Mount Up With Wings As Eagles

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (Isa 40:31 KJV)

I am waiting! Been waiting for awhile! 

This retirement stuff is really for the birds. I have grown weary of doing and accomplishing so little. Granted, as I have grown older, I have also grown a bit slower. But, God must still have a plan. He promises that he has a good plan for those who love him. (Jer 29:11)  I am waiting to have that plan revealed.

I may never run again. But, I would at least like to walk in this world with a purpose. Yes, I can still walk physically. I walk everyday while I pray. But, something is missing without a purpose and a plan; a way, to serve that purpose.

Our ultimate goal, at least mine, is to walk in the presence of God everyday and not just for the days I live in the flesh here on earth; but, for all of eternity. In the meantime though it would be good to be a bit more fruitful.

So, I continue to wait on the Lord to show me the way that he would have me walk. I wait for the day when I will not be weary of the accomplish nothing days. I wait upon the Lord for the days when my strength will be renewed.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

With Wings Like Eagles

Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

                                             Isaiah 40:30-31 KJV

We all get weary from time to time. Physical weariness can sometimes be quite satisfying when it comes from a long, hard day of work. 

The dark days of winter often bring another kind of weariness. Emotional, mental, or spiritual weariness often settles on us during these days of less light. This kind of weariness is never satisfying. It is a struggle for many to overcome this type of weariness that is often accompanied by deep depression. 

This kind of weariness is not overcome alone. We must trust that the  Lord will renew our strength. He will shine light on the darkness of our hearts and minds. He will send His Spirit upon us so that we might once again soar like an eagle through the trials of the day. 

In Christ, we shall run and not be weary.

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Weary Wait Upon The Lord

Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.

He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.

Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. 

                                                                                     (Isa 40:28-31 KJV)

I am waiting. I am waiting for the Lord to renew my strength. I can walk. I can still kayak. But, running is pretty limited! Recently retired; having grown faint and weary of having to spend so much time and effort with so many issues  that had nothing to do with proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom through Jesus the Christ.

The church on earth must return to the main thing: proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ. To do otherwise only makes for faint and weary children of God. To do otherwise will cause the various congregations and denominations to fall. And, rightfully so if they will not trust the Lord.

After the Christ's crucifixion, the disciples hid out in an upper room. They waited in fear for the authorities to come after them. They continued to wait even after they saw the resurrected Lord. They waited to be endued with the power of the Holy Spirit that Jesus promised would come. The Holy Spirit came and they were lifted up. Their strength was renewed and they were dispersed to spread the news that Jesus is truly the Messiah, the Savior of the world. They were empowered, even in the face of death, to spread the news that Jesus lives.

Most of us do not face death for sharing that Good News. I often wonder if  the reason that we are not more energetic in sharing that Good News might be  because we aren't really persecuted. After all, here in the United States, we are not in danger of dying for sharing the love of God in Christ Jesus. 

Consider the Christians around the world who are persecuted; who are imprisoned; who are put to death for their faith. Have they not been strengthened to confess Jesus as Lord in the face of their oppressors? 

What will it take for those who claim to be Christians to stand up with their brothers and sisters around the world and without fear enthusiastically tell others that Jesus died so that they might live; that they might be reconciled to our Father; our Creator, in heaven? 

I confess, I have grown weary. I long to see the day when Christians are empowered in this country to not just worship out of obligation on Sunday mornings; but, let the world around them know that Jesus is Lord every day of the week.

We live in a beautiful world. God has created it most magnificently. But; I confess, that on too many days I feel very weary of this world and particularly the lack of faith in the one true God that I witness around me. But, I also trust that "...they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." 

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Weary Will Rise Up With Wings Like Eagles

Even youths will faint and be weary,

and the young will fall exhausted;

³¹ 

but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength,
they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
they shall run and not be weary,
they shall walk and not faint.

(Isaiah 40:30-31 NRSV)

I am no longer a youth. There are days that cause me to wonder why I have not fallen completely exhausted. There are days when I would like to. But, for those who are called by the Lord to serve, we do not fall. We might lie down for a bit; but, we do not crumble to the ground. We may have to wait a bit until the Lord has completely renewed our strength. We do not give up because we know that if we wait upon him, he will surely lift us up.  

While kayaking along the shore of Lake Superior, years ago, I got caught in a storm. There were no roads; no towns; not even houses for many, many miles. I had my cell phone on me; but, there was no cell service along that stretch of the shore. I kept paddling for as long as I could because my husband was waiting for me about ten miles down the shore with lunch and I knew he would be panicking when he didn't hear from me. The going was very slow. It finally got so rough that I finally had to pull onto a sandy beach. I was hesitant in doing so because I knew although the landing would go okay; I wasn't sure how I'd launch again if the wind and waves did not calm down.

I pulled the kayak up under a tree and ate lunch. I lay down to watch the water. It didn't take me long to fall asleep. When I opened my eyes, I was looking into the eyes of a bald eagle. He was sitting in the branches above me, watching me. He was so close that I could see every single wet feather on his head. He, too, had taken a break from the storm. When he finally flew back out over the water, I knew that I had rested on that shore long enough. Although the winds had not slowed down much, my strength had been renewed. I was ready. As expected, I got pretty wet launching the kayak and it took twice the time it should have to get to where my husband was waiting and worrying. But, I was ready to go.

According to the prophet Isaiah: even youth will grow weary; but those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength and we shall mount up with wings like eagles. 

May you be granted the peace that comes with knowing that God is with you and no matter what the storm, the Lord will lift you up.

God's Peace - Pr. J

We Shall Not Be Weary

Even youths will faint and be weary,

    and the young will fall exhausted;

but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their        strength,

   they shall mount up with wings like eagles,

they shall run and not be weary,

   they shall walk and not faint.

                              (Isaiah 40:30-31 NRSV)

We all get weary from time to time. Physical weariness can sometimes actually be quite satisfying when it comes from a long, hard day of work. However, I have not found emotional, mental, or spiritual weariness to ever be satisfying. It is a struggle for many to overcome this type of weariness that often brings depression. 

Depression and emotional weariness is not overcome alone. There is no just getting over it. We wait on the Lord and trust Him to renew our strength. He will send helpers; friends and sometimes professionals, to walk beside us as we go through the valley of darkness. He will send His Spirit upon us so that we might once again soar like the eagle through the trials that assail us. 

In Christ, we shall rise again. We shall run and not be weary. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Lord Renews Our Strength

On Eagle's Wings

Life brings us a lot of challenges. There are days when I wonder how I will manage to get everything done that I'm supposed to be doing and to be in so many places at one time. There are so many people in need; so many who suffer; so many who are alone and lonely. How can we help them all? I make a lot of lists. If I don't, by the time I get home, I realize that I have not gotten to someone or something that I had intended to get to.

It can seem overwhelming at times. Lists help to keep me on point. But, more importantly rising early to study God's word and to spend time in prayer is essential if I want to be prepared to meet the day and any challenges the day might bring. I find strength in God's word and in his presence. I need to be able to talk to him and listen to Him and trust Him.

Isaiah reminds us that we are to wait and to trust in the Lord. He will give us the strength to meet the challenges.

"Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
his understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the faint,
and strengthens the powerless.
Even youths will faint and be weary,
and the young will fall exhausted;
but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength,
they shall mount up with wings like eagles,

they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." 

                                                      Isaiah 40:28-31 NRSV 

We all grow weary at times. Trust in and lean on the One who does not grow weary. His strength never fails Him or us.

God's Peace - Pr. J

With Wings Like Eagles

Even youths will faint and be weary,
    and the young will fall exhausted;
but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength,
    they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
they shall run and not be weary,
    they shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:30-31 NRSV

We all get weary from time to time. Physical weariness can sometimes actually be quite satisfying when it comes from a long, hard day of work. However, I have not found emotional, mental, or spiritual weariness to ever be satisfying. It is a struggle for many to overcome this type of weariness that often brings depression. It is not overcome alone. We must wait on the Lord and trust Him to renew our strength. He will send His Spirit upon you so that you might once again soar like the eagle through the trials of the day.  

 

In Christ, we shall run and not be weary.

 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Renewed Strength

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.
                            Isaiah 40:30-31 NIV

Life brings us a lot of challenges. They can seem overwhelming at times. There are even times I'd like to throw in the towel and walk away from everyone and everything. The only thing that can keep me going in times like that is faith in the unfailing and unending love of God. However, that faith must be nurtured. If I were to neglect studying and hearing God's word daily; if I did not spend many hours a day in prayer; my faith would fail me. I would surely fall. I depend on God's word and His promises for my very life.

In order to find the strength and desire to meet the day and any challenges the day might bring I turn to God's word and His presence. I need to be able to talk to him and listen to Him and trust Him. I need to be with the One who I can trust to truly lift me up above the challenges and sorrows of this world. 

We all grow weary and weak at times. Trust in and lean on the One who does not grow weak for His strength never fails Him or us. He will give us the strength to meet the challenges of the day ahead. Trust Him! 

God's Peace - Pr. J 

President Trump; The Energizer President

Whatever may come, we now have a very non-low energy

president.

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.
Isaiah 40:29-31 NIV

Yesterday, was a very tiring day for me. I was exhausted and fell asleep on the living room floor by 6:30 pm as I watched the presidential inauguration activities on television. I had skipped through my quiet time with the Lord in the morning because of my schedule which was probably the reason for my weariness. I woke up this morning thinking about our new president. President Donald Trump, who has at least ten years on me, did not appear to be weary by the time I was falling asleep last night and he still had many hours to go. I smiled to myself. President Trump is like the Energizer Bunny. He just keeps going and going. On top of all of his other attributes; I think God just may have a sense of humor.

Although I am not always too thrilled about the way he has always expressed himself in the past; but, because I trust God, I trust that President Trump has genuine hope for this country and for all of the people of this country. He began his inauguration day (as all; but, one president did since F.D. Roosevelt) by worshipping God. Maybe that was the secret of him being able to get through yesterday with so much energy.

I had laughed when he actually decided to run for president. I thought he was just throwing in the hat for something to entertain himself with. I am still smiling. I definitely would have preferred a much more gentle-spoken man for the position of leader in this country and was disheartened when my preferred candidate dropped out of the race. In the end, I must confess that I do not know the plans that God has for this country. But, I do believe that whatever they are; they are plans for the good. (Rom 8:28) 

Not everyone is going to appreciate President Trump. I have not always appreciated all of our former presidents, either. When Ronald Reagan became president, I grieved. I could not imagine an actor making a good president. But, while ranting and raving about it I heard from the Lord: "You don't have to like him. But, I have appointed him and you need to respect him." There was only one election after his that I grieved over. That one was from the Democratic party. But, I did not go out and destroy property or assault those who voted for him. Not everyone is going to like President Trump. But, we can either choose to work civilly with him and one another for the good of all the people in this country or we can go about burning cars and destroying private businesses and homes or generally trampling on the rights of others because we are dissatisfied with the results of this last election. Each individual can choose whether to work together as a country for the good of all or to divide it even further for the sake of personal agendas. That is up to the individual. Personally, I am a bit tired of the disunity (Yup, working in unity is a part of my personal agenda). Disunity has taken it's toll on the people; on this country. The disunity has diminished the hope of the people. It has made us a very weary people.

May God renew our hope so that we might live in peace and unity. May God help us to trust that He has a plan for the good of the many.

One last word according to St. Paul's letter to the Romans, chapter 13, verses 1-7:

"Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor." 

We may not like all of our public officials and I don't know anyone who appreciates paying taxes. But, there are peaceful means by which we can express our discontent. God has not given us the right to attack or destroy those who disagree with our personal agendas. Let us learn to work together instead of against one another.

May God renew our strength so that we will not grow weary but continue in a pursuit of good for all people. God help this country to soar as on the wings of an eagle.

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. Those who know me; know that I have very little musical ability. Now you know that my drawing skills are also very limited!

We Will Soar on Wings Like Eagles

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.

                           Isaiah 40:30-31

Advent can be a very busy time; a time to prepare for the celebration of the birth of our Savior. It has also become a very secular season as people rush to purchase gifts or plan get-togethers with family, friends, even strangers. But, it is also a season where many people find themselves grieving over the loss of a  loved one who is not there to celebrate the Advent or Christmas seasons with them. Advent can bring much weariness to both the body and the spirit.

But, for those who actually believe in the Lord, Jesus Christ, whose birth we celebrate, there is hope. There is much hope in him. As we place our lives, our futures, in his hands, our strength is renewed. He will pick us up; fill us with the Holy Spirit that we might soar on wings like eagles.

God grant you peace and joy this Advent and Christmas season in the knowledge that God is with you and for you in Jesus Christ, our Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Renew Our Strength

"...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." Isaiah 40:31 NIV

Each day brings new challenges. New challenges can either invigorate us or wear us out. But, those who trust in the Lord keep moving forward, facing those challenges. We do so, not by our own power or might; but, because the Lord is with us and strengthens us.

Jesus calls us to follow him wherever he would lead. The road is not always easy. It is in fact impossible for mere human beings. But, with God, all things are possible. (Matt 19:26)

Lord, renew our strength that we might follow Jesus and do thy will.

God's Peace - Pr. J