Category Archives: Isaiah

What belongs to God

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James Tissot (1836-1902)
Le denier de César
opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper, between 1886 and 1894
Brooklyn Museum

Jesus said to them, “Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” Matthew 22:21

We are God’s people, all of us, every single precious human being on earth. We are alive by the grace of God and through the power of the Holy Spirit. We are here to be God’s loving, healing, compassionate presence to everyone we encounter.

Today I will honor God by conforming and aligning my mind, heart, and will to God’s. I will ask the Holy Spirit to guide my words, actions, and behaviors that I may become more like God in love and goodness and do my best to carry out God’s vision of unity, love, and peace among all people.

God provides for all peoples

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Beth Jacob Cemetery
Finksburg, Carroll County, Maryland
15 July 2015

The Lord guides me in right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side with your rod and your staff that give me courage. Psalm 23:3-4

Whether I am poor or well-off, healthy or ill, at ease or frightened, welcomed by others or rejected, I am always safe in the heart of God. God strengthens me and supplies whatever I need so that I may continue to grow in love and goodness and treat myself and others with respect, kindness, and compassion.

Today I will respond to God’s invitation to come closer. I will find the courage to ask God for whatever I need and trust I am heard and answered.

A vineyard of peace, love, and goodness

Marten I. van Valckenborch (1534/1535 – 1612)
Gleichnis von den bösen Winzern (Oktober), 1580/1590
Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien

Jesus said, “Therefore, I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit.” Matthew 21:43

My challenge every day is to produce the fruit of God’s kingdom: “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious” (Philippians 4:8).

Today I will examine my words, actions, attitudes, and behaviors to discern the fruits I am producing as I go about my daily life. I will ask the Lord to give me the courage to make necessary changes that I may grow in peace, love, and goodness.

God is always near

School of Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn (1606-1669)
Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard: Matthew 20:1-16
5 15/16 x 7 11/16 inches
Pen and brown ink, pentimento in left arm of seated figure corrected in opaque white, on paper; later washes and pen strokes in gray.
The Morgan Library and Museum

Seek the LORD while he may be found, call him while he is near. Let the scoundrel forsake his way, and the wicked his thoughts; let him turn to the LORD for mercy; to our God, who is generous in forgiving.
Isaiah 55:6-7

God is always near, God is always here. We are always welcome to call on God for help, guidance, mercy, compassion, comfort, and love. It is never too late to call on God.

Today I will intentionally make conscious contact with God. I will ask God to lead me where I need to be and then rest in stillness for a minute to listen to God’s voice in my heart of hearts.

Rich in wisdom and love

James Tissot (1836–1902)
The Primacy of Saint Peter (La primauté de Saint-Pierre)
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper, 1886–1896
Brooklyn Museum, Purchased by public subscription

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How inscrutable are his judgments and how unsearchable his ways!
Romans 11:33

We can’t out-guess, out-think, or out-imagine God. God is infinitely good, wise, creative, merciful, and loving. God will reveal what we need to know when we need to know it in order that we may grow in humility, patience, trust, goodness, wisdom, and love.

Today I will ask myself who Jesus is. I will examine the ways he has led me, taught me, and shown me how to be in the world. I will model my life on his way of wisdom, compassion, and love.

You are welcome here

Jesus and the Canaanite Woman
Ilyas Basim Khuri Bazzi Rahib (Egyptian, active ca. 1684) (Scribe)
folio from Walters manuscript W.592
ink and pigments on laid paper
The Walters Art Museum

Thus says the Lord: For my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.
Isaiah 56:7

God loves and welcomes all people of every race, culture, nation, age, gender, lifestyle, and socioeconomic status equally and without exception.

Today I will examine my life and discern where I have been unwelcoming to any of God’s people. I will ask the Holy Spirit to open my heart that I may be a welcoming and loving presence to everyone I encounter.

Fed with love

James Tissot (1836-1902)
La multiplication des pains, between 1886 and 1894
opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39

It takes faith to know God is present at every moment, that I am in God and God is in me. It takes humility to recognize that God’s Spirit gives me life and the ability to speak, move, pray, love. It takes intention for me to practice the presence of God and know God’s love for me.

Today I will come to Jesus heedfully, remembering that he is the teacher who feeds me what I need for my spiritual journey. As I read and listen to sacred Scripture, I will practice mindful awareness of God’s presence in the Word of God.

The word is love

Jean-François Millet (1814-1875)
The Sower
pastel and Conté crayon on beige paper, mounted on wood-pulp board, ca.1865
Clark Art Institute, Williamstown, MA

Jesus said, “But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.” Matthew 13:23

The word of God is love. The fruit I bear when I hear and understand God’s word of love feeds the people I encounter with respect, encouragement, kindness, patience, forgiveness, and forbearance. Love allows me to live humbly, share generously, act justly, welcome all people as beloved of God, and play a part in carrying out God’s vision of unity and peace in our world.

Today I will intentionally sow words of love in my thoughts and speech. I will allow my actions to reflect this love as I move through the day.

Thy will, not mine

Adriaan de Weerdt (ca. 1510 – ca. 1590)
oil and tempera on panel
first half 16th century
National Museum in Warsaw

Jesus advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will.” Matthew 26:39

At times God’s will that we love God, ourselves, and our neighbor leads us into challenging, lonely, or frightening situations. The example of Jesus shows us we can trust that God sustains us no matter what we face—and that following the Way of Love is the path to deep spiritual healing.

Today I will empty myself and open my mind and heart to know and carry out God’s will.

Healed by the light

John August Swanson (1938-2021)
Festival of Lights
Serigraph, 2000
from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=56546 [retrieved February 8, 2026]. Original source: Estate of John August Swanson, johnaugustswanson.com

Thus says the LORD:
Share your bread with the hungry,
shelter the oppressed and the homeless;
clothe the naked when you see them,
and do not turn your back on your own.
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
and your wound shall quickly be healed.
Isaiah 58:7-8

This week I have heard from a number of people about the anxiety they carry. These dark times of racist acts, violence, malicious speech, inhumane practices, greed, and injustice place a heavy burden on us.

Scripture tells us we have the power to lighten the burden and bring light to this dark time with simple acts of kindness: giving food to the hungry, offering protection to the oppressed and homeless, clothing all people with the dignity that is their birthright, and taking responsibility for ourselves and our families.

Today I will demonstrate the power of the Spirit within me by shining the light of respect, peace, humility, kindness, generosity, and mercy on the people I encounter and in the situations I find myself.