Isaiah 59:18-20 -- God gets angry

We're created in God's image so we shouldn't be shocked that God gets angry; and the people who benefit from His anger like it.

Father, as I read this passage I'm reminded of the flood in Calgary and thank you that in this tragedy You have united people.  I think of the synagogue and the church that came together to make sandwiches.  Thank you Lord.  Father, will you continue to help those who are currently displaced; especially those who are weaker.

God has promised to rescue those who turn from their sins!  Lord, help us to be humble in you sight and confess that we need You to run our lives, our churches, and our countries.  Forgive us for thinking any other way.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sU8MAQKSbEI

Isaiah 59:9-17 -- It doesn't look like paradise

There are days when we hope for sun and get rain
There are days when we hope someone will defend us but they don't
There are days when we think we're blind and feel like we can't see any more than a blind person
There are days when we growl like a a bear and mourn like doves
There are days when we hope for justice and victory but they escape us

Lord,  have we sinned and turned against you?
Father, have we rebelled and refused to follow you?
Have our hearts been deceitful?
Have we planned to abuse others and turn our backs on you?

Is this our picture?

• Injustice seems to be everywhere
• Truth is chased out of the court
• Honesty is shoved aside.
• Everyone tells lies;
• Those who turn from crime end up ruined.

When the Lord noticed that justice had disappeared He became displeased!  (Father, please feel this nation with justice, mercy, love and integrity)

The Lord was disgusted that no one would do a thing about it...so He won victories for truth.

Justice was the Lord's armor; saving power was his helmet; anger and revenge were His clothes

Isaiah 59:9-15 -- God is not mocked.

A woman told me, Sherrill if I wasn't a Christian I know how to use the system and get what I need but because I'm a Christian I need some help getting established after my time in prison so I can get my kids back.

It's not that we can do whatever we want.  Galatians 5:7-8 says "You cannot fool God, so don't make a fool of yourself!  You will harvest what you plant. If you follow your selfish desires, you will harvest destruction, but if you follow the Spirit, you will harvest eternal life!

The truth is our sins condemn us.  They make our life messy.  If we refuse to follow God we end up deceiving ourselves and others and injustice rules!  

We can choose to live this way or we can choose to turn control of our life over to God...and we know if we do this He'll start wanting to clean up our sins!

Father, thank you for caring enough to want to take over the closet.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKlF6WbWBMg

Isaiah 59:3-8 -- A world where wrong seems right!

People need the Lord
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jM8RN8RbZhE

I've been so blessed to live in a world where right is right and wrong is wrong but God is opening my eyes to see this is not the world that everyone lives in.

This passage talks about things God doesn't like.  They are:

• lies
• plans for violence
• the making of traps (spider webs)...that bring no value to them
• brutality
• murder of innocent victims
• focus on sin
• ruin and destruction is left all around  
• lack of peace
• lack of fairness with others
• the paths are crooked
• followers can't find peace!

Father this opposite world is new to me.  As you expose me to it please help me to stay close to You so that I may hear Your still small voice as you direct me.

Thanks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=Y4DgESWtCus&feature=endscreen

Isaiah 59:1-2 -- Sins as a roadblock

These verses are interesting.  They are implying that our sins block the answers to our prayers and maybe this is true.  If I read Matthew 9 I see Jesus interacting with a sick man and instead of praying for his healing he said his sins are forgiven!

As an Alpha leader I use to run a healing night and because of this thought I wouldn't start with us praying for healing; I would start with us connecting with Jesus and then presenting our sin to Christ.  We would think of David and how he got caught. He didn't even think he had sinned until he was confronted...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mD2PJ0xbAdY

I firmly believe that a lot of our health issues are tied into our guilt.  I also believe many think that if we change the definition of sin our guilt will go away...but I don't think it works this way.   I think it only works when we recognize our failings and take them to Christ for His forgiveness and wisdom.  I'm not saying that we don't allow God to work through other individual; of course we do, but ultimately we can never live up to God's standards.  We are all sinners saved by grace!

I'm thankful for Andrea and Daniel who spurred me on to blog on Isaiah.  They have been such a blessing to me because really what they have done is spurred me on in spending time with Christ each day.  Andrea, if you're reading this know that I'm incredibly blessed to have you as my sister in Christ!  Keep the faith! This a perfect example of one sinner spurring another sinner on to a wonderful relationship with Christ.  Daniel, surprise...I know you're just finding out about this now! :-)

The truth is, when you've been a Christian for a certain period of time people assume you don't need spurring on and that is so not true! God always wants us on a growth path with Him.

Today Lord I'm asking for more help.  In particular, I need help controlling my sin of over indulgence. This is not a huge addiction it's just a sin that is creeping up on me that will eventually affect my health!  Thank you for my Ultimate Freesbie team mates who spurred me on to continue to play this summer and thank you for Kunfu for Christ.  Lord, I'm sure this is all good but ultimately I need to be aware of what I'm putting into my body.  Help me to be conscious of this in a way that's helpful and not crippling to me.

I'm also asking for help in my unbelief.  What an insult to You Lord.  I woke up this morning singing "Not my will Father but Thine be done".  Lord, please help me to not base my belief on the prayers you answer for me as if I am God but help me to understand your will and base my belief on my relationship with You and how I see You working.

Father, You have blessed Canada immensely.  Lord, please raise up the people of Canada to truly worship You once again. Renew their hope in You and help me to represent You well in Valerie's life.  Lord, please show us how we can bring You to her generation.

Isaiah 58:13-14 -- A special day in the week

I have to say, I love the Sabbath!!! I remember taking this rule seriously in university.  I knew I had to study hard but I believed that if God said I needed a day off I needed a day off!  The definition of the day off meant no studying.  This meant I could treat myself to baking but I would not study!  These days it means spending time with friends talking about God, walking in His wonderful creation, napping, and worshiping God in a larger congregation.  It is WONDERFUL.  It's the best rule ever!    In all of our doing it's great just to be able to change the routine and remember the amazing things God is doing, showing us and creating around us!

Yesterday I went to church and on the ceiling in my church right now there is a balloon that is there to remind us to CELEBRATE!  It was part of the kids story when we were talking about God rising from the dead.

What a treat to be in relationship with the King above all Kings!

Isaiah 58:11-12 -- He will guide

Father, thank You for providing for me.  You have promised to guide me, give me good food, and make me healthy so please help me to get the right food into my body.  Help me too to get the right balance of water.  Right now I'm thinking about the floods in Calgary and I'm reminded of how too much of a good thing isn't good.

Thanks for allowing me to make a difference in this world by working on making things better.