Isaiah 51

Scripture  Isaiah 51:2-3  look to Abraham, your father, and to Sarah, who gave you birth.  When I called him he was only one man, and I blessed him and made him many.  The Lord will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; he will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the Lord.  Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing. Observation-What does it say?  Isaiah continues to call the nation of Israel out of captivity.  “This chapter is designed for the comfort and encouragement of those that fear God and keep his commandments, even when they walk in darkness and have no light. Whether it was intended primarily for the support of the captives in Babylon is not certain, probably it was; but comforts thus generally expressed ought not to be so confined”(Matthew Henry Commentary).  At the end of the chapter, God reminds Israel he has removed his wrath and it has been passed on to their tormentors.  However, it must not be forgotten that Israel had walked away from God and they suffered His disappointment because of that. Understanding-What does it mean?  Sometimes raising three boys can be a challenge and sometimes requires much coaxing.  Teaching them to swim and jumping into the water, for example, was an interesting experience.  Jen or I would be standing in the pool telling one of them to jump into our arms, while they would be standing on the side of the pool telling us how afraid they were.  Waiting for what felt like an eternity, we would argue our point, “Have I ever intentionally let you get hurt before?”   Of course the answer is no.  But in their mind, the fear outweighed the danger.  And we, just like Israel, often act this same way.  We pull away from God out of fear, even though God’s security is greater than the danger we face. In our world today, we hear a lot of fear being preached to us.  Fear of a virus, fear of a subversive takeover of the government, fear that food is going to run out.  But, God is still calling to us, saying, “Trust me, I will catch you.”  And it can be tempting to pull away, especially since we are experiencing something “new.”  However, God already told us there is “nothing new under the sun”(Ecclesiastes 1:9).  He has been there before, and taken others through this.   It can also be tempting to spread this message of fear, especially when we feel we are right about a subject.  But, we are reminded that our message is to be one of hope.  In 1 Corinthians 1, Paul charges the church to preach only Christ crucified, which is in contrast to the knowledge the world looked for.
Life Application  Jesus, in this time of uncertainty help me to be a beacon of hope and song of comfort to those around me.  Help me to be focused on You and dispel fear.  For you are the one who made the foundations of the earth.  Who am I to question you?   

 

-Tyler Galloway

Luke_12

 

Scripture Luke 12:34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Observation Jesus was speaking to the thousands that had gathered to hear him.  Understanding Greek definition of Treasure - a store-house for precious things;including (treasured) thoughts stored up in the heart and mind."a receptacle for valuables" Imagine you had a treasure box filled with valuable items to keep safe. What is in that treasure box?momentos passed down from relatives, books maybe weapons, old pictures, chocolate :) Jewelry, money.  Treasure box is where you put things that have value to us.  What do we have stored up in the treasure box in our hearts and minds?  Memories of our kids, our wedding day, celebrations and mournings. Relationships with our family, friends, and community.  If there was a fire in your house what would you make sure goes with you?  When you leave this earth, what would you like to take with you?  Application While taking things with us to heaven may sound appealing we know it is not possible.  Jesus said that we should store up treasure in heaven. He didn’t want us to store up possessions and money for its own sake. It would eventually be destroyed.  We know that even now in our own country how quickly jobs and money can be taken away. Matthew 6:19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. What are we doing here on earth that is building up treasure for us in heaven? Giving to people in need. Loving people when it's difficult. Sharing the love of God with others.  Luke 12:31 But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you. 32 Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. 

We don't have to worry about not having what we need if our “treasure box” is filled with kingdom valuables. 

 

-Deborah Lee

 

Luke 11

Scripture

Luke 11: 24-26

When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first.

 

Observation

Jesus just gets finished teaching the disciples the Lord’s Prayer and then he continues on to another village where He performs a miracle. He drives a mute impure spirit out of a man, to which the crowd responds contrary to what He expects or desires. Jesus then tells the crowd of people there this.

 

Understanding

Always be on your guard.

For some reason, I always skipped over this section of Luke chapter eleven because it scared me (which is why I don’t read Revelation often either, if I am being honest). Believe it or not this time I think I got a valuable lesson out of the scary bit I would skip over. I don’t think that Jesus tells these people this reality to scare them, but rather to warn them to always been their guard. The enemy loves to steal what the Lord has made whole, and he rests at nothing to do so. It sounds extremely foreboding, trust me I know, but the minute we let our guard down the enemy strikes. If he doesn’t succeed the first time either, he goes back for reinforcements as Jesus so joyously points out. To make matters even worse, I know for a fact that the enemy is attempting to strike us right now when we feel vulnerable. He strikes in ways that we least expect, he leaves us captive to ourselves with a seemingly impossible escape. He intensifies a spirit of apathy, rather than one of hunger and devotion. He always lurks, and he never rests.

But our God never rests or ceases fire either. As I read this passage today I was struck with that reality. Jesus drove out many impure spirits when He walked the earth, but more than that He empowered others to do the same. The enemy may come at one point in my life and “see the house clean and swept,” and he can go back for reinforcements all he want because I will too. Here’s what I am driving at: we are in a battle that is already won! Right now it is so easy to get caught up with the world and this overwhelming feeling of “What’s the point?” (as a best friend of mine put it), but all we have to do is put up our guard because Jesus does the fighting for us. We can’t give in right now or ever because too often we let the enemy win. But not anymore! It is time to fight back, no more waiting and complaining at home during quarantine. Let’s be people on our face in prayer contending for our world that is confused and scared. Let’s come out of this stronger than when it started.

 

Life Application

Keep up your guard, but remember to look around the ring.

We have to remember who is on our side and who is fighting against us, so familiarize yourself with your team. In other words, spend time in the word of God and understanding who He is, but also don’t neglect your brothers and sisters in Christ either. Let’s encourage one another, rather than cutting off communication from each other. We may be in separate houses, but that does mean that communication has to cease either. And when you feel discouraged and feel the enemy knocking on the door of your house remember:

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33

-Allison Khan