Hearing God In Isaiah 1 (July 14)

Gracious God Calls to Repentance.   Inspiring Hymn: Jesus Paid It All

What do u do when pastor rambles
on too long? Elvina Hall wrote a
hymn (1865). Seated in the choir
at the Monument Street Methodist
Church Baltimore, she wrote the
stanzas on the flyleaf of the hymnal.
The composer of the well-known
tune was John Crape, the organist
and choir director of the church.
He had called the tune “All to
Christ I Owe”. It was the pastor
George Schrick who put the words
and tune together, and she added
the chorus to fit with his tune title.

Lord, Grateful You Make Us Clean:
Even though you make
many prayers, I will not hear,
your hands are full of blood.
Wash yourselves, make yourselves
clean… Cease to do evil, learn
to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke
the oppressors (Isa 1:15-17).
Come now, and let us reason
together, says the Lord,
Though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
they shall be as wool (Isaiah 1:18).
If you are willing and obedient,
you shall eat the good of the land;
But if you refuse & rebel, you shall
be devoured by the sword (v19-20).

Lord, what an amazing promise
that You are willing to cleanse
any and every kind of sin. No act is
too awful, too big, too outrageous.
Even that sin, that unspeakable
thought, motive & act is forgiveable.
What an incredible Saviour You are!
Thank You for dealing fully and
finally with our sins. Thank You for
forgiveness in Christ’s name, Amen.

Lord, we’re grateful for Your Grace.
Nothing stains quite as sin, for
it not only leaves a stain in our
heart but a residue in our minds.
By Your grace You don’t just forgive
our sins, You banish them; the stain
is removed & the guilt taken away.
We are fully clean by Your grace.
O what peace Your grace gives us
We can never really thank You
and praise You enough. Amen.

Lord, grateful that You do not see
my sins, but You see me righteous
because of the work of Your Son. 
Thanks for Your loving kindness &
I want to eat the good of the land.
Help me reason with You & really
appreciate Your love and mercy.
Help me Lord follow the Holy Spirit
so that I will remain obedient. And
Help me have deep gratitude to
You for Jesus Paid It All. Amen.

Lord, now indeed I find
Thy pow’r, and Thine alone,
Can change the leper’s spots
And melt the heart of stone.
Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.
For nothing good have I
Whereby Thy grace to claim;
I’ll wash my garments white
In the blood of Calv’ry’s Lamb.
Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

Thought for the Week: Luke 12

Be Ready for Return of Christ

Seventy disciples are sent out to
heal the sick & say: The kingdom
of God has come near to you.
Their enthusiastic return prompts
Jesus to rejoice in praise to God;
but confrontation is gathering.
Some attribute His miracles to
Satan rather than God. Others
clamour for more miraculous signs.
And Jesus denounces the religious
leaders for their hypocrisy and
warns the disciples to Be Watchful.

Lord, we’ll Be Ready for Your Return:
Do not seek what you should
eat or what you should drink,
nor have an anxioys mind. For…
your Father knows that you need
these things. But seek the kingdom
of God, and all these things shall
be added to you (Luke 12:29-31).
Be dressed for service and
well-prepared, as though you
were waiting for your master to
return from the wedding feast…
There will be Special Favour
for those who Are Ready and
waiting for His Return (v35-38).
Be Ready, for the Son of Man
is coming at an hour you do not
expect… Who then is that faithful
and wise steward?… Blessed is that
servant whom his master will find
so doing when He comes (v40-43).

Lord, help us to set aside anxieties
about our daily needs, and instead
seek first the Kingdom of God.
We acknowledge Lord that You
know very well what we need,
and we trust in Your provision.
Grant that our focus be on living
in accordance with Your will. And
as we seek Your kingdom, all other
things will be added to us. Amen.

Lord, observed Your promise
of Special Favour for those who
are Prepared for Your return.
I desire to be faithful in Your eyes,
to please You in everything; and
purpose to be ready for Your return.
Living ready is much dependent
on giving ourselves in prayer.
Draw me Lord to be connected
with You regularly each day. Amen.

Lord, Your word reminds us of the
importance of being prepared for
Your return. We acknowledge that
we do not know the day and we ask
for Your guidance to live each day in
a state of readiness & watchfulness. 
Grant us wisdom Lord to discern
Your will and to faithfully fulfill the
assignments you’ve entrusted to us.
Help us Lord to be faithful servants,
diligently working in Your vineyard
until You return. In Jesus’ name.