PRAYERS

Key Thought In Genesis 1, we find that the "Spirit of God was hovering over" the primordial deep waiting for God's word to bring the work of creation to completion. So when Isaiah talks about God as Creator, he refers to the Spirit of the Lord. As beings created by the Spirit of the Lord, we are finite. While we can understand many things about our created universe, there are many more truths about our universe that remain shrouded in mystery. The Spirit of the Lord doesn't need our advice...

Illustration of Psalm 147:5-6 — How great is our Lord! His power is absolute! His understanding is beyond comprehension! The Lord supports the humble, but he brings the wicked down into the dust.

Thoughts on Today's Verse... At one time or another, most of us raised an angry fist to fate and cursed the darkness. Each of these actions is equally ineffective. To deny the existence of God is something else altogether. To rob heaven of God is to rob ourselves of grace, hope, and future. How foolish to forget that behind a Creation of wonder, order, variety, beauty, power, and pattern is the Grand Creator. He is far greater than his handiwork, and we dare not ignore, deny, or dismiss...

Illustration of Proverbs 16:21 (KJV) — A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.

Key Thought Over the last few months, we have repeatedly been reminded that the Holy Spirit lives in the follower of Christ. Without the Spirit living in us, we don't belong to Christ and cannot live for God. Without the Spirit, we will not be transformed to become like Christ. What's more, real prayer happens only because of the Spirit's work in our hearts. Now, this last verse today goes a step beyond what we've seen to this point: We can not truly understand the message of God - the...

Illustration of Psalm 147:1 — Praise the Lord! How good to sing praises to our God! How delightful and how fitting!

Thoughts on Today's Verse... As we did yesterday, today we look at one of Isaiah's four Servant Songs (Isaiah 42:1-9, 49:1-7, 50:4-9, 52:13-53:12) that speak of the coming of God's servant Messiah, whom we know as Jesus, our Lord and Savior. I don't know how Jesus could stand up under the weight of his divine assignment as Messiah and Suffering Servant, but he did for you and me. This servant song (Isaiah 52:13-53:12) emphasizes what Jesus endured and carried, along with the weight of his...

Key Thought True prophecy - the word of God put into the hearts of his servants - didn't arise in the hearts of the prophets. God planted it there and their words brought the word of God to people because the prophets were being moved by the Holy Spirit to speak the words they shared. As we read the words of these prophets and God's prophecy, we are struck with all sorts of emotions: Admiration for their bravery. Appreciation for their willingness to be used by God. Amazement because the...

Psalm 145:17-18 - Heartlight

Thoughts on Today's Verse... We can be forgiven of our sins, all of them, forever. That's great news, but there's even better news. We can be purified of any stain or residue from our past sins. You and I can say, "I am forgiven and purified" - pure as if I had never sinned!" That's incredible: not only am I forgiven, but I'm also made clean and new again! Not only can I have a fresh start, but I can also have a clean slate. This gift is ours when we are honest with ourselves and with God...

Illustration of Proverbs 13:7 (KJV) — There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.

Who is like you among the gods, O LORD — glorious in holiness, awesome in splendor, performing great wonders? — Exodus 15:11

Illustration of Proverbs 22:2 (KJV) — The rich and poor meet together: the Lord is the maker of them all.

Streams of blessing.