Isaiah_33

Scripture

Isaiah 33:2-

 

Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.

 Observation-What does it say?Isaiah was a prophet to Israel and was speaking to Assyria (who was an enemy of Israel and the church) in Isaiah 33. However, verse 2 above “is not to Assyria or about Assyria, but is a prayer of Isaiah. Isaiah is praying for his country, as well as himself. The saddest thing about being a prophet is that they see the danger even before it is there. In a sense, they suffer twice. Once when they see it in a vision or dream, and once when it actually happens.Isaiah knows how badly they need the grace of God. He is fully aware that the only way of escape is in the salvation of God. (bible-studys.org-Isaiah 33).” Understanding and Life Application Prayer intercession for our nation and world is needed, especially now. Pastor talks about standing in the gap. As Christ followers, we need to continually stand in the gap for our nation and world with this silent Covid-19 enemy and the attacks of the devil that seeks to steal, kill and destroy the hearts and minds of God’s people. It’s also important that we ourselves stay connected to the Vine and Abide in Jesus. Standing in the gap with prayer intercession and encouragement to a world that does not have their full hope and trust in Jesus is VERY draining. Stay connected to Jesus. Through the overflow of His love, comfort and generosity, continue to intercede on behalf of this world, not just for healing from Covid-19, but also for surrendered hearts to Christ.-Michelle Gaddi

Galatians_6

Scripture:Galatians 6:4-6^4-5 Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life. ⁶ Be very sure now, you who have been trained to a self-sufficient maturity, that you enter into a generous common life with those who have trained you, sharing all the good things that you have and experience. Observation:Paul was speaking to the churches scattered through Galatia (a portion of modern Turkey).  It is one of the most important writings of Paul in establishing the importance of Grace compared to the Law.  Paul and salvation by grace alone were under attack by those in churches of Galatia. [https://pastorbobcrowder.com/2016/11/04/what-is-the-major-purpose-for-the-book-of-galatians/] Understanding:I appreciate the simplicity of these verses and their application far beyond the times they were written.  I don’t know about you, but I’ve been feeling like I’m doing this whole quarantine thing wrong.  Trying to keep up on home schooling, trying engage the creative minds of myself and the boys beyond the tasks at hand, trying to get outside at least once a day to preserve my sanity and see beyond the four walls of our tiny condo, trying to balance work from home life with parenting with teaching with leading with what feels like a million other things.  And with the easy access to social media, it sometimes seems like everyone else is doing it better!  Galatians 6:4-5 speaks to a much simpler view.  “Make a careful exploration of who [I am] and the work [I] have been given, and then sink myself into that.” My work – the work God has called me to, the people/causes/things God has placed on my heart, the resources and people He has placed around me – is unique to me.  And, quite frankly, my work keeps me busy enough, especially right now.  I can’t get caught up in comparing myself to others.  Instead, I must “take responsibility for doing the creative best [I] can with [my] own life.” The second set of verses encourage us to care for those who have trained us – to provide for their temporal (earthly, temporary) needs.  I don’t know about you, but as I look around Desert Streams Church, there are a lot of people who helped “train” me.  These verses act as instruction to be generous with them – “sharing all the good things that [I] have and experience.” Life Application: Let’s give ourselves and others some grace.  These are unique, unprecedented, unexpected times that we are all going through.  There is no perfect way to do it, no guideline on how to do it “right.”  But spend time each day with God, let Him direct our steps, then move in that direction.  Focus on the work that He has given – which won’t be more than you can handle, with His love and support surrounding you.  Let’s take time to check on those who have trained us up, those who have supported our spiritual needs and growth.  Let’s be sure their temporal needs are taken care of now.  God, I am grateful that you are bigger than the coronavirus, bigger than severe storms, bigger than earthly chaos, bigger than financial downturns.  May we press in, look for ways to share your love with those we encounter (even if it’s far fewer people now) and for creative ways to share your love in these times of social distancing.   Rei

Galatians___5

Scripture:  Galatians 5:13-14  For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.  For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  Observation:  In writing to the Galatians, Paul is addressing a certain amount of Jewish tradition that had made its way into the church.  When Paul originally preached to those in Galatia, he preached a gospel of repentance and faith. But, some Jewish-Christians later told them God’s grace was secured through these Jewish traditions, like circumcision, and the new Christians were beginning to accept these traditions as truth.  Paul is reminding them that Christ has set us free through the cross. But, this freedom isn’t used as an excuse for continual sin or as a reason to pile requirements onto others. This freedom we have allows us to forget about the past requirements of the law, which frees up time for us to serve others. Understanding:  I can be a little fanatical about things.  I like to consider myself “committed”, but if I am really honest about it, I am more fanatical.  I like to choose one thing and obsess over it until I have completely annoyed everyone around me about it.  For a while as a kid, this obsession was filled with Robin Hood. My obsession was fueled partly by the Disney animated movie of the story and by the archery set I inherited from my dad.  Either way, I was hooked on righteously living on the edge of the law, saving those weaker than me from the evil and oppressive rulers. The other day, I helped a friend move out of his parents’ house.  It was a strange feeling, breaking the rules of “social distancing” to do what was once just a mundane activity.  I felt like the outlaw hero I once admired. I never thought I would live in a time where, even though it’s temporary, my freedoms would be so limited.  Though, it has made me realize how much of my freedom of movement before this was wasted in entertaining myself, and filling my time with pursuits that were primarily selfish.  It wasn’t until the ability to be with others was taken away did I realize how much I appreciate being around them.   This time has brought new meaning to the call to put others before myself.  When it takes more intentionality to maintain unity, it makes me appreciate the freedom I had to meet with Christ’s body.  But, this time has also helped me to become more creative in meeting with God and others.   Life Application:  Jesus, help me to continue to meet with others, even when that has become harder and harder.  Help me to look for unity, even though it feels as though the world is trying to break it down.  Help me to remember it is through your sacrifice that we are made to be one body (1 Corinthians 12:12-14).       

-Tyler Galloway