October 12, 2023
Isaiah 43:19
Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do
October 12, 2023
Isaiah 43:19
Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
We all want to be somewhere where everyone knows our name, like on the show Cheers. We all love to be known and loved. However, sometimes in life, it seems more like we are in a desert, alone, empty and without any living water. I know I have found myself in these times of wandering in the wilderness. Have you ever experienced times of being in the wilderness? I can remember a time when my husband and I split and it created an awkward time with people at church. People didn’t know how to respond or what to say, so they avoided me. I had always been active at church so it felt as though I was this total stranger in a foreign land. I not only lost my husband but now my church family. I had no other family close by so it was a very hurtful time. I had lost my husband and I was alone with my three children. No one called, no one brought me a casserole or even sent a card. Looking back at my time in the wilderness, I see how the Spirit was at work in me. The Spirit was preparing me and equipping me for where I am today. You see, I believe sometimes we are led to the wilderness by the Spirit because we need to be emptied of our pride and ego (easing God out). We need to be humbled and surrender, depending solely on God. We have to let go of the barriers in order that we are filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. When we humble ourselves, repent, and surrender, we discover the strength of the Spirit. We discover the power of the Holy Spirit working in and through us, teaching us and equipping us for what God has for our lives. Sometimes, we have to lose everything in order to gain the most important thing – Christ in us. So when you’re in the midst of that loss, in the midst of pain, in the midst of the desert(s) of life and you’re not sure what’s going on, remember Christ is still on the throne. Remember the Lord is holding you tightly and walking with you. Remember you are not alone, not even for one minute! There is nowhere you can flee from God. There is no where you can run from the Spirit of God. The Spirit runs alongside you! The Spirit guides you and reminds you of all the Lord has taught you. The Spirit strengthens you and upholds you with His right hand. Prepares you for whatever lies ahead. He convicts you, prunes you, puts you on your knees, only to raise you up to new life. He breathes life into those dry bones and puts a new heart inside of you! He is doing a new thing! Life is spring forth! The wilderness times are times alone with God who is making a way, who is able to do so much more for us than we can ever imagine, so much more than the friends who have abandoned us. Oh the Lord will mold you and make you after His will. So embrace the wilderness times – surrender, just be held and allow the Lord to fill you with His amazing power. As Casting Crowns so beautifully wrote in the song, “Just Be Held,” “Not a tear is wasted. In time, you’ll understand. I’m painting beauty with the ashes, your life is in My hands. When you’re on your knees and answers seem so far away. You’re not alone, stop holding on and just be held. Your world’s not falling apart, it’s falling into place. I’m on the throne, stop holding on and just be held.” God is always at work, making a way where there seems to be no way.
Held,
Pastor Kathy
Dear Father God, thank you for Your Son, Our Savior Jesus and for the power of the Holy Spirit that mold us and makes us after Your will. Thank You for never abandoning us during those times in the wilderness. Thank You for breathing new life into us and holding us tightly. We are forever grateful and thankful for the gift of abundant and eternal life. Help us to surrender to Your care. In the power name of the Triune God I pray. Amen.
you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
We all want to be somewhere where everyone knows our name, like on the show Cheers. We all love to be known and loved. However, sometimes in life, it seems more like we are in a desert, alone, empty and without any living water. I know I have found myself in these times of wandering in the wilderness. Have you ever experienced times of being in the wilderness? I can remember a time when my husband and I split and it created an awkward time with people at church. People didn’t know how to respond or what to say, so they avoided me.
I had always been active at church so it felt as though I was this total stranger in a foreign land. I not only lost my husband but now my church family. I had no other family close by so it was a very hurtful time. I had lost my husband and I was alone with my three children. No one called, no one brought me a casserole or even sent a card.
Looking back at my time in the wilderness, I see how the Spirit was at work in me. The Spirit was preparing me and equipping me for where I am today. You see, I believe sometimes we are led to the wilderness by the Spirit because we need to be emptied of our pride and ego (easing God out). We need to be humbled and surrender, depending solely on God. We have to let go of the barriers in order that we are filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. When we humble ourselves, repent, and surrender, we discover the strength of the Spirit. We discover the power of the Holy Spirit working in and through us, teaching us and equipping us for what God has for our lives. Sometimes, we have to lose everything in order to gain the most important thing – Christ in us. So when you’re in the midst of that loss, in the midst of pain, in the midst of the desert(s) of life and you’re not sure what’s going on, remember Christ is still on the throne. Remember the Lord is holding you tightly and walking with you. Remember you are not alone, not even for one minute! There is nowhere you can flee from God. There is no where you can run from the Spirit of God. The Spirit runs alongside you! The Spirit guides you and reminds you of all the Lord has taught you. The Spirit strengthens you and upholds you with His right hand.
Prepares you for whatever lies ahead. He convicts you, prunes you, puts you on your knees, only to raise you up to new life. He breathes life into those dry bones and puts a new heart inside of you! He is doing a new thing! Life is spring forth! The wilderness times are times alone with God who is making a way, who is able to do so much more for us than we can ever imagine, so much more than the friends who have abandoned us. Oh the Lord will mold you and make you after His will. So embrace the wilderness times – surrender, just be held and allow the Lord to fill you with His amazing power. As Casting Crowns so beautifully wrote in the song, “Just Be Held,” “Not a tear is wasted. In time, you’ll understand. I’m painting beauty with the ashes, your life is in My hands. When you’re on your knees and answers seem so far away. You’re not alone, stop holding on and just be held. Your world’s not falling apart, it’s falling into place. I’m on the throne, stop holding on and just be held.” God is always at work, making a way where there seems to be no way.
Held,
Pastor Kathy
Dear Father God, thank you for Your Son, Our Savior Jesus and for the power of the Holy Spirit that mold us and makes us after Your will. Thank You for never abandoning us during those times in the wilderness. Thank You for breathing new life into us and holding us tightly. We are forever grateful and thankful for the gift of abundant and eternal life. Help us to surrender to Your care. In the power name of the Triune God I pray. Amen.
