Is your fear bigger than your God?

Sometimes our fears seem so large that nothing can save us from their power. Isaiah 7:4 reminds us that the things we fear most are very small when compared to the infinitely powerful GOD.

I've already got a plan

Isaiah 7 tells the story of Isaiah's encounter with King Ahaz. During their meeting, Isaiah brings word from God that Ahaz can rely on God to fight for the king. Ahaz chooses his own plan over God's signs and visions. How do we rely on our own plans rather than trusting what God has already promised us in the Bible?

Prophet not perfected Is6

The prophet Isaiah had been speaking God's word for years when he had a vision that reminded him of just how different God is from even the holiest of men. In his vision Isaiah saw the very Throne of God, and realized just how insignificant he was compared to God. Isaiah's humble reaction to the sight of God is rewarded when an angle "cleanses" Isaiah's mouth with a burning coal. How has God provided significance to your life? Have you humbly realized how great God is?

Are you ready to turn your weapons into tools?

In Isaiah 2:4, God gives us a glimpse into the kind of kingdom He is setting up. In this famous passage, warriors are turning their weapons into tools for cultivating crops. What would happen if the church began to turn the weapons of our words and thoughts into tools for cultivating nourishment?

Do We Really Want to Know "Why?"

The Old Testament Prophets, like Isiah often pulled back the curtain of "what was happening" and "how it was happening" to show the "why." God's people had turned from Him and set their hearts on things that were destructive and that was why God was allowing bad things to happen to His people. In our deepest troubles, we often ask "why" - but I doubt we'd like the answer. Maybe simply asking for God's mercy and understanding to accompany the "why" would help us better respond.

We Don't Think Too Little of You - We Think of You Too Little

In Isaiah 1:23, God rejects the offerings and worship of His people because they are abusing and taking advantage of the defenseless or politically weak. Are there times when we ignore the plight of our disenfranchised brothers in order to push our own agenda ahead? How does that kind of behavior change the way God views our worship?

Note: the dialog above references James 2:16, which states that these words are not helpful. 

The Loneliness of "Not Dying"

Just as an un-planted seed remains alone, we as people will be alone until we "die" to our selfish natures. Jesus demonstrated the principle by dying on the cross to bring us into His family. How are we as his representatives living this out today? Are we willing to have a little less, so that someone

else has enough to survive?