trading for future hope

Home again, I do so love coming home.  There is nothing better than kids greeting you, your own bed, food, stuff…don’t get me wrong, I love to travel, but I love even more coming home. Thank you, Lord.

Lest you think this pondering of Isaiah 54 is going to go on forever, I believe there may be but three more posts on it after today.  Today we are going to finish the imperatives God gives us in these verses. Next post, I’d like to look at New Testament response and practical ways to proceed in our walk of hope and freedom, and then finally the way the names the Lord gives us change from the beginning to the end of the chapter.  I hope you will stick with me.

By the way, I miss seeing you guys.  I only hear from a few of you and see only a few of you. Give a call, jot a text, write a comment, drop over, send smoke-signals!  Ahem!…..let’s get to business

From the imperatives God gives us in Isaiah 54:2 to “enlarge” our tents, “stretch wide” the tent curtains, “don’t hold back”,  “strengthen and lengthen the tent cords”,  He tells us what we can anticipate.

Vs 3- “For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your descendants will dispossess nations, and settle in their desolate cities.” 

Remember who we are as the healed? Isaiah 61:3 calls us Oaks of righteousness called to display God’s splendor.  Is 61: 4 “they (we, the healed) will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.”  He holds out more hope! It may seem impossible, but we are the ones He commissions to go in. Warriors once again!

How do places get devastated and ruined?  By war, terrorism, death. The appearance of what we are to go in and possess are “desolate cities” (vs 3).  Have you ever gone touring some ancient ruin? Think of places like the coliseum in Rome, or the pyramids in Egypt, or Gettysburg. There is something ominous and at the same time wonderful about places where battles have been fought. You know, creepy yet exciting. How about in our lives? How do places get devastated there? Disappointment, abandonment, loss, abuse…? These are the places we and our posterity are to go in and possess!   Wonderful yet scary.

Right after this statement that the places are going to be desolate, our places perhaps, God says in Isaiah54:4, “Do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame.  Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated.  You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.” “Do not be afraid” and then even enumerates several of the possible ways that invoke fear: shame, disgrace, humiliation, reproach. Isn't God wonderful? He knows we are going to struggle for courage so He addresses it forthwith. 

What yoke of bondage did you trade for the yoke of freedom?  Was it one of these? Trade it back in hope and faith for freedom!

In the list of imperatives in the first four verses of this chapter, God is asking us to respond in faith to what He WILL do.  He is asking us to step out and praise Him in response to WHAT IS TO COME based on who He is and what He has already done.

Jeremiah 33:10-11 Jeremiah has just used a lot of ink prophesying of the doom to come in judgment of the unfaithful nation of Israel.  But God reveals to Jeremiah His merciful, loving heart despite Israel’s pitiful, base disregard for God and His Law.  God put a limit on His judgment and promises restoration to the nation so that “the sound of joy and gladness…the voices of the bride and bridegroom, and the voices of those who bring thank offerings to the house of the Lord” rise from their lips.  He declares hope and restoration even before the bulk of judgment even gets underway!

HOLLERING HOPE

Hi All You Guys!

I've got Ross Parsley playing in the background, "I Am Free to Run!" "On my lips there's a shout of praise, now I'm gonna dance for all my days, because I see the wonder of your loving ways, there's so much joy here in your embrace, makes me wanna sing and celebrate, because I see the wonder of Amazing Grace!" Feeling a dance coming on!

Here in DC, there is such a thrill to be in the hustle and bustle of this powerful city.  Whew, all sorts of military-types and government-types.  Working out this morning, I felt like a squatchy (I don't know if that is a word, but it is what my mind used just now to describe me compared to all those soldiers!) middle aged civilian.  I am thankful it is them defending the country and me doing the praying!  

Getting back to the study of Isaiah 54 and the theme of freedom from captivity by knowing and believing God in hope, I took a look at the imperatives we are to pursue. 

Isaiah 54:1  Sing, O barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband, says the Lord.

I am thinking that this kind of singing, bursting into song, shouting for joy, is not the whistling of the long term contentment, it is the reaction that comes from suddenly realizing liberation from long term bondage.  Leaping, bounding, shouting, bursting at the top of our lungs!  We are no longer the barren and desolate.  God is telling the liberated that we will be abounding and fruitful. (vs 3)  There is anticipation!  Excitement!

Barrenness in the Old and New Testaments was a deep tragedy.  Rachel in Gen 30:1 grieved because she was jealous of Leah’s child-bearing. “…or I’ll die.”

1Sam1- Hannah and Penninah, wives of Elkanah were rivals.  Penninah provoked Hannah to tears regularly.  Elkanah’s distribution of a double portion’s provision did little to comfort Hannah.  So she, Hannah, sought God “in bitterness of soul and wept much before God.” “Look on your servant’s misery.  I will give the child back to you.” She was “deeply troubled…pouring out my soul…great anguish and guilt…”  Afterwards her face was no longer downcast.

Right now I could get up and pace over the truth of this; her face was no longer downcast AND SHE DID NOT HAVE THE ANSWER TO HER PRAYER YET.  IT WAS BEFORE; IN HOPE AND TRUST.  You guys, this is important. Knowing God, in whom we place all the trouble, anguish and guilt, is essential to our peace.  The answer to the prayer is secondary.  Can we walk in that?  We’ve got to!

After receiving the answer to her prayer, the man-child, Hannah raises a song of worship to the Lord her horn (strength), lifts up on high- saying there is no rock like the Lord our God.  “The supreme source of Hannah’s joy is not in the child, but in the God who has answered her prayer.  To have one’s horn lifted up by God is to be delivered from disgrace to a position of honor and strength.” (NIV Study Notes on 1Sam 1:2)  Hannah knew her God.  She relied on Him. She poured out her heart to Him and was comforted.

In Isaiah 54:1-4 The song of the barren woman bursts forth because of the anticipation of God’s provision- “more are the children of the barren (desolate woman) than her who has a husband.”

 2- Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cord, strengthen your stakes. 

Get ready, enlarge the tent, LIBERALLY. The sovereignty of God our Provider is worthy of our trust, confidence and security no matter what we have, what has been withheld, or what we HOPE to have. 

Let's go ahead and give a holler in hope!

What are the things for which you are hoping?  Could you be brave enough to share so we can holler with you?

Can you hear me hollering?!?!

WORRY WART

 

Good evening, you guys!  Sorry this post is coming so late in the day.  I was on a sprint today.  

A landmark was achieved here in our household today.  We subscribed to a messaging plan and I bought an upgraded phone!  You have no idea what this means to my kids...finally coming out from the rocks they've had to hide behind because we (or Greg I should say) has delayed it for one simple reason:  it is just one more thing to monitor and regulate.  I resist the term fuddy-duddy but I guess it fits now, for both of us.  So, you missed your chance to make fun of us.  We are now into the second decade of the 21st century with a vengeance.  Look for texts from me.  I need to practice.

This next installment of stepping up, knowing God and believing Him addresses the issue of worry head on. Off we go!

Here’s something to think about:  worry and anxiety are a form of unbelief/lack of faith.  Yep, chew on that for a minute.  What do you worry about?  Is it your kids’ salvation, their walk with the Lord or their falling away?  Will you lose your job?  Financial trouble?  Marital problems, relationship problems?  Do you deal with the past in way that needs to be released?  Worry, worry, worry! 

Did you know that worry can harm you physiologically?  You know all the hype about cortisol?  That is a hormone released when under stress.  It has beneficial effects during the fight or flight times in our lives and even in lower levels for sugar breakdown, stabilizing blood pressure, immune support. However, it causes havoc in a system when it is present continually in large amounts.  You can lose bone density, cognitive ability, thyroid function, muscle tissue and you are more at risk for heart disorder!  (http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Gregg_Hall)

Do we know God well enough to believe God is who He says He is and does what He says He’ll do?  Is there hope for us chronic worriers, any instruction for us so the bridge to freedom can be crossed?

If you look at the first eight verses on Psalm 37, you’ll see what “fretting” leads to; it only leads to evil (vs 8). This section of verses clearly says, “Do not fret..” and quickly offers a remedy.  We are to trust in the Lord and do good (vs 3), delight ourselves in the Lord (vs 4), commit our way to the Lord (vs 5), be still before the Lord, wait patiently for him (vs 7), don’t fret, refrain from anger (vs 8). 

Just because there is simple, explicit instruction, it doesn’t mean it will be easy to put aside worry and axiety.  However, by the faith of the Son of God, it is imperative that we know and believe the God of Psalm 37. It is a conscious effort to rely on Him in this way. I’ll be addressing this in a later post as it relates to Isaiah 54, but for now, let’s look at some New Testament instruction.

Now, we are getting to know God…beginning to believe Him and suddenly we are in trying circumstances.  We need a strategy…and the Lord provides one in Phil 4:4-9 “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

·        Rejoice.  Be joyful always; 1Thess 5:16

·        Let gentleness be evident to all.  The word "moderation" - ἐπιεικὲς epieikes - refers to restraint on the passions, general soberness of living, being free from all excesses. The word properly means that which is fit or suitable, and then propriety, gentleness, mildness - They were to indulge in no excess of passion, or dress, or eating, or drinking. They were to govern their appetites, restrain their temper, and to be examples of what was proper for people in view of the expectation that the Lord would soon appear. (Barnes Notes on the Bible)

·        Don’t be anxious.  Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

·        Pray.  Pray continually 1 Thess 5:17

  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  (vs 9 )

And if you find yourself going back and back again and back again to worry and fear, the Lord says this:

“Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Italics, mine)  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put it into practice.   And the God of peace will be with you.”

Col 3:1,2  Set hearts and minds on things above, not on earthly things

God doesn't leave us defenseless against the temptation to worry. God said these things…it is His Word to us.  “Here’s how to handle it,” He says. So, let’s do. 

Lest you fade away at the enormity of "what to do", here is my challege:  pick one (1) imperative and start doing it.  Just one.  If it is delighting in the Lord, do it with all your heart.  If it is setting your mind on things above, just go for it.  See what happens.  I know God will honor it.  He is faithful to His word. 

Let us hear how God is working in your life.......

 

Remember, knowing and believing go hand in hand.  Pressing in to know our Maker, Redeemer, Husband, Holy One of Israel, God of all the earth, the Lord Almighty is the sure ticket to believing He is for us.

KNOW HIM SO YOU CAN BELIEVE IN HIM…

KNOW HIM SO YOU CAN LOVE HIM BACK

KNOW HIM SO YOU CAN LIVE IN THE FREEDOM FOR WHICH HE DIED

KNOW HIM SO YOU CAN BE THE WITNESS AND SERVANTS WHOM HE HAS CHOSEN.

getting started

Morning Greetings!
I continue to think and pray about how to use this blog for God's glory and our encouragement.  Here is what I have come up with.  I will post twice each week, God willing, and will look forward to your comments each time.  No pressure to comment on your end, however, it is an encouragement to me to hear your heart on the subject matter at hand on a given day.  Remember to comment, you must sign in.  There is a button on the top right hand corner of the blog page for sign in.  Then, after you do, what you post will be for the benefit of us all.
Deal?  Deal!  So here goes.


God impressed on me the issue of the disconnect I sometimes find between the freedom that I know Christ died for and my walking in it.  It is where the Breaking Free study leaves off. I have been studying in Isaiah 54, a chapter where Isaiah foretells the coming freedom for captive Israel.  If you read the chapter you'll see that it is rich in hope in the Lord Almighty, counting on His compassion.  But, how do we access this hope?  How?


Remember the verse we memorized in Breaking Free: Isaiah 43:10? "You are my witness," declares the Lord, "my servants whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe and understand that I am He.  Before me no god was formed nor will there be one after me."  God has chosen us as witnesses and servants.  Why? So that we may know and believe and understand that He alone is God Almighty.  That is the key!  Knowing God and believing Him!  I remember learning about the obstacle of unbelief blocking our road to freedom.  We need to dismantle that roadblock by getting to know God and believing Him.


I wanted to see what Jesus said about this so I went to the New Testament and reread the story of Mary and Martha.  Jesus had such patience with Martha's complaint but He is clear in His teaching: "Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things but only one is needed.  Mary has chosen what is better and it will not be taken away from her." Luke 10:41 Mary wanted to sit at the Master's feet and hear and know Him.  It was what Jesus said was the better thing.  We need to be focused on knowing the Lord.

Knowing and believing go hand in hand.  Pressing in to know our Maker, Redeemer, Husband, Holy One of Israel, God of all the earth, the Lord Almighty is the sure ticket to believing He is for us.

"And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him and who have been called according to His purpose."  Rom 8:28

"If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave Him up for us all, who will He not also along with Him graciously give us all things?"  Romans 8:31,32

Feeling condemned?  Romans 8:34 "There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus because He has set us free from the law of sin and death by His death." Romans 8:1 says He is sitting at the right hand of the Father interceding for us RIGHT NOW!

Feeling separated from His love by hardship, persecution famine, nakedness, danger, sword?  "No is all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us."Romans 8:37

Conquerors! We have divinely powerful weapons to demolish our strongholds! 2Cor 10:4 We have armor to defend ourselves and fight with.  Eph 6:10.

We have to get excited about the arsenal we have.  We have to KNOW the Provider of all our defense and BELIEVE He will do a thing, whatever it is.  We have to believe His character never changes.  What He did for  Abraham, Moses, David, Mary, Martha, Rachel, Rahab, Ruth….He will, in consistency with His eternal, unchanging character, be and do for us!  Oh Halellujah!!!!!

For some thought, take a look at the names used for God in Isaiah 54 and do a bit of study on each name.  Let me know which nourishes your heart's need most right now. I will look forward to hearing from you.  God wants us to walk in freedom; He died for it.

Love and blessings on this Monday.

Lisa

short one

OK, I've heard from a few of you but I am missing seeing the comments you say you have left.  I don't know much about this whole blogging thing, but I know you have to sign up to be a follower and then sign in. If you post a comment you have to publish it.  If you think you have signed on by don't see yourself or your name on the followers spot, check to see if you can find out what might have happened.
I am looking forward to hearing from you.
I'll write tomorrow morning...for now, it's family time!
Lisa

The One Who Saved Me

Good Morning Girlfriends,
It is exciting for me to see you here on the blog!
Last evening was a busy one for me!  The CBC youth group came here for game night.  Looked like there might have been about 30 kids plus their leaders.  But I took off on them to go to a tea at the church to honor and welcome Christine Wright, our new pastor's wife.  What a sweet woman of God. I am so glad to have a new friend in her.  After about 45 minutes or so, I took off, before the tea was over, to see if I could catch part of Bambi's Hawkins' volleyball match.  Well, I got to see the last 4 points scored (they won handily) before it was over!  Sorry, Bambi!  I tried to find Chrissy Sander's house to make sure all was OK.  Got a call that one of the girls cracked her head but Michelle Price was found and all was well.  Got back here to the house with all those kids and had a great wrap up with them.  Covered alot of miles!  (I don't know, you guys, was that too much detail?!)

This morning, as I was studying in Hebrews 2, I found the marvelous Truth of what Jesus has done for me.  It is such medicine to my insecure and crippled soul to know what He has done for me.  God has, in Jesus, made provision for me in every part of my life: spiritually, emotionally, and physically.  He has authored and sacrificed Himself for my salvation (vs 10)  and sanctification (vs 11) and defeated the Enemy (vs14). I don't need to fear death or be in bondage to anything (vs 15).  He is not ashamed to call me His brother (vs11).  What a marvelous Savior, Counselor and Friend!  Thank you, Jesus!

We are headed to DC for today and tomorrow to see our daughter-in-law dance at the Kennedy Center and spend a bit of time with her and our son, and then with some of Greg's extended family.

I sure hope to hear from you about what God has been blessing you with in your devotions.  Let's keep growing together toward the One who is crowned with glory and honor!

Love to you,
Lisa

FINALLY FREE GIRLS ONLY...WAHOO!

Hi ladies!
Here is the simple blog I've started for us.  The address is: finallyfree-girlsonly.blogspot.com
I am so excited to see if this works!
My desire and intent is to have this running so we can communicate in a "community".  Some of you know each other and some will not be familiar with the others here.  I would love the full participation of you ALL but if you don't feel comfortable, I understand, absolutely.
It would be so cool to be able to share insight from your daily quiet time/bible study/worship time/prayer/quotes.  You go right ahead.
If you have a photo to share, not a whole album, please do that too.  See the button to the right?  You can use it to be a follower and post away!  I sure hope you can place photos of yourselves.  If not, I am going to take mine off....how self-conscious that would make me!
I have posted my photo on the front page as a member of the community.  Post yours too so all can get to know one another. Keep your address handy till you memorize it or bookmark it. If you want to just keep this to ourselves, don't share the address.  But, if you want to ask someone to join, please be thoughtful of the kind of info shared here.
Sheesh, I am so psyched, I don't know how to act or what to do!!!
Lord God, our Maker and Husband, God of the Universe, I ask you to use this little spot with these women, to bring glory and honor to You.  May it be an encouragement to all who read and post here.
In your mighty, matchless, magnificent name, Amen.

OK ladies, here we go!
Loving you all,
Lisa