Last Friday I asked you to pray for our Heritage ESL (English as a Second Language) International Christmas Dinner. What a joyful, meaningful night it was. The friends who came from several countries enjoyed sampling foods from around the globe…
Author: rickandlindareed
Tuesdays with Isaiah (Chapter 17)
While the heading for this chapter in my ESV translation says, “An Oracle Concerning Damascus”, the chapter deals with the impending judgment on both Syria and Israel. Previously, in chapter 7, we read how Syria and Israel were joining forces…
Praise and Prayer Update (December 9, 2022)
Last night we had a knock on our door and heard singing outside. The music was coming from Heritage students who were out in the community singing Christmas Carols to those who live in the neighbourhood. As they finished singing…
Tuesdays with Isaiah (Chapter 15-16)
In these two chapters, we have a lament voiced for the coming destruction of Moab, a nation to Israel’s east (across the Dead Sea). Amidst the wailing (a word repeated multiple times in chapters 15-16), we hear another, surprising voice…
The Long-Term Future is Bright
If you are following the news these days, you have likely had your fill of bad news. The future looks dark and foreboding: a devastating war in Ukraine, the rising cost of living due to inflation, widespread illness (coughs, colds…
Tuesdays with Isaiah (Chapter 14)
Chapter 14 continues the judgment oracle on Babylon (3-23) and then adds a short prophetic prediction about the coming judgment on Assyria (24-27) and Philistia (28-32). But before addressing these three nations, Isaiah has a brief, consoling word for the…
Tuesdays with Isaiah (Chapter 13)
Beginning in chapter 13, we enter a new section of the book that runs through chapter 35. In these chapters, Isaiah brings messages to the nations and the entire world. While the Lord rules over His people (chapters 7-12), He…
Blue Mondays
Here's a chapter from Rick's book, The Heart of the Preacher. It gives you a window into one of the heart tests faced by many who preach and teach God's Word on Sundays. Let it be a reminder to not…
Praise and Prayer Update (November 18, 2022)
A big thank you to all of you who read these prayer requests each Friday and then make them part of your prayers! Last week I asked for prayer as I (Rick) was scheduled to preach in a new church…
Tuesdays with Isaiah (Chapters 11-12)
The section of Isaiah that began in chapter 7 (with an all-important prelude in chapters 1-6), culminates and climaxes in chapters 11-12. Here we find a glorious vision of the future. Here we see the Lord bringing his salvation to…