“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.

“Deliver me from my enemies, O God; protect me from those who rise up against me” (Psalm 59:1)

September 15, 2011

Sometimes we need a protector. Someone to stand guard while we sleep. Call on the Lord. He will defend you. He knows what is needed and when. Let Him defend your cause.

“Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge” (Proverbs 23:12)

September 14, 2011

For real change to take place we must move knowledge from our heads to our hearts. All of us know better than we do. What we all need is heart change. Better to know and do one thing right than to know many things and do none of them. Pray for heart application.

“I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills his purpose for me” (Psalm 57:2)

September 13, 2011

David had a sense of God’s calling on his life. He wanted to live into that calling fully. He delighted to be what God wanted him to be. Do you believe God has a purpose for you? Do you pray for God’s will to be fulfilled in you? Or are you still asking for your own way?

“A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit” (Isaiah 11:1)

September 12, 2011

A messianic prophecy. After the tree of Israel is but a stump, then the Messiah would come. This prophecy was fulfilled in Christ. He is the Branch that bears fruit. We are grafted into this tree by adoption. Believing into His Name we are God’s children.

“Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you” (Psalm 55:22)

September 11, 2011

Are you burdened by a load of care? Do you stoop under its load and feel unable to go on? Why not give them to the One who is able? Stop trying to tough it out and suck it up. Give your cares, worries, and troubles to God. He can carry them and you. Learn to lean.

“I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’” (Isaiah 6:8)

September 10, 2011

God still calls. Who will hear it? Who will be like Isaiah and answer “Send me!” Not many, I think. Too many have ears for this world’s security and call. Only a few will hear and answer the Lord. What are you doing with your life?

“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil” (Isaiah 5:20)

September 9, 2011

There is a tendency for humanity to devolve (Not evolve. We’re not getting better.) when the Lord is no longer their God. Unanchored and adrift, their moral compasses reverse poles. North becomes South and vice versa. They celebrate their deviancy and call it freedom. Really, it’s slavery.