May 28, 2018 Monday

“So I said: “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The LORD of hosts.” Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth with it, and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; Your iniquity is taken away, And your sin purged.” Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”” (Isaiah 6:5-8 NKJV)

            What an amazing journey for Isaiah!  Isaiah goes from confession his sinfulness and unworthiness to answering God’s call with “Here am I! Send me.”  In truth each of us must make this journey for ourselves if we are to hear God’s call and to say SEND ME!

            Why do I call this a journey?  Because a journey takes you from one place to another and God definitely takes us from a sinful person to a redeemed person who can hear God and God’s call!  

            I believe (I try to say this when there is no clear scriptural basis but I think it fits in with scripture.) God does not cause us to intentionally sin and so if we say no to God we will not hear a call until we confess our sin by not obeying.  Perhaps that is why some Christians say God does not speak to them.

            After Isaiah’s confession a seraphim touches a live (burning) coal to Isaiah’s mouth and purifies him with fire.  Fire is seen as a way of cleansing and ashes from a fire are some of the cleanest things on earth.

            There is no way we can prepare ourselves for ministering to others on our own.  We must confess our need for God and then be humble enough to seek God’s call rather than our will.  If we are obedient this way then we can receive the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit.  Through the Holy Spirit we go from bandaging temporary pains and needs to being used by God to bring eternal healing!

            Do you dare to confess you sin and need for God and face the fire that will purge your sin and prepare you for ministry?  Are you willing to put aside your dreams and plans and God to send you on a journey of faith? Will you be a Peter, what about this man, or an Isaiah, send me?  

            I keep waking up early and cannot get back to sleep.  I am so weary and struggle to stay awake but if I try to sleep I cannot.  Do not know if it is the CPAP machine, the mask or the pain.  Rebecca is going through a time when she cannot sleep.  I pray God will bring healing to her.  Jonathan and Bonnie’s Mom came for supper and we watched the last of Cranford together.  We had a great time.  Today is Memorial Day and I do lift up in prayer the families of those who gave their lives.  I especially remember those I saw die and those who were so seriously injured.