Category: Isaiah

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In Your Presence

I don’t often go places by myself but yesterday I had a hair appointment so I drove down to the salon. Before I pulled out of the drive I found an old CD that I had purchased years ago on one of our trips to Phoenix.

The artist was a worship leader at a church in Mesa. The songs were fresh and powerful. Her voice is strong and inviting and I had forgotten what an impact they made in my heart.

One song in particular reminded me of the devotional a few days ago of building our relationship with the Lord. It’s called In Your Presence.

How comforting it is to know that we are invited into the presence of our heavenly Father. He desires to spend time with us, He’s waiting for us to come to His throne. He wants us to know Him.

“I am the Lord, the only God.
There is no other God except me.
I put your clothes on you,
but still you don’t know me.

6 I am doing this so that everyone will know
that I am the only God.
From the east to the west, people will know that I am the Lord
and that there is no other God.

7 I made the light and the darkness.
I bring peace, and I cause trouble.
I, the Lord, do all these things.” Isaiah 45:5-7 ERV

Our relationship with the Heavenly Father is a loving, kind and miraculous one. His purpose from the beginning, from the garden, was to have this kind of relationship. One where we could walk and talk to each other, one where we are in His presence and not afraid.

“So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved kindness, and we will find help.”
Hebrews 4:16 ERV

Things bothering you today – life presenting you challenges – joys you want to share? Come boldly to His presence!

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So many things…

So many things vie for our attention. Demands come from career, from family, from current events and also from our own desires. Things happen so quickly it seems and we are caught up in another crisis and if not a crisis, just caught up in life. When live gets hectic like this we react to circumstances instead of planning a course of action.

There’s no peace in that! And if there’s no peace then we also know that we haven’t given the Lord permission to direct our steps. We need to be led by His Spirit so that we make wise and deliberate decisions; decisions that bring peace and joy.

I encourage you to stay focused today. Focused on God’s word and His promises.

“God, you give true peace to people who depend on you,
to those who trust in you.
4 So trust the Lord always, because in the Lord Yah you have a place of safety forever.” Isaiah 26:3-4 ERV

The Apostle Paul was giving final instruction to the christians in Rome and this was his instruction.

“I pray that God, who gives hope, will bless you with complete happiness and peace because of your faith. And may the power of the Holy Spirit fill you with hope.

14 My friends, I am sure that you are very good and that you have all the knowledge you need to teach each other.” Romans 15:13-14 ERV

Check your heart in every situation. Are you at peace or is there turmoil? If there’s peace, then proceed and trust the Lord’s leading. If not, then wait – pray and don’t be in rush!

Enjoy your day and let the peace of God which passes all understanding guard your heart!

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Fog

Have you ever lived in a place where the fog rolls in? We lived in the San Diego area for a few years and would experience it there. We’ve also seen it roll in here in the desert. I really don’t know all the natural climate conditions that create fog but I know it can be dangerous. I’ve been told that the humidity and the air temperature being close to the same create the inversion layer.

While driving years ago our son Koy and I were headed from Spokane to San Diego. We had to go through the Mt. Shasta area and it was about 3 in the morning. Lots of big rigs on the road and we would be driving along with clear view, make a bend in the road and be completely socked in with the fog. No visibility and on the next bend it would be clear again – scary stuff! Been there, done that, hated it!

Many times we live our spiritual lives in a fog. An inversion layer of cares, stress and anxiety come rolling in and we can’t find our way. What to do? Well, of course, you know I’m going to say “Go to the Word”. Just like fog lights helped to light our way while traveling that foggy road, God’s Word will also illuminate our path.

“Your word is a lamp that gives light wherever I walk.” Psalm 119:105 CEV

And when we listen to the Holy Spirit we will receive clear direction.

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, you will hear a voice saying, “This is the road! Now follow it.” Isaiah 31:21 CEV

I pray for a day free of fog for all of you!

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Solomon Building the Temple

Was reading about Solomon building the Temple. David had always wanted to build it but his life was spent in securing the nation and the project of building the Temple was given to Solomon instead. 7 1/2 years and billions of dollars – over 100,000 workers – amazing!

But the most amazing thing is this.
“This is what Solomon said to King Hiram: 3 “You remember that my father, King David, had to fight many wars all around him. So he was never able to build a temple to honor the LORD his God. King David was waiting until the LORD allowed him to defeat all his enemies. 4 But now the LORD my God has given me peace along all the borders of my country. I have no enemies, and my people are in no danger.” I Kings 5:2-4

Solomon spoke of David wanting to build a temple for the Lord his God but now he, Solomon, was going to build a temple for the “Lord my God”.

That really struck me – as a parent David had many children that didn’t grow up to serve the Lord “their” God but Solomon did and he gave personal testimony that the Lord was his God.

What kind of heritage are we living before our children? Do they see the God we love and serve as antiquated and irrelevant to their lives? Or is our God loving, full of strength, power and peace and someone our children desire to have personal relationship with as well?

God doesn’t have grandkids – we aren’t in His family because of our parents relationship. Each one of us need our own personal relationship with our heavenly Father. I’ve heard it said before that being born in a christian family doesn’t make you a christian anymore than being born in a garage would make you a car.

We need to live lives that cause others to hunger for the same peace, joy, victory, strength and reliance on the Lord that we have. We pray for our children every day that God will reveal himself to them in a way that they can see and know it’s God.

“Then all your children will be taught by the Lord, their prosperity will be great, 14 and you will be established on a foundation of righteousness. You will be far from oppression, you will certainly not be afraid; you will be far from terror, it will certainly not come near you.” Isaiah 54:13-14

No one can be forced into salvation – it’s a free gift to be received. But one of the greatest things we can do for this world is to raise our children to honor God and follow His plan for their lives.

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Overslept

I overslept this morning. For some, my statement makes them chuckle because they know me as one of their early rising friends. But really I slept until 5:15 – not a common occurence. I so enjoy my morning quiet with the Lord, watching the sun come up, hearing the birds start their morning songs and having my coffee and time with all of you.

So since I overslept it seems only appropriate that I share what God’s word has to say about rest and sleep.

The practicality of the God of Word is ingenious! Large or small there is no problem that it doesn’t address.

“There are some who ask, “Who will be good to us?”
Let your kindness, LORD, shine brightly on us.
7 You brought me more happiness than a rich harvest
of grain and grapes.
8 I can lie down and sleep soundly
because you, LORD, will keep me safe.” Psalm 4:6-8 ERV

In the King James, verse 8 says that “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.” …lay down in peace and dwell in safety – that will give you a good night’s sleep.

This goes along with a verse in Isaiah that tells us how to live in peace – stress free, free of anxiety and fear.

“The LORD gives perfect peace to those whose faith is firm.
4 So always trust the LORD because he is forever
our mighty rock.” Isaiah 26:3-4 CEV

When we keep God and His Word as the center of our focus we will be in perfect peace and we will rest and sleep in safety.

Here’s to a day of peace and rest!

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