Tag: BeautyforAshes

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Oil of Joy!

I’d like to tell you a story this morning. It’s the story of a widowed woman and her sons. Her husband had died and she was in debt. She had no way of taking care of her family and her sons were to be taken away to pay for the family’s debts.

She went to the man of God, Elisha, to appeal to him for help. He asked her but one question, “What do you have in your house?”. “Only a little oil”, was her reply. He then instructed her to find all the empty oil jars she could. She was to go into her house, shut the door and start filling the empty jars from her little cruse of oil.

“So the woman left Elisha, went into her house, and shut the door. Only she and her sons were in the house. Her sons brought the bowls to her and she poured oil. 6 She filled many bowls. Finally, she said to her son, ‘Bring me another bowl.’ But all the bowls were full. One of the sons said to her, ‘There aren’t any more bowls.’ Then the oil in the jar was finished! 7 When she told the man of God what had happened, Elisha said to her, ‘Go, sell the oil and pay your debt. You and your sons can live on the money that is left.'” II Kings 4:5-7 ERV

Oil was a valuable commodity in the Middle East, it still is. Oil was used to keep their skin supple in the hot desert sun; it was used to light their lamps; it was used in the baking of their foods. It was a substance of life.

The prophet Isaiah told the Jewish people that when the Messiah came to earth He would provide for them.

“I will take away the ashes on their head, and I will give them a crown. I will take away their sadness, and I will give them the oil of happiness. I will take away their sorrow, and I will give them celebration clothes. He sent me to name them ‘Good Trees’ and ‘The Lord’s Wonderful Plant.’” Isaiah 61:3 ERV

It was the custom to wear sackcloth and put ashes on their head in time of mourning and disaster. But see what Isaiah tells them – when Jesus comes he replaces the ashes with a crown, sadness with the oil of joy and the sackcloth with clothes of celebration.

We have this same promise from Jesus. He promises us comfort, joy and peace! The Holy Spirit brings all these things to us.

“16 I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper to be with you forever. 17 The Helper is the Spirit of truth. The people of the world cannot accept him, because they don’t see him or know him… 18 “I will not leave you all alone like orphans…

25 “I have told you all these things while I am with you. 26 But the Helper will teach you everything and cause you to remember all that I told you. This Helper is the Holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name. 27 “I leave you peace. It is my own peace I give you. I give you peace in a different way than the world does. So don’t be troubled. Don’t be afraid.” John 14:15-27 ERV

May I ask you, do you need joy, hope and peace? Let the Holy Spirit fill your vessel with the oil of joy!

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Renewal by Fire

I read those three words yesterday while we were visiting the Gila Cliff Dwellings. We had walked the trail from the base of the mountain, up past the dwellings and were on our descent when we rounded a bend and saw that the entire side of the mountain and down into the canyon had been destroyed by fire.

The Forest Service had placed an informational sign that was headed by those three words “Renewal by Fire”. The placard went on to explain how the grasses, flowers, trees and even the wildlife are renewed after a fire.

The area was scorched. The trees were downed and charred but beneath them new life could be seen. I was saddened by thoughts of fire burning this massive landscape. But then these words popped into my thinking.

“The Spirit of the Lord God is on me, because the Lord has chosen me to bring good news to poor people. He has sent me to heal those with a sad heart. He has sent me to tell those who are being held and those in prison that they can go free. 2 He has sent me to tell about the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day our God will bring punishment. He has sent me to comfort all who are filled with sorrow. 3 To those who have sorrow in Zion I will give them a crown of beauty instead of ashes. I will give them the oil of joy instead of sorrow, and a spirit of praise instead of a spirit of no hope. Then they will be called oaks that are right with God, planted by the Lord, that He may be honored.” Isaiah 61:1-3 NLV (emphasis mine)

Beauty for ashes! Renewal by fire.

Life’s fires seem devastating. Things we feel are important can be destroyed. However, we have God’s promise that He will give us beauty to replace the ashes and joy to replace our sorrow. The trials and sorrows of life can deepen our faith as we draw closer to the Lord. He is the one we should turn to; He is our source of strength.

“When you have troubles, I am with you. When you cross rivers, you will not be hurt. When you walk through fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not hurt you. 3 That’s because I, the Lord, am your God. I, the Holy One of Israel, am your Savior. I gave Egypt to pay for you. I gave Ethiopia and Seba to make you mine.” Isaiah 43:2-3 ERV

Renewal by fire.

New growth. New life. New purpose.

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Beauty Comes Through

For a number of years Dave and I lived in northwest Idaho where we had lots of snow each winter. Much like what a good portion of the country is experiencing now. We received our first snow about November 1 and the last one sometime in April. But I always knew the snow would be gone by Mother’s Day.

It was a big adjustment our first couple of winters. You see, I had come from spending my entire life in Arizona with a three year interlude of living in the San Diego area. I was completey unaccustomed to colder temperatures and had no knowledge of the day-to-day living with snow covered earth.

Just when I felt ready to complain about a frozen world, icy roads, hauling in firewood and cleaning the wood burning stove I would be reminded of the beauty of late Spring that was coming.

Just off my front porch was my flower garden area. Tulips set the border, wild geranium was a protective ground cover, poppies sprung up with random abandon and the hyacinths added an extra pop of brilliant color. But my favorites were the crocus.

They werer the first to appear, generally about the first of April. I never saw their struggle of pushing through the crusty snow, they were just there! In the midst of the white, their vibrant purple was outstanding. Their arrival signaled the end of cold temperatures and the warmth of Spring.

New life was coming.

Millions are experiencing the cold of winter; power outages, icy roads, treacherous conditions but even millions more are living with cold and frozen hearts. It seems that everything in life has gone dormant. To each of you I say, look for the beauty – look for the crocus!

There is life, just under the surface. It’s fighting frozen ground and crusty snow as it pushes upward toward the Son. There is beauty to behold, we just have to look for it! God’s love will bring a radiant warmth to our hearts; they will melt and a joy for life will sprout.

“He heals those who have a broken heart. He heals their sorrows. 4 He knows the number of the stars. He gives names to all of them. 5 Great is our Lord, and great in power. His understanding has no end. 6 The Lord lifts up those who are suffering, and He brings the sinful down to the ground. 7 Sing to the Lord with thanks. Sing praises to our God on the harp. 8 He covers the heavens with clouds. He gives rain for the earth. He makes grass grow on the mountains.” Psalm 147: 3-8 NLV

When I went out yesterday to tend and water my plants there they were. The crocus and the hyacinths were breaking ground. Soon their color and fragrance will be evident to all.

Look around – the Lord gives each of us little signs to remind us that He is still there, even in our wintery times, He has not abandon us.

Look! The beauty comes through.

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Bah Humbug

Christmas can be hard.

Some are going through heartache, adjusting to separation, being isolated from friends and family. Some have experienced the death of the one they love the most. The traditions of years past have lost their meaning or are too hurtful to face alone.

They don’t want to put up the tree and the lights. They don’t want to sing carols and they certainly don’t want to build a snowman.

They do, however, need someone to be close. They need someone else to be strong for them. They need someone to lean on and a shoulder to cry on. This is the real message of Christmas.

Here are the words Jesus spoke about Himself when he began preaching in the Temple, this is the reason He came.

“Someone handed Him the book of the early preacher Isaiah. He opened it and found the place where it was written, 18 ‘The Spirit of the Lord is on Me. He has put His hand on Me to preach the Good News to poor people. He has sent Me to heal those with a sad heart. He has sent Me to tell those who are being held that they can go free. He has sent Me to make the blind to see and to free those who are held because of trouble. 19 He sent Me to tell of the time when men can receive favor with the Lord.'” Luke 4:17-19 NLV

The message of the angels that first Christmas was “I bring Good News of Great Joy.”

Jesus is our good news – He’s the healer of the broken hearted, He comforts us in our time of sorrow, He gives us joy unspeakable, peace that passes our understanding and He rebuilds what was left wasted and destroyed.

Look around today. I’m sure there will be folks we can laugh and celebrate with but let’s also look for those who may need us. They need us to help them through a rough time.

“Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.” Ephesians 5:1-2 NLT

Be on the look out for those who need our help, our strength and be a wonderful example of God’s love!

Let’s help replace Bah Humbug with Good Tidings of Great Joy!

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