From the North...

This was a bonus from Tuesday, when I went to the potter's house -

"I have aroused one from the north, and he has come; From the rising of the sun he will call on My name; And he will come upon rulers as upon mortar, Even as the potter treads clay." Isaiah 41:25 NASB

This is a man who seeks God first thing in the morning... and stomps his enemies masterfully.

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The Head Is Sick

Sunday morning God said,

"the head is sick"...

That is Isaiah -
"Where will you be stricken again, As you continue in your rebellion? The whole head is sick And the whole heart is faint. From the sole of the foot even to the head There is nothing sound in it, Only bruises, welts and raw wounds, Not pressed out or bandaged, Nor softened with oil."  Isaiah 1:5-6 NASB

There is a problem. The head is sick and the body is feeling the pain.
One rendering of the passage puts it as the body has been punished so much there isn't a fresh spot to scourge; the continual punishment has beaten it to a pulp.

Joel comes to mind. Joel 1:16 says gladness and joy have been cut off from God's house.

"Yet even now," declares the LORD, "Return to Me with all your heart, And with fasting, weeping and mourning; And rend your heart and not your garments." Now return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness And relenting of evil. Who knows whether He will not turn and relent And leave a blessing behind Him, Even a grain offering and a drink offering For the LORD your God? Blow a trumpet in Zion, Consecrate a fast, proclaim a solemn assembly, Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, Assemble the elders, Gather the children and the nursing infants. Let the bridegroom come out of his room And the bride out of her bridal chamber. Let the priests, the LORD'S ministers, Weep between the porch and the altar, And let them say, "Spare Your people, O LORD, And do not make Your inheritance a reproach, A byword among the nations. Why should they among the peoples say, 'Where is their God?'" Joel 2:12-17 NASB

That sounds like a great game plan, but it doesn't jive with the first chapter of Isaiah.

"What are your multiplied sacrifices to Me?" Says the LORD. "I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams And the fat of fed cattle; And I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls, lambs or goats. "When you come to appear before Me, Who requires of you this trampling of My courts? "Bring your worthless offerings no longer, Incense is an abomination to Me. New moon and sabbath, the calling of assemblies-- I cannot endure iniquity and the solemn assembly. "I hate your new moon festivals and your appointed feasts, They have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them. "So when you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; Yes, even though you multiply prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood. Isaiah 1:11-15 NASB

As I was waking up Tuesday, God said,

"go to the potter's house"

"Arise and go down to the potter's house, and there I will announce My words to you." Jeremiah 18:2 NASB

 Here is the answer-

But the vessel that he was making of clay was spoiled in the hand of the potter; so he remade it into another vessel, as it pleased the potter to make. Jeremiah 18:4 NASB

The head is sick, the vessel is spoiled.

We must let God make us a new vessel, in whatever manner pleases Him!

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U.S.S. Thyatira

Captain: Status report!

First Mate: Jezebel has walked the plank. All of her followers were slain by the sword.

Captain: Very good! Schedule report!

First Mate: At our present heading and speed we will arrive at Heaven right on time.

Captain: Very good! Steady as she goes... 

First Mate: Aye, Captain! Steady as she goes...


"Nevertheless what you have, hold fast until I come." Revelation 2:25 NASB


(Read Revelation 2:18-29)


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Thankfully Sick?

I wasn't supposed to be sick...

Something that I was reminded of was that I am to be thankful...

... all the time...

... no matter what.

"in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NASB


The Bible also says-

"But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him." James 1:5 NASB

So that's the way I prayed, "God, I don't understand. You said I could ask, you'd answer abundantly and wouldn't scold me... so, why am I sick?"

And answer He did.

I had completely forgotten that I was going to pursue some things for the ministry's sake on Monday. There is a group that specializes in working with people that have drug and alcohol addictions and I had planned to contact them Monday.

When I realized this, God showed me a person and the thought that came to mind was "homosexual".

It didn't stop there. I could see movement, perhaps a group of people, but I couldn't see anything distinctly; it was as if I was really far away.

Then I heard "SEXUAL IMPROPRIETY" followed by "I, The Lord have spoken."

WOW!

I started feeling lousy Saturday and the sickness just increased... and I had completely forgot about my plans for Monday. So God had prevented me from going through with my plans by the sickness.

Thank You, Lord...

"There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven--" Ecclesiastes 3:1 NASB

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