Uncategorized

NOT TO HIGH TO STOOP

 Isaiah 57:15 “For thus says the high and exalted One Who lives forever, whose name is Holy, ‘I dwell on a high and holy place, and also with the contrite and lowly of spirit in order to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.’”

REACHING DOWN

Don’t you just love the imagery of this verse?  The high and exalted One is willing to get down on our level.  He comes to the contrite (brokenhearted) and the lowly (humble).  Even though He dwells on a high and holy place, He comes down.  That’s exactly what Jesus did.

We just celebrated Christmas, the birth of Christ.  He left His heavenly abode to come to the lowly.  Just look at who the Lord chose as His earthly parents, a humble carpenter and a teen virgin.  He could have come in majesty and with angelic choirs announcing His arrival to the crowds in Jerusalem.  But He chose to come this way.

TEACHING MOMENT

Do your kids ever get cocky and a little arrogant?  It happens to the best kids.  When that happens show them this verse.  God looks for the contrite and lowly.  He wants to see that humble, teachable spirit.  He wants your children to see themselves that way, not as unworthy, but as a servant to others.

How do you teach lowliness and a contrite heart?  You don’t.  You can’t.  This is something the Lord has to teach them by allowing them to experience life.  As parents, you cannot protect them, nor should you, from these trials.  They need to learn this while they are young to prepare them for life ahead.

That may sound harsh.  I don’t mean it to be.  But I want to make sure you realize that as holy and righteous as our Lord is, He loves to dwell with those who are broken.  When we have nothing in ourselves that magnifies us, that’s when He can start using us.

Lord, I don’t like the sound of that whole lowly and contrite thing.  But if it will make me more like You, bring it on.  I know that is dangerous to pray, but I mean it.

Standard

Uncategorized

PROPHETIC WORDS

Isaiah 53:3 “He was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.”

HATED

We have heard and read this prophecy concerning the Messiah, Jesus Christ.  We quote and reflect on the words every Easter.  But do we really understand the words?  Have you ever known anyone who had done nothing wrong who was hated like Jesus?  Look at the words – despised, forsaken, sorrow, grief, hide their face, did not esteem.  That’s pretty low.

Guess what?  He would do it all again.  He would take all that on Himself again, just for you.  Isaiah wrote these words long before Christ was born, but he believed them.  He spoke truth to a lost world who would not see the Messiah for generations to come.  But it was still truth.

TEACHING MOMENT

Our children need to know that sometimes things don’t happen quickly.  Sometimes we have to wait a while.  Christ did what He did for them.  They may not see the result of all His works until later, but they will.  They may not see feel His power every day, but it is still there.

When your little Johnnie or Susie comes home saying that Bubba or Mildred hates them, pull out this verse.  Remind them, in comparison to the hate Christ felt, that is nothing.  It’s still real, and it still stings, but it pales in comparison.

Let me ask you a question.  Would you die for someone who hates you?  I bet not.  Would you give your life for a crowd of people who spit on you?  Probably not, but we should be willing to.  Just like Christ, we should lay down our life for others.  Who do you need to die for today?

O God, there is no way I can die for someone else without You living in and through me.  I just don’t have it in me.  My flesh is too strong.  But You can do it through me.

Standard

Uncategorized

BEFORE BIRTH

 Isaiah 49:1 “Listen to Me, O islands, and pay attention, you peoples from afar. The LORD called Me from the womb; from the body of My mother He named Me.”

 HE KNOWS MY NAME

My daughter-in-law (I call her my “other daughter”), Kira, is expecting a baby girl in February of next year.  Even though she won’t be here until about a month and a half AFTER Christmas, my wife, Mimi, has already bought her clothes and has packages under the Christmas tree with her name on it.  You see, my son, Christopher, and Kira have already named her.  She will be called London.  She is already named and loved by many.  I can’t wait to meet her.

Isaiah is saying here in this verse that the Lord called him from his mother’s womb. He even named him.  God knows us from the moment of conception.  He calls our name, even in the womb.  If that is not a Pro-Life verse, I have never seen one.  How precious to think that God sees us even then?  He doesn’t need an ultrasound.

TEACHING MOMENT

I am sure your children have asked about their name.  What did you tell them?  When did you name them?  Did you wait until they were born or did you have them named long before?  Tell them how you loved them even before they arrived.  Tell them how you prayed for them while they were still inside their mommy.  Tell them how much God loved them even then.

I have watched my other grandchildren feel their mommy’s tummy when London moved.  I have watched them as they saw my son talking to London.  This sends a great message to them.  London is REAL now.  She is already known by her family.  But more importantly, they need to know that she is known by her Lord.  He already knows her fully.

Do you believe that the Lord knows you fully?  He does, you know.  He knows you more completely that anyone.  There is nothing about you He doesn’t know.  He formed you in your mother’s womb.  And He has been calling your name since conception.  Listen, is He calling now?

Father, I know You know me.  Thank You for not forgetting my name, like I do so many times with others.  Help me pass on Your love to others.

Standard

Uncategorized

THE BEST LAID PLANS…

 Isaiah 46:11b “‘Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, surely I will do it.’”

 BE CAREFUL HOW YOU PLAN

You may have heard the saying “the best-laid plans of mice and men.”  Do you know where that comes from?  It comes from a line in the poem “To a Mouse” by Robert Burns.  He wrote “The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men often go awry.”  So, what does that mean?  Lol   No matter how carefully a project is planned, something may still go wrong with it.

I am a planner. I like to know what I am doing long before I do it.  I have a one year planning calendar on my office wall which I use to map out my year.  But sometimes, God gets in the way of that.  Do you know what I mean?  Our verse today is telling us that God’s plans will always come to pass.  WE get in the way sometimes of God fulfilling His plan the way and time He sees as best, but He will fulfill His plans.  Why would we think we could stop God?

TEACHING MOMENT

It is so important to teach our children to plan ahead.  Most schools require students to have a planner as part of their school books.  This gives them a place to mark down homework assignments, upcoming tests and school events.  But we need to make sure we don’t teach them to “over plan.”

Your children need to allow the Lord to direct them as He wants.  But hang on, Mom and Dad.  That may even mean He directs them in a way that is against YOUR plans for your child.  How dare He do that!  Right?  Remember, your child is on loan from God.  They really belong to Him.  He has given you temporary stewardship, but they are His.  Let Him lead them.

Are you allowing God to direct your plans?  You may have your next ten years all planned out.  Be careful.  The mouse in the poem had his home established too, but the next harvest destroyed it (google and read the poem).  We must be willing to flex our plans to follow the Lord.  After all, He sees the whole picture.  We can’t.

Lord, it is so hard to give up my plans to follow Your plans.  Help me hold my calendar loosely so I can let it go if necessary.  Let me teach my children to do the same.

Standard

Uncategorized

TALKNG BACK

Isaiah 45:9 “‘Woe to the one who quarrels with his Maker- an earthenware vessel among the vessels of earth! Will the clay say to the potter, “What are you doing?” Or the thing you are making say, “He has no hands”?’”

SHUT YOUR MOUTH

The absurdity of it all!  Clay talking back to the potter?  That is just dumb!  The clay has no right to question the hands that are forming it.  The clay doesn’t know the intention of the potter.  The clay has no idea the purpose for which it is being made.  How dare it talk back!

Sounds funny, huh?  But we are the same as the clay.  We have no idea of the perfect plan God has for us.  We have no right to question when He pushes and pulls us into shape.  We may become a beautiful vessel to be displayed in a store window or we may become a pot to cook in.  The key is God is the One Who knows best.

TEACHING MOMENT

Okay, it’s time to get out the playdough again, either homemade or store bought.  Let’s get the kids to make something (They are God in this scenario).  As they are forming it, start talking as if you are the playdough.  Tell them to stop smashing you.  Tell them that hurts.  Tell them what you want to be.  Make sure it’s something that is not possible to make.

When your kids stop laughing, tell them how silly it sounds to God for us to do the same.  We all have to trust the hands of God to form us into what He wants to use to accomplish His will.  Now ask Gertrude or Elrod what THEY want to make with the playdough.  It’s the same with God.  We need to ask Him what He wants to make us.

Aren’t you tired of arguing with God about what He is trying to make you?  Just let Him mold and shape you into His perfect image.  When He is finished You will look more like Him and less like You.  And that is a good thing since that will draw more people to Him.

You are the Potter.  I am the clay.  Help me remember that, Lord.  Help me trust You to shape me and my children into whatever You desire.

Standard

Uncategorized

WITH ONE HAND TIED BEHIND MY BACK

Isaiah 41:10 “‘Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’”

HIS RIGHTEOUS RIGHT HAND

I love this verse.  I just love how the Lord reassures me.  Look at what he tells us NOT to do.  First, He tells us to not fear. Then He says to not look anxiously look about.  In other words, “Trust Me.”  But He doesn’t stop there.  He says He will do three things:                  1) strengthen us 2) help us 3) uphold us.

I think it’s kind of neat also that God tells us He will do this with one hand.  That reminds me how we used to tease someone by saying, “I can beat you with one hand tied behind my back.”  God is powerful enough and strong enough that He only uses His right hand.  Now maybe that’s not what He meant, but it’s a cool thought.

TEACHING MOMENT

When my kids were little (and that’s been a while ago) they loved for me to pick them up and swing them or throw them in the air.  They also love to swing on my extended right arm.  They would do that as long as I could extend my arm.  Even though they were small, it didn’t take long for my arm to get tired.

Do that with your kids, if they are still small. And when your arm wears out talk about God’s right hand.  It never gets tired.  His right arm isn’t made out of muscle and bone.  His arm is all power and Spirit.  He can hold us…well…forever, which He will.  He will hold us for eternity.  But He holds us now, too.

Are you allowing the Lord to hold you?  Maybe you are too proud to be held.  “I’ve got this, God.  I don’t want to be held.”  Put away the pride.  Let God lift you up.  He wants to.  He wants to hold you with His righteous right hand.

Powerful God, I praise You that You are all strength and might.  You can and will hold me forever.  Remind me daily of your righteous right hand.

Standard

Uncategorized

JUST ONE ANGEL

Isaiah 37:36 “Then the angel of the Lord went out and struck 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians; and when men arose early in the morning, behold, all of these were dead.”

IT ONLY TOOK ONE

Pretty amazing, huh?  The entire Assyrian army is laying siege to Jerusalem, so what does God do?  He sends one angel, not two, not three, not a legion of angels.  One lonely angel.  What was He thinking?  You see, when it’s the angel of the Lord, that’s all it takes.

Now, how did this “angel” do that?  Well, we aren’t told, and it really doesn’t matter.  It was done.  The Assyrians were threatening His people.  They even questioned His power.  He had to show them Who was powerful.  So, He sent just one angel who was empowered by God.  That’s all it took.

TEACHING MOMENT

What a great story to read your child!  This is “made for tv” type stuff.  They will love hearing how God defended Jerusalem.  Let them speculate how He did it.  Since we don’t know, they can just dream.  But don’t lose sight of the truth of this story.  What is that?

God is still defending His people.  He still hears us when we cry out to Him.  He still sends His angels to defeat the enemy.  Satan is no match for God, and he knows that.  Your children need to know that.  Knowing God is always there is comforting.  It does not matter who is battering the gates, He is there.

Are you looking for the angel of the Lord?  I am!  I am always looking for His Son to appear.  He is coming back.  He will take us home.  He will defeat Satan permanently.  He will rule and reign forever.  Won’t you just believe that?

O Lord, You are my rescuer!  You are the One who stands for me against those who want to harm me.  I trust You to defend me and my children.

 

Standard

Uncategorized

NOT A PEEP

Isaiah 36:21 “But they were silent and answered him not a word; for the king’s commandment was, ‘Do not answer him.’”

DON’T OPEN YOUR MOUTH

I can still hear my mom say those words to me.  “Carl William (you knew you were in trouble when the middle name was used.), I don’t want to hear one peep out of you!”  You see, I had the tendency to talk a lot.  Still do, especially in the mornings.

But there comes a time when you just need to keep your mouth shut.  This was one of those times in Judah.  The king of Assyria had invaded the land and was now at the gates of Jerusalem.  Hezekiah had told the people to not respond to their taunts and jeers.  He commanded them to not talk to the Assyrians who were outside their gates.  Why?  To keep them loyal?  Perhaps.  But it was probably to keep them focused on their true deliverer, Jehovah.

TEACHING MOMENT

I bet you have never told your children to keep quiet. Right?  Every parent, at some point, has heard enough.  They don’t want to hear a word.  We need to teach our children when it is appropriate to talk.  Talking during the worship service while others are speaking is not okay.  Talking back to adults is not okay.  But talking to our Savior…well…that is perfectly okay.

I bet the people of Jerusalem were talking to God as they saw the myriad of Assyrian soldiers outside their city gates.  Our children need to talk to God every day.  They need to be taught how to pray.  They need to know He is always listening.  They need to know that He can still defeat our enemies.  We just need to come to Him and talk to Him.

Are you talking to God today or are you keeping your mouth shut?  Are you so busy talking to others about everything that you have failed to talk to the One Who can answer.  Take a moment today to shut your mouth and listen. Let the Lord do the talking in your life.  Let Him speak to you today.

Lord, I am listening……………

Standard

Uncategorized

WHO DO YOU TRUST?

Isaiah 31:1 “Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses, and trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong, but they do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the Lord!”

TRUST NO ONE

There was a television series on in the 90’s called “The X-Files.”  I am a bit of a sci-fi geek, so I really loved this show.  Fox Mulder and Dana Scully were the main characters who tried to solve cases involving extraterrestrials (you know, ETs).  Fox’s main motto was “Trust No One.”  The problem with that, however, is no one’s got your back.

We don’t have to worry about that as believers.  God has our back.  We can completely and totally trust Him.  It doesn’t matter what we are facing, He is there.  When we are at our lowest, He’s there.  When we are fighting depression, He’s there.  When we are jubilant, He’s there.  Isaiah was trying to tell the people to not trust in other nations to defend them.  Trust Jehovah God.

TEACHING MOMENT

Trust is something that is real hard to teach our children.  Heck, it’s hard to teach anyone.  I have heard it said that trust is the glue that holds relationships together.  You trust your children until they break that trust.  You forgive them and start building that trust again.  The best way you can teach trust is by being trustworthy.

How do you do that?  One way is by keeping your promises.  When you say you are going to take them to the park, take them.  When you tell Gertrude you will be at her piano recital, be there.  When you tell Johnny you will take him fishing, take him.  This will teach them to trust you and help them learn to trust others as well.

But we must be constantly pointing them and others to trust in our Savior.  You will let them down.  God will never do that.  You will disappoint others.  God never disappoints.  Won’t you trust Him today?  Won’t you let Him prove Himself faithful.  He is not scared of being trusted. He is complete trust.

O God, You are the faithful One.  I know I can place my complete trust in You.  Show me ways to teach my children what that means so they will trust You with their lives.

Standard

Uncategorized

TRUE CORNERSTONE

Isaiah 28:16 “Therefore thus says the Lord GOD, ‘Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, a costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes in it will not be disturbed.’”

THE MOST IMPORTANT

Most people have no clue about the purpose of the cornerstone of a building.  According to Wikipedia (that totally trustworthy source, lol), “the cornerstone is important since all other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure.”  Well, this time Wikipedia got it right.  I have seen a lot of cornerstones on buildings but normally fail to recognize their importance.

But this cornerstone, laid by the Lord, is the most trusted cornerstone ever laid.  The Master Mason put this stone in place as the stone upon which all will be measured.  If we are out of line with this stone, our buildings (lives) will crumble.  If we are not attached to this stone, our walls (lives) will not be plumb and stand straight.

TEACHING MOMENT

Now this is definitely a fun verse to teach our kids.  I hope you have some building blocks or tinker toys (I loved tinker toys) laying around your house.  If not, get some rocks and boards from the yard or garage.  Then plan a building with your kids.  Build the first one with a soft sponge as the cornerstone. Let them see how high they can build their tower on that sponge.  It won’t take long to watch it tumble.

Then build the same structure on a solid board or flat stone, like a paving stone or brick.  You will all be amazed at how high you can go.  You may even have to get on a chair to place to the top blocks.  What a picture for your kids to see!

More importantly, what can you show your children you are building your life upon?  Is it your job or your family or your health?  You name it.  It doesn’t matter.  Nothing will stand the test of time except the true cornerstone, Jesus Christ. He is the One we place first and build upon.

Thank You, Father, for placing Your Son down as the cornerstone for my life.  I rest assured of His steadfastness and faithfulness.  Help me show my children the importance of this firm foundation.

Standard