"Are You like a Bird"

Isaiah 16:2  "For like wandering birds, like a brood cast out and a scattered nest, so shall the daughters of Moab be at the fords of the river Arnon."


This verse immediately reminded me of the song "Like a Bird" written by Nelly Furtado whose lyrics say: "I'm like a bird, I'll only fly away, I don't know where my soul is, I don't know where my home is."


The daughters of Moab, are like birds who have been shoved from their nest and in their confusion they are ....flitting about, darting here and there.  They've been shown the way to go...but they refuse the path that God has provided.  They don't know where home is, the way to go, because their souls are lost.  It's not because they haven't been told or shown the Way...But because they prefer to sin than obey God.  It's like Zechariah 7:11  "But they refused to heed, shrugged their shoulders, and stopped their ears so that they could not hear."


Isaiah 6:12 "On the hilltops the people of Moab will pray n anguish to their idols, but it will do them no good.  They will cry to the gods in their temples but no one will come to save them."


The theme and purpose of the book of Isaiah is found in his name:  "salvation is of the LORD."  Until we find salvation...we don't know where our home is, where our soul is.

Matthew 11:28-30  "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

Come to Jesus, those who are burdened with sin.  Instead of living in self-sufficiency, he will meet all your needs, come.  Those who are willing to be guided by Him, willing to be taught the Way of life, come.  He is gentle and will bear your burden and give you rest for  your soul...but you must come.

Standing in Him,
Sharon

Apples of Gold

Proverbs 25:11  "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver."   
I expect to pass through life but once.  If therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again.--William Penn


Words are free and used properly can encourage, inspire,  motivate and most importantly, they can glorify God. 


Psalm 12:6 "The words of the LORD are pure words, Like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

No matter where we go or what we do daily...the words we use have great potential to either build someone up or tear someone down.  Proverbs 18:21 "The tongue has the power of life and death."

The quote, "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me" is simply not true. Our words can crush a person's spirit, and they can leave people feeling hurt and hopeless.  But they can inspire, encourage and give life as well.

Proverbs 15:4  "A wholesome tongue is a tree of life."  Proverbs 16:24 "Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones."

I once heard it said that "Words are the medium with which the soul paints a picture.  Challenge yourself and others to paint masterpieces."  The way to do that is found in  Psalm 19:14 "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer."

With all this in mind LORD, who needs to hear from You, through me today?  Do I need to call someone, write a note of thanks, or is there a family member who needs to hear "I love you."  Help me LORD to be ready to give a "fitly spoken word" Your Word today.  In Jesus name, amen.

Blessings to you,

Sharon