Powerful Words from the Prophets“I am overwhelmed with joy in the LORD my God!” – Isaiah 61:10 (NLT)“Overwhelmed with Joy!” I’m preaching a series on the Fruit of the Spirit right now at church. Yesterday I preached on “Joy.” As I prepared for the message this past Sunday, it hit me how many people in the faith show so little evidence of joy in their lives. Which is really too bad. Joy is a promis...

Powerful Words from the Prophets“You will be called priests of the LORD, ministers of our God.” – Isaiah 61:6 (NLT)“A Kingdom of Priests” Our worship pastor shared a video this week of her 10-year-old daughter playing in the swimming pool at Kids Camp. When you watch the video, you can tell that she is obviously the daughter of a pastor. While all the other kids are splashing and playing all aroun...

Powerful Words from the Prophets“To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory.” – Isaiah 61:3 (NLT)“Let’s Make a Deal!” Do you remember Monty Hall and “Let’s Make a Deal!”? It was such a cool show. You co...

Powerful Words from the Prophets“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect h...

Powerful Words from the Prophets“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me, for the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the LORD’s favor has come.” – Isaiah 60:1-2 (NLT)“These Words Are for YOU!” Does toda...

Powerful Words from the Prophets“Look and see, for everyone is coming home! Your sons are coming from distant lands; your little daughters will be carried home. Your eyes will shine, and your heart will thrill with joy.” – Isaiah 60:4-5 (NLT)“Bring Our Children Home” If any of you are like me, this passage today is a great encouragement and promise. Many of us have sons and daughters, grandchildre...

Powerful Words from the Prophets“Arise, Jerusalem! Let your light shine for all to see. For the glory of the LORD rises to shine on you. Darkness as black as night covers all the nations of the earth, but the glory of the LORD rises and appears over you. All nations will come to your light; mighty kings will come to see your radiance.” – Isaiah 60:1-3 (NLT)“Let There Be Light!” “We are the light t...

Powerful Words from the Prophets“Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the LORD will protect you from behind. Then when you call, the LORD will answer. ‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply…Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon. The LO...

Powerful Words from the Prophets“No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.” – Isaiah 58:6-7 (NL...

Powerful Words from the Prophets“Good people pass away; the godly often die before their time. But no one seems to care or wonder why. No one seems to understand that God is protecting them from the evil to come. For those who follow godly paths will rest in peace when they die.” – Isaiah 57:1-2 (NLT)“They’re Dancing!” I was visiting with a man who recently lost his brother. His brother was a real...

Powerful Words from the Prophets“The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.” – Isaiah 55:9-10 (NLT)“When It Feels Li...

Powerful Words from the Prophets“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” – Isaiah 55:8-9 (NLT)“God Knows What He’s Doing” I remember some years ago when I was really disappointed in God. We we...

Powerful Words from the Prophets“Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the LORD that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.” – Isaiah 55:7 (NLT)“Getting What We Don’t Deserve” Don’t you just love it when people get what they deserve? I mean, like in those “instant karma” videos on YouTube. A guy pulls...

Powerful Words from the Prophets“Seek the LORD while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near.” – Isaiah 55:6 (NLT)“Immediately Obedient” One of the prayers I find myself praying these days is asking the Lord to help me be “immediately obedient” when He speaks. There are a few reasons why I’ve found this to be important on my own journey of faith.One reason is that I’ve discovered how co...

Powerful Words from the Prophets“You also will command nations you do not know, and peoples unknown to you will come running to obey, because I, the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, have made you glorious.” – Isaiah 55:5 (NLT)“Glorious” I just got back from preaching at a Campmeeting in Southwest Ohio. Wanda and I had a fantastic time. The theme for the week was “Made for More.” So I unpacke...

Powerful Words from the Prophets“Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life. I will make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David.” – Isaiah 55:3 (NLT)“Positioned to Listen” This verse really challenged me today. I have to confess that I’m not always a good listener. If someone’s trying to talk to me while I’m doing somet...

Powerful Words from the ProphetsIsaiah 53“A Grateful Rebel” Who has believed our message? To whom has the LORD revealed his powerful arm? 2 My servant grew up in the LORD’s presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him. 3 He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest...

Powerful Words from the Prophets“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns!” – Isaiah 52:7 (NLT)“The ‘Beautiful Feet’ People” Have you ever noticed how much bad news there is? We had the television on while I was checking my email, and it was one bad news story after another. The w...

Powerful Words from the Prophets“Will you remain in constant dread of human oppressors? Will you continue to fear the anger of your enemies? Where is their fury and anger now? It is gone! Soon all you captives will be released! Imprisonment, starvation, and death will not be your fate! For I am the LORD your God, who stirs up the sea, causing its waves to roar. My name is the LORD of Heaven’s Armi...

Powerful Words from the Prophets“The LORD will comfort Israel again and have pity on her ruins. Her desert will blossom like Eden, her barren wilderness like the garden of the LORD. Joy and gladness will be found there. Songs of thanksgiving will fill the air.” – Isaiah 51:3 (NLT)“The Other Side” Every once in a while, Wanda and I will struggle with each other. I know that’s hard for you to believ...