Renewed Strength (Guest Post)

Who is never tired and weak?  Who has never weary and felt helpless?  All of us have experienced it.  Is it normal?  Of course, because we are human.  We live in an endless stream of times, regardless of what our circumstances are.  There are times when we feel relieved because one problem is resolved, but a new problem is waiting.  Life continues to force us to walk, whether we are strong or not. Sometimes we want time to pause so we can put all the heavy burdens down, but that’s not possible.  Indeed, there are times when our lives are peaceful and everything is fine.  We are relieved and hope that there is no more pressure.  But that calm is only temporary, because something bad, which we never imagined and we don’t want, can happen suddenly.  When we are depressed, we cry out to God, hoping for a miracle.  But the situation didn’t change, sometimes it even got worse.  Maybe we wonder, does God not hear our prayers?  Does He not know what we are going through, or does He deliberately ignore it?  In the midst of that situation, we are still trying to survive and try not to fall, but some of us may become tired, even want to give up.

If you are weary and weak, tired due to the burdens and pressures of life, let’s read what the prophet Isaiah wrote:

Why do you complain, Jacob?  Why do you say, Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God”?

Do you not know?  Have you not heard?

The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.

(Isaiah 40: 27-28 NIV)

These verses are part of a prophecy from God written by the prophet Isaiah in his last years, to give hope and comfort to God’s people during their captivity in Babylon, 150 years after Isaiah’s time.  God’s people were rebuked for their unbelief and discouragement in the face of suffering, which they thought was so heavy and sad, as if it was hopeless.  The rebuke was also followed by God’s statement about Himself, that He is eternal God, Creator of all things, Ruler of all things.  He does not weary and he does not become weak.  His understanding is unfathomable.  There is no problem so great that He cannot solve and He is able to punish Israel’s oppressors, even though Israel’s years of captivity seem to give the opposite impression.

The same thing God says to us today.  Although sometimes God seems to allow injustice or bad things to happen in our lives, God actually cares about us.  He does not run out of ideas and ways to help us.  He has wisdom to save.  His understanding is unexpected.  He is extraordinary at arranging things to accomplish His purposes and plans, but He has His own path and timing. God’s wisdom in managing human affairs is beyond our understanding.  That’s why we need strength from God in order to live life in this world full of problems.

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

(Isaiah 40: 29 NIV)

“He gives strength to the weary” in this verse is very similar to Jesus’ statement, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” in Matthew 11: 28-30.  This is an invitation to draw close to God and live by His standards, in order to obtain the strength He promises.

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)

Anyone can be weary, weak, tired and utterly fall.  But only those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  Those who hope in God will surely wait on God. Waiting on God is not waiting passively or doing nothing.  Waiting on God is an attitude of waiting with hope, joy, patience, diligence, while still doing what has to be done, like a farmer waiting for the harvest time.  Waiting on God is an active attitude.  We can see this attitude in the parable taught by the Lord Jesus in Luke 18: 1-8 about the unjust judge and a widow who constantly urged the judge for help.  “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” (verse 1)  So, the important thing we have to do during this waiting period is pray without giving up.

God promises that those who wait on Him and hope in Him will receive new strength, a divine power that renews our human strength.  A divine power that makes us energized and refreshed, in the midst of fatigue in living a life full of struggles.  With this renewed strength, we will be able to overcome the problems of this world, even enter into the sanctuary of God, like an eagle flying high into the sky on the strength of its wings.

Waiting on God to give us the ability to run spiritually and be able to move forward without feeling weary and tired, including when God suspends His help.  When we hope fully in Him, we will be able to carry out God’s commandments with joy, perseverance and persistence, because we know our waiting is not in vain.  We are human but we have a super and extraordinary God. Life is not easy, yes, but we have an eternal and powerful God, whose wisdom is unfathomable and incomparable.  It is okay if you are feeling tired, weak and helpless right now.  The most important thing is to immediately come closer to the Lord Jesus and wait for Him.  God will renew the strength of those who hope in Him, so that we will not only be able to overcome problems, but also continue to progress and our spirituality will grow even more.  Lord Jesus loves you.

By: Sella Irene – Beautiful Words

Photo Credit: Google Images ( wallpaperscraft.com ) edited with pixlr apps

Fly Like an Eagle

A few days ago I received a package from my parents in Hong Kong. And when I opened it, I am somewhat stunned and surprised. A large photo of an eagle! On its photo was written: “Fly Like an Eagle” and below was written a bible verse:

“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)

After I put it on the wall of my workroom, I like being hypnotized; I stared deep into the photo and my mind drifted away. I was a bit shocked and immediately aware when my husband suddenly hugged on my shoulder. Then he asked,” Princess, there is something wrong in that photo? Or there is something on your mind?” I smiled and said, “Yes, there is something on my mind”

Talk about an eagle, eagle is fascinating fowl. Have wide wings. Even the widest ever measured was as wide as 2.5 meters (8 feet). Eagles were Famous for its endurance when he flew. Although needed the considerable energy for flapping wings at first, but once he flew, an eagle only put out very low energy. The research results stated that the eagles only take an average of 2 minutes to beat their wings in every hour of flight time. Eagles can fly long without flapping their wings. Eagles can fly to hover in the air (gliding) or fly off (soaring) by utilizing the thermal air / heat that rises on the open mainland. By doing so, he only requires very low energy to be able to fly longer. Not only that, eagles can travel an average distance of 75 to 125 miles. That is the secret of eagles’ power which is capable of flying very high. Eagles will never be tired because he did not have to use much energy to be able to fly for a long time and a long distance.

But, do not think that when the baby eagles are born then they already were so. Eagles are a fragile beast when they were a child so their parent will usually bring them to stay in high peak and train them to fly. The parent would drop the young eagles down and let them screaming before finally practicing flapping their wings. When the young eagles start flapping their wings, their parent was ready to help when they are going to weak and fall and they will rise up and fly became more powerful eagle.

I am thinking deeper. When we are in problems that come repeatedly, we can feel our strength declining both physical and mentally. The weakening of our strength will only make us more helpless in the face of problems that we have. But God’s Word teaches us, that the key to obtain the strength in dealing with various problems is waiting upon the Lord. Waiting upon the Lord means that we continue to hope in the Lord, directing the eyes of our hearts to God, praying to God, reading and meditating on the God’s word, obedient to His commandments and uphold our faith and hope to the God. By keeping our fellowship with God, we will be in a condition that is always waiting on the Lord. The existing problems should not hinder us to still come to worship Him. We must still following God whatever is happening.

When we let go of our hope in God, we will increasingly lose the strength to walk forward. Physical strength and mind that we have is not enough to deal with the entire burden, because we have a limit in our ability. God wants us to be as strong and brave like an eagle. He wants us to continue to train our wings of faith to face and through any life challenges. Winds and storms in our lives will force us to fly and like the parent eagle who keeps an eye on their child learning to fly, God will watching over and will help us so we not be allowed to fall.

The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall,
for the Lord upholds him with his hand. (Psalm 37:23-24)

When we come to God and always waiting for Him, we will get the new strength. New strength that God has given will enable us to rise to undergo what is in the front of us. God will give us a new spirit, a new wisdom, a new joy, a new hope, so that we can stand up straight in running this life. Like an eagle who never tired by the time he flew, so it is with us who waiting on the Lord. We will never feel tired because God has given us new strength. We can deal with no matter how hard. We can get out from the various problems. We can undergo existing hardships. We did not even realize that so many miraculous things that we have been through, because God has given us the strength to through it all.

My dear friends, what about us now? Whether we are currently in weak condition, physically and mentally? Do we have so many burdens which slowly but sure undermined our strength and faith?  Are we losing of hope and everything looks like so hard to be lived? This time I would like to encourage you with wonderful Bible verses:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

I ask one question. Are there people around us like family or friends who could say like God says in the verse above? Is there anyone who could guarantee by saying: “….And I will give you rest”? No nothing at all. So through these powerful verses we all know and be reminded where we should to go when we are weary and burdened and where we should put our hope.

I am not saying that our lives would become so easy. We will still have problems ahead but we must face it. No mater we like or not, our life still must go on.  Let us continue to direct our hearts and minds to God only. Keep waiting on the God, maintain our relationship with God so that our fellowship with Him getting close and closer day by day. His loving hand is always open for us comes to Him. Continue to train our wings of faith and He will give us a new strength so we can have power and fly high tirelessly like an eagle. Amen.

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)

Karina – Living by Faith

Photo credit: Google Images

Related content: http://faithrises.com/2014/05/21/fly-like-an-eagle/

(The image on this post is not original as it was sent by my parents. All the text in the original image was written in Mandarin language)

God Never Let Us Down

About the last two weeks I really had a very hard situation.  There are so many problems in the office and as a leader I have a very big responsibility to resolve all of the problems. I am weary, powerless and down. But thank you to God! In the midst of my hard situation, within the pressure that I had, I still feel God’s love amazingly. His loving hands still lead every step that I take in this harsh world.

In that situation I read a chapter of Psalm. This chapter really can encourage me so much.

“My soul faints with longing for your salvation, but I have put my hope in your word.  My eyes fail, looking for your promise; I say, “When will you comfort me?” Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke, I do not forget your decrees. How long must your servant wait? When will you punish my persecutors? The arrogant dig pits to trap me, contrary to your law.  All your commands are trustworthy; help me, for I am being persecuted without cause. They almost wiped me from the earth, but I have not forsaken your precepts. In your unfailing love preserve my life, that I may obey the statutes of your mouth.” Psalm 119:81-88.

If we read the complete of this chapter, this psalm reveals the great love for the written word of God. God’s Word calls the appointments, orders, guidelines, testimonies, teachings, wisdom, truth, justice, and a reprimand. The Word of God is presented as a consolation, protection, wealth, living standards, happiness heart and soul, and a source of answers everything needed. I learn so much from this Psalm. I learn that we need God to be revived and hope filled in this hectic and demanding world. We need Jesus to be redeemed and grace-filled in this harsh and merciless world. We need the Holy Spirit to be restored and spirit-filled this shallow and clueless world. Only Jesus can save us. Only the Holy Spirit can comfort us.

Moreover than it all I am assured, the triune God will never let us down. God will help us. God will pour out hope upon hope, faith upon faith, love upon love. Grace upon grace according to our needs. When we live with God, we will never be short-changed. No matter what is happening around us. No matter what we feel or what we have done or left undone. God will not let us down.

“Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures. Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you. If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life. Save me, for I am yours; I have sought out your precepts. The wicked are waiting to destroy me, but I will ponder your statutes. To all perfection I see a limit, but your commands are boundless.” (Psalm 119:86-96)

As a human I have limitations. I cannot do anything seemingly is Impossible. But with God nothing is impossible. God is at work behind the scenes. The solution to my problems is on its way.  God always listens to my every word in prayer.The right opportunities will present themselves soon. God is good, all the time!

Well my dear blogger, if you are also currently are experiencing a very hard problem and in difficult situation like me? Whether you feel lost of hope, fear, weary and discouraged?  Is Everything in the front of you seems is impossible? This evening I would like to encourage you to not forget something important and wonderful: “God never let us down” I have felt it personally. My problems have not been completed but I already feel God’s guidance. Slowly but sure God shows His way to solve my problem. God is at work behind my problems. That we need to do is just surrender, pray and take refuge in the shadow of His wings as psalm said: “Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.” (Psalm 57:1) Keep alert to God’s guidance and do not forget to always praise the Lord all day long. God will not let us down. Amen.

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)

Karina

Photo credit: frost-this.blogspot.com

Evening Prayer

Jesus my Lord, thank you because you are always be there in my life

When I lost my way, do not know where I had to stride over, when my eyes began to blur, I was weary and burdened, desperate and were let down.  I get You always be my side.

You are my consolation place, a place where I was pouring my entire affliction. Thou see any cried and put my tears in Your wineskins.

When people reject me, not even You refuse me.  Though I was sinned to You, when I was come to you with a broken heart and shattered, You are not look at me with contempt even with lovingly You open Your hand and hugged me so tight.

Oh Jesus my Lord, You are so good, thank you so much because your unfailing love is infinite and interminable. Your protection and consolation always strengthen me in carrying out this tough day.

Although Your way out do not always comes immediately, I believe everything that happened to me just solely for my own good. For you who teaches me to put my faith and trust on You.

Thank you Jesus my Lord, thank you for any problems and hardship that You allow get into my life. I realized and more understand that I must be closer to Thee. It makes me not always rely on my own strength and wisdom. Only to you alone I handed all of the matters. Amen

Karina

He will Always Carry Us

When I’m reading a daily devotional this morning, I am reminded of a pastor when I was in college. The old pastor. If I’m not mistaken, at the time he was 72 years old and I often called him “grandpa” I always amazed to him! He was old but still serves God diligently and passionately. One day, I asked him: “why do you still want to keep on serve to the Lord? Would not it be better if you start to take more rest and reduce your activity?” He smiled and said, “My jobs have not been finished. Under conditions like this I just realized how lucky have Jesus.”

I am deeply moved! What such an inspiring answer. Amazing! To be honest, I feel ashamed. At my age that much younger than him, I even often to give up easily and complaining. Then I asked him again: “Grandpa, May I know what your secret so that you stay strong and faithful to serve the God?”

“My dear Karin, I will show you something ” He replied and opens his old Holy Bible. “Please read carefully this verse” Isaiah 46:3-4: “Listen to me, you descendants of Jacob, all the remnant of the people of Israel, you whom I have upheld since your birth, and have carried since you were born. Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”

He said again: “In the womb until the hair is completely to white out God’s still going to carry us. He will always help and save us. God loves and appreciates every creation, especially we as humans He has created us very, very special. If so, why do we have to give up in our limitations? If we only rely on our strength, it does have limits, but by relying on God’s infinite then we will be able to do more, even though the world may be gone or we will not be able to do anything else.”

“Well, let’s take a look to another verse” He continued. Luke 12:6-7: “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” If sparrows are cheap only God noticed, if the number of hairs on our head was considered important by the Lord until he felt the need to count them, why we should be afraid and give up because of our limitations?”

My dear friends, how great God loves us, we are not only have awarded themselves eternal salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ, but also throughout life He promises inclusion, escort, rescue and protection throughout our lives. Gently He will always miss to cradling us to encounter the rapids of the world with all the hurdles until the end of our lives. My pastor knew that if he was given a breath of life on this earth that means he still has to work to give fruit. (Philippians 1:22).

God does not require our energy and limited ability, but our willingness. God will carry us with His power subdue the sky and enables us to do all the work. we will continue to walk past carrying all the twists and turns of life, overcome the steep ravines and hills, keep climbing until we can reach a peak where one day you will be with Him enjoying eternal joy without suffering and  lamentation. Our jobs have not been finished to proclaim God’s words, bring many souls to the Lord. Amen

 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”(Matthew 11:28-30)

Karina

Photo credit: unitedintheword.blogspot.com