If you've never had an opportunity to read the 40th chapter of the Book of Isaiah let me encourage you to do so. If you are seeking to know the God of the universe - the only true and living God that you serve and worship - then read Isaiah 40.
As a teaser let me share with you the journey that this chapter took me on:
Theme
Comfort my people.
Comfort them
With hearts that burn for healing, reach out to those who are hurting and in pain.
Speak tenderly
Let them know that their service is not required.
Let them know that their sins have been forgiven.
Repent
Ready them for the coming Rapture.
The Promise
People will come and people will go but God's Word will stand forever.
Go Then
Desire a heart that will say 'Here am I. Send me'.
We are directed to lift up our voice with a shout
(be louder than 10 boys!)
We are instructed not to be afraid.
We are given treasure that is to be declared . . .
HERE IS YOUR GOD:
He is power.
He brings with Him a reward
He is here to carry you close to His heart
His deeds/His abilities are beyond measure
His total love/His perfect nature are without end
WOW!!!
I pray Lord Jesus that you will allow everyone who knows you to go on their own journey with you through this book/chapter of your Word. May each of them know the fullness of who You are.
For those who say to You, 'Lord, Lord' with their lips but not with their hearts, I pray that they will have a burning desire within themselves to seek You fully.
For those who don't yet know You Lord, I pray that their eyes would be opened to see the wonders of Your Glory and in that I pray that they will surrender themselves to you.
I pray all these things through the blessed and powerful name of the King of kings - Jesus the Christ.
Amen and Amen
bo
www.anencouragersheart.blogspot.com
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
The Town Crier . . .
It is written in Matthew 5: 14-16 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."
From the time I was a little girl I did all I could to be heard. I wasn't looking to be seen - just heard. As a matter of fact, my father, God rest his soul, use to say that I was 'louder than 10 boys'. Over the years the reality of that statement has brought both tears of pain and smug acknowledgment of its truth.
Recently it seems that the Lord has provided me with ample opportunities to continue in my efforts to be heard. He has showered me with so much of His love that I just can't keep it all to myself - so out it oozes on to others. Try as I might, I just can't hold it back.
When I'm asked how I'm feeling I just can't help but to tell people that I'm blessed. When the mere mention of something good comes into a conversation I just can't help but lead people to know that God's hand print is all over it. You don't have to hit people over the head with the truth - just be willing to be fruitful!
Well, this evening as the Lord and I spent some quiet time together I began thanking Him for the boldness that He has given me lately. I thanked Him for the awesome opportunities that he's provided for me to witness to people and suddenly it occurred to me that Daddy (my earthly father) use to consider my loudness to be a bad thing . . . but Abba (my Heavenly Father) considers it something much different. He created me to be the trumpeter that I am today. He fully intended for me to be the modern day version of the Town Crier so He's thrilled with my big mouth. I'm focused and ready to go out to all the nations . . . all right, all right . . . I'm focused to go out to all the people He brings to me in this county (heeheehee) and tell them who this Jesus is that I love and who loves me.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus said . . . "for this reason I was born - for this reason I came into this world . . . to testify to the truth". I am very thankful that the Lord has allowed me to see that "for this reason I was born - for this reason I came into this world . . . to be the Town Crier - sharing the Good News of the Gospels wherever I go!!! I love being a beam of Christ's light rather than living in darkness.
I love it when I have proof that He is alive and more than just a little bit active in my life!!!
Jesus, my cup overflows with Your goodness and grace. I stand as living proof to Your promise as it is written in Matthew 25:29 "For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance." Help us all Lord, to be ready and to help others be ready, for your immanent return.
Hallelujah, Jesus. Thank You, Lord.
Amen and Amen.
bo
www.anencouragersheart.blogspot.com
From the time I was a little girl I did all I could to be heard. I wasn't looking to be seen - just heard. As a matter of fact, my father, God rest his soul, use to say that I was 'louder than 10 boys'. Over the years the reality of that statement has brought both tears of pain and smug acknowledgment of its truth.
Recently it seems that the Lord has provided me with ample opportunities to continue in my efforts to be heard. He has showered me with so much of His love that I just can't keep it all to myself - so out it oozes on to others. Try as I might, I just can't hold it back.
When I'm asked how I'm feeling I just can't help but to tell people that I'm blessed. When the mere mention of something good comes into a conversation I just can't help but lead people to know that God's hand print is all over it. You don't have to hit people over the head with the truth - just be willing to be fruitful!
Well, this evening as the Lord and I spent some quiet time together I began thanking Him for the boldness that He has given me lately. I thanked Him for the awesome opportunities that he's provided for me to witness to people and suddenly it occurred to me that Daddy (my earthly father) use to consider my loudness to be a bad thing . . . but Abba (my Heavenly Father) considers it something much different. He created me to be the trumpeter that I am today. He fully intended for me to be the modern day version of the Town Crier so He's thrilled with my big mouth. I'm focused and ready to go out to all the nations . . . all right, all right . . . I'm focused to go out to all the people He brings to me in this county (heeheehee) and tell them who this Jesus is that I love and who loves me.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus said . . . "for this reason I was born - for this reason I came into this world . . . to testify to the truth". I am very thankful that the Lord has allowed me to see that "for this reason I was born - for this reason I came into this world . . . to be the Town Crier - sharing the Good News of the Gospels wherever I go!!! I love being a beam of Christ's light rather than living in darkness.
I love it when I have proof that He is alive and more than just a little bit active in my life!!!
Jesus, my cup overflows with Your goodness and grace. I stand as living proof to Your promise as it is written in Matthew 25:29 "For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance." Help us all Lord, to be ready and to help others be ready, for your immanent return.
Hallelujah, Jesus. Thank You, Lord.
Amen and Amen.
bo
www.anencouragersheart.blogspot.com
Monday, November 17, 2008
A New Command . . .
It is written in John 13:34-35
"A new command I give you: Love one another.
As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
By this all men will know that you are my disciples,
if you love one another."
In a study I'm working on (actually it's an incredible study called The Truth Project) the teacher says . . .
"If God mentions something once, you should write it down.
If He mentions it twice, you should sit up and take notice.
If He mentions it a third time, maybe we should fall to our knees and listen."
LOVE ONE ANOTHER - 3 TIMES IN 2 CONSECUTIVE VERSES!!!
I'm not sure about you but I'm thinking that the chances are pretty good that Christ considers this to be an important subject!!
Who has Christ brought into your life that is easy to love? Go ahead, smile as you meditate for a moment. Isn't it wonderful that the Lord is so generous in allowing us the ability to recall such pleasures?
Now ask yourself who Christ has brought into your life that is a challenge to love. Think about it . . . wouldn't life be much more simple if only everyone would allow the love of Christ to enter their hearts and minds. In Christ we are a new creations. We can love AND be loved. The two meet in perfect harmony.
The bible talks about the fullness of Christ and the beauty of Christ. The joy and pleasures and treasures of Christ. When every part of my being is consumed by Him, I can do nothing but weep joyously. It is beyond description - beyond explanation - beyond reason.
I pray, through the powerful name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, that the fullness of Christ would consume all those who are challenged to love and be loved.
How Great Is Our God!!!!!! Hallelujah!
Amen and Amen
bo
www.anencouragersheart.blogspot.com
"A new command I give you: Love one another.
As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
By this all men will know that you are my disciples,
if you love one another."
In a study I'm working on (actually it's an incredible study called The Truth Project) the teacher says . . .
"If God mentions something once, you should write it down.
If He mentions it twice, you should sit up and take notice.
If He mentions it a third time, maybe we should fall to our knees and listen."
LOVE ONE ANOTHER - 3 TIMES IN 2 CONSECUTIVE VERSES!!!
I'm not sure about you but I'm thinking that the chances are pretty good that Christ considers this to be an important subject!!
Who has Christ brought into your life that is easy to love? Go ahead, smile as you meditate for a moment. Isn't it wonderful that the Lord is so generous in allowing us the ability to recall such pleasures?
Now ask yourself who Christ has brought into your life that is a challenge to love. Think about it . . . wouldn't life be much more simple if only everyone would allow the love of Christ to enter their hearts and minds. In Christ we are a new creations. We can love AND be loved. The two meet in perfect harmony.
The bible talks about the fullness of Christ and the beauty of Christ. The joy and pleasures and treasures of Christ. When every part of my being is consumed by Him, I can do nothing but weep joyously. It is beyond description - beyond explanation - beyond reason.
I pray, through the powerful name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, that the fullness of Christ would consume all those who are challenged to love and be loved.
How Great Is Our God!!!!!! Hallelujah!
Amen and Amen
bo
www.anencouragersheart.blogspot.com
Monday, November 10, 2008
A Year of Thanksgiving
Well, it's almost that time of year again . . . no, I'm not talking about Christmas . . . I'm talking about the day that is set aside as a privilege for us to give thanks to our incredibly generous God.
I LOVE giving thanks . . . so much so that last week when asked at a gathering what it was that we were most thankful for this year, I gladly raised my hand and shared my heart with everyone. I am anxious even now to share with you that the one recurring thread that was woven throughout my year - the thing that I am most thankful for - is that the Lord taught me the true meaning of Psalm 46:10 in which it is written "Be still and know that I am God".
First He pulled the plug on all the service 'projects' that I had busily gone about doing for Him.
Then, He curbed my desire to leave my house. Gone was the urge to shop, search for crafty things to create or restaurants to eat at.
Taking full advantage of these times of solitude, He then put in my possession the "The Gospel of Matthew" on DVD. I saw Jesus as I had never envisioned Him before. As I watched that recording over and over . . . and over . . . again, I grew to love Him to a degree that I had never loved Him before.
This was a year of healing . . . and prayer . . . and singing praises to His glorious name. I experienced an intimacy with Him that I can't even begin to describe. My eyes have been opened and my heart has been saturated with endless love as I've spent incredible moments of oneness with Him.
He has showered me with gifts and blessings and tenderness and mercy. In it all I have come to realize that I am not the center of all that is . . . HE IS! I have learned that I didn't have any idea - not even a clue - about how intelligent He is or how clever He is or the degree to which He desires to lavish us with His pure love.
I am so incredibly thankful to have been chosen by the Creator of the Universe to spend eternity with Him. And truly I'm blown away when I realize that His blessings here on the earth are only a faint shadow of the glory we will experience forever, with Him, into eternity.
Praise God. Thank You Jesus.
Amen and Amen
bo
I LOVE giving thanks . . . so much so that last week when asked at a gathering what it was that we were most thankful for this year, I gladly raised my hand and shared my heart with everyone. I am anxious even now to share with you that the one recurring thread that was woven throughout my year - the thing that I am most thankful for - is that the Lord taught me the true meaning of Psalm 46:10 in which it is written "Be still and know that I am God".
First He pulled the plug on all the service 'projects' that I had busily gone about doing for Him.
Then, He curbed my desire to leave my house. Gone was the urge to shop, search for crafty things to create or restaurants to eat at.
Taking full advantage of these times of solitude, He then put in my possession the "The Gospel of Matthew" on DVD. I saw Jesus as I had never envisioned Him before. As I watched that recording over and over . . . and over . . . again, I grew to love Him to a degree that I had never loved Him before.
This was a year of healing . . . and prayer . . . and singing praises to His glorious name. I experienced an intimacy with Him that I can't even begin to describe. My eyes have been opened and my heart has been saturated with endless love as I've spent incredible moments of oneness with Him.
He has showered me with gifts and blessings and tenderness and mercy. In it all I have come to realize that I am not the center of all that is . . . HE IS! I have learned that I didn't have any idea - not even a clue - about how intelligent He is or how clever He is or the degree to which He desires to lavish us with His pure love.
I am so incredibly thankful to have been chosen by the Creator of the Universe to spend eternity with Him. And truly I'm blown away when I realize that His blessings here on the earth are only a faint shadow of the glory we will experience forever, with Him, into eternity.
Praise God. Thank You Jesus.
Amen and Amen
bo
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Stuck On You . . .
Just like Paul said in Colossians 1:17 . . . He holds us together . . .
He's our Glue!
Do you want proof? . . . then go to . . . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_e4zgJXPpI4
and check out this video.
Who knew?!?!?!? How amazing - truly amazing - is that!
Lord God, I'm speechless. You've thought of EVERYTHING!
Thank You Lord for loving us so much that you embed yourself within us - literally you hold us together!
It's all about Jesus!
Hallelujah!
bo
He's our Glue!
Do you want proof? . . . then go to . . . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_e4zgJXPpI4
and check out this video.
Who knew?!?!?!? How amazing - truly amazing - is that!
Lord God, I'm speechless. You've thought of EVERYTHING!
Thank You Lord for loving us so much that you embed yourself within us - literally you hold us together!
It's all about Jesus!
Hallelujah!
bo
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