DAILY READING Isaiah 2:1-5 Isaiah 11:1-9 REFLECTION   TITLE By Elaine Pierce These passages are forward-looking: From Chapter 2: He will teach us his ways... The law will go out from Zion, He will judge between the nations... They will beat their swords into plowshares... Nation will not take up sword again nation, nor will they train for war anymore. From Chapter 11: A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse... The spirit of the Lord will rest on him. The wolf will live with the lamb The...

DAILY READING Isaiah 2:6-18 Isaiah 30:1-11 REFLECTION   The Biblical Don'ts By Elaine Pierce These verses are full of warnings of what NOT to do. Take a look at some of them: don't practice divinations don't clasp hands with pagans don't fill your land with idols don't sign an alliance with a country that doesn't believe in God don't count on horses and riches to protect you from hard times It might be tempting to think to yourself, well, these are ancient peoples. Surely we don't build...

DAILY READING Isaiah 1:1-4, 10-20, 5:1-13 REFLECTION   Godly Justice By Elaine Pierce What is one quality God expects to see in his people? Let's look at Isaiah 1:17 and 5:7b: learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow. And he looked for justice, but saw bloodshed; for righteousness, but heard cries of distress. The prophet Isaiah does not mince words. God is not pleased with his people. He has given them plenty of...