Monday, December 24, 2012
"...then shall thy health spring forth speedily"
In this winter/holiday season, I often get sick and see that many others do as well. This is not something I enjoy, so I really took note of Isaiah 58:8 where the promise is given that serves as the title of this post - also verse 10 that promises "then shall your light rise in darkness, and your obscurity and gloom become like the noonday." These promises have been brought to me many times over the last month and I'm learning more and more about them. (See my first post, "Why this Blog?" for more information about this.)
Friday, December 21, 2012
Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled
I was speaking with someone the other day about the recent shootings and she confided that it made her just want to hide under her bed and never go out nor let anyone in - that nothing felt safe. It's easy to understand those feelings. For myself, I could have been in that mall the other day. I DO shop there. And the woman that died was my age. We just don't know what might come our way on any given day!
At times like this we all have an intense need for PEACE and SECURITY. And yet, where do we look for our safety? Daniel 11: 37, 38 talks about one who comes in and doesn't honor God, but honors "the god of fortresses". Isn't this what so many are doing right now as they think to create safety through stricter gun laws, bulletproof and shatterproof glass, metal detectors and x-ray machines? I'm not saying we should or shouldn't do these things. I'm merely recognizing that for myself, I want to be sure I'm honoring GOD rather than "the god of fortresses".
Jesus told us in John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." This is where we need to look for peace! God promises that "peace that passes all understanding" (Phil 4:7). Not a worldly peace that is simply dependent on what happens to and around us each day, but a peace that we can experience regardless of circumstances.
Father, I ask that you fill me with YOUR peace. As the song says, "Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace". I am so grateful that YOU own the power in this universe, and I ask that you own the power in my heart as well, so that my heart will not be troubled or afraid. Thank You, God!
At times like this we all have an intense need for PEACE and SECURITY. And yet, where do we look for our safety? Daniel 11: 37, 38 talks about one who comes in and doesn't honor God, but honors "the god of fortresses". Isn't this what so many are doing right now as they think to create safety through stricter gun laws, bulletproof and shatterproof glass, metal detectors and x-ray machines? I'm not saying we should or shouldn't do these things. I'm merely recognizing that for myself, I want to be sure I'm honoring GOD rather than "the god of fortresses".
Jesus told us in John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." This is where we need to look for peace! God promises that "peace that passes all understanding" (Phil 4:7). Not a worldly peace that is simply dependent on what happens to and around us each day, but a peace that we can experience regardless of circumstances.
Father, I ask that you fill me with YOUR peace. As the song says, "Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace". I am so grateful that YOU own the power in this universe, and I ask that you own the power in my heart as well, so that my heart will not be troubled or afraid. Thank You, God!
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
School Shootings
Like many of you I've been greatly saddened by the recent shootings. The ones in the mall in my own back yard so to speak, has really brought this home. And then those shootings in Connecticut! I have mourned with those parents and teachers, wondering how anyone could target such young children!
It's easy to feel that the time in which we are living is "going to hell in a hand basket", and there are certainly events out there to lend credence to that idea. And yet, while this Holiday Season reminds us of Glad Tidings, there were some horrors associated with the story of that first Christmas, too. For me, this shooting in Connecticut brings home the horror that occurred in Bethlehem so many years ago when so many babies two and under were murdered. I've heard the story so many times that it's easy to gloss over it and focus on the part of the story where Jesus was saved from this terror in his infancy. It's a wonderful miracle story - just like there are wonderful miracle stories associated with these recent shootings. That doesn't negate the pain, horror, and loss that some have had to go through, and my heart aches for them. And those events in Bethlehem were certainly every bit as horrific to people living in those days as the shooting in Connecticut is to us.
Unfortunately murder is nothing new. But neither is HOPE. While HOPE doesn't take away our pain, it DOES remind us to look to the one who knows what it is like to have His Son murdered, and who willingly endured that pain to ensure our freedom and our healing. There are many things about that story that I don't understand, but the most important question for me right now is this: Do I appreciate such a sacrifice? Do I make active use of that gift given to me at such great price? How can I take a gift like that for granted? God's gift promises freedom, yet how often am I content to remain bound? As Romans 6:1,2 says, "What shall we say to all this? Are we to remain in sin in order that God's grace (favor and mercy) may multiply and overflow? Certainly not!" And Hebrews 12:4 reminds me, "You have not yet struggled and fought agonizingly against sin, nor have you yet resisted and withstood to the point of pouring out your own blood." Why am I so complacent? Too often, its as though I've been drugged and can't seem to wake up to the seriousness of my situation and grasp the way of escape I've been given.
What is it that has me in its grasp today? What do I want and need to be freed from? I have been given that very costly gift of freedom if I will but accept it! In times past, I've needed freedom from depression, from debt, from worry - and I've received that to a large degree. Thank you, God! These are tangible proofs of your power in my life and I am so grateful!
Today, I seek freedom from poor food choices. It strikes me that many people are in this same boat. We know the statistics around weight loss spending to be very high. And here God offers freedom - no money down - EVER! No matter what I feel enslaved to, Isaiah 58: 6-11 is my prescription - complete with a promise of speedy healing.
Father, may I be filled with compassion and the willingness to act on it - not only during the holiday season, but all year through. May I be an open channel of your love is my prayer. And please grant me freedom from my enslavement to appetite. I've seen how choosing to place food ahead of your will for me - to worship food instead of you - has dulled my spiritual senses and increased my selfish and self-seeking tendencies. And I ask for YOUR power and strength and a knowledge of and acceptance of YOUR will that I may make better choices in the future. Thank you, God!
It's easy to feel that the time in which we are living is "going to hell in a hand basket", and there are certainly events out there to lend credence to that idea. And yet, while this Holiday Season reminds us of Glad Tidings, there were some horrors associated with the story of that first Christmas, too. For me, this shooting in Connecticut brings home the horror that occurred in Bethlehem so many years ago when so many babies two and under were murdered. I've heard the story so many times that it's easy to gloss over it and focus on the part of the story where Jesus was saved from this terror in his infancy. It's a wonderful miracle story - just like there are wonderful miracle stories associated with these recent shootings. That doesn't negate the pain, horror, and loss that some have had to go through, and my heart aches for them. And those events in Bethlehem were certainly every bit as horrific to people living in those days as the shooting in Connecticut is to us.
Unfortunately murder is nothing new. But neither is HOPE. While HOPE doesn't take away our pain, it DOES remind us to look to the one who knows what it is like to have His Son murdered, and who willingly endured that pain to ensure our freedom and our healing. There are many things about that story that I don't understand, but the most important question for me right now is this: Do I appreciate such a sacrifice? Do I make active use of that gift given to me at such great price? How can I take a gift like that for granted? God's gift promises freedom, yet how often am I content to remain bound? As Romans 6:1,2 says, "What shall we say to all this? Are we to remain in sin in order that God's grace (favor and mercy) may multiply and overflow? Certainly not!" And Hebrews 12:4 reminds me, "You have not yet struggled and fought agonizingly against sin, nor have you yet resisted and withstood to the point of pouring out your own blood." Why am I so complacent? Too often, its as though I've been drugged and can't seem to wake up to the seriousness of my situation and grasp the way of escape I've been given.
What is it that has me in its grasp today? What do I want and need to be freed from? I have been given that very costly gift of freedom if I will but accept it! In times past, I've needed freedom from depression, from debt, from worry - and I've received that to a large degree. Thank you, God! These are tangible proofs of your power in my life and I am so grateful!
Today, I seek freedom from poor food choices. It strikes me that many people are in this same boat. We know the statistics around weight loss spending to be very high. And here God offers freedom - no money down - EVER! No matter what I feel enslaved to, Isaiah 58: 6-11 is my prescription - complete with a promise of speedy healing.
Father, may I be filled with compassion and the willingness to act on it - not only during the holiday season, but all year through. May I be an open channel of your love is my prayer. And please grant me freedom from my enslavement to appetite. I've seen how choosing to place food ahead of your will for me - to worship food instead of you - has dulled my spiritual senses and increased my selfish and self-seeking tendencies. And I ask for YOUR power and strength and a knowledge of and acceptance of YOUR will that I may make better choices in the future. Thank you, God!
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Why do you spend your money . . . ?
Today Isaiah 55:2 caught my eye. "Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your earnings for what does not satisfy?" (from Amplified Bible) What a question! This hit me on several levels.
On the physical level, how often have I bought junk food instead of food that would nourish my body? How often have I made impulse purchases, that I later realized were not really that valuable to me? In this holiday season, I tend to spend more than usual. How am I spending the funds that I've been given? Am I spending them for those things that satisfy?
On the emotional level, how often have I focused and fed on feelings and thoughts that do not satisfy? I am learning that while I have little direct control over instinctual feelings, I have a great deal of control when it comes to what I DWELL on and allow to be an important part of my life - especially as I continue to seek God's guidance and power in my life. I want my energy going into the fruits of the spirit like love, joy, peace, instead of emotions that simply increase my pain like envy, pride, or hurt feelings.
On the spiritual level, how often have I spent even my devotional time in rote reading rather than actively seeking God's guidance and wisdom for my day? Lately I have been taking the prayer, "Give us this day our daily bread," to a whole new level as I've come to understand that just as God wants to nourish me physically, He wants to nourish me spiritually if I will just open enough to hear that still small voice within.
Thank you, God, for these questions and your eagerness to lead me. It is so exciting to experience for myself how easy your yoke is and how light the burden! (Matt 11:30) Thank you for the daily miracles and blessings in my life!
On the physical level, how often have I bought junk food instead of food that would nourish my body? How often have I made impulse purchases, that I later realized were not really that valuable to me? In this holiday season, I tend to spend more than usual. How am I spending the funds that I've been given? Am I spending them for those things that satisfy?
On the emotional level, how often have I focused and fed on feelings and thoughts that do not satisfy? I am learning that while I have little direct control over instinctual feelings, I have a great deal of control when it comes to what I DWELL on and allow to be an important part of my life - especially as I continue to seek God's guidance and power in my life. I want my energy going into the fruits of the spirit like love, joy, peace, instead of emotions that simply increase my pain like envy, pride, or hurt feelings.
On the spiritual level, how often have I spent even my devotional time in rote reading rather than actively seeking God's guidance and wisdom for my day? Lately I have been taking the prayer, "Give us this day our daily bread," to a whole new level as I've come to understand that just as God wants to nourish me physically, He wants to nourish me spiritually if I will just open enough to hear that still small voice within.
Thank you, God, for these questions and your eagerness to lead me. It is so exciting to experience for myself how easy your yoke is and how light the burden! (Matt 11:30) Thank you for the daily miracles and blessings in my life!
Friday, December 14, 2012
Why this blog?
This blog springs from a verse in Isaiah - chapter 58 verse 10. I had been greatly impressed by the promise of rapid healing in verse 8, and the promises of God's guidance and presence in verse 8. Seeking to better live as this passage directs, our Thanksgiving dinner was very different from usual - not so much in who came (though it DID affect that), but also in our attitude in preparing our home to celebrate gratitude in our lives and share our blessings with family. It was the most blessed Thanksgiving we'd ever had.
Nonetheless, I kept being impressed that I was missing something. Then I re-read verse 10. Reading from the Amplified Bible it says, "And if you pour out that with which you sustain your own life for the hungry . . ." All of a sudden I realized that those things asked of me in verse 7 did not just apply to physical bread, but also to spiritual bread. After all, that is REALLY what sustains my life. My true sustenance is what I learn daily as I seek to understand God's will in my life and to have him live that will in and through me. I felt pretty strongly that I was being told to share not only my physical food, but also my spiritual food with others.
What a scary concept! My walk with God feels so very personal, and I'm a pretty private person. But I want to be obedient. I ask that you take this blog for what it is - my heartfelt sharing of my personal journey. It is not intended as the last word in anything, simply a sharing of God's leading in my life - my daily bread. If something I share touches your heart, I'd love to hear from you. Blessings on your journey!
Nonetheless, I kept being impressed that I was missing something. Then I re-read verse 10. Reading from the Amplified Bible it says, "And if you pour out that with which you sustain your own life for the hungry . . ." All of a sudden I realized that those things asked of me in verse 7 did not just apply to physical bread, but also to spiritual bread. After all, that is REALLY what sustains my life. My true sustenance is what I learn daily as I seek to understand God's will in my life and to have him live that will in and through me. I felt pretty strongly that I was being told to share not only my physical food, but also my spiritual food with others.
What a scary concept! My walk with God feels so very personal, and I'm a pretty private person. But I want to be obedient. I ask that you take this blog for what it is - my heartfelt sharing of my personal journey. It is not intended as the last word in anything, simply a sharing of God's leading in my life - my daily bread. If something I share touches your heart, I'd love to hear from you. Blessings on your journey!
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