1
00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:08,360
Day 208, or July 27. Watch what you say and do.

2
00:00:08,360 --> 00:00:16,520
Our thoughts today are rooted in Isaiah chapter 52 verse 5. All day long my name is constantly

3
00:00:16,520 --> 00:00:19,520
blasphemed.

4
00:00:19,520 --> 00:00:25,240
Now the big picture surrounding this verse. Today's chapters are all about the coming

5
00:00:25,240 --> 00:00:31,400
Isaiah. There must have been times when Isaiah wondered about the powerful and inspiring words

6
00:00:31,400 --> 00:00:38,100
that God was giving him. For many coming centuries, readers of Isaiah's prophecies must have

7
00:00:38,100 --> 00:00:45,640
sat with eyes wide open wondering exactly how all this could be fulfilled. And then

8
00:00:45,640 --> 00:00:50,160
along came Jesus.

9
00:00:50,160 --> 00:00:57,820
Now our action step for today. There is a big difference between swearing and blasphemy.

10
00:00:57,820 --> 00:01:04,020
Swearing I can take in small doses, but I really don't like it. Blasphemy cuts me

11
00:01:04,020 --> 00:01:10,340
up every time. Having spent many years working in the construction industry, I must have

12
00:01:10,340 --> 00:01:15,680
heard words of blasphemy at least as much as the average Christian, and I still don't

13
00:01:15,680 --> 00:01:21,400
like it. I remember when I arrived in Frinton-on-Sea to take up the post of associate minister

14
00:01:21,400 --> 00:01:27,400
in the Free Church there. The remover man was cursing and swearing ad nauseam, until

15
00:01:27,400 --> 00:01:33,280
he realized what I did for a living, and then he stopped, but only after giving me a grovelling

16
00:01:33,280 --> 00:01:41,200
apology. It confirmed what I've always suspected. It isn't necessary for everyday communication.

17
00:01:41,200 --> 00:01:47,640
And it's sad when possibly the most irritating phrase of today is now so commonplace that

18
00:01:47,640 --> 00:01:56,360
it's been abbreviated to O-M-G. But at least it doesn't use God's name. Interestingly,

19
00:01:56,360 --> 00:02:02,480
however, blasphemy is more than words. The dictionary defines it as something that you

20
00:02:02,480 --> 00:02:10,240
say or do that shows you do not respect God or a religion. Verbal blasphemy may not be

21
00:02:10,240 --> 00:02:16,040
a big problem for you, but there are many other ways to show lack of respect for God.

22
00:02:16,040 --> 00:02:21,080
It usually occurs when we think no one else is looking, or when we feel protected by a

23
00:02:21,080 --> 00:02:27,320
car and have a steering wheel in our hands. Why not help balance out the lack of respect

24
00:02:27,320 --> 00:02:36,040
for God you may witness, i.e. blasphemy, by giving God the respect he deserves, i.e. worship,

25
00:02:36,040 --> 00:02:44,040
in all you do today.