Memory Verse: “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” (James 2:26)

Scripture Reading: James 2:14-26 / Romans 3:21-26 / Romans 4:1-4, 13-25

Introduction: Often we think that the day of miracles and great faith was primarily in Bible times and that very little of this is seen today. The accounts in the Bible cover many centuries and some generations probably saw very little along this line to encourage them. Gideon was quite discouraged and wished that some of the great events that older folk told of could happen in his day.

Memory Verse: “Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?” (James 2:5)

Scripture Reading: James 2:1-13 / Acts 13:38-50

Introduction: The Father in Heaven is a great Leveler. He brings up the poor and under-privileged and reduces the rich so that they both receive equally of all the benefits. Naaman was reduced by successive stages until he was completely obedient. As you recall, he was a leper and his story begins in a most unlikely way. If a

Memory Verse: “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” (James 1:27)

Scripture Reading: James 1:17-27

Introduction: It is difficult to keep things pure. The trickling stream that starts down the mountain is about as pure in the sense of being healthful as water can be. However, as it descends it accumulates all manner of things which render it unfit to drink, such as sewage and industrial waste until at least the sea itself must try to “clean up the

Memory Verse: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” (James 1:5)

Scripture Reading: James 1:1-20

Introduction: Spiritual vigor and bodily vigor have interesting parallels. We don’t like to carry water from the creek so we pipe it into the house. We don’t like to climb stairs so we build elevators. We don’t like to walk as well as we like to ride so we make automobiles. In other words, by nature we take the path of least resistance. We have done

Daily Devotional

Sunday: The Divine Warrior: Isaiah 63:1-6

No man has had any part in making the atonement; it is entirely the work of the Messiah alone. No created-being could have had anything to do with a sacrifice with an everlasting reward. To do so, that man would have had to be perfect, spotless, and without blemish. Only a divine-being could meet those qualifications. This is the reality of John 3:16-17. We only deserved the wrath of the Divine Warrior; but the Divine Warrior in His infinite love, has shown us His mercy.

Monday: What God Has Done for Israel:

Scripture Text: Isaiah 63:1-66:24

Memory Verse: “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” —Isaiah 64:6

Introduction:

Isaiah continues to the end of the book speaking of new things. The prophet now opens the situation for us in different spiritual perspectives:

• Looking Ahead — (Isaiah 63:1-13) Isaiah looks to the future, when the Messiah is returning victorious from the Battle of Armageddon.
• Looking Back — (Isaiah 63:7-14) Isaiah gives us a summary of what

Daily Devotional

Sunday: A Poetic Introduction: Isaiah 60:1-3

The poetic imagery in these verses is tied in with Isaiah 51 where Jerusalem is portrayed as a beautiful woman. The opening phrase, “Arise, shine; for thy…” (Isaiah 60:1) are all the feminine forms of the words in Hebrew. Poetically God is speaking to His church. He is challenging us to wake up, acknowledge His sovereignty and be a witness of His light to the world.

Monday: The Return: Isaiah 60:4-9

These verses describe the vast wealth which will be bestowed on restored Jerusalem. Poetically, the language in these verses is exaggerated,

Scripture Text: Isaiah 60:1-62:12

Memory Verse: “The sun shall no more be thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.” —Isaiah 60:19

Introduction:

Judah’s captivity in Babylon had been perhaps the darkest in the nation’s entire history. The people were deflated with utter defeat. The thought of the Land of Promise destroyed, and the Holy City crumbled to dust, had the remnant in exile in sorrowful tears. In Isaiah 60-66, Isaiah describes the “glory of the Lord” that he

Daily Devotional

Sunday: “Come and Seek”: Isaiah 55:1-13

God extends His invitation to the Gentiles, clearly establishing His covenant with them. There is no money required. Everything has been prepared. The table has been set. All is ready for the feasting. The banquet will feed us physically and spiritually—our part is to turn from wickedness, step forward, and accept His invitation.

Monday: Worship Him: Isaiah 56:1-8

Lest we think God’s invitation is only for God’s chosen people, it is made clear that God extends His invitation to all. He invites all of us to join His banquet and He adopts

Scripture Text: Isaiah 55:1-59:21

Memory Verse: “Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” —Isaiah 55:6-7

Introduction:

This section of Isaiah completes the trilogy of promises and punishments begun in Isaiah 54. The second part is an invitation to the Gentile nations, extending from Isaiah 55:1-56:8.

A three-fold invitation goes out to the Gentiles:

• Come to