Isaiah 42:16 - leading the blind

Isaiah 42: 16.

I will bring the blind by a way they did not know;
I will lead them in paths they have not known.
I will make darkness light before them,
And crooked places straight.
These things I will do for them,
And not forsake them.


This was one of the Scriptures we looked at last tuesday night as part of a study on the promises of God regarding help in times of need. But then I got to wondering why a truly blind person would need “light before them?” I submit that what God is promising here goes beyond “help” – whatever that general term may mean to you and me. I think there are specific answers in this verse. He will provide solutions we never thought about to problems that seem unsolvable (“paths they did not know”). He will clarify our minds in order that we may discern the correct decisions we must make among many possible, but wrong, choices (“make … crooked places straight”). Sometimes we are blinded by our own choices – we can’t get closer to God, or make better business decisions, or be better husbands or fathers because we choose to be afraid of what we don’t know, what we haven’t done, or what we can’t (or won't) see. But God has promised to make the darkness of fear, worry, and indecision give way to the light of His wisdom, His direction, and His leadership.

Lord, don’t let me be afraid to be led by you to the places you want me to go.

24 Oct 2006

Notes from the study..
Click on the link for a Bible Gateway link to the text.

Gods Word On Encouragement – Study Outline

RO 12:11 -13 Be steady in faith and action. Remember that Believers and Non Believers are watching me through trials/afflictions. They want to know if I am the real thing or like the rest of the worldly believers that only talk a good game. Never lose hope.

JAMES 1:2-8 “When you face trials”

I THESS 5:11 – 23 Pauls specific checklist of encouragement.

ISA 42:16

II CORN 4:13-18 Confirmation that it is not about me. Concentrate

PS 37:3-7 I MUST LEARN TO TRUST, DELIGHT, COMMIT & REST.

REV 3:19-22 God will pull me through if I am willing to stand the pull.

PRO 12:23 Make ALL of my words truthful and encouraging.

JAMES 1:25 Look at the truth. Don’t have to like it, just do it.

GOD DOES NOT STOP TRIALS OR CHAISTISEMENT, BUT IF WE WILL STAND IN FULL FAITH, THE CIRCUMSTANCES ARE INEFFECTIVE AGAINST US.

JOHN DEAL

EPH 1;

HEB 11:11 and 12:4-6 LAUGH

Bigger Perspectives

OwassoFirst Men's Group

I shared this with the group last Tuesday, but now I have a visual to go with it.


This is a picture taken by the spacecraft Cassini, which is currently surveying Saturn. At least its supposed to be a picture of Cassini orbiting Saturn. If this doesn’t show up as a picture, go over to the following link:

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap061016.html. This is the October 16, 2006 image from NASA’s astronomy picture of the day archive.

Anyway, the point of view is from Cassini, looking back towards the Sun. Saturn is between the Sun and Cassini, and is dramatically backlit by the Sun. Of interest to me is the tiny pale blue dot to the left of the giant planet, just above the row of bright rings, and just inside the next to last visible ring. You may have to enlarge the image to see it.

That little dot is Earth.

Sometimes (OK, more often than I care to admit) it seems as though my problems are so big, so complex, so tough to handle that I feel it is futile to seek God’s help in my life. It is as though I think God is so busy with the problems of other people that he doesn’t have time for my stuff. Sort of like God is a waiter in some busy cosmic restaurant and I’m over in the corner table, frantically trying to get clean silverware and a glass of water, much less getting my order right.

And then I see pictures like this. I see tiny little Earth from the perspective of just a few million miles away. And I think, how much more tiny does Earth appear to God from his vantage point in Heaven? Just before I start getting a headache thinking about just how big the universe really is and how insignificant I am as just one person on one planet in one solar system in one galaxy, I (re)learn once again, the fundamental truth: God is bigger than my problems. So I have to remind myself to stop thinking my problems are too big to fix. God knows my needs. He knows my heart. I need to place my trust in Him.

Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows
Luke 12:7 (New International Version)

17 Oct 2006

Notes:
A calendar was passed to tell us that we would not be meeting on 31Oct, 21Nov, 19 or 26Dec.
The remaining weeks (6) are to be presented by the Men of the Group. Get with Dusty to tell him when you would like to present. Game rules are... There are no rules. You are free to bring what ever "nugget" you have gotten something from or any other teaching that you feel is important to YOU.

We talked about our prayer requestes and that led into a short talk about the 12 steps from the John Deal insight to Freedom material.
We hit on a few verses that talked about Seeking God First- not things, Knowing that chastisement is and opportunity from God for our Benefit and mostly that we are to Seek the wisdom of God as the Principal thing. ( Ex 3:7, Heb 12:10 Jos 1:7-9)

I also talked about this blog. What we could use it for.. What we should use it for, etc. I'm open.. I'm not a good secretary, but I wanted to start by posting notes from last night. All you need to do for access, is drop me or Dusty a note. We can send you a blog invite and you can join the fun here with us.

Thanks for being there, I hope this is worth the time you take to look it over.

V.

Welcome to Owasso First Assembly's Mens group

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let it be done.

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