“There will be a pavilion for a shade in the daytime from the heat, and for a refuge and for a shelter from storm and from rain.” (Isaiah 4:6)

Introduction: The lightning is flashing; the thunder roaring, while the rain is falling. A storm is overhead at the moment. This reminds us of life. Isaiah is primarily writing to lovingly warn the southern kingdom of Judah concerning the impending judgment yet to come.

The word “shade” is צֵל, which means a shadow.

The word “heat” is חֹרֶב, which means dryness, drought, heat. Can you feel the heat?

The word “shelter” is מַסְתּוֹר, which means a place of safety.

The words “place of refuge” or hiding place is מַחֲסֶה, which pictures a refuge, shelter.

God is our refuge and hiding place.

The word “storm” is (miz·ze·rem), which describes a flood of rain, rainstorm, downpour.

While this writer is doing this devotion there is a downpour, a flood.

Introduction: Read the book of Acts 2:42. Here is what Luke was inspired to write:

“42And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

What were the foundational truths that were to govern the early Church? The same that should be preeminent today.

1. Doctrine (Acts 2:42)

2. Fellowship (Acts 2:42)

The word “fellowship” is κοινωνία, which portrays [2 fellows in the same ship!!]. But it also means help, participation, sharing in, spiritual fellowship, a fellowship in the spirit. Unfortunately, today we have too many “LONE RANGERS”!
We need the Lord first, but we also need each other.

3. Communion (Acts 2:42)

The word “communion” is the idea of breaking of bread. This primarily is around the Lord’s table, but also goes beyond.

Introduction: When all hope is lost, it is a bad feeling.

1. Solomon wrote the following: (Prov 13:12)

“12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.”

The word “deferred” means delayed or drawn out. Have you ever felt hopeless because of a situation that was drawn out? What do you do?

2. Paul felt hopeless! (Acts 27:15-20)

“And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive. 16 And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat: 17 Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven. And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship; 19 And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship. 20 And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.”

What seemed hopeless became helpful because our Lord is in charge of the storms. Are you going through a storm? What do you do?

3. Hold on to your confidence in the Lord! (Heb 10:35,36)

“Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. 36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.”

Have you let go of your confidence in our Lord?

1. Exercise Faith in God! (Psa 37:3)

“Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.”

2. Expect the Lord to bring about His will as we seek it. (Psa 37:4)

“4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”

The word “delight” is עָנַג: (aw-nag’), which technically it means to be soft, delicate, dainty.

The word “desires” is מִשְׁאָלָה: (mish-aw-law’), which means request, or petition.

In other words, one part of this means as we delight ourselves in God’s will He puts it in our heart to please Him.

David goes on to write,

Introduction: Any parent understands the heartache of stepping back and watching your children make bad decisions and facing the consequences. 

However, a wise parent will pray and trust Jesus to bring about good even in bad situations (Rom 8:28).

Paul writes to the Ephesus believers and us today concerning the key to parenting and grand-parenting. 

“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” (Eph 6:4)

1. The Negative side! (Eph 6:4)

“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”

In other words, don’t cause them to lose heart (“I cannot ever please my daddy/mama”).

Watch out for

* over bearing  

* under discipline 

2. The Positive side! (Eph 6:4)

“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”

“Bring them up”

* Nurture – training, instructions of the Lord

* Admonition – warnings, etc 

Being balanced as a Christian parent – grand parent takes great wisdom, discernment, love and forgiveness.

Conclusion: Guess what? There are no perfect parents. And there are no perfect children! God our Father is the only perfect Parent.

Therefore, we can love and trust Him.

Introduction: Do you know what God hates? Do you want to know? Of course you do or you would not be reading this devotion.

Solomon, led by God the Holy Spirit, writes in the book filled with wisdom called Proverbs. One chapter of Proverbs a day will help keep the devil away!

By the way, there are 31 chapters for each day of the month.

Back to what God hates:

“…six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him.” (Prov 6:16)

1. Proud Look! (Prov 6:17)

“17 A proud look…”

God resists the proud because the proud resists God (1Pet 5:5)

“…for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.”

Pride cost Lucifer his position in heaven. 

2. A Liar (Prov 6:17)

“a lying tongue,”

Our Lord is truth. Therefore, He is against being Deceitful. 

3. Guilty criminals shedding innocent blood (Prov 6: 17)

“And hands that shed innocent blood,”

Criminals might appear to “get by” with shedding innocent blood. But our Lord has the final say so. And without real repentance, it will not end well. 

4. Evil imagination (Prov 6:18)

“An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations.”

Premeditated wrong will be judged by Jesus Christ, the Righteous Judge. 

5. Running to pick up dirt (Prov 6:18)

“feet that be swift in running to mischief,”

C.H. Spurgeon used to say, a lie will circulate around the world before truth puts on her boots!

6. False witness (Prov 6:19)

“A false witness that speaketh lies,”

Spreading rumors and lies is on God’s hate list. 

7. Sowing discord (Prov 6:19)

..”and he that soweth discord among brethren.”

Causing disunity in the Church is looked down upon by Jesus, and will be dealt with accordingly. 

Conclusion: There we have it. Time to check it out. Are any of these six things in us?

If so, let’s confess them and Praise the Lord for His Grace!

Introduction: How many of us need to “Turn Back”? In the days of the prophet Jeremiah, this was the message…Turn Back.

“16 Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.” (Jer 6:16)

Why? Because his people had drifted from the God of the Bible. It was not that they were religious. They were. But the God of the Bible was not interested in His people having a form of godliness. Instead, He desires worship from the heart. He can see through the pretense and hypocrisy!

Do we need to Turn Back today?

1. Jacob Turned Back! (Gen 32)

Jacob had been a deceiver and a con artist but God changed him as he wrestled with the Angel of the Lord (pre incarnate Christ). 

His name was turned into Israel – a prince that prevails!

2. Moses Turned Back! (Exo 1- Deut)

Instead of trying to kill one Egyptian at a time, he learned to do things God’s way. Howbeit, it was through the burning bush encounter whereby he was changed. 

3. Jonah Turned Back! (Jonah 1-4)

After running from God’s call, and learning that you can run but not hide, Jonah TURNED BACK to obey the Lord. Spending sleepless time in the belly of a whale should get most anybody’s attention. 

4. Peter Turned Back! (Luke 22, John 21) 

Impetuous Peter stuck his foot in his mouth like we do so often. Claiming he would never deny Jesus, he learned that phrase “NEVER say NEVER”! However, afterwards, he TURNED BACK to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

We too can TURN BACK!

Conclusion: Will you TURN BACK today?

Introduction: Jesus commends work. In fact he was not lazy; i.e. walked everywhere…it is hot and humid in the Middle East. Our Lord said these words:

“I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” (John 9:4)

This was uttered from our Lord in the context of His friend Lazarus passing away. What does this mean to us today?

1. It means that what we do for (thru) our Lord Jesus, we need to do it today!

“I must work the works of him that sent me…” (John 9:4)

Our Heavenly Father has a plan for our lives. We choose our work daily. His ultimate will for His children is that we are conformed to His image. This is accomplished by the power of the Holy Spirit as we are led and filled. Learning to be about our Father’s business is the key. Do you agree?

2. There is coming a “Night when no man can work”! (John 9:4)

“….the night cometh, when no man can work.”

Jesus will return in the clouds of heaven. Our life will be over on earth. Whether He comes or we go in death, there is coming a night when no man can work.

Introduction: Things look shaky for Taiwan. Invasion from China is imminent. CHRISTians could face martyrdom.

What should we do? Pray. Wouldn’t you want someone to pray for you?

Remember Jesus said, “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them” (Matt 7:12).

With that being said, a report is coming out of Taiwan that there are multitudes of people praying because of the threat from China. 

“More than 40,000 prayer groups in Taiwan have arisen amid threats of war from China.”

“All across this island, people are meeting every day, 24 hours a day, to pray for revival, unity, repentance, and protection over their land.” (Milton Quintanilla | Contributor for ChristianHeadlines.com | Tuesday, July 25, 2023)

Good can certainly come out of a bad situation. Paul urged the believers in Ephesus to pray for all saints.

“18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.” (Eph 6:18)

Prayer is needed everywhere. The hour is late. The needs are great. But we serve a mighty God! Jesus is well able to do more than we ask or think.

“20Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” (Eph 3:20)

Are you praying? 

Conclusion: So let us pray today for our brothers & sisters in Taiwan and around the world.

Introduction: The summertime is here and the SUN is shining brightly. But the SON is shining brighter! Where and how is the SON shining?

Peter under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit reminds CHRISTIANS everywhere that the SON is still shining.

1. The SON is SHINING with HOPE! (1Pet 1:3)

“3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”

There’s Hope in Jesus!

2. The SON is SHINING with PEACE! (1Pet 1:2)

“2Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.”

The PEACE of God which money cannot buy and the world cannot give is available through Jesus Christ. 

3. The SON is SHINING with His PROTECTION! (1Pet 1:5)

“Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

A hedge of PROTECTION is greatly needed! Faith opens the door.

4. The SON is SHINING with His PERFECTION! (1Pet 1:6,7)

“Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.”

He is still working on me!! Through the trials & tests, we are being perfected into His image.

Conclusion: The SON still shines! It is a bright light in a dark world.

Go light your world!

Reflect the SON.