He who trusts in the LORD is on wings of eagles

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Isaiah 40

“Comfort, 

O comfort My people,” 

says your God...

...A voice is calling,

“Clear the way for the Lord in the wilderness;

Make smooth in the desert a highway for our God.

“Let every valley be lifted up,

And every mountain and hill be made low;

And let the rough ground become a plain,

And the rugged terrain a broad valley;

Then the glory of the Lord will be revealed...

...The grass withers, the flower fades,

When the breath of the Lord blows upon it;

Surely the people are grass.

The grass withers, the flower fades,

But the word of our God stands forever...

...Behold, the Lord God will come with might,

With His arm ruling for Him.

Behold, His reward is with Him

And His recompense before Him.

Like a shepherd He will tend His flock,

In His arm He will gather the lambs

And carry them in His bosom;

He will gently lead the nursing ewes...

...Do you not know? Have you not heard?

Has it not been declared to you from the beginning?

Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?

It is He who sits above the circle of the earth...

...Do you not know? Have you not heard?

The Everlasting God, the Lord, 

the Creator of the ends of the earth

Does not become weary or tired.

His understanding is inscrutable.

He gives strength to the weary,

And to him who lacks might 

He increases power.

Though youths grow weary and tired,

And vigorous young men stumble badly,

Yet those who wait for the Lord

Will gain new strength;

They will mount up with wings like eagles,

They will run and not get tired,

They will walk and not become weary."

*

This is me. This is who I am. 

Everyday, all day.

When I was young I did not understand.

I thought I lived in my strength 

until my own strength 

was stripped from me.

I then learned 

that I have no strength.

It is His strength in me.

I can do nothing without the LORD God Almighty.

And so I continue to learn to wait on Him,

and I gain new strength 

to last each day-

not tomorrow, 

but today.

Sometimes I think, 

I feel, 

and I believe 

that it is not enough!

But then He gently holds me,

He reminds me,

and He shows me 

as He inclines to me

and hears my groans 

and comforts me in His mighty strength.

Glory to God in the Highest!

*

Tears of a Mother: groanings too deep for words

Psalm 88:1-3a

"O Lord, the God of my salvation,
I have cried out by day 
and in the night before You.

Let my prayer come before You;
Incline Your ear to my cry!

For my soul has had enough troubles,"
*
He Inclines His Ear
-Joni

Today’s Scripture declares that “the Lord hears the needy.” 

When we bring our concerns and anxieties to God in prayer, He gives us His complete attention. 

How does He do that? How does He keep stars burning and galaxies spinning, while at the same time listening to the prayers of billions of people? 

We may not understand it, but it’s true. When we pray, He “inclines His ear” 
(Psalm 40:1; 71:2; 88:2, NASB)

He gets down close to hear every word, 
every inflection, 
and even the words you can’t even formulate.
(Groaning too deep for words, Romans 8:26-27)

He isn’t distracted by events in the Middle East, 
an urgent prayer from a mom in Indiana,
or volcanic eruptions on Venus. 

He isn’t wishing you would “wrap it up,
isn’t put off by repetition, 
and isn’t looking for holes in your logic. 

That’s because He loves you, 
cares deeply about your welfare, 
and actually looks forward to your company.

Father, I know how much I want to be near You and hear Your voice speak to me. 
But it staggers my faith to think You would want to walk closely to me, 
that You desire my company, and that You—to put it in human terms—
actually cup Your ear and lean over to hear my words. 
What a wonder You are, God!

Joni Eareckson Tada,  A Spectacle of Glory
------------------------------------------------------------
Romans 8:26-27
"...the Spirit also helps our weakness; 
for we do not know how to pray as we should, 
but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us 
with groanings too deep for words;
and He who searches the hearts 
knows what the mind of the Spirit is, 
because He intercedes for the saints 
according to the will of God."

Glory to His Name!
*

The Miraculous Inflight Refueling from the LORD

Convair UC-880 refueling a F/A-18 Hornet

"...the nearness of God is my good..."

Refueling
As Christians we sometimes become all spent.  Life has worn on us. We can continue to keep going, living for the LORD, but the weariness of our bodies and souls begins to hang on us like cold, rain drenched clothing. It becomes difficult to persevere even though we are trusting the LORD with all of our being.

The answer to all of this is the reading of His Word. 

Open the Word, find His truths in there! 
Bring to mind His word which is already in your heart!

He has wisdom, eye opening truths, and so much comfort in there to fill us up to be able to continue living vibrantly! 

Don't run on empty! 

Fill 'er Up! 

His peace is beyond understanding. 

It will guard your heart and mind in Jesus! 

Psalm 73

"Surely God is good to Israel,

To those who are pure in heart!
But as for me, my feet came close to stumbling,

For I was envious of the arrogant

As I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

For there are no pains in their death,

And their body is fat.
They are not in trouble as other men,

Nor are they plagued like mankind.

Therefore pride is their necklace;

The garment of violence covers them.
Their eye bulges from fatness;
The imaginations of their heart run riot.

They mock and wickedly speak of oppression;

They speak from on high.
They have set their mouth against the heavens,

And their tongue parades through the earth.

Therefore his people return to this place,

And waters of abundance are drunk by them.
They say, “How does God know?

And is there knowledge with the Most High?”

Behold, these are the wicked;

And always at ease, 
they have increased in wealth.

Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure

And washed my hands in innocence;
For I have been stricken all day long

And chastened every morning.

If I had said, 
“I will speak thus,”

Behold, 
I would have betrayed the generation of Your children.

When I pondered to understand this,

It was troublesome in my sight

Until I came into the sanctuary of God;

Then I perceived their end.

Surely You set them in slippery places;

You cast them down to destruction.

How they are destroyed in a moment!

They are utterly swept away by sudden terrors!

Like a dream when one awakes,
O Lord, 
when aroused, You will despise their form.

When my heart was embittered

And I was pierced within,
Then I was senseless and ignorant;

I was like a beast before You.

Nevertheless I am continually with You;

You have taken hold of my right hand.

With Your counsel You will guide me,

And afterward receive me to glory.

Whom have I in heaven but You?

And besides You, I desire nothing on earth.

My flesh and my heart may fail,

But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

For, behold, those who are far from You will perish;

You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to You.

But as for me, the nearness of God is my good
I have made the Lord God my ref"
*

Someone who cares

ROSE is ROSE

*

We can lean on the LORD!

*

Philippians 4:4-7

Rejoice in the Lord always; 

again I will say, rejoice!

Let your gentle spirit be known to all men!

The Lord is near!

Be anxious for nothing, 

but in everything by prayer 

and supplication with thanksgiving 

let your requests be made known to God!

And the peace of God, 

which surpasses all comprehension, 

will guard your hearts 

and your minds in Christ Jesus!

*

Glory to God!

The comfort from memories

Fairborn, Ohio, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, 1965

This photo came up on our FB history site yesterday which brought
fond memories from my childhood. My father worked there and we lived nearby. When we had relatives visit this was one place we always took them to visit.

The other memory is having our visitors join us for Christmas Eve candle light service.  What joy to have them share with us.

Our service this week was like my memories from childhood, very calm as we praised the LORD with voices and ended our time with Silent Night and lighting of the candles.

Praise the LORD for He has come!

God's Sacrificial Lamb for us!

"Behold!
The Lamb of God
who takes away
the sin of the world."
John 1:29
*

Glory to God in the Highest!

What Child is This

What Child is this who, laid to rest


On Mary’s lap is sleeping?


Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,


While shepherds watch are keeping?


This, this is Christ the King,


Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;


Haste, haste, to bring Him laud,


The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Why lies He in such mean estate,


Where ox and ass are feeding?


Good Christians, fear, for sinners here


The silent Word is pleading.


Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,


The cross be borne for me, for you;


Hail, hail the Word made flesh,


The Babe, the Son of Mary.

So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh,


Come peasant, king to own Him;


The King of kings salvation brings,


Let loving hearts enthrone Him.


Raise, raise a song on high,


The virgin sings her lullaby;


Joy, joy for Christ is born,


The Babe, the Son of Mary.

-Dix

Jesus has given us the oil of gladness instead of ashes!

Come, Thou Long-expected Jesus

Come, Thou long-expected Jesus,

Born to set Thy people free;

From our fears and sins release us,

Let us find our rest in Thee.

Israel’s Strength and Consolation,

Hope of all the earth Thou art;

Dear Desire of every nation,

Joy of every longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver,

Born a child and yet a King,

Born to reign in us forever,

Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.

By Thine own eternal Spirit

Rule in all our hearts alone;

By Thine all-sufficient merit,

Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

-Wesley

Isaiah 61:1-3
"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
Because the Lord has anointed me
To bring good news to the afflicted;
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to captives
And freedom to prisoners;
To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord
And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,
To grant those who mourn in Zion,
Giving them a garland instead of ashes,
The oil of gladness instead of mourning,
The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting.
So they will be called oaks of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified."
*

The Mighty One has done Great Things

Luke 1
Mary said:
“My soul exalts the Lord,

And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.

“For He has had regard for the humble state 
of His bondslave;
 For behold, from this time 
on all generations will count me blessed.

“For the Mighty One has done great things 
for me;
 And holy is His name.

“And His mercy is upon generation after 
generation
 toward those who fear Him.

“He has done mighty deeds with His arm;
He has scattered those who were proud 
in the thoughts of their heart.

“He has brought down rulers from their 
thrones,
 and has exalted those who 
were humble.

“He has filled the hungry with good things;

And sent away the rich empty-handed.

“He has given help to Israel His servant,

In remembrance of His mercy,

As He spoke to our fathers,

To Abraham and his descendants forever.”
*

Luke 2:1-7

"Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, 
that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth.

This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.

And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city.

Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, 
to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house 
and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged 
to him, and was with child.

While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth.

And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, 
and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn..."
*

His Wonderful Righteous Right Hand

"Do not fear, 

for I am with you;

Do not anxiously 

look about you, 

for I am your God.

I will strengthen you, 

surely I will help you,

Surely I will uphold you 

with My righteous right hand."

Isaiah 41:10

*

Yeah! Snow! If it was only that easy!

1 John 1:5-10
"This is the message we have heard from Him 
and announce to you, that God is Light, and 
in Him there is no darkness at all.

If we say that we have fellowship with Him and 
yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice 
the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself 
is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, 
and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves 
and the truth is not in us.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous 
to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from 
all unrighteousness.

If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar 
and His word is not in us."

1 John 2:1-3, 15-17, 25
"My little children, I am writing these things to you 
so that you may not sin. 

And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, 
Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the 
propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, 
but also for those of the whole world.

By this we know that we have come to know Him, 
if we keep His commandments...

...Do not love the world nor the things in the world. 

If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and 
the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, 
is not from the Father, but is from the world.

The world is passing away, and also its lusts; 
but the one who does the will of God lives forever...

... This is the promise which He Himself made to us: eternal life."

1 John 3:1-3,13-18
"See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, 
that we would be called children of God; and such we are. 

For this reason the world does not know us, because 
it did not know Him.

Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared 
as yet what we will be. 

We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, 
because we will see Him just as He is.

And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, 
just as He is pure...

 ...Do not be surprised, brethren, if the world hates you.

We know that we have passed out of death into life, 
because we love the brethren. 

He who does not love abides in death.

Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; 
and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; 
and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother 
in need and closes his heart against him, how does 
the love of God abide in him?

Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, 
but in deed and truth."
*

Be Careful: The Haughtiness of Your Mind is a Terribly Dangerous Thing

Romans 12:14-18

"Bless those who persecute you; 
bless and do not curse.

Rejoice with those who rejoice, 
and weep with those who weep.

Be of the same mind toward one another; 

----do not be haughty in mind----, 

but associate with the lowly. 

Do not be wise in your own estimation.

Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. 

Respect what is right in the sight of all men.

If possible, so far as it depends on you, 
be at peace with all men." 
*

Theologians and Apologists

"...always being ready to 
make a defense to everyone..." 

1Peter 3:9-16
“…To sum up, 
all of you be harmonious, 
sympathetic, 
brotherly, 
kindhearted, 
and humble in spirit;
not returning evil for evil 
or insult for insult, 
but giving a blessing instead; 
for you were called for the very purpose 
that you might inherit a blessing.

For,

“The one who desires life, 
to love and see good days,

must keep his tongue from evil 
and his lips from speaking deceit.

“He must turn away from evil 
and do good;
 he must seek peace and pursue it.

For the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous,

and His ears attend to their prayer,

but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

Who is there to harm you 
if you prove zealous for what is good?

But even if you should suffer for the sake 
of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear 
their intimidation, and do not be troubled,
but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, 
always being ready to make a defense to everyone 
who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, 
yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience 
so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those 
who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame…”
*

Called to Express Humility and Gentleness

Ephesians 4:1-3

"...walk in a manner 

worthy of the calling 

with which you have been called,

with all humility and gentleness, 

with patience, 

showing tolerance 

for one another in love,

being diligent

 to preserve the unity 

of the Spirit 

in the bond of peace." 

*

Sin's curse has lost its grip on me!

In Christ Alone

In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid Ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone! - who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe.
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth in glorious day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.

2 Corinthians 5

"For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house 
is torn down, we have a building from God, 
a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed 
with our dwelling from heaven, inasmuch as we, having put it on, 
will not be found naked.

For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, 
because we do not want to be unclothed but to be clothed, 
so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life.

Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, 
who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge.

Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing 
that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord—
for we walk by faith, not by sight— we are of good courage, I say, 
and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home 
with the Lord. 

Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, 
to be pleasing to Him.

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, 
so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, 
according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, 
but we are made manifest to God; and I hope that we are 
made manifest also in your consciences.

We are not again commending ourselves to you but are giving you 
an occasion to be proud of us, so that you will have an answer 
for those who take pride in appearance and not in heart.

For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, 
it is for you.

For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one 
died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that they 
who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him 
who died and rose again on their behalf.

Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh;
even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, 
yet now we know Him in this way no longer.

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things 
passed away; behold, new things have come.

Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself 
through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, 
that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting 
their trespasses against them, and He has committed 
to us the word of reconciliation.

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were 
making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, 
be reconciled to God.

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, 
so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."
*