Isaiah 54:4-6

Well, it is a brand new week! Reagan is out of school today and tomorrow. To kick off her holiday, she asked to have a family movie night last night. As tired as Gene and I were from a long, but good, Sunday, we agreed. We pulled out the air mattress, popped popcorn, and poured the Sprite. Sprite is a treat for the girls. I haven't let them drink any other kind of soda due to the sugar and the caffeine, but they know when we pop popcorn that get a Sprite. Even little Gracen brought me her cup that had water in it from church and said, "No water, Momma, Sprite!" Of course she said the word Sprite without the "r". Too cute! We got out lots of pillows and blankets and watched Monsters, Inc., Reagan's choice.

Both girls usually go to sleep around 8:00pm and they were up until 10:00, so I praying that they sleep until 10:00am this morning...wishful thinking, I know! When they get up, we are going to the Millbrook Park, if it doesn't rain and then on to the fair late this afternoon. Hopefully, it will be a fun day.

For my Bible study group, our verse for the day is Isaiah 54:4-6
"Fear not, for you will not be put to shame; And do not feel humiliated, for you will not be disgraced. But you will forget the shame of your youth, and the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more. For your husband is your Maker, whose name is the Lord of hosts; And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel, who is called the God of all the earth. For the Lord has called you, like a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit; Even like a wife of one's youth when she is rejected, says your God."

This was a long one but a good one!

The author of the study, Renee Swope, shared a story in her book of being heartbroken because she was dumped during two different engagements. During those times, she believed Satan's lies that she was not good enough, not worthy enough for any man's love. As a Christian, she knew that was not true, but she found it very hard to move beyond her feelings in light of her current circumstances. She found these verses and wrote them down on a note card, carrying it with her every where, reading it throughout her day. She inserted her name in the verse to make it personal.

And you can do the same thing which makes this section of Scripture read like a love letter from our God. Fill in your name as you read the verses again.....
Fear not _________, for you will not be put to shame: And do not feel humiliated, for you will not be disgraced. ________, you will forget the shame of your youth, and the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more. For your husband is your Maker, ___________, Whose name is the Lord of Hosts; And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel, who is called the God of all the earth. For the Lord has called you __________, like a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit; Even like a wife of one's youth when she is rejected, says your God.

Didn't that feel like God was talking directly to you...and He is, you know. We have to start reading the Bible as a personal love letter to us, because it is. God loves us so very much and He will never reject us! He wants us to know that and live like that is true. The Bible is so beautiful when we learn to see it for what it truly is!

Maybe you have been put to shame, humiliated, or disgraced in your past. God says that you can move beyond those feelings and remember them no more. He is your Maker. He is your husband. He is your Redeemer who has called you by name. He will never abandon you or reject you. We have to learn to rest in those truths.

Until next time...