Isaiah’s Calling: by Janet Fenn

While listening to the praise of the angels, Isaiah realized he was common and unclean before God, with no hope of measuring up to God’s standard of holiness. When his lips were touched with a burning coal, however, he was told his sins were forgiven. It wasn’t the coal that cleansed him, but God. In response he submitted himself entirely to God’s service. No matter how difficult his task would be, he said, “Here I am, send me.” The painful cleansing process was necessary before Isaiah could fulfill the task to which God was calling him. Before we accept God’s call to speak for him to those around us, we must be cleansed as Isaiah was.

 

Letting God purify us may be painful, but we must be purified so that we can truly represent God, who is pure and holy.

 

Isaiah 6:1-8

In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the LORD sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. Then said I, 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 mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar:  And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged. Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

 

Many Christians claim holiness…

Holiness means: To be morally perfect, pure,and set apart from sin.

 

Our righteousness is as filthy rags. It is only by the shed blood of the Lamb of God on Calvary’s cross that we find Redemption and Remission of sin.

 

Prayer For Today: a poem and photo by Janet Fenn

Prayer For Today

Dear Lord only you knowwhat each day will bring.

Only you know

which path our feet should take.

Only you can bring us through,

when we finally figure out,

foolishly, we have chose the wrong way.

 

The path ahead lies cold and dim…

I need your light so I might see,

though dark and foggy, it may be.

Let me feel thy holy presence guiding me.

Through the valleys

and over the mountain tops,

we have already been

just you and I,

my faithful friend.

 

You’ve given me grace for every need.

You’ve answered my prayers and set me free.

Go with me Lord again today.

Give me strength to hope and pray.

When I fail thee…

Forgive me Lord and hear my plea.

 

I need you Lord,

I can not make it all alone…

My failing strength has come and gone.

I do not pray for tomorrow

or the evil it may bring.

I simply pray for today

and to your blessings, tighter cling.

Help me God to always say,

Thank You Lord, for everything!

 

Poetry, Prayer & Photography By: Janet Charleine Wilson Fenn

Sitting On The Fence: by Janet Fenn



Decisions are one of life’s many tasks, we all have to make them each and everyday. Some decisions are easy to make and others are more difficult. Depending on the importance of the issue, study and research can help us make the right choice. Life decisions often require us to look deep within our hearts. Everything is not black and white, there are the gray areas. Many times, these are the areas we simply do not understand.

Right now there is a special young person in my life. This person was brought up in a home with a mother who is an alcoholic. She was bruised and scarred at an early age, by the loss of a dear loved one. She has spent a life time blaming God, this is such a shame. There are two main forces in this world, God and the devil, good and evil.

Whether we like it or not, the devil is a real personality. He is always looking for ways to destroy our lives. I often wonder… Why people seem to always blame God for the evil in this world. At all our misfortunes, diseases, and tragedies must we, point the finger at God? God is not the author of confusion.

1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace.

When sin entered into the Garden of Eden it was because of Satan and his wile, sneaky ways to destroy and deceive. Because of sin death entered in. Christ came and died that through his death, we might have the gift of eternal life.

Hebrews 2:14 For as much then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood. He also (Christ) himself likewise took part of the same. That through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is the devil.

The Bible warns us that the devil is like a roaring lion who roams about, seeking whom he may destroy. 1 Peter 5:8

There are tools that we may use to fight against this destroyer. But if we continue to straddle the fence in limbo, these tools may not be at our disposal. The devil is our constant adversary. It is a big mistake to blame God with the wickedness of the devil.

2 Corinthian 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us, for we are not ignorant of his devices.

The word “advantage” in this verse is the Greek word “pleonekteo.” This word means to outwit, to trick, to take advantage of someone through some sinister or sneaky means. It is a compound of the word “pleon” which means more, and the word “echo” which in the Greek means to have. Together, these words form the word “pleonekto,” which denotes a desire to have more, more, and more.

It is a form of the word “pleonexia” the Greek word for greediness. In this case in Second Corinthians 2:11, it pictures someone whose lust for something is so intense that he will take any actions required to obtain what he wants.

A person, who is a fence sitter often, claims to be agnostic. The word “ignorant” in Second Corinthians 2:11, is the Greek word “agnoeo.” It refers to ones ignorance or lack of certain facts. However, it also includes making mistakes or errors due to a lack of understanding. It is the picture of an uneducated person who, due to lack of knowledge, is prone to arrive at mistaken conclusions. The word “agnoeo” depicts someone who is in the dark or without a clue. Because this person lacks understanding, his conclusions are faulty, erroneous and misguided. This is where we get the word “agnostic.” The official name used to describe individuals who claim they don’t know what they believe. So when someone claims to be agnostic, literally they are claiming ignorance.

In conclusion, be decisive. If you lack knowledge, there are many great study books out there to help you understand. Do some research and read your Bible. Take an in depth look at what God’s word has to offer. God is love. It is not his will that anyone should perish. He is a giving and forgiving God and he gave mankind the free will of choice. You can not serve two masters. You will either love and hate the other. To the church of the Laodiceans the Lord says, I know your record of works and what you are doing; you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of My mouth!

By not choosing, ultimately you have made your choice.