“By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures” (Proverbs 24:3-4)

September 25, 2011

Wisdom, understanding and knowledge are the possessions that build a great family. Better than homes, jobs and cars, these attributes are to be highly prized.

“Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker, to him who is but a potsherd among the potsherds on the ground. Does the clay say to the potter, ‘What are you making?’” (Isaiah 45:9)

September 24, 2011

Are you arguing and complaining today? Like broken clay pots, do you cry out against the Potter? Make peace with God. Don’t waste the pain. Say, “Lord, fulfill Your purpose in me.”

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8)

September 23, 2011

Justified-We were saved from sin’s penalty. Sanctified- We are being saved from sin’s power. Glorified- We will be saved from sin’s presence. The perfect Greek verb “saved” implies past, present and future action. Amazing grace!

“Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:30-31)

September 22, 2011

Where is your hope? Hope in the Lord and feel your passion and power for living return.

“Hezekiah received the letter and read it. Then he went up to the temple of the LORD and spread it out before the LORD” (Isaiah 37:14)

September 21, 2011

Have you ever received a threatening letter? King Hezekiah did. He brought it to the Lord and God defended him. What threat do you fear today? Have you brought it to the Lord? Spread your trouble out before God. Let Him handle it.

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23)

September 20, 2011

Fruit is singular. One fruit with nine seeds, each a part of a triad of triads. These are not works. We can’t do them. They are evidence of being connected to the Vine. Abiding in Christ, we increasingly bear these character traits.

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free” (Galatians 5:1)

September 19, 2011

When He releases us from our slavery to sin, He does not put on us a yoke of being under the law. Christ’s yoke is easy. He calls us to a life of grace. Are you carrying guilt or shame or failure to live up to even your own expectations? Allow Christ’s truth to speak to these. He will set you free indeed.

“These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men” (Isaiah 29:13)

September 18, 2011

God is looking for those who worship in Spirit and Truth, those who worship not just in rote fashion, repeating words in monotone, but those who shout their praise from the heart! Don’t go to church to worship. Bring your worship with you!

“Your dead will live; their bodies will rise. You who dwell in the dust, wake up and shout for joy.” (Isaiah 26:19)

September 17, 2011

Isaiah prophesied the resurrection of the dead. Jesus is the firstfruits, the firstborn from among the dead. Someday, at the sound of His voice, all the dead will rise. The unrighteous to judgment, the righteous to eternal life. Do you believe this?

“My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad; my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right” (Proverbs 23:15-16)

September 16, 2011

How godly parents feel when their children act wisely. Every parent wants healthy and well-educated kids, but wise parents aim past the outward to the heart. They shepherd their child’s heart to know and follow God.