Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Isaiah 43
In Chapter 43 we have no doubt Who God is and what He will do! I made note of some things He said: I have created you, I have formed you, I have redeemed you, I have called you by name, I will be with you, I am the Lord your God, I gave Egypt as your ransom, I love you, I give men in return for you, I am with you, I will bring back your offspring, I will gather you, I created you for My glory, I am He, I am the Lord, I declared, saved and proclaimed, I am God, I work, I am the Holy One, I am doing a new thing, I will make a way, I blot out your transgressions, I will not remember your sins. He say's besides Me, there is no other savior. What other "god" is like our GOD. It reminds me of the old song, there is none like you, no one else can touch my heart like You do. And because of all this, I know that what He says in verses 1 & 2 are true. He will be with me, I will not be overwhelmed, burned or consumed. Thank you Jesus!!
Friday, March 25, 2011
Studies in Isaiah Chapter 40
Wow, this is an amazing chapter!
We shall all see the glory of the Lord. I have always loved the story of Moses in Exodus 33, when he asks to see Gods glory. God covers his eyes, but then allows Moses to see His back as He passes by. Man, what I would do to see just Gods back, what an amazing sight that must have been! I am so excited for that day when I will be able to see God in all of his glory in heaven. But until that day, I am satisfied to see Him be glorified here on earth.
The word for Glory in verse 5 and also in Ex 33:18 is: Kabowd, which means honor, abundance, riches, splendor and reputation. May I always give God the Glory He is due.
In verses 7 and 8 we are put in our place. We are like grass that withers away with one blow and a flower that fades. That is so true, with one trial I can forget all that the Lord has shown me!
But then we see the Lord high and lifted up!
His word stands forever. He is a Victorious Warrior, a Shepard, He measures the waters, sky, soil and mountains. Who can teach God anything? The nations can offer Him nothing. Who is like our God? No one and nothing can compare to Him. But we are like grasshoppers. He can bring our leaders to nothing. He created the stars and knows each one of them by name. And because of His absolute power and strength not one of them is forgotten.
Wow, now that is a big and mighty God and we are nothing but little specks, a drop in a bucket.
In verse 28 he says, "Have you not known? Have you not heard?" He is the creator of the earth, he does not get tired or weary. He gives us His power, He increases our strength.
The message bible says it like this:
"Why would you ever complain, O Jacob, or, whine, Israel, saying, "God has lost track of me. He doesn't care what happens to me"?
Don't you know anything? Haven't you been listening? God doesn't come and go. God lasts. He's Creator of all you can see or imagine.
He doesn't get tired out, doesn't pause to catch his breath. And he knows everything, inside and out. He energizes those who get tired,
gives fresh strength to dropouts. For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall. But those who wait upon God get fresh strength."
I think some times I am tempted to say to the Lord, "where are You?" I tend to put my own human weaknesses on Him. Pastor Greg has said this many times, if you have a small God, you have big problems. But if you have a big God, you've got small problems. We serve a big God, nothing is to hard for Him. Even life's biggest problems in view of God seem minute.
May I always wait on the Lord for renewed strength, may I never lose sight of how big my God is. He will always be there for me because He is an eternal God with an endless supply of wisdom, power and strength.
We shall all see the glory of the Lord. I have always loved the story of Moses in Exodus 33, when he asks to see Gods glory. God covers his eyes, but then allows Moses to see His back as He passes by. Man, what I would do to see just Gods back, what an amazing sight that must have been! I am so excited for that day when I will be able to see God in all of his glory in heaven. But until that day, I am satisfied to see Him be glorified here on earth.
The word for Glory in verse 5 and also in Ex 33:18 is: Kabowd, which means honor, abundance, riches, splendor and reputation. May I always give God the Glory He is due.
In verses 7 and 8 we are put in our place. We are like grass that withers away with one blow and a flower that fades. That is so true, with one trial I can forget all that the Lord has shown me!
But then we see the Lord high and lifted up!
His word stands forever. He is a Victorious Warrior, a Shepard, He measures the waters, sky, soil and mountains. Who can teach God anything? The nations can offer Him nothing. Who is like our God? No one and nothing can compare to Him. But we are like grasshoppers. He can bring our leaders to nothing. He created the stars and knows each one of them by name. And because of His absolute power and strength not one of them is forgotten.
Wow, now that is a big and mighty God and we are nothing but little specks, a drop in a bucket.
In verse 28 he says, "Have you not known? Have you not heard?" He is the creator of the earth, he does not get tired or weary. He gives us His power, He increases our strength.
The message bible says it like this:
"Why would you ever complain, O Jacob, or, whine, Israel, saying, "God has lost track of me. He doesn't care what happens to me"?
Don't you know anything? Haven't you been listening? God doesn't come and go. God lasts. He's Creator of all you can see or imagine.
He doesn't get tired out, doesn't pause to catch his breath. And he knows everything, inside and out. He energizes those who get tired,
gives fresh strength to dropouts. For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall. But those who wait upon God get fresh strength."
I think some times I am tempted to say to the Lord, "where are You?" I tend to put my own human weaknesses on Him. Pastor Greg has said this many times, if you have a small God, you have big problems. But if you have a big God, you've got small problems. We serve a big God, nothing is to hard for Him. Even life's biggest problems in view of God seem minute.
May I always wait on the Lord for renewed strength, may I never lose sight of how big my God is. He will always be there for me because He is an eternal God with an endless supply of wisdom, power and strength.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Disneyland as Therapy
It's amazing what a little trip to Disneyland can do! The last 3 weeks my mom and I have gone to Disneyland on my day off. The night before we always debate about whether or not we should go. We say, "maybe we should rest tomorrow or go somewhere else." But we always end up going to Disneyland, even though we know it will be a long day and we will be tired! It's always worth it. We have so much fun and it gives us a chance to forget about all of our troubles (if only for a moment). It also gives us a chance to talk about things and encourage each other. When your going through hard times it's good every so often to get away and have some fun. Just like there is time to read the word and pray. If we didn't have something to take our minds off of our troubles we would go crazy. So Disneyland it is!
It feels as if you are in a different land, a different place in time. Even though I have been there many times, it never gets old. Every time we go we have a different experience. We eat at different places and we talk to different people. Yesterday, we did not go on one ride. We got there at 11 and left at about 9. We had fun just walking around all of the stores and sitting at all the different places. It was crowded so I didn't mind not having to wait in line. I am so thankful that the Lord has provided this little escape for us. Now in the weeks to come when my mom is not feeling well or feeling a little down, we can look back and remember all the fun we have had. Also she can look forward to the future and all the fun we will have. It gives her something to hold on to, something to look forward to.
We will never stop having fun, no matter what. Even when she is sick or her spirits are low, we will make our own fun. It's so important to get your mind off of your situation and on to the Lord. When your just sitting at home, thinking about how bad things are it can depress you.
Proverbs 17:22, "A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."
Proverbs 12:25, "Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad."
These scriptures are so true. When my mom is feeling down, I remind her of a funny story or a fun memory that we have. Then we laugh and her countenance is raised. I keep reminding her of the promises the Lord had given us and how He has taken care of us in the past, this brings down the anxiety level in her heart. I also tell her every time some one says they are praying for her and when some one prays with me for her. When you keep doing these things a person can't help but be joyful. The scariness is still there, but it seem a little bit easier to bear and the Lord provides His peace.
So this week starts the harder things, but the Lord is there to carry us through it all and He has been from the very beginning. Thanks mom for being so strong and willing to learn and grow through this whole experience. Even though you do struggle, you always come out on top of things and your emotions. I am very proud of you!
It feels as if you are in a different land, a different place in time. Even though I have been there many times, it never gets old. Every time we go we have a different experience. We eat at different places and we talk to different people. Yesterday, we did not go on one ride. We got there at 11 and left at about 9. We had fun just walking around all of the stores and sitting at all the different places. It was crowded so I didn't mind not having to wait in line. I am so thankful that the Lord has provided this little escape for us. Now in the weeks to come when my mom is not feeling well or feeling a little down, we can look back and remember all the fun we have had. Also she can look forward to the future and all the fun we will have. It gives her something to hold on to, something to look forward to.
We will never stop having fun, no matter what. Even when she is sick or her spirits are low, we will make our own fun. It's so important to get your mind off of your situation and on to the Lord. When your just sitting at home, thinking about how bad things are it can depress you.
Proverbs 17:22, "A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."
Proverbs 12:25, "Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad."
These scriptures are so true. When my mom is feeling down, I remind her of a funny story or a fun memory that we have. Then we laugh and her countenance is raised. I keep reminding her of the promises the Lord had given us and how He has taken care of us in the past, this brings down the anxiety level in her heart. I also tell her every time some one says they are praying for her and when some one prays with me for her. When you keep doing these things a person can't help but be joyful. The scariness is still there, but it seem a little bit easier to bear and the Lord provides His peace.
So this week starts the harder things, but the Lord is there to carry us through it all and He has been from the very beginning. Thanks mom for being so strong and willing to learn and grow through this whole experience. Even though you do struggle, you always come out on top of things and your emotions. I am very proud of you!
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Life can be so hard!
Some times life can be so hard! Just when you think things are going to get better, something hits you in the face. You always try to be ready for the next big trial or the next big hardship. But you are never really prepared. Yes, the Bible says there will be trials and tribulations. But can we just get a break every once in a while. Now I'm not complaining, I'm just stating the truth. No one wants to be in the midst of hardship. I know there are good things that can come out of trials, growing closer to the Lord, deepening my roots in the Word and I know that suffering produces endurance, character and hope (Romans 5). But every once in a while it would be nice to have a break from suffering!!
There are so many more families who are going through even deeper and darker trials than my family. Lord please help us, we are suffering.
This is a very comforting passage in Philippians:
4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, rejoice! 4:5 Let everyone see your gentleness. The Lord is near! 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. 4:7 And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
I guess we will never fully be out of suffering until we are in Heaven and what a glorious day that will be!
Revelation 21:4, "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death will not exist any more – or mourning, or crying, or pain, for the former things have ceased to exist.”
There are so many more families who are going through even deeper and darker trials than my family. Lord please help us, we are suffering.
This is a very comforting passage in Philippians:
4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, rejoice! 4:5 Let everyone see your gentleness. The Lord is near! 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. 4:7 And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
I guess we will never fully be out of suffering until we are in Heaven and what a glorious day that will be!
Revelation 21:4, "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death will not exist any more – or mourning, or crying, or pain, for the former things have ceased to exist.”
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