Encouraging Word | September 11, 2022

Don't miss out on what the Lord is doing

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Isaiah 29:10–14 KJV

For the Lord hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep,

And hath closed your eyes:

The prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered.

And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed,

Which men deliver to one that is learned,

Saying, Read this, I pray thee:

And he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed:

And the book is delivered to him that is not learned,

Saying, Read this, I pray thee:

And he saith, I am not learned.

Wherefore the Lord said,

Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth,

And with their lips do honour me,

But have removed their heart far from me,

And their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:

Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people,

Even a marvellous work and a wonder:

For the wisdom of their wise men shall perish,

And the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.

Mark 7:6–7 KJV

He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Their Hearts Were not Right

Jesus considered the Pharisees hypocrites because they were pretending to honor the Lord

•       so that others would think they were holy

•     and hold them in high regard.

•     But their hearts weren’t in it.

God wants our hearts and our words.

Luke 6:45 KJV 1900

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

What you think and feel

 Will eventually come out.

 If your heart isn’t really set on the Lord,

your actions won’t match up with what you’re saying.

..

Isaiah 29:13

Wherefore the Lord said,

Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth,

And with their lips do honour me,

But have removed their heart far from me,

And their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men

The Lord observes

When you are just going through the motions of worship

 without a vital, daily relationship of trust and obedience with Him.

•     Their worship was a matter of traditional ritual observance,

•     rather than a heartfelt desire to interact with Him (cf. Mark 7:6-7)

Isaiah 29:14 KJV

Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people,

Even a marvellous work and a wonder:

For the wisdom of their wise men shall perish,

And the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.

You will miss out on what He is doing

•     You won’t be able to see from His perspective

Remedy

Isaiah 29:23–24 KJV

But when he seeth his children, the work of mine hands, in the midst of him,

They shall sanctify my name,

And sanctify the Holy One of Jacob,

And shall fear the God of Israel.

They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding,

And they that murmured shall learn doctrine.

Put the Lord in his rightful place

•     in your daily life

•     in your worship

stop just going through the motions

•     and incline your heart to the Lord

Our hope at Irvington Bible Baptist Church is that this podcast provided some encouragement and has helped you to develop a closer relationship with the LORD Jesus Christ.

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