Isaiah 38:1-8 -- It's about a relationship

Have you noticed that we can affect God's decisions, even after He's decided to do something.  It's like children who can affect their parents' decisions.  My dilemna with this is I don't really know what's best and I certainly don't know the future or the impact my decisions have on other people so who am I to tell God how to handle things.  I like the fact though, that God listens to us, to such an extent that He is even willing to change His decisions.  My challenge is, will I listen to Him, knowing that He knows best, and will I pray for His will to be done?

Lord, please take away my thoughts, other people's thoughts, satan's thoughts and leave me with Yours.

Amen

Isaiah 35:11-37:38 -- Every blessing we receive is only by God's grace

2 Corinthians 9:8
New International Version (©1984)
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

And it`s only by His grace
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GimLTv99I54

Father, as people around us mock You, show Yourself and Your truth, in Jesus name.

Isaiah 35:8-10 We're on a journey

Travel along, singing a song, follow Jesus day by never
Never mind what lies before you
Never mind what others do or say
Just travel along, singing a song
On the King's highway

What's the journey like?  I find it interesting that folks are comparing "The Bible" series to the movie "The Way" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzFV1Ixof0Q

"The people the Lord has rescued will come back singing as they enter Zion.  Happiness will be a crown they will always wear.  They will celebrate and shout because all sorrows and worries will be gone far away."

Isaiah 35:5- 7 God will provide and heal

I must confess; when I read this section I thought of Mark 9:24 "Lord, I do believe, please help my unbelief"

A new Christian was telling me one day that she went to pray for someone who was sick and she told the sick person she was new at the whole Christian thing but she was willing to try to pray for the person's healing...and the Dr told the sick individual that there were significant improvements!

And this is why I love hanging out with new Christians.  They're like children discovering the world.  Everything is fun and exciting and they have an amazing honeymoon with Christ.

As a mature Christian I need to get back to the honeymoon with Christ.  To remember it's not my prayers that bring water to the desert.  It's just plainly God who does this.

Father, as I read the testimonies of 2001 I know you've been working in, through and around me all these years and I thank you for this.  Father, continue to teach me knew things and continue to bring Your people back to You so that we have wonderful fellowship with each other.  Please refresh the spiritual dessert with the water of Your Spirit and please open the eyes of those who are spiritually blind and heal the hurts of those who are spiritually limbing right now.  Father, I so love You and thank You for bringing us back to a heart of worship.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5qx2eg_6U0

Isaiah 35:3-4 We can't but God can...handle it

If you're weak, scared or worried; relax and let God take it from here.  All we have to do is obey the next little thing He tells us to do.

Isaiah 35:1-2 A grateful heart -- stay plugged in

It seems that if we have a little and get more we are so much more grateful than if we have a lot and get more.

I have a plant from a dessert and without water it dries up and looks completely dead but when I add water to it it turns green.

I also have an itouch that when it's no recharged quits working.

These illustrations and verses are reminding me to stay watered by God's word and stay plug into the source of power and "Everyone will see the wonderful splendor of the Lord our God."

Isaiah 34:16-17 "The Lord brought togther all His creatures"

Father, I have to confess, I don't understand the violence in Isaiah 34.  I'm so fortunate to have been brought up in peaceful countries.  Father, thank you once again for answering our prayer and keeping our country "glorious and free" all these years. Lord, please help me not to take you for granted.  Father, as the College and Careers gather this week to pray, will You show up in the power of Your Spirit.  Father, as I look at my future I see what you've said "You have decided where each one of us shall live".  Lord, I know You led me into this neighbourhood.  Thank you.  Father, thanks for the treat of the recipe book project.  Would you bless it abundantly so that other will recognize Your kindness to Your people.  I love You.