My Dear Sisters, just as I was writing this post to you, a family urgency arose and I’m not going to be able to finish it. I’ve erased it and, in its place, put the segment of Scripture that I shared today in staff time before I got news of a serious family need. By faith, I choose to believe that this was what our gracious God wanted you to have today. It is a beautiful segment from Isaiah 41 that spoke very richly to us in staff and I pray will minister to you. (Vv.8-16) In it God is addressing Israel but, as you will see, many of the truths He speaks over them in this chapter concerning His heart toward them and His promise to help are echoed in the New Testament to believers under Christ’s new covenant.Ā If you have a more formal translation like the ESV, consider reading it first then below you’ll find the portion in Eugene Peterson’s translation, The Message. Its vivid language jumped out at me and really tended to my soul. My staff and I printed it out and circled parts of it that the Holy Spirit brought to life in our own hearts and minds and amid our own circumstances. We also wrote notes in the margins and reminders of other coinciding verses and then, in our closing prayer, we let the passages guide our intercessions. You might consider doing the same thing. The two simple words “don’t panic” leapt off the page at me. So did this: “I, God, want to reassure you.” Thank You, thank You, Lord.
Here it is and you’ll find my SSMT entry at the end of the post.
Isaiah 41:8-16 The Message
8ā10Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā āBut you, Israel, are my servant.
Youāre Jacob, my first choice,
descendants of my good friend Abraham.
I pulled you in from all over the world,
called you in from every dark corner of the earth,
Telling you, āYouāre my servant, serving on my side.
Iāve picked you. I havenāt dropped you.ā
Donāt panic. Iām with you.
Thereās no need to fear for Iām your God.
Iāll give you strength. Iāll help you.
Iāll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.
11ā13Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā āCount on it: Everyone who had it in for you
will end up out in the coldā
real losers.
Those who worked against you
will end up empty-handedā
nothing to show for their lives.
When you go out looking for your old adversaries
you wonāt find themā
Not a trace of your old enemies,
not even a memory.
Thatās right. Because I, your GOD,
have a firm grip on you and Iām not letting go.
Iām telling you, āDonāt panic.
Iām right here to help you.ā
14ā16Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā āDo you feel like a lowly worm, Jacob?
Donāt be afraid.
Feel like a fragile insect, Israel?
Iāll help you.
I, GOD, want to reassure you.
The God who buys you back, The Holy of Israel.
Iām transforming you from worm to harrow,
from insect to iron.
As a sharp-toothed harrow youāll smooth out the mountains,
turn those tough old hills into loamy soil.
Youāll open the rough ground to the weather,
to the blasts of sun and wind and rain.
But youāll be confident and exuberant,
expansive in The Holy of Israel!
Peterson, E. H. (2005). The Message: the Bible in contemporary language (Is 41:8ā16). Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress.
For my SSMT selection, this is the portion I have next in my memory work out of the Book of Colossians:
Beth, Houston. For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ. Colossians 2:1-2
I love you guys so much. Let’s press on with eyes of faith, Sisters. He who calls us is faithful!
Tags: Scripture Memory 2013
Lord, help me to listen to advice and accept instruction so that in the end I may be wise. Proverbs 19:20
Kathy from Syracuse
Ephesians 2:10
New International Version (NIV)
10 For we are Godās handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Mary, Lexington Park, MD
Yes, I know the LORD is great, and our Lord is superior to all gods. He does whatever He pleases in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all the ocean depths. Psalm 135:5-6 NET
Lea from Granger, IN: “Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few.” (Ecc 5:2, ESV)
Ann. Centerville.
I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him .”
Lam. 3:24. NIV
Michelle, Houston, “Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.” Psalm 8:2, NIV
Phew! Almost forgot about this.
Ganise, Ottawa, CAN
2 Samuel 7:22 (NIV) : ”āHow great you are, Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you,”
God bless you and your family, Mrs Moore!! May Jesus’ presence be manifested to you like never before.
Phew! Almost forgot about this.
Ganise, Ottawa, CAN
2 Samuel 7:22 ”How great you are, Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you.”
He must become greater; I must become less. John 3:30 NIV
Pamela New Bern NC
“O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth today-you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartly in your way
1 Kings 8:23 NIV
Melissa from Flemington, NJ. Titus 3:3-7, “For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” KJV.
Debra, San Antonio, TX.
Anyone who has died has been set free from sin. (Romans 6:7 NIV)
Marcia, Windermere, FL
“O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out there tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!” 2 Chron. 20:17b (NLT)
Psalm 103:11-12 NIV84
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
Linda, Longview:
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you are to be on your hearts. Deuteronomy 6:4-6 NIV
Ps. 102:11-13 ESV
My days are like an evening shadow; I wither away like grass. But you O LORD are enthroned forever; you are remembered throughout all generations. You will arise and have pity on Zion; it is the time to favor her, the appointed time has come.
Shiffra, Vicksburg, MI
When my anxieties multiply,Your comforting calms me down.
Psalm 94:19 (CEB)
Cindy
Chandler, OK
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Galatians 5:25 NIV
Susan, Pittsburgh, PA
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ
Ephesians 1:3 (NIV)
Lauren from Conyers, GA
“As for me, I look to the Lord for his help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me.”
Micah 7:7 NLT
Sacramento, CA
The Lord is gracious and righteous;
our God is full of compassion.
Psalm 116:5 NIV
Julie, Houston, TX. “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;” Numbers 6:24-25 (ESV)
Vicki
Murfreesboro, TN
Exodus 14:14 (HCSB)
“The LORD will fight for you; you must be quiet.”
Julia, Springfield, TN
For wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Proverbs 8:11 NIV
Deb, Littleton, CO: “for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” James 1:20 NKJV
Bonnie B, Florence,CO.
“Look apron my AFFLICTION and my DISTRESS and take away AL.l MY SINS.”
Psalm 25:20
Amanda
Derby, KS
Colossians 3:23
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters
NIV
the Lord your God loves you
Deu. 23:5 niv
Shannon, Buda, TX
With those who keep His covenant and remember to obey His precepts.
Psalm 103: 18 NIV
Tracy F.
Lake St. Louis, MO
There will always be poor people in the land. Therfore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.
Deuteronomy 15:11
NIV
Grace and truth came through Christ.
John 1:17
Melissa, Greensburg, Kentucky- “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil,as a roaring lion,walketh about,seeking whom he may devour.” – I PT.5:8, KJV
Tami Kc, MO
Psalm 68:9-10a
O God, you cause abundant showers to fall on your chosen people. When they are tired, you sustain them, for you live among them.
Amy – Custer, SD
4 And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness.
Genesis 1:4 ESV
Chrissy Hilliard, Aurora, IL
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9
Kristi. Rogersville TN
Colossians 3:12 NIV
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
“He brought me out into a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me.” Psalm 18:19 (NIV)
Emily S. ~ Weatherford, TX ~ “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me.” ~ John 14:1 NIV
Tammy from Gravette, AR. So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; Colossians 3:12 NAS
Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world of crooked and perverse people. Philippians NLT
Annie
Dallas, TX
“Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.”
Romans 8:23
NIV
Arlington TX
1Chronicles 29:10-13
10 David praised The Lord before the entire assembly: “O Lord God of our father Israel, You deserve praise forevermore! 11 O Lord, You are great, mighty, majestic, magnificent, glorious, and sovereign over all the sky and earth! You have dominion and exalt Yourself as ruler of all. 12 You are the source of wealth and honor; You rule over all. You possess strength and might to magnify and give strength to all. 13 Now, our God, we give thanks to You and praise Your majestic name!
Lisa S, Plano TX
10.15.2013
James 1:18 NKJV
Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.
“Your love has given me great joy and encouragement because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.” Philemon 1:7 NIV
Pam in San Diego
Tisha, Pilot Mtn, NC
“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
Hebrews 12:11 (NIV)
Ontario, OH
The LORD hears His people(righteous) when they call(cry) to Him for help. He rescues(delivers) them from all their troubles. Psalm 34:17 NLT (ESV).
Jane Mattox from Lubbock, Texas:”Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21 NKJV
Carla, LaFayette, Al.
“Don’t be afraid for I am with you. Do not be dismayed for I am the Lord your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you. I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 NLT
Jaton from Longview, TX
They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because He is The Lord of lords and King of kings – and with Him will be His called, chosen, and faithful followers. Revelations 17:14. NIV
Amanda, Chandler AZ
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace
Ephesians 1:7 (ESV)