Paul accomplished untold good for people who were blessed by His labors. We are encouraged to know that when we labor with the Lord and for the Lord, that He will prosper us. It may not look like it. It may not always feel like it. But we know that the Lord's purpose will endure at the end, so we do well to serve the Lord in boldness and love.

Isaiah recounts the day he was called into heaven's glory, and made a prophet of the Most High God. In one of the few places in holy scripture we get to see into heaven, we learn that God's prophets are His, not ours. Those whom God calls into holy ministry serve Him, not us. Their divine call carries great weight and tremendous responsibility for both the preachers and the hearers.

The parable of the vineyard is used by Isaiah, and at least three times by Jesus, as a warning not to use God's love and mercy as the excuse to indulge sinful selfish desires. We live in a world that celebrates ungodliness. We may be tempted to use God's forgiveness as an excuse to indulge our sinful desires. Resisting this temptation, let us strive to live in the Lord's way, as unpopular as that may be.

Philippi was a town full of citizen soldiers. They enjoyed the blessings of being citizens of a favored Roman colony. They also knew the price that must be paid, often by others in blood, for the blessings of citizenship. As we read this chapter, we are encouraged in our valiant fight for Christ, and encouraged by the promised resurrection and life everlasting that are ours in Him.

Despite Judah's rank idolatry, God still loved His people. He promised, in the midst of their spiritual rebellion against Him, that He'd love them. Instead of treating them as they deserve, He will would send a Savior to them.

By the time God sent Isaiah to Judah, they had fallen deep into spiritual depraivity. His judgment began at home, and extended to the godless nations around them. God had grown tired of their hypocrisy, which favored self and friends over foreigners and enemies.

Paul encourages us to embody the spirit of Christ, which is a spirit of sacrifice, service and humility. The world seeks its own glory and praise. We seek the glory and praise of another, knowing that when we do, all those around us are blessed.

Not only does Isaiah utter many prophecies about Christ, he also prophecies the rise of the Church. Christian or not, it is hard to deny the fact that the Church has been the most influential, and in many ways most influential earthly institution.