Tag Archives: Michael W. Smith

God Comforts His People

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by Sandy Kirby Quandt

In Isaiah Chapter 40 God speaks to the people of Israel through the prophet Isaiah. The first verse says God offers comfort to his people. They need not be sad for he has pardoned their sins.

The coming of the Messiah is predicted in this chapter. We are told he will shepherd his people and carry them in his arms.

No one can compare to him.

No one is his equal.

He is the one who created the stars and knows them by name.

Near the end of the chapter we are reminded God sees our struggles and cares for us. He is the one who gives strength to the weary.

Sometimes in the midst of our struggles and pain we may wonder if God sees our troubles, and if he does, then why doesn’t he do something about it?

Well, he did do something about it.

God cares so much he sent his son, Jesus Christ the Messiah, as a tiny infant into our world to save us from our sins.

The people who lived at the time of the Old Testament prophet Isaiah waited for the Messiah to be born.

Those of us living this side of the manger and cross wait for the King of kings and Lord of lords to return in triumphant victory.

Regardless of when the people of God live, he is the same. He’s the one who created the stars and just as he knows them by name, he knows us by name, too.

Because Jesus came into this world as an infant and died as our Savior, all is well, so how can we say he doesn’t care?

Leave a comment below to share your thoughts on the subject. If you think others would appreciate reading this, please share it through the social media buttons.

Look up into the heavens! Who created all these stars? As a shepherd leads his sheep, calling each by its pet name, and counts them to see that none are lost or strayed, so God does with stars and planets! O Jacob, O Israel, how can you say that the Lord doesn’t see your troubles and isn’t being fair? Isaiah 40:26-27 (TLB)

I wish you well.

Sandy

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One of my posts will appear on Inspire a Fire December 1, 2015. Please stop by.

Words of Life

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There was a Christian book store in Orlando, Florida, Long’s, that I visited quite often. The location  in Winter Park has closed, I believe, but they do still have a store in the area. One feature of Long’s was a display of ancient Bibles. Pilot would know the exact dates, probably going back to Gutenberg, but all I remember is they were OLD.

While each of these individual Bibles were different…different bindings, different sizes, different printed style, different languages…the thing they all had in common was the actual text. In that, they were the same.

God’s word is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. His word does not change. We may have newer translations which make understanding the Bible easier, but the actual intent of those words is unchangeable.

The wisdom of God’s truth has been preserved. The words spoken by our Lord Jesus Christ are on the written page for us to savor. The stories of the lives of those who are part of God’s story are there for us to learn from. Both the good and the bad.

The King James Version of thou shalt nots recorded in Exodus 20, is the same Living Bible Translation you shall nots. God’s instructions have not been reinvented to suit mankind’s wishes.

No matter what translation of the Bible we might choose, and if you’ve noticed, there are a variety of versions I go to, we can draw strength from what is written down for us. We can trust God’s word to be the truth, when the world causes us to doubt.

The One who caused the prophet Jeremiah to pen the words in Jeremiah 29:11 centuries ago, is still telling us he has planned a future to give us hope, not harm.

The Savior who told the disciples he was going to heaven to prepare a place for them, in John 14, is saying the same thing to us right now.

The truths the Apostle John wrote down the vision he was shown of things yet to come, in Revelation 12, are still true. When John said he heard a loud voice declaring salvation. And power. And the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ had come. For the accuser had been hurled down…we can rest assured it will come to pass.

Ancient words.

Just as true for us today, as they were all those many years ago when they were whispered into the hearts of those who wrote them down.

Valuable words. Instructive words. Healing words. Comforting words. Words we would be wise to study and apply to our lives.

What are your thoughts on the subject?

The law of the Lord is perfect; it gives new strength. The commands of the Lord are trustworthy, giving wisdom to those who lack it. The laws of the Lord are right, and those who obey them are happy. The commands of the Lord are just and give understanding to the mind. Psalm 19:7-8 (GNT)

I wish you well.

Sandy

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My Desire

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It’s happened again…Someone is miffed over a decision I felt led by God to make. And I really don’t understand why.

I know I’m not the only person who has had friends turn on them, because they disagreed with a decision they didn’t support. Perhaps your friends have walked away. Your relationships have been severed. Your peace has been lost.

While my present situation may not be the same as your situation, the fractured relationship is just as real. And I’m not quite sure what to do about it.

As in other situations where I’ve been stumped, I’ve spoken with a trusted Christian friend, whose wisdom and advice I treasure. She’s told me I did the correct thing. I’ve prayed for wisdom, discernment, and understanding, as to what I should do, and I believe God has led me to understanding.

What it seems God’s telling me through his word, and counsel from godly friends is, I have to follow where God leads. Others are responsible for their own feelings, but should understand the choices I make are saturated in prayer, with the belief I am being obedient to God.

When King David brought the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem, he was so overjoyed, he removed his kingly robe, and danced in a linen ephod. Which to my mind, may have been like a long undershirt. Either way, his wife, Michal, Saul’s daughter, watched from the window of her room, and was miffed, and their relationship was never the same again. Actually, she was more than miffed. She was angry. (2 Samuel 6:14-16)

The Bible tells us Michal disapproved of David’s behavior. But you know what? I’ve yet to find where it says God disapproved.

If you’re in a place right now, where like me, a friend is disapproving, angry, or mad, maybe, like me, you need to think about it.  After talking it over with God, and those who offer godly counsel, figure out your desire. Who are you trying to please? God? Or man?

I’m letting that be my deciding factor. How about you?

Show me the path where I should go, O Lord; point out the right road for me to walk. Lead me; teach me; for you are the God who gives me salvation. I have no hope except in you.  Psalm 25:4-5 (TLB)

I wish you well.

Sandy

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