave of conviction for for our nation to turn from our sins and turn to You!

Ephesians. "15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love." What a beautiful picture of Christ accomplishing His purposes in and through us! People who take the time to discover the special gifts they have received from God find great joy and passion as they use those gifts to serve Him and others.

Psalms. Throughout Scripture and history, the god of this age has wielded seemingly endless power. It can seem as if the true God has been overshadowed by the great influence of the devil. In the end, however, God is victorious...always!

Proverbs. Beware of shortcuts when building your house. That's true of families as well as individuals and churches as well as businesses. It's true in finance. Long-term success requires wisdom and takes time to accomplish.

What thoughts do you have?

September 24

Today's Reading

God reminded Isaiah of the futility of carving idols for worship. How can the works of our own hands somehow become our provider in life? "It's silly," we might say. Then we turn around and use the money we have earned as our provider instead of trusting in the living God. It's easy for us to yield up our entire lives to the pursuit of riches and what they can buy. Ouch!

Ephesians. "17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God." O, what manner of love the Father has given unto us that we should be called the children of God!

As I read Psalms today, I thought about the significance of some of the mountains in Scripture. Mt. Sinai: the Law. Mt. Calvary: the Cross. Mt. Zion: the Throne. What others can you think of?

Proverbs. Do you ever feel a pang of jealousy that someone is able to do things you are forbidden to do -- because it's sin? I have felt it. Don't go there; it's a lie!

What do you notice in today's reading?