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Showing posts with the label productive

Looking up! (Psalm 121)

A song from the ascent to Jerusalem I look up to the mountain---does my help comes from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made the heavens and the earth! He will not let you stumble and fall; the one who watches over you will not sleep. Indeed, he who watches over Israel never tires and never sleeps. The Lord himself watches over you!  The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not hut you by day, nor the moon at night. The Lord keeps you from all evil and preserves your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever. Looking up is safer whether or not the world says that looking here is the thing to do.  Our ultimate safety is up in the direction of the mountain.  Actually the Lord is the one who made the earth and the mountains and the heavens.  That is where my help comes from and not some material found in the mountains like diamonds and precious stones. If you want real help it's to the Lord that you should go because

Listen! (Isaiah 59:1-6)

Listen! The Lord is not weak to save you, and he is not becoming deaf.  He can hear you when you call. But there is a problem---your sins have cut you off from God.  Because of your sin, he has turned away and will not listen anymore.  Your hands are the hands of murderers, and your fingers are filthy with sin.  Your mouth is full of lies, and your lips are tainted with corruption. No one cares about being fair and honest.  Their lawsuits are based on lies.  They spend their time plotting evil deeds and then doing them.  They spend their time and energy spinning evil plans that end up in deadly actions.  They cheat and shortchange everyone.  Nothing they do is productive; all their activity is filled with sin.  Violence is their trademark. I just came across this passage last night and the Lord spoke to me through it.  "Don't be surprised when evil comes your way after many prayers and supplications.  I can hear you but sin is in the way.  I can't do anything." To the