Wednesday, January 30, 2013

A Drive through Isaiah

Over the past three months, our church has been studying the Book of Isaiah. Like a drive across America, you can take the faster route or the longer, more scenic route. In our situation, we opted for the faster route.

I challenged our people at the outset of this journey to read one chapter of Isaiah per day, six chapters per week. Along the way, we saw some staggering visions, stern warnings, strange customs, and stunning promises.

As I reflect on this trip, I'm humbled at how much I still have to learn about Isaiah. At the same time, I'm grateful that God would willingly send His Son as our Savior and King.

Here are the passages we studied together on Sunday mornings, along with sermon links:

Isaiah 1: Isaiah: Prophet of Hope (no audio available)
Isaiah 6: Holy is the Lord of Hosts (audio)
Isaiah 11-12: Christ's Millennial Kingdom (audio)
Isaiah 15-16: The Pride of Moab (audio)
Isaiah 19: Striking and Healing (audio)
Isaiah 26: Perfect Peace (audio)
Isaiah 36-37: God Defends His People (audio)
Isaiah 43: No Other Savior (audio)
Isaiah 53: The Suffering Servant (audio)
Isaiah 55: Seek the Lord (audio)
Isaiah 66: Hope for the Humble (audio)

Photo credit: nuttakit

Monday, January 28, 2013

Four Soils



It's been c-c-cold in January. But spring is in the air! And in about six more weeks, it will be time for spring planting.
For our family, gardening is just a fun hobby to enjoy some fresh air, get our hands dirty, and feast on a few home-grown vegetables. But for most people in Jesus’ day, farming was a way of life. It’s no wonder, then, that so many of Jesus’ stories involved agriculture.
One of the most famous parables in the Bible is about a farmer who went out to his field to plant. Jesus mentions four kinds of soil (which describe four kinds of people). Notice how each soil reacts differently to the seed (which represents the Word of God).
The first soil was packed hard from years of foot traffic. Not your ideal place to grow crops. “Some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them” (Matthew 13:4). Jesus says this soil pictures people who hear God’s word, but can’t understand it (verse 19). They yawn. They laugh. They scratch their heads. Then Satan distracts them with other things that seem far more important.
The second soil was rocky, like much of our desert. “Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose, they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away” (vv. 5-6). These people receive God’s word joyfully at first. Perhaps they even get baptized and start attending church. But like a passing fad or well-intentioned New Year’s Resolution, they give up as soon as things get tough and people begin to mock (v. 21).
The third soil was full of weeds and thistles. “Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them” (v. 7). These people show early potential, but are slowly choked out by the worries of life and the empty promises of money (v. 22). Those who chase after money, toys, and pleasure end up selling their souls for something that can never satisfy. But thankfully, there is one more kind of soil… 
The fourth soil was “good soil and produced grain - some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty” (v. 8). Jesus urges all of us to become this kind of soil - where God’s Word is heard, understood, and planted deeply into our hearts. Such people will humble themselves, trust in God’s Son, and begin a life of growing obedience to Jesus Christ.
Four soils. Four kinds of people. Which one are you?
This article first appeared in our 
local newspaper, the Hi Desert Star 
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Photo credit: adamr

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Time For a Heart Check


Time for a quick heart check to begin the new year. No, not with an EKG or CT scan. Just a simple question to diagnose our spiritual heart condition. Here it is:

How’s your joy? 

Just pause and think about that for a moment. Would you describe yourself as a truly joyful person? How about your attitude? Your words? Your Facebook updates? What would your spouse say? Friends? Kids?

A new USA Today/Gallup poll says there is an increasing pessimism in our country. About 50% of Americans now fear the country’s best years are behind us.

It may take more effort in 2013 to rejoice. But we as Christians still have plenty of reason to remain joyful! In fact, the apostle Paul commanded the Thessalonians (a city full of spiritual darkness and persecution) to “rejoice always” (1 Thess. 1:16-18).

 So here’s a little ‘prescription medication’ to get that heart back in shape, rejoicing always. Meditate on these verses and be encouraged:

Psalm 13:5–6 But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me.


John 16:22–24 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.


1 Peter 1:4–9 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Photo credit: Keerati from freedigitalphotos.net

New Blog

Today I'm closing up shop and launching a new blog called Pinch of Clay. You can visit it by clicking here . Please stop by and...