My dearest sisters in Messiah,
There is no question that these days are filled with enduring stress all over the globe, politically, economically and socially. The sobering events we view and hear from the media continually infiltrate our minds. What about our personal struggles and trials? Understandably, we may not embrace being in the middle of them. Often, it is like being in the eye of the storm. But some things in life can only be learned on God-ordained field trips. That being said, I have been led to share a message this week on . . .
Where does our help come from? For those of us who walk in faith with Yeshua, we already know that our help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth (Psalm 121:1-2). I pray that my sisters are women of prayer, as we turn to God for guidance, solace, strength and His peace. Indeed, having faith makes a difference! Whenever I go through my seasons of trials, it helps me to be reminded of God’s great promises. In prayer I return to my favorite life Scriptures for God’s strength, as His Word is a balm for my weary soul.
Among one of my favorite passages of Scripture is found in Isaiah 40, verses 29 through 31. Please meditate upon these words with me: “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.†Praise God for His eternal promises.
What I particularly enjoy about Isaiah is that he is a Messianic prophet who sends God’s message of great hope. Some key words in the Book of Isaiah are words like expectancy, hope and peace. If you recall, Isaiah lived in expectancy for a long period of time and went through numerous tribulations. But Isaiah was forward looking. He believed in God’s sovereignty, not only in the present but in future events.
In Isaiah 9:6-7 the prophesied Messiah is described in this manner: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulders. And he shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. . .â€
Isaiah 53 has opened the eyes of countless unbelievers. Verse 5 has particularly spoken to the heart of many: “He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.â€
Isaiah experienced personal cleansing before the holiness of God and was empowered by Him. God gave Isaiah the message that Messiah would be a Person, a Suffering Servant; majestic in all the world; possessing great power and mighty strength; God in the flesh; Emmanuel – God with us! Now we can send this great message to all the world, and bless others with God’s gifts of hope, strength and peace through His Gift of Salvation.
When we walk in faithful obedience, we find that God is always in the prayer; God isbehind the prayer; and that ultimately, God is hearing the prayer. Please make no mistake that I would never minimize the mystery nor the power of prayer. There may be genuine struggle and even travail in prayer. But be assured that God does hear and answers our prayers, always in His perfect timing. God’s answer may be yes, no, orwait.
Waiting upon the Lord indicates a sense of our dependency. Waiting on God is saying to God: “I cannot do it (fill in the blanks) until or unless YOU do it, Lord. Therefore, waiting upon God is not so much about time, but a condition for us to be continually listening for God; it is seeking to give God our full attention; being ready and prepared to receive communication from our Master, and sitting at the feet of Yeshua.
As we wait, we will hear God’s still, quiet voice. As we patiently wait, God is refining us. Isaiah makes it clear that the benefits of waiting upon the Lord are in the here and now. Those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength! As we wait patiently upon the Lord, we can pray to be filled with the Ruach HaKodesh, God’s Holy Spirit. InLuke 11:13, Yeshua says that if we ask the Father, He is more anxious to empower us with His Spirit, than we are able to give things to our own children; but we need to ask!
At this juncture you may ask, “how shall I pray in such a manner that God will renew my strength?†We need to pray with regularity. Our prayer life is keeping a schedule of daily maintenance. We need to pray with transparency. God will only receive as much of our lives as we are willing to give freely to Him. If you need His help in specific areas of your life, make certain that you have made Him welcome in every area: sin, confession and honesty. Also, pray together with others and corporately within the Body of Messiah. Pray with each other; pray for one another.
When we pray alone, come before God’s holy throne of grace with sincere and heartfelt petitions, acknowledging before God that He, alone, is our strength! Please remember your prayers of thanksgiving for all the blessings in your life, as well as those blessings to come. We are able to take great comfort in resting in the Lord, for the “Joy of the Lord is truly our strength!†(Nehemiah 8:10). Yeshua, alone, provides our strength during seasons of trials.
I am eternally grateful for the blessing of God’s empowering strength,
Eileen
There is no question that these days are filled with enduring stress all over the globe, politically, economically and socially. The sobering events we view and hear from the media continually infiltrate our minds. What about our personal struggles and trials? Understandably, we may not embrace being in the middle of them. Often, it is like being in the eye of the storm. But some things in life can only be learned on God-ordained field trips. That being said, I have been led to share a message this week on . . .
Our Strength Is Found In God Alone
Where does our help come from? For those of us who walk in faith with Yeshua, we already know that our help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth (Psalm 121:1-2). I pray that my sisters are women of prayer, as we turn to God for guidance, solace, strength and His peace. Indeed, having faith makes a difference! Whenever I go through my seasons of trials, it helps me to be reminded of God’s great promises. In prayer I return to my favorite life Scriptures for God’s strength, as His Word is a balm for my weary soul.
Among one of my favorite passages of Scripture is found in Isaiah 40, verses 29 through 31. Please meditate upon these words with me: “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.†Praise God for His eternal promises.
What I particularly enjoy about Isaiah is that he is a Messianic prophet who sends God’s message of great hope. Some key words in the Book of Isaiah are words like expectancy, hope and peace. If you recall, Isaiah lived in expectancy for a long period of time and went through numerous tribulations. But Isaiah was forward looking. He believed in God’s sovereignty, not only in the present but in future events.
In Isaiah 9:6-7 the prophesied Messiah is described in this manner: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulders. And he shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. . .â€
Isaiah 53 has opened the eyes of countless unbelievers. Verse 5 has particularly spoken to the heart of many: “He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.â€
Isaiah experienced personal cleansing before the holiness of God and was empowered by Him. God gave Isaiah the message that Messiah would be a Person, a Suffering Servant; majestic in all the world; possessing great power and mighty strength; God in the flesh; Emmanuel – God with us! Now we can send this great message to all the world, and bless others with God’s gifts of hope, strength and peace through His Gift of Salvation.
When we walk in faithful obedience, we find that God is always in the prayer; God isbehind the prayer; and that ultimately, God is hearing the prayer. Please make no mistake that I would never minimize the mystery nor the power of prayer. There may be genuine struggle and even travail in prayer. But be assured that God does hear and answers our prayers, always in His perfect timing. God’s answer may be yes, no, orwait.
Waiting upon the Lord indicates a sense of our dependency. Waiting on God is saying to God: “I cannot do it (fill in the blanks) until or unless YOU do it, Lord. Therefore, waiting upon God is not so much about time, but a condition for us to be continually listening for God; it is seeking to give God our full attention; being ready and prepared to receive communication from our Master, and sitting at the feet of Yeshua.
As we wait, we will hear God’s still, quiet voice. As we patiently wait, God is refining us. Isaiah makes it clear that the benefits of waiting upon the Lord are in the here and now. Those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength! As we wait patiently upon the Lord, we can pray to be filled with the Ruach HaKodesh, God’s Holy Spirit. InLuke 11:13, Yeshua says that if we ask the Father, He is more anxious to empower us with His Spirit, than we are able to give things to our own children; but we need to ask!
At this juncture you may ask, “how shall I pray in such a manner that God will renew my strength?†We need to pray with regularity. Our prayer life is keeping a schedule of daily maintenance. We need to pray with transparency. God will only receive as much of our lives as we are willing to give freely to Him. If you need His help in specific areas of your life, make certain that you have made Him welcome in every area: sin, confession and honesty. Also, pray together with others and corporately within the Body of Messiah. Pray with each other; pray for one another.
When we pray alone, come before God’s holy throne of grace with sincere and heartfelt petitions, acknowledging before God that He, alone, is our strength! Please remember your prayers of thanksgiving for all the blessings in your life, as well as those blessings to come. We are able to take great comfort in resting in the Lord, for the “Joy of the Lord is truly our strength!†(Nehemiah 8:10). Yeshua, alone, provides our strength during seasons of trials.
I am eternally grateful for the blessing of God’s empowering strength,
Eileen
