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. 

September 22

Isaiah 39:1-41:16, Ephesians 1:1-23, Psalm 66:1-20, Proverbs 23:25-28



Pray: “No one can comprehend the depth of the Lord’s understanding” of all life and specifically of your life. Be humbled and praise the One who calls the stars in the sky by name for taking an interest in you.

Read: Focus on the connection between the great promises of God in Isaiah and the explanation of their fulfillment in Ephesians. 

Edify: We’re good at making plans. We envision the coming week, month, or several years and project our assumptions, our hopes, and our fears into our plan of our future. Paul says that God’s plan will be fulfilled as everything is brought under the authority of Christ. The glory of the Lord revealed as Isaiah pointed to has come in Christ, and He has come offering forgiveness of sins and with a shepherd’s heart. Our fears and uncertainties bring anxiety, but God promises that He will hold us in His mighty hand and give us renewed strength. When this strong promise is seen in the light of Christ, we have a confident hope of every spiritual blessing available and the great inheritance we have in store.

Practice: One of the great promises of God of gathering His people together in a transformed community is now worked out in the world through His Church. Paul even says that Christ’s authority is for the very benefit of the Church, who is His body. Commit today to taking one step towards His Church which plays a prominent role in His salvation plan through giving, serving, life groups, leadership, or prayer.

September 21

Isaiah 37:1-38:22, Galatians 6:1-18, Psalm 65:1-13, Proverbs 23:24 



Pray: Spend some time in adoration. Join the Psalmist in telling the Lord who He is, what He has done, and what He is capable of doing.

Read: Imagine giving your final advice to someone you care about as Paul is here to the Galatians. What would you want them to remember? What legacy would you want to leave behind when you’re no longer present with them? Like Paul, what would you write in “large print” so that the important message was stressed and hard to ignore?

Edify: Last words are frequently recorded in the grand narrative of God’s story in the Scriptures. From Joshua’s mountain top speech claiming “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord;” to Jesus before His ascension urging His followers to wait to receive power from on high then “you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere – in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Paul is imparting grace in the Lord Jesus Christ in the face of false teachers imposing physical circumcision on them. They have been crucified with Christ, and now they are a transformed creation. Paul imparts in large, handwritten letters that it is Christ alone who can save. We simply respond in faith and are saved by grace, so that no one can boast.

Practice: What do you need to tell someone in your next encounter? What seed do you need to stop procrastinating with and sow it already? Do it today. Impart wisdom, biblical guidance, and most importantly the gospel while you still have the opportunity.

September 20

Isaiah 33:10-36:22, Galatians 5:13-26, Psalm 64:1-10, Proverbs 23:23 



Pray: Welcome the Holy Spirit into this set apart time today. It is the Spirit who “gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires” (Galatians 5:17). Ask God to search and even replace the core desires of your heart that drive your words, thoughts, decisions, and actions.

Read: Isaiah instructs us to “search the book of the Lord, and see what he will do…(what) the Lord has promised…His Spirit will make it all come true” (Isaiah 34:16).  Read with great anticipation of God revealing His character and His plans.

Edify: Isaiah speaks of two forces constantly fighting one another at a national level. There are nations and Assyria mocking and threatening Israel, however there’s that voice of the sovereign Lord promising He will overcome the other nations and restore Israel. God speaks of the “Highway of Holiness” that the ransomed people of God will travel safely back through what was a barren land. Paul shows us that this promise points not only to a nation's history, but also to the condition of the human heart while sin nature has left us barren and on a path to destruction. The Holy Spirit has made a Highway of Holiness, ransomed back and restored our lives, and has brought about the fruit of the Spirit in what was barren. “Let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives!” (Galatians 5:25). 

Practice: Invite someone you trust in your family or life group to read Galatians 5:16-26 and invite them to assess the results of your life. Have you been prone to outbursts of anger or other results of the sinful nature? Is there evidence of gentleness, kindness, self-control, love etc? Pray together for the Spirit’s work in your life, redeeming your desires, and your willingness to obediently walk in His ways.