Happy Joyous Christmas to you my friends!!! Happy are the People whose God is the Lord. Psalm 144:15

Christmas Eve was filled with mystery and marvelousness, and now Christmas Day is a Gift of the babe Jesus born – and we are blessed with having Him grow in us each day and today too, a blessing knowing Jesus as our Shepherd, Jesus as Lord.

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. Isaiah 9:2

He will take care of his flock like a shepherd: He will gather the lambs together and carry them in his arms; He will gently lead their mothers… Isaiah 40:11

Today, Christmas, is a beautiful opportunity to share from the prophet Isaiah, and oh what a blessing to ask to have child-like AWE everyday and imagine that view of the Heavens FILLED with God’s Glory.

May we all appreciate the creation anticipation of a child Savior, like Isaiah did, and also the expectation of a King. Isaiah wrote hundreds of years before Jesus came and there was yearning for this fulfilment. It was shared first with Mary and her family, then in the distant Bethlehem, city of David, shepherds who knew to tend their flocks were called in to first see this Christ child. Our Lord, is a Shepherd to His Own children, that’s us, our Lord knows how to tend His Flock, rebuild His Kingdom people and Restore all to Himself.

Isaiah wrote sweetly of the coming of the King, a new covenant and HOPE. Isaiah wrote of God being Almighty Creator. The Lord Himself holds us and our collective futures together. Let us all be grateful and satisfied as much as we are curious. Let us call Him our Wonderful Counselor and Prince of PEACE too. 

Isaiah 9:6-7

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

Isaiah 40:26 ESV

Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name; by the greatness of his might and because he is strong in power, not one is missing.

AMEN AMEN AMEN

MERRY CHRIStMAS!

Happy Birthday Jesus!

There’s something I was NOT been worrying about, an unusual something. My son’s doctor saw it and wanted it checked out – probably nothing but a specialist doctor would have to see it to know that, with all their fancy instruments. Did I take any time to worry about it. Certainly I did not prepare for it (paperwork so last minute too), but it was something for which we proceeded one step at a time. EARLY morning, down in the city, a VERY EARLY appointment. Our praise is that we have great doctors and their knowledge base. It is funny how the early-ness of the appointment distracted from the potential situation. Well, it all went very well. THANK GOD!

I was not worried because the doctor was not worried, and I was especially not worried because I never took it out of God’s Hands. Maybe later I thought I will worry, but I prayed that not to happen either. I was sure there was nothing I can help with by worrying, so I didn’t. I DO PRAY, I do walk this road, drive it actually, and focused moment by moment – was more worried about parking in center city but probably not a problem at 6am. Now I could have been worried about the impending rainstorm but I have good tires and maybe the rain would chase away the traffic. I also could have complained about leaving the house at 5am, but I was not going to complain there either, those doctors start even earlier.

Anyway, prayers were appreciated but worrying was NOT. 

We especially pull close to God when we pause to pray.

We don’t and won’t have to put something in God’s Hands if we never took it out of His… And honestly, everything IS always in GOD’S HANDS.

Amen

PS – these are prayers I request for others – to help pull them and us closer to God: friends with covid, including an ICU-bound mom, who passed away, of a college friend. Prayers for people with illnesses and challenges. Prayers for a friend who lost their dog recently.  Prayers for all the people in Israel and Gaza and Ukraine, which barely makes the news anymore, and all the sickness, famine and wars including human trafficking which never makes the news… May the Lord intervene. 

And… Prayers in a positive way appreciated for all to see the wonder and hope of Christmas and to know the Lord, for their sake and His.  Amen

Hung up our green elf “Hider” today – a blessed memory I cherish 8 years now. It brings tears to my eyes remembering…  I love my big son, 19 now, and I miss the little boy of course… so blessed at this memory…

Yes My Elf on the Shelf, There is a Real Jesus, 30 NOV2015

It’s quite often lately that I bump into a conversation about God and Jesus – and tonight I have to pause to tell you that I got to share the REAL meaning of Christmas with one of the most important people in my life – my son.  My son IS my elf on the shelf – my director of activities, my wisdom-speaking genius – the most thoughtful kid ever known to man.  He is my baby boy, 11yrs old now, – he and my daughter are my joys – they are my purpose, they make me a mom, my job is to raise them. 

And tonight, over a conversation about an elf on the shelf I witnessed a miracle after I told of a miracle…  See, we are Jesus’s purpose – He came to help us know and tell of HIS mission in life – HIS purpose – and that is connecting us to GOD forever – yes, to give us eternal life, in the home of OUR FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN… over the course of a couple years, Jesus caused a change in me in stages and Jesus is the One who is helping me help others find their way to our true Father. It means I have to be bold and challenge myself to act and speak in truth. 

SO – elf – my elf is adorable, 11 years old, a thinker – a gentle and sensitive soul .. he can explain a sunday school bible lesson to me better than anyone after hearing it just once – he takes it to his heart – he truly believes in Jesus and God.  But as any eleven year old – he still needs training – he still needs guidance – he is still a product of our society robbing children of their child-like wonder and making them grow up too fast.  

My elf wanted to clean (yeah unheard of), he wanted to clean the living room area so that we could start our Christ-mas village and especially the nativity scene and he wanted his robotic dinosaur to be looking at the baby Jesus. He patiently waited for me to get off the phone – and sure, it was a very important phone call, but he was waiting and he is much more important than anything else swirling in my life right now.  So yes, I shut my phone off and refocused all my attention to him – I only have my little ones for a few more years – and I need to focus – my plans are secondary….  God will put me where HE wants me, and not where he doesn’t, and I am not sad at other lost opportunities because God’s plans are MUCH better than mine.

So, my adorable elf paused after setting the baby Jesus into the manger scene and then he asked the age old question – “Mom, people say Santa is your parents – and people say your parents move the elf on the shelf”  – pause – pregnant poignant pause –  what is mom going to say – “Well…  what do YOU think?”  He answers that “I think Santa is God and Jesus and the presents drop from heaven” – pregnant pause – but I of course felt blessedly empowered to explain this: “Well, that is a great thought, but why did God send Jesus to us? – it wasn’t for toys and presents – so why is Jesus God’s present to us? ”  – my son says “to give us forgiveness for our sins” – “Yes, but why did Jesus have to forgive us”  – “Ummm…”  – it is now that I know my mission is to teach why – “Jesus was a gift from God to us – to forgive us from our sins so that …., why?”  – “Ummm…” – “Jesus wants us to have ETERNAL —-”  – – – “LIFE!”  he finished my sentence… Yes! – I knew that bible lesson was in that 11 year old head somewhere – and I hope and pray it stays in his heart and grows there –  “Jesus came to save US by forgiveness to give US ETERNAL LIFE with God in Heaven”  – silence – pause – thinking – processing… And absorbing ones faith takes time – takes repetiion – takes teaching but most importantly reaching and nourishing conversations to achieve understanding that Jesus IS REAL…

“So Mom – what about the elf on the shelf – can you tell me if parents move him?”….   Ok – time to come clean – I know that it is important to tell the truth and so I said: “Yes – your parents move your elf” – silence – pause – thinking – processing…

See…  our elf was not intended to be that elf on the shelf- he is a GREEN elf – an ornament from the 40’s? 50’s?  well before this “elf that moves” myth started and I was not too pleased to hear the hoopla about it – sorry folks who have fun – but it’s quite a feat to generate even more work for yourself moving it, just due to a successful movie etc – yeah i wasn’t going to buy into it…  but my then 9 year old wide-eyed and precious boy discovers this ornament in the box and declares that we have an elf on the shelf – and thank you God he didn’t know that the elf moved every day because neither did I – whew!

At the end of that first Christmas with the elf, he was safely whisked away to Santa land at the end of the season – and my then ten year old waited patiently for his return…  Ummm…  where did he go?… Ummm – “Hider” – my son is named him “Hider” – lost – hmmm…  now what – – oh dear – and I looked and I looked – and Hider was in the safest spot to keep him – and he was so safe that i forgot where he was…  rats…  crushed hopes for a patient young soul… So my son writes him a note – about how he is the best hider in the world and how much he loves him – sigh…  mom has failed – mom never wanted this myth anyway and now mom is caught in the middle of a sad boy longing for his elf…  

Sigh…  tonight – tonight I came clean with him about Santa, elves – a natural progression of an eleven year old’s questioning – but before that it was first the MOST important conversation about God I have had this year – reinforcing that God sent Jesus to be real – to be real for each and everyone of us. So, now in peace that I came clean about the elf and that I shared the Good News, it was THEN I saw this random tin can – I don’t know why I picked it up – I felt something draw me to that can – and poof – there he was – “Hider” – our elf – over two years LOST – LOST I tell you – and poof – within three minutes of sharing Jesus – of knocking that elf myth down a notch – there he was – Hider – hidden in that can for two years…  my son hugged Hider and said: “I am going to put him in the nativity – he is going to watch baby Jesus for us” – yeah – my tears – “YES MY Elf on the Shelf, there is a REAL Jesus.”

There is no better blessing than to witness Jesus being born everyday in people – especially your own children… See, Jesus is often born in stages – only enough understanding each time that that indivudual can process at that very moment…  And so yeah – Jesus is this miracle gift – I understand this in JOY and tonight in tears, when I was stilled by God.

I thank YOU God for YOUR hand on my life – on my thoughts – on my family – guiding me everyday is a miracle because God IS REAL – Jesus is REAL – trust me – I know this – I just do – I really really do…  

Jesus came to save YOU – to save us – in order to reach us into God’s eternal life – in order for US to reach the others – we can preach all we want and plan all we want, but if we aren’t REACHING the others near and far then we have more work to do – and our Father wants us to work at it – and He will reward us when we do – it’s not silly – it’s just God watching me and knowing me – knowing how to reach me – thanks God…

Thank you God for reaching me today – I long to work for YOU always…

Your loving child,
Me

Down to Earth is easier when we stop trying to elevate ourselves. People like “down to earth” people,  God knows that we do. Christmas’s backhouse stable manger birth for Jesus was the gift of as much “down to earth” as imaginable. Jesus could come. Jesus would come. Jesus DID come. Immanuel, God with us. Let us be down to earth too.

Hidden Gems, people love Hidden Gems like in places to visit, restaurants to try, nooks and crannies of goodness, and yes the gem of beauty reserved for only a few spying eyes. The most beautiful Hidden secure open space we can retreat to and spring from is that private place where God and we meet. Let’s meet Him there, every day. God with us, Immanuel. 

There’s a praise song that ponders the mind, sings of a chapter of Jesus’s life we don’t hear about, when He as a child was securely taken away to Egypt by His parents, Mary and Joseph, to prevent discovery of him as a baby to be killed, as that generation was when Herod tried to eliminate any prophet-predicted earthly king to contest his earthly throne. The song, by Rich Mullins, is “My Deliverer” to represent the scattered Israelite community in Egypt (and everywhere) knowing about their Deliverer coming to deliver them (deliver us). Jesus hears them, He hears us. It’s a hopeful song, catchy to us too, envisioned yet it’s a real thing that people seeked their Deliverer, of devoted scripture readers and prophesy believers, cries of the oppressed and depressed. Visions and education given to the chosen few whose Holy Spirit hopes kept them waiting for the Savior, not just earthly but divine. And then teaching others about the delivery deliverance,  Deliverer. Like Simeon, old man in Temple visits choosing to praise God in anticipation of beholding our/his Deliverer, our/his Savior, our/his Hope and the Hope of the nation, and of us all. Prayer delivered and answered by seeing Jesus Babe, his own Deliverer, down to earth. 

“My Deliverer is coming” – He Came, He will Come Again.

This Christmas, let us be seekers for our Deliverer too. Our down to earth, hidden Gem, personal Savior, Who came not to judge us, but for us to be Saved through Him. John 3:17 “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him“,…. the Only Son of God.

Amen

…

Here’s the catchy envigorating song:

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=HxPlrvrE0uU&si=xCllvG8vTWDw9jE3  My Deliverer is Coming, “Jesus heard the whole world cry, for the healin’ that would flow from His own scars. The world was singin’: My deliverer is comin’, my deliverer is standin’ by…”

Friends and I were talking last night about how each day is going to get a little longer in daylight from here on out. We do get some depressive feelings in the darkness – and yet that is where the Lord can show us His Light to follow. 

I know recently I have marvelled at these early mornings to see the Morning Star, and appreciate how constant it is. It IS a marvel in how the seasons work, how coordinating the calendars and time tries to match and interpret how the world spins, the sun heats, and even the moon gets in the act with ocean tides and being a nightlight. imagine those sailors on the endless ocean voyages thousands of years who studied the stars and moon and most importantly got comfort from them!  I mean Who could set up such an intricate system where the system works year after year but also put into play what it influences – how that still will work, modified to adapt. Amazing, and if it were anyone other than God could plan it, it would not be so coordinated nor so much diversity in the system.

And yet the Morning Star moves. Constant and constantly moves.  It does. It was higher and higher in my window these past few weeks, but I failed to notice that it was moving  (or that I was) until I had to lean lower to see it so high, out of my window frame. Well of course it does move, gradually yet measured, and it’s a planet not a star, that reflects the sun SO brightly that we think it’s a star. And guess what? all the components of the universe move. Really… amazing how to allow it to be measured and yet easily looks like it could be chaos. Amazing. 

A conversation I had with a Hasidic Jew (from Brooklyn) on an airplane once, on one European trip, included a discussion of how God makes things, holds creatures and people, and holds them in His Hand until they are placed onto the Earth and into the system we see, that we only see them when they are revealed to us, and yet they always exist in God’s Hand and eye and vision. That is an intriguing thought. We do have such a finite view of each moment let alone eternity planned, that we really make preliminary conclusions of how things work. We make conclusions but don’t have enough longevity to pull in all the data. And yet, it’s a moving system, how could we. It is a Moving System – imagine God Moving it all.

How we each are held is something we think about from our vantage point and often can’t see past our vantage point, we are incapable from seeing it ALL from God’s vantage point, yet with the Holy Spirit to move us we are a part of this immense immeasurable Plan. Just like He sees so BIG, ALL THINGS, He also sees so small, every person, every hair, every tear. And before we know it He will have moved the wind or the circumstances around us, of us, with us, to freshly start a new day or new attitude or new life.  

If we are in bad straits, let us wait it out, change it out, shift the cards we are played for a better deal, pray our way into our walk – walk into a problem or away from it – but pray it thru. If we have to move a situation forward, let us move it (for us or others). If we have to take a step back, let us just not trip over the past and build upon it. Remember that we and especially God can wait out how HE aligns the times and the people. This may not be the quick fix – but in the fullness of time, we will forget the small stuff. The great song lyric from Psalm 30 is  ‘There may be pain in the night, but Joy comes in the morning’.

Even the Morning Star moves, and we move compared to it. Let us let God make His Way in our lives, today, forever, and pray to know that You Lord, in Your Joy, will move us more Your Way.

Amen 

Psalm 30 – New King James Version – The Blessedness of Answered Prayer – A Psalm – A Song at the dedication of the house of David.

I will extol You, O Lord, for You have lifted me up, and have not let my foes rejoice over me. O Lord my God, I cried out to You, and You healed me. O Lord, You brought my soul up from the grave; You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.

Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, BUT JOY COMES IN THE MORNING.

Now in my prosperity I said, “I shall never be moved.” Lord, by Your favor You have made my mountain stand strong; You hid Your face, and I was troubled. I cried out to You, O Lord; And to the Lord I made supplication: “What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise You? Will it declare Your truth? Hear, O Lord, and have mercy on me; Lord, be my helper!”

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, to the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.

There’s so few pages left for 2023, in my devotion book or on the calendar. So few and yet does that matter except that we remember time goes so much more quickly now. Ending 2023 means Christmas of course, and how did we ever put our most rushed season at the end of the year? Really Lord? Well maybe it’s because if we focused on Him it might go smoother, or at least we would find more peace over panic.

I appreciate most that God reminds me what I need the most: TIME WITH HIM. And today’s devotion from the Jesus Calling book is spot on to what God reminds: “Take time to be Holy”.

This is so important, not only do we get distracted by glitz, we get distracted by gloom. Our time with Him, in His Word, learning, and our time in His Work, loving, is the best time spent.  

I’ve been reading and writing not just to keep up with Him, but to allow Him to catch me up to Him, in awe and praise, and peace and purpose. 

Here’s to your end of the year wrap up, remember that the book and calendar starts over, no lost pages or moments with God in charge of time.

So good to focus on the Lord – and to remember He is above it all – and that thought that the whole rest of our eternity will be worry free and with Him  – so we should try that more and more now…  Here as in Heaven….

Amen.

Jesus Calling by Sarah Young, Dec 13th –  “Take time to be holy. The word holy does not mean goody-goody; it means set apart for sacred use. That is what these quiet moments in My Presence are accomplishing within you. As you focus your mind and heart on Me, you are being transformed: re-created into the one I designed you to be. This process requires blocks of time set aside for communion with Me. … The benefits of this practice are limitless. Emotional and physical healing are enhanced by your soaking in the Light of My Presence. You experience a nearness to Me that strengthens your faith and fills you with Peace. You open yourself up to receive the many blessings that I have prepared for you. You become a cleaned temple of My Holy Spirit, who is able to do in and through you immeasurably more than you ask or imagine. These are just some of the benefits of being still in My Presence. 

…

2 Thessalonians 1:10 ESV 

when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.

Psalm 27:4 ESV

One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.

1 Corinthians 6:19 ESV

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own

Ephesians 3:20 ESV

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,

This was interesting, watching a woodpecker at a bird feeder (with a camera) freeze in sort of hidden security behind the feeding post while a hawk came close… (photo attached and video link posted below):

It’s instinctual for the bird, would you do the same? Be very quiet and watchful? If this bird could pray, I bet he would. Pray away the prey. I don’t even know if that hawk would attack, but this woodpecker stood still. 

We often are thoughtful in either taking steps to taking flight… We all have been in opportunities for fight or flight, and prayer. Praying is acknowledging that God is bigger than our troubles. Worshiping is acknowledging that God is in charge of all. Praising is acceptance of good and bad – praise God no matter what for God is God and we are allowed to participate in watching Him work. 

I sort of did this when I saw what looked like a crazed woman trying to cross the street on a busy road, yelling at each car, and finally crossing and screaming at them. I was headed into the convenience store and hoped to avoid her, I did mostly, she was quiet in line behind me, no idea what would take place, I both wanted to run and yet also to hear if she switched into a normal conversation mode from this scary state. You know, I didn’t stick around for listening but as I zipped away, I prayed for the clerk, the situation, and her too with that: “geez Lord, what is going on with her?” unknown… My nervousness avoided the fight (not that there would have been) and I chose flight. We pray God’s got our backs (and every moment). I was stilled silent (and smart in my opinion) to keep moving. 

The woodpecker spying the hawk was smart to stay still. Are there moments that we get so stunned that we can’t act? Are there times that silent vibes help or hurt? Some say passiveness is poor participation and yet each situation is unique and we must decide whether to keep the peace or do something to make it through, then return to our peace. 

If we take it into our own hands, we could SHOULD rely on the coaching of the Lord, knowing He knows best, and trust mini situations and big ones to Him. Too often we don’t consult Him, even if it’s to say ‘sorry, I’m going to not deal with this situation right now.” And when we act or fail to act, of our own decision making process, may we return to say to God, ‘sorry and please help me turn to You first.’ This helps us think BIG picture at God’s plan. 

In Jeremiah 7-10, God had Jeremiah tell the people to worship Him, consult Him, rely on Him, ONLY HIM. The Israelite people had drifted (again) and as individuals and a divided nation Judah and Jerusalem, they were worshiping false gods and not asking forgiveness to the One God Whom could give it to them. 

Jeremiah takes this dictation directly from God: “this is what I commanded them, saying, ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you.’”

And Jeremiah records both God’s Wrath, his own sorrow, and the ultimate pretold plan to “refine” the people and ‘I will scatter them also among the Gentiles‘…

God said: “No man repented of his wickedness, saying, ‘What have I done?’ Everyone turned to his own course, as the horse rushes into the battle. Even the stork in the heavens knows her appointed times; and the turtledove, the swift, and the swallow observe the time of their coming. But My people do not know the judgment of the Lord.”

Jeremiah mourned the situation, like watching a train wreck travesty: “Is there no balm in Gilead, Is there no physician there? Why then is there no recovery for the health of the daughter of my people? Oh, that my head were waters, and my eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people! Oh, that I had in the wilderness a lodging place for travelers; that I might leave my people, and go from them!”

God continues:  Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the Lord.

I agree and hope you do too, I believe I’m God’s lovingkindnesses mercy forgiveness and direction.  Jeremiah says:  “the Lord is the true God; He is the living God and the everlasting King.”

Yes, I will be smart and stilled and listen to the Lord best I can. Open up my ears Lord to hear and my eyes to see and my heart to know. Amen

Amen

…

https://youtu.be/EDn8Ekti4Lc?si=fjFrHGyr9S4Nm4jB  “Hairy Woodpecker Freezes In Place As Cooper’s Hawk Perches Nearby – Dec. 7, 2023” on YouTube

Here is all of chapters 7 to 10 of Jeremiah:

What a surprise to find a whole classic movie on Youtube – The Bells of St Mary’s – 1945 – Bing Crosby and Ingrid Bergman. I remember it was a favorite of my Dad’s – really so many classic movies were (except It’s a Wonderful Life – he detested that one – I don’t think he was a fan of Jimmy Stewart… but I digress).

So, I don’t think I remember watching (start to finish) this Bells of St Mary’s – and it has so many good spiritual moments – as well as contrived ones…  but moments that do stick out were scenes of the extension of Grace that had to be given over and over. It has comic elements too – even kittens and doggies get into the mix – and oh the most precious little kids doing the Christmas play – singing Happy Birthday to Jesus.

The final scenes find the lead school-master sister (Ingrid Berman) struggling to not hold onto bitterness for an assignment she didn’t understand – it was unrevealed to her later that she was being sent away to a dry climate for a little while to improve from the beginnings of tuberculosis. We see her praying “Please Lord take this bitterness from my heart” – and the final scene shows her joy – that she knew the Lord did – that she knew what was causing this trial and all was being done in love. She didn’t pray to reverse her situation but to tolerate it. She wanted to obey the Lord and the direction that the organization of nuns and priests were directed (they took an oath of obedience – to symbolize their obedience to the Lord.) Another great scene was when the sister was explaining that you don’t give up things to be a nun – but you take on a bigger love, bigger role, bigger gift being gifted the Lord.

In LOVE – that is truly how the Lord can explain things to us – how He deals with us – how He wants to bring us under His Wing – and how we can move from disappointment and bitterness into acceptance and understanding. There ARE times in our lives where we are being asked to comply – to stay still for a bit – to BE. Let us let the Lord explain the reasons behind things to us (some day) – and let us listen for HIS Bells in our heads and hearts…

Here is the video – thanks YouTube: https://youtu.be/mPkBwJiN4-M?si=B5gIF_4XN0Q8lo3E

and here is the Wikipedia synopsis: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bells_of_St._Mary%27s

It’s an interesting thing, a boiling pot, because it means something is cooking, something could simmer for a while, something could boil over.

And then again, someone could tip it over too… 

Boiling water could surface cleanse, like baby bottles, or could cook, like dumplings, or could scald, like skin. And as for the Lord’s story to prepare prophet Jeremiah, He gave him imagery of a boiling pot of the northern enemies – that was about to spill over into attacking His chosen people, on purpose and in measured punishment – another exile. (Old-Testament-correction of the re-wandering people, yikes)…  Yet I had planted you a noble vine, a seed of highest quality. How then have you turned before Me into the degenerate plant of an alien vine? 

Times were about to change, the Lord’s long term plan was on the move, like tectonic plates shifting – hold on. And surely that’s happening today as well. Sometimes tectonic plates shift slowly then WATCH OUT) Aren’t we blessed to have Jesus to cling to?! Savior and Fulfillment of  the Law!)

The Lord’s Word rumbled through Jeremiah in late times of a divided kingdom, Judah and Jerusalem. God sent His prophet for His people, and as we know from scripture that over and over again the people were not just disobeying the proper sacrifices, they were also worshiping false gods. They were building their lives on active tectonic plates and the Lord’s boiling pot was being rumbled. Splashing. And therefore this prophet became the steaming streaming mouthpiece for God. WARNING. If anything, over and over again, GOD DOES TELL US what’s going to happen, tells us to be braced in Him, “times they are a changin”. And HE tells us that HE will handle it. 

If Jeremiah (or we) said to the Lord: ‘Things are not good. My path is tough’, then how or what would God help and remind us? He surely would say: ‘I’m already ahead of you. Stay close to Me.’ … ‘I’ve got this.’…

God prepared Jeremiah, prepared Israel’s peoples, and prepares us today, to STAY CLOSE TO HIM. These Prophets and their Psalm songs reminded there’s a seed planted of His kingdom line (Jesus Messiah) that God rooted INTO the Line of Jesse to David, sprouted and nourished. Not an alien Vine but the True Vine. 

God’s Promise made this clear but the people themselves lived cloudy lives. Even the priests fell short, forgetting how God delivered them – unable to fully see Jesus coming into the fulfillment of the Prophets… to deliver them and us – in order to bring us back to fulfillment with God. 

Let us keep looking towards Jesus,  remember Him. God got us this far, under His Wing. The Holy Spirit fills us anew with HOPE. Jesus is the PROMISE, we praise that He gave His All

Amen 

—-

Jeremiah 1:13-2:13, 19, and excerpts all the way to chapter 6

New King James Version

And the word of the Lord came to me the second time, saying, “What do you see?” And I said, “I see a boiling pot, and it is facing away from the north.” Then the Lord said to me:

“Out of the north calamity shall break forth on all the inhabitants of the land. For behold, I am calling all the families of the kingdoms of the north,” says the Lord; “They shall come and each one set his throne at the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem, against all its walls all around, and against all the cities of Judah. I will utter My judgments against them concerning all their wickedness, Because they have forsaken Me, burned incense to other gods, and worshiped the works of their own hands.

“Therefore prepare yourself and arise, And speak to them all that I command you. Do not be dismayed before their faces, lest I dismay you before them. For behold, I have made you this day a fortified city and an iron pillar, and bronze walls against the whole land – Against the kings of Judah, Against its princes, Against its priests, and Against the people of the land. They will fight against you, But they shall not prevail against you. For I am with you,” says the Lord, “to deliver you.”

God’s Case Against Israel

Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Go and cry in the hearing of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord: “I remember you, The kindness of your youth, The love of your betrothal, When you went after Me in the wilderness, in a land not sown. Israel was holiness to the Lord, the firstfruits of His increase. All that devour him will offend; Disaster will come upon them,” says the Lord.’ ”

Hear the word of the Lord, O house of Jacob and all the families of the house of Israel. Thus says the Lord: “What injustice have your fathers found in Me, that they have gone far from Me, Have followed idols, and have become idolaters? Neither did they say, ‘Where is the Lord, Who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, Who led us through the wilderness, through a land of deserts and pits, through a land of drought and the shadow of death, through a land that no one crossed and where no one dwelt?’ I brought you into a bountiful country, to eat its fruit and its goodness. But when you entered, you defiled My land and made My heritage an abomination. The priests did not say, ‘Where is the Lord?’ And those who handle the law did not know Me; The rulers also transgressed against Me; The prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit.

“Therefore I will yet bring charges against you,” says the Lord, “And against your children’s children I will bring charges. For pass beyond the coasts of Cyprus and see, Send to Kedar and consider diligently, And see if there has been such a thing. Has a nation changed its gods,

Which are not gods? But My people have changed their Glory for what does not profit. Be astonished, O heavens, at this, And be horribly afraid; Be very desolate,” says the Lord. “For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewn themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water.

—

Your own wickedness will correct you, and your backslidings will rebuke you. Know therefore and see that it is an evil and bitter thing that you have forsaken the Lord your God, and the fear of Me is not in you,” says the Lord God of hosts. “For of old I have broken your yoke and burst your bonds; and you said, ‘I will not transgress,’ When on every high hill and under every green tree you lay down, playing the harlot. Yet I had planted you a noble vine, a seed of highest quality. How then have you turned before Me into the degenerate plant of an alien vine? For though you wash yourself with lye, and use much soap, Yet your iniquity is marked before Me,” says the Lord God.

“How can you say, ‘I am not polluted, I have not gone after the Baals’? See your way in the valley; Know what you have done: You are a swift dromedary breaking loose in her ways, A wild donkey used to the wilderness, that sniffs at the wind in her desire; In her time of mating, who can turn her away? All those who seek her will not weary themselves; In her month they will find her. Withhold your foot from being unshod, and your throat from thirst. But you said, ‘There is no hope. No! For I have loved aliens, and after them I will go.’

“As the thief is ashamed when he is found out, So is the house of Israel ashamed; They and their kings and their princes, and their priests and their prophets, Saying to a tree, ‘You are my father,’ And to a stone, ‘You gave birth to me.’ For they have turned their back to Me, and not their face. But in the time of their trouble they will say, ‘Arise and save us.’ But where are your gods that you have made for yourselves? Let them arise, if they can save you in the time of your trouble; for according to the number of your cities are your gods, O Judah.

“Why will you plead with Me? You all have transgressed against Me,” says the Lord. “In vain I have chastened your children; They received no correction. Your sword has devoured your prophets like a destroying lion. O generation, see the word of the Lord! Have I been a wilderness to Israel, or a land of darkness? Why do My people say, ‘We are lords; We will come no more to You’? Can a virgin forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? Yet My people have forgotten Me days without number.

“Why do you beautify your way to seek love? Therefore you have also taught the wicked women your ways. Also on your skirts is found the blood of the lives of the poor innocents. I have not found it by secret search, but plainly on all these things. Yet you say, ‘Because I am innocent, surely His anger shall turn from me.’ Behold, I will plead My case against you, Because you say, ‘I have not sinned.’ Why do you gad about so much to change your way? Also you shall be ashamed of Egypt as you were ashamed of Assyria. Indeed you will go forth from him with your hands on your head; for the Lord has rejected your trusted allies, and you will not prosper by them.

—

Therefore I am full of the fury of the Lord. I am weary of holding it in. “I will pour it out on the children outside, And on the assembly of young men together; For even the husband shall be taken with the wife, The aged with him who is full of days. And their houses shall be turned over to others, Fields and wives together; For I will stretch out My hand  against the inhabitants of the land,” says the Lord.  “Because from the least of them even to the greatest of them, everyone is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even to the priest, Everyone deals falsely. They have also healed the hurt of My people slightly, Saying, ‘Peace, peace!’ When there is no peace.  Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No! They were not at all ashamed; Nor did they know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall;  At the time I punish them, They shall be cast down,” says the Lord.

Thus says the Lord: “Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’  Also, I set watchmen over you, saying, ‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’ But they said, ‘We will not listen.’ Therefore hear, you nations, And know, O congregation, what is among them. 19 Hear, O earth! Behold, I will certainly bring calamity on this people – The fruit of their thoughts, Because they have not heeded My words Nor My law, but rejected it.  For what purpose to Me comes frankincense from Sheba, and sweet cane from a far country? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable, Nor your sacrifices sweet to Me.”

Therefore thus says the Lord: “Behold, I will lay stumbling blocks before this people, And the fathers and the sons together shall fall on them. The neighbor and his friend shall perish.”

Thus says the Lord: “Behold, a people comes from the north country, And a great nation will be raised from the farthest parts of the earth. They will lay hold on bow and spear; They are cruel and have no mercy; Their voice roars like the sea; And they ride on horses, As men of war set in array against you, O daughter of Zion.”

Here is more chapters 3 to 6:

Let the Lord Handle it – but be willing to be in his cooking pot.

Let the Lord be in control – but be willing to be on His schedule.

Worship Jesus first – and be willing to wait on Him.

Be still – but still be.

Amen

How does God start His day? By fortifying us and others as part of His Way. To strengthen speech and sharpen wit. To accomplish His Word’s fulfillment, bit by bit.

Jeremiah was called to be a prophet, to speak on God’s behalf, be part of the delivery of God’s Word, prophetic-style, to then be verified by events set forth, placed by God to fulfill. Prophets could deliver truth. Prophets pre-educated the people. Prophets and us can know the WHAT and WHY, and not worry about the HOW.

What can we learn from the life of prophets? KEEP MOVING. Gotta do God’s Work. (God said to Jeremiah: don’t be terrified by the people, or else I will terrify you.) Gotta worry less and live anyway. Got to stop worrying about the “Hows” and trust the “Whys” (Jeremiah had to trust and so do we). Serve the Lord and serve others with the understanding that we share LOVE because He LOVES.

I am not a prophet, never will try to be, but I try to share a gift of encouragement to re-publicize, re-advise, re-direct, and remind HOPE is renewable. HOPE is like Rudolph and his glowing nose through the fog, making a way more tolerable. Better yet a LIGHTHOUSE that warns and welcomes and weathers the storms to keep shining. Hope helps.

Jeremiah had bad news to share, but Good News too, that God was intervening, and even if it’s dark for a moment, God has a plan. Light will, Light does, Light did overcome the world. 

Just keep not being afraid or resigned, don’t worry about the HOW. Find those first words and actions God wants you to serve with. Like Jeremiah seeing an almond tree in a vision, as a “test test – 1-2-3 – can you hear me now” of the system, then getting the bigger picture description from God (big changes for Israel), let’s keep refocusing our own eyes on His Path.

They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you. For I am with you,” says the Lord, “to deliver you.”

God IS with us. Keep the Hope. God is doing big things in His Plan. Keep faith in God. He IS the Holy How. Just be ready for the Holy When. 

Amen

………

Jeremiah 1:4-19

The word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

“Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.” But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.

Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.”

The word of the Lord came to me: “What do you see, Jeremiah?” – “I see the branch of an almond tree,” I replied. The Lord said to me, “You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled.”

The word of the Lord came to me again: “What do you see?” – “I see a pot that is boiling,” I answered. “It is tilting toward us from the north.” The Lord said to me, “From the north disaster will be poured out on all who live in the land. I am about to summon all the peoples of the northern kingdoms,” declares the Lord.

“Their kings will come and set up their thrones in the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem; they will come against all her surrounding walls and against all the towns of Judah. I will pronounce my judgments on my people because of their wickedness in forsaking me, in burning incense to other gods and in worshiping what their hands have made.

“Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified by them, or I will terrify you before them. Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests and the people of the land. They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord. 

It’s amazing, I was told today by Google metrics, that my most active Google Maps photo is a snapshot of a DIRTY ENGINE, haha. It has over 50000 views in connection with a review I gave for my local oil change place (great place). But it’s my old car, gone, mourned over and I’m 2 Subarus further than that now. I even have replaced the blueness with red then new blue. But I loved that car, it served me well, then it leaked, one could smell oil or something inside, and the a headgasket classic crack was the death nail of my life with it. We all wear out. Then again it drove great, wasn’t ready to go. Too bad my photos of a shiny blue car with decorations doesn’t have over 50,000 views… but I digress…

Where am I going with this story? The old photo has more views and so does old rehashing, old complaining in our lives, old stuck in the rut feelings, that in our lives gets more traction and attention, especially by us. But when things are going right, do we remember that we got past the old? Sometime yes and Sometimes no. Sometimes we need to be reminded of how God found a Way. Sometimes we have to admit our hard paths make the easier paths easier. Oh we should remember that God has a way that is not necessarily easy but true.  Well, I survived some stuff and moved forward, Thank God. I pray my voice now and in the future to speak more about God’s save than my life’s craze.

(Maybe we all need to find the right person to vent to, share dirty car engine photos or worldly angst, to spill the beans of frustrations but then go and move forward with life. We could/should walk through that door of the future and even though we carry the photo album of past ughs that keep rebooting up in our (my) brain, as we are as human as them all, we can choose to keep the photos in our back pocket – just between Jesus and us.)

So, I know scripture reinforces that there’s a remedy for humanness, because Jesus came to take not our humanness away instantly, but take away the sins of the soul and unstick the stickiness. We are washable in Him (and our photo albums of sins are wiped clean on our hard drives AND in the cloud). Jesus came fully human and “became sin” so it would be taken away. Paul, a sinner too, wrote: God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

And in scripture, we have been gifted the reminder that Jesus asked humanly (for a moment) to not have to drink that cup of suffering sin, but “in His Will” He did comply, taking that cup of suffering which He took all the way to abandonment from God. Divinely Jesus took it upon Himself to do so. He became human and He became our sin and He became abandoned. He complied over complained. He took the hit so that we all have the potential to move forward. He made a Way because He came as the Way.

“My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” Jesus prayed. (Matthew 26:41)

Could Jesus have stepped away? He had the power to, but chose the Way.

He took the old engine, in you and me, and we don’t have a photo to hold, but know He allows our old engines to be renewed. He moves the past away, and it passes away. God promises this new body, new life, new forever and gives Himself as a down payment, His Spirit in us, to know what awaits. God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come – that new me new you SHOULD get 50,000 views times a million.

A new view – without sin – or cracked headgasket. We WILL get more mileage out of forever life with Jesus. Accept His cleansing today.

Amen

—-

Paul in a letter to the 2nd Corinthians Chapter5:1-5,17-21

Awaiting the New Body

For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked.  For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

…

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

“Assume best intentions” – that’s what a friend of mine reminded us to do, in a management pep talk. He does help us move forward. And if we assume best intentions, we can step aside from mind games that plague us. That’s a crucial part of life, tell mind games: “Game Over.”…

This friend could do those “Ted talks” – those inspiring motivating business and people-saavy videos to ponder… Big rooms thinking I’m going to learn something, and they do, if only to remember what they already knew. Thinking of it, I could give Ted talks too… I could distill life lessons for those who want to verify theirs against others experiences, and yes, as I once sat in a motivational talk and said, “I could do that!”, I could should would actually do that, both as a talker and helper and thinker. Most importantly I know that my source material should be what matters, not just my reaction. 

So, for now I will write when the morning is new and the mouth is quiet, it’s easier for me to LISTEN then.  What am I listening for?  My quieting down first and foremost. This WILL take a while, probably forever… Whom am I listening to? Ah, this is the good best question, as I wonder: am I listening from within for me to help me or others? Am I listening to come up with the answers in life? OR am I listening for the Fountain of Wisdom, the Judge of Justice, the actual Absolute Truth that gives temperance and self-control, AND the Creator of courage.

Yeah, I need to listen for my Lord. As He told prophet Jeremiah, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;” Yes – as Jeremiah was picked by God and then strengthened and empowered, we too can be tools for Him.

In other words, I’m not a Stoic but I have the desire to be the recipient STOKER of the FIRE, set inside of me.

I only have heard piecemeal parts of the philosophy of Stoicism put together, but I have lived long enough to understand it, where that might come from in people’s desires to know self. So, knowing history, I do have desires enough to be in philosophical discussions about people’s philosophical stances, gauging their spiritual stance (or kneeling). It’s good to hear about what others are influenced by, and yet hold tight to that thick shield guarding my own heart. Yup. (God grasp me in Your gentle unbreakable grip).

Here is what I learned from googling: “If we were to describe Stoicism in one sentence, it’d be this: A Stoic believes they don’t control the world around them, only how they respond—and that they must always respond with courage, temperance [self-control], wisdom, and justice.” … OH!!! Now I see the connection and the disconnect too. These are virtuous and fine, but I’m sure they don’t totally or even remotely define my own relationship with the Divine. 

It’s good to educate, and to hold street smarts, yet then it’s even BETTER to not edify self but to appreciate a personal place in a Plan BIGGER than me than us. I am going to choose a choice gifted to me, a desire to know God. If He feeds me wisdom I don’t have to memorize and control my conversations for a world that is worldly, a people who are imperfect, a dialog that debates, or a gain that is gated. None of those. And yet understand others to meet the people where they are.  Jesus, the Truth, the Word, comes to save the people from our brokenness. I’m not going to be stoic if I can be Spiritual. I’m not going to not know my hope helps. It does because God IS. 

I desire me to be me, to be movable (I pray) by “virtue” of the Holy Spirit, to accept in a miracle of my brokenness, that Jesus came to heal. I will pray and because of Christ’s Spirit Who chooses to move in me, yes, because of Him, I will live in HOPE.

JESUS loves us, Hope in his HOPE.  God with us – Immanuel.

Amen 

—

Jeremiah learned from God who he was to be: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” Then said I: “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.” But the Lord said to me: “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ For you shall go to all to whom I send you, And whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of their faces, For I am with you to deliver you,” says the Lord.  Jeremiah 1:5-8

Christmas? Not bah humbug but humbahbug, not yet bit by the Christmasbug?… nope, me neither, until….. until my Christmas “receiving’…

I wasn’t ready, for Christmas decorating or colors. And I didn’t/don’t have to be, it still early. And yet, after a recent personal tirade about Thanksgiving colors in my life needing more time, I saw my own collapse of my curmudgeonness, it happened just tonight. And I’m not fully in, but Christmas happened, I crumbled to both the secular AND the Spiritual, yes to the cookies then to the colorful lights, then to the conifer tree, and then to the carrying down of decorations – but the lifting aspect of Christmas is the receiving of the gift of Christmas itself. Alleluia. The gift of Christmas Spirit is in itself RECEIVING it.

Let us see gifts of His Glow. Let us receive the Spirit of receiving.

Ah – the tree. The cat looked genuinely concerned with the decoration boxes, but ah that tree smells so good, that now I will add lights and I’ll be crumbling my way into Christmas more and more – for it IS a process. And Mmmmm…. it’s the gift of friendships and cookies that got me rolling today, rolling dough became rolling out decorations for church and assembly of cookie trays as a donation to a charity. Beautiful and many hands make light work. Christmas creeped in more as I started putting up snowflakes on windows, a gift from a friend that I could embrace…

We got the tree after we had gone out to dinner, celebrating my son’s new fulltime status at his job and a raise too… YAY! Driving home from the restaurant we stopped at one house which had an unbelievable amount of Christmas lights and inflatables… WOW!!! I took a selfie with Santa. OK, Christmas curmudgeon was crumbled in cheer. It’s not just that people need more time for Christmas, it’s that people need more Christmas time in Christmas spirit. I do too, and I really always need more Christmas curmudgeon CRUMBLING – a take over of my holding back.

A crumble to not Christmas GIVING but RECIEVING… OH OH OH not HoHoHo. Christmas RECEIVING is receiving Spirit. We must be realizing more that we have been gifted more moments, friends, futures, forever, and accept them.

Our openness to receiving gifts of wows and ohs. Christmas doesn’t just necessarily mean big things in little packages. But opening and receiving and appreciating that we have been gifted.

And I especially mean RECEIVING of Jesus. The Gift.

It’s a sacrifice of praise, God’s that good to give us the gift of RECEIVING Him. 

Amen

I am no expert in the scriptures – but I can hear God’s anger when I read it. God gives comfort to his people but consequences to the contrarians. In other words, I would not want to be in God’s fury –  It’s worth the Walk with Jesus. Oh, I only want to be covered in the sacrificial shield of Jesus Lord God – and to do that I have to repent for myself and even for what happened via the fall of man via Adam and Eve. I wasn’t there but I must be aware.

Is it tough to repent? It takes humility over pride, it takes brokeness over braisen entitlement. Repentance is a heart yearning to heal and requires believing giving control over to God is worth it. A conviction convinces and JOY rejustifies. In opening the door of our hearts to Jesus, we find repentance is the acknowledgement that we DO need a Savior and can’t go it alone, meaning we can’t get life fulfilment in temporary life. Truly, isn’t it best to step away from God’s Fury and into His Fold? 

I know that God has rallied (over and over) against people who say they speak for Him – but really don’t. And God has made a way for His sheep who don’t say a peep – as well as those who stand up and are struck down. Martyrs and many, and more to come.

In Isaiah 66, we have come to the last chapter of prophetic promises – it is NOT a pretty sight of what happens to those enemies to God. I appreciate the promises of God fulfilled, which the old testament BC people  only could hope for. Imagine the faithful then who waited and waited, they say half a century of generations after Isaiah until Jesus came. Temple-faithful. We now wait again, worship Him and His Promise. 

“Do I bring to the moment of birth and not give delivery?” 

God gives delivery – and gathers His people… Let us wait on the Lord with hopeful praise, repentance and restoring Joy.

Jesus comes again, God DOES deliver. 

Amen

—

Isaiah 66:5-end 

Hear the word of the Lord, you who tremble at his word: “Your own people who hate you, and exclude you because of my name, have said, ‘Let the Lord be glorified, that we may see your joy!’  Yet they will be put to shame. Hear that uproar from the city, hear that noise from the temple! It is the sound of the Lord repaying his enemies all they deserve.

“Before she goes into labor, she gives birth; before the pains come upon her, she delivers a son. Who has ever heard of such things? Who has ever seen things like this? Can a country be born in a day or a nation be brought forth in a moment? Yet no sooner is Zion in labor than she gives birth to her children.

Do I bring to the moment of birth and not give delivery?” says the Lord. “Do I close up the womb when I bring to delivery?” says your God. “Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice greatly with her, all you who mourn over her.

For you will nurse and be satisfied at her comforting breasts; you will drink deeply and delight in her overflowing abundance.”

For this is what the Lord says: “I will extend peace to her like a river, and the wealth of nations like a flooding stream; you will nurse and be carried on her arm and dandled on her knees. As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.”

When you see this, your heart will rejoice and you will flourish like grass; the hand of the Lord will be made known to his servants, but his fury will be shown to his foes. See, the Lord is coming with fire, and his chariots are like a whirlwind; he will bring down his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire. For with fire and with his sword the Lord will execute judgment on all people, and many will be those slain by the Lord.

“Those who consecrate and purify themselves to go into the gardens, following one who is among those who eat the flesh of pigs, rats and other unclean things—they will meet their end together with the one they follow,” declares the Lord.

“And I, because of what they have planned and done, am about to come and gather the people of all nations and languages, and they will come and see my glory.

“I will set a sign among them, and I will send some of those who survive to the nations—to Tarshish, to the Libyans and Lydians (famous as archers), to Tubal and Greece, and to the distant islands that have not heard of my fame or seen my glory. They will proclaim my glory among the nations. And they will bring all your people, from all the nations, to my holy mountain in Jerusalem as an offering to the Lord—on horses, in chariots and wagons, and on mules and camels,” says the Lord. “They will bring them, as the Israelites bring their grain offerings, to the temple of the Lord in ceremonially clean vessels. And I will select some of them also to be priests and Levites,” says the Lord.

“As the new heavens and the new earth that I make will endure before me,” declares the Lord, “so will your name and descendants endure. From one New Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another, all mankind will come and bow down before me,” says the Lord. “And they will go out and look on the dead bodies of those who rebelled against me; the worms that eat them will not die, the fire that burns them will not be quenched, and they will be loathsome to all mankind.”

I used to be competitive in life, I still am somewhat, and then I realize, when I feel it as grandstanding, that I am to scale that back because I need to remember and understand that JESUS, not me, WON EVERYTHING WORTH WINNING, FOREVER. Jesus shines light on everything that should be important for me and the rest will fade away. I can’t take credit because I didn’t even win the winning, He won it.

But we can feel the blessed feeling of JOY. So, with a blessed feeling that He allows me to feel: 

I don’t have to compete even while looking competitive; 

I don’t have to whine even when obviously I have been overlooked;

I don’t have to look behind when I’m looking forward;

I do have to wonder what the blessing is in the bungled world, but when I can only see Him then I can see Him as the only thing going right;

(And I do have to mourn what He mourns.)

I DO have to stand up for myself as a child of God, but I don’t have to climb over people, put them down, stand on them or in their way when Jesus already made me a new Way; 

and I don’t have to knock anyone down to be picked up, especially because I don’t have to compete if I am not running the right race, His race, a good race where He leads. 

I do have to realize that the WORLD doesn’t see eye to eye right now, it won’t, but should remember that IT WILL at some one glorious day when Jesus returns, because then all, on their knees, will bow down. In that day I still won’t have won myself but be filled with wonder that He has given me. And I will then really wonder why I worried so worldly. 

Jesus forgives worldliness and brokenness when we repent with open hearts wanting to heal. Let us open them now and keep working in His Way.

Amen 

Isaiah 66:1-2

Thus says the Lord: “Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest? For all those things My hand has made, And all those things exist,” Says the Lord. “But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, And who trembles at My word.

Many don’t know that Jesus is coming back – but even more don’t know that He came the first time – or maybe they know the Christmas manger story but don’t know WHY He came. Then also they may not know He was prophesied to come – and thus BE the fulfilment of the law (of Moses by satisfying the law) – and fulfillment of the Prophets (by doing everything predicted and by being the Christ).  Jesus Came, Comes, Will Come. Jesus crushes the crisis of sin separation. Jesus saves.

Isaiah 65 talks about the righteousness that we need in Jesus from Jesus as Lord – and the whole new beginning that was foretold from the beginning, this is a matter of His Hands and His Coming and knowledge of His Promise and His Hope. Jesus saves. Hope in Jesus. 

Peter, beloved disciple, in his 2nd letter urges the reader, including us, to be found “at peace with him” – with the Lord. Urging us to remain within His peace by understanding that His ways are above our ways – make a sacrifice of praise because His return is imminent and like a thief in the night. So let us be ready to be with Him – stay close – stay watching and stay wanting Him. . .  With Him, the acceptance of Him as Lord comes first, the fixes next. Always the repentance before repair. Repair in His Righteousness. We all need repair. Jesus saves. 

Since we don’t know the hour, I pray we are patient to just keep applying Christ forgiveness in all our situations – be open in our concerns and corrections but be filled with the opportunity that Jesus DOES want us to come to Him… LET US ENCOURAGE THE CONNECTION… My friend always says,  in prayerful concern: “I pray the blood of Jesus over: (whomever we are talking about).” Of course that applies to us too, because none of us are blameless, we can’t achieve that, only GRACE and MERCY save us too. 

Here are 2nd Peter and Isaiah 65 scriptures – crucial for our Christmas Spirit – remember that the beginning was begun with the end in mind – and the end is ended with and for the New Beginning FOREVER. ALL will become CLEAR in the LIGHT of the LORD – Jesus Messiah – fullness fulfilled – full fulfillment.

Amen

—-

2nd Peter 3:8-18 

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.  But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

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Isaiah 65 NKJV

The Righteousness of God’s Judgment

“I was sought by those who did not ask for Me; I was found by those who did not seek Me. I said, ‘Here I am, here I am,’ to a nation that was not called by My name. I have stretched out My hands all day long to a rebellious people, Who walk in a way that is not good, According to their own thoughts; A people who provoke Me to anger continually to My face; Who sacrifice in gardens, And burn incense on altars of brick; Who sit among the graves, And spend the night in the tombs; Who eat swine’s flesh, And the broth of abominable things is in their vessels; Who say, ‘Keep to yourself, Do not come near me, For I am holier than you!’ These are smoke in My nostrils, A fire that burns all the day. “Behold, it is written before Me: I will not keep silence, but will repay – Even repay into their bosom – Your iniquities and the iniquities of your fathers together,” says the Lord, “Who have burned incense on the mountains And blasphemed Me on the hills; Therefore I will measure their former work into their bosom.”

Thus says the Lord: “As the new wine is found in the cluster, And one says, ‘Do not destroy it, For a blessing is in it,’ So will I do for My servants’ sake, That I may not destroy them all. I will bring forth descendants from Jacob, And from Judah an heir of My mountains; My elect shall inherit it, And My servants shall dwell there. Sharon shall be a fold of flocks, And the Valley of Achor a place for herds to lie down, For My people who have sought Me.

“But you are those who forsake the Lord, Who forget My holy mountain, Who prepare a table for Gad, and who furnish a drink offering for Meni. Therefore I will number you for the sword, And you shall all bow down to the slaughter; Because, when I called, you did not answer; when I spoke, you did not hear, But did evil before My eyes, And chose that in which I do not delight.”

Therefore thus says the Lord God: “Behold, My servants shall eat, But you shall be hungry; Behold, My servants shall drink, But you shall be thirsty; Behold, My servants shall rejoice, But you shall be ashamed; Behold, My servants shall sing for joy of heart, But you shall cry for sorrow of heart, And wail for grief of spirit. You shall leave your name as a curse to My chosen; For the Lord God will slay you, And call His servants by another name; So that he who blesses himself in the earth Shall bless himself in the God of truth; And he who swears in the earth Shall swear by the God of truth; Because the former troubles are forgotten, And because they are hidden from My eyes.

The Glorious New Creation

“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; For behold, I create Jerusalem as a rejoicing, And her people a joy. I will rejoice in Jerusalem, And joy in My people; The voice of weeping shall no longer be heard in her, Nor the voice of crying.  “No more shall an infant from there live but a few days, Nor an old man who has not fulfilled his days; For the child shall die one hundred years old, But the sinner being one hundred years old shall be accursed. They shall build houses and inhabit them; They shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. They shall not build and another inhabit; They shall not plant and another eat; For as the days of a tree, so shall be the days of My people, And My elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labor in vain, Nor bring forth children for trouble; For they shall be the descendants of the blessed of the Lord, And their offspring with them.

“It shall come to pass That before they call, I will answer; And while they are still speaking, I will hear.  The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, The lion shall eat straw like the ox, And dust shall be the serpent’s food. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain,” Says the Lord.

I don’t always like what I see, Lord. 

I don’t like what I hear, what I know. 

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.

Amen 

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 

—

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 ESV giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ

Psalm 118:1 ESV Oh 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,

—

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 KJV Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

James 4:8 ESV Draw 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 ESV May 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.

One month to Christmas?

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 

—-

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. 

Continuously. Askingly. Available.

Amen 

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

—

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. 

Amen

Happy Thanksgiving.

I am THANKFUL, 

I got some rest.

I am THANKFUL, 

I had Turkey Tuesday, a dinner with my son that fulfilled my self-emotional commitment to Mom-ness.

I am THANKFUL, 

To listen and to take time to invest. 

I am THANKFUL, 

I had made pie, some trimmings and we had no need for the rest.

I am THANKFUL,

It was well worth good exhaustedness.

I am THANKFUL, 

Each time I remember and decompress that I am BLESSED. 

I am THANKFUL LORD, for YOU bless, YOU give rest,

That IS my grateful thankful-giving witness.

Amen 

…

When Will Jesus Return? 

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

—

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.

—

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.

…

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. 

Cool… And yes Burning Bright Light True…

Growing is in the Going. 

Amen 

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.”

…

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

—-

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.”

—

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”

Amen and Awe in God, All in All.

Amen

Who Made the Sea?

Who made the beauty that we see?

The Lord of hosts is His Name. 

HIS DESIRE to hold us forever in His Hand is truly humbling, NO it is not His game. 

The ocean ROARS, and it is the Lord Who set them tumbling.

I believe in this moment, I can hear God’s familiar rumbling:

I am the Lord thy God, that divided the sea, whose waves roared… 

I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand,

that I may plant the heavens,

and lay the foundations of the earth… 

Thou art my people. 

(From Isaiah 15,16)

Thank You Lord for early wake-ups, because there is an early and there is a wake-up. 

.

Thank You Lord for over-dryness in heat, because I do have heat and a house and my flock to keep warm. 

.

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).

.

What can I do?

Rely on You. 

Watch You.

Watch like You.

Emulate You.

Forgive like You.

Walk with You.

Act like You.

Make a difference like You.

Work like You. 

Love like You. 

Love You.

Ask You.

Know You.

Marvel at You. 

Marvelous You.

Marvelous Lord. 

Peace be with You. 

Amen 

Security of Spirit is never a waste.

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

—

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 

—–

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.”

Amen 

I try to simplify my life. 

It’s impossible yet important. 

.

I try to sanctify my lifestyle. 

It’s impossible yet I progress.

.

I try to solidify my lifeline. 

It’s impossible yet invigorating. 

.

I try to stabilize my lifetime. 

It’s impossible yet influenceable.

.

I try to do this all myself. 

It’s not easy. It’s not even or ever possible. 

It’s not just human wrongs but human realness.

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

—

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 

—

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.” 

…

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!”

…

“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.

—

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.

AMEN

Here is that sermon link: https://resources.ccphilly.org/G775

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 LASTING OPPORTUNITY 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

Link to the castle website: https://www.hrad-karlstejn.cz/en

Link to the Book of Revelation: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%201&version=NIV;NKJV

Some photos from inside: https://www.kornbluthphoto.com/KarlstejnMaryChapel.html

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 

—-

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…

Amen

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.

Inspired – but written for all of us who have lost a loved one.

Leaves from a Tree

People pass away like leaves fall from a tree.

Some are too young, beautiful green and ripped off in a breeze.

.

Many we know are just entering their prime.

Yet some have aged, not crumbled, and we say: “they put in their time”.

.

Others fall brilliantly in layers of color.

Death early but expected, leaves and lives filled with strength and valor. 

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Let us keep good memories alive, let them rustle around. 

Savor them like fall leaves as they cover the ground.

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Variegated lives leave memories, they DAZZLE.

Souls up to in Heaven, let us follow the narrow road they travel.

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We don’t always know the time or the place. 

But blessedly we pray each knows God’s Grace.

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It is forgiveness we too must embrace. 

Don’t hold bad memories, not even a trace.

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They led unique lives in all the beautiful splendor. 

Know their work was purposeful, and their hearts were so tender. 

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All generations seem short lived as they pass thru the grave. 

Fallen friends are like leaves, let us all kiss them goodbye and wave.

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Loved ones leave, but their LOVE we still embrace.

Remember them Lord, THEY RAN A GOOD RACE.

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.”

Strangely Dim… I’m not talking JUST about peanut butter M&M’s…..

One of the most true lyrics from a Jesus-inspired praise song is: “Turn your eyes upon Jesus…. and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.” Everything grows dim, not just the old favorites of life. Everything.

The Joy of Jesus – that amplifies my joy of life.

The Joy of Jesus also can become a quieter delight, a deeper joy of peace in chaos.

The Joy of Jesus is hope in holding onto hope eternal…

Jesus is better than the most wonderful things on earth, in addition to being a better focus for us as direction in disaster, focus during the toughest times.

And, readjusting our joy of silly things too – good and bad…

Not just peanut butter M&M’s that truly aren’t so good as I remembered….

Halloween each year is nice but not spectacular anymore, not like when I was a kid or had little kids, but should I be worried about that? No, not at all… The things of earth will grow strangely dim…. Halloween is different, my kids are grown,  my tastebuds don’t like the overly sweet stuff as much now, having changed to healthier eating,  and the decorations are not so important… The silly faces are ok, the gore is too fake for me to worry about, I’m not into any type of devil worshipping stuff at all – or those bitter aspects of Halloween. I mentally threw them away – those fluffy aspects of Halloween are fading away for me also, and that’s OK.

Just like my tastebuds now savor tastier treats than those blah treats of my youth, my joy-tastebuds savor truer joys… “and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace”

Yes, on Halloween, I mostly enjoy seeing the joy of the people celebrating with each other. Sharing and witnessing fun joy with friends and family.  With my beloved neighbors, I enjoy warm weather and a bonfire.  With my solitude, I enjoyed times of focused prayer. In my thankfulness, I mostly enjoy that I was given an opportunity to enjoy the day.

Seeing the cutest little costumed kids that parents doted upon, a joy.

Seeing the levity and gratitude of work folks also in costume, fun…

Being able to find JOY IN THE JOURNEY of life is priceless…

If all good things are from God, then moments of peaceful fun are sprinkled on the cake of life… as long as we attribute this cake itself to God Himself.

Joy, who are we to mess with that…

Strangely dim is how both frivolity and fright fades in the focus of God’s grace – the hope of eternal future clears up our current path of life…

It’s Halloween, so let me rush in Christmas now – Joy to the world, the Lord has come, the Savior reigns – lyrics mesh us into Xmas, because, the truth is that Jesus does reign all the time…

Who is better than all today’s earthly troubles? Jesus.

Who is better than all earthly glitter? Jesus.

Worship not the world but Worship Jesus in Spirit and Truth.

These song lyrics are on point: “Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.”

Amen

I marvel every year how bendable strong our Jujube tree is – it gets so heavy-laden with lots and lots of little fruits. But it stretches feet lower instead of breaking. Normally you can walk under the branches, not in fruiting season. 

Amazing.

I also marvel at how in a quick summer, a whole flowering to fruiting mission runs it’s course. With so little rain this year, spring and summer seasons still get the job done. Fall is fruit-fall for harvesting. Winter is perseverance and eating what preservation established. Sharing what you are saving. With this Jujube tree yearly excess in fruit, it may take a while!

Amazing.

These tree branches nearly touch the ground, but not in spring, they are inconspicuous overhead and you would never know the big job ahead. Now the fruits like shriveled apple dates will start falling and groundhogs and squirrels could sell the excess if they had the ability to cart this food around (imagine wheelbarrows instead of cheek pouches to transport). God gives in excess and what doesn’t get eaten melt back into compost naturally. God provides for all his creatures.

Amazing. 

I’m too afraid to eat these jujube, but I probably should try. 

Fruits of the Spirit are like that too, sometimes we are afraid to use them, but God makes them totally available. God hangs them on us after He makes us strong and flexible. We must bend so that we don’t break. The fruits may be few and huge or many and tiny. 

In a good season, the bounty probably is enough to touch many lives. We must share the wealth otherwise the fruit will fall at our feet and rot. Or sometimes we can run around shedding fruit, and creatures unknown to us will pick up the fruits which are still good. Sometimes we can take charge of the wheelbarrow and spread the wealth. Sometimes the people come to us. Sometimes it feels lonely that we have so much to give and who even wants any… Well, people are hungry for what they don’t know. Share anyway and grab a wheelbarrow and go to them, instead of waiting for others to come to you. 

We have an opportunity to share what it means to share.  We can reach where we can stretch, so stay flexible. REACH.

Galatians 5:22-23 says: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

These sharings are huge difference makers in themselves, but perhaps fruit hung by God on you in small doses just like the jujube tree, so you don’t worry about delivering massive watermelons of blessings if you are simply asked to give small but meaningful doses of blessings. “No gift is too small.” And let the Holy Spirit be your guide. He knows how and where to share. He knows how you work in God’s Plan. Remember the tree does not make the fruit for its own consumption. God changes your season and will change your vision. Fruits of the Spirit are for blessing all. 

Be open to the seasons of Spirit and seasons of life. Get ready to use each of them for God’s Glory. Springing flowers show up, Summering flowers get to work, Harvest Fruits make for a Free-for-all Fall, Persevere and Preserve in Winter to help you start again. Seasons of life. Build up your muscles for each. 
Always be willing to SHARE. If God gave it to you, it is God’s gift for you to share. All good things come from God.

This tree is but one tree. It has been provided by God. So have you. Fruit is not heavy to break you, just God being an opportunist thru you.
Amen
—

A Tree and Its Fruit

Jesus taught: “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. Luke 6:43-45

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Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. James 1:9-10

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. James 1:22-25

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Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;  apart from you I have no good thing.” I say of the holy people who are in the land, “They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.” Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more. I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods or take up their names on my lips.

Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay. You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Psalm 16 (of David)

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Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. James 2:2-6

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“Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.” Galatians 5:14-15

Spiritual Fruit is Not Too Heavy

God knows, because He is God

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Years ago, I was singing one particular version of Amazing Grace from a praise band service – a beautiful rendition by an amazing soprano whom I always tried to copy in vocals… I was repeating this song over and over and found myself in a situation where I was called to act to try to wake up a swerving gas tanker truck driver – I can’t say that I knew God wanted me to act – to intervene – but I think I would have acted anyway because I had to try something to wake up the driver!!!… and I honked and honked to the tune of Amazing Grace for about three to four miles and then finally – FINALLY – he pulled over to the side of the road – finally he woke up from his erratic way…

I had to sit and digest this for an hour before getting out of my car that day, praising and thanking God… But what really sealed the deal for me – in knowing it WAS God Himself in this intervention – was because on the NEXT day I was driving on that EXACT same stretch of highway and “by chance” the same Amazing Grace song randomly came up on the shuffle of the CD – I smiled because I knew – I knew this was God giving me a glimpse of HOW He and His Angels work in a Hidden Army – of how He uses me (and all of us) as His tools … and how He comforts me in a whisper to know that He was the one keeping me safe… Yes, to know God is to be thankful of His thoughts of us and us being thankful for the Grace He gives…

So – each day let us KNOW God IS in control and to trust in the Lord…

Another God sighting – I “randomly” put in the same CD when I left the house an hour prior – and when I hit that same stretch of highway and that same version of Amazing Grace came on – well, yeah the memory flooded back into me!!! I gave smiles to God for such sweet a sound… Today, this God sighting had no swerving trucks or crisis – but I was praying a prayer of discernment at that very moment – I was running thru potential scenarios with God for a particular convoluted and sticky problem – I was talking to God by praising and praying, thanking and singing – just focusing on the blessings He has given me so far.

I believe that it’s God and God alone who can just answer our sticky questions – and even if I can’t even vocalize my issues well enough, God knows that sometimes we ONLY have wordless groans (Romans 8:26) and understands anyway… So while I was singing Amazing Grace on that stretch of road, I thought “what are my options here God” – and God answered – from LEFT FIELD – His answer came by pulling a random thought to try to address my problem – wow wow wow – out of the blue? Out of the Grace of God. Even if this answer won’t fix everything – at least He answered because I asked. He showed me support to say “I’ve got this”.

He knew I needed an answer and a direction and the assurance that He DOES answer. He gave me an option – He was just opening my mind and He found that random tidbit of info and put it into the forefront of my thinking… Brilliant!!! Brilliant God!!!… You made me smile – You essentially knew I needed You to light my path… You found me in that special highway spot with that special song. So I smiled in Joy.

Thanks Lord for bringing me “safe thus far”…

“Through many dangers, toils and snares… I have already come. Tis Grace has brought me safe thus far… and Grace will lead us home.”

Thanks God – THANKS for the support – THANKS for the Grace

Football is a team sport – offense and defense and special teams are unique lines, but BASEBALL uses everyone on both “offense” and “defense” (pinch-hitters aside). Baseball is a team sport of individuals and requires coordination of single plays. The team, with different pitchers and lineups, even mid-season trades, could be a different team each game but they are a TEAM right in that moment.

A TEAM. God’s crew is me and you. We are on God’s Team!

Life games and life GAINS. God wants us on His Team. God wants to be with us. God already picked us for His team, but sadly some trade themselves away to be devoted to other games. God picked us to be called up for the life-forever-league and places us on these current teams to make a difference as workers in the field. With a priceless payment of Jesus’s blood, God paid our way to secure the best team too. He chose us before we chose Him! God only has us on the scoring side, on the offense, in the line that gains ground. God is ALREADY our best defense, we only need to hide under His wings. 

Jesus was able to tell His disciples (72 sent out as workers) about the benefits of living under all Godly authority, and even having an opportunity in seeing evil demons submit. Jesus, having seen Satan fall from the sky, said the disciples (and we) should rejoice MORE that their/our names were WRITTEN IN HEAVEN (see Luke 10). When we come to a saving faith in Jesus, we now have an “open door that no one can shut”. (See Revelation 3)

We are on earthly teams, and sometimes they win and sometimes they lose. But FOREVER we are on God’s Team – and He already won, so we just need to play through…

He hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame.

He won us! He picked us! We ARE God’s Team!!!

Amen

Jesus sent out 72 disciples in pairs to share the Word (Luke 10:16-21): “Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.” The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”

He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.”

Revelation 3:1-6 – “To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.

Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Revelation 3:7-13 –  “To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you.  Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.

I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Revelation 17:14 – “They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”

Ephesians 1:3-7 – Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace…

Don’t get pulled offsides, we know this in football, but real life we also need to see the schemers and detractors, the potholes of life… but instead we need to KEEP ON TRACK…

STRENGTHEN, pray the Lord to strengthen you against loosing your cool. Strengthen the hold on our tongues when we want to snap at someone. Keep our resolve to LISTEN and obey and look beyond the fray of today…  Don’t get pulled offsides. 

Nehemiah (rebuilder of the walls and gates of Jerusalem after the exile) had detractors who nipped at his toes, angered his foes, and made stinky lies right under his nose. Nehemiah resisted and kept on working. God told him to do the work to bring back the city of Jerusalem and God’s Hand was on them…. Why should he stop? Why should he let the bad guy get the best of him when God Himself had given him a job to do. These enemies wanted to lure him to where they could hurt him, but worse hurt his reputation and cause him to sin.

Nehemiah saw the smoke screen which IS the devil’s scheme… smoke but no fire… a blinding predicament, but we are to focus above… 

We all need to remember to keep our cool and not retaliate for it causes us to sin. Turn the other cheek. Put yourself into your work. Nehemiah finished the wall in 52 days. Imagine what God can do with just one day of you listening and working thru issues… 

Whether you are building a wall, reaching God’s people, or quiety winning a war of words, let God fight your battle. When it is “realized that this work had been done with the help of our God”, who can stand against God?!!!! No one.

Lord I pray, strengthen my resolve, hold onto my tongue, and strengthen my hands to complete my work FOR You.

Amen 

Amen

—-

Nehemiah 6:1-16

When word came to Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies that I had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left in it—though up to that time I had not set the doors in the gates— Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: “Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono.”

But they were scheming to harm me; so I sent messengers to them with this reply: “I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?” Four times they sent me the same message, and each time I gave them the same answer.

Then, the fifth time, Sanballat sent his aide to me with the same message, and in his hand was an unsealed letter in which was written:

“It is reported among the nations—and Geshem says it is true—that you and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and therefore you are building the wall. Moreover, according to these reports you are about to become their king and have even appointed prophets to make this proclamation about you in Jerusalem: ‘There is a king in Judah!’ Now this report will get back to the king; so come, let us meet together.”

I sent him this reply: “Nothing like what you are saying is happening; you are just making it up out of your head.”

They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.”

But I prayed, “Now strengthen my hands.”

One day I went to the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was shut in at his home. He said, “Let us meet in the house of God, inside the temple, and let us close the temple doors, because men are coming to kill you—by night they are coming to kill you.”

But I said, “Should a man like me run away? Or should someone like me go into the temple to save his life? I will not go!” I realized that God had not sent him, but that he had prophesied against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. He had been hired to intimidate me so that I would commit a sin by doing this, and then they would give me a bad name to discredit me.

Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, my God, because of what they have done; remember also the prophet Noadiah and how she and the rest of the prophets have been trying to intimidate me. So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days. 

When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God.

Step back and not cross that line.

A famous weatherman slipped into a trap a few years ago… some organized crime-run situation, plied him with alcohol, drugged him and ran up his credit accounts like crazy $100,000 over a weekend. Devious! Devil’s play…

Sometimes the devil pulls us across lines sometimes… And if there is a willing partner or player whose own devil is working hard at pulling them past their lines, well you can get that “snowball effect”…  or maybe call it dancing with fire… Either way, you are apt to get burned… BUT God would take you back in a heartbeat, God would forgive if you repented… And we are to look to Jesus as our Gatekeeper.

Solomon speaks to this reality, urging God to hear the repenting cries, in 1st Kings 8:46-50:

“When they sin against you—for there is no one who does not sin—and you become angry with them and give them over to their enemies, who take them captive to their own lands, far away or near; and if they have a change of heart in the land where they are held captive, and repent and plead with you in the land of their captors and say, ‘We have sinned, we have done wrong, we have acted wickedly’; and if they turn back to you with all their heart and soul in the land of their enemies who took them … …  Then from heaven, your dwelling place, hear their prayer and their plea, and uphold their cause. And forgive your people, who have sinned against you; forgive all the offenses they have committed against you, and cause their captors to show them mercy…“

A book my pastor gave me was my flight companion, a really good read… In Chapter 4 of Rob Fuquay’s book “The God We Can Know” he writes about knowing God’s care… Jesus is the gatekeeper for the sheep. the gate represents security. Sheep would go out through the gate for daily living – the gate led to joy. The sheep came in through the gate at night at the dark times for security.  Who was in charge of the gate? Jesus.

Jesus, the shepherd, our shepherd, our LIGHT of the world, would let the sheep go in and out (just like us)… but when it’s time to stay in for security at night, the shepherd sleeps against the door to keep the sheep in his fold. Jesus is our gatekeeper… The scripture is John 10: 7-9 “So again Jesus said to them: ‘Very truly I tell you I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture’.”

So yes, as we, HIS sheep, look for Jesus as our gatekeeper. We are really supposed to be looking for that gate, that boundary line. Jesus will hold us in with His body, hold us as one of His own. And if we are lost, Jesus will still come find us and shine HIS LIGHT on our dark path.  His real shepherd flesh and blood saves us…  So that we are not deviled away by our enemies or by ourselves. Yes God will take us back, but it’s safer and it’s less painful if we stay away from crossing the line in the first place.

We will all approach boundary lines again and again! A church friend once encouraged me to draw lines and keep them – I can see as he motions like a baseball player drawing a line in the dirt with his foot. Yeah draw your own line, hold your line, and get ready for the next pitch.

I was about to finish this essay in my head as I put my son to bed.  He told me how he told his friend that night that God does not want us to be afraid. Truth from the mouths of babes, he is a spirit-led boy! He’s right, God does not want us to be afraid… God wants us to prepare ourselves for life… God says “I AM with you always”!!!

I pray God’s grace always to keep my and everyone’s eyes open, and our boundary lines clear… I pray for others seeing the LIGHT of Jesus that God sheds on my lines so I may plainly see them. Thanks God for security, for Jesus, and for the opportunity to step up to the plate. Batter up!

A mother squeezes but God achieve-ves.

A baby cries, as God spies.

An angel cleans, God beams.

A very good day – in a very good way. 

God’s Image-bearer, Life becomes more aware-er.

Who puts the birth in Birthday?

Who holds the Hope in Hurray!

Who writes the days and knows the ways?

God’s Joy – We employ – We Know God can make Life our Joy.

Amen

When we pray, we change the world. 

What we say, we change the world. 

When we stray, we humor the world. 

When we come closer to God, we say NAY to the world.

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God claims us back, 

there’s no turning back. 

When back to the wall,

Come back to God, Y’all.

We are His Very Good.

Understood. 

Grateful that I got to share a blessed opportunity to talk about spiritual gifts and spiritual skillsets and callings and Fruits of the Spirit. This was for “Pledge Sunday” – where we make a commitment to the church financially for the year. I also shared the Children’s Message – for which I had paper bags filled with a few items – from the words of the Fruits of the Spirit – to coins for the offering – to pumpkin seeds to share – to sunflower seeds to plant – explaining that we share our gifts and talents to show people and encourage them to pray and know their gifts from God too. – some seeds were big and small – and unique – we are all unique in our skills and how we fit together as the body of the church. I also included little scripture cards, explaining that it was most important to share the Word, as God IS the ultimate WHY!

Here is the sermon (and as I spoke I added reminders to the items I had shown in the children’s message)

Good morning – what a BLESSED morning to share a BLESSED subject – what great weather and prayers for a Holy Spirit filled day! I am going to start from a part of Psalm 1

Psalm 1    Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on His law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither – whatever they do prospers.

I used to sing this song in a praise band with my friends – “I will delight in the Law of the Lord – I will meditate day and night – Then like a tree firmly planted I’ll be – Grounded in Your Word.” Love that song – I actually have the lyrics posted on my wall. “Bless-ed is the one who follows the Way of the Lord – bless-ed is the one.”

I love the imagery and understanding of growth and planting and harvest and especially being grounded – secured – stable – as well as watered, nourished and filled with the holy spirit to do good works – to share our knowledge of Jesus. Harvest – this is the season of harvest in life and people – (we ARE ever closer to end times)  – and what a great calling we have in setting good fruit for the future generations.

—-

The scriptures are full of Trees / Vines / Fruit  – Jesus even introduced in the Old Testament with this imagery of Trees – A BIG prophesy from Isaiah, the prophet who found himself sharing God’s direction and Hope in a divided set of kingdoms – he spoke looking toward to promised times of Jesus coming out of the stump of the tree of Jesse through the house of David.

Jesus Himself said “I am the vine – you are the branches – Our Father is the Vinedresser” – What a great amazing ability to be the fruit-bearing tree from Jesus’s Line!  I think of God’s fruit as not being TOO HEAVY – when Jesus is holding us up – we can share these fruits of HIS LABOR.

Another great scripture speaks of our Fruitful Growth in the Faith – which Mike shared – adding one attribute to another – interlocking them – building upon them –  These are told by Peter, who learned a thing or two about His faith and His maturity by His interactions with Jesus as God directly on earth and the Holy Spirit understanding after He rose. We are all a bit like Peter – what a great example God gives us for a flawed but “perfecting saint” in Peter – the rash and emotional one –  he got scared so much that he denied his Lord and Savior to whom He swore he would fight the world for – JESUS FORGAVE – Peter who learned a lot about the nature of Christ – about his gentleness as well as firmness…  Peter said we are to learn these “skillsets” so that we won’t be un-fruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Peter urges us to make our call and election sure – for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

In Romans 12, Paul asked all of us – reminding us – we are many parts in His Body of Believers – we are all part of God’s puzzle. A friend once showed that to me – at a retreat – imagine each of us a puzzle piece God has made.

Paul would write:  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.

Galatians – the FRUITS of the SPIRIT – I have this great brochure, loved this as soon as I got my hands on it. – the scriptures and imagery – the lessons. I thought of some observations and questions for ourselves from these fruits – remember God hangs these fruits on us for HIS GLORY to be known

Joy is a fruit of the Spirit.   JOY is different from happiness. Can we be JOYFUL FOR the Lord’s benefit? Bear fruit on our branch for nourishing His future harvest? Can we be JOYFUL for the benefit of His people? – No one likes a Grumpy Gus – yeah we laugh at the Oscar the grouches but some people actually have to deal with them – perhaps they need our reminders of JOY. If we have known Joy – in the Lord – from KNOWING that He has everything under control – long term – from Knowing our salvation and His Love – can we be JOYFUL????

Yes. JOY

Peace is a fruit of the Spirit.   Can we share PEACE? Look for inner PEACE branching from that special place inside us?  How many times – even at work – people look to a church faith filled person for that peace – NOT necessarily that we are stepped over or on by our easygoingness  but that we are steadfast – but that we offer ourselves and our attitudes in peace.

Yes. PEACE 

Patience is a fruit of the Spirit.  Can we be PATIENT as His branches grow in us? Taking their time each growing season to work and each winter season to rest? Will you demonstrate listening to the Lord before you act?  BE STILL

Yes. PATIENCE

Kindness is a fruit of the Spirit.   Can we branch off His Vine of being KIND? Will we be KIND even if others are not kind to you? 

Yes. KINDNESS

Generosity is a fruit of the Spirit.   Can we find an opportunity to share the means that were/are truly is gifted by the Lord? Including His generous Spirit? Will we give from not just our excesses but willingly extend our branch so His Vine can bless others?  (this is a great attribute for pledge Sunday) – and this is NOT JUST MONEY – this is of our time and our talents – service the Lord by not becoming that ineffective dead branch – because you know that the Lord throws those into the fire!!!

Yes. GENEROSITY

Faithfulness is a fruit of the Spirit.   Can we FAITHFULLY trust and then FAITHFULLY act? Will you let the Lord grow your branch stronger? Will you step out a little further in faith because He makes you strong?

Yes. FAITHFULNESS

Gentleness is a fruit of the Spirit.   Can we flow His gentle touch to those who need compassion and help? Will you prepare the fruit of your vine to bite-sized pieces? Make it more shareable with all?

Yes. GENTLENESS

Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit.   Can we calmly show His strength without overbearance or flaunting? Can we take a step back to listen before charging forward blindly, even if “for Him”? Will we be an example of self-control?

Yes. SELF-CONTROL

Love is a fruit of the Spirit.  Can we SHINE JESUS LOVE? Will you both LOVE until it hurts and LOVE until it helps? Will you Love because Jesus loves? Will we recognize Love even in correction by God?     Jesus reminds us:   As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.     YES LOVE

And people don’t always know to use the gifts – or maybe they do and we don’t notice, but yes, sadly we notice when people don’t use their gifts – nor look to God to help them be productive – it is just sad – and Jesus even says: “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Luke 6:43

He said: If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. …..This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

And that brings us to the ultimate WHY – why do we have these gifts??? – as we all do have gifts – and we are all unique – SO we are to share them – Why share these gifts? – we show ourselves to be disciples – we help create new disciples and we share the Word

The ULTIMATE WHY IS ALWAYS FOR GOD’S GLORY –

Our stewardship of gifts, our fruit of the Spirit given by God – onto our Branch of His Vine Jesus – our ability to be sharers of His Fruit. Kindness and Generosity hand in hand. Yes, stewardship of finances and also ALL of our gifts from God, to share – and our spirit WILL look for opportunities to share – IF WE DECIDE TO HELP THE VINEDRESSER AND HELP THE VINE JESUS FLOW THROUGH OUR VEINS.

The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.

It also says the person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. – but we do know them and therefore we need to share these things to help other people know about God  – know that He is generous and know that they can pray like we can pray and talk to God.

So many of us grew up in a building like this. A church filled with church people who love God. But more and more these days, people don’t come into buildings like previous times. And they don’t get to hear the things that we are hearing. And they may not know anything in this Bible about God let alone Jesus. So that’s why we’re going to share our talents, our food, and some of our money as well.

Most important thing is for them to know God better. Tap into endless Spirit   

Yes, we like a nice church, sure, but we have to remember it is not always about us – hardly ever should it be – and You and I ARE BLESSED, we Holy Spirit landed in this little church with a big impact. But we know we do need to NOT keep all this for ourselves. It needs to be a springboard to the week, a trampoline… to spread the Word of God out to those people who are lost. We invite people to have opportunities to hear the heart changing Word – the Salvation assurance – the HOPE of JESUS – that is the ultimate why.

And with that let me leave you with this one scripture and then we will have our pledge message.

The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand. I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be a blessing.

 Amen

Many gifts of the Spirit to try, 

Fruits of the Spirit we spy,

Spiritual Skill sets acquired to ply. 

He gives, we utilize, but WHY?

Why does God bless and direct us? Why?

To make HIMSELF KNOWN to us and others.

THAT’S THE ULTIMATE WHY.

Gifts for Lifts.

Saving Spiritual Souls, God IS fighting, with Righteous Righting.

Songs over wrongs.

Praise over haze.

Life over Loss.

Heaven by His ultimate cost.

Priceless Path.

A Forever to Last.

Gifts for Lifts.

Amen 😊He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him. Psalm 40:3

What was a POTENTIALLY scary or uncomfortable experience became probably the BEST conversion I’ve had in weeks, months, years… 

A wandering walking person motioned to me as I was getting gas in my car, listening to a work meeting, eating my breakfast. Yes, I  multitask while I get full service gas at this particular pump, and my window was closed, I couldn’t understand what the gentleman was saying, making a circle image with his hands. I continued to set up my pump station assistant,  through the open passenger window, a gas guy whom I’ve been working with for 5 plus years, and then figured I should open my window to the motioning grey hair gentleman. I never felt in danger, but I was already wondering if I had cash or coins to give. His eyes were so kind and I really thought he was going to ask for money and yet his smile was priceless. He even said later: “I bet you thought I was going to ask for money” – he never did.

As I opened the window to the conversation, I was filled with the Spirit pouring in. This man saw my round bumper sticker magnet that said: “JESUS IS COMING”, “everybody look busy”). He wanted to tell me: ‘YES, Jesus is coming back soon! He talked about rapture. How this world is only temporary.’ And to his SURPRISE, I was able to complete most all his sentences and verse recitations. He was just as Spirit appreciative as me to talk Jesus.

Talk Jesus with compassion and Corrective Vision towards this world. These are not rose-colored glasses that all on earth is hunkydory, these are lenses that focus on scratches in society, broken frames od living, smudges of truth. We see what Jesus sees, sadly, and wonder what where and when… Jesus WILL come back to get us, coming again with us as His army. We do need to get ready, not just looking busy but being into His business here on earth. 

I really don’t know if this man at the gas station was homeless, his name is Mike. I know another homeless man Mike around the corner from there who is super awesome to talk with. I wonder if this man simply looked like homeless (I think maybe  I often do with all the stuff piled in my car) – and we are all perceived to the physical eye to conform or not to “normal “. Well, it IS special in NOT conforming to this world. See, with corrective vision (seeing the world through Jesus eyes) and being seen by Jesus, that we are to be doing our FATHER’S work by the Spiritual gifts GIFTED. We are also to be seeing life with a lens of forgiveness. We also are to come to the Lord in a broken spirit for His repair, not come with a sacrifice we duct-taped together like a bumper held up on a car – but with a full need for an engine overhall – or at least our windows cleaned.

I did want to get back on the road, I’m glad that I was wrong to worry, we ARE jaded these days. The world is worldly and we blend in to that. I AM glad I opened my window – my car window and my heart window. I remembered thinking “is there any catch to this?” – even my gas station guy looked at me knowingly as he handed me my receipt. No – just a good faith conversation – and maybe even the gas station guy listened in – maybe. I DO thank the Lord for this pit stop to gas up my car and my spirit  – a fresh filling – a refreshing experience. I WILL TAKE ENCOURAGEMENT ANY DAY. 

Window not washed by human hands but sparkling clear by Jesus. 

That my friends is Corrective Vision. 

Amen 

—-

A psalm scripture from David who realized that he needed repentance and a clean heart. He realized that the Lord gives repentance. We should all ask for clean hearts and corrective conviction no matter what worldly ways we have. Come with a broken spirit – looking for a clean up – a carry on encouragement.

Psalm 51

Have mercy on me, O God,
    according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
    blot out my transgressions.
Wash away all my iniquity
    and cleanse me from my sin.

For I know my transgressions,
    and my sin is always before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned
    and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict
    and justified when you judge.
Surely I was sinful at birth,
    sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;
    you taught me wisdom in that secret place.

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
    wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness;
    let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins
    and blot out all my iniquity.

Create in me a pure heart, O God,
    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence
    or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation
    and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
    so that sinners will turn back to you.
Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
    you who are God my Savior,
    and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
Open my lips, Lord,
    and my mouth will declare your praise.
You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
    you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;
    a broken and contrite heart
    you, God, will not despise.

May it please you to prosper Zion,
    to build up the walls of Jerusalem.
Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous,
    in burnt offerings offered whole;
    then bulls will be offered on your altar.

You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.

I love that scripture sentiment – that saying sincerity – that simple scolding – just because others are going down bad roads doesn’t give you the right to – don’t pay evil with evil – don’t neglect the Lord wants us to take the high road…

If you are wronged – you can wait until God makes it right. Might not be now or even in your lifetime – but just wait on the Lord.

The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; he is their stronghold in time of trouble. The Lord helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.

One of the things that stands in my memory is when my dad spoke about a person who wronged both him and wronged a community and wronged a business and did everything that he was supposedly against. When someone touts a Godly life, one would hope they would live it too. But people ARE fallible. People get wrapped up in greed and going overboard. People forget to be JesusGod-like in serving and in humbleness and in giving away things and instead try to be GodAlmighty-like in that majesty and power. People (we too) forget that God didn’t earn that power or get authority to authorize it – He just IS God – He didn’t become God – HE IS – HE WAS – HE WILL ALWAYS BE GOD.

My dad was fine – burned him a lot internally and externally – but he was exonerated when this one person who was going down, tried to take my dad down too…  My dad always remembered – saw a BIG example – and so do we – bad things can happen when they/we aren’t watching our self-control. Evil can work thru human nature like burping up pieces of that apple that Adam and Eve bit – we as a human race are permeated with evil.  All sin is equal to the Lord – we are not more righteous than others – we are supposed to only be compared to the righteousness of the Lord. We need Him to help us run a good race and not stop at every fake rest stop – only stop to rest in HIM. Then keep running.

If you were in a situation like the one my dad was in – and like to think of revenge – DON’T. Just think about people getting their just do – just let God handle it. King David wrote a whole Psalm 37 about that – about the path of evil and how God will prevail – and how we are to cling to what is good. Once God has us, He won’t let go.

Also – don’t conform to the world – cling to God – that is why Paul was writing the Galatians – to not think like the old order people who demanded xyz, think and act like NEW Christians – alive and reborn in Christ. It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. – Not for freedom of xyz – but for freedom of committing ourselves to the Lord and be righted by His righteousness… 

You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.

We got no right to wrong the wrong – just keep walking forward into the Light.

AMEN

—-

Psalm 37 of David. (NIV)

Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.

Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.

Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.

A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity.

The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them; but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming.

The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright. But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken.

Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked; for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous.

The blameless spend their days under the Lord’s care, and their inheritance will endure forever. In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.

But the wicked will perish:Though the Lord’s enemies are like the flowers of the field, they will be consumed, they will go up in smoke.

The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously; those the Lord blesses will inherit the land, but those he curses will be destroyed.

The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.

I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be a blessing.

Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever. For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones.

Wrongdoers will be completely destroyed; the offspring of the wicked will perish. The righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever.

The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom,and their tongues speak what is just. The law of their God is in their hearts; their feet do not slip.

The wicked lie in wait for the righteous, intent on putting them to death; but the Lord will not leave them in the power of the wicked or let them be condemned when brought to trial.

Hope in the Lord and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are destroyed, you will see it.

I have seen a wicked and ruthless man flourishing like a luxuriant native tree, but he soon passed away and was no more; though I looked for him, he could not be found.

Consider the blameless, observe the upright; a future awaits those who seek peace. But all sinners will be destroyed; there will be no future for the wicked.

The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; he is their stronghold in time of trouble. The Lord helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.

—-

Galatians 5:7-8, 13-17

You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.

….

Life by the Spirit
You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 

I finished my big report! Now, all these little things I can do. Because it was like a giant log that was stuck and it passed, and now the rest of the water can flow, LOTS of little stick projects.

I prayed and prayed, not sure why this was that tough, but when I relied on God it was MUCH better. Jesus looked at me and essentially said: With your cluttered brain flow it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible. Put me first!… Yup!

I sort of sorted my priorities better and God found me the time to focus. I even found a rock in a jacket pocket that said “Focus” exactly when I needed it, to focus on Him to sharpen my focus on time and projects and life. 

Don’t sweat the small stuff, put the big thing in first, like the rock order in that life organizing video lesson.

Plus I’m getting ready for a big plans and so there’s LOT’S of things I want to finish up. (We all do). And I can enjoy doing them even though it’s a ton of work. So if we can do this for life, why can’t we do this for death as well? Why can’t we see the big log as passed and focused on all the little things and some of those other big logs too, get them moving down stream. I mean, if we know that our salvation is set, by the blood of Jesus, then can’t we live our lives in JOY and just get stuff done for the Lord?

LEAVE THE STREAMS OF STRESS. FOLLOW JESUS. 

I had a new insight re-reading a great old scripture story. I KNOW we KNOW Jesus said: FOLLOW ME. He also said how hard it is for people to trust Him and how hard it is for people to follow Him over TRUSTING and following their wealth and their plans and all those things they imagined for their life. They can’t flow because they are too busy stacking wood and never using it, sorting gravel and not the big rocks. We can’t get life in order if we don’t trust Him Whom orders it.

JESUS said GIVE and you will get 100-fold more. Jesus said TRUST and we do know through experience how much peace that gives.  Jesus said and says FOLLOW and we do know He knows where we are going. 

If we get our comfortablility with death peace piece in order, then life will probably flow better. 

Jesus said the last will be first, well yeah. I bet when we get to Heaven (I’m praying for meeting you all there), we will say: “what were we so worried about on earth?! Jesus was right! ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE WITH GOD!”

LIKE NOW UP TO GOOD, JESUS GOOD. 

AMEN 

Matthew 10:17-31 NKJV

Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”

So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.  You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ”

And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.”

Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.”

But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

With God All Things Are Possible

Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!” And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, “Children, how hard it is for those who TRUST in riches to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

And they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, “Who then can be saved?”

But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.”

Then Peter began to say to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You.”

So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

That “BIG ROCKS FIRST” video: https://youtu.be/zV3gMTOEWt8?si=kHi7O-dr4zx6IwCx

Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.

Ah – that is us after a good sleep – that is my morning time with God – God is saying “Don’t neglect the real reason you are still on this earth: to help others get to know Me better.”  Ah… That’s why we are here: to love God, to know God loves us, and to make Him known to a broken world. Jesus jumpstarts our journeys – let’s ride with the Lord.

“WHY CAN’T WE HAVE A REVIVAL?” – that’s what the sweet, gentle but direct statement was – by a woman recently at a public church meeting for one of my churches. I don’t know personally if people have the energy to plan one. I know agendas change in life. I’ve heard of these REVIVAL celebrations before, but I’m pretty sure I’ve never been to one. (that is something isn’t it – 50 years my age and never been to a revival tent – and yet there are concerts and great potlucks – and the like – and YES, CHURCH SERVICES and RETREAT WALKS which deliver the crucial scriptures into our lives. But what about that “revival” of old? Is it gone like the ice cream socials? melted away?

Are we as a Christian nation like Hezekiah thinking he was dying but not wanting to die (Isaiah 38:18-20: “For the grave cannot praise you, death cannot sing your praise; those who go down to the pit cannot hope for your faithfulness. The living, the living—they praise you, as I am doing today; parents tell their children about your faithfulness. The Lord will save me, and we will sing with stringed instruments all the days of our lives in the temple of the Lord.”

Why can’t we just get out there and sing and preach and fill the tent or pavilion? I don’t know, I guess we just aren’t in that mode. We need to be. God bless those who are! Hopefully we do tell our children of God’s faithfulness. Wouldn’t it be so cool if everyone did. Wouldn’t it be so cool to have a summer revival tent event? Perhaps we are to focus on those events within our means these days and yet if thousands of people can gather for a sporting event, where are we lacking ideas for revival tents? I know vacation bible school is fairly close to the celebration feeling, but not exactly what REVIVAL meetings in the old days were – but maybe…. Music festivals I have heard about, used to be a great youth camping and support system experience, before the pandemic, but not active now. A Tent Meeting REVIVAL was a big thing of the past 200 years, I’ve seen one precious “permanent” one near the shore, but I guess people aren’t campers much anymore. Oh how we really should simply camp out with the Lord in our own closed bedrooms and listen. Oh how we should get out there to His people after that…  

We need a REVIVAL –  That is also what God says, and He’s got one planned post the RAPTURE, maybe before, so I wonder if we aren’t planning one now ourselves, HOW CAN WE HELP WITH HIS? – God’s Heavens are our tent for revival: “He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in.”

I have a couple ideas for a Rapture-Remnant-REVIVAL-Recipe, to prepare ahead of time,  because we caught up in the sky won’t be able to start the oven. But we can leave the ingredients in the fridge with instructions. Here’s a sample recipe: One, buy bibles and leave them in multiple places. Two: mark passages in the bibles for direct passages to help people understand what happened, mark passages for them to have Jesus at their fingertips. I even have an idea for sticky note tape flags preprinted that we open these bibles and flag exact spots with notes. I would love someone or a Christian Publishing company to run with that.  We could make our own too. Here’s a couple for the REVIVAL-Remnant-Recipe (please let me know more in replying for some others and perhaps we can make that list):

Matthew 10:16 – Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

Ah… That IS a great verse – that’s like what I heard from that sweet woman asking “Why can’t we have a revival?!” That was Holy Spirit itching and scratching in her. She spoke innocently like a Dove. Yet, she showed both sheep-following to our Lord, but spoke shrewd truth – ‘why can’t we have a REVIVAL?’ Let’s not be wolves of our own time on earth. The Lord will renew our strength – let us look to HIM.

Lord, help us help you. AMEN!

Where are my sticky notes?

Amen!

—

Isaiah 36-39 is great storyline of God and Hezekiah and Isaiah

Isaiah 40 is strength for Jerusalem and for us all. – BIG STICKY NOTE GOING HERE!

Comfort for God’s People
Comfort, comfort my people,
    says your God.
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
    and proclaim to her
that her hard service has been completed,
    that her sin has been paid for,
that she has received from the Lord’s hand
    double for all her sins.

A voice of one calling:
“In the wilderness prepare
    the way for the Lord;
make straight in the desert
    a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be raised up,
    every mountain and hill made low;
the rough ground shall become level,
    the rugged places a plain.
And the glory of the Lord will be revealed,
    and all people will see it together.
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

A voice says, “Cry out.”
    And I said, “What shall I cry?”

“All people are like grass,
    and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field.
The grass withers and the flowers fall,
    because the breath of the Lord blows on them.
    Surely the people are grass.
The grass withers and the flowers fall,
    but the word of our God endures forever.”

You who bring good news to Zion,
    go up on a high mountain.
You who bring good news to Jerusalem,
    lift up your voice with a shout,
lift it up, do not be afraid;
    say to the towns of Judah,
    “Here is your God!”
See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power,
    and he rules with a mighty arm.
See, his reward is with him,
    and his recompense accompanies him.
He tends his flock like a shepherd:
    He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
    he gently leads those that have young.

Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand,
    or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens?
Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket,
    or weighed the mountains on the scales
    and the hills in a balance?
Who can fathom the Spirit of the Lord,
    or instruct the Lord as his counselor?
Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten him,
    and who taught him the right way?
Who was it that taught him knowledge,
    or showed him the path of understanding?

Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket;
    they are regarded as dust on the scales;
    he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust.
Lebanon is not sufficient for altar fires,
    nor its animals enough for burnt offerings.
Before him all the nations are as nothing;
    they are regarded by him as worthless
    and less than nothing.

With whom, then, will you compare God?
    To what image will you liken him?
As for an idol, a metalworker casts it,
    and a goldsmith overlays it with gold
    and fashions silver chains for it.
A person too poor to present such an offering
    selects wood that will not rot;
they look for a skilled worker
    to set up an idol that will not topple.

Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
Has it not been told you from the beginning?
    Have you not understood since the earth was founded?
He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth,
    and its people are like grasshoppers.
He stretches out the heavens like a canopy,
    and spreads them out like a tent to live in.
He brings princes to naught
    and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.
No sooner are they planted,
    no sooner are they sown,
    no sooner do they take root in the ground,
than he blows on them and they wither,
    and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff.

“To whom will you compare me?
    Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One.
Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens:
    Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one
    and calls forth each of them by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength,
    not one of them is missing.

Why do you complain, Jacob?
    Why do you say, Israel,
“My way is hidden from the Lord;
    my cause is disregarded by my God”?
Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
    and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.

I had a disappearing dream, I rolled over and ignored it, picking a good and better mental storyline to focus on for getting extra sleep. That moment with God, giving me a good devotion writing idea, truly slipped away from me because I really didn’t feel like getting up, I said “just a bit more sleep please Lord”, then that devotion-writing time was gone, only with the remembrance of the theme I was supposed to write: LIVE IN THE MOMENT. 

I was sleeping in the moment and not necessarily listening – but that is us every day – we really miss SO MUCH of what the Lord is saying to us, showing us.

I did remember tidbits of thoughts – I remember wanting to write about the previous day’s beautiful sunrise. The cat actually beckoned me awake, I saw it, intense reds, and then it was gone. That beautiful sunrise lasted only a moment, and that means all our moments last but a short time. We are a mist, God is forever. 

I think that red beautiful sunrise before the rain set in was a warning of a storm to come that day (and it came). And woe on us when we don’t heed every sunrise as a moment to embrace the new day. 

I am thankful for the good nights sleep, I am MORE thankful to let God reveal Himself in this day today.

Amen 

James 4:13-17 – Boasting About Tomorrow

Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.

—

Be Unto Your Name – lyrics

We are a moment, You are forever

Lord of the Ages, God before time

.

We are a vapor, You are eternal

Love everlasting, reigning on high

.

Holy, holy, Lord God Almighty

Worthy is the Lamb Who was slain

Highest praises, honor and glory

Be unto Your name, be unto Your name

.

We are the broken, You are the healer

Jesus, Redeemer, Mighty to save

.

You are the love song we’ll sing forever

Bowing before You, blessing Your name

.

Holy, holy, Lord God Almighty

Worthy is the Lamb Who was slain

Highest praises, honor and glory

Be unto Your name

Be unto Your name

Be unto Your name

Songwriters: Gary Edward Sadler / Lynn Deshazo

Don’t they say “Living well is the best revenge !”  !?!  Well, it’s not necessarily quoting scripture because God is to revenge, not us, but indirectly it IS good to absorb that thought in a personal way as a stepping stone out of anger – of a good motivation to move past struggling with our current, past and future circumstances or even enemies. And this means that we essentially leave our past in the dust – even the past that we inflicted on ourselves – plus we leave our enemies’ influence behind us. We can live on better than best, because we realize that we are OK (don’t sweat the small stuff). Is it revenge? WELL, maybe that is not what we need to say is our motivation because revenge entails a jealousy in ourselves to be in a better spot. Let’s just say we want to LIVE WELL and GROW from our current circumstances.

Scripture actually says a lot about enemies including: “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”  – Wow, Roman’s 12 says SO MUCH – really worth a read (see below). Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. – This IS an ENCOURAGEMENT TO GROW – applying Jesus forgiveness into our lives.

Isaiah, the prophet of the Old Testament times (in a divided set of kingdoms of Israel and Judah who were both fighting with various enemies left behind because they didn’t completely settle the Promised Land exactly like God asked them too) was looking towards promised times in the future – getting the people of the day to repent from their wicked ways (a theme throughout the Old Testament) and move forward – AN ENCOURAGEMENT TO GROW. Isaiah spoke of Jesus foretold, a Savior coming out of the stump of the tree of Jesse through the house of David and His Love (and corrections) stretching out the front door into the rest of the world. Isaiah learned and prophesied about Jesus coming from what God told him to write – and Isaiah learned that only the redeemed would be able to re-joined into this Divine Vine. Jesus Himself said “I am the Vine – you are the branches – Our Father is the Vinedresser”. Jesus redeems us.

GROW. We have a great amazing ability to be the fruit-bearing tree from Jesus’s Line. We have encouragement to Grow – and this also includes forgiving our enemies and moving forward.  This also is us bearing fruit for the world to see that God is active in our lives.

Ah this truth is like the praise band song that we used to sing from Psalm 1 – “I will delight in the Law of the Lord – I will meditate day and night – Then like a tree firmly planted I’ll be – Grounded in Your Word.” I LOVE that song – I have the lyrics posted on my wall. “Bless-ed is the one who follows the Way of the Lord – Bless-ed is the one.”

Following in the Way of the Lord is really our best way – loving our enemies is so tough but that is how we GROW – take the command of forgiveness and perhaps try to apply sadness of their lostness – or self-correction of our self-centeredness. And if we have trouble with that forgiveness, even of forgiving ourselves, perhaps we best simply ask Jesus to apply forgiveness for us – and to rescue us from the tough dormant state of not growing more. 

Instead of saying: “Living well is the best revenge” – they should say: “Forgiveness is the best amend”. We are to know that forgiveness really is free-ing. That IS the Way God works – we get closest to God by being forgiven of our humanness. We are “saints-becoming” (as a friend would say) because of our “grounded-ness” in the Word and springing of Jesus inside us Grows us in that restored state of God’s lineage Line and His Vine. 

Let us let Jesus flow thru us and replenish the parched spots in our souls with the Living Water of the Lord. ENCOURAGEMENT TO GROW.

Amen

(and please read these 4 scripture passages – amazing how they “GROW” WELL together)

Psalm 1
Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither – whatever they do prospers.

Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

—

Isaiah 35: Joy of the Redeemed
The desert and the parched land will be glad;the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God.

Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts,“Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.”

Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs. In the haunts where jackals once lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow.

And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way. The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it. No lion will be there, nor any ravenous beast; they will not be found there. But only the redeemed will walk there,  and those the Lord has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

—-

Romans 12

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.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

—

John 15:1-17 – The Vine and the Branches
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other.

…

Friday the 13th does not scare me! End times? That’s a different story.

But oh, what a wonderful resource to listen to and read very scholarly pastors talking about end times,  especially the RAPTURE and the SECOND COMING OF JESUS.

COOL…

Now you do have to check everything you hear and read against the Bible itself. But there’s no shame in “cheating off the smart kid” who has put together the scriptures.

Of course I won’t understand all/any/much of this end times till I see it, but I do believe it, I believe it without seeing it. I Believe that we will see Jesus (one way or the other) sooner than later, because I DO believe in Jesus. 

1Thessalonians 4:17 – Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

1 Corinthians 15:52 – In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

So here’s a set of snapshots of the magazine article I am reading, Friday the 13th has no luck (bad or good) compared to Jesus. As the pastor author (Chuck Smith) writes: “You don’t want to be here when the great tribulation occurs, you want to be among the saints who come with him when He returns. Put your Faith in Jesus Christ today. Glorious days are ahead, look up, it’s getting close.

“Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of Man cometh. ” Matthew 25:13

Be ready for Jesus! Lord and Savior and Blessed Redeemer. 

Amen!

The eyes of those who see will not be dim, and the ears of those who hear will listen.

A friend and I spoke of how we are quite sheltered from the world’s hot spots – the news of Israel, even Ukraine, let alone the inner city issues in other areas. These are heard about IF we listen.  We are sheltered and yet things happen here too. If we didn’t watch the news we barely would even know, right? Or even with the news, real stories are quickly buried under fluffy celebrity news. And I’ve seen it many times, local playoffs are lead story lines in local news, and yet who can blame us for clinging to joy and hopeful things.

National news we do hear more snippets when we seek out info, we actually could get blow by blow blogging for war’s atrocities at our fingertips, and even get ‘too much’ wrapped into things, while we luxuriate in our easy chairs. Then again, one friend said: “I can’t fix it, so I ignore it.” Hmmmm…  that doesn’t seem right either.

So BIG picture, do we really try to understand the world or do we try to understand how we got to where we are? The news said this was “uncharted territory”, yes and no. True BIG picture, can we see it? Not usually. We can’t make out blow by blow (would we want to?). Remember BIG BIG picture, as in God BIG, we have to tap into God’s Plan through His Prophecies to even try to understand. And if we can’t, we simply need to just TRUST GOD that all things will work out – if not in this world than in the next. We will and should tap into His Spirit to trust Him more.

Prophecies, studying Old Testament Isaiah is crucial to our BIG BIG picture focus. Isaiah wrote as the God-revelation for the day for correction and for Hope. God ALSO intended it as the newsletter to the future. We do have source material, and a prophet sent from God. So let’s read it. And if you simply need the movie cliffnotes, there’s great videos too – don’t shy away from trying to understand. For example, see this great Bible Story version:

Isaiah chapters in the 30’s, we learn of Jerusalem, the seat of Israel’s worship, God’s focus, and how it continued to go off kilter, as well as be at war with certain nations, Assyria and then later Babylon. Isaiah had witnessed kings and split kingdoms (see 2nd Kings), and was instructed by God to warn. Prophecies from Isaiah chapters 32, 33, 34 kept rolling out the warnings, out the door like a printing press. Their HOPE got included in the news as well. BIG HOPE. A SAVIOR AND A NEW JERUSALEM.  This is news we should not bury in the back pages of our hearts.

The Lord is exalted, for he dwells on high; he will fill Zion with his justice and righteousness. He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.

So, hopefully HOPE is not lost in this moment of monumental turmoil. Help make ‘awareness’ not ‘a-war-ness’ our mission.

There IS something we CAN do: keep living in hope, keep sharing the Good News: Jesus came and He is ever so much closer to coming again. If we think we don’t know how it will all work out, God does – Trust HIM!

Amen 

—

Here’s chapters 32 to 34, excepts:

The Kingdom of Righteousness

See, a king will reign in righteousness and rulers will rule with justice. Each one will be like a shelter from the wind and a refuge from the storm, like streams of water in the desert and the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land.

…

Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be closed, and the ears of those who hear will listen. The fearful heart will know and understand, and the stammering tongue will be fluent and clear.

…

No longer will the fool be called noble nor the scoundrel be highly respected. For fools speak folly, their hearts are bent on evil: They practice ungodliness and spread error concerning the Lord; the hungry they leave empty and from the thirsty they withhold water. Scoundrels use wicked methods, they make up evil schemes to destroy the poor with lies, even when the plea of the needy is just. But the noble make noble plans, and by noble deeds they stand.

…

The fortress will be abandoned, the noisy city deserted; citadel and watchtower will become a wasteland forever, the delight of donkeys, a pasture for flocks, till the Spirit is poured on us from on high, and the desert becomes a fertile field, and the fertile field seems like a forest. The Lord’s justice will dwell in the desert, his righteousness live in the fertile field. The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever. My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest. Though hail flattens the forest and the city is leveled completely, how blessed you will be, sowing your seed by every stream, and letting your cattle and donkeys range free.

…

Distress and Help

Woe to you, destroyer, you who have not been destroyed!

Woe to you, betrayer, you who have not been betrayed!

When you stop destroying, you will be destroyed;

when you stop betraying, you will be betrayed.

…

Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress. At the uproar of your army, the peoples flee; when you rise up, the nations scatter. Your plunder, O nations, is harvested as by young locusts; like a swarm of locusts people pounce on it.

The Lord is exalted, for he dwells on high; he will fill Zion with his justice and righteousness. He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.

…

“Now will I arise,” says the Lord. “Now will I be exalted; now will I be lifted up. You conceive chaff, you give birth to straw; your breath is a fire that consumes you. The peoples will be burned to ashes; like cut thornbushes they will be set ablaze.”

…

You who are far away, hear what I have done; you who are near, acknowledge my power! The sinners in Zion are terrified; trembling grips the godless: “Who of us can dwell with the consuming fire? Who of us can dwell with everlasting burning?” Those who walk righteously and speak what is right, who reject gain from extortion and keep their hands from accepting bribes, who stop their ears against plots of murder and shut their eyes against contemplating evil— they are the ones who will dwell on the heights, whose refuge will be the mountain fortress. Their bread will be supplied, and water will not fail them.

…

Look on Zion, the city of our festivals; your eyes will see Jerusalem, a peaceful abode, a tent that will not be moved; its stakes will never be pulled up, nor any of its ropes broken. There the Lord will be our Mighty One. It will be like a place of broad rivers and streams. No galley with oars will ride them,     no mighty ship will sail them.For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; it is he who will save us.

…

Judgment Against the Nations

Come near, you nations, and listen; pay attention, you peoples! Let the earth hear, and all that is in it, the world, and all that comes out of it! The Lord is angry with all nations; his wrath is on all their armies. He will totally destroy them, he will give them over to slaughter. Their slain will be thrown out, their dead bodies will stink; the mountains will be soaked with their blood.

…

All the stars in the sky will be dissolved and the heavens rolled up like a scroll; all the starry host will fall like withered leaves from the vine, like shriveled figs from the fig tree. My sword has drunk its fill in the heavens; see, it descends in judgment on Edom, the people I have totally destroyed. 

…

Hmmm, I started thinking of Adam and Eve and how their pain was so significant after the bite of the forbidden fruit and their eyes were too wide for that knowledge that they were being shielded from. It’s not just a knowledge tree, it’s a buffer to God’s pain knowledge. Then pain of separation walking freely with God. They hid. God went looking. Well, they and we now share the pain of having knowledge too much, and see the evil that Satan brought into the world, unless we turn a blind eye.

We see and God could say: welcome to my pain. Instead Jesus said: Let me cover this with my blood over all of theirs. 

We often think of Jesus’s pain, earthly pain, as we are human too. Imagine His mental sorrow over the continued loss of souls who don’t reconnect with Him. Well, eyes open now see darkness where there should be light. Instead let us pray for all to have the eyes of their hearts opening. 

Eyes too wide,

Evil is snide.

Hearts opening wide,

God sees all inside.

Light has come into the world. 

Darkness has no where to hide.

Shining the Light from inside,

Spirit lead me in Your Strong Stride.

Jesus crush the evil that bubbles from brokenness inside.

Let us forgive all, as You forgive our pride. 

Jesus, please SHINE from inside.

Amen

—

In the beginning… Genesis 2:4-17

This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created, when the Lord God made the earth and the heavens.

Now no shrub had yet appeared on the earth and no plant had yet sprung up, for the Lord God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no one to work the ground, but streams came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground. Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

A river watering the garden flowed from Eden; from there it was separated into four headwaters. The name of the first is the Pishon; it winds through the entire land of Havilah, where there is gold. (The gold of that land is good; aromatic resin and onyx are also there.) The name of the second river is the Gihon; it winds through the entire land of Cush. The name of the third river is the Tigris; it runs along the east side of Ashur. And the fourth river is the Euphrates.

The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”

Genesis 3:14-15

So the Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, Cursed are you above all livestock and all wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust  all the days of your life. And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”

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“Open the eyes of my heart Lord, I want to see You.” Paul Balouche song https://youtu.be/yUxiJ6nLd98?si=pWKctNQR2ZkVCA2n

I am reminded by the Lord to keep reading and writing out of Isaiah… to keep moving, sharing and reminding folks that GOD MEANS BUSINESS in His Plan… and He in Himself is all we need to have direction in our lives. We all need to call out and listen to Him.  And reading that Jesus Calling entry also reminds us to live fully in the present and depending upon the Lord…  If we try to depend upon ourselves too much we are neglecting the greatest resource as well as the ONE who can make anything happen or not…

Isaiah 30-31: I appreciate how the text leaps off the page, like the sound of a crashing wall description for a wayward people:  this sin will become for you like a high wall, cracked and bulging, that collapses suddenly, in an instant. It will break in pieces like pottery, shattered so mercilessly that among its pieces not a fragment will be found for taking coals from a hearth or scooping water out of a cistern.

Or the description of Merciful Instruction: Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

God is warning against the dependent nature of His people onto other peoples like those in Egypt. We all need to heed this.  GOD IS FIRST. He previously warned his people (through Samuel) against putting any government over listening to Him directly. of course this is not surprising knowing how when Moses was away the people started to look for another god-idol figure. Yeah well, we are human aren’t we….

 These times in the news are terrible human tragedies and things that seem unfathomable and yet not unexpected – especially knowing the regions in turmoil are famous for turmoil.  How to interpret it all? Know that we don’t know and won’t know peace until God brings it – and keep an eye to the sky because God will activate and work His Plan moment by moment.

In other words, rely on God.

Woe to those who don’t – and to others they go…  woe woe woe, to others don’t go.

Go to God.

Amen

Isaiah Ch30

Woe to the Obstinate Nation

“Woe to the obstinate children,” declares the Lord, “to those who carry out plans that are not mine, forming an alliance, but not by my Spirit, heaping sin upon sin; who go down to Egypt without consulting me; who look for help to Pharaoh’s protection, to Egypt’s shade for refuge. But Pharaoh’s protection will be to your shame, Egypt’s shade will bring you disgrace. Though they have officials in Zoan and their envoys have arrived in Hanes, everyone will be put to shame because of a people useless to them, who bring neither help nor advantage, but only shame and disgrace.”

A prophecy concerning the animals of the Negev: Through a land of hardship and distress, of lions and lionesses, of adders and darting snakes, the envoys carry their riches on donkeys’ backs, their treasures on the humps of camels, to that unprofitable nation, to Egypt, whose help is utterly useless. Therefore I call her Rahab the Do-Nothing.

Go now, write it on a tablet for them, inscribe it on a scroll, that for the days to come it may be an everlasting witness. For these are rebellious people, deceitful children, children unwilling to listen to the Lord’s instruction. They say to the seers, “See no more visions!” and to the prophets, “Give us no more visions of what is right! Tell us pleasant things, prophesy illusions. Leave this way, get off this path, and stop confronting us with the Holy One of Israel!”

Therefore this is what the Holy One of Israel says: “Because you have rejected this message, relied on oppression and depended on deceit, this sin will become for you like a high wall, cracked and bulging, that collapses suddenly, in an instant. It will break in pieces like pottery, shattered so mercilessly that among its pieces not a fragment will be found for taking coals from a hearth or scooping water out of a cistern.”

This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it. You said, ‘No, we will flee on horses.’ Therefore you will flee! You said, ‘We will ride off on swift horses.’ Therefore your pursuers will be swift! A thousand will flee at the threat of one; at the threat of five you will all flee away, till you are left like a flagstaff on a mountaintop, like a banner on a hill.”

Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!

People of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you. Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Then you will desecrate your idols overlaid with silver and your images covered with gold; you will throw them away like a menstrual cloth and say to them, “Away with you!”

He will also send you rain for the seed you sow in the ground, and the food that comes from the land will be rich and plentiful. In that day your cattle will graze in broad meadows. The oxen and donkeys that work the soil will eat fodder and mash, spread out with fork and shovel. In the day of great slaughter, when the towers fall, streams of water will flow on every high mountain and every lofty hill. The moon will shine like the sun, and the sunlight will be seven times brighter, like the light of seven full days, when the Lord binds up the bruises of his people and heals the wounds he inflicted.

See, the Name of the Lord comes from afar, with burning anger and dense clouds of smoke; his lips are full of wrath, and his tongue is a consuming fire. His breath is like a rushing torrent, rising up to the neck. He shakes the nations in the sieve of destruction; he places in the jaws of the peoples a bit that leads them astray. And you will sing as on the night you celebrate a holy festival; your hearts will rejoice as when people playing pipes go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the Rock of Israel. The Lord will cause people to hear his majestic voice and will make them see his arm coming down with raging anger and consuming fire, with cloudburst, thunderstorm and hail. The voice of the Lord will shatter Assyria; with his rod he will strike them down. Every stroke the Lord lays on them with his punishing club will be to the music of timbrels and harps, as he fights them in battle with the blows of his arm. Topheth has long been prepared; it has been made ready for the king. Its fire pit has been made deep and wide, with an abundance of fire and wood; the breath of the Lord, like a stream of burning sulfur, sets it ablaze.

Ch31

Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the Lord. Yet he too is wise and can bring disaster; he does not take back his words. He will rise up against that wicked nation, against those who help evildoers. But the Egyptians are mere mortals and not God; their horses are flesh and not spirit. When the Lord stretches out his hand, those who help will stumble,  those who are helped will fall; all will perish together.

This is what the Lord says to me: “As a lion growls, a great lion over its prey—

and though a whole band of shepherds is called together against it,

it is not frightened by their shouts or disturbed by their clamor—

so the Lord Almighty will come down to do battle on Mount Zion and on its heights.

Like birds hovering overhead, the Lord Almighty will shield Jerusalem;

he will shield it and deliver it, he will ‘pass over’ it and will rescue it.”

Return, you Israelites, to the One you have so greatly revolted against. For in that day every one of you will reject the idols of silver and gold your sinful hands have made. “Assyria will fall by no human sword; a sword, not of mortals, will devour them. They will flee before the sword and their young men will be put to forced labor. Their stronghold will fall because of terror; at the sight of the battle standard their commanders will panic,” declares the Lord, whose fire is in Zion, whose furnace is in Jerusalem.

I’m really going to focus on Isaiah reading in my devoted time with Him, and as always I’m blessed to share with you all as I write out my processing as encouragements.

GOD KNOWS IT ALL – why should we think we know much of anything – let alone more about God than God knows about us. We need to seek and learn of Him – about Him – FROM HIM…  

Shall the potter be esteemed as the clay; For shall the thing made say of him who made it, “He did not make me”? Or shall the thing formed say of him who formed it, “He has no understanding”?

There are people who think God is distant, doesn’t understand, or purposefully ignorant. These people’s souls still crave understanding (don’t we all?!) There are people who say “you need me to get to Him” – we really need Him and His Spirit directly. We need to tap into the Holy Spirit and ask for His presence, a fresh filling, and honestly a fresh mind to understand. 

And yet God’s Ways ARE above ours, we can’t make God fit into our human reasoning. God says to realize He is Above all. He can also make some ignorant and asleep, so beware, and if you are one awake, then really pay attention, He is going to give wisdom to obedient ones. We don’t deserve this, we don’t, but like prodigal children, He is robing us in His Righteousness. 

Isaiah does try to warn a disobedient Israel split kingdom situation, and all it’s foes too. Isaiah will switch over to speaking prophecies of Hope. If only Israel of that time could remember that Hope to come out of their lineage and pay attention to God. Endlessly God has said “pay attention” to Him over everything else, even now, they aren’t paying attention. They didn’t learn from their ancestors wandering around the desert, and they split their kingdom by ignorance, now are still not paying attention as God will allow 2nd exile before restoration. God waits. God waits for the awake to walk again with Him. 

Jesus is the Hope that Isaiah will speak about in later chapters. He came to walk the earth and teach plus fulfilled the law (things told to Moses that we all fail at. Yet Jesus, by His sacrificial act, fulfilled them to be our righteous Savior). Jesus ALSO came and fulfilled the prophecies (told by Isaiah and others) and told the people the Way. Imagine that walk to Emmaus with disciples after He rose and filled them in on all the details. Jesus flipped the earthly kingdom upside down, a slave better equipped to understand than a ruker. Also now in the Kingdom, attention required from nations (for and against God) is to be individual attention. Yes, of course it is wanted for nations to yield to God, but at least we EACH have Jesus as each individual to be devoted. In a fight, hold on to not a flag but a Savior. 

We must hold Hope in Jesus. Now, 2000 years after this 1st coming, and in His imminent return, any cloud now.

Keep your eyes in His Skies. Keep serving even as the world distress distracts. We must individually receive Jesus and share and SHINE Him.

Amen

—

Isaiah 29 – New King James Version

Woe to Jerusalem “Woe to Ariel, to Ariel, the city where David dwelt! Add year to year; Let feasts come around. Yet I will distress Ariel; There shall be heaviness and sorrow, And it shall be to Me as Ariel. I will encamp against you all around, I will lay siege against you with a mound, And I will raise siegeworks against you. You shall be brought down, You shall speak out of the ground; Your speech shall be low, out of the dust; Your voice shall be like a medium’s, out of the ground; And your speech shall whisper out of the dust. “Moreover the multitude of your foes shall be like fine dust, And the multitude of the terrible ones Like chaff that passes away; Yes, it shall be in an instant, suddenly. You will be punished by the Lord of hosts With thunder and earthquake and great noise, With storm and tempest And the flame of devouring fire. The multitude of all the nations who fight against Ariel, Even all who fight against her and her fortress, And distress her, Shall be as a dream of a night vision. It shall even be as when a hungry man dreams, And look—he eats; But he awakes, and his soul is still empty; Or as when a thirsty man dreams, And look—he drinks; But he awakes, and indeed he is faint, And his soul still craves: So the multitude of all the nations shall be, Who fight against Mount Zion.”

The Blindness of Disobedience
Pause and wonder!
Blind yourselves and be blind!
They are drunk, but not with wine;
They stagger, but not with intoxicating drink.
For the Lord has poured out on you
The spirit of deep sleep,
And has closed your eyes, namely, the prophets;
And He has covered your heads, namely, the seers.

The whole vision has become to you like the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one who is literate, saying, “Read this, please.” And he says, “I cannot, for it is sealed.” Then the book is delivered to one who is illiterate, saying, “Read this, please.” And he says, “I am not literate.” Therefore the Lord said: “Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths And honor Me with their lips, But have removed their hearts far from Me, And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men, Therefore, behold, I will again do a marvelous work Among this people, A marvelous work and a wonder; For the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, And the understanding of their prudent men shall be hidden.”

Woe to those who seek deep to hide their counsel far from the Lord, And their works are in the dark; They say, “Who sees us?” and, “Who knows us?” Surely you have things turned around! Shall the potter be esteemed as the clay; For shall the thing made say of him who made it, “He did not make me”? Or shall the thing formed say of him who formed it, “He has no understanding”?

Future Recovery of Wisdom
Is it not yet a very little while till Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, And the fruitful field be esteemed as a forest? In that day the deaf shall hear the words of the book, And the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity and out of darkness. The humble also shall increase their joy in the Lord, And the poor among men shall rejoice In the Holy One of Israel. For the terrible one is brought to nothing, The scornful one is consumed, And all who watch for iniquity are cut off— Who make a man an offender by a word, And lay a snare for him who reproves in the gate, And turn aside the just by empty words.

Therefore thus says the Lord, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob:  “Jacob shall not now be ashamed, Nor shall his face now grow pale; But when he sees his children, The work of My hands, in his midst, They will hallow My name, And hallow the Holy One of Jacob, And fear the God of Israel. These also who erred in spirit will come to understanding, And those who complained will learn doctrine.”

I’m no scholar when it comes to the Old Testament, but I know God is laying out a plan in it. His God instructs him and teaches him the right way.

I returned to reading Isaiah for my education – God is pulling me back to read it – we should all try to digest what we can and make it a plan. Reading our Bibles IS a blessing to understand. Reading is our first understanding – hearing explanations is our second – living it is our best.

Three parts that I see (remember, I am no scholar) in Isaiah 28: 1-Woe to Ephraim region (any region that is attacking Israel); 2-Not even priests of this time are educated enough for what’s really going down; 3- Handle your knowledge of God as His Wisdom and learn from it.

Section 1 – I know God has His own way of dealing with the communities. Section 2 – Isaiah is warning the people of the time, but we also have to hunger for maturity, knowledge, understanding. AND THERE IS A CORNERSTONE FROM WHICH WE NO LONGER HAVE TO FEAR!

Third Section: That is what peaked my interest -learning about ourselves – listening to God. I hear in here that God says we, like farmers, are educated to HANDLE FRUITS DIFFERENTLY – different prep, different planting, different harvest. Ah Yes – this “feeds into” my prep for a Fruit of the Spirit sermon. God planned and is planning unique functions for each of us. He is also knowing how to deal differently with the enemies of Israel, so we are to be aware of that history and of those passages for our time too… 

A take home to expand into these days: Don’t be jealous of perceived differential treatment of spiritual gifts or knowledge either, each has a purpose, each to be shared and not squandered – learn and live it for the good of the Lord’s mission. Just work His field in your way. And always acknowledge Him as the Vinedresser. We are to tap into God’s Wisdom: For his God doth instruct him to discretion, and doth teach him.

Yes – we are to be weaned more from the milk and get more mature…  How weaned are we? I would say, including me, not very – Good thing God is God and He can handle this all – handle this life and all of the next. Go forward knowing Jesus came and will return. “Righteousness the plumb line” – so we really DO need Jesus. 

Trust Him and let Him help you grow IN Him. All this also comes from the Lord Almighty, whose plan is wonderful, whose wisdom is magnificent.

Amen

—

Two Translations:

Isaiah 28 – King James Version

Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower, which are on the head of the fat valleys of them that are overcome with wine!  Behold, the Lord hath a mighty and strong one, which as a tempest of hail and a destroying storm, as a flood of mighty waters overflowing, shall cast down to the earth with the hand. The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim, shall be trodden under feet: And the glorious beauty, which is on the head of the fat valley, shall be a fading flower, and as the hasty fruit before the summer; which when he that looketh upon it seeth, while it is yet in his hand he eateth it up. In that day shall the Lord of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people, And for a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate.

But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment. For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness, so that there is no place clean.

Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. But the word of the Lord was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.

Wherefore hear the word of the Lord, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem. Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves: Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste. Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place. And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it. From the time that it goeth forth it shall take you: for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night: and it shall be a vexation only to understand the report. For the bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it: and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself in it. For the Lord shall rise up as in mount Perazim, he shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that he may do his work, his strange work; and bring to pass his act, his strange act. Now therefore be ye not mockers, lest your bands be made strong: for I have heard from the Lord God of hosts a consumption, even determined upon the whole earth.

Give ye ear, and hear my voice; hearken, and hear my speech. Doth the plowman plow all day to sow? doth he open and break the clods of his ground? When he hath made plain the face thereof, doth he not cast abroad the fitches, and scatter the cummin, and cast in the principal wheat and the appointed barley and the rie in their place? For his God doth instruct him to discretion, and doth teach him. For the fitches are not threshed with a threshing instrument, neither is a cart wheel turned about upon the cummin; but the fitches are beaten out with a staff, and the cummin with a rod. Bread corn is bruised; because he will not ever be threshing it, nor break it with the wheel of his cart, nor bruise it with his horsemen. This also cometh forth from the Lord of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working.

Isaiah 28 – New International Version

Woe to the Leaders of Ephraim and Judah

Woe to that wreath, the pride of Ephraim’s drunkards, to the fading flower, his glorious beauty, set on the head of a fertile valley – to that city, the pride of those laid low by wine! See, the Lord has one who is powerful and strong. Like a hailstorm and a destructive wind, like a driving rain and a flooding downpour, he will throw it forcefully to the ground. That wreath, the pride of Ephraim’s drunkards, will be trampled underfoot. That fading flower, his glorious beauty, set on the head of a fertile valley, will be like figs ripe before harvest – as soon as people see them and take them in hand, they swallow them. In that day the Lord Almighty will be a glorious crown, a beautiful wreath for the remnant of his people. He will be a spirit of justice to the one who sits in judgment, a source of strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate. And these also stagger from wine and reel from beer: Priests and prophets stagger from beer and are befuddled with wine; they reel from beer, they stagger when seeing visions, they stumble when rendering decisions. All the tables are covered with vomit and there is not a spot without filth. 

“Who is it he is trying to teach? To whom is he explaining his message? To children weaned from their milk, to those just taken from the breast? For it is: Do this, do that, a rule for this, a rule for that; a little here, a little there.”

Very well then, with foreign lips and strange tongues God will speak to this people, to whom he said, “This is the resting place, let the weary rest”;

and, “This is the place of repose” –  but they would not listen. So then, the word of the Lord to them will become: Do this, do that, a rule for this, a rule for that; a little here, a little there— so that as they go they will fall backward; they will be injured and snared and captured.

Therefore hear the word of the Lord, you scoffers who rule this people in Jerusalem. You boast, “We have entered into a covenant with death, with the realm of the dead we have made an agreement. When an overwhelming scourge sweeps by, it cannot touch us, for we have made a lie our refuge and falsehood our hiding place.”

So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic. I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the plumb line; hail will sweep away your refuge, the lie, and water will overflow your hiding place. Your covenant with death will be annulled; your agreement with the realm of the dead will not stand. When the overwhelming scourge sweeps by, you will be beaten down by it. As often as it comes it will carry you away; morning after morning, by day and by night, it will sweep through.” The understanding of this message will bring sheer terror. The bed is too short to stretch out on, the blanket too narrow to wrap around you. The Lord will rise up as he did at Mount Perazim, he will rouse himself as in the Valley of Gibeon – to do his work, his strange work, and perform his task, his alien task. Now stop your mocking, or your chains will become heavier; the Lord, the Lord Almighty, has told me of the destruction decreed against the whole land.

Listen and hear my voice; pay attention and hear what I say. When a farmer plows for planting, does he plow continually? Does he keep on breaking up and working the soil? When he has leveled the surface, does he not sow caraway and scatter cumin? Does he not plant wheat in its place, barley in its plot, and spelt in its field? His God instructs him and teaches him the right way. Caraway is not threshed with a sledge, nor is the wheel of a cart rolled over cumin; caraway is beaten out with a rod, and cumin with a stick. Grain must be ground to make bread; so one does not go on threshing it forever. The wheels of a threshing cart may be rolled over it, but one does not use horses to grind grain. All this also comes from the Lord Almighty, whose plan is wonderful, whose wisdom is magnificent.

What a blessing of a resource of learning – a current series of sermons by Pastor Joe – all available online – which I often listen to in my commutes – the seven sayings of Jesus on the cross – with this last one this weekend – interesting to listen and blessed to learn… especially with the tremendous news of a big increase in tensions and warfare between the Gaza strip and the nation of Israel. Kidnappings and too, ugh, it was a church service that I needed to hear Pastor Joe explain it first person understanding – an expert in comparison to my basic knowledge. Oh was so important reminder to hear and to acknowledge what we are to do: Lift up our heads because our redeemer is coming AND keep busy encouraging and sharing the gospel, AND keep praying for all – all people lost and found – pray for the revival before and after the rapture. It was so important for me to hear what is going on in a country which I know very little about and yet know it IS a crucial land before now and from now – every day closer to Jesus returning, the Bible tells us the happenings to watch out for, especially Jesus to return…  

No one knows the hour of Jesus’s return and therefore we need to be ready – to get everything that we need to get right with the Lord and do it with haste – make amends with people – forgive people – all that good stuff – not always easy but needed… Pastor Joe reminded us to live in the hope of the eternal point of view. “a purifying hope”…

1st service on the app – 5 minute chat at the 35 minute mark then sermon of saying #7: The Seventh Utterance from the Cross https://ccphiladelphia.subspla.sh/tjpdqdn

2nd service had a condensed chat – slightly different later version that same morning – at 20 minute mark then the sermon: https://resources.ccphilly.org/SAM1316

Now – these seven sayings of Jesus – in addition to the sermons series that you should be able to find on the website (seven links at https://resources.ccphilly.org/current.asp)  There are even Wikipedia pages for these seven sayings. It’s a remarkable record of Jesus preparing the Way being very God and also Him being so very human. Jesus thought of us from beginning to end. It’s not just a Way to Forever, it’s the forgiveness Forever. I remember once a pastor saying that there is no other religion that speaks of the mercy and the forgiveness as well as the compassion that we find in Jesus. There is no Lord like our Lord, a Savior who redeems us all. Jesus. 

Thank You Jesus for You. Prayers for all to find You. Thank You for seeking out me.

Thank You Jesus for saving us. Thank You Lord for knowing what to do.

Prayers for all people – in this time and in the future – forgive them Father for they know now what they do. (us too).

Amen

1) Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. 

2) Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. 

3) Woman, behold thy son! and Behold thy mother! 

4) My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? 

5) I thirst. 

6) It is finished. 

7) Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.

“Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth— everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”

I was BLESSED by thinking of the parable of the lost son ever since yesterday. It speaks of hope and how we can return to God even after the worst life choices. The Father instilled a memory of his son even the servants having a decent life, even good.  The party when he came home was better than good, it was GREAT!

The Father waited. God waits for us with mercy to give and love. We can always return. “While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him.” God has been looking for us because He knows that He instilled the road map home in our hearts and souls. We don’t have to stay out in the cold, we can make our Way Home.

God gave His Best. He did. God as the Father and we as the children in this story said this child of mine was dead and is alive again – lost and is found. God always considered his child as HIS, never turned his back.

The other son, who jealously has a fit, revolts, and reminds us of the separation of sin and God, essentially saying you can’t return,  but Jesus who tells this story says you can and I know the Way. The evil influence in our lives would say: you screwed up, you are worthless, you have no home. FALSE. The evil spirit even demands what it thinks it wants from the world, that it is better in evil eyes than what God wants to give. FALSE. Jesus told us the Truth: You ARE worth it! You ARE God’s child! You can return! (Jesus also demonstrated speaking back to the devil (who tried to tempt Jesus) by speaking the actual scriptures that knocked the devil down. Jesus said “God’s got this!”. Man doesn’t live by bread alone, but by every Word of God. Don’t Test God. Worship God and serve only Him. Jesus spoke old truth into new life. So He can do that for us too. We can knock down the devil by God’s Declaration of Love: God says I’m worth it.

Let us not turn back those whom God called.

An advocate in Jesus, of Jesus, by the Holy Spirit was enough to pull that lost child back, not asking to get royal treatment but to work as a servant. God gives us more than that – we serve now to help keep the Kingdom welcoming other lost sons and daughters back home – how would they know if they never heard they could come back. We have the opportunity to SHINE JESUS. Then one day and forever in Heaven we WILL have that great feast, robed by the Righteous of Jesus who is our Mercy giver. Jesus loves us, knowing all in all about us, and just holds us upright better.

We can come home (and often we do ask to serve) regardless if the world welcomes us or not. We are welcome always in God’s Eyes and Hands by His Love. God won’t make you jump through hoops, only just come home. He will teach you the steps to recovery (from worldly ways) as well. Keep your eyes focused on Him. God is God, not an artificial no power entity, remember prophet Isaiah reminded Israel that God delivered them again and again, and for us He still will. “Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?” Is43

Jesus never said we had to clean up our act to follow Him, we just needed to want Him more than the life we are in or could drift to. Jesus knows that Way Home. Follow Him.

Amen 

The Parable of the Lost Son – Luke 15:11-32

Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.

“Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

“Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’

“The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’

“‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

Isaiah 43 about Israel and about us:

But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. 

“For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead. Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold 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 created for my glory, whom I formed and made. Lead out those who have eyes but are blind, who have ears but are deaf. All the nations gather together and the peoples assemble. Which of their gods foretold this and proclaimed to us the former things? Let them bring in their witnesses to prove they were right, so that others may hear and say, “It is true.”

“You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. I, even I, am the Lord; and apart from me there is no savior. I have revealed and saved and proclaimed – I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “that I am God. Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?”

Funny thing, when I did my kids experiments with red cabbage juice recently , I tried to also do my foaming yeast experiment and that kind of fizzled… It’s new vs old hydrogen peroxide that makes a difference. And perhaps I should give that experiment a rest for a while unless I pick up fresh stuff each time. Baking soda and vinegar is just as fun for the kids, but for me it is the living Yeast that makes the difference.

However fizzled last time, I have photos of a crucial day in my awakening… My kids and these sunday school kids are all part of God’s plan. I was fortunate to take quick photos for fun for Facebook. Which comes up in my memory events every year. So even though I can say that worldly things will often fizzle, Jesus does not change. And Jesus always is living to find His lost sheep – lost people – lost sinners. “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”

If we are able, we should always revisit those times when Jesus made himself known to us, when we found more faith, when we knew God was cooking up something in our lives. There is a crucial moment when we realize we need Jesus – the world needs Jesus – when Jesus Himself says “You need me”.

Lost Sheep Lost Coin Lost Son – such important teachings by Jesus. See we were all lost and then found – and Jesus won’t give up until we know that HE by Name above all Names was the One who found us. Jesus does the finding and Jesus is a catalyst that changes everything without He Himself being changed… I laid out that day 11 years ago now, an experiment that changed me by Jesus forever – with a big “OH!” – I said: “Jesus came to make the Word of God spread faster” spoke truth into my disbelief of really not knowing why Jesus existed and was He really the Son of God – that was couple years before my big awakening – Jesus found the crack in my knowledge and ignorance and He had and has the mechanism to get over my disbelief…  Jesus knew that herding sheep is nothing compared to finding the lost one.

I know I sound like a broken record of my awakening days – but wow how God made me write them down – take photos – be the record that broke and I will always be grateful to know that Jesus found me broke and moved the needle to help me sing His Praises…

Thanks Lord – every memory and always…

Amen and here are the Luke 15 scriptures which inspired me to teach and also be moved by the Lord that day – oh what fun – these are mostly all adult kids now. Jesus keep tracking them please  – AMEN

The Parable of the Lost Sheep
Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

The Parable of the Lost Coin
“Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

The Parable of the Lost Son
Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.

“Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

“Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’

“The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’

“‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

Wow – 6 years since my 2nd shoulder surgery! Barely think about it now except for the realization that I got through it! I LEPT onto that surgery table for releasing scar tissue holding me back from 100% rotation. I appreciate now (strong memory of a distant time) of God holding me in all situations – carrying me through. Winston Churchill hill said: If you’re going through hell, KEEP GOING…

YES – DON’T DWELL.

This shoulder issue of course was a blessing in disguise, crazy to say about a shoulder injury but also it was in the recovery, a blessing to know now that God even used my pain for His gain and my gain too. 

Let me explain:

Torn rotator cuff – Clean tear from terrible fall – now every loose paper on my floor is remediated. Slip hazards abound – take the time to step carefully. 

Torn rotator cuff and frozen shoulder – awesome doctor – unbelievable PT- 76 freedom visits June to December- the Lord gave me endless hope and motivation. ‘Eye of the Tiger’ still my theme song. PT people my witnesses to praise – so many conversations about prayer. 

Torn rotator cuff – friends friends friends  – meals, rides, flowers, smiles… love hope charity joy… thanks God endlessly for all these friends. Oh, and clarity in many different public and private things in my life – blessing for clarity when you are forced to stop and let the dust settle… Yes, take “set backs” as times to ponder and let God go ahead of you, because He knows that road He wants you to travel. 

Torn rotator cuff surgery  – recovery time – thanks Lord for work flexibility and benefits – and friends…

Recovery – oh, time time time… Did you know that I was 200 plus devotions behind in uploading to my blog site? I had promised the Lord that I would be only a month between writing and uploading… well… Guess What? God found me the blessed time  – click click click…  WHEW,  WHEN YOU MAKE A PROMISE TO GOD – KEEP IT!!!

Recovery – really I walked through it  – really God led me – really what IS the verse of all verses for this? For anything and everything recovery? Psalm 23. Of course Psalm 23 – though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…  YEAH KEEP WALKING – DON’T STOP – DON’T DWELL. 

I would never choose the pain and the hard way – but I learned (and we learn) – the Lord walks WITH us.

So keep going. 

Amen. 

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

—

Isaiah 25:1, 4

Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago…. You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in their distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat.

If God doesn’t change then how does He express upsetedness of lost children. I’m thinking Jesus is Living Water and the collection of our tears because I see lots of tears here in the world and it’s going to get worse…

I specifically was reminded of how unbelievable the destruction is of the living CHILDREN of God is – by drugs, alcohol, poverty, by want, and rooted from evil. Ugh. I was driving halfway and riding the train  the rest into the city. With a known path comes unknown obstacles of people and their problems, but I was not hastled nor even begged from anyone. I was safe by situation and by Grace. I was really so sad to witness half dead and half stupor asleep people – walking dead destruction of God image-bearers by themselves and by their circumstances. Sad. How often I wonder the tears of these people’s families in addition to theirs. 

If God can’t change in Himself, but people can, think of HOW different God is from man. Now think of us completely healing IN HIM, and if we may hopefully realize that ONLY He can restore us to whole.  Only God through HIM Jesus God, being our rescue Savior, saving in HIS Plan, so no one can boast in works, is REALLY GOD. We are not. Only God saves because we can’t – and yet He can. AND GOD WANTS TO SAVE US. 

Really, our sins day to day are judged equal to each other’s sins – we ALL fall short of God. In comparison to the really sad cases, our sobriety will not get us into Heaven, only God will take us into Heaven. Our not going down destructive roads of course is best -and we will reframe our proper treatment of God’s Temple in us, and that IS what God wants to help us with – praising Him in us – raising Him and showing Him in us – best we can. Living Water Wash, Lord help us.

Perhaps reframing the Declaration of Independence is fitting here: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, [well, yes, we are equal in judgment and sin] that they are endowed by their Creator [look how Americans take these rights not always thinking of the real Creator of ‘rights’ who doesn’t give us any human right above His Righteousness] with certain unalienable Rights [yep, humans setting up human governments will see failures,  just ask Samuel about God warnings], that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” [well, then also the pursuit of destruction is a right too in human laws, sad…]…

Sad tears, for Jesus picks up the tab of destruction by sin and death – Living Water washes us because we didn’t cause ourselves to be human, even though we continue to humanly be human. Thank You Lord for the ability to wash clean and the safety in Your House, for Your reach to the garden You want us in.

Amen….  

And I did have a great time in the city, weather was hot! Walking was good exercise.

There is a section on the Declaration of Independence: “to provide new Guards for their future security.” – I would say day to day I am grateful for these and WE are BLESSED by God to be our ULTIMATE future – to grab onto in the here and now. 

Amen Amen 

—-

Ephesians 2:1-10

Made Alive in Christ

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.  And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

From the top section of the Declaration of Independence 1776 13 colonies separation from Great Britain: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. –That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.  

Wow! INTIMIDATING challenge but exciting. I was raised Catholic, I got this, right???  I even know my way around ‘Little Joe’ – yes, I’ve put in my time – I might even impress them and maybe even win… I was PREPARED.  Oh… hmmm… maybe NOT… OH WOW…..

SO VERY INTIMIDATING..  I’ve never done THIS much… Oh, and they went double fast too… oh, they don’t even know ‘Little Joe’ – am I sunk?  No, I laughed at my inadequacy and inflated deflated ego. I focused. I got more efficient and faster. I PRAYED.

No, I’m not talking about LIFE, I’m talking about walking into the most BIGGEST fastest BINGO ever! Whoa!! 24 cards at a pop? Super fast calling? Little Joe? Nope: “Fireman’s Pig in a Pen” for the eight spaces around the free space. Same game different name – just like Catholic and other traditions to use different conventions… No inside and outside corners here, just outside corners… and yet SIMILARITIES through the ages: when someone rang the bell at ‘O66’, my heart rang in 45 plus years of Bingo memories… cool… 

What a fun way to reconnect and visit with my friend, we used to teach Sunday school together with our babies 3 and 6… so long ago but our friendship is such a blessing to us. It’s not just church for church, it’s connections for God that bring us to community with communion. Jesus likes to GATHER His sheep, making it more enjoyable to hangout together… Friends are blessings.

But shhhh, quiet the chitchat, wow absorb this challenge of 24 cards!!! Yes!!!! 24 at a time! Lapboards, bingo dabbers for specials, new crazy games on top of it!!! I love how Methodist traditions do not include games of chance because God is not a God of chance, nor should we think of God randomly but deliberately, TRUE. But I was raised Catholic and this is group weekly fundraising at its most classic form. Back at Catholic school, my dad called numbers, my mom sold tickets, or sometimes flipped the switches for the lights – she was scared to mess up! High Stakes! I helped at the concessions – low stakes – and those glass bottles of soda were cool and classic. Friday nights were fun – even with the 1970s gym filled with smoke. This is how they kept the school open, crazy how we live our lives huh?, especially that smoke. And shhhh… Jackpot was $200… SO SERIOUS!!!

Jackpot here at the firehall 50 years later? $900!!!!  so many of the many games were $50 to $200 in prizes like normal. Door prizes were free entries to the next nights (twice a week)… Nope I didn’t have inflated entitlement to winning anymore – I knew this IS a game of chance but fun, and I was just lucky to get a parking spot! (well there is NO lucky there is only blessed – and yeah praying for and recieving safe parking is a BONUS that God gives us)…  SO, best thing was that I was and am Blessed to have spent time with my friend. It was fun. we will do it again – but not like these “regulars”…  I found it more mentally challenging than any sudoku or logic game, because it was fast – and physically like PT for repaired shoulders for each of us. $20 to $30 for 3-4 hours, a bargain and a fundraiser. No smoke either. 

Here’s my big “BINGO” thought – a devotion God gave me that won’t rest until I write it out: We can talk about ‘AI’ all we want, but seeing and hearing how the winner-checker worker peoples ONLY called out the serial number of the lap board or special, not the bingo numbers, was interesting… for the computerized tracker KNEW that set of number would have won… WOW… Even though the number balls air blown came up randomly, it was entered and verified by the video feed on the electronic board (no more light bulbs). Yes, the entry into the computer system verified that winning set of numbers and board with the numbers existed. WOW!!! I think the caller might have had the inclination there was a winner in the room before the winner did… and yeah the view of the ball before being called caused you to hear the people rustling ahead of time because someone close by was on the verge of winning.. Someone, not you, had it… they knew. 

Who knows for you?  Yeah in Life it is God Who knows all for you…

God Has Got YOUR Number!!! God makes you A WINNER!!! See, in life we think things are randomly in front of us, and surely no one knows the way the wind blows, especially those bingo ball numbers, but God does! God not only knows your number, He wrote it, He knows the way you will turn, He knows your struggles, most intimate thoughts. God provides both the numbers AND the Win but especially the times you don’t “win”… God knows and it is OK. God knows the pitfalls, intimidation, dropped opportunity, but He HAS your number, so He calls YOU! God blesses and corrects. God makes the wind flow and life go.

There are random games and adventures awaiting you in life, you might buy the extra pop-ups or skip them, life is always finding distractions and opportunities. Just be aware and let God know your cares. Don’t take on too much. Don’t let the sound of the distractions rustling (or even cooking in the amazing full menu fireman’s kitchen cooking cheesesteaks and galore!) distract you – that’s just life noise to put in the background. KEEP AN EYE ON THOSE CARDS! Oh! The “STARBURST” round? Dollar a ticket? ONLY PLAY ONE AT A TIME. Oh my, lightning-speed calling just numbers, faster than whack-a-mole, oy! One card and one card only. No time for distractions! whew… Some people skip this game just to get rest!

God? One God and One God Only to direct your ways – HIS WAY! Don’t get distracted – God Has Your Number and He’s the Only non-game in town. B1 of His devoted children. You don’t have to “keep up with God” – only have to love Him and believe in Jesus, the One He sent. Jesus already is sitting so close you you that you will be amazed when He intervenes.

I’ll take God for the WIN. Actually He took us first…

GLAD and BLESSED to B1 of His Flock.

B I N G O…

Amen

Ecclesiastes 11 from Solomon 

Ship your grain across the sea; after many days you may receive a return. Invest in seven ventures, yes, in eight you do not know what disaster may come upon the land. If clouds are full of water, they pour rain on the earth. Whether a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where it falls, there it will lie. Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.

As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.

Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.

Light is sweet, and it pleases the eyes to see the sun. However many years anyone may live, let them enjoy them all. But let them remember the days of darkness, for there will be many. Everything to come is meaningless.

You who are young, be happy while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment. So then, banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body, for youth and vigor are meaningless.

If/when sleep HEALS us – Then awakening AWARES us…

Because sin killed us – Then Jesus-saving PREPARES us…

Because God ‘alive-d us’ – Then God wants us… 

All eternity is set in our hearts…

In the time that I remember, this memory was distinct for me: I was forced to rest, from my covid booster I was sure, I felt the aching and some gut wrenches plus fever and mostly the feeling that God wanted me home to take the rest…  This time I did not argue with God – often I do… I then woke up, amazed by the difference and awake and aware that I had no idea what God’s plan was in ALL in ALL – but that I should trust it… God set my reset button and then clued me in, a little bit, on why – a specific phone text – ah ha; a specific awake moment – of course; a need that was His for someone else – that WAS His Call; and in timing that I couldn’t arrange on a calendar if I tried. I love living with God making things happen: “IN HIS TIME”…

God calls the audibles into our life game – We will never be the same – God’s playing us into His Gain.

It could have been a coincidence, nope, I am sure it was God. I’m aware of His tinkering even when I can’t see Him under my hood. I’m aware of His slowdowns that help others catch up, speed up, get a wave from us… I am aware of Him not testing my attention to Him (I mean really how can we wrap our heads around everything He does) but I am aware of Him requesting it – my attention – His child. He could get all this done without us – but He likes engaging His children into helping – into life… 

I like that God likes us in His Life. Let us be aware that we were prepared for good works because GOD WORKS. If He named us, made us, called us VERY GOOD, Then He WORKS us VERY WELL. 

Because Jesus awakes and awares us, I’m not surprised He repairs us – prepares ALL things ,in His Time… He makes all things beautiful in His Time.

Amen 

Made Alive in Christ – Paul’s letter to Ephesians 2:1-10

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ecclesiastes 3:10-14 From Solomon 

I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.  I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him.

THIS – Thank Heaven in Savoring. 

You could say THIS about weekends “Thank Heaven it’s Saturday” – yes! And “Thank Heaven it’s Sunday” and with more time to sit on Sunday: “Thank Heaven I’m Sitting” – resting my feet – after “Thank Heaven I’m Standing” – still mobile – plus the best resting in the Lord: “Thank Heaven I’m STILLed”…

Yes, “THIS” praise for Sunday and for Studies and Sermons because I got to be in church live plus online church too. Thank the Lord for amazing things there! THIS – Thank You Lord for the walk I took to decompress my weekend.

And thank You Lord for sitting down too, whew, because Saturday was SO BUSY! Good busy! But busy busy busy…  Praise Busy Summer and Early Fall.

THIS is how I had to decompress my weekend by writing last night until I was too tired – finishing this morning – also I am aware it was a tough weekend for many – friends who lost loved ones and are facing uncertainties – mourn with those who mourn – plus pray for all those people we don’t know who are hurting.  Lord forgive me as I write about my weekend – Lord grant us all Your mercy and faith to find Your Peace.:

Saturday, I drove my son down to the university culinary school and surrounding area, a beautiful campus in just a small space, indoor European-like courtyard, champagne bubble dining room, bakery and hotel concierge entry, THIS is calling out for a future visit, even Saturday brunch one time… I got to sit on a rocking chair on the porch in the middle of somewhere like nowhere I’ve been… got there 9am (city driving is best off-peak), delicious pastries and breakfast sandwich to go… and go I went! Worth driving 30 minutes to sit on the rocking chair for 5 minutes more… Savoring…

Then 11am Saturday having driven back – I got to a park festival with a loaded Subaru of fun… next to our community kids craft tent I ran a science station, fun phun with pH and red cabbage juice changing colors! Kids mesmerized, adults appreciative… and when I had a chance I said ‘adding just the little bit of acid vinegar or base baking soda could change the color that dramatically, imagine what a little prayer can do for a situation’, ‘God is amazing and can do anything’… I also got to share giving away Bible-based books in this public park event… it is a blessing to give away blessings… THIS is a favorite day for me now each year – a church setting in the park event – why don’t all churches run to these events (?)… You get more by giving than selling a craft or food – just give and just enjoy neighbors plus Music, Manageable Mayhem, More… Thank God I bring my own stool for sitting perfect kid height at the table. But also thank You, Lord, for the prayer concerns I heard from others – and that one little girl who encouraged me in her faith too – ah the blessings of being with God’s children…

And speaking of encouragement, that’s how I rolled it into my children’s message for Sunday, THIS, with leftover red purple juice – a lesson of blessing of encouragement possibilities (see the cartoon  of compliments) speaking of how a little prayer changes everything – because God gives Spirit without measure, He is not stingy with it – He doesn’t hold back as Jesus was given full power as All in All, full power and authority (see John the Baptist speaking about Jesus in John 3). THIS – Thankful Heaven inthe Son!

THISSS – Thank Heaven I Scored Sixth Shot! Yeah! Sunday after church I got my updated covid booster, this will be an annual thing now I’m sure after the 2.5 years of shots, which means 3.5 years we’ve had covid conversations – I’m so glad we are on this side of the pandemic. I’ve heard of some covid cases now and OUTSIDE is STILL the best place to be – but grateful to be inside with no fear because we are always subject to human frailty and the Lord’s strength, so just keep living!!!. I’m SO grateful to be best covered with an updated vaccine because of THIS – ‘Totally Hopping IntoThe SKY… yes, FLYING soon – YES VACATION – my last week-sized chunk of time… THIS – Thank Heaven In Savoring.

Ah… I also had opportunity to chat with friends over the weekend and appreciate it was not raining, and appreciate the autumn weather while holding onto summer temps too. THIS morning: “Thank Heaven in SummerBugs” – open window and hearing them so loud in their last hurrah…

THIS – GRATEFULNESS – Lord help me bring it into this work week- help me get nose-down in progress and head-up in praise. I know that the Lord gives Spirit smiles and let me be contagious with those. I know that the Lord gives peace, and for all my hurting friends and family, please Lord, restore their spiritual strength. 

May we all tap into THIS – This Heaven Invigorating Spirit – THESE GIFTS

Whoever believes in Eternal life as a gift, may they also give out the gifts God gives – give out their imbued powers of encouragement,  teaching, wisdom, shepherding, administrating, leading, mercy, faith, hope and always desiring learning. May we ALL use the God Gifts He has given us for THIS moment to point back to Him as the Giver. Let us “behave like a Christian” as the author of Roman’s asks – and be real in real situations – but be better than worldly strife. BRING GOD’S BEST!

Today Is Underway!  Lord – Thank You for This New Day!

Amen 

—

The One who comes from above is above all;… … The one who comes from heaven is above all… … For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. From John the Baptist speaking about Jesus.. John 3 excerpts by John the Baptist speaking.

…

Romans 12 – Living Sacrifices to God

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Serve God with Spiritual Gifts – For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

Behave Like a Christian – Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore: 
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

AMEN AMEN

If you don’t believe in Jesus, you are not alone.  But we do end – one way – in death – and I pray you know ABUNDANT LIFE in Jesus. Please read a revealing truth about Jesus – that people know Him THROUGH His Spirit – sometimes before they know His name. We recognize Jesus when we are ready to open up our Spiritual Hearts to Him. God does the revealing – and God through us does the Praising.

Think of how John the Baptist had to ask Jesus if He really was the Messiah, this must have meant there really is a HUGE DIFFERENCE between God and man. HUGE. 

Remember John the Baptist was Jesus’s cousin and lept in his mother’s womb at the presence of Jesus in Mary’s womb. The Holy Spirit recognition. Then both were born worldly ‘born of woman’ and a worldly familiarity took over John’s view. And they probably did see each other, 2nd cousins, or at least heard of each other, and we don’t know what was discussed between them or cousin moms after birth, if anything, but Elizabeth and Mary knew both children in their wombs were God’s Chosen and had God-work to do.

John didn’t recognize the Savior in Jesus as matching all that He thought a Messiah King would be, so imagine the difficulty people, of the time and now, who never met Him personally would have. Never met Him until He introduced Himself into them, into us. He is knocking on our doors for us to open ourselves to His Glory. 

So if you are a doubter of God, of Jesus, of God’s Word being Jesus, and of the law and prophecies being fulfilled by Jesus, YOU ARE NOT ALONE! The recognition of a human masks Spirit because of the fall of Adam and Eve. The recognition of the Spirit comes by Way of Spirit within us, so we must set aside our human distractions of “this is the way God is”, like John the Baptist did. We also must remember (like John the Baptist) that we are NOT abandoned by God when our faith and truth scares other people, nor are we abandoned when we are locked in prisons of self, or in a feeling of punishment we maybe don’t deserve. We are never abandoned by God – simply reach out to Him always. We simply roughly and humanly must get through this life in a broken world that won’t want to open up to this divine awakening. That doesn’t mean we can’t be open to it.

Therefore let us be open to the Divine view, be open and questioning and inspired and ready. Ready to see Jesus through all the human layers. Jesus himself said that even the lowest member of the Kingdom in Heaven is endlessly above the highest of humans – meaning God is God and we are not – but always we should be reaching towards Him. We can’t do anything without God. We should bear HIS good fruit.

We can appreciate that God’s Ways are above our human ways. His Mercy shows in His healing Grace.

John the Baptist speaking about Jesus (now understanding whom He is – both humanly and divinely): “He who comes from heaven is above all. And what He has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true. For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand.  He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” from the gospel of (yet another cousin) John 3:32-36

So, if you don’t believe in Jesus – and want to know Him more and more – start to ask Him Himself to reveal Him to you. Jesus loves knowing you – Love to know Him. We all are reaching up to His Holiness, Glory, and Grace.

AMEN AMEN AMEN 

Jesus told John and the crowds:

“The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.”

Here are more passages about John the Baptist, Chosen by God to be a prophet, like the “Elijah of the day”. 

See all Luke 1 – in the womb recognition:

Matthew 3 – Heaven opens up at Jesus’s Baptism- the Holy Spirit descends like a Dove:

Mark 1 – Luke 3 – John prepares the Way for Jesus:

And

John doubts Jesus while in prison and Jesus speaks of heaven and earth: Matthew 11:1-14: 

Jesus keeps working even after hearing of John being beheaded by Herod – Matthew 14:

My mom always says “The weather tells us what we are going to do.” – meaning we change our plans, change our mood, do or not do things because of the weather… Yes and no… Yes and no for outdoors things but what about Spiritual things? Sometimes even while standing in it, we can get past the gloom and see the Light. 

A great segue to speaking about Jesus. Jesus wants us to walk into the Light. 

LIGHT. Whether it is dark and gloomy and pouring rain, like it is now, we can look for and come to the Light – and keep keepin’ on. Sometimes we simply need to wait for our eyes to adjust stepping into twilight and look for the Light so that we can step more confidently. 

Jesus spoke to and answered questions for the BIG scholar Jewish Pharisee Rabbi Nicodemus, who was questioning and who came to Jesus at night, covered by security of darkness from any spying eyes. Yet Nicodemus clearly was walking towards the Light, the Light of God being revealed to his understanding and Nicodemus wanted truth. Nicodemus asked: “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” Jesus spoke extensively (see below for the full passage in John 3), and Jesus said: “He who believes in Him is not condemned” and of those who do evil or good: “he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”

Nicodemus probably did all the sacrificial things as prescribed by law. Jesus came and fulfilled the law (Moses’-given-by God) by His sacrificial offering as the Lamb of God. The Holy Spirit birth in us brings us born again in God – out of the darkness of a womb of the world and into the Kingdom of God.

Not only does Jesus want us to do good over evil, He wants us to come out into the Light so it’s clearly seen by us where God is working in our lives, like a newborn baby being washed up from birth.

Washed.

From my vantage point, I can see the rain letting up, the day is dawning, and I can see things more clearly. Now the reminder of what my mom says still holds true: “The weather tells us what we are going to do.” – yes, because if it’s dark in our lives then we need to keep watching and walking towards the Light, if it’s cold then cover up in a blanket of God’s love, if it’s scary then ask Jesus to stand strong for you, and if it’s ‘just right’ then PRAISE THE LORD and APPRECIATE THE LIGHT. 

Amen 

Please read this crucial passage about our passage into the Light. 

John 3:1-21 New King James Version

The New Birth

There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”

Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”

Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Nicodemus answered and said to Him, “How can these things be?”

Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things? Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

“He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”

A man just came back from over a year in space. He must have trusted his life to others EVERY DAY. This REALLY encourages me, that I can trust this ONE LIFE MOMENT to GOD.

New people are embarking on adventures on the Survivor TV show, living without running water, food, or privacy. And on the Amazing Race TV show too, running around the world, sleeping in airports, tightrope walking. They are trusting their lives and loved ones for a whole month to just play. This encourages me, that I can trust just ONE day of play to GOD.

People drove cars today, always a risk every split second, never even thinking about worrying. I can hand over ONE worrying moment to God.

Most stuff worth worrying about for others, we never even hear about. We can wait out one more unknown moment, giving it to GOD.

No one has left me up in space, snuffed out my torch, knocked me from stepping on the mat, nor taken my car keys away. I made it through today. AND, God gave me His Victories today too – maybe He made it look like “I got this” – but He got it – a bigger got than I could get.

If God can get EVERYTHING, then I can give Him one more thing. Especially because God gave me the opportunity to rely on Him. 

Thanks God, I got this because You got this. Your Wisdom is my Way Forward.

Amen 

Proverbs 3:5-26

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.

The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens. By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.

My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck. Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble. When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.

Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.

For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.

Can’t beat waking up with a bible chapter on your brain… After so many weird dreams, it was so nice to just simply wake up and have “Isaiah 51” float to the top – as a message for me to write about, I am sure.

It’s a good way to break a bad dream cycle by waking up – God does that for me often. It’s ALSO fitting to hear while awake from reading the scriptures, especially Isaiah, about this prophecy to make a break in that cycle of the old ways. Isaiah has a great prophecy of a Messiah, ahhh… A New Way…

Do you remember the Mimeograph machines? Those early copy machines before photocopying? From a template you used to have to turn the drum. I can see my elementary school secretary with those blue pages.  And I used to be able to help sometimes, turn the drum for her. It was fun, round and round, I see it and I feel it. My mom donated used, one side printed, good quality paper from her office and the school made them our quizzes or worksheets. Round and round we learned and learned.

If the vicious cycle of Israelites wandering in circles in the desert was round and round, then they would continue like spinning a Mimeograph to spiral again and again in circles of bad ways. Into the pit they would dig. They would then see God raise up judges and kings of justice and things went well for a while but then to ‘do evil in the eyes of the Lord’ again – then Israelites get captured, punished, exiled, lost. Even Samuel warned them: don’t ask for an earthly king, you don’t know what you are getting – instead worship God…  Well, they got an earthly king string – some good some bad – no one divine.

God broke each cycle with a hopeful ruler, like a fresh new copy page to be started on the Mimeograph, but those repeated offenses towards God of not listening, not sacrificing required elements, and worshiping false gods – was vicious cycling. Israelites were stuck in the drum of the Mimeograph. 

Then…. Isaiah tells us of a Messiah… Isaiah 51 is a turn of that drum, Israelites gone bad. Isaiah 52 speaks of Him, Isaiah 53 reinforces (see all the highlights below)… a Messiah Over Mimeograph… break not just the cycle but obsolete the machine… a Messiah IS Lord, and this Lord is Light,  and OH, HOW WE CAN BE PHOTOCOPIES – hopefully transparencies – of our Messiah. 

Make no mistake, Jesus was never flawed but His face got marred, see Isaiah 52:14 and WOW Isaiah 53 which foretells this amazing Savior we call Jesus and the truthful suffering He endured. Prophecy. Jesus broke that Mimeograph, by taking on the ‘sin of many’ and making ‘intercession for the transgressors’. Isaiah’s prophecy is a drumroll to sound out the warnings and the Way. Messiah Over Mimeograph. Jesus rolled away the repeat drum turning of God’s Wrath onto man to take it Himself – jumped into the machine – rolled the drum away when He rolled away the stone. Jesus Messiah Moved Mountains, a Savior who Saves.

Amen

Jesus Messiah Over Mimeograph

Amen

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

—-

please read:

Isaiah 51

Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the Lord: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged.

Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him.

For the Lord shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.

Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people.

My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust.

Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.

Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings.

For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool: but my righteousness shall be for ever, and my salvation from generation to generation.

Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the Lord; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. Art thou not it that hath cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon?

Art thou not it which hath dried the sea, the waters of the great deep; that hath made the depths of the sea a way for the ransomed to pass over?

Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.

I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass;

And forgettest the Lord thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the oppressor?

The captive exile hasteneth that he may be loosed, and that he should not die in the pit, nor that his bread should fail.

But I am the Lord thy God, that divided the sea, whose waves roared: The Lord of hosts is his name.

And I have put my words in thy mouth, and I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and say unto Zion, Thou art my people.

Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, which hast drunk at the hand of the Lord the cup of his fury; thou hast drunken the dregs of the cup of trembling, and wrung them out.

There is none to guide her among all the sons whom she hath brought forth; neither is there any that taketh her by the hand of all the sons that she hath brought up.

These two things are come unto thee; who shall be sorry for thee? desolation, and destruction, and the famine, and the sword: by whom shall I comfort thee?

Thy sons have fainted, they lie at the head of all the streets, as a wild bull in a net: they are full of the fury of the Lord, the rebuke of thy God.

Therefore hear now this, thou afflicted, and drunken, but not with wine:

Thus saith thy Lord the Lord, and thy God that pleadeth the cause of his people, Behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, even the dregs of the cup of my fury; thou shalt no more drink it again:

But I will put it into the hand of them that afflict thee; which have said to thy soul, Bow down, that we may go over: and thou hast laid thy body as the ground, and as the street, to them that went over.

Isaiah 52 

Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.

Shake thyself from the dust; arise, and sit down, O Jerusalem: loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion.

For thus saith the Lord, Ye have sold yourselves for nought; and ye shall be redeemed without money.

For thus saith the Lord God, My people went down aforetime into Egypt to sojourn there; and the Assyrian oppressed them without cause.

Now therefore, what have I here, saith the Lord, that my people is taken away for nought? they that rule over them make them to howl, saith the Lord; and my name continually every day is blasphemed.

Therefore my people shall know my name: therefore they shall know in that day that I am he that doth speak: behold, it is I.

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!

Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring again Zion.

Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the Lord hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem.

The Lord hath 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 ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord.

For ye 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 reward.

Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.

As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:

So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.

Isaiah 53

Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?

For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.

He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

There’s times when I am reminded that the quick fix is not what you want. When not just ‘nature has to take its course’, but God needs to serve up HIS Plan, and take His Own time. It is like that adage: do you want it cheap or do you want it good?  Well… GOOD… We HAVE to trust the process. We have to keep our eyes fixed on God. We have to go out for the work and win as well. We don’t just wait for God to act as much as God always waits for you to have faith IN HIM.

Praise Him first, then give God His Time, then WATCH Him work. 

I was recently reminded of this favorite Old Testament story of Jehoshaphat. He was lined up by God as a leader to fight/defend/lead his/His people, but it SEEMED IMPOSSIBLE. Yet, God first sent them a message to keep going on – go ahead and prepare – then God won the Battle FOR them ahead of time – by orchestrating the scene… Yes, the Battle was the Lord’s and He told them that too.

Not only did God win the battle, He was able to use one enemy against the other, knocking each other out. And Jehoshaphat got blessed with peace on all sides.

Sometimes we question immediately when we can’t figure something out. But do we Praise? Do we trust God, having gotten us not just out of a jam but preparing the way ahead of time? Do we pick up and get ready for the battle either way? God wants us to keep moving – and remember He already has gone ahead.

Well, here is the great story – please remember this as I am reminded – You’ve Got to Give God TIme to fight your battles – give Him time to line up Your plans – give Him all the praise too – before AND after…

Amen

…

Jehoshaphat in the Lord’s Hands… 2nd Chronicles 20:1-30

After this, the Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites came to wage war against Jehoshaphat.

Some people came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Dead Sea. It is already in Hazezon Tamar” (that is, En Gedi). Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him.

Then Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the temple of the Lord in the front of the new courtyard and said: “Lord, the God of our ancestors, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you. Our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? They have lived in it and have built in it a sanctuary for your Name, saying, ‘If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.’

“But now here are men from Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, whose territory you would not allow Israel to invade when they came from Egypt; so they turned away from them and did not destroy them. See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession you gave us as an inheritance. Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”

All the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, stood there before the Lord.

Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite and descendant of Asaph, as he stood in the assembly.

He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’”

Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the Lord. Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.

Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.” After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying:

“Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.”

As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another.

When the men of Judah came to the place that overlooks the desert and looked toward the vast army, they saw only dead bodies lying on the ground; no one had escaped. So Jehoshaphat and his men went to carry off their plunder, and they found among them a great amount of equipment and clothing and also articles of value—more than they could take away. There was so much plunder that it took three days to collect it. On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Berakah, where they praised the Lord. This is why it is called the Valley of Berakah to this day.

Then, led by Jehoshaphat, all the men of Judah and Jerusalem returned joyfully to Jerusalem, for the Lord had given them cause to rejoice over their enemies. They entered Jerusalem and went to the temple of the Lord with harps and lyres and trumpets.

The fear of God came on all the surrounding kingdoms when they heard how the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel. And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side.

When it rained, You provided an Ark.

When it flooded, You showed us a Rainbow. 

When we feel lost, You anchor us,  knowing we are FOUND. 

When we can’t even speak, You hear our prayers.

When we were humbled naked, you provided and covered our humanity.

When we did wrong, You provided a sacrifice. 

When we couldn’t correct our sinful wrongs, You provided the Solution of a Savior, a Son, the ultimate Sacrifice.

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You are a Good God of coverage.

You are a True God of correction.

You are a Merciful God of whispers, 

Of Rest,

Of Spirit,

Of Mercy,

Of LOVE.

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You are a God who LOVES Your children near You, now and forever.

You are a Whole Unchangeable God Who wants our worship, our praise,

And our LOVE. 

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Jesus, You provided Yourself to us, teaching, reaching, saving, serving. 

Let us now worship You in serving others.

Let us always worship You, Lord Almighty, in Spirit and Truth. 

Amen 

It’s still raining – and I am still reading in Isaiah…

There’s nothing like coming home, especially when it’s rainy chilly-ish and you just finished extensive driving around for errands then come home to a warm blanket out of the dryer, and a cat who puts themselves directly on your feet, and a warm snack, and 4th quarter football on TV which shows back to back clutch last 2 minutes of multiple games THEN another game in overtime (wow efficient TV)…  Home is comfort to the max – not much better feeling than this – EXCEPT oh yeah, when God’s going to call us home forever, won’t that be the day, yeah can’t really beat that… Not just home old but HOME NEW!

Sunday into Monday the modern-day Jewish community members will usher in Yom Kippur, it is a holy time of atonement, with fasting, prayers, and asking for forgiveness, and a time to look forward with intentions for the year ahead. Moses was given instructions for the people on how to live – what to celebrate – and why they were to atone. They remember these feast days recorded in Leviticus.

Isaiah, in chapter 27, speaks both of contemporary times when God is going to take down Israel’s enemies and talks of a later time in the Israelites life of recovery. Yes, a nation which wandered, regained traction, wandered, went wrong – later to be scooped up by God for recovery…  Well – a BIG recovery will be the New Jerusalem for our Messiah King to be worshiped forever as Savior to us and to rule over us with love and mercy. This New Jerusalem is the ULTIMATE deliverance of Israel.

So yes – let us atone and be thankful that God delivers us ultimately and today – let us remember that with God, Home IS where we should be. (still raining? no worries, God is still reigning.)

Amen

—

Isaiah 27

In that day, the Lord will punish with his sword – his fierce, great and powerful sword – Leviathan the gliding serpent, Leviathan the coiling serpent; he will slay the monster of the sea. In that day – “Sing about a fruitful vineyard: I, the Lord, watch over it; I water it continually. I guard it day and night so that no one may harm it. I am not angry. If only there were briers and thorns confronting me! I would march against them in battle; I would set them all on fire. Or else let them come to me for refuge; let them make peace with me, yes, let them make peace with me.”

In days to come Jacob will take root, Israel will bud and blossom and fill all the world with fruit.

Has the Lord struck her as he struck down those who struck her? Has she been killed as those were killed who killed her? By warfare and exile you contend with her – with his fierce blast he drives her out, as on a day the east wind blows. By this, then, will Jacob’s guilt be atoned for, and this will be the full fruit of the removal of his sin: When he makes all the altar stones to be like limestone crushed to pieces, no Asherah poles or incense altars will be left  standing. The fortified city stands desolate, an abandoned settlement, forsaken like the wilderness; there the calves graze, there they lie down; they strip its branches bare. When its twigs are dry, they are broken off and women come and make fires with them. For this is a people without understanding; so their Maker has no compassion on them, and their Creator shows them no favor.

In that day the Lord will thresh from the flowing Euphrates to the Wadi of Egypt, and you, Israel, will be gathered up one by one. And in that day a great trumpet will sound. Those who were perishing in Assyria and those who were exiled in Egypt will come and worship the Lord on the holy mountain in Jerusalem.

“Behold, this is our God; We have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the Lord; We have waited for Him; We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.”….  Take Refuge from the Coming Judgment…

Sure it is raining here all day – A LOT – but take REFUGE FROM THE STORMS – dive into the REIGNING SAVING of the Lord – the reining-in of sin by repentance – THE REMEMBRANCE OF DELIVERANCE. There is HOPE in between the rain drops, rein-in drops and Reign Drops of the Lord’s corrections. REALLY.

Look throughout scripture and there are sunshine and salvation spots and stops. Really, I am talking about a Messiah mentioned among the mess of the Israelites’ pitfalls – embrace these readings in Isaiah 25 and 26 as if they were a GIANT UMBRELLA of protection – more than that, Isaiah is affirming the Shelter of the Lord. Yes, there is HOPE in repentance and salvation. Savor those steps UP in your life – and get yourself into those Rein Drops – where God corrals you into listening. God’s Rein in – Reign over – Rain down of Love.

Isaiah 24 – wow – remember the prophecies of the total earth destruction? Getting through that reign of terror? A Messiah!!!

Isaiah 25 –  wow – a saving rainbow in our sky for Hope wow in a PRAISE!!

O Lord, You are my God. I will exalt You, I will praise Your name, For You have done wonderful things; Your counsels of old are faithfulness and truth. Yes there is hope for the Israelites – Isaiah reminds them to repent – and hope for us – to be remembering to be rescued by the Lord.

Isaiah 26 – double wow – double rainbow plus a song of a Savior sliding into our scene for salvation. We have to remember that the people of the time were so oppressed and short term saving was immediate on their minds – long term salvation was and is hard to wrap our minds around but IS what is promised by God – both short and long term… Destruction of enemies also means a downfall of peoples that don’t listen. Lord, You will establish peace for us.

So, like this flooding rain – remember that there is no joy in the loss of life – no pride in “we made it because God crushed them” –  there is only humble thankfulness that God’s provided this path this shelter this hope – immediate and long term. Yes, we like the Israelites can rejoice in this coming predicted saving – in this protection. Like this flooding rain that will seep into every spot – let us also hope that the seeds of knowledge shared will seep into every soul. The immense power of the Lord is enough to destroy – so how much more He wants to save.  God wants repentance AND praise.

As for us in this storm, Lord, You are amazing and worth ALL our PRAISE. Let us love living in between YOUR Reign Drops.

AMEN!

—

O Lord, You are my God. I will exalt You, I will praise Your name, For You have done wonderful things; Your counsels of old are faithfulness and truth. For You have made a city a ruin, A fortified city a ruin, A palace of foreigners to be a city no more; It will never be rebuilt. Therefore the strong people will glorify You; The city of the terrible nations will fear You. For You have been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, A refuge from the storm, A shade from the heat; For the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall. 

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You will reduce the noise of aliens, As heat in a dry place; As heat in the shadow of a cloud, The song of the terrible ones will be diminished. And in this mountain The Lord of hosts will make for all people A feast of choice pieces, A feast of wines on the lees, Of fat things full of marrow, Of well-refined wines on the lees. And He will destroy on this mountain The surface of the covering cast over all people, And the veil that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death forever, And the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces; The rebuke of His people He will take away from all the earth; For the Lord has spoken.
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And it will be said in that day: “Behold, this is our God; We have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the Lord; We have waited for Him; We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.”  For on this mountain the hand of the Lord will rest, And Moab shall be trampled down under Him, As straw is trampled down for the refuse heap. And He will spread out His hands in their midst As a swimmer reaches out to swim, And He will bring down their pride Together with the trickery of their hands. The fortress of the high fort of your walls He will bring down, lay low, And bring to the ground, down to the dust.

A Song of Salvation
In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: “We have a strong city; God will appoint salvation for walls and bulwarks. Open the gates, That the righteous nation which keeps the truth may enter in. You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, For in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength. For He brings down those who dwell on high, The lofty city; He lays it low, He lays it low to the ground, He brings it down to the dust. The foot shall tread it down— The feet of the poor And the steps of the needy.”
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The way of the just is uprightness; O Most Upright, You weigh the path of the just. Yes, in the way of Your judgments, O Lord, we have waited for You; The desire of our soul is for Your name And for the remembrance of You. With my soul I have desired You in the night, Yes, by my spirit within me I will seek You early; For when Your judgments are in the earth, The inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.

Let grace be shown to the wicked, Yet he will not learn righteousness; In the land of uprightness he will deal unjustly, And will not behold the majesty of the Lord.  Lord, when Your hand is lifted up, they will not see. But they will see and be ashamed For their envy of people; Yes, the fire of Your enemies shall devour them.
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Lord, You will establish peace for us, For You have also done all our works in us. O Lord our God, masters besides You Have had dominion over us; But by You only we make mention of Your name. They are dead, they will not live; They are deceased, they will not rise. Therefore You have punished and destroyed them, And made all their memory to perish. You have increased the nation, O Lord, You have increased the nation; You are glorified; You have expanded all the borders of the land.
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Lord, in trouble they have visited You, They poured out a prayer when Your chastening was upon them. As a woman with child Is in pain and cries out in her pangs, When she draws near the time of her delivery, So have we been in Your sight, O Lord. We have been with child, we have been in pain; We have, as it were, brought forth wind; We have not accomplished any deliverance in the earth, Nor have the inhabitants of the world fallen.
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Your dead shall live; Together with my dead body they shall arise. Awake and sing, you who dwell in dust; For your dew is like the dew of herbs, And the earth shall cast out the dead.

Take Refuge from the Coming Judgment: Come, my people, enter your chambers, And shut your doors behind you; Hide yourself, as it were, for a little moment, Until the indignation is past. For behold, the Lord comes out of His place To punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity; The earth will also disclose her blood, And will no more cover her slain.

It’s No Day at the Beach – rain rain rain…. but my methodical reading continues, Isaiah 14 to 24 is a big chunk of God’s warnings and realness. Rain on their parade, Reign over them, Rein them in…Isaiah’s Warnings of God’s Wrath! Whew! God’s Word THUNDEROUSLY HEARD – these are ROUGH chapters for hearing of the destruction and the Ruling Power of God – YIKES! (but it gets better – trust God – see Isaiah 25 after all this destruction – but we have to get thru it – we have a Savior to help)…

Old Testament strongholds crumbled, oh so YES, we are both to fear the Lord’s power AND love the Lord’s Ultimate Almighty Authority to win, to rule, to make everything anew. We get to read backwards to read ahead, I’M SO GLAD JESUS CAME A CALLING, I’M GOING TO STICK WITH HIM!!!

Babylon down, Assyria destroyed, Philistia, Moab, Syria, Israel, Ethiopia, Egypt… SHAKEN, STIRRED, SERIOUSLY.  and the earth? wow – wow – wow…

In that day a man will look to his Maker, and his eyes will have respect for the Holy One of Israel. He will not look to the altars, The work of his hands; He will not respect what his fingers have made, Nor the wooden images nor the incense altars.

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Because you have forgotten the God of your salvation, And have not been mindful of the Rock of your stronghold, Therefore you will plant pleasant plants And set out foreign seedlings; In the day you will make your plant to grow, and in the morning you will make your seed to flourish; But the harvest will be a heap of ruins in the day of grief and desperate sorrow. Isaiah 17:7-8, 10-11

Ah, a God of SALVATION – ‘Wait for it’… We read the beginning, middle and end of this book of Isaiah, from destruction to deliverance – we see a glimpse of the Glory of God.   “and He will send them a Savior and a Mighty One, and He will deliver them.” Isaiah 19:20

AMEN

ISAIAH 24 – the whole earth will be laid waste – jump on the Jesus train before that, PLEASE! AMEN AMEN

The Lord’s Devastation of the Earth
See, the Lord is going to lay waste the earth and devastate it;
he will ruin its face and scatter its inhabitants—
it will be the same for priest as for people,
    for the master as for his servant,
    for the mistress as for her servant,
    for seller as for buyer,
    for borrower as for lender,
    for debtor as for creditor.
The earth will be completely laid waste
    and totally plundered.
The Lord has spoken this word.

The earth dries up and withers,
    the world languishes and withers,
    the heavens languish with the earth.
The earth is defiled by its people;
    they have disobeyed the laws,
violated the statutes
    and broken the everlasting covenant.
Therefore a curse consumes the earth;
    its people must bear their guilt.
Therefore earth’s inhabitants are burned up,
    and very few are left.
The new wine dries up and the vine withers;
    all the merrymakers groan.
The joyful timbrels are stilled,
    the noise of the revelers has stopped,
    the joyful harp is silent.
No longer do they drink wine with a song;
    the beer is bitter to its drinkers.
The ruined city lies desolate;
    the entrance to every house is barred.
In the streets they cry out for wine;
    all joy turns to gloom,
    all joyful sounds are banished from the earth.
The city is left in ruins,
    its gate is battered to pieces.
So will it be on the earth
    and among the nations,
as when an olive tree is beaten,
    or as when gleanings are left after the grape harvest.

They raise their voices, they shout for joy;
    from the west they acclaim the Lord’s majesty.
Therefore in the east give glory to the Lord;
    exalt the name of the Lord, the God of Israel,
    in the islands of the sea.
From the ends of the earth we hear singing:
    “Glory to the Righteous One.”

But I said, “I waste away, I waste away!
    Woe to me!
The treacherous betray!
    With treachery the treacherous betray!”
Terror and pit and snare await you,
    people of the earth.
Whoever flees at the sound of terror
    will fall into a pit;
whoever climbs out of the pit
    will be caught in a snare.

The floodgates of the heavens are opened,
    the foundations of the earth shake.
The earth is broken up,
    the earth is split asunder,
    the earth is violently shaken.
The earth reels like a drunkard,
    it sways like a hut in the wind;
so heavy upon it is the guilt of its rebellion
    that it falls—never to rise again.

In that day the Lord will punish
    the powers in the heavens above
    and the kings on the earth below.
They will be herded together
    like prisoners bound in a dungeon;
they will be shut up in prison
    and be punished after many days.
The moon will be dismayed,
    the sun ashamed;
for the Lord Almighty will reign
    on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem,
    and before its elders—with great glory.

I could write a book – my life experiences – my observations of people – my advice – my tips on navigating and not exploding in frustrations…

I have noticed in people – that ‘knowledge displayed’ but locked up is ONLY a book on a shelf – might look nice but not so useful – whereas ‘knowledge shared’ is being an open book – and ‘knowledge taught’ is really what expands and shares the knowledge base.

I am talking about people who might have learned things but don’t teach them, people who want to be honored (sticker decorations or new sleeve covers looking all shiny) and want to be seen but then keep their covers closed and never share the knowledge with the people who could benefit the most. They are stingy in page length too. Old and yellowing pages never to be shared. Not real anymore but eventually dated.

And now I will talk about the OPPOSITE – I will talk about JESUS – LIVING WORD – He is both the Book and the Knowledge – the Opening and the Teaching – the Pages and the Sharing – the Helper and the Holder of attention – the MESSAGE AND THE MESSIAH. He will tell you about being saved while He is saving you. You will learn after His save in addition to before it – He will come to you before you have a chance to come to Him. He will warn while He waits. Jesus saves because He knows the Ways the Whys and the Whats. Jesus knows us so we don’t have any excuse of why He wouldn’t want you – He wants you – He wants us. And He is able to do all things HIMSELF.

The more we learn about Jesus the more we learn how He wants us to be like Him. Do All Things Thru Him. Be a partaker in His kindness, openness, giftedness, pleasantries, reality, correctiveness, core-value stability and LOVE. Be both His student and the teacher to others – Lead but Be Led. Know Jesus and then Share Jesus in action – in values – in hope – in joy – in pain – in suffering – in LOVE. Be the book He is – but then open it – teach it – peruse it – pursue it – learn it – share it – be it – BE.

Be the Book that Jesus wants us to be – open – teaching – on display but readable – willing to give some page space to others – WILLING TO HAVE JESUS WRITE SOME FRESH PAGES IN OUR LIFE.

Be the Book that the Lord wants you to be – be not just a facsimile dialed in – don’t be a PDF of not being able to be edited – don’t be onion skin ready to fall apart – don’t be carbon paper never used black sticky and making marks without actually being used – and also don’t use up all the ink. Be more than just a reflection and copy but be a FRESH EXPRESSION – a fresh writing of old truths in action. Be the expression of LOVE leaping off the pages to be Jesus for others – to be you – to be us. Walk thru life as pages to be shared. Be real – Be the Book for REAL – Be the Amen to the Sentences too.

Don’t be Jesus ‘by the book’ but be the Jesus from the book and put the Live into the Living Word. Lessons Lived – Lessons Loved – Lessons Learned. 

AMEN

AMEN 

A poor family is rich

To never know what never could be had

To never lose what never wasn’t held

To never want what never wasn’t known

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A poor family is rich

To have place not just space

To have hope over living rote

To remember that what is forgotten

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A poor family is rich 

To have light and no where to harbor darkness 

To have earnings not burdens

To have wonder over knowledge

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A poor family is rich

They have life well before loss

…

I know a baby from a poor family 

Jesus is His Name 

He was born before His family knew His Loss was our Gain

Jesus traveled dirt poor 

Angels provided the lush more 

Birds were given as sacrifice 

God required only the lowest price 

Jesus born to ransom a defeat of life

Poor humans can always become rich in divine sacrifice 

Amen 

I am SO GLAD that I finished the binge feeling for watching ‘Hoarders’ on Netflix, whew, it sucked me in at night on the couch, but wow it inspired me to clean and discard things in the morning!!! (and what a good cleaning day it has been – damp and dreary outside but inside inspiring to clean out my non-‘treasures’ especially dust.)

I found a precious inspiration in one special pile: the scripture card to: ‘Cling to what is Good’ and the beautiful ‘Footprints in the Sand’ poem on a prayer bulletin from the funeral services of a friend’s dear husband, taken too soon.

I paused, I’ve just been to the beach, walking my own footprints into that sand for a temporary time… Footprints in the sand do make a mark, but they disappear with the tide like they should. In other words, even the treasures of Jesus carrying us are best treasured as memories and not memorabilia. Footprints disappear, Jesus’s human ones too, on earth, but Jesus feet stay in spirit to move us along. 

And do cling to what is good, all the while discarding non-treasures, oh that we would or should be willing to be less burdensome when carried by Jesus. That attachment to worldly stuff? Natural because we are human and natural because we are in this world. And that guilt of glut? Let that go too. Jesus doesn’t require you to clean up before He picks you up. He knows what to leave behind. 

I kept the card and the poem, the heart prints of my memories are of Jesus carrying me and my friends. The rest of the clutter found, like disintegrated 20yr old shoes stuffed in the back of the closet, I cleaned those things out – those old footprints of me should disappear with the tide of today’s new beginnings.

And what does keep us distracted in this world? The spiritual warfare of ‘you deserve this’, ‘you need your stuff’ over the more humble: ‘Isn’t it a blessing that God gave me trinkets and resources’ and ‘l can let go of these items for another to enjoy – or not get so much next time.’… Trust God to get clean and cleaning.

Yes, Isaiah 14 tells of one of the multiple times Satan has and will fall against the ultimate almighty God. God puts him down. We should remember that the whispers of selfish intent will fall just as the devil falls. Devil DOWN. Don’t ever say “the devil made me do it.” – instead Cling to what is Good – hop up into the Lord’s arms – leave only Jesus’s footprints in the sand… He came to carry us.

Amen

—

Isaiah 14:11-15 about the devil

All your pomp has been brought down to the grave, along with the noise of your harps; maggots are spread out beneath you and worms cover you. How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, “I will ascend to the heavens; Iwill raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly,  on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” But you are brought down to the realm of the dead, to the depths of the pit.

Romans 12:9-18

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.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 

Cockroach on wheels placed in my shoe… crazy grown up kids… I eventually displayed it on my yellow crocs… funny…

The cockroach on wheels was one of two specific items that remind me of friend L. H. – both crossed my eyes on the same day while cleaning my house. She gifted to me this cockroach on wheels into my shoe, during one woman’s retreat in our shared bathroom, now on my memorabilia windowsill and also the now framed beautiful cloth from Africa where she was a missionary. Back in the states, she continued with beautiful sharing at our women’s retreats and everywhere – I love her Spirit – gently and strong… She was a non-‘bible thumper’ in my concern of missionaries being that… she was gentle and she shared as much about her family as I did about mine – God does give us all perspective…  God gives us friends…

I thought I would share this memory… Yes, 8 plus years ago, I couldn’t wait to share my new awakening with her, but she threw her back out so we couldn’t meet for lunch – that was Jan 30th for Feb 1st lunch, my awakening day, so much God stuff happened that day…  and since she threw her back out, guess what? I had to write out that I accepted Jesus. God made me write all about my awakening to her. I subsequently put it in a blog – months after…

My writing is much more compact these days, this is from 2015, I just thank the Lord for making me write:

Please click on the link to understand how friendship allows the openness of sharing the Lord. I’m blessed to share.

The beauty of being in three or more scriptures all at the same time is that you can see how God can draw jumping lines between them all. 

The beauty of the beach includes the waves coming over and over again. Isaiah 12, sings of God’s triumph, I think that we are to sing this over and over, because God wins over and over. The sunshine and sand were beautiful and there was plenty of distance between me and the rough sea. God puts His Love between us and the roughness of day to day life – we have comfort as we are drawn closer to Him.

I was so happy to dig into my Beach book, ‘Name Above All Names’, alongside Isaiah 12, it’s a great reminder of life, ever since Genesis, God and evil spar, this is in so many biblical examples and still today. So most of these thoughts are not novel, not mine, but connections are fresh to me when God put them together. For I connected Genesus talk to a devotion about Jesus on the cross and at the wedding saying “Woman” and not ‘Mother’ or ‘Mom’ to Mary, I wondered Jesus’ tone of voice. I thought how interesting it was that Jesus could look at any situation and the whole world with Divine insight in human eyesight.  

What Mom is Mary? Not just an ordinary woman, and yet simply ordinary, just not raising an ordinary child. So what view does Jesus have of her? Both human view, as in love to Mom, and Divine view to fulfill prophecy in being the offspring of the woman giving seed into the world, the offspring of Israel’s tribe, from root of Jesse, and of Jesus being the ‘seed of the woman’ born to crush the snake of evil. Down with the devil. 

Jesus may see and say all things to both fulfill scripture and do all things to be scripture. Jesus says to the woman, His human mom at the wedding, ‘don’t anticipate miracles’, my time has not yet come – AND to the earthly woman in Divine lineage from Eve as her seed, ‘my time is yet to come’. Woman. If He was angry, it faded, Jesus brought the best wine. 

Jesus says to the woman at the cross, ‘behold your son’, meaning John will take care of her – AND ‘woman behold your son’ as the Divine collection of all of us to be held by the world until Jesus returns again. Jesus brings the best Time. He puts distance between us and our sins. He puts eternity into our hearts. 

Remember, the wine at the wedding was the finest, best for last. Jesus brings us Salvation, and Forever, best for last. As the mother of the Son is cared for, imagine all the children of all time, Jesus cares for us all. God may show anger, as He did with the Israelites, but remember Salvation by Jesus is the comfort for our forevers… 

Let us sing over and over to help others know our song is for the Son and for His Salvation.

Amen 

—

Isaiah 12

In that day you will say: “I will praise you, Lord. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me.

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.” With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.

In that day you will say: “Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted.

Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world.

Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.”

It’s taken me like an hour, digging and digging. Digging in joy, peace, tastiness and with LOTS of shell cracking. No, I’m not just talking about reading Old Isaiah at the beach, I’m talking about delicious crabs, seasoned with Old Bay, and garlic. An hour at least of nook and crannies to explore in just a couple crabs. Well worth it. I’m also talking about having the time for digging deeper into the Word, the Knowledge plus the Understanding  of the Lord, AND digging to harvest meat, pure white delicious meat, crab and otherwise. Well worth it!

Digging never felt or tasted so good.

The Knowledge of the Lord is found in His Word and in our hearts. Knowledge that He has a purpose and plan. And who can stand against His Plan? Who can stand against God? No one. 

The Understanding of the Lord is found in His Word and in our souls.  Understanding that He is Love and He Loves. Who can negate His Love? Who can negate God? No one.

Isaiah spoke and wrote about Israel being brought out of exile even if they still were not always doing what God wanted.  Isaiah said: For the Lord Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back? 

No one.

Digging into God’s LOVE gives knowledge and understanding. The illumination opens eyes and hearts. The warmth like the sunshine bringing new life into old tomes, life into old bones. I’m loving this book of Isaiah. 

Digging into the crabs? Where did I get them? Not here at the beach, haha. It IS my favorite new day trip beach, only 1hr 10 minute drive. But no crabs nor boardwalk here! Just beach. So instead of PBJ I brought these goodies from home, a deliciously short drive down to the crab company. Already seasoned already cooked – just $4.50 each – I already had the knowledge and understanding because I had the previous experience (delicious experience) of them. I knew where to look.

Digging into God’s Word? I knew where to look. Digging the Word finds it a home in our hearts, comforting and protective, inspiring and corrective.  We already have the knowledge and understanding because we have the previous experience (Blessed experience) of Him. Now we are digging to find comfort and protection. Now we are experiencing what God wants – us looking for Him.

Keep digging my friends…

Amen 

His yoke will be taken from my people, and his burden removed from their shoulders. This is the plan [purpose] determined for the whole world; this is the hand stretched out over all nations. For the Lord Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back? Isaiah 14:25-27

It only took a couple episodes of “Hoarders” on TV to make me start cleaning and then pitching things I don’t need – increasing donations of good things I don’t need. I didn’t mean to get sucked into the stories, I finished the netflix series I was watching and they do that “suggested for you” autoplay thing. I mean if I was watching the bakeoff show I started craving sweets – and they show a hoarders show and I start going ‘ut oh”, the opposite. Wow, how to both learn from these folks and their sad mental illness (these are extreme extreme folks being shown, most of us are OK) and how to study what went wrong. They say 90% of hoarders continue in their hoarding even after getting help.

In the episodes so far, as I try NOT to watch any more, they have much grief and strife that is unresolved. Yes there is TV drama editing, but the show does also show a progress of each person agreeing to get rid of more and more – especially since these cases show LOTS of family support and usually a government order to fix up their house or get their land taken away – racking up fees every day… It surprises me that the people are not moved out by their family but like all of us, we simply live day to day with our circumstances, no fairy Godmothers exist – not even on TV. This show seems opposite of ‘Extreme Homemakeover’ where those folks could never afford the new increased taxes or upkeep on their new mansions – that was a hit and run of fortune but way too much…  ANYWAY… Why doesn’t anyone have a “downsizing’ show… They need a “peace-giving show” – not necessarily a “see others are doing it so I am OK show.”

Like I said these hoarder folks are extreme and we are told that they are funded with aftercare counseling and continued organizational services – they mostly (in the half-dozen episodes I watched) suffered from not letting go of the grief of a loved one and the items they said they couldn’t get rid of because it meant losing that person too. One episode the person shopped and shopped and the excess got moldy and not useful anyway. One woman thought “someone could use that’ but then her closet had hidden mouse droppings that freaked her out…  In other words – you can’t take it with you AND the people here on earth shouldn’t try to save it either.

I have a decently big enough house for me and 2 kids – and that cat who knows every square inch and still wants to go outside – me too, I want to go outside and have the house as a place to come home to. Yes there are creature comforts and spaces, decorations and memories, safety and stability – those are all GOOD THINGS – but after watching the show I was reminded to just clean a little bit more so that I can enjoy even more by less “distractions” of “I need this”. GIve away those “I want to give this to X, Y, Z”. I cleaned out some trash, pared down my rag pile by using and tossing them, tossed 3 extra soap pumps for my shampoos (just in case the current one broke which it never has), and always try to do the sugar dump at work – giving them the half eaten bags of crap that I don’t need – especially from that overflow that came back after college semesters. SHED SHED SHED.  I pulled together the overflowing paperwork into bags that will be going to be shred – I missed all the spring shred ones and maybe now it is time to purchase the home shredder – but these free services twice a year are so convenient. SHRED SHRED SHRED.

OH – came to my side dresser and that pile of “I will do it later” – OH – Jesus, my Jesus doll, was buried up to His Head. (It is a short doll, don’t worry – easy to clean). Jesus is the One who says “do it now” – “don’t worry about later” – “don’t store up your treasures on earth” – “God’s got this”…   OK Jesus – I can unbury you by unburying myself in what I can get rid of – YES – I can unburden myself too –  I can get rid of lots of worry, grief, false hopes, and simple stuff too. Yes, Jesus, You can help me clean and come clean. You can ALSO make me praise that I do have stuff to share and then just share it and don’t look back – let it go – go to You and go to others. GIve back by giving up the praise to give away…  Pare down by pruning down…  Start in one corner of my life and keep going.

It is wisdom that we live by – wisdom to let things go and wisdom to be resourceful…  As for me today? I only watch TV at night just half an hour, and I did my cleaning and so now I am going to get myself to the BEACH for more bible reading and peace… That is wisdom of giving myself some place to sit in peace…

Ah that is what Jesus wants to give us EVERYDAY!

Amen

—–

Two Kinds of Wisdom – James 3:13-18

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.  Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

…for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea… the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people…

It’s going to be interesting, End Times, it’s going to be REALLY REAL. And it WILL get worse before it gets better. I wouldn’t want to miss it for the world – but none of us will miss it – the one thing certain about the future is that it is coming. 

The future. No, I’m NOT packing a travel bag now, but we should be unpacking our burdens and handing them over to Jesus. There is a higher Way outta here, and Jesus already did all the legwork. 

But first, the time will come (soon many do say), when God brings a moment when the animals that normally spar with each other now will be at peace. Isaiah speaks of this time in order to give hope, comfort that this will be a time for the remnants of Israel and the Gentiles to be saved up, as followers of a rod stemming from the house of Jesse [that’s Jesus]. This time Isaiah is describing, scholars say, is the millennium also described in the book of Revelation. 1000 years of peace as satan, snake, asp, venomous dragon of a devil, is locked up before being completely defeated. Yes, there’s many special times in our future. It’s going to be more real than real.

The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice [venomous snake’s] den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.

And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign [banner to rally around] of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious. Isaiah 11:6-10

Ah……. The devil gets his due. Jesus strikes down and put His Hand over the snake’s ability to interfere. And as Genesis states, then Revelation states, Jesus IS the ALPHA and Omega, beginning and end, and really does crush the snake at the end as was told at the beginning. God told Adam and Eve (and that snake) of the consequences, but also of the Way. God recovers what was lost, His people to Him. The full knowledge of His presence will come again. 

Isaiah first tells the people of the time, plus us, that God’s going to have His justice on the lost, and His mercy on the found. In the time of recovery, His people will have full knowledge of Him.

Know that the knowledge of the Lord brings us the Road map of the Way. Jesus WILL save our day.

Amen 

And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.

The envy also of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off: Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim. But they shall fly upon the shoulders of the Philistines toward the west; they shall spoil them of the east together: they shall lay their hand upon Edom and Moab; and the children of Ammon shall obey them. And the Lord shall utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea; and with his mighty wind shall he shake his hand over the river, and shall smite it in the seven streams, and make men go over dryshod.

And there shall be an highway for the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria; like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt. Isaiah 11:11-16

Oh… it’s better than Back to the Future or Fantasy Island, the Prophet Isaiah speaks of Jesus 2nd return and Gathering His Flock from all the corners of the world.  Isaiah spoke before Jesus had been born on Earth and yet God told of the completeness of that portion of His Coming by His Second Coming. 

PART 1 – HE CAME – PART 2 – HE COMES AGAIN – WE ARE NOT IN “INTERMISSION” – BUT IN “INTERCESSION” BY HIS SPIRIT.  He will come again. He is also here now by His Spirit in us.

INTERCESSION !!!

Isaiah 11 gives us hope, as Jesus won’t have judgment on us by His eyes or ears but by His Spirit which will judge us by His Righteousness. I always think of Jesus ‘righting us’ – standing us upright and then demonstrating our holiness by His covering over us. Not sweeping our sins under a rug, but banishing the sight of them. All to see is HIM.

We have the greatest news in Him because He came the first time and finished the prophecy of His sacrifice. Here on out it’s all about His recovery of each of us, now, while on earth, and then collection forever as His Own. 

There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots. The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. Isaiah 11:1-2

Jesus as that rod from the stem of Jesse, and Jesus as the Vine in our branch, then I know He will reach me, reach us, way out there, and pull us close. 

His delight is in the fear of the Lord, And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, Nor decide by the hearing of His ears; But with righteousness He shall judge the poor, And decide with equity for the meek of the earth; He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath ofHis lips He shall slay the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt of His loins, And faithfulness the belt of His waist. Isaiah:3-5

Amen !!!

(Continuing writings from my beach day reading notes)

Woohoo!!!! Made it to a Christmas Miracle in a small package pre-delivered. I don’t mean wrapped gifts but unwrapped prophecy, Isaiah 7 8 9 !!!  Isaiah told the nations of his time and tells us now what we should now know: Jesus is going to be born to save us, a King for judgement and peace. A Savior born savoring butter and honey, a BABY OH BABY, Jesus is a coming!!!

Wonderful Counselor – Mighty God -Prince of Peace – Immanuel – God WITH us !!!

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good. Isaiah 7:14-15

Ah, BUTTER and HONEY !?! I never read that part until I actually got here, what joy in reading the whole Bible, savoring the study. What amazing TRUST that  Jesus, Son, there from the beginning as the Word, the Light made flesh, must have held in Father God and all the Heavens to protect Him, being born helpless as a baby into a poor family but deep in spirit and estra taught by angel guidance. Butter and Honey – nourishing Him to know good joy. Yes, if Jesus could give up all He did to serve us all, then surely we could give up some things (including our fear and pride) to serve a few and many. And we CAN give up to the Lord our worries and our fear. And we can give over to the Lord our trust. Because if Jesus could, so can we. That’s a gift, Christmas-time and forever – strength to live like Jesus. 

Ah, Isaiah as a prophet had God’s STRONG WARNING to the people in the current divided kingdom of Judah-Jerusalem-Just Anywhere Israel Was Going Wrong. He told them they best fear the Lord and NOT listen to faking spiritualists or mediums. Isaiah as a prophet had God’s Word to announce where their hope was going to come from, a Savior born earthly onto King David’s throne as prophesied to David himself.

“do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it. The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy...”

God through Isaiah warned against those coming who didn’t speak from the Word, and surely Jesus spoke SO MUCH from the scriptures to clearly visibly be Messiah, yet many then failed to see because they remained in darkness. Many now continue in darkness, illuminated and blinded by fake artificial distracting blitzes of worldly bling. WE NEED TO Consult God’s instruction and the testimony of warning. If anyone does not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn. WE ARE TO SHED LIGHT ON THE WORD AND ON JESUS AS SAVIOR.

If God told Isaiah to tell us, and Jesus told us to tell others, then let’s bring out the baby Jesus, Baby Oh Baby, and celebrate HIS WAY.

Amen and please read the passages:

Isaiah 8:11-15, 19-22

This is what the Lord says to me with his strong hand upon me, warning me not to follow the way of this people:  “Do not call conspiracy everything this people calls a conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it. The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread. He will be a holy place; for both Israel and Judah he will be a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall. And for the people of Jerusalem he will be a trap and a snare. Many of them will stumble; they will fall and be broken, they will be snared and captured.” Bind up this testimony of warning and seal up God’s instruction among my disciples. I will wait for the Lord, who is hiding his face from the descendants of Jacob. I will put my trust in him. Here am I, and the children the Lord has given me. We are signs and symbols in Israel from the Lord Almighty, who dwells on Mount Zion.

The Darkness Turns to Light

When someone tells you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?  Consult God’s instruction and the testimony of warning. If anyone does not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn. Distressed and hungry, they will roam through the land; when they are famished, they will become enraged and, looking upward, will curse their king and their God. Then they will look toward the earth and see only distress and darkness and fearful gloom, and they will be thrust into utter darkness.

Isaiah 9:1-2, 6-8

Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan – 

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.

…

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.

He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.

I fall asleep early, then I am appreciative to wake up early for God and me to have this quiet time together. EARLY.  Maybe I am not quiet enough, ever, He is still working on me being still. It’s like God is doing a diagnostic test of my system each morning after resetting me with repairative sleep. I wouldn’t trade these cool dark mornings with God for anything. That Light is already here in my heart to focus on, morning Light comes later.  The window is open, has been all late summer, I love these summer bugs being free to make the loudest natural noises, and traffic is not yet buzzing its unnatural noise. The birds too start chirping, sometimes you get a early primordial screech of a fox or a cat. You can also hear your own brain too loud. Trivial stuff or serious stuff, God says ‘Shhhh… Listen to Me’. 

Diagnostic tests and teachings, we are His children. He is ready to CHECK OUR ENGINE LIGHTS FOR PRAISE! 

Yes, so many moments we are reminded to praise over pout. His Light installed and Illuminated in each of us, He wants us to Shine through to others. To say how can I complain when God is in control. To settle and strip the crud of humanness and earthly darkness away and get down to our core to FIND the LIGHT was always there, then polish what’s blocking His Spirit bulb, declutter our brains. God has woken us for another day of His Shining Purposes. 

I have MUCH to be thankful for. I was sitting yesterday with my red car (for my son to drive, not my newer blue one) in the shop getting an inspection done. Had my laptop, worked on work. Had my ear buds in to drown out the dreary TV drama. I did put on music earbuds for focus on work, but then I also remembered that there were live feeds of the 9-11 coverage for the family members were reading the names of the lost at the waterfalls memorials at Ground Zero, NYC. This prime memory of 9-11 makes me count my own blessings – I checked my anger, sorrow, distractions and instead counted my own blessings of my loved ones alive or having had a natural death. I stopped and checked that my engine of PRAISE was still running.

My praise should always be: ‘Yes, Lord, I have this problem but You gave me an opportunity to depend upon You!”

(Kids, Life, Work, Health, you can insert any issue where we get an opportunity to lean on God for guidance)

That many months check engine light on the red Subaru, oh yeah… this 181,200 mile car is NOT vintage as a 2014, still in prime Subaru time, it HAS been a great car, my third Forester. It’s still not paid off, almost, 2 more months. I consider it a good investment into my son’s education now, I’ve invested 19 years into him, keep investing as the return on your investment is still worth it. God has invested all of eternity into each of us, His children, right? Do you throw anything away if it’s just starting to give you trouble? Nope. Do you do cost benefits analysis of money and repairs? Of course. Did God do that with us? You bet but He decided FIRST that we were worth it! To repair our original sin from a fall into darkness and recover us back to Himself to His Eternal Life, God our Father gave it His All, our All in All, in Jesus’s sacrifice. Now let’s check our LIGHT of PRAISE now! He did that for us before we were even born. He planned to rescue us before the earth was formed. 

Yeah…

OK, back to the red car, the teaching tool of an under the hood problem to have, I mean a good problem to have, right? Haha. We DO have the time for discussion (inspection due in 3 months). We DO have potential resources including loans for other cars. And we DO have a repairable decent car, yes an 80,000 mile replacement engine in the 181,000 red car makes it half new in my book. The code is catalytic converter, 0420, I read it and clear it myself, nice little box tool, 35 dollars for clearing after checking. I know that catalytic converter probably damaged from misfires in the old engine, as my trusted engine replacement specialist states. A regular issue, expensive fix of precious metals in the unit to recapture gas fumes. Otherwise a decently good car, really good in my opinion, drives GREAT, and good enough to drive as a 50+ yr old let alone an 18+ yr old’s first car… I reset the light myself a few times and took the car for my highway trip to ‘run it through the paces’ with using those additive cleaners.  Hmmmm, light stayed off commonly miles – but this time now 30, then 40, 50, ah 80, ah 100 miles!!!! Click click click made that appointment for inspection, give it a go 2 months early. So worth the gamble, well not a gamble if the Lord is casting lots on what you’ve put all your prep already into. (Remember these are just earthly tools and God’s reminding us to not be so attached to them. Still, would be nice, Lord, to keep this car a bit more!)

Teaching me to be patient, God had always forced set aside some time to make me think, time this particular day as well for it being 9-11, a reminder that the world is so imperfect. I found this day was a good time to drown out my whining of my little problems compared to these 9-11 peoples BIG problems. It was 2 hours I waited at the car dealer, plenty of time we make God wait trying to block out worldly noises with just earbuds, when we should just listen to Him, Lord God, and sing His Praises over our worries.

Maybe that’s why God invented summer bugs, to block out other noises and remind us it’s still summer. Maybe that’s why God instilled eternity into our hearts, so we would ponder BIGGER things forever. Maybe that’s why thorns in the side remind us: HIS GRACE is SUFFICIENT. 

The car? PASSED INSPECTION!!!!!!!! No problem but one blown bulb, one, $20 not $2000 fix, whew, that check engine light not on, Thank God, and a window of opportunity to praise. That check engine light? CAME RIGHT BACK ON, HAHA, less than 5 miles later, YEAH! 120 miles off, inspection passed, 5 miles more, ding ding ding, God’s sense of humor. No, God is NO magician for fun, God wants our praise either way. This IS an earthly good problem to have. It could have gone either way but I should ONLY be in PRAISE. 

But such funny timing huh? Good story I thought as I was admiring the 2024 stickers for 14 future months of not necessarily smooth sailing but at least passing inspection legally! I laughed in PRAISE, stopped for the photo. You did that Lord, yet another jam you got me out of, You gave me back what I WAS praying for: less debt, delayed car decisions, all while giving me teachable moment for my sin of impatience until I praised You first. A teaching tool of not throwing in the towel on a good car, nor good money over bad (not yet) into repair, a sturdy car still sturdy for my precious child over sporty silliness for anyone. (Yes, time for tires and new brakes, but oh yeah my son is worth that). A blessed thorny teaching tool of money talk, savings that may be earned towards a newer car a year from now. You could dlsay it’s just a car, but a second Subaru leash on life I will take for today. Just DRIVE, and let God LIGHT His engine of PRAISE in you.

May we all keep PASSING HIS Diagnostic TESTS, singing His PRAISE each morning. May we appreciate mercy each day, shining His Light in this darkness, be known by our thankfulness in good times and bad. 

May Your Light Shine in Our Darkness, Lord.

Amen

David singing Psalm 30

I will extol thee, O Lord; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me.

O Lord my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me. O Lord, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.

Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved. Lord, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled.

I cried to thee, O Lord; and unto the Lord I made supplication. What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth?

Hear, O Lord, and have mercy upon me: Lord, be thou my helper. Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;

To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.

Ah, today is a day we remember.  Anyone 22yrs and older, we were alive then. Anyone who has survived they remember. Those who did not survive, we remember. It’s 9-11, God Bless those souls. 9-11-2001 NY, PA, DC.

A 60 minutes special on TV last night freshly made tears and prayers for me, I highly recommend watching it (online at the link below).  The story of the Fire Department of NY and 9-11 and how they are rebuilding, especially speaking with the children of those who perished, who are now part of the FDNY. They talked to one captain survivor asking: “do you question ‘why did I survive’ and not the others who were side by side with each other? The captain said he did, turned to his wife early on to ask, and she said: “It’s because you still have a job to do.”… Yes, they have been rebuilding the FDNY as a necessity and as a tribute and as therapy too. What do you do after 9-11? Remember by working for the recovery. And as a firefighter, love your job.

9-11 is forever in my memory. The recovery and rebuilding is remarkable in that city locale, it’s beautiful there. How also do we rebuild our hope, joy, and be a living example of God’s Love and sacrifice? Remember. 

Remember why you were put on this earth in the first place, like those firefighters who sacrifice(d) so much. Remembering is something we should do. Remember and asking: Why am I here? Appreciating we ARE here. Here For LOVE, to be loved by God, to love God, to love each other. That’s big picture. LOVE.  Then what’s today’s job? Remember. Remember then share love in hope, forgiveness, solemn tribute, sorrow, always understanding, then also share joy. Share joy because God’s forever goodness as well as justice is never negated by worldly wars, worry, and worst circumstances. Light overcomes the darkness.  Be the Light today. Put the worries of today in His Hands. Put the work of today in His hands too. Our lives are short – but we can make the best of them. we can.

Remember: There’s still work to be done.

Amen 

Amen and God Bless those firefighters and first responders and everyone who remembers.

Amen and here is the 60 minutes link:

https://www.cbs.com/shows/video/oJO38Ah9gYjX6txqbtA4v72WQ3wQPrNh/

——

Ecclesiastes 9 KJV:1, 10-13 then 7-9 by Solomon, wisdom after a long life of ups and downs, observing life and trying to focus on hope: We are to live joyfully and share hope.

For all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God: no man knoweth either love or hatred by all that is before them.

…

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

…

I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.

For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.

Verses 7-9 NKJV

Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart; For God has already accepted your works. Let your garments always be white, And let your head lack no oil.

Live joyfully with whom you love all the days of your vain life which He has given you under the sun, all your days of vanity; for that is your portion in life, and in the labor which you perform under the sun.

—–

David wrote, Psalm 102:

A prayer of an afflicted person who has grown weak and pours out a lament before the Lord.
Hear my prayer, Lord;
    let my cry for help come to you.
Do not hide your face from me
    when I am in distress.
Turn your ear to me;
    when I call, answer me quickly.

For my days vanish like smoke;
    my bones burn like glowing embers.
My heart is blighted and withered like grass;
    I forget to eat my food.
In my distress I groan aloud
    and am reduced to skin and bones.
I am like a desert owl,
    like an owl among the ruins.
I lie awake; I have become
    like a bird alone on a roof.
All day long my enemies taunt me;
    those who rail against me use my name as a curse.
For I eat ashes as my food
    and mingle my drink with tears
because of your great wrath,
    for you have taken me up and thrown me aside.
My days are like the evening shadow;
    I wither away like grass.

But you, Lord, sit enthroned forever;
    your renown endures through all generations.
You will arise and have compassion on Zion,
    for it is time to show favor to her;
    the appointed time has come.
For her stones are dear to your servants;
    her very dust moves them to pity.
The nations will fear the name of the Lord,
    all the kings of the earth will revere your glory.
For the Lord will rebuild Zion
    and appear in his glory.
He will respond to the prayer of the destitute;
    he will not despise their plea.
Let this be written for a future generation,
    that a people not yet created may praise the Lord:
“The Lord looked down from his sanctuary on high,
    from heaven he viewed the earth,
to hear the groans of the prisoners
    and release those condemned to death.”
So the name of the Lord will be declared in Zion
    and his praise in Jerusalem
when the peoples and the kingdoms
    assemble to worship the Lord.
In the course of my life he broke my strength;
    he cut short my days.
 So I said: “Do not take me away, my God, in the midst of my days;
    your years go on through all generations.
In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth,
    and the heavens are the work of your hands.
They will perish, but you remain;
    they will all wear out like a garment.
Like clothing you will change them
    and they will be discarded.
But you remain the same,
    and your years will never end.
The children of your servants will live in your presence;
    their descendants will be established before you.”

I was blessed to share a sermon today about Solomon’s Wisdom – and Jesus’s Light. [I was dressed as the Queen of Sheba – fancy dress, cape, and crown – and spoke as if being Queen of Sheba]

Theme: Wisdom to Spare and Share: Wisdom over Riches, but Solomon got both. The Queen of Sheba also left with more than she came with (including wisdom and now faith). We also are receiving more than we ask, receiving all eternity into our hearts because of Jesus.

Scripture reading: The Queen of Sheba Visits Solomon, 2nd Chronicles 9:1-9, 12

When the queen of Sheba heard of Solomon’s fame, she came to Jerusalem to test him with hard questions. Arriving with a very great caravan—with camels carrying spices, large quantities of gold, and precious stones—she came to Solomon and talked with him about all she had on her mind. Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too hard for him to explain to her. When the queen of Sheba saw the wisdom of Solomon, as well as the palace he had built, the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, the cupbearers in their robes and the burnt offerings he made at[a] the temple of the Lord, she was overwhelmed. She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. But I did not believe what they said until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half the greatness of your wisdom was told me; you have far exceeded the report I heard. How happy your people must be! How happy your officials, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! Praise be to the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on his throne as king to rule for the Lord your God. Because of the love of your God for Israel and his desire to uphold them forever, he has made you king over them, to maintain justice and righteousness.”

Then she gave the king 120 talents of gold, large quantities of spices, and precious stones. There had never been such spices as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.

King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba all she desired and asked for; he gave her more than she had brought to him. Then she left and returned with her retinue to her own country.

Oh – Fancy meeting all of you here at Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem!  Isn’t it fun to travel????

YES, I have travelled a LONG way – WOW – oh it was so very long – Do you know how HARD it is to have people carry you all the way from Africa ??   WHEW, but I’m an easy traveler especially because there are plenty of my lovely people to come with me – yes yes – but it wasn’t always easy – some of our camels “check engine lights” came on along the way – whew – but now that I am here I can see it was SO very worth it to come.

I have brought you all these gifts of spices! I am SO happy to share – I really brought them to my now friend, your great King Solomon!!  Oh you Israelites are SO fortunate to have him as your King – I had to come see for myself what the whole buzz was about…

YES – I am the Queen of Sheba – I have a vast kingdom myself which you may be more familiar with by the newer names of Yemen and Ethiopia in the North part of Africa – yes I travelled so long – some say it was 3 years maybe 7 years for me to arrive to see Solomon – but all I know is that it was SO WORTH IT – to come learn and see for myself all about your Solomon – wow – I brought him 120 Talents of God – say you young man – you are about 75lbs right? Yes a talent of gold is about 75lbs – and I brought King Solomon 120 of them – yes brought 120 of you!!!  AND we also brought the finest spices and precious stones too.

Ah – why did I come? What’s all the buzz? Let me tell you all about the great WISDOM I heard with my own ears –  oh yes I had LOTS AND LOTS OF QUESTIONS – HARD QUESTIONS – and he answered them all with ease from gaining this wisdom. And what wealth I saw in his house and in the temple for God – and the great treatment of the people – by your King Solomon – yes that I saw with my own eyes – such majestic kingly power and firm control by your King Solomon here!!! You folks must really love your God of you Israelites – and He must REALLY LOVE YOU!!! An ark too? You are saying that your ancestors carried a whole box of material that Your God said to keep to remember what He provided since Moses’s time – wow – but now you have this magnificent temple to store it in – awesome. Hope that ark doesn’t get lost – I imagine that Raiders would like to steal an Ark like that… KEEP THAT LID CLOSED!

And oh my, I heard that Solomon’s dad, King David, collected all the supplies ahead of time to build this awe-inspiring temple – Now isn’t that a story in in itself of David killing Goliath – being just a shepherd boy picked to be King – and sure we heard all the gossip of the crazy ways of David – and yet he always turned back to God – he was a man after God’s heart – and WOW – I heard that eventually someone from the House of David is going to bear you a Savior – an even greater king – a Light in the Darkness – but wow – how can you exceed a man like King Solomon – must have to be a Lord Almighty Who will be coming – and  Oh what wonderful music you folks have been singing from these Psalms of David – keep on singing them – it gives people hope!

So this is what I heard about your Solomon – that he didn’t even ask for any of these amazing gold finds and these riches – NO – that he asked your God – the God of the Israelites for WISDOM and Discernment when he was very young – just a boy king – not for riches but wisdom in order to lead you as his people – oh yes, he said to God:

“You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day.   Now, Lord my God, you have made me, your servant, a king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number.So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

Oh yes – the Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this wisdom over riches. So God said to him in a dream: “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.  Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.”  

———–

WOW!  I love his poems and sayings about wisdom:  -The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.

–Does not wisdom call out?  Does not understanding raise her voice?

–The Lord brought me [wisdom] forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old;

–I was formed long ages ago, at the very beginning, when the world came to be.

-Blessed are those who keep my ways…  For those who find me find life…

Yes, I also heard this amazing story about Solomon’s Wisdom in action – it was showed how the people needed Solomon and God’s wisdom – they sought it out –

*** Here is the story:  Now two women came to King Solomon and stood before him. One of them said, “Pardon me, my lord. This woman and I live in the same house, and I had a baby while she was there with me.  The third day after my child was born, this woman also had a baby. We were alone; there was no one in the house but the two of us.

“During the night this woman’s son died. So she got up in the middle of the night and took my son from my side while I was asleep. She put him by her breast and put her dead son by my breast. The next morning, I got up to nurse my son—and he was dead! But when I looked at him closely in the morning light, I saw that it wasn’t the son I had borne.”   The other woman said, “No! The living one is my son; the dead one is yours.” But the first one insisted, “No! The dead one is yours; the living one is mine.” And so they argued before the king… The king said, “Bring me a sword.” So they brought a sword for the king. He then gave an order: “Cut the living child in two and give half to one and half to the other.”

The woman whose son was alive (the real mother) was deeply moved out of love for her son and said to the king, “Please, my lord, give the living baby to her! Don’t kill him!” But the other said, “Neither I nor you shall have him. Cut him in two!”

Then the king gave his ruling: “Give the living baby to the first woman. Do not kill him; she is his mother.”  When all Israel heard the verdict the king had given, they held the king in awe, because they saw that he had wisdom from God to administer justice.

Oh how amazing – once I heard this story, I certainly told Solomon that I respected what this God of his did for him – and I am also amazed in this God – He is truly a God of mercy and power to instill such wisdom into this king and help all these people – I hope they keep listening – you know how kingdoms fall apart so easily these days!!!

I said to the king, “Praise be to the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on his throne as king to rule for the Lord your God. Because of the love of your God for Israel and his desire to uphold them forever, he has made you king over them, to maintain justice and righteousness.”

Then I gave to the King: the gold the spices the gemstones… Your King Solomon gave to me, the Queen of Sheba, all that I desired and asked for, and then some…; he gave me more than I had brought to him as I left and returned to my own country.
——

[now speaking as Debbie, not the Queen] Let me take my crown off now and remember how blessed we ALL are when we ALSO take advantage of seeking out and listening to God’s Wisdom – even if we can’t imagine or understand it all…  I have a wonderful conversation this week about how FINITE we are and how INFINITE God is – and yet how much He loves us to complete us – we will be in AWE of Him.

Wisdom and Discernment, knowledge and decisions, there is no greater prayer that I could have about myself and life then to ask the Lord to help me with discernment. We have many choices, we need His help and Direction. We have the ability to tap into His Wisdom. 

Wisdom was given to Solomon to Spare and to Share – unfortunately Solomon did not always honor or reach back to God to stay close – but he was known for his wisdom and that temple.  Sadly the Kingdom itself was split into two after Solomons time and the Israelites were exiled again – temple plundered – carried off to Babylon – after that time, the people always looked again for an earthly King – but one did not arrive – there was, however, a HEAVENLY KING, who was to rise from that  “remnant of the House of David” – to be the LIGHT – to come out of Judah of all places – a king born in Bethlehem.

This was, and is, Jesus and He Himself is our amazing teacher and the reacher to us – Our Light –  I was reminded in the story of the 2 mothers that one carried the Light even in her sacrifice of saying she would rather give up the child than see him killed – this same mother was the one who reached for wisdom and the other one was in darkness – how sad that she remained in darkness as she even said that neither of them should have the child…  This is a sad and we should not judge the pain she was in – but acknowledge that darkness can cloud our own thinking.  We need the Light always – in good times and in bad – we need Jesus both for forgiveness and for the understanding that following Him is best – SHINE HIS LIGHT. 

The Queen of Sheba had all material things but what is that she went to find? The Wisdom – the Light – the amazement of God. Remember the Queen of Sheba gained more than she came with – this is us too – listen to Jesus and we gain ALL of eternity in our hearts…

Jesus taught us (Luke 12:25-31): Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you…

Let us Pray: Certainly, we are BLESSED, we LIKE the QUEEN OF SHEBA, gain much more from God than we brought to this earth – we started as dust and You Lord added Your Living Water to help our dust be re-born – how exciting that we will be worship YOU LORD – the Real Temple –  in Heaven forever.

AMEN

In the Children’s Message, I shared about the Queen of Sheba having so much but wanting to come hear about the amazing wisdom that Solomon had – also in the children’s message I mentioned that Solomon was young and he had to be a ruler – a king – so he called on God to help and God will ALWAYS help us.

I told the children about Wisdom – a big word Discernment – and that we pray and we ask God to help us decide on things – we ask for his help. We talk to God and listen.

[We also smelled some of the spices she may have brought – and I gave out a gold crown to each child.]

I read part of one of Solomon’s poems: Proverbs 3 13-17

Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding,
for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.
She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.
Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace.

.

I love that I can reread these marked up lines in my physical Bible (see photo taken at the beach last week). I need to learn the Word to be accurate in it but also understand how what when and why Jesus came. Inspired from Isaiah verse 6, I marked it up – especially cool to hear about God calling Isaiah, I said ‘come back to write about’ this. Your iniquity is taken away, And your sin purged.”

At a work training lately we have been remembering that the ‘Eisenhower Matrix’ helps us schedule tasks, Do Delegate Decide Delete, based on important or not, urgent or not. I appreciate this reminder to not spin my wheels, not multitask myself into getting practically nothing done, and ‘share the wealth of work’. I need to use it more, we all waste time not doing the things we should be doing. We have so many jobs so various and yet up to us, often, for how to get it done. Honestly I rely on the Lord not enough, it is SO important for someone in my position to literally come in and see where the Lord needs me to use my energies, what to do that day, it changes. There is much to do, but let us let the Lord shine the Light on the day.

Our callings and also simple rest will change in different days. Wherever we are in our faith, we have a calling to LISTEN, to sometimes or often act, to sometimes wait, to sometimes walk away. I’m always intrigued when God says DON’T do something. Worthy to work, yes. OK to sit, yes. Never wanting us to worry. ALWAYS willed to Worship, ALWAYS. 

“HERE I AM LORD, SEND ME.” Is what Isaiah said, for he became a prophet for helping God motivate people into correction and HOPE. He had to warn them but mention the blessed hope of Jesus Savior coming. 

Isaiah was amazed that God was picking him let alone speaking to him, essentially Isaiah said back to God: ‘I can’t do that! I’m not clean!’ But God showed him that He wanted him to help anyway, and found a way, and gave him a cleansing (us too). For Isaiah, amazingly, an angel cleaned up what was standing in his way by touching his lips with a coal from the Lord’s altar. The most important role now was speaking for God.

We should be so willing to ask the Lord to clean up our words – clean up our thoughts – clean up our act yes but our message for sure… Wherever we go, we can take the Lord with us, absorb His message from the Bible, see His hope in us, cultivate our listening, hear Him speaking to us from the Word, the moving Lines of His Face becoming the Lines of our Faith, embedded in our brains and ready for teaching and especially living. Each day is a new day. What tasks can we consider most urgent and important? Ask God. What do we leave behind? Ask God to help you prioritize, purge, pursue, pray on. Not everyone (very few) are called to prophesy – so ask God if that is you or not – may totally not be! God has many many gifts for us to share – encouragement is mine – so to be accurate in my encouragement I have to LEARN HIM MORE – learn His Ways (always above ours) – and Learn to listen to HIS HEART over my head. Then say: Lord, send me. I bet like for Isaiah, the message and the material will be set differently for each situation – we do need to be ready and then rely on God.

I’ve attached photos of my bibles of the moment. This new to me version is a King James Version and I like that as ‘classic’, the print is easy read – a physical tool that I thought could help me, so I don’t feel guilty marking it up with a pen, especially since I got it on sale, this can now be my travel ‘Beach Bible’ – easy to read in the sun with shades… My pink one is New King James Version, for home, it’s PINK because why not, I can also find it more easily, got that on sale too. My bible overview will help me connect the pieces. And my ‘go to’ Bible? On my phone of course. I use the Bible on my phone everyday, convenient for wherever I am, BibleGateway online… and that’s how I copy this important passage from Isaiah (see below). In order to do God’s work, we need to listen to Him first. Then say “Here I am, send me.”

DO. Don’t disregard or delegate His direction. Say: “Here I am Lord, Send Me.”

Amen 

Isaiah Called to Be a Prophet, chapter 6
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!” And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke.

So I said: “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The Lord of hosts.”

Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth with it, and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; Your iniquity is taken away, And your sin purged.”

Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”

And He said, “Go, and tell this people: ‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand; Keep on seeing, but do not perceive.’ “Make the heart of this people dull, And their ears heavy, And shut their eyes; Lest they see with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And return and be healed.”

Then I said, “Lord, how long?” And He answered: “Until the cities are laid waste and without inhabitant, The houses are without a man, The land is utterly desolate, The Lord has removed men far away, And the forsaken places are many in the midst of the land. But yet a tenth will be in it, And will return and be for consuming, as a terebinth tree or as an oak, whose stump remains when it is cut down. So the holy seed shall be its stump.”

Was a great “SNAP” of a Lego piece of faith into my ever-building brain of understanding – about FOREVER – I describe these “aha” moments like that – a “geez, of course” new level of understanding – or at least a “I remembered what I had forgotten” tidbit… I now understand FOREVER just a little bit more now. FOREVER – who can wrap their heads around that?

I have been thinking, these last few weeks more intensely, that I really do wonder WHAT we will be doing for FOREVER – like WHAT will Heaven look like? (we have some bible clues – but I am sure the message of not worrying what each day brings will continue in Heaven) – HOW will we know people we never met? – Will we be singing forever? – Will we be just sitting under that tree of life just chillin’? – Will we be meeting new people and old people on a rotation basis? – and my BIG question: WILL WE EVER GET BORED IN HEAVEN? – (what a silly non-still question, huh? But I’m still wondering)… Well, I am sure that we CAN’T be bored – but I surely can’t wrap my head around how what huh of forever…  WELL, NOW I CAN rest assured, just a bit more…

See, I was pondering things when I heard an explanation from a preaching pastor about Heaven that switched my head from looking at MY experience in Heaven and instead appreciate my WORSHIP (our worship) of JESUS more in Heaven – an exploring appreciative “aha” moment meant that the Lego puzzle section my brain was searching for finally got one more piece installed. The pastor was teaching about Exodus and the Passover that God used, would see the blood and pass over the people – not dependent upon the people but by the blood and now that Jesus is Lord and Savior and finished the job of our salvation,  that the Blood of Jesus will be what God sees and we are passed over from suffering death. Here is the Lego piece: In Heaven we will be FOREVER seeing the infinite sacrifice of Jesus – appreciating Him but actually seeing how much He took on for us. – SNAP!!!  That’s what we will be seeing – I realized that I had to rotate my eyes and see not my role in Heaven (yes I will be singing), but see what Jesus DID to get us to Heaven – see the sacrifice – see the necessity- and keep gazing on Him…  These things I knew – but that distraction of “I know we won’t be bored in Heaven, but…” was needing re-focusing. Yes, Jesus – ah, what a VIEW and vantage point maker too.

During this night study my vantage point was perfect – a close enough pew – to sing like 15 feet from the band, to see expressions from the pastor in the pulpit, AND then I saw walking in, just sitting, senior of senior pastors (and the lecturing Pastor’s dad) and AMAZING teacher – best teacher preacher reacher for bible knowledge and just plain interesting stuff that he shares in a methodical passage by passage way – Holy Spirit Fabulous… (the learning opportunity in my own backyard, blessed to learn)… Ah, it was the end of the service now and although I really wanted to tell Pastor about this Lego piece of mine – he was talking to a couple others – so I kept my eye on Pastor dad and the opportunity was just right – I walked over and said Hi and asked – “can we take a photo together – I would love to send to my friend who moved away and loves your sermons like I do” – I know, silly me, but hey! I like to be an encourager and I like to have memories of my encouragement and good fortune – BLESSED. 

Well, of course I ALSO had the opportunity to talk a little bit about this realization lego piece of Heaven – that of course I knew we would be worshiping in Heave but this “do we have something to do the whole time” was something on my brain…  Pastor dad chimed in with wisdom of reminding me that we are finite – Jesus is infinite – we are approaching and always will be approaching Him – even and forever in Heaven – and Jesus IS infinite and with our finite understanding, “Who can ever wrap their head around that???!!!”  EXACTLY!!!!!!!!!!

EXACTLY… 

Remember in Lego piece building, whether in your head about faith tenements or in physical blocks, we are always building upon building – we will always have more to climb and experience and know…  will we be board in Heaven? NO WAY…  Jesus our infinite Savior, Lord, Guide, Brother, Servent Shepard will ALWAYS be Greater than All…  Keeping us in AWE.

Amen Amen Amen

He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. Ecclesiastes 3

.

Amen to begin. 

One big seashell of teaching from Isaiah 5. First remember that God spoke through the prophets to teach reach.

Prophet Isaiah said Israel was in the midst of sour grapes – well, they never got to taste any pruned grapes that they thought they were growing, it was wild grapes they got instead of choice premium grapes. In other words, Israel, in the time of Isaiah, was going nowhere fast. Sour grapes.

God planted a GOOD grape vine, but because of the action of rebellion, they got whine instead of wine. Over and over again from rebuking God and His appointed leaders, judges, kings, the Israel people fell apart, landed themselves in exile (again).

Yet what warning was God continually warning throughout the Old Testament? Don’t rely or exonerate or show your need for kings – but be a people who listen to God. Plain and simple is how Samuel explained it to the people back before Saul was chosen then unchosen as king – Samuel explained that God just wanted people to listen to Him – live as He commanded. When the people were left to their own devices, they made a system that only broke their backs, caused false worship, spoiled the crops of goodness that could have come out of them. Yet there was already in the Plan an ability to bring us back – and as we all know, this world was broken from the beginning after Adam was born and rebelled. God saw and acknowledged the brokenness before anyone could, and He pointed it out again and again as a warning to others and to us… 

God sent Jesus and Jesus “wrote” Himself into the world to right the wrong – crush evil and collect the remnants into the tapesty of them and us into His Kingdom. He takes mercy on those whom lived and cried out to Him.  For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry. 

In otherwords, they need Him – we need Him – we all should have and will need to rely on Him. We have LOTS of examples – and these days are also a mixture of good things and bad things – and lots of confusing things – but in all we must remember that God will use ALL things – ALL people –  good and bad – to bring about His completion and His corraling and His punishment and His righteousness – and especially HIS GOOD WINE from His Vinyard.

The punishment of Israel came from enemies God let linger – “in that day they will roar over it like the roaring of the sea.” – maybe we need to hear crashing waves to to respect God’s corrective power. 

We are reminded that we must acknowledge the world gone crazy but that is not to be used as our excuse. We KNOW better, can learn better, to shine the Light. We must remember that God is the depositor of our Light – the Holy Spirit in us is Jesus shining thru. We are to be the embers still on fire, to remember that we are people of a different kind of captivity now but we do KNOW our KING over all things – and we must keep going – listening to God.

Israel sees this pain in exiled Babylon – but is told thru the prophets to keep looking towards the LIGHT – and get out of Babylon too. Isaiah will keep teaching and teaching – SOME will listen and understand. Some will hope to. Isaiah will promise that the Savior IS coming. Let us listen now and always to how God fights the evil with LIGHT – we do have this knowledge: Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst. Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it. And the mean man shall be brought down, and the mighty man shall be humbled, and the eyes of the lofty shall be humbled: But the Lord of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God that is holy shall be sanctified in righteousness.

Let us KNOW this Light in Jesus and KNOW His Calling in our lives.

Keep the Light shinning forth!

Amen Amen 

Amen

It was finally quiet-me-down time. God found that window of His opportunity (again). He settled me to BOTH go to the beach again (YAY) and also open His Good Book, nestling into the prophet Isaiah. Yes, it was 92 at home, 82 at the beach, and 72 in the water. So nice. I did get to this new beach after laboring just enough cleaning up my house. First Saturday regular beach with a friend, tis the season! Then Sunday churches (2), and then scrubbing the house. Then I was ready to RELAX on Labor Day Monday.  Relax in the Lord’s Light, and provisions. AHHHHHH….. 

Great provisions of a near private beach, public with lifeguards still, but with no one selling or checking tags, free off-street parking spot, hmmmm you would think God took care of these details, nice. Yes, temperatures much cooler, sand was PERFECT (and scattered and numerous as the children of Israel are), lots of seashells to collect, just as prevalent as collecting my thoughts (and in the book of Isaiah, I focused upon the BIG ONES.)

I nestled in, snacks, water, sun, sand, shade, sunblock, soul-satisfying STILLness. I also brought my other beach book which reminds me what I know is true – it is the LORD Who makes us hunger for Him. 

Isaiah – oh – an explanation of what Isaiah was writing about, same as Genesis and the whole Bible: Jesus was needed. Jesus was coming. Jesus would/did/will WIN. Quoting from my bible’s book preface: “Isaiah is like a miniature Bible. The first thirty-nine chapters (like the thirty-nine books of the Old Testament) are filled with judgement upon immoral idolatrous men. Judah has sinned; the surrounding nations have sinned ; the whole earth has sinned. Judgement must come, for God cannot allow such blatant sin to go unpunished forever. But the final twenty-seven chapters (like the twenty-seven books of the New Testament) declare a message of hope. The Messiah is coming as a Savior and a Sovereign to bear a cross and to wear a crown. “

Cool… so I read chapter 1 thru 11 whole chapters… not all at once, got some swimming and napping in, and I took physical notes for later. The paper Bible on the beach was both necessary and neat, as my phone battery never would last as long as the Word. 

I will be writing a few days from this… stay tuned… turning the page into God’s Plan…

Amen to begin. 

“Winds in the east, mist coming in / Like somethin’ is brewin’ and ’bout to begin / Can’t put me finger on what lies in store / But I feel what’s to happen all happened before.”

I knew this was a great name for a ship as well as a great photo opportunity. RELENTLESS. And oh what a beautiful view… I briefly stopped, and want to revisit this fishing pier. Maybe I can soon. My ‘Anchored’ T-shirt reminds me of You Lord being my foundation. 

“I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.”

It’s Labor Day, not a holiday where we are obligated to do anything, even though we should remember those hard workers who really did improve working conditions, enacted labor laws and better treatment. I might clean my house or get back to a beach today, yeah, but why do I feel this pull? It is because summer is fading fast. Soak up the sand and take at the beach to rest to think about the Lord who blesses and yet listen to the mighty roar of the waves and know He is Lord of all. For in me, in us, He wants us to focus on Him. He is RELENTLESS in wrestling distractions, think Peter still walking on that water. 

Yes, RELENTLESS is the Lord’s Spirit inside us Who doesn’t stop working – calling and working on us- and for HIS Glory. “I will not yield my glory to another.” The Lord wants us to know Him and His Spirit. Yes, the Lord is RELENTLESS, instilling in us a RELENTLESS SPIRIT. 

I put off starting my reading but now will crack open the next section of the Old Testament, Isaiah on forward, prophets prophets prophets. Me thinking I need the mindset of ‘not in summer mode’, but God says don’t wait, these days until Jesus comes again ARE short, not just the summer. And what did God do for RELENTLESS reminders? Keep dropping in huge verses of Isaiah in regular day passages. Isaiah is going to be a huge part of my understanding of how Jesus was foretold. I’m SO appreciative. God says LEARN THIS of how God was working on His people Israel. God is telling us all (now that His Word and Spirit has opened for the Gentiles too) what he told the people then, starting with Moses writing down Genesis, that Jesus would be born to win over sin, crush the devil, cover us with grace. God also told them to flee Babylon, He had already chosen who would win (hmmm, He tells us this too, that Jesus will and has won). The old testament is a testament to the new.

God speaks much through prophet Isaiah that He is slow to anger, and has a remnant of people (remember these Israelites have been a tough crowd to corral) who will experience a NEW CREATION (though many in that time won’t recognize it), and tells them also that He is not willing for others to make up their own idols and take credit for His majesty and plan. God’s Glory is God’s. Our God IS a jealous God, and all glory and honor due is His. 

Now, reading ahead in Isaiah 48, as he uses Isaiah to instruct the people, God is telling them they could have listened before, when they were promised promised lands, and listened before going down a bad way leading to exile in captivity in Babylon, that “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.”

Let us not forget to listen to God now. Let us hold onto Jesus because He is holding on to us. Jesus was there in the beginning and His Word says He Wins. Let us get on board with His RELENTLESS SPIRIT now, and ride the waves of life.

Enjoy today, whether you are working or resting, traveling or sitting.  Know that God is going to keep all things going on His behalf (good and evil), making the best of our humanness by letting Jesus lead us. “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;...” YES!!!

Thank You Lord for this reminder that You are IN CHARGE.  Let us be appreciative of Your RELENTLESS LOVE. 

Amen

—

Isaiah 48:

“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.