TODAY’S DAILY READING: Isaiah 11-12 & Philippians 3
Old Testament: Isaiah 11- Peace

Isaiah 11:6-7
“The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze; their young ones shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.”
In beautiful, poetic fashion, Isaiah… Read More

Isaiah 12- The Well Of Salvation 

Isaiah 12:3-4
“Therefore with joy you will draw water
From the wells of salvation.
And in that day you will say:
“Praise the Lord, call upon His name;
Declare His deeds among the peoples,
Make mention that His name is exalted.”
Isaiah paints a beautiful picture to… Read More

New Testament: Philippians 3- Beware Of Dogs 

Philippians 3:2
“Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation!”

Warning signs are all around us, cautioning us to beware of potential hazards. These signs warn the floor is slippery, the curve, sharp, the beam is low, or the dog is mean. As I sit here writing, my teacup reads, “Careful, the beverage you are about to enjoy is extremely hot.” Which seems obvious to me, since I did not order an iced drink. On the beaches in our community, there are signs warning of what to do in case of a… Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Isaiah 9-10 & Philippians 2
Old Testament: Isaiah 9- When He Comes

Isaiah 9:6
“For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder,
And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor,
Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

This is one of the most well known… Read More

Isaiah 10- Improved

Isaiah 10:20-21
“And it shall come to pass in that day, That the remnant of Israel, and such as have escaped of the house of Jacob, will never again depend on him who defeated them, but will depend on the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, in truth. The remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob, to the Mighty God.”… Read More

New Testament: Philippians 2- Others

Philippians 2:17-18
“Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.”

Prior to the death and resurrection… Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Isaiah 7-8 & Philippians 1
Old Testament: Isaiah 7- Great Promises
Isaiah 7:2
‘And it was told to the house of David, saying, “Syria’s forces are deployed in Ephraim.” So his heart and the heart of his people were moved as the trees of the woods are moved with the wind.”‘
… Read More
Isaiah 8- We’re Watching

Isaiah 8:18
“Here am I and the children whom the Lord has given me! We are for signs and wonders in Israel from the Lord of hosts, Who dwells in Mount Zion.”

Isaiah understood something about his life, which is often forgotten… Read More

New Testament: Philippians 1- What Happened To Me?

Philippians 1:12-14
“But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.”

As Paul is writing this letter to the church in Philippi, he is chained to a soldier and sitting in a Roman … Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Isaiah 5-6 & Ephesians 6
Old Testament: Isaiah 5- Expanding 

Isaiah 5:14
“Therefore Shoel has enlarged itself
And opened its mouth beyond measure;
Their glory and their multitude and pomp,
And he who is jubilant, shall descend into it.”

Sheol is an Old Testament word for the abode of the wicked in death. The New Testament uses the words… Read More
Isaiah 6- Then He Said Go

Isaiah 6:7-9
“Your iniquity is taken away, And your sin purged.’
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.’
And He said, ‘Go…’”

Isaiah 6 is perhaps most well known for what Isaiah saw. He records, in the year… Read More

New Testament: Ephesians 6- Battleground

Ephesians 6:14-18
“Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of … Read More 

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Isaiah 3-4 & Ephesians 5
Old Testament: Isaiah 3- Leading The Way

Isaiah 3:12
“…O My people! Those who lead you cause you to err, and destroy the way of your paths.”

Isaiah is warning of coming judgment. The people had left the ways of God; perhaps thinking the… Read More

Isaiah 4- The Branch

Isaiah 4:2
“In that day the Branch of the Lord shall be beautiful and glorious; And the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and appealing for those of Israel who have escaped.”

“The Branch of the Lord” is a messianic title, meaning it is a description of Jesus… Read More

New Testament: Ephesians 5- Love Walks

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Isaiah 1-2 & Ephesians 4
Old Testament: Isaiah 1- Let’s Make A Deal

Isaiah 1:18
“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.”

If it were possible to travel back to the time of Isaiah, I think we would be surprised by… Read More
Isaiah 2- The War Is Over

Isaiah 2:4
“He shall judge between the nations, and rebuke many people; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.”

Tragically, God is blamed.. Read More
Ephesians 4- Church

Ephesians 4:11-12
“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ”

The Church was designed by God, purchased with the blood of Christ, birthed by the work… Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Song Of Songs 7-8 & Ephesians 3
Old Testament: Song Of Songs 7- Roses Are Red

Song of Songs 7:1
“How beautiful are your feet in sandals, O prince’s daughter!”

Song of Solomon is like a series of love letters between Solomon and his bride, designed to express the great love they have for one… Read More

Song Of Songs 8- Strong Love

Song of Songs 8:7
“Many waters cannot quench love, nor can the floods drown it. If a man would give for love all the wealth of his house, it would be utterly despised.”

There are a host of strong motivators that drive a person to action. Fear of what may come will often lead a person to behave in an… Read More

New Testament: Ephesians 3- Exceedingly Abundantly 

Ephesians 3:20
“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us”

Prayer is the great privilege of the Christian. With it, we are given access to the throne of God. Every… Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Song Of Songs 3-4 & Ephesians 1
Old Testament: Song Of Songs 3- The Honeymoon Experience

Song of Songs 3:11
“Go forth, O daughters of Zion,
And see King Solomon with the crown
With which his mother crowned him
On the day of his wedding,
The day of the gladness… Read More
Song Of Songs 4- My Love

Song of Songs 4:7
“You are all fair, my love, and there is no spot in you.”

In addition to being a love story, Song of Solomon also illustrates the love God has for us. Perhaps, nowhere is that more evident than in this verse. It has been stated, love is blind; because when two people are truly in love they… Read More

New Testament: Ephesians 1- Apostle’s Prayer

Ephesians 1:16
“I do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers . . .”

Prayer is the place where we express our greatest desires. It is at the Throne of Grace our hearts pour out their deepest cries to God. Paul spoke… Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Song Of Songs 1-2 & Galatians 6
Old Testament: Song Of Songs 1- You Are Beautiful

Song of Songs 1:6
“Do not look upon me, because I am dark, Because the sun has tanned me. My mother’s sons were angry with me; They made me the keeper of the vineyards, But my own vineyard I have not kept.”
The Song of Solomon is a poetic drama. It tells the story of a love…Read More

Song of Songs 2- Don’t Wake That Up

Song of Songs 2:7
“I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or by the does of the field, do not stir up nor awaken love until it pleases.”

Song of Solomon is a poetic love story between Solomon and a young Shulamite woman. Throughout the story, we read of their passionate expressions … Read More
New Testament: Galatians 6- Avoiding Opposition

Galatians 6:12
“As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.”

Galatia was located northwest of Syria. It was a region consisting of such places as Tarsus, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe. It was the location of Paul’s first missionary… Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Ecclesiastes 11-12 & Galatians 5
Old Testament: Ecclesiastes 11- Whatever You Want

Ecclesiastes 11:9
“…Walk in the ways of your heart, And in the sight of your eyes; But know that for all these God will bring you into judgment.”

It is not uncommon for a person to go from church to church, and pastor to pastor, until they receive the counsel they want to hear; instead of the counsel they need to hear. I have known people to leave the church… Read More

Ecclesiastes 12- It’s Science 

Ecclesiastes 12:13
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all.”

The book of Ecclesiastes is a bit like an experiment. Solomon looked at life the way a scientist does an experiment. He sought to discover the meaning… Read More

Galatians 5- Taking A Stand

Galatians 5:1
“Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.”

There is an interesting progression of commands found in Galatians 5. We are exhorted to stand, run and walk. Each of these terms, reveals something…Read More