Isaiah 49:20-23 -- You won't be disappointed if you trust me. GOD

What this section is not saying is there will be no sorrow, enemies or ruins.  What it's saying is even during these negative experiences God is birthing something in us and He will grow these blessings to such an extent that we won't be disappointed....if we trust Him.

Father, right now You know what You're growing in my life.  Continue to work in ways that will glorify You and bring a powerful, loving faith in You to hundreds and thousands of people across this nation.

Father, please also work in my family.  Right now I think of my family in the States.  Lord would you bring them into a closer relationship with You and the rest of our family.  Take full control of each one of our lives so there is no power struggle left.

Thanks
Sherrill

Isaiah 49:13-19 -- I will never forget how to love you. GOD

"What a mighty God we serve"
"What a mighty God we serve"
"Angels bow before Him"
"Heaven and earth adore Him"
"What a mighty God we serve"

"I command you satan in the name of the Lord"
"Pick up your weapons and flee"
"For the Lord had given me authority to stomp all over you"

Let's CELEBRATE!!!  

"The Lord's people have suffered, but he has shown mercy and given hem comfort.  The people of Zion said the Lord has turned awy and forgotten us." but the Lord says "How could I forget you?  I love you and your city"

Father thank you for Your comfort today.

Isaiah 49:9-12 -- Really God??

As I read the passage today I'm a little concerned about it applying to me.  I am a nobody with no influence except the influence the Spirit gives me so when an inmate asks me to pray for their parole hearing I pray that God will fulfill His purposes in them whether on the inside or out.

On the other hand, I don't like the idea that I as a tax payer I am paying over $100,000/inmate/year to keep them in prison.  I feel like I need to be getting something more for my money.  To me prison is like a big adult time out and as a result individuals need to understand the consequences of their actions and figure out how to best clean up the damage they've caused.

I'm reminded of a trite but good restorative justice story that came about long before I knew any inmate.  One day this teenager hit my car. It was minor damage and I was busy so I took down his name and phone number and in behind the scenes I took down the license.  When I went to deal with the situation I discovered he had given me a bogus name and phone number.  With this I called the cops.  As it turned out he was visiting my neighbour at the same time as the car owner was visiting my neighbour but their was no relationship between the two.  The owner brought him to my door and told me he had just moved from Mom in BC to Dad in Cambridge and when Dad found out he beat him up!!!  Well that was useless to me so I told him I didn't care how long it took him to pay the $150 in damages but he had to pay for them.  He told me he had no money so I told him "wrong answer".  He said well my Dad gives me money for smokes maybe I could use that.  I said "right answer".  So every week he faithfully came by and paid me $10.  We became friends over that period of time and at the end he was one of he happiest people I knew.  I think because, for the first time he had been able to clean up his own mess.

I know not everyone is ready to problem solve so they have to stay involved with their timeout until they're ready...but for those that are, may God help them to bring healing to their communities.

I also find the argument, "let them figure out their own re-entry strategy" a little weak as well.  If they can't get a job because they have a record then what are their options? More crime? Lying about their record? Working underground?

Father, as you work in and through us will You fill us with Your wisdom.

Thanks

Isaiah 49:8-- I have choosen you, signed God

The Lord say He will answer our prayers
He will set  a time to save us (through the life and death of His Son, Jesus)
He has choosen us to bring hope to the nations.

"May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable unto You O Lord. O Lord, my God, O Lord, my King.  May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable unto You O Lord"

Isaiah 49:7 -- The Lord will rescue you

"You can trust me! I am Your Lord, the holy God of Israel, and you are my chosen ones."

Isaiah 49:6 -- Take my saving power to the world!

As I read this verse I think; I'm hoping this is talking about Jesus not me. Yet I know this blog gets hits from all over the world.  In my skeptism I think the hits are being made by computers not people but maybe, just maybe, a person accidently encounters it via google or something.   What an incredible responsibility!

"Lord, may the words of mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight" Psalm 19:14

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9-FlrMTLn8

Father, right now I'd like to lift up to You each person who has been hurt by the church.  You have said our fight is not against flesh and blood but You also know how easy it is to blame others.  Father, would you bring healing to those wounds and united us into a group of people who are willing and able to serve in Your Kingdom.  I miss the team.  Help us to be honest with each in sharing what works and what doesn't work for each of us.  I know You have created each of us for our spot in the body of Christ so help us to find our spot and fulfill it to the best of our abilities.  Help us to value and support each other as true members of the family of God.

Isaiah 49:5 -- God has a plan

Choosen! That's us.  God has given to us what we need to fulfill His purposes.  Father, will you help me to use what You have given to me in order to have the most impact on Your Kingdom. 

Teach me how to love You
Teach me how to pray
Teach me how to serve you
Better day by day.

Thanks

Isaiah 49:1-4 God's work through His servant

Before we were born God had chosen us.
He keeps us safely hidden in the palm of His hand.

Lord please honour Yourself through my life.
Lord, I'm tired and it seems that my time is wasted but You know the tasks I've done for You and I know You will reward me.

Thanks

Isaiah 47-48 -- It's not always positive

God will allow Kings to fall and He does punish His people.  This is because He is a loving and caring Father.   He knows vegetables are good for us.

"Search me O Lord and know my heart today
Try me O Saviour know my thoughts I pray
See if there be some hurtful way in me
And lead me in the path of righteousness"

"From the rising of the sun
To the going down of the same
The name of the Lord is to be praised
From the rising of the sun.
To the going down of the same
The name of the Lord is to be praised"

Father, thank you for giving us this land, a good economy and a peaceful nation. Forgive me for the times that I have taken You for granted.  Father, please fill my heart with an attitude of gratitude.

I love You.

It's amazing what praising can do.
Hallelluia, hallelluia
It's amazing what praising can do.
Hallelluia
I don't worry when things go wrong
Jesus fill my heart with a song
Oh it's amazing what praising can do
Hallelluia.

Isaiah 46:9-13 -- The Lord Alone is God

Fortunately the Lord alone is God and I only have to worry about the next little thing God tells me to do.  Thanks Dad.

Isaiah 46:5-8 -- Can anything compare with God?

It doesn't matter how much money, responsiblity, or purpose we have we can't stop death but we can know someone who has overcome it!  This is the God who is asking "Can anyone compare with me? Is anyone my equal?". Think about it; when you really need help will that wonderfully made sculpture do anything for you?

"In His time, in His time.  He makes all things beautiful in His time.  Lord please show me everyday as you're teaching me Your way that You do just as you say in Your time."

Isaiah 46:1-4 -- God will take care of us

Only the real God can and will take care of us.  The idols only create burdens that make people tired.  Know that God has taken care of you from your birth and even when you are old he will be the same.  He will carry us.

Footprints in the Sand

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.

Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.

In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.

Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,

other times there were one set of footprints.

This bothered me because I noticed

that during the low periods of my life,

when I was suffering from

anguish, sorrow or defeat,

I could see only one set of footprints.

So I said to the Lord,

"You promised me Lord,

that if I followed you,

you would walk with me always.

But I have noticed that during

the most trying periods of my life

there have only been one

set of footprints in the sand.

Why, when I needed you most,

you have not been there for me?"

The Lord replied,

"The times when you have

seen only one set of footprints,

is when I carried you."

Isaiah 45:22-25 -- Just Wait, you'll see, God

If you don't respect God now know that at some point you will and you'll be embarrassed by the day you didn't because God has said

"Everyone will bow down and worship me"

Philippians 2:9-12
"Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,  that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,  and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,  to the glory of God the Father."

Isaiah 45: 20-22 - God invites the whole world to be saved

Here's a story that illustrates God's salvation plan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mV6A-cAcAJo

John 3:16  New International Version (NIV)

 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Thank you God our Father for giving us Your son and leaving Your Spirit 'till the work on earth is done.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQSuTP5OHBE

Isaiah 45:18-19 The Lord alone is God

I'm told that the placement of the earth is perfect.  Any farther away from the sun and we'd freeze to death; any closer and we'd burn to death.  It is the God who placed the earth in just the right place that I serve.  So Father, today, help me to serve you well because You know exactly where I need to be and what I need to be doing.

Isaiah 45:14-17 The Lord will keep us safe

As we keep God as our focus and obey the next little thing He tells us to do He'll take care of the rest.

Isaiah 45:11-13 --I am the Lord

The Creator, the holy God of Israel. Do you dare question me about my own nation or about what I have done?

Have you ever thought of how the human body is created (of course you have :-))?  How a child's body is created through love and continues to grow?  How each child in the same family is unique?  How each individual contributes to society their good and their bad?  Have you ever thought that God has a perfect plan for each one of us and if we were all fulfilling the plan to the best of our ability we'd have an amazing life...each and everyone of us?

Father, wll you use this body of mine to do Your work today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tX5Mk422JKo

Isaiah 45:9-10 -- I am your maker; God

Father, as my maker I ask that you help me to be all that You've made me to be.

Isaiah 45:1-8 Who understands God?

There are many things I don't undertand about God. For instance
"I create light and darkness, happiness and sorrow.  I the Lord do all of this."

On Sunday I heard that Rick Warren's son committed suicide and I also heard his church is releasing a movie called Homerun this week.  How can such devastation and excitement exist at the same time?

It's like God said to Cyrus
"Sherrill, you don't even know me"

God is saying, to both Cyrus and I.  I have made you strong but you don't even know me; yet I want everyone from east to west to learn that He is the Lord and that no other gods are real.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pE8UAs9pZX4


Thanks.

Isaiah 44:27-28 I am in control; God!

In my spiritual journey I've had times that I've hated and times that I've loved. The danger in the times that I love is that both  I and others get their eyes off of God and on to me and in the days that I've  hated I've been mad at other people for making bad choices. (ie other people are in control). Yet the scripture today is highlighting the fact that God is in control!

"When I'm in control then I have no opportunity to see God in action"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ma-RUB28iYE

Father, thank you for the treats you gave to me yesterday.  I am so blessed. 

Isaiah 44:25-26 -- the Brilliance of Jesus; He didn't make sense!

In our world of egos with people who think they have the solution Jesus stepped in an challenged the King of the day.  Before He was 2 the King thought he was a threat and tried to killl Him yet all He did was connect with 12 men of no real stature.  Of course there were a few rich and wise who secrectly tried to find out what he was about but in general it was the nobodies, the blind, the sick... who followed Him for of course, He gave them what they needed...health for both the body and soul.  What is interesting though is today we know the King , with more than one palace killed baby boys but that's about all we know.  But Jesus, really, what did happen 2013 years ago that we would have our calendar year as this?  And why do our universities have so may church sponsored colleges?  And why do our hospitals have the words Grace and St in so many of them??? 

Yes, Jesus...what makes this man so special?  Is it time to read His biographies?  Mark, the teenager who lost his clothes running away from Jesus oposition; Luke the doctor, Matthew, the hated tax collector, John one of Jesus' best friends...  and then Acts, what happened to Jesus' followers after he died.

Isaiah 44:24 -- I am your Lord

Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord give thanks to God for everything;
Sing a make music in your heart to the Lord give thanks for everything.
Give thanks every day for everything in the name of Jesus Christ.
Give thanks every day for everything in the name of Jesus Christ.
Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord give thank to God for everything.
Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord give thanks for everything.

God has rescued us
God is the source of our life
God created everything from the sky above to the earth below (and given us brains to create along side Him)

Ephesians 5:1-20 -- Attitude of Gratitude

• Walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
• Let there be no hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.  Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place
• Rather be thankfull.
• No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
• Let no one deceive you with empty words;.
• Live as children of light ⁹ (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) Find out what pleases the Lord.
• Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
• Live not as unwise but as wise,  making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
• Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery.
• Be filled with the Spirit,  speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 44:23 --He has rescued His people

I will sing unto You with joy oh Lord for you're the rock of my salvation.  Come before you with thanksgiving and exhalt You with a song.  For You're the greatest King above all else.  You hold the depth of the earth in Your hand.  I will sing unto You with joy oh Lord for You're the rock of my salvation.

Isaiah 44:22 -- Turn back to me, the Lord

The Lord says "Turn back to me!  I have rescued you and swept away your sins as though they were clouds."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQ93HVuYd5Y

Isaiah 44:12-21 -- Look at what you have says the Lord

Here's an Alpha joke:

"One day God and man decided to have a competition to make a man.  When God looked over at man he had a pile of sand and God said, no, use your own sand."

The question is, how can we worship something we've made.  And how can it be holy when we use the same material to do things like warm ourselves or cook with it.

We can only worship something that is greater than ourselves.  We can only be impressed with someone whose work is greater than what we control.... and we can only see this as we surrender ourselves to His Lordship.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcnfT4arZtI

Isaiah 44:9-11 -- God doesn't mind taking on idols

I cut out a picture of Jesus this weekend that I discovered in a newspaper.  I love it because He looks so loving and human, yet divine.  I've put it on my wall above pictures of my family to remind me to pray for my family, and to remind me that He's got them covered.  Yet, still the truth of all of this is the picture is not my God.  My God is alive, living, loving, caring, applying justice and grace.  I didn't make Him up.  There's enough evidence to know that Jesus walked this earth.  The only real question is did He rise from the dead?  As I googled this question I'm shocked at how little there is of credible material out there on this question.  The first hit I went to I thought wonderful; it's a Canadian paper addressing the issue because the question was in the title of the article but the article didn't talk about it at all!!!  Fortunately I know Professors like CS Lewis, who became a christian as an adult, has done some homework on this topic.  My head hurts when I read his work "Basic Christianity" so here's another article that addresses the same question.

http://y-jesus.com/wp-content/tcpdf-pdf/1871.pdf

For me the evidence is an obvious yes; He did rise from the dead!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_OTz-lpDjw

Isaiah 66:7-8 -- Can anyone compare with God?

Can anyone compare with God?

Don't tremble with fear! Didn't I tell you long ago? Didn't you hear me?  I alone am God -- no one else is an almighty rock!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CoiPZtIxrI

Isaiah 44:6 -- Jesus we enthrone You!!

"The Lord All-Powerful, the first and the last, the one and only God.  The one who has rescued Israel."

You are our King!!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijUjPEvxqKw