Life Long Learner

Scripture
Isaiah 50:4  The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue to know the word that sustains the weary.  He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.

Observation
God's Word is true, and it will sustain and uphold those who are weary, heavy burdened, grieving, downtrodden, sad, remorseful, repentant, those needing strength to keep on going.  'A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.'  

Application
When I read this verse this morning, my first thought was God hasn't given me a well instructed tongue.  Not me.  God gave me a tongue that stumbles over words, and tells the long way around stories.  I have to make myself get to the point.  Get to the bottom line.  
But this morning, God's Word spoke to my heart that He HAS given me words to speak that will help in times of trouble to those who are weary.  It is His Word that I can speak to encourage my friends, my family, the lonely, those who I come across as I walk through my day.  My teacher, my instructor is the Holy Spirit and He does all things well.  I can share what great things God has done for me, share a Bible verse, and encourage the weary with God inspired words.  
For the last 46 years I have a difficult time sleeping in past 6:00 am.  I'm a morning person, usually up around 4:30-5:30 without an alarm clock.  I love reading, and my favorite book is the Bible.  I read a lot of other books too, but a good day always begins with the Bible.  It's God who has been waking me up to spend time with Him, to learn of Him, to read all about Him - so I can share a well instructed Word to a friend.  Cool.

Prayer
Thank You for Your Word that sustains the weary.  Fill my mouth with words of encouragement, hope, joy, peace, love, and build others up with the words You have taught me.  Awesome God, thank You for using someone like me to deliver Your message to others who need a lift.  I am a life long learner, an eager student, and a willing teacher all the days of my life.

God is With Us!

Scripture 
Isaiah 8:10-17  . . . God is with us.  For the Lord spoke thus to me with his strong hand upon me, and warned me not to walk in the way of this people, saying: “Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread. But the Lord of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. And he will become a sanctuary and a stone of offense and a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And many shall stumble on it. They shall fall and be broken; they shall be snared and taken.”
Bind up the testimony; seal the teaching among my disciples. I will wait for the Lord, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob, and I will hope in him.

Observation & Application
These readings in Isaiah sounds like present day happenings.  I'm hearing words like, conspiracy, fear, dread . . . but God says don't follow what the people are doing or saying!  Remember!  God is with us.  Fear God, honor and respect, and worship Him!  He is your hiding place, your sanctuary, your hope!  Stay your ground and read and study the Word.  Preserve the teachings of scripture!  Look to the Lord in times of trouble!

Prayer
Father God, I trust in You.  My hope is in You.  Whom then, shall I fear?  You alone I look to, and I wait for You.  I honor You and give You all my heart devotion.  I worship and reverence Your Holy Name, the Name above all names.  I choose You to be my hiding place and I stand my ground with the help of Your Holy Spirit power, Your strength.  I will do what You ask or require, and what you speak to me.  I will keep the teachings in scripture; to study, read, search, learn, and obey, and share with others the truths in Your word.  In Jesus Name, for Your glory!  A-men.

2 Timothy 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.