Empty: (The New Century Dictionary - 1948) - Containing nothing; void of the usual or appropriate contents; without money; hungry; destitute of some quality or qualities; devoid; vacant, as a house; unoccupied; also, without burden or load, as a wagon; also, destitute of force, effect, or significance; unsatisfactory; meaningless; unsubstantial; also, destitute of knowledge or sense; frivolous; foolish. Something empty, as a freight-car, wagon, box, sack, bottle,etc. To make empty; deprive of contents; discharge the contents of; also, to discharge (contents). To become empty; discharge contents, as a river. Empty-handed: To have nothing in the hands; bringing or taking nothing. Empty-headed: Brainless; foolish.
Many gas tanks are empty these days. Bank accounts are evaporating. Houses once homes to families are now homes to animals and other forms of unthinkable or unusual dwellers. The lines in places selling anything above necessity are shrinking. Slim are the numbers of the healthy among us. The earth is void of many of it's former occupants compliments of the transcending invasion of natural disasters. Hearts are working overtime to muster up hope enough to go on. Faith in "goodness" is being tested and coming up short. Encouraging news is dwindling. All due to a new suffering in the earth.
Famine: Extreme and general scarcity of food, as in a city or country; a period of extreme and general dearth, threatening or resulting in starvation; hence, an extreme and general scarcity or dearth of anything; also, extreme hunger; starvation; also, violent appetite, as of a starving person.
Oh, the dreams that I could share with you, regarding this definition but I dare not; I only pray that they were not from the Lord and not a preview of things to come. God forbid - if so - things that civilized man does not allow himself to imagine or meditate upon.
Psalm 82: 3 - 5 - Defend the poor and fatherless; do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy; rid them out of the hand of the wicked. They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are out of course.
Why? Why must we endure these plagues? What is the force behind it all? Many from former days and places have endured hardships as well. (I really don't want to address that issue in this writing. There is one particular vein of interest in all of these goings on presently that continues to wave a flag at me and that is what I would like to focus on.)
I see in all the shifting out there that our society needs to do a resetting or reformatting for our way of thinking. As you may have noted along with me, those who were already hurting before all of these disasters infiltrated our infrastructure, are most likely the ones who will be suffering the most. Although, I've heard many a story of the wealthy not faring any better than those already mentioned. We're all feeling the "crunch"!
The Lord has made me keenly aware of how sensitive and volatile these days could become. If you think you've seen road rage, if you think you've seen tempers, if you think you've seen abuse, if you think you've seen wickedness in human behaviors, breaking of the laws that protect individuals (their privacy and/or their possessions); I find myself calculating the effect of this increased strain and pressure upon the human psyche and then on into our social system.
How secure are our minds and spirits when it comes to dealing with such changes as we are experiencing today? We may become emptied of much. We may behold much casualty and loss, before we regain, if we will. So my question is, "How is our resolve to remain true to what will goodly and rightly sustain us as we transition through?"
I really do hate to say things like this but last summer the Lord spoke this to me:
He said, "Ginger, people are going to get really good at calling upon me in the future." That was just a warning that things were going to continue to not go so well! That was almost one year ago and look at our current status! I don't think that He was wrong! Do you?
I can't help but fall back on a scripture that I've heard since the days of my childhood:
Luke 21: 25,28 - And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth; for the powers of heaven shall be shaken, and then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud of glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Luke 21: 34 - 36 - And take heed to yourselves, last at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
This is not a plug for my book (that I've spoken of so much throughout these sites), but the Lord took me into an in-depth study of this, in that year - 2004.
I believe that we must be so careful about our perception of this hour and day! This isn't business as usual. We are facing extreme alteration in every area of life and we must find some wise counsel with which to guide us through safely. Without proper evaluation of our global situation, chaos could break forth on every side, speaking in terms of our "reactions" alone. If we respond outside of a configured foresight, we ultimately will add injury to injury, thereby intensifying the already intense malady which faces us.
Malady: Any illness of mind or body.
One of the biggest problems facing us, is the lack of knowledge, as to how to have been prepared for such a time as this. Was there something, someone or any thing that could have given us a head's up for everything that we are now suddenly experiencing? Why do we not seem to be equipped with the wherewithal to buoy up now?
2 Chronicles 20: 20 - And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established, believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.
John 16: 13 - 16 - Howbeit when he the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth; for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me; for he shall receive of mine and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine; therefore said I , that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
John 14: 26 - But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
God has equipped the saints with the ability to know of a thing - before it takes place! There are many in the earth today, who are hearing His voice, and are sharing the warnings. God has ordained that we be taken care of and not caught unaware.
Let's identify the "root" of our problem:
Romans 8: 19 - 22 - For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
What does this scripture have to do with anything? Well, everything! As I've stated in other articles, God gave man dominion over his own life, and over the earth. What we do with it, is up to us. There are consequences to every choice and action. When we violate the "laws" that control this universe; the universe responds accordingly. Believe it or not, morality has much to do with the health of this earth! Look at this:
Isaiah 24: 1 - 5 - Behold, the Lord maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof. And it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower; as with the taker of usury, so with the giver of usery to him. The land shall be utterly emptied, and utterly spoiled; for the Lord hath spoken this word. The earth mourneth and fadeth away, the world languisheth and fadeth away, the haughty people of the earth do languish. The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.
You must remember or come to know, that the earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof. (Deuteronomy 10: 14; 1 Corinthians 10: 26). We only operate within the structure that God has already 'set' forth in the earth:
Isaiah 42: 5 - Thus saith God the Lord, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:
Going back to Isaiah 25, which describes what happens to the earth, when man violates the laws that govern. Look now at Isaiah 26, and we will see there, an interesting instruction in light of the preceding chapter:
Isaiah 26: vs 1) - In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks. (I just spoke to you about the 'buoy' or the strength to uphold us - what will that be? And we know that we need saving, right now! This saving, in whatever form it comes, will come up around us to protect us, like those walls.) vs 2) Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in. (In other words, open the gates to that strong, fortified city and let us in. Let us dwell there, within those gates! What will make the city that way? What will allow us to enter in and to dwell in 'that' city - the one described in verse 1? The answer is: keeping the truth!) vs 3) Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee. (In order to live our lives in the prosperous nature that God intended, we must rule our lives with a certain mind. If and when things begin to go in a contrary/destructive direction, then we must surely set our minds in that place that He initially set forth for us! What if you find yourself to be in a situation, not of your own creating? Then, you'd better set your mind, first, upon God, and then keep it there. And you'd better ask Him for wisdom to 'bring you out'! So, at all times, in all things, no matter what the circumstances, our minds need to be set on Him, in order that we see a good end result!) 4) Trust in the Lord for ever; for in the Lord JE-HO-VAH is everlasting strength. (You must know Him, before you can trust Him! And in these diverse days, you will fare a lot better if you know Him - than if you don't! Trust me!)
So, what is the buoy, to prepare us to prevail? It is to agree with the way that things are set up, by God. The Word of God tells us of the ways of God. If we don't know those words or those ways, or if we are lacking in our understanding of them, then we need to get busy and arm ourselves with that knowledge - now!
Hosea 4: 6 - My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge;
Genesis 41: 27 - And the seven thin and ill favoured kine that came up after them are seven years; and the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind shall be seven years of famine.
Famine:
Amos 8: 11 - 13 - Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord. And they shall wander from sea to sea, and form the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it. In that day shall the fair virgins and young men faint for thirst.
It is the Word of God that SAVES!
Psalm 127: 1 - Except the Lord build the house, they labour
in vain that build it; except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
Matthew 7: 24 - 27 - Therefore, whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto awise man, which built his house upon a rock; and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not; for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand; and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell; and great was the fall of it.
Exodus 3: 21 - And I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians; and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty;
I tell you this day, if you have 'the Word of God' hidden in your heart, you will make it and triumph, no matter what!
Galatians 6: 9 - And let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Habakkuk 3: 16 - 19 - When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice; rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble; when he cometh up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops. Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be on the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls; yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.
2 Corinthians 2: 14 - Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
Romans 8: 35 - Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Philippians 4: 7 - 9 - And the peace of God which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things which ye have learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do; and the God of peace shall be with you.
Ephesians 3: 20 - Now unto Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen!
2 Corinthians 9: 6 - 11 - But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things; may abound to every good work; (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor; his righteousness remaineth for ever. Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and mulitiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgving to God.
Luke 12: 20, 21 - But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee; then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
Hebrews 12: 1,2 - Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Hebrews 2: 18 - For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
Succour: help, bring aid; a helper; cry; to raise a cry, of joy pain etc., to cry, speak with a high, strong voice, to cry to one for help, to implore his aid; to cry out as a manifestation of feeling, esp. a cry for help; to cry out for a purpose; to cry out harshly, often of inarticulate and brutish sound; intense, denotes to cry coarsely, in contempt, etc.; suggests intelligence; sensibilities; instincts; to call aloud, utter (remember the article on 'Gutter Mutter' - Izzy Coming Out?) in a loud voice; to invite; command; invests them with claims; to command, designates verbal orders, coming usually from a superior; to charge, is used esp. of the order of a military commander to his troops; assign a post to, with a suggestion of duties connected with it, often used of military appointments; in denoting fixed and abiding obligations rather than specific or occasional instructions, duties arising from the office rather than coming from the personal will of a superior.
This is what the Lord will do for us, what He will equip us with - if we understand Him, His ways, and His will for our lives!
Isaiah 55: 7-9 - Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my thoughts than your thoughts.
Proverbs 3: 5,6 - Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He will direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes; fear the Lord, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel and marrow to thy bones.
One last word for your comfort, instruction and encouragement: (Hope you've found some benefit in all these writings! That, after all, is the purpose and intent!):
I don't know how people are handling or viewing the current plights that seem to be swarming every nation in the world. Do they look at it all and wonder. Or do they look at it all and sweep it under the rug? Or do they even look at it, at all?
For those of you who look at it all and wonder, maybe these scriptures would be of some help to you (that is if you know the Heavenly Father, through accepting the sacrifice of His Son Jesus, if you are born again and are a part of the family of God. You can do that right now, too, if you haven't already.)
Acts 2: 21 - And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
John 14: 6 - Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 6: 37 - All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out.
Once you are a child of God, you can call upon His promises to you:
2 Corinthians 1: 20 - For all the promises of God in him, are yea, and in him, Amen, unto the glory of God by us.
So here are some of them that you can 'hold onto' in these days:
Psalm 34: 19 - Many are the afflictions of the righteous; but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.
Psalm 35: 27 - Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause; yea, let them say continually, Let the Lord be magnified; which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.
Isaiah 43: 19, 20 - Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. The beast of the field shall honour me, the dragons and the owls; because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen.
Hebrews 13: 5,6 - Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have; for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
Psalm 112: 1 - 10 - Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon earth; the generation of the upright shall be blessed. Wealth and riches shall be in his house; and his rightousness endureth for ever. Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness; he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. A good man shewth favour, and lendeth; he will guide his affairs with discretion. Surely he shall not be moved for ever; the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies. He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever, his horn shall be exalted with honour. The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away, the desire of the wicked shall perish.
Psalm 37: 1 - Fret not thyself because of evil-doers, neither be thou envious against the workers of evil. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
We may see some very turbulent times!
James 1: 2-4 - My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into diverse temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience, but let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
John 16: 33 - These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
2 Corinthians 1: 3,4 - Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
Matthew 24: 21 - For then shall there be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
Revelation 7: 14 - And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, these are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Izzy
Many gas tanks are empty these days. Bank accounts are evaporating. Houses once homes to families are now homes to animals and other forms of unthinkable or unusual dwellers. The lines in places selling anything above necessity are shrinking. Slim are the numbers of the healthy among us. The earth is void of many of it's former occupants compliments of the transcending invasion of natural disasters. Hearts are working overtime to muster up hope enough to go on. Faith in "goodness" is being tested and coming up short. Encouraging news is dwindling. All due to a new suffering in the earth.
Famine: Extreme and general scarcity of food, as in a city or country; a period of extreme and general dearth, threatening or resulting in starvation; hence, an extreme and general scarcity or dearth of anything; also, extreme hunger; starvation; also, violent appetite, as of a starving person.
Oh, the dreams that I could share with you, regarding this definition but I dare not; I only pray that they were not from the Lord and not a preview of things to come. God forbid - if so - things that civilized man does not allow himself to imagine or meditate upon.
Psalm 82: 3 - 5 - Defend the poor and fatherless; do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy; rid them out of the hand of the wicked. They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are out of course.
Why? Why must we endure these plagues? What is the force behind it all? Many from former days and places have endured hardships as well. (I really don't want to address that issue in this writing. There is one particular vein of interest in all of these goings on presently that continues to wave a flag at me and that is what I would like to focus on.)
I see in all the shifting out there that our society needs to do a resetting or reformatting for our way of thinking. As you may have noted along with me, those who were already hurting before all of these disasters infiltrated our infrastructure, are most likely the ones who will be suffering the most. Although, I've heard many a story of the wealthy not faring any better than those already mentioned. We're all feeling the "crunch"!
The Lord has made me keenly aware of how sensitive and volatile these days could become. If you think you've seen road rage, if you think you've seen tempers, if you think you've seen abuse, if you think you've seen wickedness in human behaviors, breaking of the laws that protect individuals (their privacy and/or their possessions); I find myself calculating the effect of this increased strain and pressure upon the human psyche and then on into our social system.
How secure are our minds and spirits when it comes to dealing with such changes as we are experiencing today? We may become emptied of much. We may behold much casualty and loss, before we regain, if we will. So my question is, "How is our resolve to remain true to what will goodly and rightly sustain us as we transition through?"
I really do hate to say things like this but last summer the Lord spoke this to me:
He said, "Ginger, people are going to get really good at calling upon me in the future." That was just a warning that things were going to continue to not go so well! That was almost one year ago and look at our current status! I don't think that He was wrong! Do you?
I can't help but fall back on a scripture that I've heard since the days of my childhood:
Luke 21: 25,28 - And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth; for the powers of heaven shall be shaken, and then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud of glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Luke 21: 34 - 36 - And take heed to yourselves, last at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
This is not a plug for my book (that I've spoken of so much throughout these sites), but the Lord took me into an in-depth study of this, in that year - 2004.
I believe that we must be so careful about our perception of this hour and day! This isn't business as usual. We are facing extreme alteration in every area of life and we must find some wise counsel with which to guide us through safely. Without proper evaluation of our global situation, chaos could break forth on every side, speaking in terms of our "reactions" alone. If we respond outside of a configured foresight, we ultimately will add injury to injury, thereby intensifying the already intense malady which faces us.
Malady: Any illness of mind or body.
One of the biggest problems facing us, is the lack of knowledge, as to how to have been prepared for such a time as this. Was there something, someone or any thing that could have given us a head's up for everything that we are now suddenly experiencing? Why do we not seem to be equipped with the wherewithal to buoy up now?
2 Chronicles 20: 20 - And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established, believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.
John 16: 13 - 16 - Howbeit when he the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth; for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me; for he shall receive of mine and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine; therefore said I , that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
John 14: 26 - But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
God has equipped the saints with the ability to know of a thing - before it takes place! There are many in the earth today, who are hearing His voice, and are sharing the warnings. God has ordained that we be taken care of and not caught unaware.
Let's identify the "root" of our problem:
Romans 8: 19 - 22 - For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
What does this scripture have to do with anything? Well, everything! As I've stated in other articles, God gave man dominion over his own life, and over the earth. What we do with it, is up to us. There are consequences to every choice and action. When we violate the "laws" that control this universe; the universe responds accordingly. Believe it or not, morality has much to do with the health of this earth! Look at this:
Isaiah 24: 1 - 5 - Behold, the Lord maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof. And it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower; as with the taker of usury, so with the giver of usery to him. The land shall be utterly emptied, and utterly spoiled; for the Lord hath spoken this word. The earth mourneth and fadeth away, the world languisheth and fadeth away, the haughty people of the earth do languish. The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.
You must remember or come to know, that the earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof. (Deuteronomy 10: 14; 1 Corinthians 10: 26). We only operate within the structure that God has already 'set' forth in the earth:
Isaiah 42: 5 - Thus saith God the Lord, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:
Going back to Isaiah 25, which describes what happens to the earth, when man violates the laws that govern. Look now at Isaiah 26, and we will see there, an interesting instruction in light of the preceding chapter:
Isaiah 26: vs 1) - In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks. (I just spoke to you about the 'buoy' or the strength to uphold us - what will that be? And we know that we need saving, right now! This saving, in whatever form it comes, will come up around us to protect us, like those walls.) vs 2) Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in. (In other words, open the gates to that strong, fortified city and let us in. Let us dwell there, within those gates! What will make the city that way? What will allow us to enter in and to dwell in 'that' city - the one described in verse 1? The answer is: keeping the truth!) vs 3) Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee. (In order to live our lives in the prosperous nature that God intended, we must rule our lives with a certain mind. If and when things begin to go in a contrary/destructive direction, then we must surely set our minds in that place that He initially set forth for us! What if you find yourself to be in a situation, not of your own creating? Then, you'd better set your mind, first, upon God, and then keep it there. And you'd better ask Him for wisdom to 'bring you out'! So, at all times, in all things, no matter what the circumstances, our minds need to be set on Him, in order that we see a good end result!) 4) Trust in the Lord for ever; for in the Lord JE-HO-VAH is everlasting strength. (You must know Him, before you can trust Him! And in these diverse days, you will fare a lot better if you know Him - than if you don't! Trust me!)
So, what is the buoy, to prepare us to prevail? It is to agree with the way that things are set up, by God. The Word of God tells us of the ways of God. If we don't know those words or those ways, or if we are lacking in our understanding of them, then we need to get busy and arm ourselves with that knowledge - now!
Hosea 4: 6 - My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge;
Genesis 41: 27 - And the seven thin and ill favoured kine that came up after them are seven years; and the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind shall be seven years of famine.
Famine:
Amos 8: 11 - 13 - Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord. And they shall wander from sea to sea, and form the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it. In that day shall the fair virgins and young men faint for thirst.
It is the Word of God that SAVES!
Psalm 127: 1 - Except the Lord build the house, they labour
in vain that build it; except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
Matthew 7: 24 - 27 - Therefore, whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto awise man, which built his house upon a rock; and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not; for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand; and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell; and great was the fall of it.
Exodus 3: 21 - And I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians; and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty;
I tell you this day, if you have 'the Word of God' hidden in your heart, you will make it and triumph, no matter what!
Galatians 6: 9 - And let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Habakkuk 3: 16 - 19 - When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice; rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble; when he cometh up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops. Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be on the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls; yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.
2 Corinthians 2: 14 - Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
Romans 8: 35 - Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Philippians 4: 7 - 9 - And the peace of God which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things which ye have learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do; and the God of peace shall be with you.
Ephesians 3: 20 - Now unto Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen!
2 Corinthians 9: 6 - 11 - But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things; may abound to every good work; (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor; his righteousness remaineth for ever. Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and mulitiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgving to God.
Luke 12: 20, 21 - But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee; then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
Hebrews 12: 1,2 - Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Hebrews 2: 18 - For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
Succour: help, bring aid; a helper; cry; to raise a cry, of joy pain etc., to cry, speak with a high, strong voice, to cry to one for help, to implore his aid; to cry out as a manifestation of feeling, esp. a cry for help; to cry out for a purpose; to cry out harshly, often of inarticulate and brutish sound; intense, denotes to cry coarsely, in contempt, etc.; suggests intelligence; sensibilities; instincts; to call aloud, utter (remember the article on 'Gutter Mutter' - Izzy Coming Out?) in a loud voice; to invite; command; invests them with claims; to command, designates verbal orders, coming usually from a superior; to charge, is used esp. of the order of a military commander to his troops; assign a post to, with a suggestion of duties connected with it, often used of military appointments; in denoting fixed and abiding obligations rather than specific or occasional instructions, duties arising from the office rather than coming from the personal will of a superior.
This is what the Lord will do for us, what He will equip us with - if we understand Him, His ways, and His will for our lives!
Isaiah 55: 7-9 - Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my thoughts than your thoughts.
Proverbs 3: 5,6 - Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He will direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes; fear the Lord, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel and marrow to thy bones.
One last word for your comfort, instruction and encouragement: (Hope you've found some benefit in all these writings! That, after all, is the purpose and intent!):
I don't know how people are handling or viewing the current plights that seem to be swarming every nation in the world. Do they look at it all and wonder. Or do they look at it all and sweep it under the rug? Or do they even look at it, at all?
For those of you who look at it all and wonder, maybe these scriptures would be of some help to you (that is if you know the Heavenly Father, through accepting the sacrifice of His Son Jesus, if you are born again and are a part of the family of God. You can do that right now, too, if you haven't already.)
Acts 2: 21 - And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
John 14: 6 - Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 6: 37 - All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out.
Once you are a child of God, you can call upon His promises to you:
2 Corinthians 1: 20 - For all the promises of God in him, are yea, and in him, Amen, unto the glory of God by us.
So here are some of them that you can 'hold onto' in these days:
Psalm 34: 19 - Many are the afflictions of the righteous; but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.
Psalm 35: 27 - Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause; yea, let them say continually, Let the Lord be magnified; which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.
Isaiah 43: 19, 20 - Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. The beast of the field shall honour me, the dragons and the owls; because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen.
Hebrews 13: 5,6 - Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have; for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
Psalm 112: 1 - 10 - Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon earth; the generation of the upright shall be blessed. Wealth and riches shall be in his house; and his rightousness endureth for ever. Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness; he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. A good man shewth favour, and lendeth; he will guide his affairs with discretion. Surely he shall not be moved for ever; the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies. He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever, his horn shall be exalted with honour. The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away, the desire of the wicked shall perish.
Psalm 37: 1 - Fret not thyself because of evil-doers, neither be thou envious against the workers of evil. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
We may see some very turbulent times!
James 1: 2-4 - My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into diverse temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience, but let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
John 16: 33 - These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
2 Corinthians 1: 3,4 - Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
Matthew 24: 21 - For then shall there be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
Revelation 7: 14 - And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, these are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Izzy
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