In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another:
"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory."
Isaiah 6:1-3
Ah, I love scripture that is set to worship music. This is one of those songs, and it has special meaning to me.
Two years ago in May I started having stomach pain and vomiting. It started on May 1, actually, on my way home from the Vera Bradley sale in Ft. Wayne. It started as just a knot in my stomach. That was a Thursday.
The next day I was hugely uncomfortable, in a lot of pain. On Saturday I was able to put on my happy face and attend my brother-in-law's graduation from Ball State. I was still kind of sore, though, and my stomach just felt . . . weird. But within a couple of days I felt mostly back to normal.
The next Friday my husband and I went on a date to see a movie and have Japanese food. The next day I was in so much pain, I didn't think I would be able to stand it. My husband laid in bed with me, and he could hear my stomach make the noises that were doubling me over in pain. We finally went to the ER, and though they couldn't find anything with an X-Ray, they kept me overnight for observation and I was sent home on Sunday . . . which was Mother's Day.
By Tuesday I went to my doctor's office, pretty much begging for help. She gave me a "vomit bag," which I used when the anti-nausea meds she gave me did. not. work. So she sent me to the hospital, where they ordered CAT scans and such.
Wednesday morning the nurse rushed in, shooed everyone out (thank God for visitors, for their encouragement and mental stability in a time like this), and said that they were prepping me for surgery and the surgeon would explain everything when he got there.
I'll admit, I was scared. Not of dying, but of the unknown, because we really didn't know what we going on. I had a nasogastric tube inserted down my nose and a PIC Line sewed in my arm. The NG tube suctioned out two pitchers full of bile from my stomach. My friend Tammy was there; as an ER nurse she unofficially took over and led the charge - thank God for her! She couldn't believe all that they took out of my stomach. No wonder I had been so sick, she said. I thought . . . great! Let's go home!
But not so much. The surgeon met us in the hallway as they were wheeling me to the O.R. to explain I had a bowel obstruction and everything in my body was . . . backing up. I'm like, but they just got it all out, why can't I go home now? His answer was that everything would continue backing up because the obstruction wasn't going away, and they had to do emergency surgery to repair my intestine. (I hate saying bowel. Intestine sounds . . . cleaner. ha ha) This was a serious situation that required immediate action.
As I'm lying in the bed, being wheeled down the hallway, watching the ceiling tiles go by above me, I started singing: "I saw the Lord, seated on the throne, exalted. And the train of His robe, filled the temple with glory!"
I just kept singing the chorus over and over again, as they continued their preparations in the operating room, stopping to ask one question: what time it was. I wanted to be able to ask the time when I woke back up, to know how long it had been, to get maybe have an idea of the success of the surgery. I didn't pray. I didn't cry. I didn't beg God for anything. I just kept singing that song until I went to sleep: "Holy. Holy. Holy. Holy. Holy is the Lamb."
When I woke up, hours later . . . I was still singing that song. I didn't ask what time it was, I didn't really know what was going on . . . but I was singing that song, and imagining a room that the train of His robe could fill. And singing, "Holy. Holy. Holy. Holy."
Think you can't memorize scripture? Sure you can. Most of our choruses ARE scripture. Think you don't need to memorize scripture? Sure you do! There are time when saying the words are all you can do. And when you're scared, and you don't even know what to pray, the Holy Spirit does the praying for you: " In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will." Romans 8:26-27
I just wanted to share that story with you today . . . I hope it encourages you. Have a great day!
Monday, June 14, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Call a Spade a Spade
Woe to those who call evil good
and good evil,
who put darkness for light
and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet
and sweet for bitter. Isaiah 5:20
This verse is so pertinent today. I'm thinking of the oil spill in the gulf, and thinking . . . for crying out loud. Why can't this just be (and I use the word "just" very loosely) about an oil spill? Why does it have to be about politics and pointing fingers and blaming and naming?
In Matthew 5:37, Jesus said, "Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one." The blame game? Not godly. "Spinning" the bad news? Not holy. Changing the definition of "is?" Don't even get me started.
In this day, it can seem as if there is no absolute good or evil, no moral right or wrongs. But you know what? We as Christians just need to call a spade a spade and stand on the truth of the Bible. There ARE things that are absolutely wrong!!! Right?
We wonder why the world is such a mess today, and Isaiah tells us why. It's because we try to pretend that bitter is sweet, and sweet is bitter. No wrongs, no rights, everything is just blah.
But God IS sweet. Obedience is sweet. Sin is bitter. Joy is sweet. Sorrow is bitter. Hope is sweet. Despair is bitter. EVERYTHING godly is sweet. EVERYTHING sinful is bitter. No matter what the world says, the news says, or even the president says. God is the only way to true sweetness.
Which brings up sweetness as a personality trait. You know, the only way to stay truly sweet is to stay faithful to God and His ways. When other things substitute for Him, it's just like using sugar substitutes: it gets really close, but it just doesn't taste the same.
Praying today that God will bring about His sweetness in your life!
and good evil,
who put darkness for light
and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet
and sweet for bitter. Isaiah 5:20
This verse is so pertinent today. I'm thinking of the oil spill in the gulf, and thinking . . . for crying out loud. Why can't this just be (and I use the word "just" very loosely) about an oil spill? Why does it have to be about politics and pointing fingers and blaming and naming?
In Matthew 5:37, Jesus said, "Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one." The blame game? Not godly. "Spinning" the bad news? Not holy. Changing the definition of "is?" Don't even get me started.
In this day, it can seem as if there is no absolute good or evil, no moral right or wrongs. But you know what? We as Christians just need to call a spade a spade and stand on the truth of the Bible. There ARE things that are absolutely wrong!!! Right?
We wonder why the world is such a mess today, and Isaiah tells us why. It's because we try to pretend that bitter is sweet, and sweet is bitter. No wrongs, no rights, everything is just blah.
But God IS sweet. Obedience is sweet. Sin is bitter. Joy is sweet. Sorrow is bitter. Hope is sweet. Despair is bitter. EVERYTHING godly is sweet. EVERYTHING sinful is bitter. No matter what the world says, the news says, or even the president says. God is the only way to true sweetness.
Which brings up sweetness as a personality trait. You know, the only way to stay truly sweet is to stay faithful to God and His ways. When other things substitute for Him, it's just like using sugar substitutes: it gets really close, but it just doesn't taste the same.
Praying today that God will bring about His sweetness in your life!
Monday, June 7, 2010
Sitting on the Branch
"In that day the Branch of the LORD will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land will be the pride and glory of the survivors in Israel." Isaiah 4:2
I'm so glad to be online today! Last night I got home from church and my email had been hacked! Yikes! Then I couldn't get on here to post today's thoughts. Ahhh, the digital age . . .
Anyway, on to the Word. Let's tear this verse a part a bit, shall we? It's a short one, but a really good one!
The "Branch of the Lord" is the Messiah, Jesus Christ. I had never heard of this reference to Jesus, but it is found several times in the Bible: Isaiah 4:2 (obviously), Isaiah 11:1, Jeremiah 23:5, Zechariah 3:8, Zechariah 6:12-13, to name a few.
In other words, the fruit of God - the tree of the Lifegiver - the offspring of the Almighty ... His day will be glorious! These words give such hope!
It's such a contrast to the previous chapter, where Isaiah is really letting the Israelites have it! And really, that's the hope - that God doesn't just have high expectations of us, He has the way for us to achieve the expectations! Just as He promised in Philippians 4:13 - we can do "all things through Christ who gives us strength!"
To me, the word "branch" is such an interesting choice. Branches provide protection, shelter, and resting places. Jesus provides those same things for us! Jesus is my protection. Jesus is my shelter. Jesus is my resting place!
This is a good day to remember to just sit on the Branch! Don't go, don't do - just sit there today! Let Him protect you. Let Him shelter you. Let Him give you rest.
I'm so glad to be online today! Last night I got home from church and my email had been hacked! Yikes! Then I couldn't get on here to post today's thoughts. Ahhh, the digital age . . .
Anyway, on to the Word. Let's tear this verse a part a bit, shall we? It's a short one, but a really good one!
The "Branch of the Lord" is the Messiah, Jesus Christ. I had never heard of this reference to Jesus, but it is found several times in the Bible: Isaiah 4:2 (obviously), Isaiah 11:1, Jeremiah 23:5, Zechariah 3:8, Zechariah 6:12-13, to name a few.
In other words, the fruit of God - the tree of the Lifegiver - the offspring of the Almighty ... His day will be glorious! These words give such hope!
It's such a contrast to the previous chapter, where Isaiah is really letting the Israelites have it! And really, that's the hope - that God doesn't just have high expectations of us, He has the way for us to achieve the expectations! Just as He promised in Philippians 4:13 - we can do "all things through Christ who gives us strength!"
To me, the word "branch" is such an interesting choice. Branches provide protection, shelter, and resting places. Jesus provides those same things for us! Jesus is my protection. Jesus is my shelter. Jesus is my resting place!
This is a good day to remember to just sit on the Branch! Don't go, don't do - just sit there today! Let Him protect you. Let Him shelter you. Let Him give you rest.
Friday, June 4, 2010
The Vineyard is Bad!
13 The LORD takes his place in court;
he rises to judge the people.
14 The LORD enters into judgment
against the elders and leaders of his people:
"It is you who have ruined my vineyard;
the plunder from the poor is in your houses. Isaiah 3:13-14
Are you noticing a theme this week? I am reading one chapter of Isaiah per day, and writing our devotional here about one verse that I learned something from. Hope you like this format! I may continue with it when we are done with Isaiah - but that will be awhile!
If you are reading along with me, you'll notice that this is not a happy time for Israel. God is ticked!! Isaiah is doing everything he can think of to get the people to see - this has gotta end! God's gonna get sick of this and get sick of you and it will not be a happy time.
Look at verse 14, above: "The LORD enters into judgment against the elders and leaders of his people . . . " Notice who God is judging - not the "world," the "sinner." God is judging HIS people. The elders. The leaders. And why? Because His people have ruined things!
So often the church takes the attitude that we can't wait until God judges the sinner. They'll get what's coming to them, yesseree!! But oh, that's a pretty presumptuous attitude. Yes, God will do that one day. And yes, the lost will get their judgment. But get this - so will we.
I fear that there are some sitting in church pews and in church board meetings and in Sunday School classes who don't understand that. And I truly fear for their eternity.
Look, I'm not trying to judge anyone. I'm just talking to myself here - I can get so frustrated with the world sometimes! But I am reminded that God will judge us all - sinner and saint. And I need to be humbled by that thought. I'm no better than the murderer or thief. I'm no better than anyone else. And my salvation is as much a gift to me, the undeserved, as it is to anyone.
I can only hope that when my time comes, God will say, "Well done."
he rises to judge the people.
14 The LORD enters into judgment
against the elders and leaders of his people:
"It is you who have ruined my vineyard;
the plunder from the poor is in your houses. Isaiah 3:13-14
Are you noticing a theme this week? I am reading one chapter of Isaiah per day, and writing our devotional here about one verse that I learned something from. Hope you like this format! I may continue with it when we are done with Isaiah - but that will be awhile!
If you are reading along with me, you'll notice that this is not a happy time for Israel. God is ticked!! Isaiah is doing everything he can think of to get the people to see - this has gotta end! God's gonna get sick of this and get sick of you and it will not be a happy time.
Look at verse 14, above: "The LORD enters into judgment against the elders and leaders of his people . . . " Notice who God is judging - not the "world," the "sinner." God is judging HIS people. The elders. The leaders. And why? Because His people have ruined things!
So often the church takes the attitude that we can't wait until God judges the sinner. They'll get what's coming to them, yesseree!! But oh, that's a pretty presumptuous attitude. Yes, God will do that one day. And yes, the lost will get their judgment. But get this - so will we.
I fear that there are some sitting in church pews and in church board meetings and in Sunday School classes who don't understand that. And I truly fear for their eternity.
Look, I'm not trying to judge anyone. I'm just talking to myself here - I can get so frustrated with the world sometimes! But I am reminded that God will judge us all - sinner and saint. And I need to be humbled by that thought. I'm no better than the murderer or thief. I'm no better than anyone else. And my salvation is as much a gift to me, the undeserved, as it is to anyone.
I can only hope that when my time comes, God will say, "Well done."
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Let's Go
3 Many peoples will come and say,
"Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
to the house of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways,
so that we may walk in his paths."
The law will go out from Zion,
the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. Isaiah 2:3
When was the last time you had the attitude of "come?"
Let's go! Let's do it together! Hey, this will be fun - come with me!
When was the last time you had that attitude about God?
Have you been excited lately to learn His way? Have you been interested in walking in His path? Have you been hanging on to every word?
We have this excitement about ball games, birthday parties, and cookouts. Because they're fun, right? When did we learn that being with God isn't fun? When did we decide that coming to His house was a burden, not a joy? When did we let go of the delight for Him that He created in us and substitute it with short-lived festivities?
What would it take for you - and for me! - to go to our houses of worship this Sunday and be excited - simply to be in His presence? Or more - to be in His presence in the presence of others!
Come on, let's go!! Let's go to the mountain of the Lord and learn His ways and hear His words!
Let's go!!
"Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
to the house of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways,
so that we may walk in his paths."
The law will go out from Zion,
the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. Isaiah 2:3
When was the last time you had the attitude of "come?"
Let's go! Let's do it together! Hey, this will be fun - come with me!
When was the last time you had that attitude about God?
Have you been excited lately to learn His way? Have you been interested in walking in His path? Have you been hanging on to every word?
We have this excitement about ball games, birthday parties, and cookouts. Because they're fun, right? When did we learn that being with God isn't fun? When did we decide that coming to His house was a burden, not a joy? When did we let go of the delight for Him that He created in us and substitute it with short-lived festivities?
What would it take for you - and for me! - to go to our houses of worship this Sunday and be excited - simply to be in His presence? Or more - to be in His presence in the presence of others!
Come on, let's go!! Let's go to the mountain of the Lord and learn His ways and hear His words!
Let's go!!
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Come!
"Come now, let us reason together,"
says the LORD.
"Though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson,
they shall be like wool." Isaiah 1:18
I recently had a conversation with someone that left me so upset. And from conversations they have had with others, I was able to piece together his philosophy on God: God is judgment. God hates sin. Therefore, God hates sinners.
I urge you to read the entire first chapter of Isaiah here, because it gives much more of a total picture than one little verse. (Just stop right now and go to biblegateway.com.) At the beginning of the chapter, Isaiah - sometimes in his own words, and sometimes quoting God - calls the Israelites wicked, evil and sinful. But God doesn't just walk away, washing His hands of the nation, of those He loved. No . . .
Can't you see this verse as a pleading? First, "Come." As I have written so many times, this great big God of the Universe begs us to come to Him, to accept Him, to accept His everlasting love. Then He says, "let us reason together." Synonyms for "reason" include words like "contemplate." "Examine." "Reflect."
If God hates sin so much that He hates the sinner, too, why would He invite sinners to the table? It's almost like He's calling us to a treaty table, inviting us to examine Him and His offer of mercy, goodness and eternal life. The only condition? Complete surrender. The result? Eternal life!
This person I talked to has said, "You think that God just loves everybody!" Oh yes! Amen! I truly do!!
But I don't think that because God loves everyone, there's no judgment. No wrath. No punishment. In fact, that doesn't even make sense! Because I love my son, there are times when He is punished. That's what a good parent does. And that's what my good God does. Just because I think God loves us passionately, pursues us endlessly, and entreats us continuously . . . that doesn't mean that I don't understand that God's patience with the sinner will come to an end one day.
That will be a terrible day, and it should motivate us to join God in His invitation. To my neighbor - Come! To my friend - Come! To my family - Come!
To the world! Come!
And reader, if you haven't eaten at his table yet . . . come.
says the LORD.
"Though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson,
they shall be like wool." Isaiah 1:18
I recently had a conversation with someone that left me so upset. And from conversations they have had with others, I was able to piece together his philosophy on God: God is judgment. God hates sin. Therefore, God hates sinners.
I urge you to read the entire first chapter of Isaiah here, because it gives much more of a total picture than one little verse. (Just stop right now and go to biblegateway.com.) At the beginning of the chapter, Isaiah - sometimes in his own words, and sometimes quoting God - calls the Israelites wicked, evil and sinful. But God doesn't just walk away, washing His hands of the nation, of those He loved. No . . .
Can't you see this verse as a pleading? First, "Come." As I have written so many times, this great big God of the Universe begs us to come to Him, to accept Him, to accept His everlasting love. Then He says, "let us reason together." Synonyms for "reason" include words like "contemplate." "Examine." "Reflect."
If God hates sin so much that He hates the sinner, too, why would He invite sinners to the table? It's almost like He's calling us to a treaty table, inviting us to examine Him and His offer of mercy, goodness and eternal life. The only condition? Complete surrender. The result? Eternal life!
This person I talked to has said, "You think that God just loves everybody!" Oh yes! Amen! I truly do!!
But I don't think that because God loves everyone, there's no judgment. No wrath. No punishment. In fact, that doesn't even make sense! Because I love my son, there are times when He is punished. That's what a good parent does. And that's what my good God does. Just because I think God loves us passionately, pursues us endlessly, and entreats us continuously . . . that doesn't mean that I don't understand that God's patience with the sinner will come to an end one day.
That will be a terrible day, and it should motivate us to join God in His invitation. To my neighbor - Come! To my friend - Come! To my family - Come!
To the world! Come!
And reader, if you haven't eaten at his table yet . . . come.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Coming Out Of The Dark
The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned. Isaiah 9:2
When you read Isaiah as a whole you see that the people referred to here are the people of Israel and Judah, and the darkness could refer to both the physical and the spiritual; it could be either their captivity and sufferings or their decision for spiritual distance from God.
However, what I love about the Bible is that even "history" verses apply to us today. Our world has been walking in darkness for an awful long time - maybe you have, too. But the great light that Isaiah refers to is the Messiah. He longs to trade out your sin-darkness for His life-light.
John 1:4-5 says this: "In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it."
John is talking about Jesus, of course, and how His light - just simply the radiance of His being - lights up the world. Satan tries to surround us with darkness, so that we will be afraid. Alone. Ashamed. Satan uses shadows to make the little things bigger than they are. Satan - the angel of darkness - works to create a world around us that keeps us inept, insipid, and inefficient.
Do you have shadows in your life today that you are not allowing God to shine through? I can almost guarantee that the stuff you have buried back there won't seem so intimidating when you bring it out into the light.
Gloria Estefan has a great song called, "Coming Out of the Dark." It's a deeply moving spiritual, whether or not she intended it for that purpose! Here are the lyrics:
Why be afraid if I'm not alone?
Though life is never easy, the rest is unknown
Up to now, for me, it's been hands against stone
Spent each and ev'ry moment
Searching for what to believe
(Chorus:)
Coming out of the dark
I finally see the light now
And it's shining on me
Coming out of the dark
I know the love that saved me
You're sharing with me
Starting again is part of the plan
And I'll be so much stronger holding your hand
Step by step, I'll make it through; I know I can
It may not make it easier
But I have felt you near all the way
(Bridge:)
Forever and ever, I stand on the rock of your love
Forever and ever, I'll stand on the rock
Forever and ever, I stand on the rock of your love
Love is all it takes, no matter what we face
I'm making a commitment to God today to do everything I can to not hide things in the dark. To be brave enough to let His light shine through my whole life, and to have the courage (this sounds kind of stupid!) to take my hands off and let HIM do all the work. I just have to be obedient. I just have to be willing. I just have to be ready.
Will you commit with me?
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned. Isaiah 9:2
When you read Isaiah as a whole you see that the people referred to here are the people of Israel and Judah, and the darkness could refer to both the physical and the spiritual; it could be either their captivity and sufferings or their decision for spiritual distance from God.
However, what I love about the Bible is that even "history" verses apply to us today. Our world has been walking in darkness for an awful long time - maybe you have, too. But the great light that Isaiah refers to is the Messiah. He longs to trade out your sin-darkness for His life-light.
John 1:4-5 says this: "In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it."
John is talking about Jesus, of course, and how His light - just simply the radiance of His being - lights up the world. Satan tries to surround us with darkness, so that we will be afraid. Alone. Ashamed. Satan uses shadows to make the little things bigger than they are. Satan - the angel of darkness - works to create a world around us that keeps us inept, insipid, and inefficient.
Do you have shadows in your life today that you are not allowing God to shine through? I can almost guarantee that the stuff you have buried back there won't seem so intimidating when you bring it out into the light.
Gloria Estefan has a great song called, "Coming Out of the Dark." It's a deeply moving spiritual, whether or not she intended it for that purpose! Here are the lyrics:
Why be afraid if I'm not alone?
Though life is never easy, the rest is unknown
Up to now, for me, it's been hands against stone
Spent each and ev'ry moment
Searching for what to believe
(Chorus:)
Coming out of the dark
I finally see the light now
And it's shining on me
Coming out of the dark
I know the love that saved me
You're sharing with me
Starting again is part of the plan
And I'll be so much stronger holding your hand
Step by step, I'll make it through; I know I can
It may not make it easier
But I have felt you near all the way
(Bridge:)
Forever and ever, I stand on the rock of your love
Forever and ever, I'll stand on the rock
Forever and ever, I stand on the rock of your love
Love is all it takes, no matter what we face
I'm making a commitment to God today to do everything I can to not hide things in the dark. To be brave enough to let His light shine through my whole life, and to have the courage (this sounds kind of stupid!) to take my hands off and let HIM do all the work. I just have to be obedient. I just have to be willing. I just have to be ready.
Will you commit with me?
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