Thought for January 23

 History:

  • 1789: First Catholic college in U.S. founded--Georgetown
  • 1821: Lott Carey sails to Sierra Leone to become the 1st African American missionary to Africa
  • 1849: Elizabeth Blackwell is first woman to earn a medical degree in the U.S.
  • 1859: Mauna Loa begins 300 day eruption
  • 1945: Nazis execute Helmuth James von Moltke saying, "the only thing wrong with you is you are a Christian."
  • 1957: First Frisbee produced
  • 1973: Nixon announces end of Vietnam war
  • 1976: Ann Landers asks people with children if they could, would do it over again. 70% of 10,000 respondents said "no"
  • 1977: "Roots" premiers
  • 1986: First Rock and Roll HOF class--Chuck Berry, Ray Charles, Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley
  • 2002: Daniel Pearl kidnapped
  • 2020: 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz
  • Born: John Hancock, Edouard Manet, Randolph Scott, Potter Stewart, Gertrude Elion [developed treatments for herpes and leukemia], Ernie Kovacs, Chessley Sullenberger [Miracle on the Hudson], Mariska Hargitay, Bill Trivett, Dick Rollins
  • Died: Arthur Guiness, Phillips Brooks ["O Little Town of Bethlehem"], Edvard Munch, Paul Robeson, Salvadore Dali, Thomas Dorsey ["Take My Hand Precious Lord"], Nell Carter, Johnny Carson, Ernie Banks
Thought:
Isaiah 40 has so much to say to me. Reading 40:9-31 this  morning. What a way to start the week! Check this out with me:
  • 40:9--Am I a bearer of good news? Am I a messenger of the gospel? Recall that "gospel" was around before the incarnation. It referred to the messenger and the message brought from the battlefield to announce--we won! If I am a bearer of the gospel--don't be afraid, lift up your voice and tell the world--"Here is your God!"
  • 40:10-28 Who is this God? Jesus Christ!
    • He is like a shepherd tending His flock--a clear reference to Christ in His first coming. [40:11]
    • He will come with might--A clear reference to His second coming. [40:10]
    • He brings His reward with Him--O happy day! For those in Christ. [40:10]
    • He brings His recompense with Him--O day of sadness for those not in Christ. [40:10]
    • Who is like Him? [40:18] Not an idol made with hands. [40:19-20]
    • Who can measure Him? [40:12] He is infinite, immeasurable,
    • Who teaches Him or gives Him wisdom? [40:13-14] The wisdom of God is foolishness to man.
    • All men are nothing compared to Him? [40:17] Rulers serve at His command. [40:23-24]
    • He is eternal creator. [40:21-24] All the heavens are like a tent, the stars were made with His fingertips. [40:22, 26]
    • He does not get tired and He never makes a mistake. [40:28]
    • He has no equal. [40:25]
  • 40:29-31--There is good news for those who love Him.
    • He gives strength when we are weary.
    • When all our strength and all of our wisdom fails, He refreshes and restores.
    • And when we wait on Him
      • We rise on eagles' wings. When we are down, He lifts us up. He gives light in the darkness. 
      • We gain new strength--He provides a grace for every trial and every tribulation. He gives strength for each new day. 
      • We run and do not tire.So we join with Paul in saying we have fought the good fight, we have run the race set before us. Not in our strength but His.
      • We walk and do not become weary. We walk in the light, we walk worthy of His calling, we walk in love--and because of Him we do not grow weary doing good. 
If I could just start my day reminding myself of the truth of these verses and claim and believe the promises, I would be a messenger of the gospel every day. Lord, help us.

Blessings
Larry

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