Archive - May 2007
May 29, 2007
Isaiah 61:11 (Amp)
For as [surely as] the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring forth, so [surely] the Lord God will cause rightness and justice and praise to spring forth before all the nations [through the self-fulfilling power of His word].
I know I'm going to sound repetitive - but I just love this verse! It clearly describes the power of the Word of God! Look again at the end of the verse; "through the self-fulfilling power of His word". Why does this verse excite me so much? Because I am well aware of my weaknesses and limitations. In and of myself, I cannot bring about the will of God. Only through the power of His Word can righteousness and justice flourish in my life and in the earth. I am so glad that truth comes with it's own source of fuel.
It reminds me of the flowers that I planted this weekend. God created those flowers with the right components to be able to grow and develop: the roots, the stems, the leaves and even the blooms. All I have to do is guard them from weeds and water them. Their self-fulfilling power to grow has already been encoded within them. In the same way the Word of God, planted in my heart will grow and flourish and make my life beautiful. All I have to do is protect the Word and water it with faith!
You can take great comfort in the power of God's Word within your life. He offers it, you plant it in your heart and protect it, and He watches over it to bring it to full maturity. That is reason to celebrate! Put your trust in the "self-fulfilling power" of God's Word!
May 26, 2007
Isaiah 61:10
I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For He has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness.
Wow! More Good News! This whole chapter is amazing! It so clearly describes the power of God that works in and through us. It's His mighty work that has accomplished our new position of liberty. He has saved us, and in saving us He has given us a new identity. Long ago people were identified by the clothing they wore. Their position in life was "advertised" by their attire. The same can be said of us, spiritually. People who have been saved from the curse and Hell are all be wearing the same attire: salvation and righteousness.
There is great joy is resting in the work of Christ. Today, check out your new clothes. They are very costly and therefore mark your life as very valuable. Think about it and enjoy it! Thank God and Rejoice!
May 18, 2007
Isaiah 61:9
Their descendants will be known among the nations and their offspring among the peoples. All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the Lord has blessed.
One of my favorite things about the Lord is the way He treats people. After the fall, humanity longed for rebirth and dignity. Unfortunately, the result of sin is that state of being where dignity is lost. And then in comes God who delivers and heals and restores through Christ! Dignity is restored and the glory of the Lord rises again on our lives! Thank you, Lord!
It's easy to pick out God's people; they are the ones who have believed and received this work of restoration. With a sense of dignity that exudes humility and loving-kindness, believers shine again with the glory of God. I don't know if we look just like Adam before the fall, but I do know that with God's countenance shining on us - we sure stand out!
"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. (Is 60:1&2)
May 16, 2007
Isaiah 12:3
With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
I know we were walking through chapter 61 but God has put His finger on this verse this morning. Somebody needs to be reminded of what belongs to them - someone is thirsty!
Our primary need is for oxygen - we need it constantly - and God designed us so that this need would be met by the involuntary action of breathing. We don't even need to think about it, we just do it!!
Our second greatest need is to take in water, yet God created this need to be met voluntarily. We have to manage our own water intake each day. Doctors tell us that many of the ailments we face are related to dehydration. We have the ability to prevent these physical problems by simply taking in water.
Spiritually we may face the same situation. When our lives are plagued by emotional or mental fatigue and weakness, it's because we have not taken in the life giving water of God. Are you feeling dry and tired? I encourage you today to take a deep, long drink; reminding yourself of everything that God has done for you because HE LOVES YOU!!
And remember, the more you drink it in, the more refreshed you will be!
May 13, 2007
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY
Psalm 92:4
For you make me glad by your deeds, O Lord; I sing for joy at the works of your hands.
For Mother's Day I want to take a moment away from the Isaiah 61 journey and share with you one of the most powerful lessons I have learned through Motherhood.
One day, many years ago I sat down and played dolls with my two daughters. We played "church". One of the girls wanted to be the Music Pastor's wife, and I'll admit, knowing that role was taken I hoped that my other daughter would chose to be me (I was in a leadership role at that time in the music department of our church). To my great disappointment my daughter exclaimed "I'll be Sally." It was a strong, silent blow to the heart! WOW, I thought to myself, I was very visible in the church and I thought I was successful and yet, neither of my daughters wanted to be me. Ouch!!
I kept my composure and asked the painful question - why? My daughter's response was simple and eternally memorable; "Sally is always happy". My daughter went on to describe how Sally, a faithful choir member, during praise and worship would jump up and down, big genuine smile over her face and sing her heart out. Sally was genuine alright - I knew that was a fact. She was saved and she was glad of it!! I was saved, I was just.... um, distracted.
I learned a powerful lesson that day: the most significant treasure we can give our children is the experience of true joy and the instruction of how to obtain it. Joy comes from knowing God! When you and I are focused on this world - let's face it - it's heavy! If we will re-focus on God and His goodness the words of David become true of our lives as well. David said "... You have made me glad..." Think of it this way re-focus and re-joice.
The Word is true - when we begin to focus on God - He makes us glad!!! That joy is the very thing our children are looking for and will follow. I have often heard cynics say that kids will do anything for fun. I don't think so, but they do know what they were made for: relationship and joy. One thing I love about kids is they are diligent to look for the source. Will they find it - HIM - through our example? Yes - because we WILL look to God and be filled with JOY! AMEN? Amen!!
Re-focus and Re-joice!!!
May 12, 2007
Isaiah 61:8
For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery and iniquity. In my faithfulness I will reward them and make an everlasting covenant with them.
Anyone who has read any number of my blog entries knows how much I love to focus on the goodness of God. It's called the "Gospel" for a reason - the news is GOOD! However today I'm not going to look at that side of this verse, just look the opener... "I... love justice; I hate robbery and iniquity..."
You know, we live in a culture that seems to be spiritually dyslexic. It loves evil and hates true justice. Our culture is filled with evil. What's worse is often it goes unrecognized. In our society evil is sugar coated and then renamed, "entertainment". Don't click that mouse... - I'm preaching to myself, too! Since Christian means "little Christ", it stands to reason that we would agree with what He stands for - justice, opposition to evil and sin.
Just wondering.... how much candy coated evil have we allowed into our lives? TV, music, movies.... Do we hate evil and cling to good? Not out of religious piety but out of complete fidelity and the desire to please God! I want to look and think and talk like God - and this is a good place to start! Live Pure = Love Justice = Honor God!
May 10, 2007
Isaiah 61:7
Instead of their shame, my people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance; and so they will inherit a double portion in their land and everlasting joy will be theirs.
When was the last time you sat back and taken in the grace of God - in full view (if that's possible)? Have you took the time to revel in His incredible goodness lately? I mean REALLY allowed yourself to be amazed!
Consider this verse in Isaiah. Written to people who were stubborn and rebellious in nature, God shows His intent for those who will connect with the covenant - and be "His"! Relationship... that's all He wants. And when we respond to it, He floods our lives with good! Even better than good - double duty good!!
In the place where you live - wherever that may be - God wants to show up and show off! You may be thankful for the blessing that He will bring, but you'll be AMAZED at His great love for you. It's His love for us that causes "everlasting joy" to be the hallmark of our lives.
Take the time today to look deep into the grace of God - express your devotion to Him - and enjoy this Divine relationship!!
May 7, 2007
Isaiah 61:6
But you shall be called the priests of the Lord; people will speak of you as the ministers of our God. You shall eat the wealth of the nations, and the glory [once that of your captors] shall be yours.
God's great plan of salvation begins in Israel and sweeps through out the world, through Christ. His plan to restore all that was lost and give the blessing to "whosoever will call on the name of the Lord" (Acts 2:21). And what is the destiny of those who believe in Christ and follow Him? Isaiah looked ahead to what Christ would do and tells us that believers are called "priests of the Lord", "ministers of our God". God's provision for us is also wonderful. But I want to remain focused on man's restoration of dignity.
No matter what earthly title or occupation you hold, you are a priest and minister of our God. It's important that you receive that truth and live by it. It's a known fact that people live up to the expectations put on them. God expects great things from you. He has literally invested, deposited His Spirit within you and made you able to minister. It's not by your own abilities, though they will be employed. It's by the Spirit of the Lord within you that enables you to fulfill this role.
Receive your title in grace and humility and live out the call. You are a minister of our God. Serve Him well!
May 5, 2007
Isaiah 61:5
Aliens shall stand and feed your flocks, and foreigners shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers.
Okay, now don't start looking around for little green men! The aliens referred to in verse 5 are called "Strangers" in the KJV. But now that I have your attention, I want to ask you something... Have you limited God's ability to provide for you? I know that I've done it. Maybe it's the hard word ethic my Mother raised me with, or maybe it's just plain ignorance, but for the most part I've expected all provision to come through my own two hands and in proportion to my own ability and effort. Do you think that way?
The challenge today is to evaluate our measure for thinking. Are you limited by small thinking? Could it be that God's blessing on the "work of our hands" creates something much bigger than what we could produce alone? Could it be possible that God would cause other people to care for areas of our lives so that we can work on His purpose? Would He really send "strangers" and "foreigners" to care for our "flocks", fields and vineyards? His Word says that is more than possible, it's His will.
Wow, I've got to let that sink in and clear my vision a little more, so that I am willing to open my life to someone's else's help. I pray that you too, will let God's Word alter your vision to align with His.
May 3, 2007
Isaiah 61:4
They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.
Wow, now there's a verse that stirs a fire inside me! Restoration! If there's anything I love about God it's His ministry of restoration! God has done great things throughout time - proving His power and love for man. Yet, mankind has often neglected and even rejected what God has done. Where we should have great monuments of His power, we have rubble and ruins.
The good news is that every testament to God's great power, once forgotten, can be resurrected and revisited today by anyone who will dare to believe! If you will surrender yourself to Him and His mission you will be able to participate in the building of His kingdom. You will see for yourself the amazing restoration work of God all around you.
It doesn't matter what your family history has been; it doesn't matter what course your country has chosen; it doesn't matter where you are coming from; all that matters is that you and I never limit God and live out exactly what He wrote in His Word.
Let the Spirit fill you and lead you to serve, and watch the hand of God amaze you! He can take what has been in ruins for centuries and rebuild something AWESOME!!! He does it the way He did it in days of old, through people. Obey God. Through your life, He will rebuild the ancient ruins.
May 2, 2007
Isaiah 61:3
... and to provide for those who grieve in Zion - to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness, instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor.No one but Christ Himself is the source of peace. We proclaim that peace and are living testiments of the power of God to save, heal and deliver. As I consider His call to bring the gospel to others I am reminded why this chapter begins with "The Spirit of the Lord is on me...". I cannot possibly bring healing through my own kindness or good intent. Only the anointing (power) of God can break the despair and sorrow caused by sin.
Next time you are seeing more despair and mourning around you than you are able to handle, remind yourself to depend on the power of the Holy Spirit to enable you to minister. It is through His strength that lives are made beautiful and strong, beginning with yours!
