How can I live in a situation that I don’t like? How can I love in a situation that I don’t like?
How do I? (not without You – without You, I can’t) Oh, not about me, it should be all about You, Lord. You have this power to overcome me and my motionlessness.
How do You, Lord, love? Oh, You ARE love, unceasing, painful love. Oh, You are fulfilling, purposeful LOVE. You are LOVE and Love is YOU.
You also, Lord, don’t like certain things, attitudes, influences either. You Lord put up for now, quietly, but You won’t forever, like You didn’t wait for the flood forever, it came. You didn’t wait for Moses’s people to wander forever, You delivered. You won’t wait for us forever but for us to see forever. You will take care of the scene in Your Way.
We simply are to pray. Pray unceasingly. Thank You unceasingly. Love You unceasingly. Love others unceasingly. Love them in sacrificial love, even without the like.
Be at Peace with You handling the situation, speaking the words, the corrections and what not. How do You be at Peace, Lord? Oh, You are Peace.
You Peace without the worry. I won’t Peace without You. Let me worry less, let me love without the like. Let me live a life worthy of Your Love.
Oh. What an interesting, glorious, necessary and timely thing to do: WAIT.
Wait. We wait for Christmas, but do we actually actively participate or just wait. We wait for Christmas goodies, or do we make them? We wait for Christmas glut to pass too – way too much!!!.
With Christmas maybe we should hope that we can savor small bits of gratefulness without as much of the glitz. As sometimes we wait for the glitz to get us into the mood of Christmas, maybe we should refocus on Christmas meaning. Where is our Christmas spirit? Are we always waiting for more? Do we not stop to know already? Jesus at Christmas came to be God With Us, IMMANUEL. Solved our Salvation Situation. And Jesus will come back.
There IS more. There is MORE. More Jesus Evermore.
I’m not there in a Christmas glitz spirit, won’t be for a while, but I’m ready for the Spirit of Christ in Christmas and everyday for sure. An awe with angels overhead. I am ready for JOY. And yet am I letting myself inti His Joy? Do I even know the fraction of JOY that He brings? Well, I wait, I wait upon myself to absorb if just the crumbs of Jesus’s Whole Loaf, and piecemeal myself to rest in Him, to focus, to know. I need to whole loaf rest in Jesus and remember that Hope. Jesus came to me in a Christmas Flood – how dare I not lift my head in Praise and WOW… I never want to grow cold to His Fire. And He won’t let me be frozen out. He always holds us close. He is our MORE.
I do know that the Lord wants us to set aside the world for a time to focus on Him, learn in His Word, then lean on Him for ventures back out and through the world. Jesus doesn’t just stay in a box, wrapped under the tree, Jesus is out in the world with us. May we only hear His voice, feel His Spirit, be in His Arms. He is OUR MORE.
I love these chapters 63 and especially 64, of Isaiah, prophet of the ending portion of old testament times when the Israelites have seen so much from God, and yet wait for more. They won’t yet see the 1st coming of Christ, but their prophets foretell of Him, of His Hope and Salvation, the Arm that saves because God Himself Whom corrects is also Mighty to Save. Chapter 63 reminds of the price of judgment and when God hardens hearts. But God also said “Surely they are My people”... and is sending of Himself a Savior: So He became their Savior. In all their affliction He was afflicted, And the Angel of His Presence saved them; In His love and in His pity He redeemed them. Chapter 64 brings a remembrance of our need and the nation of Israel’s need (and all gentiles need) for a Savior.
You meet him who rejoices.How often does God ask for our sacrificial Praise even in adversity? ALL THE TIME! The Israelites of Isaiah’s time were looking at ruins from the temple and the people God set aside and Isaiah on behalf of the nation acknowledged their sinfulness. He begs but saw the salvation Arm of God in the midst of the fury. We EXPERIENCE what he FORETOLD, SALVATION of Jesus forgiveness and a bride to His Bridegroom, a healing for ever after.
Isaiah says that amazing truth: “O Lord, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter; And all we are the work of Your hand.”
If we take time for Christmas, let’s not neglect the time we take for (and spend with) Christ. Let’s not judge the world, lest we be judged. Not demand but encourage Christ in Christmas. Especially we ourselves could fully open the gift of thoughtfulness, sacrifice, holiness, wholeness, wholesomeness, and Praise. Let us remember what angered God of those generations turning backs on Him, from those left behind after Noah’s Ark to generations spoken of by Isaiah, and NOT do that. Let us remember our clay is molded after Him and our lives are moldable by His HANDS and Jesus’s Hydration – and we are directed to turn towards Him. Let us hear our Shephard’s assuring Voice.
If God waits patiently for us, let’s not make Him wait and more for us to turn towards Him. Piety is pursuing our Prince of PEACE. Praise Him.
Amen
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Isaiah 63-64 NKJV
The Lord in Judgment and Salvation
Who is this who comes from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah, this One who is glorious in His apparel, Traveling in the greatness of His strength?—
“I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save.”
Why is Your apparel red, And Your garments like one who treads in the winepress? “I have trodden the winepress alone, and from the peoples no one was with Me. For I have trodden them in My anger, And trampled them in My fury; Their blood is sprinkled upon My garments, And I have stained all My robes. For the day of vengeance is in My heart, And the year of My redeemed has come. I looked, but there was no one to help, And I wondered that there was no one to uphold; Therefore My own arm brought salvation for Me; And My own fury, it sustained Me. I have trodden down the peoples in My anger, Made them drunk in My fury, And brought down their strength to the earth.”
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God’s Mercy Remembered
I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the Lord And the praises of the Lord, According to all that the Lord has bestowed on us, And the great goodness toward the house of Israel, Which He has bestowed on them according to His mercies, according to the multitude of His lovingkindnesses. For He said, “Surely they are My people, children who will not lie.” So He became their Savior. In all their affliction He was afflicted, And the Angel of His Presence saved them; In His love and in His pity He redeemed them; And He bore them and carried them all the days of old. But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit; So He turned Himself against them as an enemy, and He fought against them.
Then he remembered the days of old, Moses and his people, saying: “Where is He who brought them up out of the sea With the shepherd of His flock? Where is He who put His Holy Spirit within them, Who led them by the right hand of Moses, With His glorious arm, Dividing the water before them to make for Himself an everlasting name, Who led them through the deep, As a horse in the wilderness, that they might not stumble?” As a beast goes down into the valley, And the Spirit of the Lord causes him to rest, So You lead Your people, To make Yourself a glorious name.
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A Prayer of Penitence
Look down from heaven, and see from Your habitation, holy and glorious. Where are Your zeal and Your strength, The yearning of Your heart and Your mercies toward me? Are they restrained? Doubtless You are our Father, Though Abraham was ignorant of us, And Israel does not acknowledge us. You, O Lord, are our Father; Our Redeemer from Everlasting is Your name. O Lord, why have You made us stray from Your ways, and hardened our heart from Your fear? Return for Your servants’ sake, the tribes of Your inheritance. Your holy people have possessed it but a little while; Our adversaries have trodden down Your sanctuary. We have become like those of old, over whom You never ruled, Those who were never called by Your name.
Chapter 64
A Prayer for Help
Oh, that You would rend the heavens! That You would come down! That the mountains might shake at Your presence – As fire burns brushwood, as fire causes water to boil – to make Your name known to Your adversaries, that the nations may tremble at Your presence! When You did awesome things for which we did not look, You came down, The mountains shook at Your presence. For since the beginning of the world Men have not heard nor perceived by the ear, Nor has the eye seen any God besides You, Who acts for the one who waits for Him. You meet him who rejoices and does righteousness, Who remembers You in Your ways. You are indeed angry, for we have sinned – In these ways we continue; And we need to be saved.
But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like Filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. And there is no one who calls on Your name, Who stirs himself up to take hold of You; For You have hidden Your face from us, And have consumed us because of our iniquities.
But now, O Lord, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter;
And all we are the work of Your hand. Do not be furious, O Lord,
Nor remember iniquity forever; Indeed, please look—we all are Your people! Your holy cities are a wilderness, Zion is a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation. Our holy and beautiful temple, Where our fathers praised You, is burned up with fire; and all our pleasant things are laid waste. Will You restrain Yourself because of these things, O Lord? Will You hold Your peace, and afflict us very severely?
Have you ever thought about trying to unpack a life suitcase of trauma in your personal history? So brave to start opening the hidden buried compartments, so many just never want to do that, never will. Others can never close the old wounds that just won’t heal or go away. But in a desire to at least explain where we are in life, and attribute these weighted experiences to life-long pain and shame, we often are found on the airport floor opening up a mess of a suitcase and trying to close it again. Tough.
Maybe no one died in these life experiences, but we still hold onto the trauma. Often the past has been blocking development of the future fully – and this is currently cramping our style – or the continuous carrying of these memories is costing extra to have the excess suitcase weight. Heavy stuff. Then how best to shed the dread?
Others can help, but don’t always know what they are looking at. Yet outside sight is clearer for big picture reflection and reframing – and that is not always done without the blaming. We don’t have to unpack alone, but remember not everyone involved in your circle of circumstances wants to unpack their own suitcases simultaneously with you unpacking yours. Might never happen and perhaps it’s not presented easily to you for processing… and you can’t force open any suitcase without breaking the lock or the handle, a mess might never be whole again. If you can’t put together a wholeness from pieces (laundry or life), then perhaps that outfit won’t ever be made again. You can’t live your life trying on old pasts. We must move forward.
Also, lo and behold, like dirty laundry, once you start the wash, you have to finish the job, you’ve got to lift the heaviness to the dryer. It can’t just sit and get more moldy on top of heavy. Fabric of life softener will but be careful if it just covers up rather than cleans. Wash and rewash. Lighten the load.
Might want to replace rather than repack the same old stuff. Lighten the load.
Eventually our hidden laundry of life might get threadbare and see-through and better given up to be a rag that is tossed. Lighten the load.
Best to toss outdated and expired toiletries or medicines and refresh yourself for new adventures. Lighten the load.
You can’t carry around souvenir treats that go bad either. Enjoy in the moment then be done. Lighten the load.
Perhaps the best unpacking is done with an eye to forgiveness – the survival in an angry-packed world is not easy but is doable if you forgive more and linger less. How? with a forgiving peace.
Forgive to forge forward. Forgiveness is the only way. It might be the best part of your day. Then Walk away – the Load is Lightened.
Amen
But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. 2nd Thessalonians 3:13
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” from Isaiah 43:18-19
It was good to unpack, I put everything in the wash, including the totebags themselves. I am thankful for fresh water and home convenience. Thank You Lord for the trip. Thank You Lord for being home.
In my suitcase this time, I packed my pint-sized JESUS plush doll, it just gets smooshed under paper piles, so thought time for a car ride, why not, the fresh face is so inviting and this particular doll has an unusual appearance with an arm always held up rather than by its side. Jesus extends His guidance, He points the way. If anything, the doll is just a reminder of squishy huggable Jesus to His children, us. Joy in the Journey.
I certainly also packed my pocket-sized “Jesus Calling” devotion book, that I read each morning both for personal strength and ead for conversations in a small Bible study group each week, it’s good to unpack how each set of scriptures (spoken in Jesus 1st person) was pertinent that week, joys and challenges. A safe space Zoomed to wherever I am, physically and mentally, for an hour each week. The scriptures are to stick with us all day, of course, so each morning, the Lord is urging us to be accepting of a safe-space, God Given, to read His Word and talk to Him. God wants to unpack some life items for us, not rehash them but rewash them and make them fresh and new again. Often Jesus will throw away old hurtful things, saying you don’t need them, let’s move forward. He does this because His nature is forgiveness for repentance, I know, Lord, that You know best. Jesus can reformat our life to pattern after His, and take the yoke, helping us walk freely ahead.Thankfulness in adversity… current adversity (one could be writing about old adversity too, but let’s focus on today)
I appreciated one particular page this 4-day weekend, in the JesusCalling book, oh a good reminder for myself: TO PRAISE IN ADVERSITY, to ask “what blessing can come out of this?” Yes. Often we say it is good ‘life experience’ – it is if only it’s that we pull closer to God.
Then I know God got a good laugh from the angels at the repetitive lesson that next day (thankfulness is a way to pray without ceasing), because both He wants us to know this lifestyle each day and the angel laugh because that same sentiment arose in the crossword puzzle later that day. Oh yeah, clue 52 (fittingly a special number to my earthly distractions), “UNCEASINGLY” – and the answer is “ETERNALLY”. Cute God, cute.
That thankfulness, even in adversity, done unceasingly, surely refocuses us on His Joy. Joy is different than happiness, which can be fleeting, but Joy returns with Jesus-focus, a servant heart, a sacrificial spirit, a forgiveness force.
Jesus is our JOY – let us never forget to bring this to each day.
Amen
…
I’ll unpack more later, but meanwhile here is that text, from Sarah Young’s envisioned writing, like Jesus speaking directly, from the scriptures, Jesus Calling:
Nov 24 Jesus Calling: “Thankfulness takes the sting out of adversity. That is why I have instructed you to give thanks for everything. There is an element of mystery in this transaction: You give Me thanks (regardless of your feelings), and I give you JOY (regardless of your circumstances). This is a spiritual act of obedience — at times, blind obedience. To people who don’t know Me intimately, it can seem irrational and even impossible to thank Me for heartrending hardships. Nonetheless, those who obey Me in this way are invariably blessed, even though difficulties may remain.
“Thankfulness opens your heart to My Presence and your mind to My thoughts. You may still be in the same place, with the same set of circumstances, but it is as if a light has been switched on, enabling you to see from My perspective. It is this Light of My Presence that removes the sting from adversity.”
From:Ephesians 5:20 ESVgiving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ
Psalm 118:1 ESVOh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!
Psalm 89:15 ESV Blessed are the people who know the festal shout, who walk, O Lord, in the light of your face,
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Nov25 Jesus Calling: “Thank Me frequently as you journey through today. This practice makes it possible to pray without ceasing, as the apostle Paul taught. If you are serious about learning to pray continually, the best approach is to thank Me in every stiuation. These thankful prayers provide a solid foundation on which you can build all your other prayers. Moreover, a grateful attitude makes it easier for you to communicate with Me. When your mind is occupied with thanking Me, you have no time for worrying or complaining. If you practice thankfulness consistently, negative thought patterns will gradually grow weaker and weaker. Draw near to Me with a grateful heart, and My Presence will fill you with Joy and Peace.”
From: I Thessalonians 5:16-18 KJVRejoice evermore.Pray without ceasing.In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
James 4:8 ESVDraw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Romans 15:13 ESVMay the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Need a real Christmas message amid the red green blitz that’s now overtaking stores and galore? Isaiah prophetic chapters 62 on… Real. Amazing. Truth.
Old Testament Message of a Mighty Messiah.
Salvation of a Nation. A Zion zenith for worship and praise.
Christmas Coming of a Christ. JOY of Jesus.
A ready-ment for then, a realization for now. A reality for the future coming.
A Christmas Christ for eternal glory of God – with His Own Arm He Saves.
A Coming Christ for Peace hold and loosed and established forever.
Peace is a comin’ – holding Peace is our Savior.
Amen
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Isaiah 62 NKJV
Assurance of Zion’s Salvation
For Zion’s sake I will not hold My peace, And for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, Until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a lamp that burns. The Gentiles shall see your righteousness, And all kings your glory. You shall be called by a new name, Which the mouth of the Lord will name. You shall also be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, And a royal diadem In the hand of your God. You shall no longer be termed Forsaken, Nor shall your land any more be termed Desolate; But you shall be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; For the Lord delights in you, and your land shall be married. For as a young man marries a virgin, so shall your sons marry you; And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.
I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; They shall never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of the Lord, do not keep silent, and give Him no rest till He establishes and till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth. The Lord has sworn by His right hand and by the arm of His strength: “Surely I will no longer give your grain As food for your enemies; And the sons of the foreigner shall not drink your new wine, For which you have labored. But those who have gathered it shall eat it, And praise the Lord; those who have brought it together shall drink it in My holy courts.”
Go through, Go through the gates! Prepare the way for the people; Build up, Build up the highway! Take out the stones, Lift up a banner for the peoples!
Indeed the Lord has proclaimed to the end of the world: “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Surely your salvation is coming; Behold, His reward is with Him, and His work before Him.’ ” And they shall call them The Holy People, The Redeemed of the Lord; And you shall be called Sought Out, A City Not Forsaken.
Indication: you’re so tired you snapped at someone. It means you’re tired. It means you are human.
Contradiction: you snapped at someone you loved because maybe they deserved it, in your opinion, or at least you are comfortable enough to speak your mind, or you are simply tired and without a filter. It’s seemingly a Contradiction with your conviction to not snap at people, but we are all human and our skin is thinner than our patience sometimes.
Conviction: you realize the snapping anger was human and God’s grace would have been better applied. It’s not that one didn’t feel warranted to snap, or even realize that the snap meant preventing future bigger explosions, but conviction sees the fragility of human emotions and asks forgiveness. Forgiveness of one’s self for not forgiving others, an ask.
Repentance: asking for that forgiveness and asking for help of the Lord to forgive what you don’t want to but need to do. Repentance is the avenue to Renewal.
Repentance is acknowledged need, human requirement, HolySpirit-urged, and God-petitioned.
Renewal is God Gifted. Recharged, Refreshed, Restored. Realized in God of God from God for God.
God has been leading His people and will always lead us. A Salvation Solution Saves Sinners.
I have the quiet time now, savoring what was a gift of a gathering with family and friends. yesterday. Blessed Thanksgiving – and I hope yours was too.
The photos can capture “foodie” pics before it all disappeared, and yet how double blessed to have leftovers in the fridge. I had more brussel sprouts for late night snack. (Late night was 7pm haha)… I drove up home in time and I sat and enjoyed the whole of a family moment. Whew. Crashed at 8pm. Hey it’s morning now – maybe leftover pie for breakfast!
I did pause in praise yesterday because I achieved my pursuit of making dinner on time. What’s funny in one photo is seeing how my fork slipped into the middle of the plate and I simply piled around it. Only the shiny fork tines stood out. The food was constantly being passed around, so only later I could actually eat my meal by digging out the fork. I thought there’s got to be a SAVORING devotion in that picture, I knew it. Something about waiting but knowing the Lord’s ‘pick me ups’, seeing the fulfilment, and of the gift of the tools to partake in life.
Here is the best pick-me-up: the blessed chapter of Isaiah 61, that I’ve now reached in my reading writing. It is Jesus Jesus Jesus. An Old Testament testament to His coming, His Salvation, His Hope, HIS PURPOSE. An Old Testament PROMISE of His people raised up in His righteousness, a HEALING of brokenhearted, His consolation yielding BEAUTY from the ashes.
How we remember and savor will benefit how we decide to live our lives, in the knowledge of the end promised as a new beginning, then realize that the bumps in the road here and now mean there still IS a road. That our temporary pain will yield eventually to eternal JOY. That under our burdens is buried the birth of God’s Ways of getting us out. Freedom in faith. FAITH in the following.
Back to the fork, I knew I could get it out, stealthily wipe the handle, and start the actual meal, but 1st I just looked at my full plate. And I looked at the family I was blessed to be in – a time to just relax and be real. Satisfied in advance. Yes, nice to savor that thought of: “I made it to dinner” – plus: “I’ve been gifted this time, these opportunities, this life pause to take it all in.” – Yes, and then really DID dig in, fork and all. I made it to dinner and now I actually got to eat. I had a plate set for me – as I slid in 10 minutes later than my hope but still in time. They held the meal for me. I felt special that way.
Let us all look at life that way. Let us continue to be in Thanksgiving and realize that we can take this life pause reflection time to see what God has done, see where we are going, and know how much He boldly loves us: “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness,…” Just like the savoring of the dinner time. The Lord, through Isaiah, has told the Israelites of His Coming and the Lord has extended gifted Salvation to the Gentiles (even the crumbs off the table are more than sufficient) – and the Lord has helped all His people to realize HIS FEAST. He is holding that dinner place in Heaven for us – we need to follow His Way there.
Righteousness is the Right amount of coverage over our sins, the ring of blessings after our repentance and the “welcome home” of our travels. Enjoy the savor of the Savior.
Amen and enjoy in JOY the continued feasting on God’s blessings.
Amen – in JOYful Thanksgiving.
Amen
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Isaiah 61 – New King James Version
The Good News of Salvation
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”
And they shall rebuild the old ruins, They shall raise up the former desolations, And they shall repair the ruined cities, the desolations of many generations. Strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, And the sons of the foreigner Shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers. But you shall be named the priests of the Lord, They shall call you the servants of our God. You shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, And in their glory you shall boast. Instead of your shame you shall have double honor, and instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double;.everlasting joy shall be theirs.
“For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery for burnt offering; I will direct their work in truth, And will make with them an everlasting covenant. Their descendants shall be known among the Gentiles, And their offspring among the people. All who see them shall acknowledge them, That they are the posterity whom the Lord has blessed.”
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its bud, As the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth, So the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.
Ah…. Thanksgiving… Happy Joyful Thanksgiving, my friends… Joyful always for you all, such a great support I appreciate.
Thank You, Lord, for Thanksgiving. Peace. A pocket of peace behind and in front of me, a pocket of peace just now. There is Peace in the Lord, not in the World, let us rest inside His Pocket as He carries us, knowing His Peace. Let us continue on God’s Team.
Ah… Thanksgiving. Here is my Thanksgiving reflection poem.
There was a time when God remade my rhyme.
There was a time when I had more and thanked less. There were many times I’ve said: “God get me out of this mess.” One Thanksgiving I do remember, was not gathering anything but tears. God prevailed and God got me through those frustrating fears.
There was a time in my life when I spent too much money on too much stuff, not that I needed all that FLUFF. Take out food, ugh overpriced, when eating more economically at home would have sufficed.
Life up to this moment is now in the past. Some survives, some never could last. But I lived, I did, I dodged, I made it through. I tried always to keep stress from showing too.
There was a time when God remade my rhyme.
MAKE PEACE WITH YOUR PAST, GIVE IT TO GOD AND FAST! MOVE FORWARD! MAKE PEACE A PRIORITY TODAY AND ALWAYS, PRICELESS PEACE IS THE ONLY THING TO LAST.
Love, we say covers all wrongs, TRUE, as in HOPE we CHOOSE to see God over all. He covers our collective tracks big and small.
So now, Thanksgiving, TODAY, Love is most priceless, no matter which way the money’s spent. Counting BLESSINGS to make new moments with great intent.
So now let’s go, travel, drive, dream and make some Holy steam. But may I, may we, always pause and appreciate, may we be THANKFUL for WE ARE ON GOD’S TEAM.
Some folks are looking at the world with pre-Rapture vision, wondering when Jesus will return. “End times” we say, “closer every day”. Well, YES… And YET, should folks ONLY be wondering how bad is bad enough? Be watching evil as the barometer? Or instead watch for more opportunities to LOVE?… LOVE… LOVE!!!! Yes, we are distracted by our outrages sometimes: how corrupt is corrupt enough? What’s evil enough or widespread enough? When does the end start? Has it already started? Hmmm… LOVE has always been enough to right wrongs.
I’ve been watching TV of some sensationalized situations that need deeper delving now that sealed info is unsealed (like the Cuban Missile Crisis in a new documentary on the History Channel about JF Kennedy). I’ve been reading history that is hush hush too, lately intrigued and saddened about the hidden persecution of a particular race of gypsies in Europe, pre and post holocaust, which I was totally unaware of. I heard of the concentration camp-like place when traveling, and crimes of the recent past, not just long past, so sad. All times had evildoers and outrages, so very sad. I’m not going to make any prediction of the end times based on current times, because I only see current times on the surface and have only a small glimpse into surface history, which would surely show the continuous evil influence was deep spread, quite wide and sadly since the near beginning of time. Yet I know it must be coming soon… We need peace. Peace eternal is not by the hands of man, only the Lord God “will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.” We need LOVE and LIGHT to overcome.
End times, it is said by Jesus that agape love by the people will wane, but of course I am sure this is an observation of knowledge and Jesus doesn’t hold this barometer to measure – His only cause is to Know – to Love. – and God will not yield this judgment, to destroy evil, with any joy – these times ARE and WILL BE as painful as they always were for Jesus riding in on a donkey to Jerusalem, in tears for the lost. It says in the book of Revelation of some quite time in Heaven when end times comes – solemn and sad. And therefore we are to work hard to reduce the lost numbers – it is not like Jesus is figuratively watching some countdown clock until His Father, our Father, says “Time!”. Rather, Jesus, always, is continuing to WATCH HIS FLOCK, to go after them, speak until they hear, LOVE them and send His HolySpirit forth. In this “holding time” waiting, JESUSis NOT idle, Nor should we be. We need to LOVE even more.
Jesus doesn’t hold out, He HANDS OUT the solution to Save: HIMSELF.
So, RAPTURE and end times isn’t about the wicked clicks of time, it’s about the save-able Sands of children slipping INTO Jesus’s Hand. May we focus on LOVING, NEW BEGINNINGS and Salvation as a Season God continues to cultivate. Don’t grow cold, grow BOLD in LOVE.
I’m grateful Jesus was and is announced, speaking by Isaiah’s proclaiming prophesy hundreds of years prior to His 1st coming (read chapter 61 below): “He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives”… “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation”…
I don’t propose any magic calculator for us to decide when God is ready, we are supposed to WATCH WHILE WE WORK, not watch idle like Jonah resting under the shade – warn and wait. We must continue to LOVE with AGAPE, continue our marching orders to proclaim JESUS, the Good News Name…
“OH when the Saints go marching in!”… I want to be in THAT number…
Amen
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Isaiah 61, NKJV
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”
And they shall rebuild the old ruins, They shall raise up the former desolations, And they shall repair the ruined cities, the desolations of many generations. Strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, And the sons of the foreigner Shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers. But you shall be named the priests of the Lord, They shall call you the servants of our God. You shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, And in their glory you shall boast. Instead of your shame you shall have double honor, and instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double; Everlasting joy shall be theirs.
“For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery for burnt offering; I will direct their work in truth, And will make with them an everlasting covenant. Their descendants shall be known among the Gentiles, And their offspring among the people. All who see them shall acknowledge them, That they are the posterity whom the Lord has blessed.”
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its bud, As the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth, So the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.
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From Matthew 24:3-8, 36-37
As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”
Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.
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Day and Hour Unknown – “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man…”
Hey, how can you keep a light under a basket? You can’t. Especially if there’s fuel, fanning, faith. Keep shining.
Spirituality is NOT a Cult. Spirituality comes from faith-filled walking and listening. Do we have a cup, a collection, a condition to want our emptiness to be filled? Can we then both overflow or tip our our cup to share the flow? Can we relate to “I’ve Just Gotta Be Me” even if we are still trying to find out more about me? We should both keep asking questions as well as keep putting questions aside to simply BELIEVE. Growing is in the Going.
It’s sheer JOY that of all the new employee groups they are starting at work, they (we) are starting a global Multi-FAITH group. WOW! I am jumping right on board. Never in my 20 plus years of work did we barely mention FAITH, no, except keeping holiday traditions and festive feels. On the flip side it could be so hush hush, as it probably is in most workplaces, due to the fear of exclusionary discrimination or insulting behavior. So now it seems crazy for us to open now. And yet the driving force of the group, open to non-believers too, is to truly be non-discriminatory and take a stand against discrimination at work, where in the past Hush Hush was to prevent Push Push, and well-meaningly so.
Hush Hush. Now I’m NOT saying that it was dark – no, because SO MANY peoples baskets have been glowing in faith at work – for LOVE SHINES THROUGH – for a LIGHT will continue and can’t stop melting even a small hole in the lampshade or basket – for a light even tiny, hidden under a blanket, gives immense light – and I’ve witnessed great faith and the loving expression of acts of kindness in faith at work, I’m sure many of us have.
Push Push or Pull Pull, Spirituality is NOT a Cult. I say that in a comical way to me, because maybe to others my (our) enthusiasm is sometimes misinterpreted. I even joke that my love of Subarus is a cult, but it’s not either, because the performance of the fundamental basic system (I can tell you all about the benefits) is noticeable, not forced, not showing up as fake fundamentalism. Sadly, we probably HAVE seen sad occurrences of cults that ask too much, have to control with oppression and have had people taking advantage of other often enthusiastic lonely “lost” people, young and old. Sadly power corrupts the leaders whose heads grow bigger than what they present as a mission. As a 50plus aged person, I can remember news coverage and visualize the sensationalized outcomes of the Waco Texas compound fires, stories of cults turned prisons. Sad, scary, hidden and horrible. So for us now – and many around the world to our open lives to admit freely, live freely, be free in faith expression, then let us pray that no cults should be cultivated. Everyone should double check the teachings of their “source material” against the knowns of norms.
(And let us pray for those who are persecuted for their faith, worldwide pockets of oppression.)
The fundamental principles of FAITH do allow expression, even experience-driven exploration – that “I’ve Just Gotta Be Me” opportunity to spill enthusiasm or puzzle in pondering… But are we ourselves educated with our knowns? What are the principles that we hold to? Do we “look under the hood” or ‘behind the curtain’? is it wizards or wowing? Do we feel free and even compelled to go to the source material? Bigger than principles or written or rewritten norms, do we experience a FAITH FLOW that is MORE than from self-flow generation. It’s not “I’ve got to be me, cause I say so”, in an allowance of ourselves to flow, it’s accepting AND FEELING KNOWING the accessibility of a flow of faith from a higher power.
Higher Power, like the song lyric I love to hear: “Let it be known, there is a fountain, that was not made, by the hands of men.” (Jerry Garcia, Grateful Dead, “Ripples”)
In an opportunity to share at the end of our work ERG organizational meeting, I got to share my faith with 40 plus folks, I could tell the Lord’s calming presence to speak of a journey, bringing in both my movement as well as what moved me. Sometime it is not always what we say that strikes our own chords but what is said that strikes chords in others. We are all on our own journeys. I appreciate the group for our bold initiative to encourage others to be walking on their journeys too all while staying in the warm fuzzy of getting to know each other.
Wow – Thanksgiving week – time for thankfulness and hope and even some pause to the commercialism that is coming soon – bearing down our neck like Black Friday forecasts… Let’s take a few days to bask in the need to NOT give any gifts – NOT impress people – NOT get caught up in frenzy and simply be thankful… Things might be better but they could be far far worse.
Now is a great blessing to slide into the last few chapters of the Prophet Isaiah – and lo and behold we DO have a Christmas Miracle appearing not early but right on time – Isaiah 60 plus is direct talk from a Servant Savior – yes Messiah – Jesus the Christ – and yes the Kingdom – what a GIFT – this is not of the work of our hands but of His. “The Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you.” For this we can be in much thanks giving.
If you are like me – the enormous book of Isaiah took me months to read (and write thru) – it brought in a lot of conversation and consolation about the wicked and those not listening. God gets our pain because He Himself experiences the dealings with the wicked from the worldliness and fallen evil prince of the earth – both in old testament scenes and those current and futuristic times described. Was thick Word, but SO worth reading through all these 60 chapters – and yes any long journey has that great feeling of “being in the HOME stretch” – and this one does. Especially as this incredible future prophecy is laid out, we ARE going to God’s Home – Kingdom – Forever.
So, to help get through the enormous journey of pages, I found that a tremendous video series from the Bible Project on YouTube was SO helpful – with quick talking wit that summarizes so succinctly. Part II of Isaiah was presented to see the wicked left behind and the good servants of the Kingdom let into God’s Forever – especially into the New Kingdom of Jerusalem. WOW. THAT’S US!!! It is a THANKSGIVING and yet I can barely wrap my head around it. If you need some Good News today – and everyday – think of the Kingdom already won – and the Servant of a Messiah gaining us entrance. Think of how we can serve as a thank you – giving thanks.
In Isaiah 59 then 60, we start to hear about this redeemer – this justice – this SALVATION. “Therefore His own arm brought salvation for Him“… These next chapters are a promise to Israel and to Gentiles alike – God’s Servant is due all praise and honor and glory –Then you will know that I, the Lord, am your Savior, your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.
Here IS some GOOD NEWS – THANKS BE TO GOD!!!
“I will make peace your governor and well-being your ruler. No longer will violence be heard in your land, nor ruin or destruction within your borders, but you will call your walls Salvation and your gates Praise. The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end.”
AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Isaiah 59: 16-21 The Redeemer of Zion
Then the Lord saw it, and it displeased Him that there was no justice. He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor; Therefore His own arm brought salvation for Him; and His own righteousness, it sustained Him. For He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on His head; He put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, And was clad with zeal as a cloak. According to their deeds, accordingly He will repay, Fury to His adversaries, Recompense to His enemies; The coastlands He will fully repay. So shall they fear The name of the Lord from the west, And His glory from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him. “The Redeemer will come to Zion, And to those who turn from transgression in Jacob,” Says the Lord.
“As for Me,” says the Lord, “this is My covenant with them: My Spirit who is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your descendants, nor from the mouth of your descendants’ descendants,” says the Lord, “from this time and forevermore.”
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Isaiah 60 – The Glory of Zion
“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. . “Lift up your eyes and look about you: All assemble and come to you; your sons come from afar, and your daughters are carried on the hip. Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy; the wealth on the seas will be brought to you, to you the riches of the nations will come. Herds of camels will cover your land, young camels of Midian and Ephah. And all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and incense and proclaiming the praise of the Lord. All Kedar’s flocks will be gathered to you, the rams of Nebaioth will serve you; they will be accepted as offerings on my altar, and I will adorn my glorious temple. . “Who are these that fly along like clouds, like doves to their nests? Surely the islands look to me; in the lead are the ships of Tarshish, bringing your children from afar, with their silver and gold, to the honor of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendor. . “Foreigners will rebuild your walls, and their kings will serve you. Though in anger I struck you, in favor I will show you compassion. Your gates will always stand open, they will never be shut, day or night, so that people may bring you the wealth of the nations – their kings led in triumphal procession. For the nation or kingdom that will not serve you will perish; it will be utterly ruined. . “The glory of Lebanon will come to you, the juniper, the fir and the cypress together, to adorn my sanctuary; and I will glorify the place for my feet. The children of your oppressors will come bowing before you; all who despise you will bow down at your feet and will call you the City of the Lord, Zion of the Holy One of Israel. . “Although you have been forsaken and hated, with no one traveling through, I will make you the everlasting pride and the joy of all generations. You will drink the milk of nations and be nursed at royal breasts. Then you will know that I, the Lord, am your Savior, your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob. Instead of bronze I will bring you gold, and silver in place of iron. Instead of wood I will bring you bronze, and iron in place of stones.
I will make peace your governor and well-being your ruler. No longer will violence be heard in your land, nor ruin or destruction within your borders, but you will call your walls Salvation and your gates Praise. The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end.
Then all your people will be righteous and they will possess the land forever. They are the shoot I have planted, the work of my hands, for the display of my splendor. The least of you will become a thousand, the smallest a mighty nation. I am the Lord; in its time I will do this swiftly.”
God said it: the Wicked perish, those who turn their back on Him. He also restates His Salvation over and over, because there is always a time and place for repentance. The Redeemer came, then for now, now for later, before and after, Alpha and Omega.
Wicked? That’s not you nor I, as far as I know, because we let our Redeemer redeem us. Wicked is so wicked that we can’t even imagine. I know we don’t turn our backs on God, God has our backs, why would we? He would never let us, with Holy Spirit conviction and Jesus mercy in our sight and might. We might have weak wearied moments, but to God’s righteousness we return. Because God loves all sinners saved by Grace.
So, is earthly life made that temporary by God on purpose? No longer 900 years but max 120 years of life? And even 90 is rare. With a prophetic word from Isaiah, we are reminded of God’s Peace in Rest. Maybe we can be remembering the Prince of PEACE awaiting us to hold His peace in this present. We slow down in life to catch up with God’s Peace. Perhaps that fear of death and fear of life has been ingrained in us falsely. I’m in NO RUSH, Lord, but I’m glad You tell me not to fear it and that it is for Your Peace. And You tell us it is for protection against evil. The Redeemer lives and loves to save us.
The wicked, on the other hand, not a good outcome. No one will get away with anything, as we are reminded again and again in the Old Testament to let God handle the wicked. Isaiah 57 and 59 remind that false idols will blow away, but we can repent. We HAVE A REDEEMER: “But whoever takes refuge in me will inherit the land and possess my holy mountain.” God watches and we can learn from past rebellion to know God redirects and recovers and rescues and accepts repentance. “I have seen their ways, but I will heal them; I will guide them and restore comfort to Israel’s mourners, creating praise on their lips.” REDEEMING is REAL.
Why does God remind us of all these things? BECAUSE HE HIMSELF IS OUR RESCUE. Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear…. “Peace, peace, to those far and near,” says the Lord. “And I will heal them.”… God saw the problem and so his own arm achieved salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him. He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head;…
God came for us and still does. If we want to be closest to God, let us be BLESSED, be protected and whole. Let us already know His Peace – and keep pursuing it by sharing His Word, Jesus, our Redeemer.
Amen
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Here’s all of Isaiah 57, 59, God will reach for us.
57 The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; the devout are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death.
“But you—come here, you children of a sorceress, you offspring of adulterers and prostitutes! Who are you mocking? At whom do you sneer and stick out your tongue? Are you not a brood of rebels, the offspring of liars? You burn with lust among the oaks and under every spreading tree; you sacrifice your children in the ravines and under the overhanging crags. The idols among the smooth stones of the ravines are your portion; indeed, they are your lot. Yes, to them you have poured out drink offerings and offered grain offerings.
In view of all this, should I relent? You have made your bed on a high and lofty hill; there you went up to offer your sacrifices. Behind your doors and your doorposts you have put your pagan symbols. Forsaking me, you uncovered your bed, you climbed into it and opened it wide; you made a pact with those whose beds you love, and you looked with lust on their naked bodies. You went to Molek with olive oil and increased your perfumes. You sent your ambassadors far away; you descended to the very realm of the dead! You wearied yourself by such going about, but you would not say, ‘It is hopeless.’ You found renewal of your strength, and so you did not faint.
“Whom have you so dreaded and feared that you have not been true to me, and have neither remembered me nor taken this to heart? Is it not because I have long been silent that you do not fear me? I will expose your righteousness and your works, and they will not benefit you. When you cry out for help, let your collection of idols save you! The wind will carry all of them off, a mere breath will blow them away. But whoever takes refuge in me will inherit the land and possess my holy mountain.”
Comfort for the Contrite And it will be said: “Build up, build up, prepare the road! Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people.” For this is what the high and exalted One says— he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite. I will not accuse them forever, nor will I always be angry, for then they would faint away because of me – the very people I have created. I was enraged by their sinful greed; I punished them, and hid my face in anger, yet they kept on in their willful ways. I have seen their ways, but I will heal them; I will guide them and restore comfort to Israel’s mourners, creating praise on their lips. Peace, peace, to those far and near,” says the Lord. “And I will heal them.” But the wicked are like the tossing sea, which cannot rest, whose waves cast up mire and mud. “There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”
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Isaiah 59
Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear. For your hands are stained with blood, your fingers with guilt. Your lips have spoken falsely, and your tongue mutters wicked things. No one calls for justice; no one pleads a case with integrity. They rely on empty arguments, they utter lies; they conceive trouble and give birth to evil. They hatch the eggs of vipers and spin a spider’s web. Whoever eats their eggs will die, and when one is broken, an adder is hatched. Their cobwebs are useless for clothing; they cannot cover themselves with what they make. Their deeds are evil deeds, and acts of violence are in their hands. Their feet rush into sin; they are swift to shed innocent blood. They pursue evil schemes; acts of violence mark their ways. The way of peace they do not know; there is no justice in their paths. They have turned them into crooked roads; no one who walks along them will know peace.
So justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us. We look for light, but all is darkness; for brightness, but we walk in deep shadows. Like the blind we grope along the wall, feeling our way like people without eyes. At midday we stumble as if it were twilight; among the strong, we are like the dead. We all growl like bears; we moan mournfully like doves. We look for justice, but find none; for deliverance, but it is far away.
For our offenses are many in your sight, and our sins testify against us. Our offenses are ever with us, and we acknowledge our iniquities: rebellion and treachery against the Lord, turning our backs on our God, inciting revolt and oppression, uttering lies our hearts have conceived. So justice is driven back, and righteousness stands at a distance; truth has stumbled in the streets, honesty cannot enter. Truth is nowhere to be found, and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey.
The Lord looked and was displeased that there was no justice. He saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm achieved salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him. He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head; he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak. According to what they have done, so will he repay wrath to his enemies and retribution to his foes; he will repay the islands their due. From the west, people will fear the name of the Lord, and from the rising of the sun, they will revere his glory. For he will come like a pent-up flood that the breath of the Lord drives along.
“The Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who repent of their sins,” declares the Lord.
“As for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord. “My Spirit, who is on you, will not depart from you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will always be on your lips, on the lips of your children and on the lips of their descendants—from this time on and forever,” says the Lord.
I have a friend recovering from shoulder surgery – repaired rotator cuff – just like I had 7 years ago – seems like a lifetime ago now… Now, as she is starting swinging the sling and doing things around the house, I am reminded of the immobility that we TRY to keep – the sling and pillow are there for a reason – and we are supposed to be not overdoing it – so there is time for repairing parts as well as setting the stage for the vigorous therapy to stretch and rehabilitate. You have to have repair before you can stretch.
In my own shoulder repair, I had lots of scar tissue develop in recovery, I had the need to break through it – 76 physical therapy visits – just a distant memory now – and I had achieved almost full restoration after a few months but needed one more surgery to simply cut away the duct-tape like wrapping of scar tissue that formed all around my inner shoulder parts – I was cushioned from movement but also you could say tissue-scarred to keep myself from injuring myself in recovery. God really was bubble-wrapping my life – then and now – and I appreciate that.
The “Jesus Calling” book devotional (Nov 16th) is so fitting for EVERYDAY – let God open and reveal the day WHEN He feels we trust Him – He will keep the fog of protection, the darkness of stillness, the simple “follow me” one set of steps at a time. And we WILL get to the other side of this day. It is not that we can’t wander down the day or race ahead of our best interests, it is simply that Jesus wants us to be led – for our sake and for others.
Please read the devotion below – full of spiritual wisdom, written in 1st person as Jesus DOES speak from the page. Even now, taking the morning time to remember God’s faithfulness will help us (me) the rest of the day, whether we remember these quiet moments or not – hopefully by the end of today we (I) will have trusted His leading and realized His faithfulness.
One step at a time.
Amen
Jesus Calling: November 16 by Sarah Young As you look at the day before you, you see a twisted, complicated path, with branches going off in all directions. You wonder how you can possibly find your way through the maze. Then you remember the One who is with you always, holding you by your right hand. You recall. My promise to guide you with My counsel, and you begin to relax. As you look again at the path ahead, you notice that a peaceful fog has settled over it, obscuring your view. You can see only a few steps in front of you, so your turn your attention more fully to Me and begin to enjoy My Presence. The fog is a protection for you, calling you back into the present moment. Although I inhabit all of space and time, you can communicate with Me only here and now. Someday the fog will no longer be necessary, for you will have learned to keep your focus on Me and on the path just ahead of you.
Psalm 73:23-24 English Standard Version Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory.
1 Corinthians 13:12 English Standard Version For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.
I was tapping into some clever writing the other day when I started to write a Call to Worship for a Sunday Service, but it felt clunky and not right. I set it down. I rewrote it – and eventually I cut out all the clever parts. God needed me to simply listen and speak in awe – and just let Him put in the bright spots. Not bright wit but bright SHINE. It was a “Call to Worship” not to impress. The AWE of God is what I needed to take in myself and return from my mouth. Multiply or amplify, none of it will happen until we worship Him first.
Originally writing, I knew I wanted to tap into LOVE and PEACE, JOY and HOPE. And those are all things He does for us. But when I set myself back to figure out what I was missing, it was the AWE and the WORSHIP, the aspects of faith we are called to do for HIM. Worship, and Love. And so I went more simple: God added the sparkling Word of SHINE on my heart and head and tongue. SHINE. And it WAS sunny that day, and like as a day dawns, cold and crisp. The type of sunny which asks to burst out of us, like the SHINE of Jesus. This sunshine was the motivation and reward – I had woken up, ventured out, I had faith that God would help me wing it on His Wing. Faith is a far bigger reward for keeping us moving.
I intro-ed the Call to Worship about the sunSHINE and spoke about how I was able to visit the Miracle of Christmas production at the beautiful Sight and Sound theater, my first time, it was just so cool to be there, and the WOW of the SPARKLING scenes of the angels flying over. We were, in faith, taking the moment to be transformed as an audience into AWE with action all around us. The sparkling SHINE had twinkling like the sparkling SUNSHINE lighting up the morning frost as I was driving… simple SHINE.
Here is the rest of my text, what I realized later in all other aspects of the service was that SHINE was the main theme. I didn’t know that necessarily, didn’t figure it out ahead of time. God knew that cohesive theme. God in us is to SHINE the SPARKLE – LOVE the LOVE- Know to Listen – WORSHIP.
“May we Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. Above all, may we worship HIM as He IS worthy of our praise. And we seek Him because He sought us first. We are to multiply His Love in HOPE LOVE PEACE and JOY.
We worship Him for bringing His ultimate Love here to us on earth. So now like a shining bright morning, let us be called to SHINE JESUS.
Especially let us place an emphasis in how:
we
HONOR
we
SERVE
we
TRUST
we
SHARE HIS TRUTH
With the
WORKS of His HANDS
FAITH of His POWER
JESUS is the JOY that the WORLD needs to SEE and to HEAR and to HOPE and to KNOW through us.
As we are called to worship Him this morning and always, let us demonstrate how we are to TRUST HIM, to LOVE Him. And to SHARE HIM WITH A SMILE.
LET US ASK THE HOLY SPIRIT FOR AN ASSIST TO WORSHIP GOD IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH. Amen”
Thank You Lord for early wake-ups, because there is an early and there is a wake-up.
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Thank You Lord for over-dryness in heat, because I do have heat and a house and my flock to keep warm.
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Thank You Lord for darkness, because it will become light while I’m waiting, remain quiet while I’m waiting, just everything while I’m waiting even if I’m not even waiting – a marvel that I’m allowed to take it all in.
Thank You Lord for disagreements I can walk away from, strife I don’t walk into, life I don’t deal with. Thank You for the patience when I don’t want to be patient. Thank You Lord for my circumstance of being in circumstances that I don’t have to control – because I can’t – and I HAVE to rely on You. (But thank You Lord for opening my eyes to when I can, should, and would).
I barely remember it now – kinda wonder if it really made any impact at all – but was I recently reminded of a conversation – of a time that perhaps by describing my faith I had NO impact of the situation except it got me thru it – perhaps that was what God wanted – plant a seed and not me watering it – but perhaps someday – perhaps… Just keep sharing. Maybe it is not about testing a situation but about just leaving all the answers there on their table and they can read them – no skin off your back. Life is not a game to win but have won by God’s Grace.
It wasn’t about winning that particular “fight” that day but about doing what was/is right. And either way it made me more bold that day – I got to witness – and be salt and light – in an awkward moment. I got to speak of God’s Power and Plan in an as “natural” a conversation opener as could be FORCED by the Holy Spirit, especially in an unnatural scene to me… Yeah – but isn’t that what the Lord does? Force and Bless SALT on a situation to make it more palatable? Shed LIGHT on a situation to make it more understandable?
SALT AND LIGHT!!!
Yup… God’s got a plan… and a LIGHT… and a SALT shaker/warehouse… God opens windows and doors for His entry. A trial becomes an opportunity for God to move. That day I put on my “Armor of God” right before the conversation (so that the conversation would not catch me off guard, not this time). That day I forgot about until now. But then and sometimes if we put on our armor of God, we can actually hear the clinks of the world bearing and beating down on our armor, and not ever penetrate, but feel and KNOW the best SECURITYOFSPIRIT, know God’s winning the war while we stay covered. After the battle quiets, and we are able to speak, the softened hearts may hear in the healing. God is in control… For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.Isaiah55:8-9… And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
Keep Your Security of Spirit on my friends. Fight the GOOD FIGHT – with a GOD MIGHT. God’s Plan is going to be ALL RIGHT!!!
Amen
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Isaiah 56:1-8 NIV – Salvation for Others
This is what the Lord says: “Maintain justice and do what is right, for my salvation is close at hand and my righteousness will soon be revealed. Blessed is the one who does this – the person who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath without desecrating it, and keeps their hands from doing any evil.” Let no foreigner who is bound to the Lord say, “The Lord will surely exclude me from his people.” And let no eunuch complain, “I am only a dry tree.” For this is what the Lord says: “To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose what pleases me and hold fast to my covenant – to them I will give within my temple and its walls a memorial and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that will endure forever. And foreigners who bind themselves to the Lord to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, and to be his servants, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant – these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” The Sovereign Lord declares – he who gathers the exiles of Israel: “I will gather still others to them besides those already gathered.”
“Remember that joy even in the difficult days…” That’s what a friend wrote after I wrote about Isaiah 55 many years ago, early on in my writings. I of course don’t remember the difficulties of that particular day, maybe yes of that time in life, but not the briers that bothered me. What’s true about this crucial scripture (Isaiah 55 which I read then and read now) AND true about life, years later, is that GOD HAS been faithful in getting us (me) past those old times, old problems, old worries. Move forward – again and again.
Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
I wrote then about staying thirsty for the Word and it’s influence in finding us where we are. I’m in a whole other life spot now, and wow, God has taken me far… not all thornbushes are gone, nor will they be, but it’s about trusting God’s Ways towards restoration and His growing of the future which is ALREADY PROMISED.
As I just heard something yesterday that disappointed me – I paused myself in getting over-bent-out-of-shape because if God helped me let go of anger from years ago and worse things, He will do it again. Wow, the little things are annoying briers and big things thornbushes – but God will take care of them too – we just have to wait on His Garden. It’s not just that we need faith for the moment but faith for the movement past, passing, passable, passage, and the possible.
Remember the JOY, which is unchanged from the Lord’s. Forget and forgive the strife which is earthly and crumbles away. Wait on the Lord. Isaiah certainly had to, we can too. Remember the Possible.
Isaiah was writing to instruct and inspire that the Lord’s Ways are SO much higher than ours. Wrote to tell those folks and us to look PAST the crumbles and see the future will be completely completed. Perfection is not in the now but in God’s know-how. Know the Possible.
Shake off the sand. Step out of the desert of destruction. Sing His Joy as Joy is in the Lord. His given opportunity to know Him Best. Trust the Possible.
Stay Thirsty for only the Lord can quench our thirst.
I WILL Thrive with Isaiah 55!
Amen
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Here is 7 years ago writing – all TRUE:
God never disappoints with an appropriate scripture of the day, emailed to my fingertips, hardwired into my soul… “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.“
I’ve found great joy in thee Lord!!! Thank you for your life-giving then life-changing Word… “You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you,”
The best advice ever: “Keep going deeper in the Word and the Word will go deeper within you! 🙂 “
Stay thirsty my friends…. AMEN —–
Here is scripture from over thousands of years ago – for their and our future – all TRUE:
Isaiah 55 (NIV)
Invitation to the Thirsty “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.
“Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare.
“Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David. See, I have made him a witness to the peoples, a ruler and commander of the peoples. Surely you will summon nations you know not, and nations you do not know will come running to you, because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendor.”
“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
“As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
“This will be for the Lord’s renown, for an everlasting sign, that will endure forever.”
It’s just life in a way where we forget to hand over what we try to control.
It’s just not enough nor enough for us to be enough.
.
We need God. Needed. Necessary. No-non-sense. Known. GOD.
God simplifies thoughts, sanctifies hearts, solidifies futures, stabilizes forevermores. Lord Help us.
We need Him in our lives – for ease without easy – for righteousness in the wrongs – for remembering in our forgetfulness – for being ENOUGH over all stuff. Lord, God, You ARE ENOUGH
God, You ARE ENOUGH.
Amen
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Isaiah 51:1-8 – NIV Everlasting Salvation for Zion
“Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the Lord: Look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn; look to Abraham, your father, and to Sarah, who gave you birth. When I called him he was only one man, and I blessed him and made him many. The Lord will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; he will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing.
“Listen to me, my people; hear me, my nation: Instruction will go out from me; my justice will become a light to the nations. My righteousness draws near speedily, my salvation is on the way, and my arm will bring justice to the nations. The islands will look to me and wait in hope for my arm.
Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth beneath; the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment and its inhabitants die like flies. But my salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail.
“Hear me, you who know what is right, you people who have taken my instruction to heart: Do not fear the reproach of mere mortals or be terrified by their insults. For the moth will eat them up like a garment; the worm will devour them like wool. But my righteousness will last forever, my salvation through all generations.”
I’m not rushing the Christmas season, just catching up from last Christmas plus Easter plus 2000 plus years past – to speak into the future… We have as a pre-post-ongoing Christmas Gift – a prophetic set of verses here in Isaiah 49 like 41: Jesus is coming to earth, Jesus has plans, Jesus does God’s Will, Jesus comes as God, Jesus was is and will be: bring Jacob back to Himself (God) and to gather Israel to Himself (God) AND to make a light for the Gentiles. That my (God’s) salvation may reach to the ends of the earth. “I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.
Can we feel that Christ in Christmas? Know the Gift we have in Jesus? Share the Gift and the Light and the Hope?
Saving islands and distant nation:. Jesus flows as Living Water and Lights the Way connecting them. Islands are bridged – the people will help each other – and all will look to Jesus – Jacob’s Israel as well as all those Gentiles called – all they who listen will hear His Voice. Let us be sure to listen – now – and also for the future when Jesus comes again.
Yes, both Isaiah 41 and 49 find Isaiah speaking about islands, about how HE will keep Jesus to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles... Yes, Jesus fulfilled and fulfills the Law for Israel… Jesus reaches out to the Gentiles as well, to be their light and salvation. “To say to the captives, ‘Come out,’ and to those in darkness, ‘Be free!’”
Shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth; burst into song, you mountains! For the Lord comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.
Islands no more – Christmas is coming – Christ is King – Jesus show us Your Way.
Amen
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Isaiah 49 NIV
The Servant of the Lord
Listen to me, you islands; hear this, you distant nations: Before I was born the Lord called me; from my mother’s womb he has spoken my name. He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver. He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will display my splendor.” But I said, “I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing at all. Yet what is due me is in the Lord’s hand, and my reward is with my God.”
And now the Lord says – he who formed me in the womb to be his servant to bring Jacob back to him and gather Israel to himself, for I am honored in the eyes of the Lord and my God has been my strength – he says: “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”
This is what the Lord says – the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel – to him who was despised and abhorred by the nation, to the servant of rulers: “Kings will see you and stand up, princes will see and bow down, because of the Lord, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.”
Restoration of Israel
This is what the Lord says: “In the time of my favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you; I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people, to restore the land and to reassign its desolate inheritances, to say to the captives, ‘Come out,’ and to those in darkness, ‘Be free!’
“They will feed beside the roads and find pasture on every barren hill. They will neither hunger nor thirst, nor will the desert heat or the sun beat down on them. He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside springs of water. I will turn all my mountains into roads, and my highways will be raised up. See, they will come from afar – some from the north, some from the west, some from the region of Aswan.”
Shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth; burst into song, you mountains! For the Lord comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.
But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me.”
“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me. Your children hasten back, and those who laid you waste depart from you.
Lift up your eyes and look around; all your children gather and come to you. As surely as I live,” declares the Lord, “you will wear them all as ornaments; you will put them on, like a bride. Though you were ruined and made desolate and your land laid waste, now you will be too small for your people,band those who devoured you will be far away.bThe children born during your bereavement will yet say in your hearing, ‘This place is too small for us; give us more space to live in.’ Then you will say in your heart, ‘Who bore me these? I was bereaved and barren; I was exiled and rejected. Who brought these up? I was left all alone, but these—where have they come from?’”
This is what the Sovereign Lord says: “See, I will beckon to the nations, I will lift up my banner to the peoples; they will bring your sons in their arms and carry your daughters on their hips. Kings will be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. They will bow down before you with their faces to the ground; they will lick the dust at your feet. Then you will know that I am the Lord; those who hope in me will not be disappointed.”
Can plunder be taken from warriors, or captives be rescued from the fierce? But this is what the Lord says: “Yes, captives will be taken from warriors, and plunder retrieved from the fierce; I will contend with those who contend with you, and your children I will save. I will make your oppressors eat their own flesh; they will be drunk on their own blood, as with wine. Then all mankind will know that I, the Lord, am your Savior, your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.”
Excerpt from Isaiah 41:
“Be silent before me, you islands! Let the nations renew their strength! Let them come forward and speak; let us meet together at the place of judgment.”
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The islands have seen it and fear; the ends of the earth tremble. They approach and come forward; they help each other and say to their companions, “Be strong!”
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“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
…
I gave to Jerusalem a messenger of good news. I look but there is no one – no one among the gods to give counsel, no one to give answer when I ask them. See, they are all false! Their deeds amount to nothing; their images are but wind and confusion.
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The Servant of the Lord – “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations. He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his teaching the islands will put their hope.”
This is what God the Lord says – the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out, who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it: “I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.
I must return to my readings – Old Testament – Isaiah – and wow there is so much relevant to today’s times – and to old times – and to our perception which is never complete because ONLY GOD can be the biggest picture of understanding.
We have to take a moment to step back and look at the BIG PICTURE – God is saving His people in Israel for His Reasons.
God has saved us too – and yet we are not to boast in our abilities and our salvation – only boast in God and be thankful for what He has brought us through. Our humbleness can make it easier to see HIS GLORY – which is always going to be our reason to praise.
Isaiah was telling the current Isrealites that they had to get out of their exile – and return to Jerusalem – and return to listening to God.
Now that is universal – God wants us to listen because He IS the most faithful. God has already won our war – so we need to not knock the battles – we need to continue looking up and God does not change therefore we need to pay attention to His Direction – which will always be better for us than we can imagine.
I had a great opportunity to listen to a sermonist recently speaking of God’s patterns – especially when Moses disobeyed and didn’t give God the credit let alone let God be the generous one without Moses tainting the message due to his tiredness and anger and frustration. The pattern for God is to have already “hit the rock” – and already let water flow from it – already bless the people. So let us not get clouded by current strife and keep giving it our all. Yes, we need to look at today’s events within God’s patterns – of Him wanting us to depend upon Him – of not letting our frustration get the best of us – of taking the LONG VIEW… God has the LONGEST VIEW – let us let HIM focus our attention.
And here is Isaiah starting to warn Israel (and us) again to be paying attention to God. AND HOW HE PROVIDED THAT WATER FROM THE ROCK!!!!
Isaiah 48 NIV – Stubborn Israel
“Listen to this, you descendants of Jacob, you who are called by the name of Israel and come from the line of Judah, you who take oaths in the name of the Lord and invoke the God of Israel— but not in truth or righteousness— you who call yourselves citizens of the holy city and claim to rely on the God of Israel— the Lord Almighty is his name: I foretold the former things long ago, my mouth announced them and I made them known; then suddenly I acted, and they came to pass.
For I knew how stubborn you were; your neck muscles were iron, your forehead was bronze. Therefore I told you these things long ago; before they happened I announced them to you so that you could not say, ‘My images brought them about; my wooden image and metal god ordained them.’ You have heard these things; look at them all. Will you not admit them? “From now on I will tell you of new things, of hidden things unknown to you. They are created now, and not long ago; you have not heard of them before today. So you cannot say, ‘Yes, I knew of them.’ You have neither heard nor understood; from of old your ears have not been open. Well do I know how treacherous you are; you were called a rebel from birth. For my own name’s sake I delay my wrath; for the sake of my praise I hold it back from you, so as not to destroy you completely. See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. for my own sake, for my own sake, I do this. How can I let myself be defamed? I will not yield my glory to another.
Israel Freed
“Listen to me, Jacob, Israel, whom I have called: I am he; I am the first and I am the last. My own hand laid the foundations of the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens; when I summon them, they all stand up together. “Come together, all of you, and listen: Which of the idols has foretold these things? The Lord’s chosen ally will carry out his purpose against Babylon; his arm will be against the Babylonians. I, even I, have spoken; yes, I have called him. I will bring him, and he will succeed in his mission. “Come near me and listen to this: “From the first announcement I have not spoken in secret; at the time it happens, I am there.”
And now the Sovereign Lord has sent me, endowed with his Spirit. This is what the Lord says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your well-being like the waves of the sea. Your descendants would have been like the sand, your children like its numberless grains; their name would never be blotted out nor destroyed from before me.”
Leave Babylon, flee from the Babylonians! Announce this with shouts of joy and proclaim it. Send it out to the ends of the earth; say, “The Lord has redeemed his servant Jacob.” They did not thirst when he led them through the deserts; he made water flow for them from the rock;he split the rock and water gushed out. “There is no peace,” says the Lord, “for the wicked.”
What an OPPORTUNITY to visit INSIDE this Castle, BEAUTIFUL 1350’s castle, south of Prague. In this set of towers are the most amazing artworks and chapels. Since one is not allowed to take photos, here are downloaded photos from a website.
I APPRECIATED the amazing tour and connecting with the tour guide in simple appreciation that she essentially taught us the book of Revelation with painted mural depictions, as well as explained the premiere tower chapel in full gold with 200 portraits of saints. The chapel also kept safe the Bohemian crown jewels as well as Holy Roman Emperor jewels in the 1300’s. These were moved eventually, but the tower has restored and nearly untouched amazing treasures !!! Beautiful. Beautiful especially to listen and see this portrayal story of faith…
I think (only my opinion hunch) that God is stretching our time to both gather more flock and set the stage for POST RAPTURE REVIVAL and awakening, as He is unfolding this NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR REVELATION for others. I am looking forward to this educational time of every day moments until THE moment. I feel that this castle gem also will help in that time – a hidden gem revealed…
Here is more explanation for my downloaded inside photos from the castle interior – actually 2 chapels: the Holy Chapel for storing the jewels and relics, designed in the envisioning of a New Jerusalem, all in gold with portraits of saints and relics from them, then the Marian tower chapel in the adjacent building, that’s what has vivid images painted of the book of Revelation. AMAZING. All these inside photos I downloaded from a website as we were restricted from taking photos inside. The tour runs early spring until fall, end of October for the big tower’s Holy Chapel, due to preservation concerns.
Even though the political strife of the time pitted the reformers of Jan Hussites (just before Martin Luther in neighboring Germany) against the establishment of a corruptible church, the war was unable to breach the big tower, it was secured, even against future invaders. This complex was built as a hidden castle by Charles IV in approximately 1350’s for where the crown jewels of Bohemia plus the crown jewels of the Holy Roman Empire and all the believed relics were stored secretly. The Roman Emperor position transitioned back to Rome after this time. Charles Bridge and Prague Castle are also major builds during this time. The jewels of Bohemia are now at Prague Castle.
My JOY multiplied in the true joy in the existence of people of strong educated faith in the old eras that still shines now. It might be flashy with all the gold and silver for the church buildings, but these items still stand as a testament for testimonials of faith. People do come visit and imagine the thousands of photos of Jesus by believers and non-believers alike. It’s of course an amazing preservation of the art and the tour guide this time really explained it so well, I felt that connection to a believer in her. I’ve been to this castle 3 times, this woman had the best tour explaining a physical tour from earthly treasures and existence to our future steps towards heaven, in an educational exposition for the sake of believers and non-believers. And of course so many Christians have never studied Revelation either, so this exhibit exposition is priceless…
Plus the area is so beautiful. The castle grounds and nearby castles are really accessible and beautiful in the preserved forest lands of the area. This is an opportunity that I hope to take (and teach) again and again.
I read about a preacher building a “prayer force of one million people who will intercede for the country in these last days.” I know we grow closer to end times, as many people avow, but perhaps we shouldn’t look at time shutting down as just last AWFUL days but keep our eyes peeled for LASTINGOPPORTUNITY DAYS to share and pray and teach. Now IS the time people might be waking up more to wanting to learn. Keep this castle itinerary in your dream suitcases for these opportunities still surround us! Amen Amen
A few days ago it was an anniversary of maybe 8 years back that my oldest cousin in our heritage homeland passed away, in her 90’s, a grandmother matriarch of the family (would have been my grandfather’s first cousin). I met her 9 years ago on my 1st trip. Even when her health was failing she was enthusiastic about life and LOVE. She stroked my hair to say she “felt all of America in me”. I appreciated her apartment decorations of angels, crosses and lots and lots of family photos. Love is the strongest thing ever.
Her family now continues this LOVE, to us and each other. Her daughters of my mom’s generation and the next ‘kids’ of my generation have children and grandchildren of their own. I’ve now known 5 generations – and we experienced their LOVE so strongly.
One of the daughters gave me an AMBER bracelet, which their great matriarch wore all the time. What a sweet gift. I’m blessed to remember this love and return it in love. Love crosses all barriers – distance, language and even strife – love carries in prayers – we continue our connection through the internet and visits – but OF COURSE I feel that it was the Lord, with His Love-Net, Who reconnects our lost old connections – He makes them into a found gold connection. Love in both directions set up by the Lord.
And that’s what I pray for Heaven and on earth, these lost connections to be regained. The love both flowing and solid. This amber bracelet is hard as a rock but amber, made from plants, was living liquid that used to ooze and flow. Now it is solid and sturdy. Love too. Love flows. Love is sturdy and strong. Love is solid.
Love Lives Longer than anything, because LOVE is from God.
Love Lives Longest.
Amen
Psalm 136
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever.
to him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever. who by his understanding made the heavens, His love endures forever. who spread out the earth upon the waters, His love endures forever. who made the great lights— His love endures forever. the sun to govern the day, His love endures forever. the moon and stars to govern the night; His love endures forever.
to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt His love endures forever. and brought Israel out from among them His love endures forever. with a mighty hand and outstretched arm; His love endures forever.
to him who divided the Red Sea asunder His love endures forever. and brought Israel through the midst of it, His love endures forever. but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea; His love endures forever.
to him who led his people through the wilderness; His love endures forever.
to him who struck down great kings, His love endures forever. and killed mighty kings— His love endures forever. Sihon king of the Amorites His love endures forever. and Og king of Bashan— His love endures forever. and gave their land as an inheritance, His love endures forever. an inheritance to his servant Israel. His love endures forever.
He remembered us in our low estate His love endures forever. and freed us from our enemies. His love endures forever. He gives food to every creature. His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.
It was good and fitting that I downloaded the movie: “Monuments Men” from Netflix onto my kindle just before boarding the flight to Europe. It was a favorite recent movie of mine, important amazing story of the recovery of German-stolen European art, gold, amazing treasures, as well as preventing the war bombings by the allies of cultural important sites. This movie has a stellar cast of George Clooney and John Goodman and Bill Murray and others. The Nazi’s stole treasures and hid them.
Isn’t it so fitting to speak of how we try to regain what was lost – not walking backwards into the future but walking forwards towards restoration of loss. It is a gain not in glory but in HOPE. I enjoyed the movie (especially while not being able to sleep) – especially because the movie in itself reminded me of the treasures of Europe I hope to see on my journey this week – and especially because I am humble BLESSED and EXCITED to see previous unknown past in these next future days. The past comes alive again in the future.
Cool – I’ve gained a lot of our past in the joy of the future. Great plans this week, God willing.
To study and regain one’s past is novel and for us it’s fun. Not all the history is fun, not at all. My great grandparents fled oppressive times and power-hungry rule before WW1. The movie set in WW2 has one truly somber reality scene that we never should forget, a past we should never gloss over without sadness – the movie showed a barrel of gold teeth taken out of the concentration camps… oh the horrors inflicted…
We are amazed how people can’t get along peacefully and put themselves in power over powerless.
My continued reading in Isaiah is about God saying don’t worship these false idols nor try to think of yourself high up in power. Power hungry for riches, treasures too. We will remember (through true stories, like this movie) of these terrible people who elevated their own thoughts of themselves above others, above laws, above human decency. Sad.
Lord, Your people Whom You call, including us, may we recognize no other God but You.
Amen
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Isaiah 45 – New King James Version – Cyrus, God’s Instrument
“Thus says the Lord to His anointed, To Cyrus, whose right hand I have held – To subdue nations before him And loose the armor of kings, To open before him the double doors, So that the gates will not be shut: ‘I will go before you And make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze And cut the bars of iron. I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that I, the Lord, Who call you by your name, Am the God of Israel. For Jacob My servant’s sake, And Israel My elect, I have even called you by your name; I have named you, though you have not known Me. I am the Lord, and there is no other; There is no God besides Me. I will gird you, though you have not known Me, That they may know from the rising of the sun to its setting That there is none besides Me. I am the Lord, and there is no other; I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I, the Lord, do all these things.’
“Rain down, you heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness; Let the earth open, let them bring forth salvation, And let righteousness spring up together. I, the Lord, have created it.
“Woe to him who strives with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth! Shall the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?’ Or shall your handiwork say, ‘He has no hands’ Woe to him who says to his father, ‘What are you begetting?’ Or to the woman, ‘What have you brought forth?’ ”
Thus says the Lord, The Holy One of Israel, and his Maker:.”Ask Me of things to come concerning My sons; And concerning the work of My hands, you command Me. I have made the earth, And created man on it. I—My hands—stretched out the heavens, And all their host I have commanded. I have raised him up in righteousness, And I will direct all his ways; He shall build My city And let My exiles go free, Not for price nor reward,” Says the Lord of hosts.
The Lord, the Only Savior
Thus says the Lord: “The labor of Egypt and merchandise of Cush And of the Sabeans, men of stature, Shall come over to you, and they shall be yours; They shall walk behind you, They shall come over in chains; And they shall bow down to you. They will make supplication to you, saying, ‘Surely God is in you,. And there is no other; There is no other God.’ ”
Truly You are God, who hide Yourself, O God of Israel, the Savior! They shall be ashamed And also disgraced, all of them; They shall go in confusion together, Who are makers of idols. But Israel shall be saved by the Lord With an everlasting salvation; You shall not be ashamed or disgraced
Forever and ever.
For thus says the Lord, Who created the heavens, Who is God, Who formed the earth and made it, Who has established it, Who did not create it in vain, Who formed it to be inhabited: “I am the Lord, and there is no other. I have not spoken in secret, In a dark place of the earth; I did not say to the seed of Jacob, ‘Seek Me in vain’; I, the Lord, speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.
“Assemble yourselves and come; Draw near together, You who have escaped from the nations. They have no knowledge, Who carry the wood of their carved image, And pray to a god that cannot save. Tell and bring forth your case; Yes, let them take counsel together. Who has declared this from ancient time? Who has told it from that time? Have not I, the Lord? And there is no other God besides Me, A just God and a Savior;
There is none besides Me.
“Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. I have sworn by Myself; The word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, And shall not return, That to Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall take an oath. He shall say, ‘Surely in the Lord I have righteousness and strength. To Him men shall come, And all shall be ashamed Who are incensed against Him. In the Lord all the descendants of Israel Shall be justified, and shall glory.’ ”
Oh, I waited for our flight out, and waited… but first before leaving I had to prep, clean, pack, and get going… the train to the train to the plane…
The hardest thing I did today (which is why I shouldn’t complain) was WAIT.
Then wait. Then wait.
Was excellent swiftness through all airport security, no lines nearly at all, then we sat and waited. I sat.
Then waited.
Then watched. Watched people. Watched everything.
Then prayed. What brought prayers to my sight this day? Why was it worth the wait to deliver the extra prayers and be humbled in my sights?
Because wow oh wow, wow oh my… Wow, these couple hundred folks stretched in a line at the next gate – people upon people dressed in black and white with big hats and long hair – these masses stretched out before me – all lining up for the flight before ours – tons of folks – BOARDING ISRAEL AIR – to Tel Aviv – WOW – oh the children and young families – they were flying right into a war zone.
I have no complaints waiting. I bet they waited too, for days, months, years, and now especially with only a few airlines that now fly there to Tel Aviv, they still chose to go. They probably had to go. Probably GRATEFUL for the flight. Families and families and families of Orthodox Jews. Strollers, hats, scarfs, children.
I became more and more thankful for counting blessings of taking a vacation rather than a flight into the unknown – and yet they needed to go home.
Prayers.
PRAYERS…
What are we ALL really waiting for – in life? Waiting to go? Waiting for peace? Waiting for normalcy? Waiting for the time that we won’t be waiting anymore? !!! … Waiting for God to move? He is always moving – and mobilizing His people.
These people in their faith and their lives know something about waiting. They are waiting in faith for knowledge of a Messiah to come as well. So in faith they wait and wait. They (and we) may wander and wait just like the old days but with different lifestyles. Wait with prayer and traditions. Wait with families in tow. Wait right into what seems so wrong to return to, with escalated tensions, but has been actually “normal” for their day to day. Yes, a turbulent life of bombs, of finding known in unknown, of holding ever reverence for Israel. They go there. They go home.
They go because they know, that when the wait ends, it ends (and begins) right through Jerusalem.
We need to keep watching Jerusalem too. For the Lord WILL walk right through Jerusalem one day. We will wait because here we are NOT in the pilot’s seat… The Lord also awaits this next leg of the journey (He is ready at the gate)… We have to wait upon Him!
Amen and God bless all those people. God Speed to them and to You Lord. Lord come quickly with Your Peace. I remember that Hope is in You and You alone. I pray the HOPE should reach so many more before Your return.
Amen
Isaiah 43 – New King James Version – The Redeemer of Israel
But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I gave Egypt for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in your place. Since you were precious in My sight, You have been honored, And I have loved you; Therefore I will give men for you, and people for your life. Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your descendants from the east, And gather you from the west; I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ And to the south, ‘Do not keep them back!’ Bring My sons from afar, and My daughters from the ends of the earth – Everyone who is called by My name, Whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him.”
Bring out the blind people who have eyes, And the deaf who have ears. Let all the nations be gathered together, And let the people be assembled. Who among them can declare this, And show us former things? Let them bring out their witnesses, that they may be justified; Or let them hear and say, “It is truth.” “You are My witnesses,” says the Lord, “And My servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe Me, And understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, Nor shall there be after Me. I, even I, am the Lord, And besides Me there is no savior. I have declared and saved, I have proclaimed, and there was no foreign god among you; Therefore you are My witnesses,” says the Lord, “that I am God. Indeed before the day was, I am He; And there is no one who can deliver out of My hand; I work, and who will reverse it?”
Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “For your sake I will send to Babylon, And bring them all down as fugitives – the Chaldeans, who rejoice in their ships. I am the Lord, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.”
Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea and a path through the mighty waters, Who brings forth the chariot and horse, The army and the power (They shall lie down together, they shall not rise; They are extinguished, they are quenched like a wick): “Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert. The beast of the field will honor Me, The jackals and the ostriches, Because I give waters in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to My people, My chosen. This people I have formed for Myself; They shall declare My praise.
Pleading with Unfaithful Israel“But you have not called upon Me, O Jacob; And you have been weary of Me, O Israel. You have not brought Me the sheep for your burnt offerings, Nor have you honored Me with your sacrifices. I have not caused you to serve with grain offerings, Nor wearied you with incense. You have bought Me no sweet cane with money, Nor have you satisfied Me with the fat of your sacrifices; but you have burdened Me with your sins, You have wearied Me with your iniquities.
“I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins. Put Me in remembrance; Let us contend together; State your case, that you may be acquitted. Your first father sinned, and your mediators have transgressed against Me. Therefore I will profane the princes of the sanctuary; I will give Jacob to the curse, And Israel to reproaches.
Had such a nice trip and good flight back – was smooth enough with all the clouds we had to fly thru – see on the plane you rise above the rainstorms for cruising altitude – but when needed to be on earth soon you have to cross thru the clouds, rain and all. I swear I felt ice pellets one time. It was all OK.
It’s SO dry here, back on US soil, the heater is on for the cold snap, brrrr… The dryness also made my skin so dry – my throat so dry – and don’t mention the dust kicked up from the heater – DRY – What would be nice is to be in a moist sauna or tropical garden or even the shower humidity – not like a cloud of cold but a cloud of warm.
Those clouds in the sky under the plane reminded me of how earthly we are set and clouds are caused and live on the earth too in the atmosphere – really there could be clouds on other planets if they have moisture, right? I have no idea if there are clouds elsewhere – certainly none on the moon – right? Clouds need moisture and deliver moisture too.
Clouds – Jesus will be coming back – arriving in the clouds or on the clouds or with the clouds – and I realized that before He arrives – if He comes thru the atmosphere then His cloud would be above the plane levels – but if He comes from around the earth – from His own Living Water hydrated cloud – then Jesus is closer than we think of Him being – Jesus is right here right now – in Spirit. We are His Hands and Feet and even if only a mist amidst life for a moment compared to His Forever, Jesus wants us to be sharing His Hydration Here. Jesus is coming back in Revelation fashion – and His Hydration will be the attractive force to our dryness. We need to absorb Jesus in Spirit like a sponge and deposit Him and scatter Him like a mist amidst our lives and the people in them. Apply Jesus as Living Water and hydrate.
Jesus will be coming in on thru clouds – and making these clouds His Own. We too can look toward Him coming by transpiring His Living Water like a flower absorbs water and distributes it to the petals. We hydrate the dry “letter of the law” with a Spirit-mist of life and forgiveness and love in the New Covenant.
He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 2nd Corinthians 3
Whether up in the air flying or down on the earth living, we should look for Jesus’s imminent return – look for Him all the time – He will take us up in with His Own Living Cloud Crowd…
Yeah – awake awake – awake with the time change from my flights – I fall asleep 8pm up at 3 or 4 am- don’t even want to think about the fall back coming up soon – this weekend here in the US – already had it in Europe… it is OK because the Lord gives me this quiet time with him – (and with the cat next to me in presence) – and I have learned to accept what I get in sleep and be grateful in instruction. Quieting time with the Lord is BLESSED! (Grab a nap later – God is talking now!)
And what a fabulous overseas trip it was – my mom always saying WOW WOW WOW – and I was so happy to see her happy to see family she never met but felt like she knew them forever – now that is an amazing bond. I wish we could go for Sunday dinner each week.
Funny how life is – us both going and coming – we were with thousands of people we ignored but waited to see those we loved as family – we were waiting on the train – in the airport – in the shops – oh all these people – thousands – and my mom and I do like to engage them but also we ignore them or try not to talk to them – even one lady in the transfer airport was a fellow american – from the other coast – and she was on a long layover and SO chatty like she had no one to talk to for days – and we chatted yes but just kinda moved on as soon as we could get a break in her conversation… Yeah funny how we travel thousands of miles ignoring people to meet up with “our people” – to whom we can never seem to see enough of… Funny…
I had a lot of time to look at things and yeah, not surprising, I still (9 years later) have this amazing sight of the number 52 all the time… Yeah, “52” is a magic number – well magic is not the right word if you think of magic distractions as a devil’s deed but this 52 reminds me of thinking about God – so even if there is wrong in a circumstance, God can use it for right. Just let God flip it on the devil’s head – crush it!
52 – it tends to not surprise me anymore that God is trying to knock on my head continuously and remind me that HE IS IN CHARGE…
52 – even the clock just now as I looked down – 52 – no, it’s not my lucky number, it’s just that God HAS my number. Yes, it is my house number, so it is fun of course. And I see 52 and I think of what God’s trying to tell me – like “Shhh, Be quiet”, “Let Me (God) handle this”, “Be still”, or at least I am the one who needs these reminders all the time, no matter how faithful, God is MORE faithful to us. to me…
52 – yes that is also the number of weeks in a year and cards in a deck – good thing the jokers are excluded!
52 – As I stood waiting at Gate 52 for my flight, which was one of at least 20 times 52’s showed up for this trip, I was reminded that I left my readings of the Old Testament somewhere in the 50’s and yes Isaiah 52, speaking of Jerusalem of the time and also of the future – and of course a tremendous set of scriptures about Jesus – Kings shall shut their mouths at Him; For what had not been told them they shall see, And what they had not heard they shall consider.
I also was reminded on this trip of the scripture card I had recently touched and been strengthened by: “Cling to What is Good”… from Roman’s 12:9-12 Love in Action: Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. – YES – keep looking to the Lord and be hopeful – be patient – be faithful…
Yes – today and all days, let us be looking for the Lord and what He is doing – always be aware and awake to do His work – and especially be prepped and ready for Jesus to return – I can see Him standing (no longer sitting) – lined up at the Gate – ready for His Flight back…
Amen – and here are these scriptures:
Isaiah 52 NKJV – God Redeems Jerusalem
Awake, awake!
Put on your strength, O Zion;
Put on your beautiful garments,
O Jerusalem, the holy city!
For the uncircumcised and the unclean
Shall no longer come to you.
Shake yourself from the dust, arise;
Sit down, O Jerusalem!
Loose yourself from the bonds of your neck,
O captive daughter of Zion!
For thus says the Lord:
“You have sold yourselves for nothing,
And you shall be redeemed without money.”
For thus says the Lord God:
“My people went down at first
Into Egypt to dwell there;
Then the Assyrian oppressed them without cause.
Now therefore, what have I here,” says the Lord,
“That My people are taken away for nothing?
Those who rule over them
Make them wail,” says the Lord,
“And My name is blasphemed continually every day.
Therefore My people shall know My name;
Therefore they shall know in that day
That I am He who speaks:
‘Behold, it is I.’ ”
How beautiful upon the mountains
Are the feet of him who brings good news,
Who proclaims peace,
Who brings glad tidings of good things,
Who proclaims salvation,
Who says to Zion,
“Your God reigns!”
Your watchmen shall lift up their voices,
With their voices they shall sing together;
For they shall see eye to eye
When the Lord brings back Zion.
Break forth into joy, sing together,
You waste places of Jerusalem!
For the Lord has comforted His people,
He has redeemed Jerusalem.
The Lord has made bare His holy arm
In the eyes of all the nations;
And all the ends of the earth shall see
The salvation of our God.
Depart! Depart! Go out from there,
Touch no unclean thing;
Go out from the midst of her,
Be clean,
You who bear the vessels of the Lord.
For you shall not go out with haste,
Nor go by flight;
For the Lord will go before you,
And the God of Israel will be your rear guard.
The Sin-Bearing Servant
Behold, My Servant shall deal prudently;
He shall be exalted and extolled and be very high.
Just as many were astonished at you,
So His visage was marred more than any man,
And His form more than the sons of men;
So shall He sprinkle many nations.
Kings shall shut their mouths at Him;
For what had not been told them they shall see,
And what they had not heard they shall consider.
Romans 12:1-13
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Humble Service in the Body of Christ For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. Love in Action Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
This sharing of Jesus’s LIGHT, of HIS LOVE, this openness of giving… This is the CHOICE we have… God says it’s HIS WILL that we share LOVE….. This AMAZING GIFT of Jesus is meant to be shared… And God will use us like crazy to share HIS love.
God already used me like crazy my whole life, so now God is having a field day!!!! He’s like a “kid in a candy store” except God owns the store too… They say God is Jealous God and wants your respect… Well, I also say God is an opportunist God… He says “I can, so I WILL!!!”
There’s an amazing book that I am reading called “Accidental Saints”… One chapter has this unique child of God is being baffled by God, she is being called by God to minister to someone whom she would have thought had it all perfectly together and wouldn’t need ministering to, but this person, a bishop, had a wife with terminal cancer and he was in great need of a strong person to lean on. God was the opportunist in paring them up. And this author writes how she realizes that “we are NOT the blessing“, meaning don’t take the credit for the work God wants YOU to do, DON’T get a big head, realize it’s the sharing of Jesus’s love you are working with… It’s God’s plan, don’t take the credit… It means YOU are NOT the blessing, but the sharing IS the blessing…
You are happily chosen to work for HIS glory… God is an opportunist God… He says “I can, so I WILL!!!”
The book was lent to me by one of my amazing friend/mentors whom God marched in front of me in one of those opportunist moments. God still picks and has picked hundred and hundreds of mentoring people for blessing me thru my whole life… And since I am open to the advice (and take it MOST of the time), God knows whom to bless me with and when… God REALLY cranks up the Holy Spirit “Brownian motion” (a science term to mean all objects are moving at various energies), and puts us together… I am BLESSED to be awake, to be aware of a living God, and along for the ride…
Just like God put me in situations where I get great nourishment of my soul, God ALSO knows whom to put into MY path for working HIS plan… And God puts people in YOUR path too… It’s HIS opportunistic plan, it’s HIS candy store… we are just the candy combinations that He likes to test out in His mouth… to chew on us for a while… It’s either “YUM!” or try another combination… Pray to be made as a premium quality candy or pray to just be good enough for the moment, either way it’s all good… When you realize you are in a yummy situation, hold on tight, let God chew, it’s a sweet yet sometimes sticky ride… But you know sometimes gunk gets stuck to the gooeyness, and YES, sometimes ants come marching in for stealing a free feeding… And even salt is sometimes added to the mix… Salt that enhances the sweet or ruins it… Crazy God, just crazy…
REMEMBER, IT’S GOD’S CANDY STORE, NOT ours… He picks the combinations, we are there for the chewing… You know who God lets us be in that moment IF/WHEN we take the responsibility to work for HIM… Let us be glad when we are being used by God… It’s much better than for us to be washed away, discarded, because we didn’t see HIS LOVE sharing opportunity placed right in front of us…
I feel this humbleness but specialness when I remember that God chose me, to work FOR HIM….
SMILES to God for His great plan…
So, what kind of candy are you for God to chew?
AMEN
from Matthew 18 – The Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.” … “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.” …
“Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
Debbie Upper 