Can we talk?
As I read through the Bible, chronologically, I have come to the pre-exile text. Y’all, it isn’t pretty.
Rebellion
Idol Worship
Human Sacrifice
Adultery
Persecution
People pollution
Disruption of order
Covenant violation
Chaotic cities
Riots in the streets
Does this have a twinge of familiarity?
God is giving His final decree to the world (pre-exile) through His prophet Isaiah – He is telling them, “I have given you so many chances and you continue to live in disobedience. Because I love you, I must do something.”
I don’t know about you, but there is a fire burning inside of me. A fire of compassion and gospel. I want the world to know that this earth isn’t “it”. This life, as we know it today, is not the end-all. Our Hope is not dependent on any human force. There is a battle raging and it’s in the heavenlies; it’s the same battle that began in Eden and it is coming to its apex right before our very eyes.
We have two choices: get all in a knot of anxiety or place our complete trust in our God and Savior. Let’s be The Church during these horrific days. Loving. Giving. Feeding. Helping. Caring. All of us can do something. #JustDoSomething
Last week my grandkids went to the donut store and bought a couple dozen donuts and went to the local police department and told the officers how much they are appreciated.
Yesterday, my friends’ church had a service of service. The whole congregation was involved. They wrote notes to folks needing some encouragement. They made food baskets for the police, fire station, and rescue squad. The children colored pictures to be included in each box and basket. Feeding the physical opens the door to Living Bread!!!
We can all do something and the greatest thing all of us can do is PRAY. Let’s pray fervent, BIG prayers to our big God. Even during the Exile – God showed mercy to His beloved people. Yes, they were exiled and taken to a foreign land. Yes, everything they had was gone. But in Jeremiah God reminded the people to live. He told them to “do something”… build houses, plant gardens, marry and have children, thrive in the country I have placed you in, pray for the country’s well-being, don’t fall for the tricks and trades of the foreigners, remember Me and My truth – I will not forget you. (Jeremiah 29)
I am in no way prophesying or predicting what is going to happen in America – so please don’t take it as such. I am just encouraging us to be pro-active, smart, wise, and fully trusting our God. I think it’s a real good time in our current history to make my mom’s favorite scripture our own:
You keep him in perfect peace
whose mind is stayed on you,
because he trusts in you.
Trust in the Lord forever,
for the Lord God is an everlasting rock. Isaiah 26.3-4
Our HOPE is in HIM. And,
Hope Changes Everything.
xo
Today I’m linked up with Beth, Dawn, Holly, Holley, Jaime, Jennifer Lee, Jenny, Kristin, Lyli
Michele Morin says
July 20, 2016 at 6:57 amI love everything about this post — the way you tied it to the exile, the way you encouraged my heart, and especially the way you shared practical ideas for pushing back against the darkness. We can all do this. I can’t wait to take my boys to the police headquarters with donuts. Thank you!
admin says
July 20, 2016 at 6:59 amOH GOODIE!!! PICTURE PLEASE, Michele!!!!!!!!!!!! Love you.
Linda Stoll says
July 20, 2016 at 6:58 amGood Morning, Susan … wow, when you line up those words it helps us realize that nothing new is under the sun.
Yet to see this all play out recently is heartbreaking, unsettling.
I love what your grandkids did. A beautifully practical show of appreciation.
I’m hearing Him whisper ‘go and do likewise.’
admin says
July 20, 2016 at 7:00 amI do hope so, Linda!!! I was pretty darn proud of those two rascals!
Joanne Viola says
July 20, 2016 at 7:42 amSusan, I love this post because it brings us such hope! We each CAN do something and when we do, we bring His Light into a small dark corner in our world. As I read your post, I was reminded of the verse I read last night, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Our hope is IN Him and He is IN us. May we each #justdosomething!
admin says
July 20, 2016 at 8:53 amHe is our Living Hope! xo
beth willis miller says
July 20, 2016 at 9:46 amSusan, Love this post…so heart-felt and so true! We can take small pro-active steps to punch holes in the darkness…love this story about Robert Louis Stephenson, when he was just a small child, his mother found him staring out the window into the darkness one evening. He was watching the lamplighter come down the street turning the gas valves at each light post, raising the glass, and lighting the street lamp. She asked the child what he was doing. He replied, “I am watching that man punch holes in the darkness.” May we punch holes in the darkest of nights with the light of God’s hope, His love, and His grace, as we reflect the light of His Son. Many blessings to you!
admin says
July 20, 2016 at 10:14 amThank you, Beth.
Somer says
July 20, 2016 at 10:59 amLove that last scripture. Important to remain hopeful. What are with out it ? Great ideas for the community.
admin says
July 20, 2016 at 11:09 am#hopechangeseverything
Lynne says
July 20, 2016 at 11:10 amThank you for reminding us that one person CAN make a difference TODAY even if it is to only one other person. Just read this morning in my devotional Acts 10:38 “Jesus… went about doing good and healing. ..” What better example could we have, as we go about in a broken world.
admin says
July 20, 2016 at 4:15 pmOne on one…absolutely. It’s exactly how Jesus served.
Hannah Leach says
July 20, 2016 at 12:08 pmGreat blog Mimz! Now is the time for us to fervently reflect Christ. With such horrific events that are encompassing the globe, as Christians we must still act and do things all in love! “Let the church arise to shine your light to the world!”
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zvdABmQ4rZ4
admin says
July 20, 2016 at 4:15 pmThank you Han, love your comment.
Tara says
July 20, 2016 at 1:38 pmAmen!
admin says
July 20, 2016 at 4:16 pmand, amen!
kathy says
July 20, 2016 at 3:06 pmYes, thank you for your beautiful reminder. God hears our groans and our prayers, and we always need to remember to keep our sights on Him. My husband is friends with many Afro-American women through his work. Many mothers are so very afraid for their perfectly wonderful young black sons who they wonder will be targets. Beautiful police officers fear for their lives. God love each, and we are called to be God’s love on earth. Thank you for this beautiful reminder. Next door at #TestimonyTuesday
admin says
July 20, 2016 at 4:16 pmWe live in difficult times…
Lydia Borengasser says
July 20, 2016 at 3:36 pmInteresting thoughts on Isaiah here! This post actually caught my attention because I’m studying 1 Peter where “elect exiles of the Dispersion” is mentioned.
admin says
July 20, 2016 at 4:17 pmMercy! “elect exiles of the dispersion”….I need to go back to school.
Barbara H. says
July 20, 2016 at 5:38 pmLove that Isaiah passage – have leaned on it many times. Our country is so in need of His grace. We need to proactively share it rather than hole up in our homes in anxiety.
admin says
July 21, 2016 at 9:49 amSo in need!
~Karrilee~ says
July 21, 2016 at 12:10 pmAmen and Amen, my friend! Let’s be the Church… the Bride… that He is so in love with! The Bride who is by His side… doing the Red Parts of the Bible! So good!
admin says
July 21, 2016 at 12:47 pmFocusing on the red words. xo
Jerralea says
July 21, 2016 at 4:58 pmSusan, my class just finished studying Jeremiah and the exile last quarter. You are so right … it all sounds painfully familiar …
Just do something … Amen!
The main thing to do is pray and trust. Oh, wait! That is always what we must do!
Thanks for sharing!
admin says
July 21, 2016 at 9:06 pmAbsolutely!
Kitty Lawrence says
July 25, 2016 at 10:19 amThis is what the Church is to be busy about in these days. This is truth.
admin says
July 25, 2016 at 12:17 pmWith a capital T!