Being molded by Someone else isn’t always comfortable. We always have more “grand” ideas as to what we should look like or do. We end up trying to help God in forming our own image. Continue reading “Ready to be molded”
Tag: Isaiah
Praying the prayers of Zion
The Lord has me praying and meditating through Isa. 60-61 and other places in the latter part of Isaiah. The past couple of days have been in Isa. 61. Continue reading “Praying the prayers of Zion”
Prevailing Prayer and Adoration
No matter the condition on earth, the action in heaven is worship. Continue reading “Prevailing Prayer and Adoration”
Rituals don’t matter without the heart
It is Advent and I like to follow this reading guide for reading in this time of year. Continue reading “Rituals don’t matter without the heart”
You are thirsty. Come here.
There is a spiritual thirst. There is a spiritual hunger. I long for my life, and the life of my church, to reflect the position of spiritual travelers who have simply found fresh water and good bread. We journey together. Let this be place of refreshing. A place to settle in and ask questions. A place to explore. A chance for a weary soul to realize what real water can taste like. Lord, let us be this place!
Let the thirsty come. For the thirsty, please don’t delay. Hear the great invitation.
“Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.
Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and you will delight in the richest of fare.
Give ear and come to me;
listen, that you may live.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
my faithful love promised to David.
See, I have made him a witness to the peoples,
a ruler and commander of the peoples.
Surely you will summon nations you know not,
and nations you do not know will come running to you,
because of the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel,
for he has endowed you with splendor.”
Praying to see what is new
Our church is moving into a critical time. The transitions are huge. We desperately need to hear the voice of the Lord. We are preparing our hearts to listen even more intently.
A couple of verses this morning drew my attention as I read again through Isaiah:
From now on I will tell you of new things,
of hidden things unknown to you. (Isa. 48:6b)This is what the Lord says—
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
“I am the Lord your God,
who teaches you what is best for you,
who directs you in the way you should go.” (Isa. 48:17)
I pray for listening ears in the life of our church. I ask for boldness in our spirits as we step into uncharted waters! HE knows the way!
Advent and worship
Isaiah 1:10-20 can be a reminder… SHOULD be a reminder of HOW we come before the Lord.
In all honesty, I think we need to evaluate our worship in this light. There are times I think the American evangelical church just comes with noise and thinks it’s worship. Are we coming with our hearts and lives ready to HEAR from heaven… and then respond?
12 When you come to appear before me,
who has asked this of you,
this trampling of my courts?
13 Stop bringing meaningless offerings!
Your incense is detestable to me.
New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations—
I cannot bear your worthless assemblies.
14 Your New Moon feasts and your appointed festivals
I hate with all my being.
They have become a burden to me;
I am weary of bearing them.
15 When you spread out your hands in prayer,
I hide my eyes from you;
even when you offer many prayers,
I am not listening.
Your hands are full of blood!
16 Wash and make yourselves clean.
Take your evil deeds out of my sight;
stop doing wrong.
17 Learn to do right; seek justice.
Defend the oppressed.
Take up the cause of the fatherless;
plead the case of the widow. (Isaiah 1:12-17)
