A Weekly Walk in the Word

Isaiah 40:28-31 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

A Gathering of Friends antique sale has been happening this week. I set up at the show, which means I have been carrying cupboards, tables, and unknown amounts of stoneware all week. This is what I love doing, but it is exhausting. On my 45 minute commute to and from the show, I listen to Christian radio. The Isaiah 40 verses kept coming through the speakers in my truck. God knew I needed these exact verses this week. I found peace in the promise of strength when I was weary. Every morning I woke up rested and ready for the day ahead. Today we pack up all the remaining pieces left in our booth. I needed to hear the verses one more time.

Who isn’t tired these days? When you are weary, find strength in the arms of the Lord our everlasting God and Creator as you soar on wings like eagles. Have a great week!

Mark 6:1-3 Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” They asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles! Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.

Jesus grew up creating wood pieces with his hands. Joseph passed down the valuable skill of carpentry to his sons. He didn’t have multiple college degrees, but Jesus changed the world when he began working in His Heavenly Father’s business. No matter what your career choice, God can use your unique skill set to touch the lives of others. You have been called to do great things. Be bold as you move into your calling.

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Amen! Someone needs to hear this promise of hope today. Let’s be honest….. we all need to hear the message of hope. The only true hope given by God through the Holy Spirit. It is what keeps us moving forward when we feel like there is no where to turn. You are loved. May you be filled with hope, joy and peace, and may that hope overflow onto all of those around you.

John 15:1-4 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

Marinate on these verses while you are out in your yard pruning and prepping for winter. We are nothing if we are not connected to Jesus. But, oh, the sweet fruit that is produced when we are connected to the vine. What are you and Jesus growing in this season?

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 Two are better than one, because they have a good return on their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!

“Teamwork makes the dream work!” We have all heard the saying, but who knew it was biblical? In Ecclesiastes, Solomon tells us of the virtues of teamwork. It takes more than one person to be successful or to even survive in this world. Mike and I attended a Loons professional soccer game this week. Now those young men understand teamwork. For over 90 minutes, the 11 men moved a soccer ball up and down the 130 yard by 100 yard field. They kicked the ball to where their teammate was going, not where they were standing. It was a thing of beauty to watch teamwork in action. Who is on your team? Are they assisting in moving you forward? I pray that you and your team move down the field of life with ease as you help one another past the opponent.

Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.

My favorite hour of the week is Friday morning at 9:00. Every Friday a group of women gather at our local coffee shop for Bible Study. Our ages and religious backgrounds vary, but we come together in unity to work through God’s word together fostering spiritual community and support for one another. Jesus is present in that coffee shop.

Where do you gather? If you do not have a community, I encourage you to find one, or create one. Everyone needs a place to gather.

Luke 12:27-28 Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grasses of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!

My neighbor delivered a bouquet of flowers from her garden for me yesterday. In March she planted seeds in her basement and then transplanted the seedling into her garden in early spring. Each flower is unique but together they create a stunning bouquet. Each petal complementing the other. You are beautifully and wonderfully made. God cares for you. Rest in those words and don’t worry about tomorrow. God’s got you! Trust in Him.

1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Life in Minnesota has been heavy this week. We have so many unanswered questions as we grieve the loss of children while they worshiped. That grief is compounded by personal losses. Some days the baggage of life is just too much to carry. Those are the days that I feel Jesus the closest. Only he can carry the baggage that is too heavy for any human to bear. God is good, always.

Psalm 84:1-4 How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young – a place near your altar. O Lord Almighty, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.

We closed on Seth’s farm this week. To say it was a tough week, would be an understatement. It was his dream to have a farm where he could raise livestock. He fulfilled his dream. My dream for him was to know Jesus and to live in heaven where he could praise Jesus all day long. My dream for him was fulfilled last November. Our houses are only a temporary place to live until we go home to Jesus where we will dwell with him and praise him forever. This is the promise I lean on to get me through the tough weeks until I join the choir. God is good, always!

Matthew 28:18-20 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

These verses include Jesus’ last words of instruction to his disciples. Notice how inclusive he is. If you are listening to someone who excludes anyone, you are not listening to Jesus. Notice how the word all dominates these verses – all authority, all nations, all commands, all days (always). Let your light shine like Jesus as you go into the world telling all people about all His glory for all your days, because Jesus came into this world for ALL.