Verse of the Day 1/1

 

Isaiah 43:18-19 The Lord says, "Forget what happened before
    and do not think about the past.

¹⁹ 

Look at the new thing I am going to do.
    It is already happening. Don't you see it?
I will make a road in the desert
    and rivers in the dry land.  New Century Version (NCV)

 

Happy New Year!  Today's' verses from the prophet Isaiah have good advice for us as we look towards the New Year.  Don't dwell on the past mistakes and problems, forget about them put them behind you and think about the new things that are in store for us.  But the expectation is not passive, it is not sitting back and waiting, it is looking for the "new thing".

 

I know that most of us have looked within ourselves or perhaps have gone through studies or seminars on "our spiritual gifts".  But I'll go back to something I remember reading in Henry Blackaby's "Experiencing God" study where he encouraged people who weren't sure what their gifts were to see where God was at work and join in.

 

While it may be the start of a new year, we may be in the middle of a desert or wasteland.  There may not be evidence of much growth, but the verses encourage and challenge us to look for it.  He will make the road, blaze a trail and produce rivers in the desert wasteland.  Blackaby writes, "if you past feels like a wilderness, know that God wants to make a road through it, perhaps to navigate the difficult years and salvage the good.  If you past feels like a desertland of death, know that God will make rivers of redemption flow as He brings beauty out of ashes.  Embrace the fresh beginning God wants to give you."

 

Read the passage below from The Message.  May be "be alert, and be present", aware of what God is doing in our lives in the world around us and join in.

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

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Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

Isaiah 43:18-21The Message (MSG)

^16-21 This is what God says,
    the God who builds a road right through the ocean,
    who carves a path through pounding waves,
The God who summons horses and chariots and armies—
    they lie down and then can't get up;
    they're snuffed out like so many candles:
"Forget about what's happened;
    don't keep going over old history.
Be alert, be present. I'm about to do something brand-new.
    It's bursting out! Don't you see it?
There it is! I'm making a road through the desert,
    rivers in the badlands.
Wild animals will say 'Thank you!'
    —the coyotes and the buzzards—
Because I provided water in the desert,
    rivers through the sun-baked earth,
Drinking water for the people I chose,
    the people I made especially for myself,
    a people custom-made to praise me.