The Greater Call Podcast – Isaiah | Growing Tomorrow with Pastor Dave Owen

Mark Immelman welcomes Pastor Dave Owen of Providence Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, for a profound exploration of legacy, leadership, spiritual grounding, and the timeless wisdom found in the book of Isaiah.

From Isaiah’s life-altering encounter with God to the prophetic hope woven throughout his writings, Mark and Pastor Dave unpack what it means to truly plant seeds for tomorrow—in leadership, family, faith, and personal growth.

Through heartfelt stories, biblical insight, and real-world wisdom shaped by decades of ministry (including mentoring U.S. Open Champion Webb Simpson), Pastor Dave shares how we can stay rooted in God, stand firm in our calling, and lead with courage in a culture that often drifts toward uncertainty.

🔑 Key Verses Mentioned
Isaiah 6 — Isaiah’s vision of the Lord
Isaiah 7:9 — “If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.”
Isaiah 7:14 — The promise of Emmanuel
Isaiah 9:6–7 — “For unto us a child is born…”
Isaiah 26:3–4 — Perfect peace for those whose minds are steadfast
Isaiah 40:28–31 — Strength for the weary; soaring on wings like eagles
Colossians 2 — Being rooted and built up in Christ
Matthew 7:24–27 — Build your life on the Rock

Pastor Dave serves at Providence Church in Raleigh, NC, overseeing outreach and student ministries. He has invested deeply in mentoring leaders—including PGA TOUR players like Webb Simpson—and is passionate about equipping believers to influence their world with humility, steadfastness, and faith.
Instagram: (search: Providence Church Raleigh)

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✨ Be full of joy in all things, no matter where you are. Be thankful. Go and be a legend! ✨

Transcript

Welcome to this episode of The Greater Call Podcast. I'm your host, Mark. I'm so glad you would join me for episode 14, gosh, where as we hear already episode 14 about Isaiah. It's titled Growing Tomorrow, essentially Planting Seeds for the Future. And I'm thrilled that Pastor Dave Owen from Providence Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, would join me.

Dave, welcome. How are you doing? I'm doing great. Thanks for having me. It's a joy to be here. You got thrill. I, I, it's my thrill and I gotta tell you why. Quickly before we dive into the goat, notice my hat of all, uh, prophets in the Old Testament. I love it. I have that same hat. Yeah. It's cool. Well, you, if folks are watching on YouTube, you need to, because behind Pastor Dave on the walls, there's a Ryder Cup flag that's signed by, I guess the US team, and there's a US Open from 2012.

Which we, Simpson won, who was a recent guest here on this greater call show. Um, anyhow, so this, everything about Isaiah to me is like, gosh, you, you know of him. And then when you sent me chapters to read Dave as my God, golly, there's more to it than just those few verses we all have sort of plastered on our wall or in a picture or frame somewhere.

This was some sort of a man, and I'm, I'm excited you would wanna dive into this. Yeah, it's, it's thick. I mean, it's obviously 66 chapters. Mm-hmm. One of the largest of the, of the prophets, uh, in the Old Testament. But it's, it does, it's, it's interesting how it parallels the entire Bible. And in the Bible is 66 books, um, in chapters one through 39, which there's 39 books in the Old Testament.

Mm-hmm. Uh, in 27 in the New Testament. Um, even in the way it's written, um, it's, it parallels and, and it, it kinda shows a little bit of the totality of the, of the, of the whole scriptures. The Psalms and Isaiah obviously quoted quite, quite a bit in the New Testament, uh, as those boys were doing their quiet times in the Bible and as, as, as the New Testament was happening, they were reading, uh, this, uh, this incredible word that, uh, just love it 700 years before Christ came.

Uh, so pretty remarkable. You know what? It, it, it, when you read this. Isaiah was a master and he had a tough job. You know, you had to deliver some uncomfortable news to people. And it's not like he was the most liked fellow in the world, but he laced all of his messages with his hope of the future. And, and for folks watching this, if you wanna live a better life or be a better father or boss, or whatever it mean, it means there's a lot of legacy moves in here too, Dave.

Mm-hmm. Where you're sowing seeds for the future. And ultimately I would say. That is one of our biggest callings in life is men and women of the faith, and even not of the faith. Right. Uh, absolutely. Yeah, absolutely. I think to be able to, to plant, uh, seeds, uh, for, for the future, for the next generation. I mean, I'm a, I'm a dad of, of four college age kids.

Uh, and, uh, man, it's, uh, it's an intense journey for them. With some of the I ideologies and philosophies that are out there. Yeah. Um, and yet there's a movement among the next generation that, um, I'm seeing, uh, where they're hungering. I, I think the secularism, the secular worldview, sort of the American dream, I kind of sum it up as, um, the American dream is make all, all you can, can all you get and sit on your can and, and it, uh, it, it leaves you empty.

And, and I think people are really exploring the Christian faith, um, primarily because what's under their feet right now is crumbly. It, it, it, it's empty. It's not fulfilling. Uh, and we see this movement, uh, among, yet we have probably a hundred thousand college students in our city here. Mm-hmm. With, uh, UNC, duke and, and NC State, um, and other schools.

Um, and you just see so many just really longing and looking for something. And I think, um, to be able to plant seeds in that next generation, uh, where there's hope, uh, there's purpose, there's identity, um, greater than, than yourself. Um, it's fulfilling. It's the greater call. Hey, I'm glad to have you because you're with Providence Church Day in Raleigh.

You, you sort of oversee outreach and you guided a young, we, we Simpson to Christ. And now to be, you know, one of the leaders of the faith on the PGA tour. So let's dive into the man. Isaiah a bunch. Yes, yes. Incidentally, I always misspelled his name incorrectly. I put the i's before the A's and such. Anyway, that's an aside.

Um, he was a prophet in Israel and Judah, um, considered to be the greatest prophet, as you say, quoted umpteen times in the New Testament and in the Old Testament. He was reared though in an aristocratic home in my research and. Yet all of that, because I think sometimes a, a lot of folks when they come from means, you know, there's not that much urgency, but he had this moment where God basically said, whom shall I send?

And Isaiah goes, send me. I'm up for this job. And it wasn't the easiest job in the world. So, so, so color, Isaiah a little bit for me, given your knowledge of, of the man and his work, please. Yeah, absolutely. Well, I think you, you know, Isaiah, coming from, from this F family, I, I think what really probably altered and, and changed the entire trajectory of his life.

Mm-hmm. Was he encountered? Um, the living God? Yeah. Um, I think you, you, you don't encounter the living God and, and go away from that not changed. Mm-hmm. And so I, I think one of the most, um, incredible passages, um, in, in all of them are amazing. But Isaiah six, uh, there really is, uh, a, a tremendous, um. Chapter, um, that, that lays out where it, it, it starts off, um, in the year that King Siah died, he saw the Lord sitting on a throne.

Mm-hmm. Uh, I think it's, it's fascinating Mark, you know, to, to think about siah. It is good to do a quick word study on him. Right. Because he was a king for, for, uh, Judi for 52 years. Um, and actually things went well. Um, but in his latter years. Um, you have these three roles in the Old Testament of prophet, priest, and king.

Mm-hmm. Uh, and he's the king. He didn't play the role of the prophet. And obviously all of those roles are summed up perfectly in Jesus himself as the true prophet, the true king, uh, and the true priest. But he wanted to offer the sacrifice. Uh, second Chronicles, I believe is 26, where he, he. The, the priest was saying, please don't do this.

Uh, and he went in, he wanted to go in and, and play that role. That wasn't his role. Uh, and he was struck with leprosy. And, uh, and it's sad because, um, you can run 52 years well and still end bad. Um, and, and so this, this legacy is, is to the last breath, right? Um, of planting these seeds. And so for, for him, he, he, it's an incredible story to study for those that are listening out there today to, to just study his life and, and, and guard our heart against pride because it knocks at the door of all of our hearts.

Mm-hmm. Uh, but it's, it's that year that he died and actually he was remembered not for what he did those 52 years, but as, as a, a leper who, who disobeyed the Lord. Uh, that he saw the living Lord. He saw the one who, who was living, uh, summon the theological circles. We'll call this a theophany, uh, Christophany.

This, this pre-incarnate Christ. Mm-hmm. Um, and he sees 'em on a throne and, uh, and he's high, he's lifted up. Uh, and the scripture to say these angels are, are flying around this throne with the lamb of. God, sit it seated on it. Um, and, and I, I get stirred with emotions every time I, I think about this because, um, they're having to cover their eyes because the glory and the holiness and, and John, you know, for the listener, when, when you study these Old Testament passages, there's small numbers beside it that are references.

And oftentimes it's really helpful to look up those references. Uh, and so in John, he, John tells us. Who Isaiah saw, he says he, he saw the Christ, he saw the Son of God. Um, and it forever changed, um, his life. I mean, verse three, holy, holy, holy. They're seeing it. This, this triple this, this repeated word gives such emphasis of what he saw, what he encountered.

And, um, yeah, it, it was, it was, it changed everything. I, I wanna say this and, and because. We are all as human beings on our own journey, right? And some of us are farther along or however you, if you're grading, than other folks. But, you know, we've all had this transformation at one stage or the other, like recently with, uh, we did a, a show with Ted Scott who talked, he wanted to talk about Paul.

And we did it a second time and it was the soul and, and I'm more focused on the transformation of soul to Paul and just farther along in six. Where you've now described what Isaiah saw, verse five, Isaiah goes after seeing this magnificent vision. He goes, whoa, to me. So, oh my gosh. Uh, I, I'm, I'm nothing.

He goes, I'm ruined. I'm a man of unclean lips. I live among people of unclean lips and my eyes have seen. The king, the Lord Almighty. So now he's seen this and he's like, uh, he sees God clearly and suddenly he sees himself clearly. Hmm. And if you wanna have that moment where it's like, jus I better turn my habits a little bit.

I, I almost get the sense where that transformational time happens when you truly, uh, have a, have a brush. Maybe not like Isaiah, but you have this moment in your life. When, when, when it's like. Okay. Um, I need to turn around and go in the opposite direction and, and, and live a more transformative legacy, leaving leadership in a good sort of a life.

Yes. Yeah. Yeah. Uh, a hundred percent. And I, and I think when, when we encounter holiness, we realize how unholy we truly are. Mm-hmm. Um, and, and, and when we see the glory, uh, of. God, uh, in the face of Christ, I really believe, like that's where, um, we, we do come, you know, some translations say, I'm, I'm ruined, I'm messed up, I'm undone.

Uh, and and that's a good, that's a good place to be actually. Uh, because the Christian worldview, let's say you wanna find your life, you lose. Uh, most people are trying to find it in, in, in everything under the sun. Um, and, and Isaiah found it from a, an encounter. An encounter because I mean, he, he will, um, go on to, to say because of what he has seen.

Um, it really sends him on a trajectory, uh, to live his life, um, with, with a purpose, not making himself known, but making much of the one he has seen. I know it's a tremendous mission. Isn't it crazy though? 'cause we've talked about this in the past, like Paul, for argument's sake, right? All Paul is is a guy who's also had this moment where his life's been transformed, and then it's his life's mission to go and, you know, preach the word to the gentiles.

You know, I've never heard this and I keep on trying to put myself in his shoes and now Isaiah's the same thing and I'm seeing a common thread here. Now the more I do these shows where, um. It's not necessarily your ability, but your availability. Mm-hmm. That, that, that, that qualifies you for these callings and, and, and for these moments where you leave legacy and such.

And then like Isaiah for argument Sachs, all he was doing was prophesying, giving bad news to people laced with hope, right. Calls out there telling people it believed in other stuff, that Jesus is the way. And at the time they're just so devoted in obedient and courageous. Strong sometimes even because they're facing headwind.

I'm sure you know, when Isaiah spoke, not everyone was listening all the time, you know, it's a hard job. Um, but at the time they just devoted to their mission and now thousands of years later, they're like, these are legendary figures. These are heroes of the faith. Yes. And, and it's for all of us who have an ounce of like dominion and, you know, desire for better in our life.

We sometimes get so wrapped up in the now maybe. Mm-hmm. You know, we have no idea the seeds we could be sowing and planting for the future. Mm-hmm. And, and, and I wonder if someone would've told Paul, yo big guy, um, the lion's share of the New Testament of the Bible, God's holy word is coming from you. Do you realize that?

I mean, it's crazy if I think about it. It really is. And four of the letters came from prison. True. For real. Yeah. Yeah. It's fascinating. And I think, you know, and I oftentimes think of Isaiah, one of the things that encourages me, I often ask myself is I've, I've just celebrated 30 years here at Providence.

Mm-hmm. Uh, and praying that God would give me many more years, but just, um, to see his endurance when, like you said, no one really listened to him. Yeah, he gave a hard message. Matter of fact, the, the text goes on to say, when he says, whom, um, shall I send? And obviously after you see what he saw you say, I, I'll go.

Yeah. But, but then it's almost like he says, well, they're gonna have, uh, a heart that's dull and ears that aren't gonna really listen. So my question to Isaiah is like. What sustained you for 60 years and to, to, to speak these words and hardly anybody listened to you. I mean, um, and, and I think he never got over what he saw.

Okay. Yeah. I think you, and then sometimes I think especially for the listener, like when you're going through hard times, when you're going through tough days, that, that sometimes you, you, you have to clinging to that which you do know, even when you don't know what the future holds. Mm-hmm. And, and he held, he held steadfast to the vision of Christ.

On a throne. He knew, I think that was gonna be all of eternity. Uh, as Revelation tells us that he is the lamb who's seated on the throne. Yeah. And, uh, and there'll be no need for the sun because his face is so glorious. Uh, it'll illuminate the entire heavens. Um, and I just think he, he never got over that.

And it sustained him to endure for 60 years. And then history tells us. We, it is not prescripted in the Bible, but history would say he was probably sewn in. So sown in two. Mean cut in two. Exactly. Marty martyred. Like, I just don't know if I would've signed up for that. I'm not that spiritual. Okay. Well, yeah, me neither.

Um, and the folks watching and listening to this, so I go, okay, I'm not sure, sure I wanna sign up for that stuff either, but, but it's about, you know, real leadership, real life is about. You said, not putting it all in your can and sitting on the can. It's about, you know, passing along, giving, teaching, mentoring like you have with a young Webb Simpson for human mistakes.

You know, empowering others, you know, to a better life to make their difference in the, in the world. And you, you, you talk about this where, where God said, whom shall we send? And Isaiah raises there and he goes, well, send me, I, I'm, I'm available. Um. I think not knowing that the well eventually became aware that this was not an easy job, this prophecy and this telling uncomfortable truth to everyone that was around him.

Mm-hmm. And he had that moment of realization where he was like, gosh, it's just meager old me. Um, and then it was again, just his availability, but I guess is where I'm going here. You talk about SU to sustainability, I see a real consistency as well, because. He's delivering this message, and I'm sure there's a lot of blow back, and that's not nice.

I don't care who you are. You know, you, you like people to like you. That's just a human sort of a thing. Um, but he was so consistent in that he stayed true to it. The message was always laced with hope at the end, even though it was uncomfortable news. Mm-hmm. And he always seemed, Dave, that the, the court of public opinion was not how he measured himself.

He was always though measuring himself to the higher authority, which was God of who he had had this vision. And I think there's a lot in that, that if we wanna make real change in us in lab, it's easy. Now, in this day in which we live, where golly, with social media and such, you take a stand for one thing and you're gonna have, I don't know, 30% of the people that like you and 70% of the people that are gonna come after you, you know?

It's hard. It is hard. You know, there's a, there's a great book webinar, uh, actually read through it, uh, early on in his career, um, by a counselor, uh, named Ed Welch. It's in Entit. The title, I love the title. Uh, it's when people are big and God is small. Okay. Mm-hmm. And, and the whole premise is when, when we compromise, I love the way you said it, Isaiah just consistent because he didn't compromise.

And oftentimes we compromise because there's a deep fear of man. Uh, and when I say fear of man, what I mean is that we long for people's approval. So much so. We will compromise. Um, and, and yet I think Isaiah just lived in light of the fear of God in a healthy way. That, that there was a holy reverence that he knew he had God's approval.

And I think webinar talk about this a lot. Um. That, that the way you get through having this, this fear of man or, or, or desiring to be like desiring to be approved by man is walking in a relationship with Jesus, knowing that he loves you, his grace and mercy, he's for you. Um, uh, and he, he cares about you and he's shown you compassion and what he offers you.

Both eternal life and strength for everyday living. And it's, it's, uh, it's really freeing. When, and I see Isaiah, although this, this hard message laced with hope. Um, I see there was a freedom too because he just leaned into that call, that greater call. He just leaned into it, um, because he knew he had God's approval and he was walking with God, uh, which is no greater, I think joy.

Hey, you know what? You, you're perfect the span. You're a good guest. You've segued me into the, into the next chapter in seven, which you talked about highlighting. And as I went through there, um, Isaiah's told by God to go out and you meet very, very precise directions. In fact, you go out and you meet, um, these men by the aqueduct of the upper pool on the road to the waserman field, and, and then.

Then he is saying, and then there's a lesson in mindset, right? And the verse goes, and I gig. I actually giggled at this because it is empowering to me. Certainly when you're dealing with tough people as a leader or whatever the case might be, if you have the correct mindset, and this is a godly mindset, because this is God's saying, be careful, keep calm.

Don't be afraid. Don't lose hearts. Because of these two smoldering stubs of firewood. Mm. Somebody's saying to him, those two dudes over there, the way I see them, they're just smoldering stubs of firewood. Yeah. And, and, and, and what a way to empower a person to say, here's the mindset. Uh, be careful. Keep calm.

Don't be afraid. Just look at the situation and don't make a big deal about this whole thing. Whatever you're going to go and do or in whatever sphere of life you are, because God sees it as just, man, that's just embr in, in an old fire pit over there. It's not a big deal. That's right. And it's, and I, and I love it.

That's, that's when the beautiful promise that comes, which we'll all probably hear in the next few weeks with Christmas around the corner. Mm-hmm. It's, it's in light of, of this context when it's not really going that well. Uh, off to touch, we hear this verse. In seven with hot chocolate and Christmas lights.

But it, I mean, Pepperman, pepperman hot chocolate for me, please. Hey, let's go. I, I, I had one yesterday, Uhhuh, he says in, in 14, right? Behold. I mean, here comes this promise. The virgin shall conceive and bear a son. Yeah. And shall call his name. And I love it. Emmanuel. God is with us, keeps God with us. I mean, what a, what a promise.

In the midst of some of the, the craziness. I want to just a little bit before that there too. And this one jumped. I mean this, you know what, you have that moment too. And now that I'm spending more time in the Bible, this is happening more often to me. Isn't that curious? Anyhow, so, so. There in, um, the second portion of verse eight in chapter seven of Isaiah.

This was like marching orders to me right away. And it goes, if you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all. Hmm. And for me it was like, gosh, it punched me right in between my eyes. Mm-hmm. And I read that once or twice and I actually wrote it down here, like, if you on one or other sort of a mission and you going into something that, you know, there are a lot of unknowns.

This again is like stand firm in your faith because if you don't, you're not gonna stand, be able to stand. That's right. And it was, it was like, it was a bit of a, you know, earth shaker for me. But it's, there's truth in that. And I feel like as a leader, as a great person, as whatever you're wanting to achieve, that's the kind of thing that you can go, all right, every day I am renewing my mindset to go, I'm standing firm in my faith here.

'cause otherwise I'm gonna get blown around the place and, and, and become victim of all those circumstances in the public opinion. You, you, you talk about. Well, and I, and I, I, you know, so true. And I, I love, there's a, a cross reference in the Book of Colossians, which one of, one of my favorite books in the New Testament.

But he says in chapter two, um, that just as you received the Lord, um, so walk in him. So how do we receive the Lord? It's by faith. It's by trust. He says. So walk in him. But then he says, something's really unique, mark. He says, um, being rooted. Built up and established or strengthened in the faith overflowing with thanksgiving.

Do not be, um, deceived by the empty ness of the world's philosophies. Yeah. But, but take, take root. And then he says this, it's really fascinating. He says, for in him in Christ. The fullness of deity, dwelled bodily in him. And he says like this, this is the anchor. This is the anchor of, of, of your life. This, this, just, just as you received him.

So walk in him. And then what happens is, it's a really fascinating word, study because, uh, to walk in him is an imperative. It's a command from the Lord in the scriptures. But then he changes, uh, those three words to be, um, rooted, built up and established are s um, and they're passive. What does that mean?

That means this is, this is what's done to you. Yeah. And so as, as you walk by faith, trusting, not compromising, planting seeds for the future, God, God's rooting you, he's establishing you, and he's gonna build you up and help you not be captive by the empty philosophies of the world. I love that word rooted.

Mm-hmm. Um. Here recently. It's, you know, the, it's the Christmas season in 2025 to put this podcast into context. Well, you know, coming up on Thanksgiving when we're recording this, but it's the festive season. Um, and so the leaf color changing and all this, you know, a lot of change going on from summer to fall and then winter obviously, and the rooted.

Is, is like, I can imagine the tree rooted firmly that can withstand storms and stuff like that. But then I also, that takes me in my mind to I'm the vine. You are the branches remaining me, and you'll have life basically. If you don't, you don't, you don't, won't have life. Mm-hmm. And, and I'm, I, you can see that so clearly.

And that was one of those verses always, Dave, that was kind of lucky. I just heard it, but I've heard it now because if you're rooted in this. And if you remain in it, there is a guaranteed life guidance. Uh, the Holy Spirit is your helper and your comforter, right? Mm-hmm. It's all these, all, all these benefits to being in this sort of a relationship with God Almighty.

Yeah, it's, it's beautiful. And the uniqueness of, of this Christian faith is, it's really, it's paradoxical in some sense. It's the way up is down, right? It's, it's, it's, uh, and the, and the beauty of the color of the leaves that you just mentioned, uh, I think that we see and we love and we're enamored with, really comes when the leaves are dying.

True. And I think the Christian faith is when you die to self and live for him, the beauty shines. It comes out. Beautiful. Um, let's move along to chapter nine, which you wanted to, um, again, he is Isaiah prophesying Yes know of oftentimes on dead ears or the Bible says, people that will hear but not perceive, um, where he laces his bad news with some more hope.

And in, um, nine, the, the verse that jumped up to me, it was the one that everyone's gonna be sending in text messages and Instagram dms and stuff. Yeah. Um, versus six and seven. Um, I, I, that's what I noticed for the unto us a child is Born thing. Um, I, I'm, I'm keen to know why you were so keen to spend some time in this chapter.

Yeah. I mean, I, I think it's one of the most, um, incredible. Pro prophecies of, of who this son is. If, if he's promised in seven, what is he gonna do in nine? Uh, and it is just, you know, the government will, will, will be upon his shoulder. He, he's the sovereign reigning king. Mm-hmm. But then his name and, uh, we did a, a series a few years ago that just unpacked each of these names and it just meant so much to me just in my own personal walk that.

That he is a, a wonderful counselor. Like he, he has wisdom for any issue you have. Uh, there is wisdom from the living risen Christ that he can help. And, uh, and he's a mighty God. He, he's a strong, he's a strong, uh, he's not a, this, the Christian faith is not. Uh, for, for, for weak people. It's for everyone. Um, and, and he's a strong God.

And then he says, uh, he's the everlasting father that he, he's, he's eternally, um, caring. He's eternally, uh, providing, uh, protecting, uh, and he's the prince of peace. I mean, um, he, he is the one who brings, I think, uh, peace that everybody's looking for. They're just looking in the wrong places for it. 'cause most of the time it's temporary.

Um, yeah. And I think there's a peace that comes from him. That's Philippians chapter four says. Um, uh, that it's, that it's unexplainable. It, there, there's a, this piece that comes from God that it's hard to describe, but it, but it, it guards our heart, it guards our minds, and it allows, it doesn't remove all the things that are around us.

It just provides a way to get through them. Yeah, let's be honest. I mean, what you say is, so, it's not profound. We've all heard it, but it, it hits me, you know, in my soul a little bit. Um, because if you're drawing breath, you have challenges on the earth. That's a guarantee. No one's immune to highs and lows, you know, anxious moments, fearfulness.

It's, it's all part of this human experience. But the whole thing, uh, and I'm gonna read what you were sort of simmering. Es a child is born to us as son given, and the government will be on his shoulders, so that means. It's, everything's under control. You know, everything's control. If you're relying on the government, this is the only reliable government there is.

Yes. And he will be called wonderful counselor. And counselor is who you go and speak to. You know, everyone's, you know, going for counseling nowadays in the 21st century, where's the wonderful counselor? Hmm. The mighty God, the everlasting father, the prince of peace, of the increase of his government and peace.

There will be no end. Mm-hmm. And I'm like. If you a person living life, if you are a leader or an aspirate leader, if you wanna leave a legacy, this is such great news here because no one really leads alone. Everyone's leaning on someone for counsel and, and for to help us because life is full of situation where you, your piss can get robbed in the blink of an eye as well.

Absolutely. Yeah. I think to, to lean on him, um, he, he wants that, he's offering that to have full access to him as a counselor. Sometimes in the city it's nine to five, right? Yeah. Mm-hmm. Then, then you'll have a, but Hebrews four says that we have full access to a throne room that's called grace in time of need and help.

Uh, which is, it is amazing. It's so comforting to know that, that Christ, uh, offers this. Like, I, I have access to my house and my, my, my in-laws, 'cause I know their garage code. I can go get some food out of there, but, but I only, I only have access to two houses in the whole city. And I, yet, I have access to, to God in heaven 24 7.

Wow. Cool. I, I, I need to say this before we go into chapter 26. Um. Which is to me, lessons in mindset and peace, right? Yeah. And everyone's searching for peace. Most of us are searching for peace, but go down to the beach or whatever, or go and disappear to the mountains, close to where you are or something, and go and find peace in nature.

But this is the perfect piece. Yes. Um, I, I do want to say this though, Dave. Yeah. We're getting, you know, all, all of these verses in Isaiah is Isaiah, you know, everyone's saying them to each other, but remembering that this stuff came on the heels of. You guys have got life a little wrong right now. We gotta, now let's get our houses in order.

Let's be doing what we should. Let's be, you know, being true to the call on our lives as opposed to just reading this stuff to make ourselves feel happy and then hoping for the very best. So, I, I, I need to say again because, uh, Isaiah, I was whipped by the stuff initially because I, I felt. Black. I really didn't have myself under control.

And, and, and that's the thing. Gain the control and then all this other stuff is available to us. Hmm. Well, I don't think the good news is good unless we understand that the bad news is bad. And, and, and so when he says, guys, you're, you're not following, you're doing things your own way. You're, you're prideful.

You're trying to take control of your life. It's not gonna go well. I mean, we know historically, uh, another nation ended up. Coming and wiping them out. 7 22, then 5 86. Um, and history tells us that, uh, as well as the Bible. And, and so I, I think when we try to take things in our own hands and, and be our own government in a sense and rule as opposed to depending on him, um, he's not holding out on us.

I mean, this is the garden in Genesis three. I'm thinking. Uh, I mean, they're there. They're not, they're not content being with God. They want it to be like God. They want it to be their own God. Right? And, and all, and, and, and the one restriction that he gave, he had given a thousand liberties. He gave one restriction.

And what's the propensity of the heart? The propensity of the heart, uh, is to do the one thing we shouldn't do, and then it's chaos. Um, and yet even then, he makes a promise in Genesis three 15, somebody's gonna come and then he's gonna make it. Right. Uh, he even clothed them with, uh, he had to kill a, a lamb and clothed them because they, they were shame and guilt and no peace.

Uh, and yet, um, man, he's such a loving guy. This is amazing. I can, you know what, listening to you, Dave, I can now see your influence on Web Simpson's life. Because this is, this, what you describe is exactly the man I know and how he shares the story of when he won the a CC championship and he woke up the following morning and he is like this, you know, I, I still feel the same.

This this is no big deal really. And, and now he's one of the leading players and well, was, now he's in the auto move his career a little bit, to be honest. But he's done great things in golf. Mm-hmm. But still, you get the sense that the greater call on Web Simpson's life is passing on the word of God. Yes.

And and it's not racking up trophies on the mantle piece, although that is nice. Yeah. But he's using the platform and, and with the way you talk about it and describe it, I can now see the seeds that you've planted have come to fruition. In Web Simpson's life. So I, I, I commend you, my friend Pastora. It is.

You've done a masterful job there. It's a joy. It's a joy. I tell you. It's, I'm so encouraged. The flag behind me, you can't see what's written 'cause it's small and black, but mm-hmm. He said, um, he signed it for me and said, um, I always, I just try to keep these guys humble. Right. They're, because I mean, they're, they're great players.

I'm trying to get strokes from 'em when I play with 'em, but I just said, buddy, life is flying and you're gonna move up to the white tees one day. Uh, and so, and so he signed the flag, white tease one day. Thank you for the eternal perspective. Oh my. And, uh, so as, and he may have shared the story, but if he didn't, it's beautiful.

On 17, the par five on Sunday afternoon, he's talking to Paul, this caddy, and he's like, Pauly, um, listen, the resurrection of Christ is the greatest news in the history of the world. And that's our anchor. And so let's just anchor our soul right now in that truth. That's where we get our identity and let's try to get home and get to 18.

Uh, there's roaring behind them, some birdies were being made. But, um, you know, the Christian faith isn't a genie that you rob and you win tournaments. It's an anchor under your feet. Mm-hmm. When life goes well or bad. Um, and, uh. He got in, got him a Diet Coke and just waited and things turned out. Next thing is a US Open champion.

Wow. Yeah, it's incredible. A cool story. I appreciate you sharing that. Yeah. Okay. Onward to yes to to 26. Um, and as I said, this is kind of a lesson in mindset and peace in verses three and four. Mm-hmm. Um, and this, the, these are the promises now. Mm-hmm. Yeah. And three goes, you will keep, you will keep imperfect peace.

Him whose mind is steadfast. Because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever. For the Lord is for the Lord. The Lord is, uh, the rock eternal. Mm. Um, that, that's one of the many that jumped out at me a little bit. I'm certain you could add to that. Yeah. You know, it's, it's, it's, uh, just a anchor verse for my own life, personally, for the as minister to people, uh, young and old funerals, uh, you know, weddings, all these things in life.

But just, um, just when you think about he, he, who or she who, who keeps his mind on him? God, the risen. Um, he God. Then keeps you in perfect peace. It's not you keeping yourself in perfect peace. It's you keeping your eyes and focus on the one who is perfect peace. We just talked about the prince of peace.

Then he, as your state on him, keeps you, he holds you, he sustains you, he causes you to persevere. Um, in, in peace. In the midst of all the chaos in of life, and then it, then he just comes. I love it. He just trust, trust in the Lord. He, he's an everlasting rock. And when I think about that, mark, I think about, you know, the, the sermon on the Mount, Matthew seven, where Jesus ends that sermon, one of the greatest sermons ever given 'cause he gave it.

But he says there, there, there's, there's two ways people are gonna build their life, their, to build a legacy. That that one is, that if you listen to my words. And you build my life, the storms are gonna come. But if you build it, your house, meaning your life on the rock, that when the storms come, it won't crash.

But the foolish, the foolish who don't listen, they, the storms are still gonna come, but it's like building your house on sand. Mm-hmm. When it comes, it's gonna fall apart. And, uh, I think whenever I, I hear that word, the everlasting rock, I just, I think of Jesus' words. Um, he, he is that rock, uh, to build your life on.

Yeah. It's again, the perfect segue into, um, chapter four. Um, because to me I draw courage from some of the voices, uh, the verses in there. And then, um, this advice for hope and strength, which again, I feel like is all these leaders watching this and, you know, you wanna do your leadership role where whatever it is, your coaching role, I don't know, just add whatever you want in there.

Just your, your role in life better. There's there, there's some matching orders here too, but also just it's. Feel good, I don't think describes it adequately, but it's kind of feel good. Like I want to hit you here with, do you not know? Have you not heard? All right? Mm-hmm. The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth.

He will not grow, tal worry, and he's understanding. No one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak and, and, and the way the whole thing's put. It's like. After all this work that Isaiah's been doing, he's like, do you not know, I mean, have you not heard this? And let me just remind you of the, this, this, I don't wanna make this sound like a heavenly vending machine, but the source that is available to you, um, when you are in this attitude, living your life.

No, I, I, I mean, it's just so powerful. Like, um, you can see him, I, I can almost see him like, come on. Yeah, exactly. Wake up, man, wake up. It's not, it hasn't worked well for you because, uh, you know, as he's writing this, I mean, it's, he's prophet, he's ministering from about seven. Uh, 40 to six 80. Right. And we know in 7 22, the Northern Kingdom goes down by the Syrian.

I mean, you if, if the news was on, it's always bad news. Yeah, exactly. Uh, and, and he's just like, listen, he, he's the one, he, his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power and then he closes in, in 31. And really 40 to 66 is this transition to really hope fill things with, but those who wait on the Lord.

Shall renew their strength. Yeah. They shall mount up with wings like eagles, and they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint. I mean, who, who doesn't want to live a life that's, that's, uh, where you don't always feel like you're weary and you're gonna faint. Uh, it is just, there's a heaviness to life, um, these days.

And yet with the Lord. Um, he doesn't remove the heaviness. It's still in the air. I think there's just a way to get through the heaviness. Yeah. This 31 is one of those verses, you know, they're framed in people's houses, especially here in the south. Oh yes. Like Joshua. But as for me and my household, we will, uh, trust in the Lord.

It's the same deal here. But you know, as you read that, when I've read it before, I'm like, yeah, I'm in a soar, like an eagle, you know? And it's, I have these visions of grandeur. But then when I reread it a few times in preparation for this call with you, and I thank you for choosing Isaiah. 'cause I spend more time in this book than I have in the past because like I did when I did.

It's these highlighted verses, right? Yes. Um, it says those who renew in the Lord will renew their strength. Mm. Okay. So that means that, you know, you had some strength anyway, which you had to have built up. So you were involved with this. You're not just sitting back and suddenly you turn into Adonis and you full of strength.

And then it said they will soar in the wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary, which means you up to something. So you're gonna get, you know, more energy to do whatever your purpose is or to fulfill your purpose even more instead of just sitting down and being like, apathetic and like, oh my gosh, yeah, I'm just gonna, you know, believe and be all happy, happy kumbaya, and then, uh, blessings before me, and they will walk and not faint.

So again, there's a verb and then you'll have the result and there's another doing and you'll have a result. Not that I'm trying to say that this is all a doing. It's all a fulfilling of one's purpose as a father or a pastor, or a golf coach or a broadcast, whatever we are, what we called to do. You do this with the hope in the Lord and you will get this measure of abundance to allow you to, you know, approach your craft, approach your leadership, approach your life.

Mm-hmm. Um, you know, a little bit better even. Yeah. Uh, no, absolutely. I, and I, I think it's, it's when, when you're grounded in the biblical worldview, um, I, I think it allows you to serve, um, in those capacities, um, not for your namesake. But for his name sake. And, and so Colossians there says, whatever you do, do, uh, wholeheartedly, like, like go after it.

Uh, but, but do it, uh, for the Lord. Um, Psalm one 15 says, not to us, not to us, but to you be all glory. Right? I talked to Webb last night on the phone. He's playing the RSM this week. And, uh, we just prayed together. Just say, you know, Lord, uh, sustain. Be the rock. Uh, help me to commit every shot I've been practicing.

I want to, I wanna play well. Uh, but my demeanor, my attitude, my interactions, my thoughts, uh, I want, I want him to be pleasing and honoring to you and, uh, and that type of, of, of life. A lot of the young guys that are out there this week are hanging out with him, uh, as he's doing some mentoring with them and just, uh, encouraging them, you know, play, play hard.

He wants to beat up, but compete at a high level. But do it with, uh, a humility of heart, uh, a a gratitude to God for the skills. Um, and there's, there's a way to, to do that from CEO of a company to a PGA tour player, uh, that, that you're doing and not most do it for their names sake. And when you find your identity.

In that it really will. It, it messes you up because if, if you come out on top and, and it's everything to you, it's really not fulfilling at all because you were created for more than that. Yeah. And then if you do really poorly and it's everything to you, it's gonna crush you. Yeah. Um, and, and the only one who will fully satisfy your heart was the one who was actually crushed for you, namely Christ, um, is so freeing.

May. I add one more thing and then I'm gonna ask you, I've never done this before in the show, I'm gonna ask you to say a quick prayer for us. Yes. Um, in this, I, I, I think when you're going into, like, you talk about or playing badly, but if you anchored in Christ, you'll still have the joy. I, I think my idea of joy was flawed.

Mm. You know, it's, um, and, and as I spend more time in the word, and as I grow in this leadership role and as I follow this greater call, I'm realizing that the joy or the, the handling of the tough times certainly easier, but it's, you know, but it's not like, oh, I've hit the jackpot still. But it's, it's just, I, I think what I'm trying to say is, and I'm not doing a very good job, is.

Sometimes our ideas of the emotions that are described in the Bible are not necessarily accurate. 'cause I'm I, now I'm in a place where things go wrong and I'm like, oh, that sucks and that might hurt for a little bit, but then I'm like, you know, it's okay. We can still go on in the situation because ultimately I know the Lord orders my steps.

And everything might not work out for what I want my will for my life to be, but what the eternal will for my life is. Am am I making sense there? Tremendous sense. Yeah. A absolutely. And, and the Bible, I mean, the, I loved Tim Keller, a pastor who from New York City passed away a few years ago, but I loved the way he says, you know, the, the young folks, the millennials love reading the book of James.

James, there's 108. He cuts like an enough, right? Yeah, he does. I mean, he's just do do this, don't do that. He goes, but the retired people love to read the Psalms because they express every emotion. All of us have always, uh, have already felt. Okay. And, and it's really, you know, interesting 'cause they're so raw.

They're so real. Mm-hmm. Um, and so I think that the joy of the Lord being our strength, Nehemiah eight 10, um, there, there's, there's you, you know, ha. Happiness. Is, is a, comes from a word meaning happenstance, like what's what's happening around you. Mm-hmm. Um, determines whether or not you're happy. Uh, and so a, a, a peppermint.

Hot chocolate is really, I'm happy, happy, but, but joy is something that's deeply anchored in the soul because of a relationship with Christ that, that I think, doesn't remove grieving or hard days or heart emotions, but, but it, but it holds you. It's like that rock in verse 20, in, in chapter 26. It's, there's a rock under you where, where there is a, an element of, of deep joy in knowing the greater story.

That what he's doing and it hold it. It helps you Pastora. You've been sensational. Do you mind sing a quick prayer for us? I'll be glad to. Father in heaven, thank you for your grace. Thank you for your mercy. Thank you for your kindness. Thank you for all those that are listening right now. Some may be going through, um, in incredible times or, or really hard, difficult times.

Um, and you know, you know exactly where. Each listener is in their journey, in their leadership journey, in their faith journey, and we pray that they would come to know the living risen savior Christ. As Isaiah spoke of him before he even came 700 years, and yet every. Prophecy came true in what happened even from Isaiah 53 that listed out how this one that would come would be pierced for our, uh, transgressions.

He would, he would be crushed for our iniquities upon him will be laid. These things. And so this holiday season, we're thankful for the one who did come. He was Emmanuel God with us. He is the prince of peace, uh, the God, uh, mighty God, everlasting father. Um, and we're grateful. And so we just lift, lift up, uh, the listeners that, that you would encourage 'em, that they could come to know you as a rock under their feet, uh, and that as they put their mind on you, uh, perfect peace would come in the midst of, of a chaotic world.

So we lift these things up in Jesus' name. Amen. Amen. Yeah. Bless you, pastor, and for the rest of you, uh, for downloading the show. Thank you so very much. Uh, our little tribe is growing and the goal is to grow it. So keep sharing with your friends. Follow us on socials. The handle is at the greater call. Of course you can watch this and subscribe on YouTube to the greater call.

He is Pastor Dave Irwin from Providence Church, doing wonderful work. Obviously. I'm Mark. I'm so thankful you would be with us. Um, remember, this is your place to learn lessons from our Bible heroes on live, legacy, and leadership to tell your friends. And in the meantime, go and be a legend.