Dear Brothers and Sisters,

As we saw last week in Isaiah 56:8-57:13, the prophet has been pronouncing doom on those who maintain an outward religion, but behind their doors, they are hiding their idolatries. The Lord has called these religious people who do their duties on the sabbath, “dumb dogs,” “blind watchmen,” “offspring of sorcerers,”  and “greedy…” He has told them that their idols will forsake them. But in our text for this coming Sunday, Isaiah 57:13-21,  the Lord declares His sovereign power to change some of them. He changes their hearts, heals them, leads them, comforts them and alters their speech. He will change some of them so dramatically, that instead of continuing in their former fakery, they experience a total transformation where they begin to say, “Heap it up, Heap it  up! Prepare the way, Take the stumbling block out of the way of my people.” Here in this section Isaiah shows us what happens to those whom God changes – they start speaking things that they never did before… they rise up and build, and restore by calling all around them to, Heap it up, Heap it up.” In other words… rebuild. This explains why God has left His people on the earth… so that we build up the highway of Holiness (Isaiah 35).

He is speaking of the power of the gospel that is exercised at the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the new covenant era. The apostle Peter and Paul both refer to that, ” Peace, peace to him who is far off and to him who is near.” At the same time there will remain those without peace… they are “like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest.” 

Prayer will be held at the Brown Barn.

Note: Next week… Women’s Mentoring will be meeting on Wed., Oct. 14, 10:00 am til noon, at the Brown’s Barn. We will be starting a new book, so now is a great time to put this in your schedule if you have not already. Childcare is provided for those not yet in school, those in school should bring assignments to work on. This is a great setting to do many of the “one anothers” that are in our church covenant. Some of us usually continue the discussion and fellowship over lunch at the Mexican restaurant in Rolesville.

The songs are below:

• Christ the Lord Is Risen Today
• A Broken Spirit
• Like a River Glorious
• Irresistible Grace
• It Is Well with My Soul