Isaiah 51:3 -- It usually gets messy before it gets better...

Have you ever noticed you can't renovate a house without making a mess first?  If this is true with our physical homes then what about our Spiritual homes? 

Thanks God for reminding me that even when things look like Your Kingdom is in complete ruin You're not done with your creation.  As quickly as the leaves came out on the trees and the flowers came out in the garden You can change the complete ruin into something beautiful where we celebrate.  Then, in Your Kingdom, we will be thankful and sing joyful songs.

Father, I pray for this celebration in Your Kingdom.  Lord, will You help us celebrate and value each other.

Father, please continue in your renovations.

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

Isaiah 51:1-2 If you want to do what's right; follow your ancestors!

What an interesting thought.  The truth is I never realized I was doing it but people have told me, in hindsight I have.  I have been blessed with wonderful Grandparents and parents. 

Today I'm thinking of my friend who told me how his Grandfather led the way of faith for him and has helped him get his life back on track.

Today I'm thinking about my friends who had Godly ancestors who like the prodigal son have turned their backs on God and are too embarrassed to come back.  Father, help them to realize that You love them and so desire an abundant life for them.

Today I'm thinking of my friends who haven't had the blessing of Godly ancestors and they are in the process of changing that cycle and they need all the encouragement they can get.  (People who have a heart for God, our Father's business, and His Kingdom, fit my family profile so I'm more than willing to adopt these folks into my family so that they may have the blessings of the contributions of my ancestors.)

Isaiah 50:10-11 -- Who are we respecting?

Wow! What a reprimand today!  Who are you respecting?  Who are you obeying? Who are you trusting?

Father, my hearts desire is to be in relationship with You. Thanks for Andrea's encouragement to do this blog.  It has been so good for me.

It is so true, we can walk in our own fires or we can walk in the fire of the Holy Spirit.  Lord, we both know that walking in our own fires is not acceptable so Lord please fill me with Your Spirit today.  Use me hands, feet and mind to represent You well.  I love You.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6c6_tlBVtHA

Isaiah 50:8-9 -- God will protect

When I think of these verses I think of how Jesus was accused, mocked and beaten and it seemed like God was not there.  Yet Jesus refused to defend Himself...and then ultimately no one could say anything...He had risen.  In fact the mocking could go the other way.

For instance, have you ever heard of anyone having a tomb guarded before?  and if so, was there more than one guard guarding it?  Why on earth would a legend of  soldiers be sent to guard Jesus tomb...after all, He was dead!!!  It just provided one more reason why people couldn't say his friends stole the body!  My God is good!

Father, today there are some people who need to know more than ever that You will protect.  In fact, Father, there are some people that You're calling today to be Your arms and feet to help protect the most vulnerable.  Would You give them the courage they need.  And Lord, today there are some pretty tough things going on in some people's lives.  As they cry out to You, would protect their hearts and bodies and turn the lemons in their lives into lemonade.  Lord, I love You.

Isaiah 50:4-7 -- I refuse to give up...because I know God will never let me down

When I look at verses 6-7 and think of what Jesus went through; when He was going through it, it didn't seem that God was there for Him.  In fact even He didn't think God was there for Him as He cried out "My God, my God why have You forsaken me"  Matthew 27:45-46

Yet 3 days later, He had risen and today is 2013 because something significant happened two thousand and thirteen years ago.  And today we know the power house of his day, Herod, was a baby killer, and Jesus of Nazareth is being talked about and discovered all over this world.

So here's an interesting statistics link
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/
yet when I checked China Christianity wasn't mentioned
and I see:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-14838749
http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Peace/2013/03/29/67-Million-Chinese-Christians-And-Growing

And my prediction is that as the Chinese turn to God their economy will get better and as North Americans turn away from God their economy will decline.

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sins and heal their land' 2 Chronicles 7:14

God, thank you for hearing our prayer "God keep our land, glorious and free" all these years.  Please help us not to take You for granted.  Lord, as this country embrace the Billy Graham Hope project would you bring healing and hope to this nation!

I love you Lord and lift my voice to worship you oh my God and King.

Isaiah 50:1-3 -- A loving parent does discipline

I realize how we get messed up when we pray.  It's easy to slip into the "I'm in control" prayer and it's easy to take God for granted; especially when things are going our way so why wouldn't God stop things from going our way for a perspective adjustment!

Father, please forgive me for the many times I've taken You and others in you body for granted.  Help me to develop and attitude of gratitude.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TC0fkWA2INw

Isaiah 49:24-26 -- Injustice

Probably the most asked question when people are searching for God is "Why is there suffering in this world?"  As I read about the children in this passage my heart goes out to children in abusive situations and I begin to pray for the police officers, social workers, teachers, youth workers, Sunday School teachers, pastors, parents.... who play a role in making this world a better place for them.  I also ask God to turn the lemons in these children's lives into lemonade.  Father, I think of the Salvation Army officers I know who have come out of abusive situations and with their knowledge and compassion have made a positive difference in other people's lives.  Father, I pray for the spouses who are currently living with an abusive spouse.  Please give them the tools and support they require to handle the situation and the wisdom and courage to know whether to stay or leave.  Lord, please give parents what they need to stand up to anyone who is abusing their child (as opposed to discipling their child).  Father, please give us a good understanding of what healthy love is and help us to implement it in our lives with those in our circles. 

Father, please watch over each person who has accepted You as Lord of their lives in Alpha.  Give them the wisdom and the infilling of the Holy Spirit so that they can be salt and light in this world   We know we are not in charge of this world, nor can we fix every situation but we can obey the next little thing You tell us to do.