All Mankind
Are you feeling empty inside? Does life feel meaningless? Give your life to Jesus and watch it change. To Learn more, listen to today’s though based on Isaiah 66:22-23.
22 “As the new heavens and the new earth that I make will endure before me,” declares the Lord, “so will your name and descendants endure. 23 From one New Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another, all mankind will come and bow down before me,” says the Lord. (Isaiah 66:22-23)
The Wolf and the Lamb
Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble, but take heart I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) He has come to bring you peace in a world filled with pain and suffering. To Learn more, listen to today’s though based on Isaiah 65:25
The wolf and the lamb will feed together,
and the lion will eat straw like the ox,
and dust will be the serpent’s food.
They will neither harm nor destroy
on all my holy mountain,”
says the Lord. Isaiah 65:25
Years ago, I went to look at a new car. A minivan that would be perfect for ministry and my young family. But when I saw price, I realized it was impossible for me. But not for God. God even answers our prayers before we utter them! To Learn more, listen to today’s though based on Isaiah 65:23-24
They will not labor in vain,
nor will they bear children doomed to misfortune;
for they will be a people blessed by the Lord,
they and their descendants with them.
Before they call I will answer;
while they are still speaking I will hear. 65:23-24
I often quote Jesus, “The thief comes only to kill and destroy but I (Jesus) have come that you might have life and have it to the full.” (John 10:10) Jesus wants you to have a hope which leads to an abundant life no matter what your present circumstances happen to be. He is preparing an amazing eternal future for you. To Learn more, listen to today’s though based on Isaiah 65:18-21
One upon a time there was a man who came home drunk. His wife made him sleep outside on the porch. The next day he pleaded to his wife, “I was so foolish last night. Please forgive me and forget what I did.” His wife replied, “Of course I will forgive you and forget about last night.” But every night afterward his wife would check his breath just to make certain he had not been drinking. To Learn more, listen to today’s though based on Isaiah 65:17
I Will Tell
In 1982 my oldest son was born. I bought my first computer and started work on a doctorate. I told every single person I met about the three events. Suddenly it dawned on me that I was talking about a new computer more than Jesus! To Learn more, listen to today’s though based on Isaiah 63:7
Suddenly Florida feels like summer again. A few minutes outdoors brings sweat. An hour out brings thirst. But there is also a spiritual thirst that only the Lord can quench. To Learn more, listen to today’s though based on Isaiah 62:3-12.
I knew a person who was always down. That is until she met the love of her life. The wedding was nothing but smiles! To Learn more, listen to today’s though based on Isaiah 61:10-11
I delight greatly in the Lord;
my soul rejoices in my God.
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation
and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness,
as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11 For as the soil makes the sprout come up
and a garden causes seeds to grow,
so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness
and praise spring up before all nations. Isaiah 61:10-11
April 11, 2023 – To the Brokenhearted
Several people I know are currently struggling with the deaths of spouses, children and other family members. What they need is healing! And that is what our Lord can and will do. “He is the God of all comfort who comforts those in in any trouble.” (2 Corinthians 1:3). To Learn more, listen to today’s though based on Isaiah 61:1-3.
April 6, 2023 –
Not the Sun but Light
Perhaps it is hard for us to imagine a land without lights at night. But in the ancient world, night brought terror. In darkness, the thief could enter and steal. Darkness could steal your joy as well. But Christ who is our light brings joy in the darkness! To Learn more, listen to today’s though based on Isaiah 60:19-22
The sun will no more be your light by day,
nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you,
for the Lord will be your everlasting light,
and your God will be your glory.
20 Your sun will never set again,
and your moon will wane no more;
the Lord will be your everlasting light,
and your days of sorrow will end.
21 Then all your people will be righteous
and they will possess the land forever.
They are the shoot I have planted,
the work of my hands,
for the display of my splendor.
22 The least of you will become a thousand,
the smallest a mighty nation.
I am the Lord;
in its time I will do this swiftly.” Isaiah 60:19-22
April 5, 2023
Look About You
When you set your hearts on the Lord, everything will change. Where there is sadness, He will bring joy. Your goals will change. You will be given His abundant life. To Learn more, listen to today’s though based on Isaiah 60:4-5.
“Lift up your eyes and look about you:
All assemble and come to you;
your sons come from afar,
and your daughters are carried on the hip.
5 Then you will look and be radiant,
your heart will throb and swell with joy;
the wealth on the seas will be brought to you,
to you the riches of the nations will come.
April 4, 2023
Arise and Shine
Last year we were thrilled to watch the faces of our children as the quoted Isaiah 60:1, “Arise, shine, for your light has come.” But what about the rest of us? Do we receive the gospel like little children. Do we shine like a light with a glow that only the Lord can provide? To Learn more, listen to today’s though based on Isaiah 60:1-3
“Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.
See, darkness covers the earth
and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the Lord rises upon you
and his glory appears over you.
Nations will come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Isaiah 60:1-3
Never Left, Never Forsaken
I want to let you in on a secret. As I plan, I sometimes feel my sermons are missing the mark. So, I study the Scriptures, meditate on the Word of God, and pray. Then I let God lead me. Time after time, just at the right time He leads me! To Learn more, listen to today’s though based on Isaiah 59:20-21
“The Redeemer will come to Zion,
to those in Jacob who repent of their sins,”
declares the Lord.
21 “As for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord. “My Spirit, who is on you, will not depart from you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will always be on your lips, on the lips of your children and on the lips of their descendants—from this time on and forever,” says the Lord. Isaiah 59:20-21
Finding Joy on Sunday
All sorts of activities (including sleeping in) war against worship. Is Sunday a burden to you? Are you excited to give the day to the Lord? Do you call it a Delight. To Learn more, listen to today’s though based on Isaiah 58:13-14
Spend on Behalf of the Hungry
Sometimes we wonder why our prayers are not heard. It could be what you are asking for. Or it could be that you need to want for others what you want for yourself! To Learn more, listen to today’s though based on Isaiah 58:9-11
Just a few months until the rainy season in Florida begins. As soon as the rain comes the grass in our yard grows by inches every week. The word of God has a similar effect in our lives. To Learn more, listen to today’s though based on Isaiah 55:10-13
As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
12 You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.
13 Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper,
and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the Lord’s renown,
for an everlasting sign, Isaiah 55:10-13
Hard to Understand
Years ago, my youngest son and I would read Einstein and then discuss what we had read. I have to admit that much of what he wrote was difficult to grasp. Yet understanding what Einstein wrote has amazing ramifications for all of us. In the same way, no one can really understand the way God thinks without his help. But when you start to grasp His truth, you will be changed. To Learn more, listen to today’s though based on Isaiah 55:8-9
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9
Forsake their Ways
Back in college I was so excited about Jesus that I urgently wanted all my friends to know about Jesus. One friend kept saying, “I will trust Jesus. But right now, I am having too much fun.” He knew that he should trust in Jesus, but just didn’t want to yet.
To Learn more, listen to today’s though based on Isaiah 55:6-7
Seek the Lord while he may be found;
call on him while he is near.
Let the wicked forsake their ways
and the unrighteous their thoughts.
Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them,
and to our God, for he will freely pardon. Isaiah 55:6-7
Come All Who Are Thirsty
Life sometimes feels like walking alone through a desert. From a distance it looks beautiful, but when you are alone in the middle of the desert you fight for your life. Everything works against you. You get so thirsty. But then the Lord stands beside you and gives you a drink! To Learn more, listen to today’s though based on Isaiah 55:1-2
“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. Isaiah 55:1-2
Do your fears take away the joy of life? In recent years, I have noticed more people who are afraid. So they retreat to the fortress of their home, remove themselves from others and then wonder why they are so distressed. To Learn more, listen to today’s though based on Isaiah 54:4-5
A Portion of the Great
I have spoken with a few leaders who spoke about “paying their dues.” What they mean is they are going to work hard hours and make things happen. After they had paid their dues, they expected they would be rewarded. To Learn more, listen to today’s though based on Isaiah 53:11-12
Death Could Not Hold Him
He died for my sin and yours. But death could not hold Him. Instead, His death brought life to all who trust in Him. To Learn more, listen to today’s though based on Isaiah 53:10-11
Paying for Others
Have you ever been criticized for helping others only to have no one stand up for you? That’s exactly what happened to Jesus. To Learn more, listen to today’s though based on Isaiah 53:8-9
February 28, 2023
He Never Said a Word
“He never said a word.” The passage hits hard. Years ago, I had a boss who only had five employees. I sometimes think that he was never a boss before. The annual review came around. Here was his score. He fired one employee. Two others quit–one the same day! My remaining co-worker was reamed out. I was told I was just average. Imagine that. I instantly replied, “So I think you cannot even tell me what I do! (He couldn’t) So much for following in Jesus’s footsteps! To Learn more, listen to today’s though based on Isaiah 53:7