Tag: Jesus

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Harvesting What You Plant

Scripture Reading: Genesis 29:1-30; Galatians 6:6-10(7-9 SOAP)
 Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. 8 Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. 9 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.    Galatians 6:7-9
Observation:
The sequence of events…

Jacob dupes Esau, deceives his father, and because his life is in danger he leaves home to find a wife among his mother’s people. On the way he has an encounter with God in a dream – which leads him to both worship and commit himself to God, following the encounter he finds his mother’s brother,Laban… falls in love with Laban’s younger daughter, Rachel … offers to work for Laban for seven years in order to marry her … works the seven years – but wakes up the morning after the wedding only to find out he had married her sister, Leah. Apparently, Laban had done to Jacob what Jacob had done to his brother and father. [Of course now we have an ‘elephant in the room’ – because the question begs to be asked, how in the world do you not know which sister you married until the morning after? While the answer isn’t given in Scripture the possibilities could be anything from “too much wine for Jacob, elaborate veils, cultural modesty, or Jacob’s wedding night nervousness caused him to miss this key fact, but we don’t really know1“.]

1quote from bibleref.com on Gen 29:25

The Result?

Just as Jacob’s deceitfulness had lasting consequences on his father, mother, and brother – as well as untold others – so it was with Laban’s trickery. The trick not only affected Jacob but Rachel and Leah and generations to come.

The Lesson

As we learn from Paul in Galatians 6:6-10, God’s grace does not negate the consequences of our choices and actions.

Application: How Then Should We Live?

According to the passage in Galatians, where Paul warns, “a person will reap what he sows”, and in light of Jacob’s experience, both as the one who deceived and the one who was deceived it is clear by God’s Word that we are to be careful with our choices – neither deceiving nor allowing ourselves to be deceived. This being true we must walk by the Spirit and not the flesh, and we would be wise to remember that while we may not aways see that what we do matters – it does. Therefore we must keep living in a way that agrees with our profession of faith. Or as Paul said to Timothy,

“Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”

1 Timothy 6:12 ESV
Prayer: Response to God’s Word

Father – discipline is never easy and Your discipline is even harder to bear – in part because of the consequences we face but also because it grieves my spirit to know I’ve disappointed You. Thank You for the reminder to make good choices, to walk in the Spirit and not the flesh, and to consciously live in a way that reflects my profession of faith. – In His Name and Power – AMEN!

Your Turn:
  • What’s your take away from today’s reading?
  • Have you experienced times when God has clearly disciplined you?
  • Do you view God’s discipline as a blessing?
Want More?

Read today’s LGG Blog Post

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Sin and the Need for Jesus

Day 4 of Jesus, I Need You – Part 2, a study of Thistlebend Ministries

Scripture Reading: Malachi 1:6-8, 3:1, 4:5-6; Matthew 11:14, Luke 1:17; and Isaiah 57:14-19

God Forgives the Repentant14 God says, “Rebuild the road Clear away the rocks and stones so my people can return from captivity.” 15 The high and lofty one who lives in eternity the Holy One, says this: “I  live in the high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble. I restore the crushed spirit of the humble  and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts. 16 For I will not fight against you forever; I will not always be angry. If I were, all people would pass away—all the souls I have made. 17 I was angry,
so I punished these greedy people. I withdrew from them, but they kept going on their own stubborn way. 18 I have seen what they do, but I will heal them anyway! I will lead them.
I will comfort those who mourn, 19 bringing words of praise to their lips. May they have abundant peace, both near and far,” says the Lord, who heals them.  Isaiah 57:14-19  NLT
 Observation: What’s the Message?

Every day, throughout this study, I have read the verses and looked for ways that they point us to our need for Jesus. Some passages have been more obvious than others but today’s proved to be challenging for me. Here’s where I landed …. Malachi 1:6-8 was a reminder that our sins require a sacrifice acceptable to God, but then it also prompted to praise God that Jesus is forever a perfect sacrifice. This reminded me that The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. God will not despise a broken and humbled heart. The other two passages from Malachi as well as the ones from Matthew and Luke seem to point us yet again to John the Baptist and his role as the one who would prepare the way for our Lord.

The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. God, You will not despise a broken and humbled heart.

Psalm 51:17

It is the passage from Isaiah however, that captured my attention. I confess it grabbed my attention mostly because I couldn’t figure it out and that always bugs me – so I chased down some information on its meaning and was glad I did. From all that I read, my synopsis is – it’s all about Christ making a way for us to have a relationship with God! However, I want to share with you a few bullet points from an article I read that I hope will help you reach the same ‘hallelujah’ I did.

  • Christ is the one who opens the way for a great returning to God (14)
  • Christ is the one in whom the “lofty one” – whose name is Holy comes to dwell with the oppressed and lowly (15)
  • Christ’s death is why God can acquit a guilty people without dropping the charges (16)
  • It is by Christ’s stripes that we are healed (18)
  • Everything hoped for in this passage comes to us – even to us Gentiles – in Jesus Christ.

Piper, from whose article I borrowed these points, went on to say, “We can read it as a personal offer of hope to any of us who will accept the healing of humbling and the cure of a crushed spirit.”

Application: How Then Should We Live?

From the inferior sacrifices of Malachi’s day to yet more reminders of John coming to prepare the way we are once again reminded of our need for Jesus. If we do not acknowledge this need daily, in both our hearts and minds, I am convinced that we will live as though we do not need Him.

We must not allow ourselves to live as though we can save ourselves or make ourselves better – we need a savior and that savior cannot be a pastor, a church, a child or spouse or friend, it can not be a job or good works. The only savior able to meet the demands of our Holy God is His Righteous Son, Jesus Christ.

Sin is the key because it is often the stumbling block that keeps us from dealing with the daily reality of our need for Jesus. We convince ourselves the questionable things we think, do, say, or watch really aren’t that bad. We play the grace card sometimes before we’ve even committed the sin – content that He will forgive us – we proceed with the sin. We should not make light of sin or treat it as a mistake – we need to humble ourselves before Him, confess our sin for what it is and deal with the sorrow that contrition brings. Remember, a humble and contrite heart He will not despise and according to this passage in Isaiah it is with the contrite and humble that He lives.

Prayer: Response to God’s Word

Father, how blessed we are that You sent Jesus to open a way to You, to acquit us of our quilt, to come and dwell among us, to heal us by His stripes, and to offer us hope and an eternal future with You. May we daily consider what You have done for us and live accordingly. Guard us from living in ignorance or rebellion – knowing what You’ve done for us but choosing our own way over Yours. Help us to be aware of our sin and may it make us contrite and humble, for it is with a humble and contrite heart You will dwell. To You be the glory, honor, and praise now and forever – Amen!

Your Turn:
  • What’s your take away from today?
  • How can you plan to walk humbly with your God?
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LIFE AND LIGHT





Day 4 of Jesus, I Need You – Part 2, a study of Thistlebend Ministries





Scripture Reading: John 1:1-28 





In the beginning the Word already existed.
    The Word was with God,
    and the Word was God.
2 He existed in the beginning with God.
3 God created everything through him,
    and nothing was created except through him.
4 The Word gave life to everything that was created,
    and his life brought light to everyone.
5 The light shines in the darkness,
    and the darkness can never extinguish it.[b]
6 God sent a man, John the Baptist, 7 to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. 8 John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. 
John 1:1-8  NLT





Observation: What’s the Message?





The message could just be that Jesus is the Word, that He was with God in the beginning, or that He was involved in all of creation. Certainly, before today when I thought about John chapter one that is the message I would have repeated. However reading it again today I was reminded that there is perhaps an even deeper more pertinent message – and that is that “life was in Him, and that life was the light of men. His was a light that could not be overcome by the darkness – a light that God sent so that all might believe and be saved through Him. A light that never goes out and is never overcome by the darkness. His is the light that guides our path and leads us to God. 










Application: How Then Should We Live?





Day after day the Scriptures we have been going through point us to our need for Jesus. The one John the Baptist was sent to announce and prepare the way for. The One who is The Vine, our source of life enabling us to bear fruit. The One who is our Hope. The One who saves us from being alienated from God. The One who “became human and made His home among us … and who revealed God to us. The One who is both life and light to those living in darkness, dead in their trespasses and sins. 





These truths, that in one way or another led us all to Christ, are the truths we are meant to cling to, motivation to seek Him daily and that remind us – we are to be lights for Him – the One true Light! We are messengers sent by God into all the world to bear witness of Him and testify of Him so that all will be believe and be saved. 





Prayer: Response to God’s Word





Father, thank You for shining the Light of Jesus into the world, and especially – into my life so that I might be saved!. Thank You for those You sent to share the message with me, to testify about Jesus so that I might hear the good news and know who Jesus is! Father, may I be Your messenger and testify of Your goodness so that others might believe and be saved – In Jesus’ name –





Your Turn: 





  • What’s your take away from today’s message?
  • How can you be a messenger?
  • What can you testify about Jesus?
  • What do you believe you were sent from God to do?





Want More? 





Go deeper with…









  • What does John 1:7 mean?  John the Baptist’s role as a witness is central to verse 7. He is sent to tell other people about the coming Messiah, which is Jesus. “Light” was the ultimate standard for Israel. Everything good was said to be “light,” evil was “darkness.” This not only implies good and evil, but knowledge and darkness. Just as Moses, the Old Testament law, and the temple were small lights pointing to Jesus, John the Baptist is a tiny light leading people to the One True Light. And, not just so that they would see, but so that they would believe. John’s ministry heavily revolved around baptism, which was already known to Jews of that time. Jews would sometimes baptize a person who wanted to convert to Judaism. But the Baptist was “converting” Jews! This is one reason he was interrogated by local religious leaders: why would God’s chosen people need to repent and convert?  Bibleref.com






	







	
			

			
				
							
		

	
	

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Prepare the Way for the Lord!





Day 3 of Jesus, I Need You – Part 2, a study of Thistlebend Ministries





Scripture Reading: Luke 3:1-14





… ‘Prepare the way for the LORD’s coming! Clear the road for him!  The valleys will be filled, and the mountains and hills made level. The curves will be straightened, and the rough places made smooth.  And then all people will see the salvation sent from God.”
 Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ 
Luke 3:4-6, 8  NLT





Observation: What’s the Message?





“Prepare the way for the Lord, make His path straight,” basically – get all of the obstacles out of the way. from repentance of sins to everything else in-between, the goal was to help people be ready to meet the Messiah. The hope was those who heard the message would turn from their own ways to follow Jesus. We’ve looked at this message several times in this study – focusing on various aspects of it. However, in Luke’s version, what drew me in was John’s conversation with the crowds who were coming to be baptized. I’m sure he captured their attention with his flattery. I mean who doesn’t want to be addressed as a “brood of snakes”?   On top of that he critiques their behavior as sinful by challenging them to “prove they’ve repented and turned to God”, and their attitudes as arrogant, thinking they had no need to repent because they were ‘descendants of Abraham.’ He bluntly let them know that God could call or create children from any means He desired, even a stone. If that wasn’t enough he zeros in on the fallout they will face if they choose their way instead of God’s. Some may think John harsh but he was simply and faithfully doing what he was born to do – prepare the way for the Lord”. 





“You brood of snakes! Who warned you to flee the coming wrath? 8 Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. 9 Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.”   Luke 3: 7-9





Application: How Then Should We Live?





It’s not the first time we’ve read about “bearing fruit” in this study. We’ve looked at the branches and the vine as well as the gardener and how he handles the branches. However, the first time we looked at it was when Jesus was teaching His disciples – while this time it is John trying to prepare those who have yet to meet Jesus. He wants them to understand that their repentance must lead to real change that produces fruit that makes the change visible. He especially doesn’t want them depending on their heritage in Abraham as their saving grace. While salvation places us into a community of faith it is not a communal faith. What I mean is this, each of us must believe in the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved. I can not get to heaven because my mother took me to church all the time or my grandmother had faith in Jesus. Nor am I saved because my grandfather taught Sunday School or my father was a deacon. Perhaps most who are reading this understood this truth before you read it here but John’s listeners would not have understood. The Israelites made up the crowd that John was speaking to, and being descendants of Abraham, he desperately needed them to understand that their heritage did not, could not, and would not satisfy the call of repentance 





While salvation places us into a community of faith it is not a communal faith. 





 Prayer: Response to God’s Word





Father, from the beginning You called us to be devoted to You. For Adam and Eve it was that “one rule” – and through the generations since that time it has been the same – Choose Your way over what our eyes see as pleasing or our hearts desire. Help us to heed these words of John – and live in ways that prove our repentance, producing fruit that displays love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control and all things in accord with Your Spirit. So that others will see Jesus whom You sent to save the world. 





Your Turn:





So what’s your take away from today’s Scriptures?





What are you doing or what can you do to prepare the way for the Lord?





Want More? 





Go deeper with…





 Thistlebend’s devotional 











	







	
			

			
				
							
		

	
	

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Repentance and the Kingdom of Heaven





Day 2 of Jesus, I Need You – Part 2, a study of Thistlebend Ministries





Scripture Reading: Matthew 3:1-12 and 11:15





 In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching. His message was,  “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” The prophet Isaiah was speaking about John when he said,
“He is a voice shouting in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming!
    Clear the road for him!’”
3:11“I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
11:15Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!
Matthew 3:1-3,11 and 11:15  NLT





Observation: What’s the Message?





Today’s message is undoubtedly the message of repentance because the “Kingdom of Heaven was near”, perhaps best explained by Bibleref.com





 John’s Jewish listeners would have been familiar with the idea that a new kingdom would one day be established by the promised Messiah. John will point to Jesus as that Messiah, and to the imminent establishment of His kingdom. John will insist, though, that repentance—turning from sin—was necessary for his Jewish listeners to be included in that kingdom. The mere fact of their Israelite heritage would not be enough. This would have been a new idea to some.





However, let’s also look at the underlying message  – the one we find in Matthew 11:15 which is nearly the same as what we previously read in Revelation 2:7. Both passages call us to listen to what’s being said. We’ve seen it twice already in our study. Once as a warning about being alienated from God and the other in the message from Jesus to the Church at Ephesus concerning how they had left their first love. In both passages He wants the people to know how imperative it is for them to listen to what He’s saying. He wants them to listen so they will know how to live and choose to turn from what is wrong and do what is right. 





In today’s passage, we read how John the Baptist was sent to prepare the way for the Lord, the long awaited Messiah. His message is one of  repentance in order to prepare the hearts of those who will listen – to be ready to receive the salvation that Jesus is bringing. It is so important to realize that if we fail to listen to His instructions or if we fail to make much of His Word we will lose the opportunity to draw close to God and to have Him draw close to us. 





So Why A Message Of Repentance?





Repentance is to make a turn – a change of heart and mind that changes the actions or thoughts and words of a person. One commentary described repentance like this, “To stop going the wrong way and start going the right way.” So John was preparing the people to think differently and respond differently to people and situations. Jesus would be bringing the message of Salvation – “He who believes in me will have eternal life the one who does not believe will not have eternal life”, (John 3:36).










Application: How Then Should We Live?





To be sure, salvation is through faith alone in Christ alone -but repentance is part of that faith. The understanding or foundation of our faith is that we are all sinners (Rom 3:23), in need of a Savior because the wages of our sin is death (Rom 6:23), the requirement – an atonement we could not provide – a spotless, sinless sacrifice, (2 Corinthians 5:21). This is the sacrifice God sent because He so loved the world (John 3:16).  





Because we have believed, we – like John, are now witnesses and messengers meant to prepare the way for others to come – making sure they know the way. If we don’t listen to this teaching and follow we may well be a hindrance to the Gospel message. 





Since John’s message was one of ‘repentance’, we must understand what repentance is and make sure that we turn from our sin and walk in the ways of the Lord, who left a bold and lasting legacy for us to follow – namely, loving God with all of His being and loving us more than He loved Himself – even to the point of death on the cross. 





Prayer: Response to God’s Word





God forbid that we would be a hindrance to the message of Jesus Christ! Help us to make straight the path so that all will come to You and be saved. Help us to understand the promise isn’t ours through our goodness or family heritage – but – as Your Word teaches – it is through faith alone in Christ alone. Help us to not forget the importance of listening to the message Jesus and John and others like them came to bring – for as Timothy said,  All Scripture is inspired by [You] and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. Use it to prepare and equip us to do every good work!  In His Name — and for Your Glory! Amen – 





Your Turn: 





  • What’s your take away from today’s message?
  • What are some things you can do to make sure you are listening to God’s Word?
  • Are there things you currently need to repent (turn away from)? 





Want More? 





Go deeper with…





 Thistlebend’s devotional 





An understanding of Matthew chapter 3, who John the Baptist was, and what he was doing to prepare the way for the Jesus, The Messiah






	







	
			

			
				
							
		

	
	

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The Word Of God





Day 1 of Jesus I Need You, Part 2, a study of Thistlebend Ministries





Scripture Reading: Matthew 3:2-3;Psalm 19:1-2,7-20





The instruction of the Lord is perfect, renewing one’s life; Ps 111:7
the testimony of the Lord is trustworthy, making the inexperienced wise. Ps 119:130
The precepts of the Lord are right, making the heart glad; Ps 119:14
the command of the Lord is radiant, making the eyes light up. Ps 13:3
The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; Ps 111:10
the ordinances of the Lord are reliable and altogether righteous. Ps 119:30
They are more desirable than gold — than an abundance of pure gold; Ps 119:72,127
and sweeter than honey, which comes from the honeycomb.   
Psalm 19:7-20  HCSB





Observation: What’s the Message?





I love this passage. I remember learning it as a song in the 70’s when I was a teenager. The tune still plays through my mind whenever I read it or hear someone quote it. Whether I learned the meaning of the verse at the time or simply learned the words, I don’t remember, but it was a bit enlightening to SOAP it and realize that each of the six terms preceding the phrase, “of the LORD” refer to God’s Word. It was equally enlightening to realize that each of the descriptive terms, such as perfect and trustworthy, that follow the phrase – are references to the character of God, . 





I thought it odd when I saw the Scripture references and wondered how they went together. However, as I read through them a couple of times their connect became clearer.  I realized that “the Kingdom of Heaven mentioned in Matt 3:2 is actually referring to Jesus, who according to John 1:1 is “The Word”. Then after reading through Psalm 19:1-2 which points to the creation being a display of God’s glory, while the rest of the Psalm reveals Him through His Word. I believe these truths add a bit more meaning or reality to the phrase, “They are more desirable than gold – than an abundance of pure gold; and sweeter than honey which comes from the honeycomb.” Don’t you just love when Scripture defines or enhances other Scripture like this? I know I do!





The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
    The skies display his craftsmanship.
Day after day they continue to speak;
    night after night they make him known.
Psalm 19:1-2 NLT





Application: How Then Should We Live?





 I believe all three passages point us to God’s Word in some way, so for me the application or answer to how we should live according to this knowledge – would be to invest in God’s Word. You may be wondering how we can invest in His Word?  I think there are two primary ways, one of which is to read from it daily. Jeremiah described this as ‘tasting it, when he wrote of finding and eating God’s Word, at which time he declared that they had become both a source of joy and delight. The other way to invest in God’s Word is to live ‘It’ out – for example, live by His instructions and trust what He says. When we invest our time, our minds, and hearts in God and His Word we will see His character more clearly as David did, and we will want Him all the more. 





Prayer: Response to The Word





Father, Your Word is a rich treasure trove of life and health and breath and peace. By it we are warned and in keeping it there is great reward. May we invest in it faithfully that we might please You and so that others might see the path to You more clearly. 





Want More?





Go Deeper with Thistlebend’s devotional post – 





Your Turn:





  • What’s your take away from today’s Scripture reading?
  • What are some practical ways you plan to invest in God’s Word?

	







	
			

			
				
							
		

	
	

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Our First Love





Day 6 of Jesus, I Need You – Part 1, a study of Thistlebend Ministries





Scripture Reading: Revelation 2:7





Anyone who has an ear to hear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. I will give the victor the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in God’s paradise.  
Revelation 2:7  HCSB





Observation: What’s the Message?





John is writing  what Jesus has given him to say. This particular letter is being written to the Ephesian Church. So the word “anyone”, in verse 1, is referring to those who are part of the body of Christ. If they listen to the message being delivered they will be entitled to the “victor’s” prize, which is eating from the tree of life, located in heaven. 





Here’s the thing though, if we only read this verse we know that there’s an amazing prize and we know that we need to listen to the Spirit, but without looking back we would miss the content of the message. Which was basically an evaluation of the Ephesian Church. Jesus acknowledges that their conduct has basically been above reproach.  He commends them for their work and endurance, their unwillingness to tolerate “evil people”, their faithfulness in examining and calling out false “apostles”, and enduring hardships for the name of Jesus – without growing weary. Awesome accolades for sure! BUT … He goes on to tell them what He has against them and why.  Namely, that they have abandoned their ‘first love’ – meaning Him. In other words they were rule followers but their love for Jesus had grown cold.  One commentary I read explained it like this, “Sound doctrine and service are important, but they should be grounded in a deep love for Jesus.” The charge or challenge that would draw the victor’s prize wasn’t just listening to the Spirit but considering the truth of the charge against them, then repenting and returning to their first love. To ignore the charge would be to invite punishment that would extinguish their light as a church and witness for Jesus. 





Sound doctrine and service are important, but they should be grounded in a deep love for Jesus.
Bibleref.com





 To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
 4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.  Revelations 2:1-5





Application: How Then Should We Live?





Through John’s writing, Jesus lays out the application very clearly. LOVE JESUS and follow His teachings. It’s not an either or proposition. When we love Him we will obey Him (John 14:15) and if we simply follow the rules without devotedly loving Him the acts of obedience mean very little. 





Prayer: Response to The Word





Father, may we never abandon Jesus, our first Love. Where and when it dares to grow stale and cold, like the Church of Ephesus, please send a revival fire, keep our light burning strong, and renew a right Spirit within us. – Oh, let us listen to the Spirit that we might run the race with endurance and win the victor’s prize – and in this may You be glorified! – Amen










Want More?





Go Deeper with Thistlebend’s devotional post – 





Your Turn:





  • What’s your take away from today’s Scripture reading?
  • What are some things we can do to keep our love for Jesus fresh and strong?

	







	
			

			
				
							
		

	
	

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HOPE WAS ALWAYS COMING





Isaiah 7:14, 9:1-7, Isaiah 53 and 61:1-4; Psalm 22; 2 Samuel 7:12-13, Zechariah 9:9 and Matthew 1:18-25; 





Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever. The land of Zebulun and Naphtali will be humbled, but there will be a time in the future when Galilee of the Gentiles, which lies along the road that runs between the Jordan and the sea, will be filled with glory.
The people who walk in darkness
    will see a great light.
For those who live in a land of deep darkness,
    a light will shine.
Isaiah 9:1-2





hope was always coming: The light in the darkness





The message of a prophet is not always easy to understand. They can often sound depressing or foreboding but if we keep reading we will most likely hear them deliver a message of hope. Such is the case in Isaiah chapter nine. 





Having just mentioned the people living in darkness and despair, he then announces a time is coming when the land will be filled with glory and a great light will shine on those living in darkness. He speaks of a time when they will grow in number and be found rejoicing like those at harvest or warriors following a great conquest. Chains will be loosed, burdens lifted, and the rod of their oppressor will be broken – not because of great and wonderful things the people have done but because a baby will be born. 





For a child is born to us,
    a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
    And he will be called:
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His government and its peace
    will never end.
He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David
    for all eternity.
The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies
    will make this happen!
Isaiah 9:6-7





HOPE WAS ALWAYS COMING:The victor





This baby was not a surprise. The baby was spoken of in the days of Adam and Eve, when God spoke  to the serpent following the fall of man in the garden (Genesis 3:15). Yes, this child was the ONE who would one day defeat the enemy.  From His birth to His ministry to His role as the sacrificial lamb, and even to the uncanny details of His death – imaged through the words of David – Jesus Christ is scattered throughout the old testament and fills the New Testament giving us the HOPE we have in Christ! 





And I will cause hostility between you and the woman,
    and between your offspring and her offspring.
He will strike your head,
    and you will strike his heel.”
Genesis 3:15





Application: How then shall we live





Live with HOPE not despair





Walk in the LIGHT not the darkness





Keep your eyes on God and His promises, remember that all of His promises are yes and amen in Jesus (2 Corinthians 1:20) – the HOPE of the world (Matthew 12:21). 










For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory …
The nations will put their hope in His name. … And in his name shall the Gentiles hope. … And in his name the nations will hope.” … All nations will place their …
  https://biblehub.com › matthew





Prayer: Response to God’s Word





Father, from the beginning You planned to give Your people HOPE and an everlasting future. You spoke it in the Garden and delivered the message through Your prophets, as well as King David and others. Your passion and commitment are obvious! Your promises are good and true – and in this we have HOPE! Yes and Amen – in Jesus!

	







	
			

			
				
							
		

	
	

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Alienated From God





Day 2 of “Jesus I Need You, part 1” A study by Thistlebend Ministries, as posted on Youversion





Scripture Reading: Isaiah chapter 1 (focus verses 2-4); Ephesians 4:17-19





Listen, O heavens, pay attention, O earth!
For the Lord speaks:
“I raised children, I brought them up, but they have rebelled against me!
3 An ox recognizes its owner, a donkey recognizes where its owner puts its food; 
but Israel does not recognize me, my people do not understand.”
4  Beware sinful nation, the people weighed down by evil deeds.
They are offspring who do wrong, children who do wicked things.
They have abandoned the Lord, and rejected the Holy One of Israel.
They are alienated from him.
Isaiah 1:2-4   NET





Observations: What’s the Message?





The message in Isaiah chapter one is from the LORD, Himself. He is obviously offended, angered, and grieved over how His children do not even recognize Him and how they have chosen to live. Their choices have alienated them from God. Verses two through four paint the main part of the picture but reading the entire chapter is to more fully understand the perspective and emotion of God. 





Paul’s message in Ephesians chapter 4, specifically verse 17-32, is about living in holiness. While we are focusing on verses 17-19, it is worth reading, and quite helpful, to read the larger passage. In doing so we realize not only the danger of living an unholy life like the Israelites were in Isaiah’s time, but we also gain a comprehensive look at the choices we should make in order to not alienate ourselves from God. 





Application: How Then Should We Live?





Paul answers this question quite well with his instructions, actually His insistence, that the Ephesians [Christ Followers, like us] should “no longer live as the Gentiles do”. The description here in these verses is that the Gentiles were alienated from the “life of God”,  their hearts had grown hardened to sin which caused ignorance in their choices and a callousness to the way they lived. Basically, Paul is telling the believers to make better choices. He paints a vivd picture and exhorts them not to allow their hearts to grow hardened toward sin and  rebel against God, or lose sight of Him or His Word, but that they should, as we saw in our previous lesson from John 15:5, abide closely and stay familiar with Christ and His ways. 





– no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding, being alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts. Because they are callous, they have given themselves over to indecency for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.
A description of the Gentiles, as described by Paul in Ephesians 4:17-19  NET





One other application we can and should make from both messages – is to Encourage others in this way. I believe this is the same message we find in Hebrews 3:13, where the writer tells the believers to encourage each other daily for the specific reference to not allowing themselves to be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. 





But exhort one another each day, as long as it is called “Today,” that none of you may 
become hardened by sin’s deception.  Hebrews 3:13  NET





Prayer: Response to the Word





Father, set a watch upon our hearts, that we not lose sight of You. Keep us ever hungering and thirsting for Your Word and living and loving like Jesus. Help us to encourage one another daily so that none of us become callous to sin and it’s deceitfulness. These things I pray in Jesus’ name and power – Amen an Amen!





Want More?





Visit Thistlebend Ministries for their encouraging devotional  – Be sure and check-out what comes after their devotional! It’s a great and profitable way to go deeper in the Word. 

	







	
			

			
				
							
		

	
	

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Jesus, I Need You





Scripture Reading: John 1:14-18; SOAP – John 15:5 





Day 1 of “Jesus I Need You, part 1” A study by Thistlebend Ministries, as posted on Youversion





“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:5  NLT





Observation: Of the Teaching: 





Christ’s teaching that He is the “vine” is a well known and wonderful illustration of our need to stay close to Him. However, because it is so familiar, it is easy to gloss over, which means we would be wise to ask the Lord for fresh eyes to look closely at what there is to learn even from the most familiar passages. Let’s dissect it and see what reminders or perhaps even some new insight the Spirit (John 14:26) might lead us to in this reading. 





But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.
John 14:26





In John 15:5, the following observations can be made:





  1. I [Christ] am the vine
    • Christ is the source of life
    • He became human and “made His dwelling among us” (John 1:14)
  2. You [disciples/followers] are the branches
    • His followers are dependent on Him for life, strength, wisdom … 
  3. Those [disciples/followers] who remain [abide/stay – meaning they are truly engaged with Jesus rather than just in it for appearance sake]
    • 2 Cor 5:17 says: Therefore if anyone is in Christ they are a new creation the old has gone the new is here
    • Gal 2:20 says: I have been crucified with Christ therefore I no longer live, the life I live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me
  4. And I [Christ] [abide/stay in them [disciples/followers] 
  5. will produce [grow/develop] much fruit [evidence of new life]
    • Galatians 5:19-26 bears witness that followers of Christ will bear fruit when they live by the Spirit
  6. ‘but you [disciples/followers] cannot do this without me’
    • Paul emphasizes this truth in Philippians 4:13 with this antithesis – “I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.”





Application: How Then Should I Live?





Clearly, we are dependent on Jesus Christ and will only be healthy followers when we remain connected to Him – the Living Word. Abiding in Christ is both a privilege and a responsibility that is ours by Grace through Faith. It is vitally important that we realize this so that we do not neglect the responsibility nor forfeit the privilege by attempting to walk through this life in our own strength or according to our own desires. 





LESS OF ME MORE OF CHRIST





This means we must SEEK and STRIVE to ABIDE in Christ and not be pulled away by the desires of the heart/flesh. We must be alert to the enemy’s tactics to steal, kill, and destroy. ABIDING IN CHRIST is our key weapon against our great enemy, the devil! The best formula for ABIDING is for there to be less of me and more of Christ. This happens when we saturate ourselves with Christ, the Word made flesh to dwell among us, John 1:14. 





We must be alert to the enemy’s tactics to steal, kill, and destroy.





 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
1 Peter 5:8 





The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.
John 10:10










Prayer: Response to the Word





Father, I praise You for sending Your only begotten Son – Jesus – The Living Word and Lover of my soul. So deep and lasting is His love that He gave His life for mine! Sadly, I so often crave other things more – forgive me for these times and work in me a discipline to never put anything before You – my Savior and my God. Thank You for Your faithfulness to love me, to forgive me, to abide in me, and to hear me when I call to You. Change my desires – lessen the hold this world and my flesh have on me. May there be less of me and more of You LORD -that Your glory may be known and seen in me! For Your glory,  Amen – 





Want more?





Visit Thistlebend Ministries for their encouraging devotional  – Be sure and check-out what comes after their devotional! It’s a great and profitable way to go deeper in the Word.