June 24 - Isaiah 8:1-11:16

Good morning everyone,

As expert weather people (wink, wink, nod, nod) we have all looked at the sky, seen huge masses of dark clouds looming off in the distance and said something to the effect of, “A storm is a brewing, better batten down the hatches, it will be here soon” then go about doing whatever we need to to get ready for it. Right? Well, this morning we read that the Lord spoke to Isaiah, told him, “Take a large scroll and write on it with an ordinary pen: Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz.” which translated means "Hurry to the spoils!" or "He has made haste to the plunder!" Either way, because the children of God had rejected him for so long, refusing to turn to him, his wrath was on the way and it would be there soon. Now I don’t know about you, but that would scare the bejeebers out of me! Seriously!

Isaiah continues on cautioning them, to stay away from mediums and spirits who whisper and mutter, they are sure death. In the storms of our lives, to save our lives we must cling to the cross, wrap our arms and legs around it, and hold on tight with all of our might. In 2004 supermodel Petra Němcová was at a resort in Thailand when a massive tsunami struck. Petra suffered a broken pelvis and serious internal injuries, but she managed to hold on to the top of a palm tree, swaying in the sometimes high speed winds for eight hours, until she was rescued by Thai civilians and airlifted to a hospital. I remember watching her in an interview, after her recovery, with Diane Sawyer and thinking at the time, “Wow! Though thin and “girly” this strong young woman really wanted to live. Literally through her pain, her discomfort, a storm seriously raging in her face, whipping her hair around, trying to pry her arms off and suck her into it’s turbulence, she hung on for her life.” It was a visual I will never forget. A lesson that no matter what is raging against me, what storm I am facing, how desperately the enemy and his demons are either ferociously or subtly prying to snatch me away from God, it is with equal force that I must desperately cling to the cross and not allow myself to be ripped away from, what is safe and promises life. Jesus Christ, my Savior.

Life is, especially in the world of today, a storm of the highest magnitude, but the tougher times are still to come. You must know, we must know, really, really know our Bibles. Know God’s promises so that we are not fooled by Satan who we’re told in 2 Corinthians 11:14 “masquerades as an angel of light.” He will lie to you, and twist God’s words to make them sound something like scripture but it won’t be. He did it to Jesus, and he most certainly will do it to you too. You will need to know the truth of God’s Word to be able to say, like we read in Matthew 4:10, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.”

Read your Bible, but more than just letting the words go through your head, know what it is saying. Understand what is going on and what lessons you can take from it. Pray in God’s word like David did. Take any verse and insert your name, Psalm 25 “In you, Lord my God, I, Pam, put my trust.” Memorize verses, write them down and then pass on what the Lord has shown you because if you don’t you will become a stagnant Christian, you don’t want that. It feels so good to share. If you find any of this to be too hard, well then do what I do and ask for help. John 14:26 tells us, “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” So hang out with the Holy Spirit, let him be your friend, your courage, your strength, your helper. He is so super glad to help. 

When you know Jesus, not just who he is, but know and understand His heart then you will not want to live in any way that would serve to hurt Him. Foul language will burn your ears, lewd behavior will repulse you and you will have an ernest desire to know more about Yahweh, His agape, unconditional, love for you, and the grace He longs to shower you with. He is the truth, the way and the life. Cling to Him, cling to the cross! Amen?

Have a great day and to Yahweh be the glory.

God bless you all …