Thought for January 28

 History:

• 1521: Diet of Worms opens--ends on May 25th with the Edit of Worms condemning Martin Luther
• 1624: First English colony in the Caribbean founded on St. Kitts
• 1813: Jane Austen publishes "Pride and Prejudice"
• 1851: Northwestern University founded
• 1887: Fort Keogh Montana reports snowflakes 15 inches wide and 8 inches thick
• 1887: Work begins on the Eiffel Tower
• 1904: First letters for sports participation issued--"C" on blankets at the University of Chicago
• 1914: Beverly Hills incorporated
• 1915: US Coast Guard created
• 1933: The name "Pakistan" is coined and gradually accepted by Muslims pushing for a Muslim homeland in South Asia
• 1958: Lego patents the design of Lego bricks
• 1986: Challenger explodes killing 7 astronauts including Christa McAuliffe
• Born: Thomas Acquinas, George Edward Pickett [Pickett's Charge], Henry Morton Stanley, Arthur Rubenstein, Robert Stroud [Birdman of Alcatraz], Jackson Pollock, Alan Alda, Gregg Popovich, Rick Warren, Nick Price, Denise Biellmann [invented the Biellmann, skater lifts leg above her head in a spin], Sarah McLachlan, Amy Coney Barrett
• Died: Charlemagne, Henry VIII, Francis Drake, Joseph Barnby [composed "Now the Day is Over", " When Morning Guilds the Skies"], Red Grange, Elroy Hirsch, 

Thought:

Isaiah 55 is rich with truth. 

• If you are thirsty, come to the water that has no cost. [55:1] Reminds us of the woman at the well. Living water flowing within us. Are there days when life seems dry? You feel yourself withering, slowly being sapped by the cares of the world. Jesus invites us to the living water that refreshes, restores, brings life, produces fruit. 
• Listen that you may live. [55:3] O that everyone could hear and understand this. There is life in only one place--Jesus, for He alone is the resurrection and the Life. He is the only way to the Father. Listen and live. I am reminded that this does not say, talk and live, so in my prayers I listen more than I talk--listening brings life.
• Seek the Lord while He may be found. [55:6] This is a word of urgency--there will be a day when it is too late to seek and too late to call. Death ends our chance to seek and His coming ends our chance to call. So if you are thirsty, come to Jesus now. If you want to live, come to Jesus now. 
• His thoughts and ways are not like ours. [55:7-9] Our ways are wicked and our thoughts are evil. His ways are perfect and His thoughts are pure. I cannot think His thoughts and walk in His ways in my own strength. But He sends the Holy Spirit to teach, guide, lead, correct, counsel. Listen to the Spirit.
• His word does not return void or empty. [55:11] When we take His word into our hearts, it produces fruit, fruit that glorifies and praises God. When we proclaim His word, it does not return void, producing some who will follow Him. So, we commit to consuming His word and proclaiming His word. 

Today, seek Him, consume His word, proclaim His word in your life. Then look what is promised--you will go out with joy, you will be led in peace, and all nature will join you in praise [55:12-13].

Blessings

Larry