God opposes and resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.  [James 4:6]

Humility is always a gateway for the Lord to enter and accomplish His purposes,  Pride, however, is a barrier that must be subdued if God is to have His way.

In a relationship, business, church, institution, nation … pride hinders God’s work and must be dealt with if spiritual ground is to be taken.

However, when the prideful either humble themselves or are humbled, then grace can move in and accomplish what God wants to happen.

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord, I hereby humble myself under Your mighty hand.  I am desperate for Your grace to live.  Let Your grace flow to all who cry out in humility for Your help.

DAILY READING:  Is. 21-4

In the same way that an individual’s conduct influences his future, so it is with nations.  Because God gazes over time like a book, He knows what will happen and intervenes as He sees fit.  It’s His universe, folks.

Nations are subject to His dealings.  It’s our job initially to pray for the nations that His purposes would unfold and that the Gospel would be preached.

Ultimately, every nation will come and bow before Him.  He is LORD.

DAILY PRAYER:  Father, we pray for the nations of the earth.  Send laborers into Your harvest.  We see You wrapping things up.  We trust in You for all things.

DAILY READING:  Is. 15-20

Amid cornerstone prophesies of Christ Jesus [Is..9,11] and the enemy of our souls [Is. 14], we see in Isaiah’s writings the arching power and control God has over all the nations and their movements.  In a day when religious extremists appear to be threatening all that is good, we can trust in a Supreme Heavenly Father who has all the kings of the earth on a leash. {Ps. 2:3]

God had a hedge around Job, an angel for each of us [Heb.], and the weapons of weather (ice, hail, locusts  etc.) at His disposal.

What do we have to fear?

DAILY PRAYER:  Father, thank You for Your protecting hand upon us and our loved ones.

DAILY READING:  Is. 10-14

If you fear the Lord, you don’t have to fear ANYTHING ELSE.  Since He is ABOVE ALL, and has the power to control all, a right relationship with Him becomes the most important thing in life.

A key to victorious, confident living is to know God and His ways.

Christ is the way to God, and the Bible is His letter of instruction in knowing His ways.

It’s simple.  We don’t really have to be afraid of anything else.

DAILY PRAYER:  Father, You are over all, and I worship You alone today.  Let the events of this weekend work together to accomplish Your purposes.  I delight to do Your will.

DAILY READING:  Is. 7-9

Billy Sunday was one of the predominant evangelists in America’s revival history.  A former professional baseball player and heavy boozer, he turned to Christ after hearing the gospel preached at a Pacific Garden Mission tent meeting in Chicago.  He is said to have preached 300 crusades to over 100,000,000 people with a reported 1 million converts.

Essential to the success of his crusades was the “cottage prayer meeting,” as evidenced by the revival that touched Toledo, Ohio, hence the term “Holy Toledo.”

Prayer is not preparation for the work.  Prayer is the work.

DAILY PRAYER:  Father, we ask You to bring a stirring spiritual awakening to the students of TCS.  We ask in the saving name of Jesus.

DAILY READING:  Is. 3-6

Isaiah provides the seedbed for preparation for revival.  His message would establish much of the doctrine echoed throughout the New Testament, foundational for our understanding of salvation from our sin through the blood sacrifice Christ made.

The Word of God assists us in seeing how lost we are/were without Jesus, which is a critical element in the regeneration process of our human souls.

“Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow.”  Total purity and rightstanding in God’s presence is possible.

DAILY PRAYER:  Father, thank You for the access we have with You through the blood sacrifice of Jesus.  We want to stay in Your presence all the time.  We want others to come to know You too.

DAILY READING:  Song of Songs 7,8;  Isaiah 1,2

So Solomon advises, “Remember your Creator while you are young.”  (Ecc. 12:1)

Young people have so much energy and availability to give to the Lord’s service.  The words of the hymn say, “Give of thy strength to the Master, give of the strength of thy youth.”  These are wise words.  Eternal rewards can be accrued by giving a lifetime of service to the Lord.  Then, when you are old, you can enjoy the benefits of a mature relationship with Him that will overlay the physical trials you have.

DAILY PRAYER:  Father, today I will look for opportunities to serve You with the strength You have given me.

DAILY READING:  Ecc. 11,12;  Song of Songs 1-5

Ecclesiastes is a book whose writer (probably Solomon) is referring to natural life on this earth, or “Under the Sun.”  It is a collection of his practical insights on life … how to accomplish things and stay out of trouble, and finally, how to find and know eternal wisdom.  The born again Christian through the Gospel knows that Christ Jesus is God’s Wisdom given to us.  (1 Cor. 1:24,30.)

Take Jesus with you today so you can live “in the Son” as you live “Under the Sun.”

DAILY PRAYER:  Jesus, be my guide.  I need Thee, Oh, I need Thee.  Every hour I need Thee.

DAILY READING:  Ecc. 7-10;   1 Cor. 1

Besides working to earn a living, some see work as one of life’s hardships.  Maybe they don’t enjoy what they do because the only reason they have that job is to “keep up with the Jones family.”

The writer of Ecclesiastes encourages us to “enjoy our work.”  One translation said, “Find joy in your accomplishments.”  This is a part of us that will live on beyond our lifetime.

Make an attitude adjustment before you begin your work.  “I am going to enjoy this.”  See what happens.

DAILY PRAYER:  Father, thank You for the health and life that enables us to accomplish tasks.  Let me see each task as an opportunity to work for You.  Father, work WITH me.

DAILY READING:  Ecc. 3-6;  Col. 3