104th Week, Isaiah Chapters 40-44 (Click on the Title for a Video Intro)

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Click on the Title for a Video Introduction


Monday, Isaiah Chapter 40
Isaiah 40
Verses 8, 11, 28b-29
Jeanie Boldt

Verse 8: The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.

Verse 11: He tends his flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; He gently leads those that have young.

Verse 28b – 29: 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.

THOUGHT – These verses spoke to me about the qualities of God the Father.

Verse 8:  We have the knowledge that someday we will be with God. We need to appreciate the comfort and encouragement found in His Word and His presence. His Word is always there for us. It is His way to speak to us. Only in God’s eternal Word will we find lasting solutions to our problems and needs.

Verse 11:  He is our Protector - Our Shepherd! The thing I like best about this verse is that it pictures God, Our Father, like I picture Him. He is Powerful yet careful and gentle. We are in His heart, and He will lead us.

Verse 28b, 29: God is never too tired or too busy to help and listen. His strength is our source of strength.  When you feel all of life crushing in on you, and you cannot go another step, remember that you can call upon God to renew your strength. There are days when I fall into bed exhausted not wanting to move or to speak. God is never that way. HE NEVER grows tired. In our humanism His strength is hard to comprehend.

In the emergencies of life, God helps us soar.  In the daily routine of life, He helps us patiently walk. Both are the working of His mighty power.

I have to admit I so think of Alan, my son-in-law when I read this chapter because of the Eagle soaring. He is an Eagle Scout, and his favorite animal is the Eagle. I picture him the mighty strength for my Tanya and Sierra and Crystal.  Isn’t it wonderful that we have a Heavenly Father who is stronger than we can humanly be?

PRAYER
Father, may we always look to Your Word for strength and renewal and hope. Keep us accountable to study the Word each day. Thank You for protecting us and gently loving us. We rely on Your caring strength. You never grow weary. Thank You for always being there to love us and care for us. Praying that our daily strength will come from You, and may we use it for Your purpose.  In the Name of Jesus.  AMEN


Tuesday, Isaiah Chapter 41
Isaiah 41
Verse 10
Jeanie Boldt

Verse 10:  So, do not fear, for I am with you;
             Do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
           I will strengthen you and help you; 
             I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

THOUGHT: ‘Fear Not”
The admonition “fear not” is often repeated in Isaiah backed by various reasons why God’s people need not be afraid. The Israelites were to represent Him to the world.  They failed to do this, so God punished them and sent them into captivity. 

Now all believers are God’s chosen people, and all share the responsibility of representing Him to the world. God will bring all His people together. We should not fear. God is with us no matter what the circumstances, and He strengthens us and helps us no matter what the task. He holds us as He helps. He will not forsake us because He made us and redeemed us.  We belong to Him. God gives us assurance of His strength, help and victory over sin and death.

PRAYER
Our Father God, thank You for Your protection. We need to bask in Your love, protection and reassurance.  May we surrender all our unknowns and crosses to You with faith. Thank You for being with us no matter where we are, loving us no matter what we have done and assuring us of Your strength and victory over the evil ones. God Bless each Salt Shaker and may they be a light to someone special today. Father God, put a special person in our path today who we can share Your story with.  In the Name of Jesus. AMEN


Wednesday, Isaiah Chapter 42
Isaiah 42
Verse 6
Jeanie Boldt

Verse 6:  I the Lord, have called you in righteousness;
            I will take hold of your hand.
          I will keep you and will make you
            to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles.

THOUGHT
Salt Shakers, it is so wonderful to have Jesus spoken about here. The first of the chapter can be sighted in Matthew 12:18-21. Read it - it is very similar. Have you ever had a time in your life that you actually asked the Lord to carry you?  Well, I did. I remember it as if it were yesterday. I said it out loud. “Jesus, My Friend, I don’t even know how to walk right now so you are going to have to do it for me.”  Yes, He did. He took hold of my hand and led me.  He was given to us from God, Our Father, for that very reason. Now through knowing and loving Christ, we all have the opportunity to be a light. You can be that someone who needs someone to take their hand and walk beside them.

Rory and I have been mentoring a couple who are engaged and were going to get married Aug. 6th.  Well, the wedding has been called off and changes are happening all over the place.  It has been awesome to be holding a hand and helping those who are in need of grace and mercy.  Keep your hands open for anyone who may just one day grab on.

PRAYER
Father, God, please put people in our pathways, no matter what state they may be in, who need a hand filled with Your love, mercy and saving grace.  May we be a vessel in this broken world to help others.  We pray that through You we can do new things for others. We pray that we can guide them on new paths and give them a new song to sing.  In the Name of Jesus.  AMEN


Thursday, Isaiah Chapter 43
Isaiah 43
Verse 5a
Jane Jones

Verse 5a: “Do not be afraid, for I am with you.”

THOUGHT
What a reassurance on this Monday evening. “Do not be afraid, for I am with you.”  We have a week ahead with a lot of unknowns.  Will Heather get her VISA?  Will Bart and Mindy’s faith be tested this week regarding their faith walk with God?  Will Delores’ health stay ok until it is time for her surgery? Will Tanya and Alan’s move be hassle free? Will Matt and Kristen see a direction for the decisions they have in front of them for their future plans? Will Jeanie and Rory’s racing ministry touch people with the life of Jesus? Will Gary and Linda have a successful craft sale this weekend?

These are just a few of the questions that lay ahead of us this week. Some may cause us to be afraid. But you know what? We are told, “Do not be afraid, for I am with you.”  Walk in faith this week, my family, with God.  His plan for you this week is yet to be revealed.

PRAYER
Calm our hearts, Precious Jesus, and teach us never to be afraid. You are our night light, our beacon in troubled waters. Thank You that we never have to be afraid again. For that and many other things, Lord, we say thanks.  In the Sweet Name of Jesus.  AMEN


Friday, Isaiah Chapter 44
Isaiah 44
Verse 6
Jane Jones

Verse 6:  This is what the Lord says, “Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God.”

THOUGHT
This chapter dealt with how some people made their own gods. They had idols.  They made them out of what God had given them. Do we make our own gods, money, fame or power? Sometimes we get so involved in our own personal projects, things, and possessions that they become a passion that
enslaves us. Can these ‘things’ listen to our prayer requests, save us from walking down the wrong path, or be our beacon of light in the darkness?  The answer, of course, is no. 

If we make a god of our own choosing, we deceive ourselves. God wants us to serve our Creator. Jesus paid the price to set us free from our sins. God is truth. He is the standard for all teachings. His Word is completely accurate and can always be trusted. He is the first, and He is the last; apart from Him there is no God.

PRAYER
You are our No 1, Almighty God. Forgive us when we put our possessions, power, or fame in place of You at times. There are times in our lives that we have to learn the hard way when these things become our idols. The Lord has the power to take them all away from us when they are misused. Help us to see first-hand that God is the first and that He is the last; and apart from Him there is no one.  Thank You for my family, Lord, and for the outreach of the Salt Shakers. They are becoming a huge part on my daily walk with You. Thank You for their lives. I ask that You protect them this evening and give them a peaceful sleep. In the Name of Jesus.  AMEN




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