Category: Isaiah

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Don’t Get Frazzled

Last night I was listening to a pastor preach. He had a very encouraging word on how to be strong in adverse circumstances. It reminded me of a blog I had written in October 2018. I want to share part of it with you this morning.

Do you know what tensile strength is? And why it’s important?

“Tensile strength is a measurement of the force required to pull something such as rope, wire, or a structural beam to the point where it breaks. The tensile strength of a material is the maximum amount of tensile stress that it can take before failure, for example breaking.”

It’s important to know the tensile strength of a rope, chain or tie down strap that is used  for towing. If someone is stuck in snow or mud and we’re going to try to pull them out, it’s essential that to know how much weight the tow rope can handle.  If it’s not strong enough it will snap before the vehicle is freed from its plight.

But what does all this have to do with us?

If we try to lift a load that is too heavy emotionally or we try to carry it for too long, we come dangerously close to reaching our maximum strength and we can snap.  Ever been to that point? Perhaps you’ve even said “that’s the straw that broke the camel’s back”, “you’re on my last nerve” – I’m done with you, I’m done with this. It’s over. I can’t take anymore!

What a horrible place to be? We weren’t made to carry those types of burdens or handle that kind of stress. That’s why God tells us all throughout His word that He is our strength.

“The Lord is my strength, the reason for my song, because he has saved me. I praise and honor the Lord— he is my God and the God of my ancestors. 3 The Lord is his name, and he is a warrior!” Exodus 15:2-3 CEV

This is part of the song that Moses and the Israelites sang on the other side of the Red Sea. They had fled Egypt in the middle of the night and pharaoh was pursuing them with the armies of Egypt. They came to the Red Sea and the Lord displayed his strength by holding back the waters so the people of Israel could cross on dry ground. When the Egyptians started to follow after them the Lord released the waters and all the Egyptians drown.  They were celebrating God’s strength and saving power.

What the Israelites couldn’t do on their own, the Lord did for them. He will do the same for us.

“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The God Who lives forever is the Lord, the One Who made the ends of the earth. He will not become weak or tired. His understanding is too great for us to begin to know. 29 He gives strength to the weak. And He gives power to him who has little strength. 30 Even very young men get tired and become weak and strong young men trip and fall. 31 But they who wait upon the Lord will get new strength. They will rise up with wings like eagles. They will run and not get tired. They will walk and not become weak.” Isaiah 40:28-31 NLV

When we feel like the rope or the cable that is holding our world together is beginning to fray, God is there! He gives strength to us when we become weary. When we come to our end, He is just beginning.

God wants us to lay down our rope or cable and let Him use his.

“I can do all things because Christ gives me the strength.” Philippians 4:13 NLV

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Direction for 2021

At the end of the day we’ll all be heading into a New Year. Many will be glad to leave 2020 behind.

We have a cowboy preacher friend who used to say “If God says go north He will provide, if you go south you’ll think you died”. Now that’s not in the Bible but it’s still good preaching.

Let me tell you about a man named Jonah. The Lord wanted Jonah to go to a town called Ninevah and preach a message of repentance. Jonah decided he didn’t want to go and so he hopped the first ship leaving town and went the other way. A storm came up and the ship he was on almost sunk. Jonah admitted to the sailors on board that he was running from God and told them if they threw him into the sea the storm would cease and they would be saved.

So that’s what they did and they survived the storm. Jonah on the other hand became lunch for a great fish. I refer to this fish as the first manned submarine. Three days later the fish arrived at the shores of Ninevah and spit Jonah out on the shore. Jonah preached to the people there, they repented and were saved.

It was Jonah’s choice not to follow God’s leading and it was his choice that nearly brought destruction to everyone aboard the ship. But when Jonah repented for running from God he had a personalized escort to where he needed to go.

The Lord told Abraham to leave his home country and go to a new land. That new area was the place where Abraham prospered in lands, sheep, cattle and he became a father. His decendants eventually became known as the Israelites, who were God’s chosen people.

I could give you story after story of people who did and didn’t follow God. Suffice it to say, it’s better to let the Lord do the leading. He has infinitely better foresight than we do.

“I am the Lord, who opened a way through the waters, making a dry path through the sea…
18 But forget all that—it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. 19 For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland…Yes, I will make rivers in the dry wasteland so my chosen people can be refreshed.” Isaiah 43:16-20 NLT

There’s a new year before us. Let’s forget the disappointments and discouragement of the past and move forward into 2021 looking for the path and the plans the Lord has for us.

“The Lord is my Shepherd. I will have everything I need. 2 He lets me rest in fields of green grass. He leads me beside the quiet waters. 3 He makes me strong again. He leads me in the way of living right with Himself which brings honor to His name.” Psalm 23:1-3 NLV

When we follow His leading we will always be going in the right direction. Now that’s the way to have a prosperous new year!

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Twas the Morning of Christmas

Twas the morning of Christmas and all through the house, the only creature stirring is me. The coffee is brewed and my cup is full but not nearly as full as my heart which is overflowing with love and appreciation for each of my family and friends who are reading this non-rhymning message.

A world changing event transpired over 2000 years ago when the sky was filled with an angelic chorus. A baby born affected the whole human race by introducing unconditional love in human flesh to reconcile us to a perfect and merciful God, the Father.

“A child has been born for us. We have been given a son who will be our ruler. His names will be Wonderful Advisor and Mighty God, Eternal Father and Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 CEV

Our prayer for you and your families this morning is that you know Him personally and that you have allowed Him to change your life. You have certainly impacted our lives through the year and left an imprint of your love, your caring and your joy. Your friendship is dear.

Merry Christmas from the Wilson’s casa to yours!

“This is what God commands: that we believe in his Son Jesus Christ, and that we love each other as he commanded. 24 All who obey God’s commands live in God. And God lives in them. How do we know that God lives in us? We know because of the Spirit he gave us.” I John 3:23-24 ERV

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Thank God for Victory!

Last night I was talking with a friend about victory. We’ve been praying for each other and there are some situations that we have been praying over for a long time yet neither one of us is discouraged.

We know that God has given us the victory!

God’s faithfulness is not temporary or conditional. No, He is always faithful and worthy of our trust. Occasionally, we need to be reminded of that.

” But we thank God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! 58 So, my dear brothers and sisters, stand strong. Don’t let anything change you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord. You know that your work in the Lord is never wasted.” I Corinthians 15:57-58 CEV

We give thanks to God, who gives us the victory over life’s situations. This victory is ours through our relationship with Christ Jesus. It may not always look like we are victorious but when we give Him thanks our Father gives us little glimpses into how He’s working.

Jesus didn’t look victorious when they laid him in the tomb. Peter didn’t look victorious when he was sinking on the sea of Galilee. Daniel didn’t look victorious when he was thrown into the lion’s den. Paul didn’t look victorious when he was stoned and left for dead.

Maybe your circumstances don’t appear very encouraging but God is working!

You still deal with the same situations at work, with your family, your health, your finances, your fears. But God is working. He has never lied, never broken a promise. When we come to Him with His word we aren’t being arrogant. We are being obedient.

“Rain and snow fall from the sky and don’t return until they have watered the ground.
Then the ground causes the plants to sprout and grow, and they produce seeds for the farmer and food for people to eat. 11 In the same way, my words leave my mouth,
 and they don’t come back without results. My words make the things happen that I want to happen. They succeed in doing what I send them to do.” Isaiah 55:10-11 ERV

These verses create a powerful image in my mind. Did you ever plant some seeds in a garden or flower bed? Maybe you were young and impatient. Your folks told you to leave them alone, they were growing under the soil where you couldn’t see. Then one day the sprout popped through the earth, still you were instructed to leave it alone and let it grow. It seemed like ages before it was fully developed. Seed – sprout – stalk – leaves – fruit – harvest.

Victory!

That’s how it is with God’s word. It is planted in prayer, watered and germinating where no one sees but it always succeeds where God sends it. Thanks be to God who gives us the victory.

Stand strong in doing the work that God has called you to do. Don’t give in to the voice of public opinion or pressure of your peers. You have victory in Christ Jesus so stand strong and give thanks!

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Adding Strength

I don’t often stay in bed past 3 am. 3:30 is late but this morning it was 4:05! Yikes, the day is half gone – not really but that was the first thought I had when I saw the clock. The coffee was already brewing so that was a blessing.

I’ve come to realize when I do sleep in that my body obviously has a need for more rest and I am grateful. Grateful that the Lord has promised to provide the strength I need.

“Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.” II Corinthians 12:9 NLT

Sometimes we have a mindset that we should be able to handle more things on our own. We should just buck up, push through and handle it. Whatever “it” is. But God doesn’t want us handling things on our own. He wants us drawing on His strength.

I do have days when I get weary. I end up getting grumpy. I don’t like it when that happens.

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” Galatians 6:9 NLT

When I focus on me, I’m focused on a very small target and the world goes by around me. A world that I should be looking to impact, a world that I should be looking to bless! They need me – they need me to be loving and gracious, they need me to be an example of my Father.

How do we keep from becoming weary; how do we serve with the right attitude?

“Surely you know the truth. Surely you have heard.The LORD is the God who lives forever! He created all the faraway places on earth. He does not get tired and weary. You cannot learn all he knows. 29 He helps tired people be strong. He gives power to those without it. 30 Young men get tired and need to rest. Even young boys stumble and fall. 31 But those who trust in the LORD will become strong again. They will be like eagles that grow new feathers. They will run and not get weak. They will walk and not get tired.” Isaiah 40:28-31 ERV

When we come to the Lord to be refreshed, He will renew our strength. When we see others the way He does, we serve gladly.

Lord, let me see others through your eyes today and renew my strength. I want to be used to touch others with Your love.

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Thankful for Memories

Dave and I are in the mountains. We came up to the Flagstaff area yesterday and will be here through Monday. My cell signal is really weak but I wanted to share with you a special memory from my high school years. One that I am thankful for!

The campground we are staying in is right near a lake I visited often the summer between my eighth grade and freshman years. My dad was working construction on a road job and so our family moved into a small, I mean twenty-one foot long small, travel trailer. On weekends we would go fishing as often as possible and one of the lakes we frequented was Lake Mary.

We also began attending a small Baptist church in Flagstaff and they had a great youth group. My sister and I made friends and we participated in quite a few of the youth group activities. One of those activities was water skiing at this very lake. It was here I learned to water ski.

Neither of these experiences – the fishing and the water skiing – were life changing but they were memory makers that make me smile and I am grateful for them. Focusing on these events kept me from dwelling on some of the less enjoyable moments and have etched joy into that summer.

“Everything good comes from God. Every perfect gift is from him. These good gifts come down from the Father who made all the lights in the sky. But God never changes like the shadows from those lights. He is always the same.” James 1:17 ERV

These memories were God’s kiss of blessing to me. I don’t dwell in the past but I am thankful for good memories, little ways that I now see were God saying “I’m here and I am bringing blessing into your life.

Now we are here with our daughter and son-in-law and maybe someday they will bring their grandchildren to this area and tell them this is where Besta learned to water ski and they will laugh when they think of me trying to do that.

What joyful, good and perfect gift memory is coming to your mind? Write it down, share it with a friend, a family member. Let them enjoy a little part of your heart. In doing so you will share a blessing and most of all you will share the Father’s heart, a heart of blessing and bringing good things to His children with someone you love.

“I will remember the kind things the Lord has done, and I will remember to praise him.
The Lord has given many good things  to the family of Israel. He has been very kind to us. He has shown us mercy.” Isaiah 63:7 ERV

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Weak, Trembling, Worried?

How many times have you awaken in the night heavy hearted? There’s something going on with family or work and you think you’ve got it under control and then there’s that middle-of-the-night awareness and your peace is destroyed.

Laying there, all the what-if scenarios run through your mind and you figure you will never get back to sleep. All there is to do now is pray for morning. But wait…

“Here is a message for all who are weak, trembling,  and worried: 4 “Cheer up! Don’t be afraid. Your God is coming to punish your enemies. God will take revenge on them and rescue you.” Isaiah 35:3-4 CEV

“Strengthen the weak hands and make firm the feeble and tottering knees. 4 Say to those who are of a fearful and hasty heart, Be strong, fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance; with the recompense of God He will come and save you. Isaiah 35:3-4 AMPC

The Lord has given us a promise of peaceful sleep. Our bodies were designed to rest. Daniel slept in the lions’ den, Peter slept in a prison cell, and Jesus slept in the bow of a boat on a stormy sea. Each one of them was surrounded by their problems but they were in a place of peace; they were trusting God.

“In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You, Lord, alone make me dwell in safety and confident trust.” Psalm 4:8 AMPC

Our heavenly Father provides us with a place of safety, a place where we can trust in His protection and provision. He is there, always, during the watches of the night. Jesus knew this better than anyone and here is what he said:

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.] 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls. 30 For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good—not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne.” Matthew 11:28-30 AMPC

When we are burdened and we come to Jesus He will give us rest. He wants us to learn from Him; He trusted the Father implicitly. He knows that’s where we will find true peace and rest.

I woke earlier than usual this morning and here are the words that filled my heart and my mind. They are the words of an old hymn which was first published in 1878. These are the words of the chorus and the second stanza.

Glory to His Name,
Glory to His Name:
There to my heart was the blood applied;
Glory to His Name!

I am so wondrously saved from sin,
Jesus so sweetly abides within,
There at the cross where He took me in;
Glory to His Name!

Jesus, abiding (living, making his residence) within our hearts replaces the worry, the fear and the weakness with His peace and rest! May you rest in peace.

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The Words of a Song

For the last week or so I have been working on remodeling our 5th wheel camping trailer. It needs a face lift and so Dave and I began changing its image. He works outside while I work inside.

The walls needed to be washed, windows taped off, doing the cut work took the most time. Painting around windows, close to the ceiling and then the floor. Keeping the paint on the walls and no place else, it was slow going but at day’s end yesterday we found that we are almost finished.

We still need to find a fabric for the new curtains and the furniture needs to be placed but we are all but done.

The first few days I found some old CD’s and kept myself company with songs by Trace Atkins, Tracy Byrd, Mark Wills, Michael Peterson and James Bonamy. Most of the time I would restart the CD and go through it at least one more time. The songs kept my mind occupied as I sang along.

After a few days I noticed that I was waking up in the night with the melody of those songs running through my mind. As we all know the lyrics in most country songs is not that uplifting and it seemed that those were the words I was hearing in my sleep. Not good.

Time to switch music. Still wanting to listen to some of my favorite country artists but now I was reaching for their Gospel albums. Alan Jackson, Randy Travis and the Forester Sisters were playing loud and I was singing along.

Our youngest daughter called yesterday while I was painting close to the ceiling so I put her on speaker phone. She could hear the music but not the words and then Alan Jackson started singing “How Great Thou Art” and she said “oh, I recognize that one”. Those words are the ones I want stuck in my mind – words that tell of the goodness of God and His great faithfulness.

Everyone probably has a favorite song. One that reminds them of a special time and a special person. You’re probably thinking of yours right now. I have a few but the ones that mean the most and bring tears to my eyes are the ones whose lyrics came to mind when I was going through particularly tough times and with the words came the peace of God.

“To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory.” Isaiah 61:3 NLT

“Lord, we lift you up with our songs of praise. We sing and play songs about your power!” Psalm 21:13 ERV

God has promised to give us festive praise instead of despair. He fills our heart with song when we trust Him and allow Him to guide us through life. Even painting ceilings can be a time of praise.

Let God fill your heart with the words of a song.

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Fearful or Fearless

Let’s do a little word study this morning. I hope it will set the course of your day. First, we need to describe the word “fear”. I know we have all experienced it at one time or another, perhaps you are in situation now that causes you to fear.

Fear is “an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat”.

Years ago I heard this definition of fear and I have used it ever since. Fear is the opposite of faith. Faith is placing our belief and trust in what God will do and fear takes God out of the equation.

Our title words “fearful” or “fearless” are adjectives used to describe our outlook on life. If we allow ourselves to focus on adverse situations and circumstances our hearts can become filled with fear, fearful. But if we allow ourselves to be focused on God’s protection, provision and promises our hearts will be void of fear, fearless.

Jesus came to bring peace and not fear to our lives.

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. 32 So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.” Luke 12:31-32 NLT

Every situation that Jesus found himself in He dispelled fear and replaced it with faith in what God could do. Remember when the disciples were in a raging storm on the sea. Jesus’ words were “Fear not. Peace be still”. Even the angels spoke against fear when they appeared to the shepherds.

“The angel of the Lord came to them. The shining-greatness of the Lord shone around them. They were very much afraid. 10 The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. See! I bring you good news of great joy which is for all people.” Luke 2:9-10 NLV

The prophecy that Isaiah gave regarding Jesus birth told of the good things that Jesus would bring to earth.

“For to us a Child will be born. To us a Son will be given. And the rule of the nations will be on His shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful, Teacher, Powerful God, Father Who Lives Forever, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 NLV

Jesus came to teach, bring the power of God to earth and to bring peace. Does that mean everything will go well and there will be no problems to face? No, but it does mean that we can live free from fear, fearless but placing our hope and trust in God.

I think the reason Jesus used the phrase fear not little flock is because sheep, especially lambs, are very timid. Every noise and new situation causes them stress. What calms their fears is the presence of the Shepherd and the sound of his voice.

We can hear God’s voice by reading His word. The Bible is God speaking to us and when we read His word we can sense His presence. He is always near.

“God, you give true peace to people who depend on you, to those who trust in you.” Isaiah 26:3 ERV

Do I ever find myself becoming fearful? Yes, and when I do I remind myself of God’s promises. I keep my thoughts focused in His Word and it brings peace.

I pray that you will have a fear-less day. Remember little flock, your Father will provide and protect you.

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Say It Again!

Did you ever watch the movie Ever After with Drew Barrymore. It was a cinderella-type story. In one of the final scenes, the man she loves finds her in her nemesis castle. All through the movie she has disguised her identity and has been going by an assumed name. But now as he approaches her, the music swells and he says, I love you, Danielle. She says “Say it again” and he repeats “I love you”. “No, not that. Say my name again.”

Now listen to this story of how being called by name changed a woman’s life.

It was early in the morning, about sunrise. The women who loved and followed Jesus, the ones who had their lives changed by His ministry, went to the tomb. They were taking spices to anoint His body properly for burial. Their hearts were aching and they had to do something to show their love and devotion for their Lord. Only one thing – who would roll away the stone? Surely the soldiers who were guarding his body would only laugh and mock but they had to try. When the women approached and saw the stone rolled away their hearts sank – “Where’s Jesus? Where have they taken Him?” Desperation came rushing in.

“The angel said to the women, “Don’t be afraid. I know you are looking for Jesus, the one who was killed on the cross. 6 But he is not here. He has risen from death, as he said he would. Come and see the place where his body was.” Matthew 28:5-6 ERV

The women went to the disciples and reported that they had seen an angel, the empty tomb and that Jesus was risen!!! From the pit of depression to the height of ecstasy. The Savior, the Messiah, Jesus was alive! However, the men who heard their report didn’t believe them. I’m not sure why but they didn’t.

Mary Magdalene must have followed Peter and John back to the tomb. If they didn’t believe her and the other women who reported what the angels had told them, “He is not here. He is risen”, could they have been wrong? She needed to know what had happened to Jesus. The tomb was empty and His body was gone. Mary had to know – where is my Lord?

“ … she turned around and saw Jesus standing there. But she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who are you looking for?” She thought he was the man in charge of the garden. So she said to him, “Did you take him away, sir? Tell me where you put him. I will go and get him.” John 20:13-16 ERV

I find myself at a loss of words, I can’t adequately convey the heart ache, the despair, the confusion, the anguish that Mary must have been experiencing. Jesus had saved her, He had delivered her from demons. She had never known life, true life, until Jesus set her free and now He was gone and she didn’t even get to say good bye!

And then it all changed with just a word:

“Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’ She turned toward him and said in Aramaic, ‘Rabboni,’ which means “Teacher.” John 20:16 ERV

One word, just one word – Jesus spoke her name and she knew! “Mary.” The flood of emotion was overwhelming; relief, joy, love, and peace. Tears.

Have you ever really been at the bottom? I mean the very bottom where you weren’t sure you even wanted to go on living? Everything in your life has come crashing in and all hope is gone – have you been there? I have. And with one word, one short message I heard Jesus speak my name! “Kristi.” Sweet and softly spoken, I knew that I have not been forgotten. Jesus knows me, He loves me and He called me by name.

The story of the resurrection is this: Jesus died and rose again, defeating death, hell and the grave; He faced it all to call us by name and let us know we are truly loved and forgiven.

“Do not be afraid. For I have bought you and made you free. I have called you by name. You are Mine!” Isaiah 43:2 NLV

I hope you can hear Jesus calling you by name today. There’s no greater joy than hearing Him say, I love you!

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