His Thoughts; His Ways

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9 NRSV


It would be easy to give up and let the world have it's worldly way with you. But, the Word of the LORD reminds us to seek Him and His Way. God's ways are not our ways. His thoughts are not our thoughts. Following in the way our ego would have us go will only prove to be devastating to our lives and the world around us.  And... it may also be a good thing to remember that no matter how bad things get, God is still in charge. He can turn the greatest tragedy into the most marvelous triumph. From the most troubled time, He will lead us out in joy and lead us forth in peace; the peace that only He can give.

 

Seek the LORD and come to the One who knows the way; who is The Way. 

 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Seek Him

Seek the Lord while he may be found,
    call upon him while he is near;

let the wicked forsake their way,
    and the unrighteous their thoughts;
let them return to the Lord, that he may have mercy on them,
    and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord.

Isaiah 55:6-8

 

God's Peace be with you all. Pr. J

Isaiah 55 - His Ways

There are days when I wonder what the world is coming to. There are times when there just seems to be more trouble than normal. Where are we going with all this mess? If I allowed myself, I could get pretty worked up about some of the stuff that goes on. When times like these happen, I remind myself and others to: 
"Seek the Lord while he may be found; 
    call on him while he is near.
Let the wicked forsake their ways
    and the unrighteous their thoughts.
Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them,
    and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”
    declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.
As the rain and the snow
    come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
    without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
    so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
     so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
    It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
    and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
You will go out in joy
    and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
    will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
    will clap their hands.
Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper,
    and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the Lord’s renown,
    for an everlasting sign,    that will endure forever.”" (Isa 55:6-13 NIV)

 

It would be easy to give up and let the world have it's worldly way with you. But, the Word of the LORD reminds us to seek Him and His Way. God's ways are not our ways. His thoughts are not our thoughts. And... it may also be a good thing to remember that no matter how bad things get, God is still in charge. He can turn the greatest tragedy into the most marvelous triumph. From the most troubled time, He can lead us out in joy and lead us forth in peace - the peace that only He can give.

 

So seek the LORD and come to the waters that will satisfy.

 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Ecclesiastes 8 - Eat, Drink, Be Glad; Live Life

"So I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun." (Eccl 8:15 NIV)

Would this not be a wonderful way for the world to live: for everyone to be able to enjoy our daily lives; to eat, drink, and be glad; even as we go about the business of providing for ourselves, our families, even our neighbors? Sadly, it is not so. Those who prefer to spend their time stirring up strife, destroying the lives of others, are always around. The wicked need to have things their way. Whatever they think is good for them is the way that they will go regardless of the trouble and harm it may bring to others. They do not understand that "....wickedness will not release those who practice it." (Eccl 8:8) There will, sadly, be consequences. Consequences not just to those who actually carry out things such as mass murders, but to those who secretly plot against their neighbors to cause problems in their daily lives. Their wicked ways will turn upon them.

Thanks be to God, that God in His infinite mercy, sent His only begotten Son, so that all who believe might not perish, but have eternal life in His presence, in His Kingdom, where there actually is joy and peace. (John 3:16, Rom 14:17) Repent then... turn from the wickedness in your heart and live life in Christ. Live life in the one who truly loves you and was willing to be persecuted, tortured, and die for you. The wisdom of living life in Christ will bring a brightness to your face and change your hard appearance as well as the hardness of your heart. Live Life! And... let others do the same.

God's Peace - Pr. J