Soaring with Butterfly Wings

Jesus Knows Suffering (Isaiah study)

Susan — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:25:44 +0000

Isaiah 53 Prophecies of Jesus dying for our sins! What a blessed chapter! “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.” 53:3a “Surely he took or infirmities (griefs) and carried our sorrows,” v.4 Jesus, the Son of God, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, He came to earth and was despised and rejected. He suffered, was pierced and crushed. He carried all of our sin. And it was “the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer,” v.10 and by so doing he justified many. “For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” All this he did for me and for all mankind.

So often, we think God doesn’t care about our suffering or does not understand. Not true! Jesus was familiar with suffering and carried our sorrows. He carried the sorrow of all people who ever have or ever will live! He carried the burden of every sin, every failure, every evil committed my mankind! And he knew it was the Father’s will for him to suffer. Yet, he willingly submitted to that suffering. V.7 “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.” Why? Because that is how much he loves us. He understands completely any and all suffering we face and he loves us with a complete and pure love. He knows what is waiting for us on the other side of suffering and it will be worth it all.

Jesus, thank you so much for being willing to suffer for me! I can never express enough thanks for your willingness to take my sin upon yourself and to die for me. Thank you for a gift that my mind cannot fully comprehend. Help me to give you all of my heart, my soul and my strength. Please open the eyes of us all to your inexpressible gift. May you be praised Dear Lord!

Letting Go (Isaiah study)

Susan — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 12:56:50 +0000

Isaiah 45-46

What an awesome God we have! He is with us from the point of conception to the end of our lives. “Listen….you whom I have upheld since you were conceived, and have carried since your birth. Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” 46:3-4 He is all-knowing and all-powerful. ”I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand and I will do all that I please…..What I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do.” 46:10-11 He is sovereign! So, how can we question Him? “This is what the LORD says – the Holy One of Israel, and its Maker: Concerning things to come, do you question me about my children, or give me orders about the work of my hands? It is I who made the earth and created mankind upon it. My own hands stretched out the heavens; I marshaled their starry hosts.” 45:11-12 He is creator, sustainer, redeemer and sovereign LORD.

God is speaking to Israel here. He created the nation, he created them as individuals. He set a plan from the beginning that he would choose them as his people and through their line he would send Jesus to save the world. His plan was set and could not be thwarted. He would discipline the nation, bring in other nations to discipline but he would rescue them and his plan would not fail. We as Christians are grafted into His family. The promises to Israel are also our promises. God has known each of us from birth and will never leave us. Even to our last day, He sustains us. He has a purpose for each and His purpose will stand. I cannot give him orders about my life or the lives of others (my son). He made the earth! He made every star! Yes, I can pray and ask Him for what I desire but I cannot question how He answers. He will answer in His own way and in His own time. Because He is fulfilling His purpose for the whole universe, not just for my little world. I can ask Him but I cannot demand from Him. I cannot command Him to work the way I want. I can only pour out my heart and then trust my heart to His almighty wisdom, power and grace.

Father, I trust You, my Creator, my Redeemer, my LORD, my Lord and Savior. You know what I want for our son. I ask you that you will guide his heart to you. That he will trust you with all of his heart, soul, mind and strength. I ask that you would protect him from the evil plans of the enemy. Please guide him to the purpose you created him for. We give him to you LORD, Creator of all things. I trust you to fulfill your purpose in his life and as you promised, to answer our prayers for him. Now, Lord, please help me to let go. To let go of my own striving, worry and fear. I release him to you. I know it is a daily journey. I pray Father that whenever I start to take this back, you will help me let go again. I trust him to your Sovereign care. Thank you dear Father! Thank you for taking care of our son and leading him in your time and for your purpose. In the name of our Lord Jesus I pray.

What Am I Filled With?

Susan — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:37:33 +0000

What am I filled with?

My heart is always filled with something.

I want to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

But He can’t fill me if I am already full.

Am I filled with pride?

There is no room for Him.

Am I filled with anger?

Then I don’t even hear His voice.

Am I filled with impatience and unforgiveness?

Then He is grieved.

Am I filled with the lust for pleasure?

Then I push Him aside.

Am I obsessed with myself?

Then I don’t see Him.

To be filled with the Holy Spirit,

I must be emptied of pride, anger,

unforgiveness, self-seeking and lust.

This means I must be willing to let go.

I can’t live without sin.

I will never be perfect.

But I can let go.

I can choose what I will seek.

I can change directions when I realize I’m headed the wrong way.

I can look to Jesus the author and finisher of my faith.

I can ask the Holy Spirit to cleanse me and be in charge.

He never forces us to be filled but He always responds to a sincere heart!

Susan Aken

1,000 gifts continued…..

Susan — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 17:11:16 +0000

174. Picking our son up at the airport 175. Eating a sweet, juicy pear 176. Singing praise songs with KGBI 177. Taking deep, cleansing breaths from clear lungs 178. Being at peace in God’s presence 179. Butterfly beauties 180. Hearing my mom’s voice say, “Good morning, Sweetheart!” 181. A sister’s unconditional love 182. Meeting my husband for lunch! 183. Memories hanging on the wall 184. A church that teaches the truth 185. Coming to Him as a child 186. Being free to come ‘as I am’

Isaiah Devotional 1/13/12

Susan — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 14:03:30 +0000

God is speaking to the ten tribes. This people evidently are ensnared by alcohol, the priests give meaningless words. They boast that they are protected from death; they take their refuge in lies. But God is exposing their lies. They will be overwhelmed, death will take them. There will be no place to hide. The LORD has decreed destruction. But there is also a remnant of his people, “In that day the LORD Almighty will be a glorious crown, a beautiful wreath for the remnant of his people. He will be a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment, a source of strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate.” V. 5-6 He also gives the promise of a coming Messiah, “See I lay in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed.”v.16

It is so easy for us human beings to take refuge in lies, to trust in false gods. We look for lies (gods) that will tell us what we want to hear. We look for what will tell us we can do what we want to do with no consequences. It is all okay. But this is a false security. God’s word is the law. All who trust in falsehood will be overwhelmed. There is no place to hide from the truth. Praise God there is a Precious Cornerstone, one who can be trusted, one who is a safe hiding place, the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the only safe place. The one who trusts in Him will never be dismayed, ashamed, or run away in fear.

Jesus, It seems like more and more people are trapped by lies. Our world is full of deceiving spirits. All around are the voices of those who offer false hiding places. Please open the eyes of people to see the truth. Please help those who are trusting in falsehood to see the truth. Please, Lord, help those in our family who are trusting in lies. Forgive me, Father, for the times I listen to lies. You are the only way, You are the only hope, You are the only safe place, the only refuge. Help me to trust You completely and please let my life show that.

Susan A.

Trust = Peace

Susan — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 11:48:13 +0000

“The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, For in God the LORD, we have an everlasting Rock.” Isaiah 26:3-4

God calls his people to trust Him forever. They are in the midst of judgments but He says, Trust Me…My judgments help you learn righteousness. (v.9)

Trust – it always comes back to trust. Does my life show that I trust God completely, with my whole heart? Do I live like I trust Him? If so, my heart will be at peace. Those who trust God, are at peace. Trusting Him with the past, with the present and the future. That means I fully trust in who He is. He is righteous, holy and just. He can do no wrong thing. ALL He does is for a good purpose. I have to trust when I can’t see, being certain when I cannot see. I trust in who I know God is not in how things appear. Trust = Peace.

Father, I do trust You. I want to be steadfast in that trust. It is when my mind is not focused on who You are that the fears, worries and doubts come. You are my Rock, my Everlasting Father! I will trust in You Oh God my LORD! And when my mind strays, please help me bring it back to You. Help me to keep my heart seeking You.

1,000 gifts continued….

Susan — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 17:45:13 +0000

113. The peace of knowing Jesus

114. Suitcases waiting to be packed

115. Soft kitty fur

116. The sound of the garage door opening – my man is home

117. A facebook message from our world traveler

118. A healed back

119. He put the Light in me!

120. Amazing hope

121. A burst of blueberry sweetness

122. An unexpected gift of roses

123 Visiting my mom

124 Cold, iced tea

125 A good nights sleep

126 Clean, fresh sheets

127 My son’s warm embrace

128 A cool breeze after much heat

129 Successful surgeries for my mom

130 Our son’s love

131A burst of cherry sweetness

132 Family time at the movies

133 Our son organizing his “new” home

134 A crisp fall day

135 The sunlight patterns on the sidewalk

136 Rainbow colors

137 The sun shining through

138 Ann Voskamp

139The word of the living God

140 Beautiful fountains at our park

141 God loving a sinner like me

142 The sound of leaves crunching

143 The bare bones of the trees

144 So many varieties of trees

145 Bumpy trunks

146 Sitting in trees

147 Close encounters with trees

148 Orange-green trees

149Pinecones on a tree

150 Praying with a friend

151 The life-changing power of God’s word

152 Truth that sets us free

153 Enough grace for everyone!!

154 All the wonderful flavors!

155Cinnamon

156 Nutmeg

157 Aromas that lift the soul

158 Lavender

159 Vanilla

160 The smell of coffee

161 Freedom in Christ

162 Hot tea

163 Two weeks with my mom

164 Warm coat and boots on a cold day.

165 Being loved

166 Christmas!

167 Unlimited grace!

168 Forgiving friends

169 Peace from God

170 Having the chance to hear Passion 2012

171 My husband’s sweet love

172 My Mom’s new freezer that will keep her stocked

173. Our son comes home from Norway today!

Stand Firm

Susan — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 11:36:50 +0000

Isaiah 7:9 “If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.”

There is no other way. There is no way to pull ourselves up or will ourselves to victory or in any way make it in our own strength. If we do not stand firm in our faith, we will not stand. There is no other place of victory. There may be a false sense of victory temporarily but in truth we are helpless before God. We have control over nothing. Not one moment of our breath, not one action others take, any control we seem to have is an illusion. We stand firm in our faith in the LORD God or we are dust in the wind.

Father, please help me stand firm in my faith in You. T here is nothing else. Faith, trusting You, knowing You are in control. How can I do that today? I know You have it covered. I am Yours. You are my strength and shield. My ever-present help in time of trouble. I praise You Heavenly Father!

True Light

Susan — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 13:12:22 +0000

In the beginning, God spoke, and there was light.

Light to shine in the darkness.

Light to give life, protection and warmth.

Light to show us how to find our way.

But the world was still in spiritual darkness.

At just the right time, the LORD God sent the true Light to earth.

The true Light that enlightens all mankind.

He sent the Light to be born in a stable.

Light to shine in the darkness.

Light to show us the way to life.

Light to protect and help us find our way.

Jesus is the Light of the world!

At Christmas, we celebrate the moment when the true Light came to earth.

Praise God! He rescued us from darkness and opened the way

for us to walk in the Light forever!

The true Light is shining!

Believe and receive His Light that brings salvation!

Merry Christmas!

Susan Aken 2011

Worth the Risk

Susan — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 19:41:28 +0000

We human beings make love so difficult, so complicated.

We don’t always say what we really mean.

We pull away when we want to be close.

We manipulate instead of saying, “I need you.”

We lash out because we are afraid of our own pain.

We let our own needs cause us to stumble and fall

And then we don’t see the needs of others.

We are too busy looking at the ground,

Looking at our own wounds

And in so doing we miss seeing the pain

In someone else’s eyes.

Sometimes in my pain and loneliness

I push others away not realizing

They are the answer to the pain.

If only we could see that we need each other,

I need to look into your eyes

And just be real.

It is a risk.

Love is a risk.

But it is so worth it.