September 29

Isaiah 57:15-59:21, Philippians 1:1-26, Psalm 71:1-24, Proverbs 24:9-10 



Pray: The Psalmist proclaims, “from my mother’s womb you have cared for me. No wonder I am always praising you.” Herein lies the great comfort of our prayers that we truly have a God who first cares and secondly has known us even in our mother’s womb. So when we pray we are not speaking to a stranger, nor are we sending our prayers to someone who will not take them seriously. God listens to every prayer. 

Read: Often we say privately and sometimes publicly, “why has God left me? I feel distant from God.” And, typically we blame the distance on God. We haven’t moved, right? It was God. Isaiah begins by stating the truth in love, “it is your sins that have cut you off from God.” Sin, rebellion, and selfishness put distance between us and God. Repentance closes that gap and causes beautiful reconciliation. Why not move God-ward, instead of away from the One who is life giving?

Edify: We close out our Old Testament reading today with these assuring words, “The Redeemer will come to Jerusalem to buy back Israel…” Our sin which separated us from God is now redeemed, or paid for, by the Redeemer of Israel. To redeem is to buy back, to pay a price for the restoration of the person or item. Something is only as valuable as the amount you are willing to pay for it. Your life is priceless. We know this because Jesus paid the ultimate price for your redemption. Perhaps this will give you and me a little more gratitude to face the day.

Practice: We don’t like to suffer hardships. None of us wakes up in the morning asking for an opportunity to grow through pain and difficulty. However, crisis and hardships do grow our faith when we push through and find God faithful. Proverbs states, “If you fail under pressure your strength is too small.” Life itself brings about pressure and tension. I used to think that tension was all bad. However, without tension a car could not be propelled down the road. When the tire hits the pavement and the tension of the tire catching on the asphalt causes the car to be propelled—we call this “friction”. Stress, properly applied, can build muscles over time as the stress of the barbell causes the muscle to build. How will you handle stress and tension today? Is it an opportunity for God to grow you in your faith?

September 28

Isaiah 54:1-57:14, Ephesians 6:1-24, Psalm 70:1-5, Proverbs 24:8



Pray: Isaiah’s imagery is strong in suggesting that even though a woman who has never had a child can celebrate, and that we should prepare as if God is already bringing the growth, the prosperity to the people of God. Some may scoff at such a thought but is it not God’s goodness to give to those whom He chooses? A powerful God can do what He wants. What is even more powerful, is that God cares for the least among us and for each of us as He values us as His own creation.

Read: One of the most basic needs is water to replenish our thirst. When the Bible speaks of thirst it often speaks both literally and metaphorically, Our souls also thirst for God. Here are the powerful words in verse 1, “Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink—

    even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk—

    it’s all free!”

There is a desire in the heart of every human for a relationship with God. St. Augustine said, “Our hearts are restless oh God until they rest in thee.”

Edify: Our scripture today says to “put on the whole armor of God”. We are not fighting against human flesh but there is a spiritual war at hand. The purpose of putting on armor is to “resist the devil” and after the battle to stand firm. If the armor is strong enough then we can resist the devil and not fall. From the breast plate of righteousness to the sword of the Spirit—the Word of God, the preparation is offensive first so the defense will be strong and resistant to the temptations and evil which come our way.

Practice: Paul tells us to “stay persistent in your prayers”. One of the greatest weapons forged is that of prayer. Jesus Himself spoke about the power of releasing demons in a little boy when Jesus said, “Some can only be cast out by prayer”. Prayer is not a substitute for us doing our part, but prayer does call upon God to do His part and unleash His divine power into our lives. 

September 27

Isaiah 51:1-53:12, Ephesians 5:1-33, Psalm 69:19-36, Proverbs 24:7 



Pray: The Psalmist is positive in stating that God will save Jerusalem and rebuild Judah. These two long divided areas of faith will see renewal. Let us pray for less divisiveness and name calling in our culture. Let us also pray for our culture to respect those who disagree with them and the freedoms, for followers of Christ to exercise their faith privately and in the public square.

Read: Isaiah speaks prophetically in referencing Abraham as one man who made a great impact through one word, “Obedience”. God used Abraham’s obedience to change a nation. What could God do through your obedience? What could your sacrificial gift, through Vision 2:28, make upon our community by providing “sacred spaces” so others may come to know Christ?

Edify: One of the greatest text on relationships in all the Bible is Ephesians 5:21 “And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ”. Submitting to one another, seeking to listen, to understand each other could change the entire way conversation and problems are resolved in our culture.

Practice: There is one word, one practice, which could revitalize individual relationships, and transform our communities if we observed it…”Empathy”. Seeking regularly to ask, “What is it like to walk in her shoes?” Or, “why does he act the way he does? Could it be some issue from his past?” If we began to think first about the other person instead of writing them off, we could make a huge impact in the divisiveness in our culture.

September 26

Isaiah 48:12-50:11, Ephesians 4:17-32, Psalm 69:1-18, Proverbs 24:5-6

Pray: Isaiah 48 begins today with a little sarcasm, “have your idols ever told you this?” This after Isaiah reminds the listener that the living God has created the heavens and the universe. This is the God we pray to, the One who knows the yearnings of our hearts and the One who hears every prayer. Take courage, and bring your needs to this powerful, life-giving God as you begin to read the Scripture.

Read: Paul’s words come through strongly with the teaching that Jesus’ life and words reveal to us both the wisdom and truth of God. The truth of Christ clears back the cloudiness of the culture, the ambiguity where you and I can be fully convicted of making the right choices. People often say, “Pastor I’m not sure which way to go?” Sometimes what we mean by that is this, “The way I am convicted by the Holy Spirit is going to cost me, it's hard, it's not the easiest way, and I may be unpopular in choosing what I’m convicted of choosing.” Then I would say, “this is precisely the way God has revealed to you, for His ways are not our ways, but His ways bring truth, justice, peace and the very presence of the Holy Spirit giving us strength. Choosing truth and righteousness will always bring ultimate peace in your heart and life.

Edify: Living as children of light, rather than people of darkness is Paul’s theme in our reading. Through the Holy Spirit we can put off the old nature of lust and deception, and live into God’s preferred future. I can’t do this on my own, nor can you. We need the Holy Spirit living within us helping us to literally change spiritual clothes. Taking off the old clothing of bitterness, anger, harsh words and changing the way we think. We can, through the Spirit of God, have more of the mind of Christ. 

Practice: If you can’t relate to the words of the Psalmist today then hang on, as I don’t know of anyone who will get an ultimate pass on life without saying these words at least once in her or his life, “Save me, O God, for the floodwaters are up to my neck.” Psalm 69:1 Life is hard, and the mud and mire seem to weigh us down. Yet, there is someone who lightens our load, someone who gets into the mire and the mud with us and brings hope out of our hopelessness. So, if you are not crying out with these words today then please, look around you and see if there is someone at your workplace, your school, your neighborhood, your family or friends who are “up to their neck” and need “words of life” with encouragement, compassion and support so they know they are not alone. The people of God are here to love and lift each other up with the “unfailing love of God”. Let's share this love with each other so no one will be without it.

September 25

Isaiah 45:11-48:11, Ephesians 4:1-16, Psalm 68:19-35, Proverbs 24:3-4 

Pray: False gods are everywhere. People often fake it just to get by. You don’t want to be a full blown skeptic but one does wonder, “Is anyone for real?” God’s Word tells us in Isaiah that there are false gods which bring no healing, no help and no transformation. But the God of Israel is a God for all nations. It really matters who you pray to. Why pray to something which is a mere inanimate object? Something that someone else made with his hands? An exercise in futility of course. But what can happen when you cry out to the Living God who created the heavens and the universe? Everything can change, everything can be made new. So pray now to this living God. Ask first that the Holy Spirit might open up new understanding for today’s scripture reading.

Read: There is nothing like clarity to bring energy to a room of people. When people feel that they clearly understand expectations, are called to a purpose beyond themselves and have some possible steps which may bring the plan into reality there is no stopping creativity and capacity of those involved. In one word—unity. A unified purpose, a unified goal and clarity unleashes strength and excitement. Vision 2:28 at Christ Church is that kind of exciting, clear, energetic mission which is bringing a unifying mission as we see God fulfill Joel 2:28 when he says, "I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions."

Edify: So many talents, so many gifts, so much potential yet so many people never reach their full potential because they think their full potential is within their own achievement instead of helping others reach theirs! Paul tells us that Jesus descended to earth from heaven. He left heaven to enable us to achieve greatness. He made Himself poor so we could become rich in God. John Maxwell is right in saying “if you are going to go up in life you have to give up.” Lastly, we are called not to think more highly of ourselves than we should think. When we help others to achieve their God given potential we reach our destination with greater fulfillment. You and I can do more with multiplication than addition.

Practice: The psalmist reminds us that God is found in the “sanctuary”. The writer of the Psalm isn’t saying that God is limited to the sanctuary, but God does dwell in the place where His praise and adoration are presented regularly. Sacred space is vital for people who are serious about encountering God. Christ Church is focusing upon creating sacred spaces so we can put a stake in the ground to help people far from God encounter Jesus Christ. What can you do sacrificially to make Vison 2:28 a reality? Pray now so God will find you faithful, doing your part.  

September 24

 Isaiah 43:14-45:10, Ephesians 3:1-21, Psalm 68:1-18,Proverbs 24:1-2

Pray: Isaiah 44:21 says, “Pay attention, O Jacob, for you are my servant, O Israel. I the Lord made you, and I will not forget you.” Are you paying attention? Get quiet and pay attention to the One who made you. Who is He? What is He up to in and around you?

Read: It’s one thing to get excited about the faithful works of God in the past. However, the Lord shows His excitement about His plans, culminating in the person and work of Jesus Christ. As you read, rejoice in God’s plan revealed, and what He still intends to do.

Edify: The God revealed in Isaiah is the One who shakes the mountains and whose word is stronger than the world’s strongest army. The fullness of God was pleased to dwell in Christ Jesus, who has now made a way for both Jews and Gentiles to come confidently before His throne (Ephesians 3:12). This should bring us to our knees as Paul says in verse 14. Has the plan of God and the love of God made most clear in Jesus Christ brought you on your knees in prayer? How has this good news been good enough news for you to intercede passionately for others to experience the gospel’s love and power?

Practice: Hit your knees in intercessory prayer in a new place. Hit your knees behind a closed door at work, in a field at a neighborhood park, or anywhere God overwhelms you today. And pray Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3:14-21 over others.

September 23

Isaiah 41:17-43:13, Ephesians 2:1-22, Psalm 67:1-7, Proverbs 23:29-35



Pray: In Isaiah, God commands, “Look at my servant…my chosen one” (Isaiah 42:1). In prayer, ask God for a vision of His Son. See His face, His features, and the lines on His face. Imagine sitting with Jesus. Ask God for the gift through His Spirit to look at His chosen servant Jesus.

Read: What do the texts today reveal about the true nature of justice? Justice is a hot button word in our culture currently, but what does God mean by saying that Jesus will bring justice to the nations?

Edify: Isaiah reiterated yesterday that justice is rooted in the very nature of God, as it is a meaningful part of what it means for God to set His world right. This is shown by God giving His very law to measure what is right with, and there are constant warnings to God’s people to avoid exploitation and instead care for the vulnerable. God defends when His people are vulnerable, and God demands they be like Him in the way they treat others. The work of Jesus has united even Gentiles with God’s salvation plan, making peace and reconciling them with the Jews. This is the Good News that Gentiles, who were once not allowed in the temple, are citizens with God’s Holy people through who God is building His spiritual temple.

Practice: Think of someone who is vulnerable and take one small step towards providing for them today. Further, if you’re in a life group, go ahead and begin making plans this week to serve the poor, a single mom, someone in the hospital, etc.