ISAIAH - Sentry Duty

Gloom and doom…

Sometimes the books of prophecy in the Old Testament can be difficult reading. It feels like they contain an endless litany of unheeded warnings, followed by devastating judgments.

And yet, there is always an unmistakable undercurrent of forgiveness, comfort, and hope.

God’s message is clear: There are consequences for rebelling against Me. Please don't do it. But if you return to Me, I will forgive you and restore you.

Today's  "Bible Pick 'Ems" comes from the book of Isaiah.

I'd like to start with a little background information on the book of Isaiah.

Prophets stood with the priests as God's special representatives. The prophet's role was to speak for God, confronting the people with His commands and promises – pointing out their rebellion. 

Needless to say, true prophets were not very popular!!

But they continued to faithfully proclaim the truth.

The book of Isaiah is the first of the writings of the prophets in the Bible – and Isaiah is generally considered to be the greatest prophet. His purpose was to call the nation of Judah back to God. But his prophecies also tell of God's salvation through His coming Messiah, Jesus Christ.

Our "pick 'em" verses are found in Isaiah 21:5-7, 11-12:

“But quick! Grab your shields and prepare for battle. You are being attacked! Meanwhile, the Lord said to me, 'Put a watchman on the city wall. Let him shout out what he sees…Let the watchman be fully alert.'

Someone…keeps calling to me, 'Watchman, how much longer until morning? When will the night be over?' The watchman replies, 'Morning is coming…'"

These verses can be applied directly to the very real threat of Judah's enemies during Isaiah's lifetime. God was warning the people to return to Him, to remain alert and on guard, to prepare for battle. But, sadly, His warnings went unheeded.

But, these verses also apply to us today.

How so?

We also have enemies outside our "city walls." They are ready to "attack" and we must "prepare for battle." We are called to be "fully alert."

We, too, must be watchmen…

Because we have a blessed *MORNING* that is coming!

Our glorious Savior is going to return!

"So you, too must keep watch! For you don't know what day your Lord is coming…You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected." (Matthew 24:42-44)

"You must be ready all the time…" (Luke 12:40)

"For you know quite well that the day of the Lord's return will come unexpectedly; like a thief in the night…So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and clearheaded." (1 Thessalonians 5:2, 6)

Not all people will join us in our watch.

We will hear people saying, "How much longer until morning?"

Some may say it with longing, others will mock.

"Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last day scoffers will come…They will say, 'What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again?'" (2 Peter 3:3, 4)

Do not listen.

God is calling us to be watchmen.

To grab our shields and prepare for battle.

To shout the truth.

To be fully alert.

And most of all, to keep looking to the horizon, and believing with all our hearts -

"MORNING IS COMING…"

Are you remembering to stay alert?  How can you be a better *watchman* - how do you hold on to hope?

"When in doubt, search God out!"

JOEL - The Locusts Are Coming

I love dominoes.

I especially like the ones with the different colored dots.

There are many fun games to play with dominoes. I enjoyed that. But my favorite thing to do was to line them all up, real close together, and then topple them all down – just by pushing the first one over.

Such a harmless tap of my finger – but oh, what it sets into motion!

Sin is like that.

Sometimes we can start with the smallest "innocent" decision or action, and without even knowing it, we set a series of consequences into motion.

Because sometimes that first "little" sin is merely the first domino – the one that makes all the other ones fall.

When I read today's "Bible Pick 'Ems" I was reminded of that:

"Listen, all who live in the land. In all your history, has anything like this happened before?...After the cutting locusts finished eating the crops, the swarming locusts took what was left! After them came the hopping locusts, and the stripping locusts, too!" (Joel 1:2, 4)

I investigated some commentaries to help understand the different types of locusts. Here's a quick overview of my research:

--Some scholars have suggested that the words indicate four stages in the

development of locusts

--Others believe that the locusts symbolize four different invading armies

--Many believe that the creatures here spoken of are different

kinds of locusts, so named from their number or voracity

--The law mentions several sorts of locusts – in fact, more than 80 different

kinds have been observed

--Slight as they are in themselves, beautiful and gorgeous, they are a scourge

that grows in successive devastation

--Each judgment, though in itself desolating, is later followed quickly by

another, and thus they complete their destructiveness

--Morally, also, four chief passions can desolate successively the human heart:

--lust – which so pollutes the heart it possesses

--vainglory (pride) – which exalts itself with empty presumptions

--gluttony and covetousness and materialism – appetites of impious desires that

are indulged in too immoderately, leading ever

more fiercely to any object of

ambition

--anger and impatience – whose flames wither the fruit of virtue

When some vices succeed to others, one plague enters to devour the *field* of the mind, while another is leaving it.

As much as I would love to tell you that I have no experience of this type of "plague" – I have to be honest. There was a time when my life was invaded by sin.

I made one small decision – at least it seemed small at the time – but it became the first domino to fall in my life.

Unbeknownst to me, the first wave of locusts had arrived.

It doesn't take much

–

one crucial lapse of judgment, one singular step over the line into sin, one selfish ignoring of faith and values, can lead to a "swarm effect."

An *innocent* beginning can quickly turn into devastation.

And you can end up feeling like the Israelites:

"Despair…wail…weep…The fields are ruined, the land is stripped bare. The grain is destroyed, the grapes have shriveled, and the olive oil is gone….And the people's joy has dried up within them." (Joel 1:10-12, parts)

Yes, I finally looked around at the mess of my life and realized – I was a wilderness. I was far from home, far from the Lord who loved me. And I wanted to return.

My repentance was quick. His forgiveness was instantaneous and complete. And though my healing took a little longer, I fully understood like never before, that the Lord is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry, and filled with unfailing love.

He is eager to relent and not punish.

I will never forget the day when I knew that I was headed down a new path. I had a *random* meeting with a woman (no coincidence – this was a divine appointment). We talked, I told her about my story. She said some of the most powerful words I have ever heard – and oddly enough, they were from the book of Joel:

"The LORD says, 'I will restore to you the years
 that the swarming locust has eaten,
 the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter…Once again…you will praise the LORD your God, who does these miracles for you.'"

(Joel 2:25-26, ESV and NLT)

I hugged her with tears in my eyes.

Oh dear ones, God proved to be faithful.

He did indeed restore and revive me, renew and re-establish me. He paid back – many times over – the time that I lost.

My lesson for today?

It's two things.

First, be very careful when dealing with dominoes. One small sin can be the first catalyst to an onslaught of ensuing consequences – and one day you will find yourself devastated.

But, there is hope.

For the second lesson is this – we have a great and gracious God. And He is perfectly able, and completely willing, to forgive the repentant sinner. He can heal broken hearts, He can restore shattered relationships. He can mend and mold a faithful life out of the locust-eaten fields of iniquity.

Anyone who calls on God's name can be saved.

"I will pardon my people's crimes…and I, the LORD, will make my home…with my people." (Joel 3:21)

Do you, or does someone you know, need to hear this message of hope?

Won't you pass it on?

(I'm linked today with Charlotte at Spiritual Sundays, and Peggy at Soaking On SONday. And please feel free to visit me during the week at my other blog, Sharon Sharing God!)

"When in doubt, search God out!"

JOB - Hope Lives

HOPE.

Can we really live life without it?

I love the movie, "The Shawshank Redemption" – such a great story, and it has one of my favorite quotes:

"Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies."

The word hope can be both a noun (thing) and a verb (action word). The dictionary defines it this way:

Hope (noun) – desire accompanied by expectation of or belief in fulfillment; expectation of fulfillment or success; someone or something on which hopes are centered

Hope (verb) - to desire with expectation of obtainment; to expect with confidence; to trust

Today's "Bible Pick 'Ems" is a resounding statement of hope:

"But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought!" (Job 19:25-27)

Yes, the statement comes from Job. And it is remarkable in several ways. I would love to share with you the things I learned while studying this passage.

What did Job's original readers (and Job himself, for that matter) believe about life after death?

Well, when the book was written, Israel did not have a well-developed doctrine of the resurrection. Job became one of the first people to talk about the resurrection of the body. Later readers of the book based their views on the Old Testament. Writers in the OT described the realm of the dead as a place beneath the earth's surface to which people descend.

In the OT, the afterlife is generally regarded as a gloomy, hopeless place of no return.

However, there were occasional hints of deliverance from the grave. And it is these intimations that gave Job the hope that death might relieve him of his troubles, and that a redeemer might justify him even after death.

This is remarkable faith!

This stirring affirmation of Job's confidence comes right at the *heart* of the book –smack dab in the middle of his terrible suffering, his unmitigated pain, his endless trials.

He sees a Redeemer – (with a capital "R"!!)

In ancient Israel a redeemer was a family member who bought a slave's way to freedom or who took care of a widow. In other words, the redeemer volunteered to take responsibility for someone else.

Anyone out there remember Blue Chip Stamps? We would save those stamps, stick them in a book, and then go to a store and redeem them for merchandise. The stamps bought us something else in return.

This passage, of course, foreshadows Jesus. Those of us on this side of the cross, know that He is the Resurrection and the Life. He is our Redeemer, who traded His righteousness for our sin.

But Job!

Without knowledge, without proof, without any reason to believe in the goodness of God – still he trusted that God would rescue him. And that even if he died, God's justice would triumph – even if it took a miracle of resurrection to accomplish this.

Oh, what faith that man had!

So…how about me, how about you?

Are we exhibiting this kind of faith in our lives? Remember, Job never knew about the conference between Satan and God – he never knew the "reason" for his suffering. How are we doing when we don't understand? When we're in the midst of struggles, and pain, and trials? When we are discouraged and despairing almost beyond belief? Are we willing to trust God in spite of unanswered questions?

I'll speak for me. I have moments of strong warrior, moments of cowering coward.

Oh Lord, I want to live by this faith, this confident faith – faith in what I KNOW is true. I have met the Messiah – He is my Savior, He is my Redeemer. He is the Resurrection and the Life.

He is my hope – the best hope – my only hope – and though He died, yet HE LIVES!

And I know that someday I will see Him face to face…

… I am overwhelmed at the thought!

How are you living in the hope of Jesus?

(I'm linked today with Charlotte at Spiritual Sundays, and Peggy at Soaking On SONday. And please feel free to visit me during the week at my other blog, Sharon Sharing God!)

"When in doubt, search God out!"

ZECHARIAH - Home Sweet Home

I'm a foreigner.

You are too.

I suppose all of us in this country, unless we're Native Americans, are really just *imports*. Our ancestors came from another country. I'm one generation removed from my Scottish roots – (Aye, I'm just a wee lassie…call me McSharon). But, this isn't quite what I have in mind.

I'm talking about being foreigners on earth.

Because, you see, as believers we don't quite belong here.

Our home is somewhere else.

The Bible tells us that God has planted eternity in the human heart – and don't we just sense the truth of that? Doesn't your heart have a longing that you can't quite describe – and you can't quite fulfill – with anything or anyone or anywhere on this humble planet?

Don't you yearn for Heaven?

The blessed assurance is that we hope for a future that is promised – it's just waiting for us. Jesus told us that He went to prepare a place for us – and I believe it's the Truth!

And until that day, there will always be a part of us that doesn't belong here. There will always be a part of us that feels out-of-place. There will always be a part of us that lives like a sojourner in a foreign land…

But…(the glorious BUT!)…we have a future and a hope. We have a home just waiting for our return.

Today's "Bible Pick 'Ems" reminded me of this:

"'I will bring them back from Egypt and gather them from Assyria. I will resettle them…until there is no more room for them all. They will pass safely through the sea of distress, for the waves of the sea will be held back, and the waters of the Nile will dry up. The pride of Assyria will be crushed, and the rule of Egypt will end. By my power I will make my people strong, and by my authority they will go wherever they wish. I, the LORD, have spoken!'" (Zechariah 10:10-12)

A little background.

Zechariah's ministry began just two months after Haggai’s in 520 B.C. His message was intended for the people living in and around Jerusalem after their return from exile. For many years, the Israelites had lived in captivity, and now they were back in their homeland.

Zechariah was urging them to repentance, spiritual renewal, and a return to a right relationship with God. He desired to strengthen and comfort the small remnant of God's people.

Though these verses originally spoke to another audience, I believe that we can apply them to our current situation. This pictured return from Egypt and Assyria can be a symbolic way of expressing the hope of our future return to our heavenly homeland, and to our eternity living in the presence of God.

We believers will be gathered and returned from many countries around the world. We will be emancipated from slavery to sin, freed from captivity – we will return to Heaven triumphant!

Here's what I think God is saying to us:

"I will bring you back from Earth and gather you from all the countries of the world. I will resettle you in heavenly mansions…until there is no more room for you all! You will pass safely through the sea of death, for the wages of sin will be held back, and the power of the enemy will dry up. The pride of Satan will be crushed, and the rule of his authority will end. By my power I will make my people strong, and by my authority they will go wherever they wish. I, the LORD, have spoken!"

WOW!

I like the sound of that, don't you?!

So, in many ways, this old world just isn’t "home" is it? I was reminded of this song:

This world is not my home, I'm just passing through,

My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue,

The angels beckon me from heaven's open door,

And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.

Oh Lord, you know I have no friend like you,

If heaven's not my home, then Lord what will I do,

The angels beckon me from heaven's open door,

And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.

So, fellow sojourners, live like you don't belong here. Yearn for eternity. Walk the earth, but keep your eyes on Heaven. Remember with confidence the hope we have for the future.

One day we will return to our homeland – and we will be led in triumph by the LORD God Himself!

What is the one thing you're most looking forward to in Heaven?

(Linked today with Charlotte and Ginger at Spiritual Sundays, and Peggy at Soaking On SONday. Please feel free to hop on over to my other blog during the week - Sharon Sharing God)

"When in doubt, search God out!"

MARK - Remember Me

Setting: A garden.

Speaker: A disciple.

Time: About two thousand years ago…

"He is risen.

He is risen indeed."

Today I sit in astonishment at the entrance to an empty tomb. I've been here for a couple of hours, ever since Mary came rushing into the room where we were hiding. She had the most preposterous story! Jesus' body was gone – vanished! These were the very words she shouted – at least after she was able to catch her breath…

Peter and John ran to the tomb. They didn’t come back.

So, I decided to check things out for myself. Hey, they don't call me "Doubting Thomas" for nothing, you know!

She was right – Jesus' body isn’t here. I’m puzzled…confused…scared.

It was just the other day that we were celebrating the Passover meal with Him. We met in quite a large room – it was already set up!

Jesus was rather quiet. And He said some disturbing things.

He said one of us would betray Him.

Yes, it's true – Judas did sell him out. But, we all betrayed Him in our own way. We all ran when He needed us the most. And when He was crucified, I was hiding.

Like the coward that I am.

But, the strangest thing of all that He said was this (Today’s "Bible Pick 'Ems"):

"As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it into pieces and gave it to his disciples, saying, 'Take it, for this is my body.' And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. And he said to them, 'This is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice for many.'" (Mark 14:22-24)

I've been puzzling over these words ever since.

And now I'm sitting here trying to figure the whole thing out –

Eight days later…

OK, I thought I was confused before – now I really am! Now all my friends claim they have seen Jesus – alive, and in the flesh.

I told them, "I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side."

They were terribly frustrated with me – accused me of having no faith. They're probably right. But, I want to have faith – I want to believe. It just all seems so impossible.

So now we're gathered together again. They're excited. I’m forlorn. Oh, would that it was true!! Dare I even hope???

"Peace be with you."

I look up. Is it Him??? It's HIM!!!

I'm suddenly overcome with fear and awe and joy – all at the same time. I fall to my face on the ground.

Then He turns to me.

"Thomas, put your finger here, and look at My hands. Put your hand into the wound in My side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!"

And I do.

"My Lord and my God!" I exclaim.

Today is Easter Sunday, dear friends. It is a day of joyous celebration. Today our precious Jesus rose from the dead. Having completed His purpose on this earth, having sacrificed His life for us, having borne all the sins of the world on His bloodied shoulders – He now rose in triumph from the grave!!

He defeated sin – He defeated death. He defeated our enemy.

IT. IS. FINISHED.

"Do this in remembrance of Me."

Oh Lord, we will remember You today – and we will remember You every day.

We will never forget You, or what You did for us.

For You remember us…

"See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands." (Isaiah 49:16)

"I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand."

(John 10:28-29)

(Celebrating Easter Sunday with Charlotte and Ginger at Spiritual Sundays, and Peggy at Super Sunday. Also, please feel free to visit my other blog during the week, Sharon Sharing God)

"When in doubt, search God out!"

EZRA - Promises, Promises

New Year’s Eve – December 31, 1999.

The world was sitting on the brink of a new year, a new century, a new millennium.

And they were waiting for technological disaster.

Remember?

Y2K!

The dreaded computer glitch that would supposedly happen when two-digit dating in ascending order – 97, 98, 99 – suddenly reset at 00.

People were convinced that the world would come to its knees.

It never did.

Was that because people took precautions and circumvented the disaster? Or because in the end, it was a lot of hype? Hard to say.

But – bottom line – it was a prediction that didn’t come true.

Today I want to tell you about another prediction. A prediction given by the prophet Isaiah. A prediction given by God, through Isaiah.

And of course, it came true.

"When I say of Cyrus, 'He is my shepherd,' he will certainly do as I say. He will command, 'Rebuild Jerusalem'; he will say, 'Restore the Temple.'"

(Isaiah 44:26)

It’s an amazing prediction – when you consider these facts:

• It was predicted over 100 years before it happened

• Cyrus had not been born yet

• The Persian Empire had not yet come into power

• The Israelites had not yet been taken away into exile

• Jerusalem and its glorious Temple were still standing

Did the people scoff at Isaiah? Did they think him a fool?

And yet…everything happened just as he foretold - just as GOD foretold.

Today’s "Bible Pick ‘Ems" comes from the book of Ezra – and it tells of the fulfillment of this prediction.

Drum roll, please…

"In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, the LORD fulfilled the prophecy…He stirred the heart of Cyrus to put this proclamation in writing and to send it throughout his kingdom…Then God stirred the hearts of the priests and Levites and the tribes of Judah and Benjamin to go to Jerusalem to build the Temple of the LORD." (Ezra 1:1, 5)

You know what I love about these verses?

God fulfilled His prophecy.

God stirred Cyrus to proclaim His plan.

God moved the hearts of His people to accomplish His purpose.

I am inspired by these three principles –

1. Every single one of God’s predictions and promises come true.

He can be counted on to be faithful to His Word.

2. Every single one of God’s plans will be accomplished.

He can be counted on to be faithful to His Will.

3. Every single one of God’s people will be empowered to do what He has called them to do. He can be counted on to be faithful to His Work.

When you face difficult situations and feel discouraged, it’s important to remember who God is.

He keeps His promises.

He accomplishes His plans.

He empowers His people to fulfill His purposes.

He knows what will happen – and He is in total control of the future.

What promises are you still looking forward to?

Believe it – they’re going to come true!!

The Bible tells us so…

(Today I am linked with Super Sunday, hosted by Peggy, and Spiritual Sundays, hosted by Charlotte and Ginger)

"When in doubt, search God out!"

ACTS - A Faithful Witness

It was a devastating phone call.

My youngest son called one day after school.

"Mom, I just heard someone say that Cory was in a car accident…and he’s dead."

I held my phone…stunned, speechless.

"Are you sure?" I said.

"I don’t know, Mom, can you find out?"

And so, I began a series of phone calls, finally reaching a school counselor who was a friend. And yes…

…it was true.

Numb, I got in my car to go pick up my son. I wasn’t sure how to break the news to him. Cory had been a close friend of my son’s since 3rd grade. He was a bright, shining light. The sort of person who made EVERYONE feel like they were his best friend. He was smart, and funny, and a delight.

As I approached the intersection that led into my son’s high school, there was Cory’s truck, upside down, crushed…still sitting where it had come to rest after flipping over three times. And there was his gray sweatshirt, just a few feet from a shattered driver’s side window.

I picked up my son, who was more silent and unapproachable than I had ever seen him before.

He looked at the scene of the accident as we drove past – he looked away.

When we got home, calls started coming in, and we were informed that there was going to be a gathering that evening at a local church – just for people to come together.

Of course, we decided to go…

I remember showing up, a bit shell-shocked – as we wandered around the room. Dazed by our joint sorrow, everyone mostly just hugged and cried – there weren’t really any words to say.

I remember finally seeing Cory’s father across the room – my son’s teacher in 5th grade.

And he was smiling…

He was talking to people, hugging them, offering them comfort through his own tears – asking others if they were OK.

He assured person after person that everything was going to be all right – Cory was with the Lord.

I remember speaking to him, though I can’t remember what we said – I just remember him telling my son how much Cory loved him, and what a good friend he had been. I remember him saying, "You’ll see him again…"

It was quite a testimony.

A few days later, there was a candlelight service at the high school. A couple of days later, a funeral.

Over 1,000 people attended the funeral. The HUGE church sanctuary was filled to overflowing. We watched slides of Cory, heard person after person speak about him, signed his surfboard, cried and laughed…

But, the most important thing of all? The Word of the Lord went out that day, and hundreds heard Cory and his family’s testimony.

Today’s "Bible Pick ‘Ems" reminded me of this time in our life.

"So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks. Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening." (Acts 16:24-25)

On a terrible and sudden, ordinary day, Cory’s family was slapped into the "inner dungeon" of their lives. They found themselves in the darkest night of their souls. They were literally imprisoned by the worst this life has to offer – death. Overwhelmed by grief, crippled by sadness – yes, they were.

But, like Paul and Silas, they chose to pray and sing to God – they looked to the only Hope they could cling to. They offered honor to a God that they knew loved Cory – a God whom they believed was GOOD.

They did not allow the "stocks" of grief and bitterness to overcome them. Their spirits rose above their imprisonment –

And all the while, people were watching them, and listening…

You never know who’s looking at you – especially when you find yourself walking through the "valley of the shadow of death." It is often at your darkest hour, at your weakest moment – at the absolute lowest time of discouragement – that is when people are paying the most attention to you.

Wondering how you’ll react…what you’ll say…what you’ll do.

Will you be praying and singing like Paul and Silas? Like Cory’s family?

No matter what the circumstances, we should praise God. Others may come to Christ because of our example. The Bible tells us that the jailer and his family were all brought to the Lord because of the witness of Paul and Silas.

I can only imagine the hearts that were reached through the faithful witness of a grieving family – who chose to sing through tragedy…

…and love a God whom they KNEW loved them.

(I am linked up today with Spiritual Sundays, hosted by Charlotte and Ginger!)

"When in doubt, search God out"

PSALMS - Victory in a Manger!

You know, I’m never quite sure where God’s going to lead me when I do a “Bible Pick ‘Ems!”

Today was no exception.

And God consistently shows me something from His Word.

Today was no exception!!

I found myself in Psalm 118.

Most of the Psalms were written by David, God’s chosen king, His mighty warrior. However, the author of Psalm 118 is listed as anonymous. And yet, this nameless author affirmed the confidence we can have in God’s eternal purposes.

“Though hostile nations surrounded me, I destroyed them all with the authority of the LORD. Yes, they surrounded me and attacked me…They swarmed around me like bees; they blazed against me like a crackling fire. But I destroyed them all with the authority of the LORD. My enemies did their best to kill me, but the LORD rescued me. The LORD is my strength and my song; he has given me victory…The arm of the LORD has done glorious things! The strong right arm of the LORD is raised in triumph…I will not die; instead, I will live…”

(Psalm 118:10-17)

Tremendously inspiring, encouraging, comforting words, indeed.

But, I thought to myself, it’s the day after Christmas. Couldn’t the verses have had something to do with Jesus?

Then God said to me, “Read them with Jesus in mind.”

And oh, how another story unfolded!

Picture Mary and Joseph, with their brand-new baby son, Jesus. Shepherds had come to adore Him. And exotic wise men, too. It was a glorious moment…

Except, lurking in the background was King Herod.

Evil King Herod.

King Herod – who felt threatened by the thought of a newborn “King of the Jews.” Unbeknownst to Mary and Joseph, he had instructed the wise men to tell him, as soon as possible, where the new baby was located – because he wanted to “worship” Him.

My friends, Satan was behind this plot.

And Herod was a willing accomplice. He was ruthless.

And he wasn’t alone.

The Scriptures tell us that everyone in Jerusalem was disturbed. When Jesus was born into the world, people began to react immediately. There was a disturbance in the status quo. Emotions were all over the map – excitement, fear, comfort, insecurity, anger – Jesus, a mere baby, had begun His revolution…

Herod planned to kill Him.

We are told that God appeared to the wise men in a dream, and told them to avoid Herod at all costs - to go home by another route. An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, and warned him to flee to Egypt, and stay there until it was safe to return.

I’ve got to hand it to Joseph – he was a very good husband, a very good father. He listened to the Voice of God, and he immediately obeyed. He took his very young family and fled.

Thereby saving the Savior of the world.

It wasn’t the last time that Satan and his cohort of angry little demons tried to kill the Son of God. His mission? To thwart the mission of Jesus – to sabotage the purpose of God. He tried everything, I’m sure.

But God protected His Son – and He protected Him until the day arrived to complete that awful, wonderful mission – to die on the cross in our place.

I’ll bet Satan thought he’d won. Killing God – what a coup!

Not so fast…

There’s an empty tomb coming!

Read today’s “Bible Pick ‘Ems” again – read the words as if JESUS is saying them. Hear His ringing Voice of authority. Hear His trumpet call of Victory. Glory in the wonder of God’ protection and providence.

And then, read the words again…

This time, YOU say them. They are your words, too.

Claim YOUR victory through them today!

Though surrounded by hostile forces – through Jesus, you will destroy them all.

Though they attack you, swarm like bees and blaze like fire – through Jesus, you have been given authority against them.

Though they try to kill you – through Jesus, you have been rescued.

Jesus is your strength and song.

Jesus is your victory.

Raise your arm in TRIUMPH!

Because of a baby, because of a life, because of a death, because of a resurrection – we can stand with all the authority of Jesus and say…

“I WILL NOT DIE – INSTEAD, I WILL LIVE!”

Praise God Almighty…AMEN!

“When in doubt, search God out!”

AMOS - Shaken, But Not Stirred

“Will you pray for me?” my friend asked me the other day.

Fearing something terrible, I answered, “Of course I will, what’s wrong?”

She went on to explain. There wasn’t any earth-shattering horror in her life. No deadly disease, no financial mishap, no terrible loss. There wasn’t any BIG thing in her life. It was just…well, her life.

She went on to explain how unsettled she was feeling, how unsteady and unsure. How previous goals seemed unclear, and earlier dreams felt unmet. How a straight and narrow path now felt crooked and directionless. How the clarity of purpose she had as a younger person, now felt blurry and indistinct. How she just didn’t know what she was feeling, what she was supposed to be doing, where she should be headed – how she felt unnerved, unsure, uncertain...

“Oh,” I said. “You mean you’re feeling life queasy.”

“What?” she replied. “Life queasy?”

“You know, that feeling you get on a boat out at sea. The pitching and rolling just has you off-kilter. A little uneasy and uncomfortable. You can’t quite get your bearings. Except you feel this way about your life. Life queasy.”

She smiled. “Yeah, that’s exactly it.”

Do you ever feel this way?

Like a towel in a washing machine? All mixed up and disoriented?

It’s not a great feeling for anyone to feel, but especially for a Christian, I think. After all, we know the God of Wisdom and Purpose. We should have clear direction in our lives, we say to ourselves. We should have peace.

But we don’t – we feel distressed. We feel…shaken.

Today’s “Bible Pick ‘Ems” comes from the book of Amos, a prophet who knew a thing or two about being shaken up!

Surely Amos was a faithful man, a person whose life was devoted to God. But he was a simple shepherd and fig grower. He wasn’t the son of a prophet – not the son of a priest.

However, God had a purpose for Amos – a purpose that probably made him feel life queasy.

God took Amos from his homeland in the southern kingdom of Judah, and sent him to denounce the social and religious corruption of the northern kingdom of Israel. Amos obeyed God.

And though his message brought pronouncements of God’s judgment on Israel, it also brought the promise of restoration. Today’s verses bring a word of tremendous reassurance:

“For I will give the command and will shake Israel along with the other nations as grain is shaken in a sieve, yet not one true kernel will be lost.” (Amos 9:9)

Though these words were directed toward the nation of Israel, I think we can apply them to our lives. Sometimes God needs to do some shaking up. Sometimes He needs to “unsettle” us.

But always remember – God wants to redeem, not punish. He wants to purify, not destroy.

He wants to make us holy.

So God will always care more about our character than our comfort.

What can we hold on to when we’re being shaken?

The promise: The faithful will not be forgotten. True believers will not be lost.

God shakes those He loves.

“You have tested us, O God; you have purified us like silver.” (Psalm 66:10)

“I will bring [them] through the fire and make them pure. I will refine them like silver and purify them like gold.” (Zechariah 13:9)

“When in doubt, search God out!”

HABAKKUK - God is Still On His Throne!

Today is October 31st – Halloween.

And Halloween reminds me of the word FEAR.

Have you ever just been terrified out of your mind?

Then I’m sure you have something in common with Habakkuk.

Habakkuk lived under the threat of the Babylonians. Babylon was becoming the dominant world power, and Judah would soon feel Babylon’s destructive force. The LORD had promised to use the Babylonians to punish Judah for their rebellion.

I’m sure Habakkuk was afraid.

He asked questions – difficult questions – and he diligently sought answers.

He asked God why He would use the wicked Babylonians to punish His people. He asked why the wicked in Judah were not being punished for their sins. He asked why a just God could allow such evil to exist.

He asked the questions we ask…

God responded to Habakkuk.

And Habakkuk praised God. He knew that God was going to discipline the people of Judah and that it wasn’t going to be pretty! But Habakkuk acknowledged God's Sovereign Control, yielded to His Divine Providence, accepted His Perfect Will, and asked for His Help and Mercy.

Today’s “Bible Pick ‘Ems” comes from the very end of Habakkuk’s prayer to God.

“Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,

and there are no grapes on the vines;

even though the olive crop fails,

and the fields lie empty and barren;

even though the flocks die in the fields,

and the cattle barns are empty,

yet I will rejoice in the LORD!

I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!

The Sovereign LORD is my strength!

He makes me as surefooted as a deer,

able to tread upon the heights.”

(Habakkuk 3:17-19)

Habakkuk affirmed that even in times of fear, he would still rejoice in the Lord. He didn’t let his feelings be controlled by the events around him. He trusted God’s ability to give him strength.

He let his "even though" turn into "yet I will..."

When nothing makes sense, and you’re AFRAID, remember God.

Look to Him, only Him –

He is alive and in control of the world. He is working, and He WILL accomplish His purposes.

So, run like surefooted deer, my friends – across rough and dangerous terrain.

WE ARE NOT ALONE!

“I have heard all about you, LORD. I am filled with awe by your amazing works.” (Habakkuk 3:2)

When in doubt, search God out!

JEREMIAH - You Will Be Saved!

Ever get tired of watching the news?

The world is not a place of “good news” anymore, is it? It’s often a frightening place.

Today’s “Bible Pick ‘Ems” sounds like it could have come “fresh off the presses” just in time for this morning’s Sunday edition:

“This is what the LORD says: ‘I hear cries of fear; there is terror and no peace…In all history there has never been such a time of terror. It will be a time of trouble for my people…Yet in the end they will be saved!’” (Jeremiah 30:5, 7)

Jeremiah was one of God’s great prophets.

Jeremiah was known as the “weeping prophet” because he was often moved to tears over the rebellion of God’s people.

He was called by God to speak to the southern kingdom of Judah. He faithfully confronted the nation’s leaders and the Israelite people with their sin. He prophesied both their 70-year captivity in Babylon, and their eventual return from exile.

His message doesn’t sound too different than what we hear today!

It is a time of fear and terror.

Economies are collapsing, weird illnesses and unusual diseases are appearing, people are starving, and nations are warring. In the post 9/11 world, “terror” has taken on a new meaning. It could be rightly said that “in all history there has never been such a time of terror.” (verse 7)

Where should we turn? To whom should we go?

Go to God…

He is our Leader.

God returned His chosen people to their land. He brought them out of exile, and graced them with His blessings. He never forgot them…

It is the same today as it was in Jeremiah’s time.

God knows the future, and His plans for us are good and full of hope. We need to trust Him with our agenda, and with the timetable of the world. We need to know that He goes with us as we move forward in this life. His purpose, His mission, WILL be accomplished.

We can have boundless hope.

“Yet in the end they will be saved!” (verse 7)

This does not mean that we will be spared pain, suffering, or hardship. But God will see us through to a glorious conclusion.

Just like He promised the Israelites – we will return to our “Promised Land” – to eternal life in God’s presence – we will finally return HOME.

“This is what the LORD says: ‘…then I will come and do for you ALL the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again. For I know the plans I have for you…They are plans for good…to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:10-11)

“When in doubt, search God out!”

ISAIAH - Be Alert!

Gloom and doom…

Sometimes the books of prophecy in the Old Testament can be difficult reading. It feels like they contain an endless litany of unheeded warnings, followed by devastating judgments.

And yet, there is always an unmistakable undercurrent of forgiveness, comfort, and hope.

God’s message is clear: There are consequences for rebelling against Me. Please don’t do it. But if you return to Me, I will forgive you and restore you.

Today’s “Bible Pick ‘Ems” comes from the book of Isaiah.

I’d like to start with a little background information on the book of Isaiah.

Prophets stood with the priests as God’s special representatives. The prophet’s role was to speak for God, confronting the people with His commands and promises – pointing out their rebellion. Needless to say, true prophets were not very popular!!

But they continued to faithfully proclaim the truth.

The book of Isaiah is the first of the writings of the prophets in the Bible – and Isaiah is generally considered to be the greatest prophet. His purpose was to call the nation of Judah back to God. But his prophecies also tell of God’s salvation through His coming Messiah, Jesus Christ.

Our “pick ‘em” verses are found in Isaiah 21:5-7, 11-12:

“But quick! Grab your shields and prepare for battle. You are being attacked! Meanwhile, the Lord said to me, ‘Put a watchman on the city wall. Let him shout out what he sees…Let the watchman be fully alert.’

Someone…keeps calling to me, ‘Watchman, how much longer until morning? When will the night be over?’ The watchman replies, ‘Morning is coming…’”

These verses can be applied directly to the very real threat of Judah’s enemies during Isaiah’s lifetime. God was warning the people to return to Him, to remain alert and on guard, to prepare for battle. But, sadly, His warnings went unheeded.

But, these verses also apply to us today.

How so?

We also have enemies outside our “city walls.” They are ready to “attack” and we must “prepare for battle.” We are called to be “fully alert.”

We, too, must be watchmen…

Because we have a blessed “MORNING” that is coming!

Our glorious Savior is going to return!

“So you, too must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming…You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.” (Matthew 24:42-44)

“You must be ready all the time…” (Luke 12:40)

“For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly; like a thief in the night…So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and clearheaded.” (1 Thessalonians 5:2, 6)

Not all people will join us in our watch.

We will hear people saying, “How much longer until morning?”

Some may say it with longing, others will mock.

“Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last day scoffers will come…They will say, ‘What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again?’”

(2 Peter 3:3, 4)

Do not listen.

God is calling us to be watchmen.

To grab our shields and prepare for battle.

To shout the truth.

To be fully alert.

And most of all, to keep looking to the horizon, and believing with all our hearts -

“MORNING IS COMING…”

“When in doubt, search God out!”

MICAH - Light of Hope!

Ever feel just OVERWHELMED?

Like you're in a dark valley, unable to crawl out, surrounded by troubles?

I feel like that sometimes - I hate to admit it, but I'm one of those "glass half-empty" kind of people! And, to tell you the truth, sometimes, I don't even see ANY water in the glass at all!!

Today's "Bible Pick 'Ems" comes from the book of Micah in the Old Testament. Micah was a prophet, a contemporary of Isaiah and Hosea. Amidst his prophecies of doom and gloom, Micah presents a true picture of God - the Almighty Lord who hates sin and loves the sinner.

Micah offers hope to those who turn toward a gracious God.

"As for me, I look to the LORD for help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me. DO NOT GLOAT OVER ME, my enemies! For though I fall, I will rise again. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light...The LORD will bring me into the light, and I will see his righteousness. Then my enemies will see that the LORD is on my side...with my own eyes I will see their downfall."

(Micah 7:7-8, 9b, 10)

All too often, circumstances and struggles really get me defeated. I cave in, I fall down, and sometimes I give up. Darkness overcomes my spirit like a shadow. Satan finds a way to gloat over me, accusing me in my weakness, and never letting me forget that I am small. He shouts me down, and I collapse.

But...ALL IS NOT LOST!

Micah showed great faith in God. He proclaimed that he would wait on God because He hears and saves us when help is needed. God would bring His people through the worst circumstances, upholding them when times were tough.

We, too, can have a relationship with God that will allow us to have confidence like Micah's.

With God as my shield, I can fight like a warrior!!

"For though I fall, I WILL RISE AGAIN!"


"When in doubt, search God out!"

LAMENTATIONS - Woe is Me!

Times are tough, aren’t they? It doesn’t seem like you can count on anything anymore. The earth is quaking and shaking, the environment is being poisoned, the economy is falling apart, and governments can’t be trusted. It’s a time of great upheaval.

Our world is filled with poverty, injustice, rebellion, and uncertainty.

Where can we turn for help – where can we turn for hope?

Today’s “Bible Pick ‘Ems” comes from the book of Lamentations. The prophet Jeremiah wrote this book, during a time of great sadness for the nation of Judah. The Babylonians had destroyed Jerusalem, and her people had been killed, tortured, or taken captive.

But Jeremiah affirmed that there was hope in the midst of affliction.

He knew that God would bring future restoration and blessing. He banked on God’s faithfulness, always trusting in the unshakeable promises of a loving and merciful Lord.

“Peace has been stripped away…Everything I had hoped for from the LORD is lost. The thought of my suffering…is bitter beyond words. I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. YET I STILL DARE TO HOPE when I remember this:

THE FAITHFUL LOVE OF THE LORD NEVER ENDS!

His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, ‘The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!’
…I called on your name, LORD, from deep within the pit. You heard me when I cried…Yes, you came when I called; you told me, ‘DO NOT FEAR.’”
(Lamentations 3:17-24, 56-57)

What causes your tears?

God knows about them – every single one.

“You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.” (Psalm 56:8)

Rest assured, God is there – in every moment, every day. He will never fail you; He will never forsake you. His plan and purpose for your life is being worked out, even in times of suffering and hardship.

Yes, my dear friends, we have a bright hope for tomorrow!

"When in doubt, search God out!"