September 24

Good morning!

What an amazing daily reading! My heart burns within me as I read. I love Isaiah. It's one of my favorite Old Testament books. I used to read it and highlight it as a child. Isaiah 43:18 proclaims, "Do not earnestly remember the former things; neither consider the things of old." Sometimes "former things" can be bad or tough times. Sometimes thoughts of the past are filled with regret. Sometimes memories of the past are full of really, really great memories...memories that can hinder us in the present because our life is not what it used to be.

Verse 19 declares, "Behold, I am doing a NEW thing! Now it springs forth; do you not perceive and know it and will you not give heed to it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." God is declaring a new thing for Hillcrest church and even personally for my life and many of ours. Do you perceive it? Will we cling to the past as a church and as individuals or will we heed, reach out and take hold of what God wants to do with you and I and will Hillcrest Church right now? Not only is He proclaiming that He is doing a new thing but that He will make the way for us and provide for us.

God goes on to describe Himself as He "who blots out your transgressions for His sake" and as the "First and the Last" as "Redeemer" and as our "Rock." Praise be to God on High!

In Isaiah 44, He tells us to "fear not whom I have chosen" and that He will pour water on him who is thirsty, and floods on dry ground." Do you know that YOU are chosen by God? He will pour His Spirit out on our descendants, His blessing on our offspring! Watch and see the Lord accomplish His Word in our church, in our children, in our city, Hillcrest!

To close, I'll pray Ephesians 3:16-20 over you in my own words.

Dear heavenly Father, I pray that You would strengthen each one of us at Hillcrest Church in our inner man through Your Spirit. Cause Christ to dwell in our hearts through faith. Root us & ground us in Your love & cause us to comprehend w/all the saints the width & length & depth & height of Your love which passes knowledge. And fill us with the fullness of God today. May You do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, and to You be the glory forever and ever. In Jesus' mighty name, I pray, amen and amen!

Blessings,
Rolanda Green
Hillcrest Children's Minister