Learning to do good

Well, this week went by fast and I realize that I have skipped a couple of days in my blog. I'm sure this sort of thing will happen, since my usual quiet time is sometimes not so quiet with Hailey and Heidi running under foot (or, as was the case this week, coming to my bed in the middle of the night and trampling any hope of me sleeping soundly - that's hard to do with you have feet in your kidneys!). I have to be honest - one of those days didn't get spent with God at all...and it was a cruddy day. I'm trying my best, though, to have my DAILY quiet time with God - even if the blogging portion of it takes a hit now and again.

Today, I read chapter 1 of Isaiah. To be honest, I didn't get much out of it the first time through. Upon research, though, it's clear what this passage is trying to say - stop with the hypocrisy and stop sinning! God is telling Israel that her sacrifices are no good if there is no change in the heart of her people; if there's no repentance and true turning from sin, sacrifices are null and void. I think what God is saying here is, "What good is forgiveness if someone is going to keep hurting me by blantantly thumbing your nose at me over and over again with no real feeling of remorse?"

I guess this hit home for me - how many times have I gone and "got some church" on Sunday, only to go on sinning as usual on Mondays? God really thumped me in the head this morning. Going to church isn't going to make any difference if my heart isn't humbled and changed - if I don't lay my sin at the cross, repent, and let Jesus live through me. Does this mean I need to be perfect? No. Building that relationship with God and loving Him with all of my heart is what He wants...and through that, God will teach me how I need to become. Since my focus has been on Him, I find myself hearing those little whispers when I mess up - and I cringe and ask for forgiveness. It isn't a lack of sin God expects because he knows we are human; however, He does expect me to not ignore the problem. He expects me to seek Him - as Isaiah 1:17 states, I should learn to do good and seek justice. I learn by following examples set out in God's word. That's why it's so important to read it, and read it often.

The most wonderful part of this chapter, in my mind, are found in verses 18: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow, though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. God promises forgiveness of sins. Where would we be without this? I can't imagine a more hopeless existence. I'm so thankful to God for His love and mercy!

Prayer - Dear God, Thank you for loving me so much. Thank you for your Word and for the lessons you have provided. Thank you for your mercy and your grace. Thank you for your forgiveness!! Thank you for my husband and our time together - and for my family, who helps out with my children so that Barry and I can reconnect. I am so thankful for my friends, Lord - they are blessings. They bring such joy to my life. Please be with my dear friend who is recovering from surgery - have your hand on her family, as well. Grant the doctors wisdom as they try to fight the cancer in her body. Give her strength, as well, to fight. I ask all of this in the precious name of Jesus, Amen.