The purpose of the prophetic book of Isaiah is to call the nation of Judah back to God and to tell of God’s salvation thru the Messiah. The 39 chapters in the first half of Isaiah generally carry the message of judgment for sin. Isaiah’s warnings were intended to purify the people by helping them understand God’s true nature.
On Mon, we learn from Isaiah 1 that Christ Jesus Paid It All. On Tues, we learn from Isaiah 6 that God Reveals and Calls You. On Wed, we learn from Isaiah 7 that Immanuel God Is With Us. On Thurs, we learn from Isaiah 9 that Lord Almighty Provides Needs. On Friday, we learn from Isaiah 25 that God Shelters Us from Storm. On Saturday, we learn from Isa 30 that God Strengthens & Directs Us.
Let us humble ourselves and pray and seek His face. Help us O God be Christ’s disciples who Adore You: For You are worthy of our Praise as You Immanuel God are With Us and that You Reveal and Call Us; For You are Worthy of our Thanks as You Lord Almighty Provides Needs & Christ Jesus Paid It All; For You Shelter Us from Storm as well as Strengthen & Direct us. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
Isaiah’s prophecies begin to focus on the approach of the Assyrians. Ephraim (northern kingdom) reels like a drunkard, oblivious to the danger & falsely confident in Egypt to deliver her in time of trouble. Ariel (Jerusalem, symbol of the southern kingdom) stands next in line for judgment if her citizens follow Ephraim’s sorry example by relying upon Egypt for protection.
Lord, You Strengthen & Direct Us: This is what the Sovereign Lord says: In repentance & rest is your salvation, in quietness and Trust is your Strength (Isaiah 30:15). The Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore He will rise up to show you compassion. Blessed are all Who Wait for Him… He will be very gracious to you at the sound of your cry; When He hears it, He will answer you (v18-19) Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying: This is the Way, Walk in it (v21).
Lord, forgive me for trusting in anyone or anything but You. Give me wisdom to see a satisfying life is possible only when I look to U. Sensitive my spirit to Your voice; for I have set my heart to listen to You. And I set aside my anxieties, plans and impatience to hear from You. So in my quietness, be my Strength; & grant me grace to Trust You.Amen
Lord, thanks for being true & faithful and that You are Waiting to show me love and compassion. Forgive me for looking elsewhere for help; and acting as though I am in charge. Lord, You reward those who seek You and I want to turn to You. Give me Lord the resolve, courage and the tenacity to Wait for You. And Strengthen my faith to see Your faithfulness in my life. Amen.
Lord, Your Will is a place of safety for me and I need to know I need am headed in the right direction. Speak to me Lord about Your Will so that I can aspire to walk in it. Help me hear Your voice telling me what to do, how to do, when to do, especially on important decisions. For I long to hear from You Lord: Walk this way; walk in it. Amen.p
In Isaiah 24-27, Isaiah steps back to survey the landscape and what he sees causes him to respond in jubilation. Earth and heaven experience God’s sifting judgment. The redeemed ones, vindicated at last, break forth in spontaneous song, exalting the Lord. Though downcast, the people of God now have something worth singing about refuge, deliverance and ultimate triumph in the Holy One of Israel.
O Lord, You are my God. I will exalt You, I will praise Yr name, For You have done wonderful things. You planned them long ago, and now You hv accomplished them (Isa 25:1) For You have been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat (v4). You, Lord God, will swallow up death forever, and You will wipe away the tears from every face; You will remove the reproach of Your people from the earth. And it will be said in that day: Behold, this is our God; we have waited for Him and He will save us. This is the LORD; we have waited for Him; we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation (Isaiah 25:8-9).
Lord, You truly do wonderful things; bringing to my mind the good You have caused in my life, so that I can fully praise and honour Your name. I humbly thank You for being our refuge, for protection and silencing the mean people around me. And thank You Lord for all that You plan to accomplish through me for Your kingdom. Amen.
Lord, by faith I make You my Shelter, accept Your protective presence and receive all other blessings You offer. Grow my faith O Lord to be as big as the gifts You want to give. And after experiencing You Lord, I will declare to everyone those wonderful things You have done. I love & adore You Lord for You’re more precious than anything. Amen
Lord, Your word affirms that we will rise from death and that death is not the end of existence. We praise You because You are the resurrection and the life; and those who believe in You’ll never die, at least not in the ultimate sense. Thank You Lord for the hope of the gospel; for because of You, death has indeed lost its sting. In Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.
In the face of trouble and anguish, Isaiah proclaims a note of hope. The people that walked in darkness have seen A Great Light (Isa 9:2). There is coming a Child whose very names instil hope and confidence. Though shadows of judgment darken the horizon, the redeemed ones can sing, for the ultimate victory is already assured.
Lord, You’re Everything We Need: Time of darkness will not go on forever… The people who walk in darkness will see A Great Light… For God will break the chains that binds His people… For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given… And His name will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. … He will reign over His Kingdom, establishing and upholding it… The Passionate Commitment and zeal of the Lord Almighty will guarantee this! (Isa 9:1-7) Amen.
Lord Jesus, we claim Isaiah 9:6 that says: Nothing will stand in Your way; & nothing is outside Your authority. We pray for resilience in hard times; for we know that it is through trial that people grow and mature. But in Your mercy, don’t test beyond what we can bear. And grant us grace to live in peace and favour of break- through for a new season. Amen.
Lord Jesus, You are our Prince of Peace. Help us learn to rest in You, to draw near to You in good times and bad. Thank You for the promise of deliverance & victory over trials. In tough times teach me Lord to look to You and to lean on You. And make me a good example of Your supernatural peace; for You are my Peace. Amen.
Lord, help me to join You at work to further Your Kingdom on earth. Help me display Your character as well as demonstrate Your way. Teach me Lord to trust in Your zeal for my life and to know that Your purposes cannot be stopped. Expand Lord Your kingdom in me; and let me feel Your passion for me and for Your purposes. Amen.
Isaiah’s national call for repentance is so urgent that even his personal call and commission to prophetic office must wait until chapter 6. The task set before Isaiah is an unenviable one, for God promises from the start that the people will be spiritually deaf & nearsighted. But armed with confidence in his Immanuel, Isaiah begins to declare harsh words from on high in the courts and palaces of Judah.
All Praise be to Immanuel: The Lord spoke again to Ahaz saying: Ask a sign for yourself from the Lord your God… Then Isaiah said: Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God also? Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call his name Immanuel (Isa 7:10-14)
Lord, forgive us for seeking signs as indications of Your direction and as a basis for our faith in You. We realize that You God intends to nurture in us a faith and a trust that don’t require external support. Help us develop the kind of faith that rests solely on Your character, especially that of your Faithfulness. But Lord in Your tender mercies, please do not test us beyond what we are able to bear. Amen.
Lord Immanuel, God with us. The perfect being – the Creator of all things, chose to dwell among us. Lord, You are fully God but also fully man & You took on the sin of all humanity to offer us salvation. You the Lord of lords and the King of kings – the humble King, who came to reveal the heart and character of Father to us. Amen.
Lord ,strengthen Your followers to live lives that reflect Your glory & point people to U as God with us. May Your name spread in such a way as to draw people to You. May we experience You more fully and intimately each day. May You not be to us a distant God, but truly know You as God with us. And May I know You as Immanuel, God with me. In Jesus’ name. Amen
God Reveals & Calls You Inspiring Here I Am Lord !!
When The United Methodist Hymnal was published in 1989, one of the most popular hymns was Here I Am, Lord by Daniel Schutte (born 1947). Many Protestants are unaware that this hymn expresses Roman Catholic renewal music resulting from the Second Vatican Council (1962-65). The hymn was inspired by Isaiah 6:8: I heard the voice of the Lord saying: Whom shall I send; and who will go for Us? Then I said: Here am I, send me. Schutte received his master of divinity degree in 1979 at Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley. Following graduation,Schutte served as director of liturgy at Marquette Univ (1982-86) and entered parish ministry in two Milwaukee parishes.
Lord, we offer our lives to You: In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high & lifted up… And one seraphim cried to another… Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory… The posts of the door was shaken… and the house was filled with smoke (Isa 6:1-4). So I said: Woe is me… Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in midst of people of unclean lips. For my eyes have seen the King, The Lord of Hosts. Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal from the altar. And he touched my mouth with it and said: Your iniquity is taken away. And your sin purged (v5-7). Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: Whom shall I send. And who will go for US. Then I said: Here am I, send me (Isa 6:8).
Lord, we praise You that You are Sitting on the Throne. And by faith I proclaim that You reign over all. You are In Control and everyone and everything is subject to You. When my faith is weak and I am tempted to despair, because of challenges, remind me that You are still in charge. Give me a fresh vision of Your kingship over the whole world. And I ask for Your protection for all mankind & especially Your children. Amen.
Lord, as I sense Your holy presence, I am aware of my own unworthiness. That makes me even more grateful for how much You sacrificed for us, so that I can come to Your throne to find mercy & grace in time of need. Touch me and purify me, and help me to separate myself from all that is unholy and unpleasing to You. And help me have a tender heart to respond positively to Your plan so that I’ll do the good works that You have prepared for me. Amen.
I, the Lord of sea and sky I have heard My people cry All who dwell in dark and sin My hand will save. I who made the stars of night I will make the darkness bright Who will bear My light to them Whom shall I send? Here I am Lord; Is it I Lord? I have heard You calling in the night I will go Lord; If You lead me I will hold Your people in my heart!
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 joy Your grace gives us merciful God! We can never really thank You and praise You enough. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
Lord, Thank You that You do not see my sins, rather You see me righteous because of the work of Your precious son, Jesus Christ. 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 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.
It is now in the final week of Jesus’ earthly life. In the city of Jerusalem, there’s excitement of the feast days -some preparing to welcome a King, while others preparing for execution. Jesus draws battle lines by driving the money-changers fr the temple. From then on, the religious leaders double their efforts to trap Him. Though His hour of anguish draws near, Jesus continues the activities that have characterised His ministry: teaching, healing and affirming.
Lord, we will also Seek the Lost: Then Zacchaeus said to the Lord: Look, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I’ve taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold. Jesus responded: Salvation has come to this home… And I the Son of Man, have come to seek and save those like him who are lost (Luke 19:8-10). The multitude of disciples began to rejoice and praise God: Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Some Pharisees… said: Teacher, rebuke Your followers for saying things like that! (Jesus) replied: If they kept quiet,the stones would burst into cheers (v39-40). Jesus entered the Temple & began to drive out the people selling animals for sacrifices. He said: The Scripture declare: My Temple will be a house of prayer (v45-46).
Lord, You reached out to Zacchaeus even when others despised him. Thank You Lord for seeking and saving all those who are lost. Open our eyes to the despised that we might see them and reach out. Help us to look beneath the surface to the person created in Your image. Help us have burden for the lost and befriend those seeking You. Amen.
Lord, thank You for tender mercies and great sacrificial love for us. Grateful for the Holy Spirit and Your Word that teaches & guides us. We just cannot be quiet and keep our love for You hidden within us. Just as Your disciples called out Your name, we will also praise You for we serve a really amazing and wonderful Lord and Saviour. Amen.
Lord, You want Your church to be a people of prayer; and not just supplication, but also adoration, confession and thanksgiving. Forgive us for being distracted and neglecting prayer in both our personal and community life. Restore us to spiritual awakening and grant us a heart of prayer for the lost; for people need the Lord. In Christ’s name for His glory. Amen.
The purpose of the gospel of Luke is to present an accurate account of the life of Christ and to present Him as the perfect human and Savior. This week, we see Christ modelling compassion, care & faithfulness; and the importance of sharing the gospel & furthering kingdom of God.
On Mon, we learn from Lk 10 that God Gives Authority to Witness. On Tues, we learn from Lk 11 that God Answers Persistent Prayers. On Wed, we learn from Luke 14 that Christ Models Compassion. On Thursday, we learn from Luke 17 that Christ Urges Faith & Gratitude. On Friday, we learn from Luke 19 that Christ Seeks & Saves the Lost. On Saturday, we learn from Luke 22 that Christ Cares for His Disciples.
Let us humble ourselves and pray and seek His face. Help us O God be Christ’s disciples who Adore You: For You are worthy to be Praised as You Give Authority to Witness as well as Seek & Save the Lost; For You are Worthy of our Thanks as You Christ Models Compassion as well as Cares for His disciples; For You Urge Faith & Gratitude as well as Answer Persistent Prayers. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
Backgrounder to Luke 22-24: Luke provides a full account of the arrest, trial and crucifixion of the Son of Man. He describes the plot of Judas, the warm fellowship of the Last Supper, the mental anguish at Gethsemane, the tragic denial by Peter, the miscarriage of justice at the trials & the brutal agony of the Roman execution. But the dark days give way to the first Easter morning when angels announce: He’s risen.
Lord, we will be In Your Presence: Then Jesus & the 12 apostles sat together at the table. Jesus said: I have looked forward to this hour with Deep Longing, anxious to eat this Passover Meal With You before my suffering begins (Lk 22:14-15) And the Lord said: Simon Simon! Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed that your Faith May Not Fail. (v31-32). (Jesus prayed): Father if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I Want Your Will, not mine. (v41-42)
Lord Jesus, You’ve done so much for us; yet sometimes we think we have nothing to offer You. The thought that You Long for my friendship is quite overwhelming and You have given me so much. Grateful that You want to be with me & I also love to be in Your presence. Draw me Lord to devote a portion of each day to commune with U. Amen
Lord Jesus, I pray my Faith Will Not Fail when I am put to the test. Help me Lord to resist doubt and fear so that my foundation will be built solidly in Christ and therefore will not crumble. Enable me to be a person who can strengthen the faith of others because my Faith In You is strong. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
O Jesus, thanks for obeying Father’s wish that night at Gethsemane. Sometimes we need to be reminded that we shld share in Your suffering just as we like to share in Your joy. Realise Lord the road You choose for me will not always be easy. Help me remember that to love You is to obey You; and help me Choose the Father’s Will in my life. Amen.
