Resting in God’s Comfort and Good News (Isaiah 61)

Resting in God’s Comfort and Good News (Isaiah 61)

Evening Scripture Isaiah 61 [https://www.biblestudytools.com/isaiah/61.html]  The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations. Strangers will shepherd your flocks; foreigners will work your fields and vineyards. And you will be called priests of the Lord, you will be named ministers of our God. You will feed on the wealth of nations,  and in their riches you will boast. Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours. “For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery and wrongdoing. In my faithfulness I will reward my people and make an everlasting covenant with them. Their descendants will be known among the nations and their offspring among the peoples. All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the Lord has blessed.” 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. 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. Evening Reflection The other day, I arrived home feeling physically, emotionally, and spiritually exhausted.  It was one of those days when everything seemed taxing to my spirit. Simple tasks seemed harder than normal; conversations felt labored; I even got into an argument with a friend. By the time that I was done for the day, I felt as if the day had bested me.  But instead of being able to leave it all behind, I spent the evening hours thinking about everything that had happened, running through the scenarios over and over, replaying all the problems. Have you ever done anything like that?  Have you ever spent an undue amount of time rehearsing the negative or difficult moments of your day?  Doing so rarely leads us into an evening of rest and comfort. When we find ourselves in those times, Isaiah 61 [https://www.biblestudytools.com/isaiah/61.html] is a gift to us. This chapter is filled with a multitude of divine promises, all centered on Jesus and the good news he brings into our lives. Although these words were written roughly 500 years before Jesus, and thus almost 2500 years before our time, these are not ancient words long past – they are declarations for what surrounds our lives today.  Jesus binds up the broken-hearted; proclaims freedom to the captives; he announces that we live in the midst of his favor. Instead of ashes, Jesus gives oil of joy; regardless of what swirls around us, we dress ourselves in praise rather than despair; we receive a grace instead of shame, and blessings instead of disgrace.  Jesus makes an everlasting covenant with us, one that clothes us with nothing less than salvation. Promise upon promise is spoken to us. Can we dare to apply these words to our lives today? If you are ending the day feeling burdened and tired, then take a moment to rehearse these promises.  More than anything the world can throw at us, these words define your life, and in these promises you can have comfort and rest. Evening Prayer Precious Jesus, Isaiah reminds me of the many blessings that you bestow upon me. These words declare, not just the salvation that sits at the core of my life, but also your unyielding mercies that come to me. As I approach my time of rest, I pray that you speak the promise that I need to hear this night. Imprint these words within me, and may your promise be the script that runs through my heart all night long. Lord, when I am tempted to listen to other voices, inspire me to delight in your word and to rejoice in your presence. For in you there is good news of constancy and love.  And so, I place the day before you.  I empty myself of the concerns of the day past, and my worries of the day to come, so I might be filled with your comfort. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. Want More? If tonight’s episode blessed you, be sure to follow the show [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-nightly-scripture/id1896272962] so your next nightly scripture is ready when you are. Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica [https://www.biblica.com/]. All rights reserved worldwide. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com [https://www.lifeaudio.com/] and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us [https://www.lifeaudio.com/contact-us].

Receiving the New Life God Gives (John 3)

Evening Scripture John 3 [https://www.biblestudytools.com/john/3.html] Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked. “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God. After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized. Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were coming and being baptized. (This was before John was put in prison.) An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing. They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.” To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less.” The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them. Evening Reflection  It is one of the great mysteries of the gospel message – that when we receive Christ into our hearts, we are born of the Spirit and we become a new creation. The Holy Spirit of our Savior now dwells within us. We are born again – of the Spirit. Like Nicodemus, we ask ourselves, how is this possible? As Jesus has said, nothing is impossible with God. He loves us – He loves you – enough that He sent his one and only Son so that we who believe in Him will never perish but have eternal life. Given that He loves us that much, He wants to make sure He walks with us, leading us, guiding us, protecting us so that we are never left alone again. Before Christ, we were simply born of the flesh – and now…now…we are born of the Spirit and will be forever changed. This does not mean that we feel the change instantly, although some do. But if we focus on the new life within us – if we pay attention to the feeling that life within us – we will find our lives changed. And all for the better. In Jude 1:30 [https://www.biblestudytools.com/jude/1-30.html], Paul encourages us to “pray in the Spirit.” It means praying with more than just formalized words; it means turning inside ourselves to pray with the mind of the Spirit. It is about relying on the Spirit to guide us, to empower our prayers, and allowing Him to intercede when we don’t have the words. It means feeling our prayers with our whole heart and not just uttering words asking for personal blessings. Praying in the Spirit, living with the Spirit, requires honesty and openness. We must be willing to be led by the Spirit in everything we do. God has given us a new life. We are a new person. The old is gone. Sure, you’ll catch unwanted glimpses of the old once in a while, but after a while, you’ll look back and embrace what you have become in God’s light. Evening Prayer Father, I choose your Holy Spirit in my life. I surrender everything to you2 Lord, all my faults, all my weaknesses, all my sins. Father, I choose to live by the fruit of your Holy Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, guidance, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. It is no longer I who live, Father, but Christ who lives in me – through His Spirit. Amen. Want More? If tonight’s episode blessed you, be sure to follow the show [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-nightly-scripture/id1896272962] so your next nightly scripture is ready when you are. Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica [https://www.biblica.com/]. All rights reserved worldwide. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com [https://www.lifeaudio.com/] and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us [https://www.lifeaudio.com/contact-us].

Letting God Refine My Heart with Love (Malachi 3)

Evening Scripture Malachi 3 [https://www.biblestudytools.com/malachi/3.html] “I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the Lord Almighty. But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the Lord, as in days gone by, as in former years. “So I will come to put you on trial. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive the foreigners among you of justice, but do not fear me,” says the Lord Almighty. “I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty. “But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’ “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the Lord Almighty. “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty. “You have spoken arrogantly against me,” says the Lord. “Yet you ask, ‘What have we said against you?’ “You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What do we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the Lord Almighty? But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly evildoers prosper, and even when they put God to the test, they get away with it.’” Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name. “On the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty, “they will be my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son who serves him. And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not. Evening Reflection Sadly, more and more people have heart conditions. Not the kind that requires physical surgery, medication, or exercise, but the kind of heart condition that needs to be spiritually softened, refined, and made new by the love of God. Most often, we don’t recognize what causes this kind of heart condition, such as jealousy, greed, self-righteousness, partiality, withholding good, slander, and more. Whereas physical heart conditions cause physical limitations, where those afflicted have to be cautious and often are unable to keep up with others; spiritual heart conditions cause spiritual limitations, too, such as our prayers not being heard and answered, blessings unable to be poured out to us, and the devourer robbing us of the fruitfulness God has prepared and waiting for us. Yet,  it doesn’t have to be that way, because we can ask God to refine our hearts with His love, meaning we surrender to His burning away of sinfulness in our lives, and a washing with His word  like soap to cleanse away dirtiness that has built up in our hearts. But isn’t the purging of our hearts worth it, to endure His purifying and cleansing so that we might walk and live in His blessings? It also involves us giving our all to Him, withholding nothing from His hand. Evening Prayer God, Starting tonight, purify and refine my heart, burning away and cleansing all within it that is not of You. Even though I don’t know all that will be involved, of all the changes and challenges that may come through it in my life, or if I even feel strong enough to endure it on my own, I surrender to Your will and ask You to do Your work in and through me; to cleanse, mold, and make my heart softened and attuned to You and Your word. Shape my heart to be generous towards You, withholding nothing from Your hand. Pour Your love into my heart so that it fills and consumes me, overflowing with love for You and for others. Amen Want More? If tonight’s episode blessed you, be sure to follow the show [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-nightly-scripture/id1896272962] so your next nightly scripture is ready when you are. Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica [https://www.biblica.com/]. All rights reserved worldwide. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com [https://www.lifeaudio.com/] and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us [https://www.lifeaudio.com/contact-us].

Calling on the God Who Is Always Near (Psalm 86)

Evening Scripture  Psalm 86 [https://www.biblestudytools.com/psalms/86.html] Hear me, Lord, and answer me,      for I am poor and needy. Guard my life, for I am faithful to you;      save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God; have mercy on me, Lord,      for I call to you all day long. Bring joy to your servant, Lord,      for I put my trust in you. You, Lord, are forgiving and good,      abounding in love to all who call to you. Hear my prayer, Lord;      listen to my cry for mercy. When I am in distress, I call to you,      because you answer me. Among the gods there is none like you, Lord;      no deeds can compare with yours. All the nations you have made      will come and worship before you, Lord;      they will bring glory to your name. For you are great and do marvelous deeds;      you alone are God. Teach me your way, Lord,      that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart,      that I may fear your name. I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart;      I will glorify your name forever. For great is your love toward me;      you have delivered me from the depths,      from the realm of the dead. Arrogant foes are attacking me, O God;      ruthless people are trying to kill me—      they have no regard for you. But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God,      slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. Turn to me and have mercy on me;      show your strength in behalf of your servant; save me, because I serve you      just as my mother did. Give me a sign of your goodness,      that my enemies may see it and be put to shame,      for you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me. Evening Reflection  As we approach the end of another day, Psalm 86 [https://www.biblestudytools.com/psalms/86.html] reminds us that we can call on our Father in heaven continually—day or night. The cares of this life threaten to take our focus away from our God who sees and cares for us. To shift our focus back where it belongs, all we have to do is call upon his name. He is always near. The psalmist David cries out to God in a time of need, acknowledging several praiseworthy attributes. Let’s review these truths from tonight’s psalm and allow them to settle our hearts at the close of a long day.  God is good. He forgives without condition and abounds in love that never ends. He delivers us from darkness. God answers our prayers. There is no other like him in all creation. He understands our needs and works continually on our behalf. God is gracious and faithful. We may not always feel his nearness, but every day we can count on him. He does not turn away in anger but pursues us with compassionate care. Some days begin and end like any other—with a predictable routine as we tend to our daily tasks. Then there are other days. Those when the trials of life weigh on us and hope seems like a distant dream. Whatever today looked like for you, let tonight’s Scripture passage soothe you and prepare you for sleep. God is near you right now. Evening Prayer Dear God, Thank you for your promise to be near me always. I’m calling on you, knowing you are here right now. Your presence brings me much-needed comfort at the end of a long day. I’ve made some mistakes, but you are compassionate and gracious to your children. As I think back on my words, my actions, and my thoughts from today, I release them all to you. Thank you for your forgiveness, Father. I am undeserving, but you love me unconditionally. Thank you for giving me strength in my time of need. When I feel buried under a weight that is too heavy for me to carry, help me remember that you hear my prayers. You are good and faithful. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. Want More? If tonight’s episode blessed you, be sure to follow the show [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-nightly-scripture/id1896272962] so your next nightly scripture is ready when you are. Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica [https://www.biblica.com/]. All rights reserved worldwide. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com [https://www.lifeaudio.com/] and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us [https://www.lifeaudio.com/contact-us].

Resting in the Truth That I Am Chosen and Loved (Ephesians 1)

Evening Scripture Ephesians 1 [https://www.biblestudytools.com/ephesians/1.html] Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. Evening Reflection  With another day coming to an end, Ephesians 1 [https://www.biblestudytools.com/ephesians/1.html] encourages us to consider anew the reality of who we are in Christ. We need this recalibration to what God says about us because there is much in our daily lives that attempts to tell us who we are: that we are defined by what we do, the accounts we follow, or the hobbies we pursue.   Yet the Apostle Paul holds up a tapestry of verses as if to say: “This is who you are, and it changes how you live.” The picture he gives us is that of loving adoption. Just as a family that decided to open their home to welcome a child as their own, the Father has brought us into His family as beloved children. He lovingly chose us, each one of us, to be His own. And He did so out of love by sending His Son to die for us. This was not a whim decision by God, but a preplanned choice made before time. We were predestined to be His sons and daughters. As we consider the past day, what has influenced our understanding of our identity? Does the ongoing dialogue about who we are make us feel like a beloved child or a forgotten orphan?   The passage from Ephesians tells us the truth–that we are chosen by the Lord and deeply loved by Him. Tonight, as we close our eyes, we can meditate on this reality, resting in the identity of who God says we are. For the Voice that really matters is the One that shows us who we are in Christ.   Evening Prayer  Lord, At the end of this day, help me to listen to Your Word. There are far too many things in life telling me who I should be and what I am worth. May I listen to what you say about me? That I was predestined in love to be Your child, redeemed by the precious blood of Your Son. Thank You, O Lord, for blessing me with spiritual riches I do not deserve. Let me rest in this truth tonight, allowing it to grow deep within me as I sleep. I want to awaken to live the new day based on the reality of who I am in Christ. Truly, this knowledge changes everything! In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. Want More? If tonight’s episode blessed you, be sure to follow the show [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-nightly-scripture/id1896272962] so your next nightly scripture is ready when you are. Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica [https://www.biblica.com/]. All rights reserved worldwide. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com [https://www.lifeaudio.com/] and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us [https://www.lifeaudio.com/contact-us].