ISAIAH

It is a nice Sunday morning.  I love Sundays!  I'm excited about the day and the messages I'm looking forward to preaching today.  Today I will conclude the series on Sunday mornings entitled:  "Taking the Next Step".  Today is Constitution Day at Church as well.  We will simply be handing out a copy of the Constitution of the United States with the Declaration of Independence as well.  I'm  hoping everyone will read it before next week. I'm in Isaiah, and here are a few things to share with you: 1) SIGNS AND WONDERS- Some people talk a lot about wanting a ministry of signs and wonders.  Isaiah had his own in Isaiah 20:3 "And the LORD said, Like as my servant Isaiah hath walked naked and barefoot three years, for a sign and wonder upon Egypt and upon Ethiopia;"  I'm glad I get to preach and teach and not worry about "signs and wonders."  Here Isaiah walked around naked for three years as a sign and wonder.  I don't think that is what modern day charismatic preachers are looking to do.  2) WINE AND STRONG DRINK- Throughout Scripture, God warns us about the evils of wine and strong drink.  One is mildly intoxicating and the other is greatly intoxicating.  Both are presented as being detrimental to people.  In this passage, it tells how it affects the priest and the prophets. Isaiah 28:7 "But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment"  Wine has affected the most spiritual (priest and prophet), how do you think it would affect those who are not spiritual?  It is destructive no matter who you are.  Stay away!!  That would be the Bible's advice! 3) PLAYING HIDE AND SEEK WITH GOD- Sure it is a great game, for children to play; but don't think we can play that game with God.  Isaiah 29:15 "Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?"  How dumb to try to hide from God.  It is like a boy putting his hands over his own eyes and saying, you cannot see me!  While that is okay for kids, it certainly is not for a Christian to do with God.  Oh dear friend, let us never choose to live this way and be thus deceived.  4) GOD'S GUIDANCE-Isaiah 30:21 "And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left." This is the work of the Holy Spirit.  He will guide us into all truth.  He will guide us as we look to Him.  Listen to the voice of God in your life and let the Holy Spirit guide you using the Word of God and then speaking to your spirit that which came from the foundation of God's Word.  Well, my time has come and gone.  Hope you have a wonderful day.  The next few days, I may not be able to get my blog together (we will see).  I'm flying to California to preach on Monday, and then to Chicago on Tuesday, and then back from Chicago on Thursday.  All are early morning flights.  In Chicago, we will see our youngest child Alex, graduate Hyles-Anderson College.  Hope you have a blessed day!  Pastor Mike Mutchler