Strength to Face the Day

Crooked Pines Ministries

Articles by Mary E. Woodis

Strength to Face the Day

By: Mary E. Woodis

Background Passage - Isaiah 50

“This fall, like never before, America has come under unprecedented attacks.” To bring that statement closer to home, I would ask your indulgence as I change it a bit. This fall, like never before, the homeschooler of North Alabama have come under unprecedented attack. There has been fear, death, disease; we have been attacked personally in our mind, body and spirit and watched our loved ones attacked also. Every time we have reached out for help, it seems the attacks only get worse. This has happened in our nation, our

community, our Bible studies and our homes.

How do we face such an attack by Satan and his emissaries? How would our Dear Lord have us handle such an assault? In this article, I will share with you the knowledge that God has shown me as I have drawn near to Him in this time of crisis. Open your Bible with me to Isaiah 50 and let’s learn from the Master.

An Awakening from God

I have become involved in a Bible study this fall that has been used by God in my life. It is “Breaking Free” by Beth Moore. During my personal study time, God led me to a passage of Scripture that so touched me that I knew I had to share it with you.

ISAIAH 50:4 “The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary.

He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.”

Beth Moore said, “Based on this wonderful verse, though we can hear from Him at any time, I believe with all my heart that God awakens us in the morning with a supernatural capacity to hear from Him.”

Dear friends, have you ever felt that God was calling you from your bed? Have you ever felt that He was calling from your rest, to sacrifice that time, so that He could refresh your weary spirit? I have, and this is what happened to me this week.

Our Father, The Great Physician

There has been so much suffering and I long to help each one, but I lack the knowledge and/or the wisdom to know how. But God doesn’t! He alone can go straight to the root of the problem and bind up your broken heart, heal your broken or diseased body and give rest to your weary soul. He is the great Physician, the Comforter, the Bread and the Living Water; He is the One you need.

Great is the Temptation

Even though I knew that it was God calling me from my bed, each morning, I also faced great temptation to sleep for just a little bit longer. This temptation came from Satan, he didn’t want me to meet with God and learn of Him! So, he provided me with excuses why I should linger under my warm covers just a little bit longer; why it would be ok for me to hit that snooze button or listen to that song on my radio alarm. But my God was calling me and it would have been rebellion for me to lay there for one minute more!

ISAIAH 50:5 “The Sovereign LORD has opened my ears,

and I have not been rebellious; I have not drawn back.”

Don't Draw Back from God

Dear Ones, don’t draw back from God when He opens your ears to His word. That special time in the morning, when everyone is still sleeping and the house is quiet, this is the time to meet with God. Why? Your mind is fresh and uncluttered by the stress and strain of the day. You haven’t had a confrontation with your child and you have already been strengthened to resist Satan. This is the time to open God’s word and let Him restore your soul, to eat of the Bread and drink of that Living Water. Now is the time for you to privately open all those hurting and confused hidden places and let the Great Physician heal and restore you to a healthy, fully function member of His body. Won’t you come to Him? Don’t draw back! God loves you and has wonderful plans for you! (Jeremiah 29:11-13)

ISAIAH 50:7 “Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame.”

The Tools of Satan

Some tools that Satan tries to use to impede our progress are fear and shame. These are such powerful and effective tools, especially when applied to a mom. We are supposed to be the glue that holds our family together. We are supposed to be this wonderful example of a Proverbs 31 and Titus 2 woman that our daughters are to learn from. So, when times of illness and stress come our way, Satan piles on the guilt and shame. He knows this is a weak area and he hits us, and hits us hard.

That is why Isaiah 50:7 is so important. Our God is Sovereign, nothing can happen to you today that you can’t handle with His help! Read that again! Inscribe those words on your heart! God doesn’t want to shame you, He wants to help you. Draw near to Him and pour out your soul, you can’t shock Him or tell Him anything He doesn’t already know. Chris Rice sings a song about bringing our questions to God, in this song he says, “…I figure Your big enough.” I tend to agree, actually, I agree wholeheartedly. Remember that children’s song, “My God is so big, so strong and so mighty, there’s nothing my God can not do!”

ISAIAH 50:10 “Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the word of his servant? Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God.”

Those Hard, Dark Times

When I have met with times of great physical trial …sickness, injury, disease, or with great emotional stress …loss of a treasured one, discord with my spouse, rebellious children… I have felt as if I were in a dark tunnel or pit, all alone. During these times I have felt God’s presence the least and needed it the most. Darkness and confusion covered my personal world and I was a wide open target for Satan.

This is where trust, faith and perseverance come in. Whatever you are feeling, whatever doubts you may have, however needy you are, God is the ONLY one who can handle you right now. Your spouse is not equipped, your children are not mature enough, and your friends probably need help, too. Bless their hearts, they will all try to help, but they are not “big” enough and they won’t be able to hang in there long enough to really see you through. Yes, they love you with all their hearts and if wanting to were enough, you would be home free. But, it is not.

Follow the Light!

So, here you are with this heart full of anguish and seemingly nowhere to turn. Follow the light! Remember Jesus? He said,

John 14:6 “...I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh

unto the Father, but by me.”

Dear One, follow the light!

In Conclusion

In conclusion, let me beseech you, my brethren, to arise from your bed when our Sovereign Lord calls you and sit at His feet. Your eyes of spiritual understanding will be opened as never before and you will come away fortified with the “Strength to Face the Day.”

May God bless you richly in the month ahead!

Mary

This article is copyrighted by Mary E. Woodis. If you would like to print this article in whole or part in your publication you please contact Jessie and Mary Woodis at jessiew@hiwaay.net for permission and more details.

Crooked Pines Publishing

Jessie and Mary Woodis

1365 County Road 74

Florence, AL 35633

jessiew@hiwaay.net

icons taken from the Graphic Garden

Back to the top

This page last updated July 2004


	Crooked Pines Ministries Articles by Mary E. Woodis Strength to Face the Day Strength to Face the Day By: Mary E. Woodis Background Passage - Isaiah 50 “This fall, like never before, America has come under unprecedented attacks.” To bring that statement closer to home, I would ask your indulgence as I change it a bit. This fall, like never before, the homeschooler of North Alabama have come under unprecedented attack. There has been fear, death, disease; we have been attacked personally in our mind, body and spirit and watched our loved ones attacked also. Every time we have reached out for help, it seems the attacks only get worse. This has happened in our nation, our community, our Bible studies and our homes. How do we face such an attack by Satan and his emissaries? How would our Dear Lord have us handle such an assault? In this article, I will share with you the knowledge that God has shown me as I have drawn near to Him in this time of crisis. Open your Bible with me to Isaiah 50 and let’s learn from the Master. An Awakening from God I have become involved in a Bible study this fall that has been used by God in my life. It is “Breaking Free” by Beth Moore. During my personal study time, God led me to a passage of Scripture that so touched me that I knew I had to share it with you. ISAIAH 50:4 “The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.” Beth Moore said, “Based on this wonderful verse, though we can hear from Him at any time, I believe with all my heart that God awakens us in the morning with a supernatural capacity to hear from Him.” Dear friends, have you ever felt that God was calling you from your bed? Have you ever felt that He was calling from your rest, to sacrifice that time, so that He could refresh your weary spirit? I have, and this is what happened to me this week. Our Father, The Great Physician There has been so much suffering and I long to help each one, but I lack the knowledge and/or the wisdom to know how. But God doesn’t! He alone can go straight to the root of the problem and bind up your broken heart, heal your broken or diseased body and give rest to your weary soul. He is the great Physician, the Comforter, the Bread and the Living Water; He is the One you need. Great is the Temptation Even though I knew that it was God calling me from my bed, each morning, I also faced great temptation to sleep for just a little bit longer. This temptation came from Satan, he didn’t want me to meet with God and learn of Him! So, he provided me with excuses why I should linger under my warm covers just a little bit longer; why it would be ok for me to hit that snooze button or listen to that song on my radio alarm. But my God was calling me and it would have been rebellion for me to lay there for one minute more! ISAIAH 50:5 “The Sovereign LORD has opened my ears, and I have not been rebellious; I have not drawn back.” Don't Draw Back from God Dear Ones, don’t draw back from God when He opens your ears to His word. That special time in the morning, when everyone is still sleeping and the house is quiet, this is the time to meet with God. Why? Your mind is fresh and uncluttered by the stress and strain of the day. You haven’t had a confrontation with your child and you have already been strengthened to resist Satan. This is the time to open God’s word and let Him restore your soul, to eat of the Bread and drink of that Living Water. Now is the time for you to privately open all those hurting and confused hidden places and let the Great Physician heal and restore you to a healthy, fully function member of His body. Won’t you come to Him? Don’t draw back! God loves you and has wonderful plans for you! (Jeremiah 29:11-13) ISAIAH 50:7 “Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame.” The Tools of Satan Some tools that Satan tries to use to impede our progress are fear and shame. These are such powerful and effective tools, especially when applied to a mom. We are supposed to be the glue that holds our family together. We are supposed to be this wonderful example of a Proverbs 31 and Titus 2 woman that our daughters are to learn from. So, when times of illness and stress come our way, Satan piles on the guilt and shame. He knows this is a weak area and he hits us, and hits us hard. That is why Isaiah 50:7 is so important. Our God is Sovereign, nothing can happen to you today that you can’t handle with His help! Read that again! Inscribe those words on your heart! God doesn’t want to shame you, He wants to help you. Draw near to Him and pour out your soul, you can’t shock Him or tell Him anything He doesn’t already know. Chris Rice sings a song about bringing our questions to God, in this song he says, “…I figure Your big enough.” I tend to agree, actually, I agree wholeheartedly. Remember that children’s song, “My God is so big, so strong and so mighty, there’s nothing my God can not do!” ISAIAH 50:10 “Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the word of his servant? Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God.” Those Hard, Dark Times When I have met with times of great physical trial …sickness, injury, disease, or with great emotional stress …loss of a treasured one, discord with my spouse, rebellious children… I have felt as if I were in a dark tunnel or pit, all alone. During these times I have felt God’s presence the least and needed it the most. Darkness and confusion covered my personal world and I was a wide open target for Satan. This is where trust, faith and perseverance come in. Whatever you are feeling, whatever doubts you may have, however needy you are, God is the ONLY one who can handle you right now. Your spouse is not equipped, your children are not mature enough, and your friends probably need help, too. Bless their hearts, they will all try to help, but they are not “big” enough and they won’t be able to hang in there long enough to really see you through. Yes, they love you with all their hearts and if wanting to were enough, you would be home free. But, it is not. Follow the Light! So, here you are with this heart full of anguish and seemingly nowhere to turn. Follow the light! Remember Jesus? He said, John 14:6 “...I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Dear One, follow the light! In Conclusion In conclusion, let me beseech you, my brethren, to arise from your bed when our Sovereign Lord calls you and sit at His feet. Your eyes of spiritual understanding will be opened as never before and you will come away fortified with the “Strength to Face the Day.” May God bless you richly in the month ahead! Mary This article is copyrighted by Mary E. Woodis. If you would like to print this article in whole or part in your publication you please contact Jessie and Mary Woodis at jessiew@hiwaay.net for permission and more details. Crooked Pines Publishing Jessie and Mary Woodis 1365 County Road 74 Florence, AL 35633 jessiew@hiwaay.net icons taken from the Graphic Garden Back to the top This page last updated July 2004