Colossians 1:3–8

Hope tells us that we are loved and cared for by the Almighty Creator of heaven and earth!

In our triune God alone we trust. To Him all glory is due.

Let us be awake to the invitation to make a space, to embrace what is authentic, and to embrace the gift of being beloved, even in our brokenness. Sabbath Moments 

Colossians 1:3–8

3 We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; 5 because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth; 7 as you also learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf, 8 who also declared to us your love in the Spirit. The New King James Version

The Greek word used here for faith, pistis, refers to trust and reliance. Paul is thankful that the Colossians—under the threat of false teaching—have anchored their faith in Christ. The greatest of the three Christian virtues is love, the others being faith and hope. The natural result of faith in Christ is love (agapē in Greek) for God and others. 

The Greek word agapē, often translated “love,” is a general word for affection and warm regard. The new testament uses the word to describe compassion for other people, love for God or Christ, and the love God and Christ have for humanity and for each other. The gospel message makes the love denoted by agapē more of a mindset than a feeling. It involves putting the needs and interests of others before your own—even enduring suffering and hardship for the sake of others. 

The Greek word used in this phrase, elpis, often rendered as “hope,” refers to confident expectation, not wishful thinking. The Colossians have hope because of their union with Christ. This means they are free from corruption and death and are qualified to participate in Christ’s life, resurrection and glory. 

Paul reminds them that their hope of a glorious future does not come from a religious philosophy, but from God. Therefore, they do not need to accept the demands of false teachers. Paul wants the Colossians to know that the gospel message they received is God’s true revelation. This description of Epaphras does not mean that he was literally a servant or slave. Rather, Paul is using figurative language to characterize Epaphras as a humble servant of God. Faithlife Study Bible

The apostle indicates the tender concern that he has for these Christians; he is praying always for them. This common phrase of Paul’s which combines intercessory prayer and thanksgiving, means that each time Paul prayed, he interceded for the Colossians and offered praise for God’s work among them.

Faith…Love…Hope: Paul often uses these three terms together. Faith is in Christ. This is the thrust of the passage. The Colossians’ faith was grounded in the nature and work of Jesus Christ. Love flows from faith and proves the genuineness of one’s faith. The Colossians’ sacrificial love for all the saints proved their true belief in Christ. Hope refers to the result of faith, the treasure laid up … in heaven where our faith will find its fulfillment in the presence of Christ. The NKJV Study Bible

All true Christians are brethren one to another. Faithfulness runs through every character and relation of the Christian life. Faith, hope, and love, are the three principal graces in the Christian life, and proper matter for prayer and thanksgiving. The more we fix our hopes on the reward in the other world, the more free shall we be in doing good with our earthly treasure. It was treasured up for them, no enemy could deprive them of it. The gospel is the word of truth, and we may safely venture our souls upon it. And all who hear the word of the gospel, ought to bring forth the fruit of the gospel, obey it, and have their principles and lives formed according to it. Christian love arises from the Holy Spirit, and is full of holiness. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Psalm 51:11 Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

Ephesians 1:13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,

Colossians 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

Romans 2:4-11

In repentance we are covered in the riches of Christ. In Him we are rendered free from the burden of sin and guilt that so easily ensnares us. 

We seek to honor God with our life because we are thankful for the eternal life we have been granted in HIs goodness, mercy and love. We honor God by seeking His glory, our lives reflecting His honor and sharing the Good News of the gift of eternal life that He offers.

Our faith pleases God.

Our good works reflect His love to others. 

We forgive others because we have been forgiven so very much. God shows no partiality.

God's mercy is always undeserved. (Romans 5:8)

Today I am glad for any reminder that we are connected.
Today, I am glad for any reminder of the capacity to be fully human, tender, vulnerable and kindhearted.
Today, I am glad for any reminder that we are connected to something larger than our fear or anxiety or our ego.
There’s a good deal of conversation about what to believe or stand for, these days.
And yet. When discussion or debate turns into argument meant to divide, we miss the opportunity to be human with one another. Sabbath Moments 

Romans 2:4-11

4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? 5 But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 who “will render to each one according to his deeds”: 7 eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; 8 but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, 9 tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; 10 but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 11 For there is no partiality with God. The New King James Version

Paul emphasizes that God is a fair and just judge. Those who do good will receive glory, honor, and eternal life. In contrast, those who do evil will receive wrath and affliction. This applies to both Jews and Gentiles (non-Jewish people), since God does not show partiality.

Good works refers to the collective sum of good deeds. These deeds are expressed especially in kindness toward others; therefore, they reflect God’s character and belief in him.

For Paul, immortality is an aspect of eternal life reserved for believers when God raises the dead to the resurrected life.  “Eternal” expresses not only the duration of life, but the quality of life.

Since Christ was raised from the dead, the life of the coming age has invaded the current age. Believers now share in God’s life through faith in Jesus Christ. They also have power to do good works and resist evil through the indwelling Holy Spirit.  Although believers have eternal life, it is not yet fully realized—they still die and struggle with sin. At the resurrection, the glorious nature of the eternal life will be fully realized.

Jews are “first” because God gave them priority in blessing and they were the first people group that He personally visited and called His own. But this also means that He will give them priority in judgment. God does not show partiality He judges both Jews and Gentiles on the same basis—according to works. Paul is attempting to convince some Jews that God will not overlook their sinful activity just because of their ethnicity. Faithlife Study Bible

Repentance literally means “to change one’s mind.” In this context, it means to reject one’s sinful habits and turn to God. This is the only occurrence of this word in Romans. Wrath as used here is different from the “wrath of God” in 1:18. There God’s wrath was His present anger; here the word refers to God’s future wrath. Most take this future wrath to refer to the Day of Judgment. Thus people who continue in their rebellion against God are accumulating wrath for themselves. 

According to this verse, it seems that eternal life can be gained by doing good. But Romans clearly teaches justification by faith. But Paul does not contradict himself. The subject of this verse is judgment, not justification. Believers who continue in good works will receive rewards in the life to come. Whenever the NT speaks of eternal life as a present possession, it is a gift received by faith but whenever it refers to eternal life as something to be received in the future by those who are already believers, it refers to eternal rewards. Rewards will be based on works accomplished here on earth. All believers doing good works will be rewarded. The NKJV Study Bible

Psalm 62:12 Also to You, O Lord, belongs mercy; for You render to each one according to his work.

1 Peter 1:7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,

Life Church Vineyard

Pastor Mitch Price

Micah 6:8 Be Fair, Be forgiving, Be humble!!

We can:

Do all the right things for the wrong reason (trying to earn our way in our own perceived righteousness like the Pharisees and Scribes)

Do the wrong things for what society tells us is the right reason (like Matthew the tax collector who did what was required of him  because he wanted to keep his job)

OR we can choose to: Do the right thing for the right reason by weighing everything that we do in Gods’  commands to love Him above all and others as much as ourself.

I just want to speak the name of Jesus over every heart and every mind! His name is  Life…

“Becoming good soil by wacking the weeds of the world”.

Matthew 13:

13 On the same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea. 2 And great multitudes were gathered together to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. 3 Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. 5 Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. 6 But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. 7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. 8 But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

We need to plant in good soil in order to produce a harvest. We cannot let weeds continue to grow in our spirit and let the worries of life choke out the very Spirit of God. 

18 “Therefore hear the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. 20 But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. 22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. 23 But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”

You can move from the worries of this life into the realm of the Spirit and trust Him to guide you.

Galatians 6:7-9

7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

The fruit of the Spirit is shown in the love we share with others and the trust we have in God to care for us in both the good times and the bad times

The Kingdom of God gives us true peace…the world cannot.

Galatians 5:1

5 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

Galatians 5:22-23

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

We need to dig deep to eradicate those things in our life that come against the direction God gives us in His Word and in the direction of Holy Spirit. God wants us to have a good, abundant life of freedom in Jesus that we can share with others. Worry cannot add anything to our life. If God cares for the flowers He created how much more does He care about us. We can be concerned but we stop short of worry. We trade our concern by placing them in His hands and then allowing Him to direct our steps.

Philippians 4:4-9

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 

Meditate on These Things!

John 10:11–16

No greater loves than this that Jesus willingly gave up His physical body for a sinner like me! 

He came to His own and His own knew Him not!.

The very life of God can enter in our life and we can still choose not to see Him. Freedom of choice is not free. It cost the life of God’s only begotten Son to die in our place. 

His Body, the Body of Christ, we are one in Him.

Forever grateful. Forever loved.

In today's reading in Judges, Jotham, (the son of Gideon) the sole survivor of Abimelech's (half brother of Jotham) murder of his half-brothers, boldly stood atop Mount Gerizim overlooking Shechem on the day of Abimelech's coronation. Despite the fear he must have felt, Jotham used a prophetic fable of sorts to speak a curse over the people as he told the story of trees who sought to anoint a king over themselves.

The trees approached olive trees, fig trees and vines, but each declined because they were too busy performing specific and essential tasks that honored God and served others. (Judges 9:8-13)

The trees then approached the bramble, who eagerly accepted the request to reign over the trees. Immediately, the bramble required loyalty, demanding the trees take refuge under the shade of the bramble. (Judges 9:14-15) However, the bramble's low growth, its inability to produce anything other than the pain from its thorns, and its flammability rendered it useless for protection.

The purpose of Jotham's fable was to call the people to account as he referred to Abimelech as a worthless bramble king eager to demand power and authority. (Judges 9:20) May we be like the olive tree, fig tree and vine and live our lives as worthy individuals focused more on honoring and serving the Lord than seeking to rule over others.

Major Moment: Gideon's son Abimelech conspired to take power.

David Guzik wrote in his commentary. "One test of the character of a man is to see how he treats those who disagree with him. If his only desire is to destroy those who disagree, then he is much like the bramble – plenty of good points, but no real substance for good.

The condensed moral of the whole fable is this: Weak, worthless, and wicked men, will ever be foremost to thrust themselves into power; and, in the end, to bring ruin upon themselves, and on the unhappy people over whom they preside.” (Clarke)” First5 

John 10:11–16

11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. 12 But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. 13 The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. 15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd. The New King James Version

Jesus fulfills the messianic role of the shepherd. This role in Ezekiel is depicted as fulfilled by God; Jesus makes the claim that He (as God in flesh) is the one fulfilling it. 

‘I Am’ Statements evoke imagery of the young shepherd, David, risking his life to keep his sheep safe In addition to fulfilling God’s role with His people as shepherd, Jesus fulfills David’s role as their king. This gives Jesus the authority to make the claims He does. 

Alluding to the Gentiles and the ultimate universal scope of salvation via Christ’s atoning death. Faithlife Study Bible

Jesus is the good shepherd who gives His life for the sheep, as opposed to the wicked thief who takes their lives. Life here refers to physical life. Jesus laid down His physical life in order to give us eternal life. 

The hireling is a hired shepherd, a mercenary, who tends the flock for his own interest. When a hired shepherd sees a wolf coming he flees, not caring about the sheep.

The other sheep were not Jews in heathen lands, but Gentiles. The Jewish people had asked if Jesus would go and teach the Gentiles. Jesus now declared that He had sheep among the despised heathen. One flock anticipates the salvation of the Gentiles and the formation of the church, in which converted Jews and Gentiles would form one spiritual body. The NKJV Study Bible

Christ is a good Shepherd; many who were not thieves, yet were careless in their duty, and by their neglect the flock was much hurt. Bad principles are the root of bad practices. The Lord Jesus knows whom he has chosen, and is sure of them; they also know whom they have trusted, and are sure of Him. See here the grace of Christ; since none could demand his life of him, he laid it down of himself for our redemption. He offered himself to be the Saviour; Lo, I come. And the necessity of our case calling for it, he offered himself for the Sacrifice. He was both the offerer and the offering, so that his laying down his life was his offering up himself. From hence it is plain, that he died in the place and stead of men; to obtain their being set free from the punishment of sin, to obtain the pardon of their sin; and that his death should obtain that pardon. Our Lord laid not his life down for his doctrine, but for his sheep. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Isaiah 40:11 He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young.

Isaiah 56:8 The Lord GOD, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, says,“Yet I will gather to him others besides those who are gathered to him.”

Ezekiel 34:12 As a shepherd seeks out his flock on the day he is among his scattered sheep, so will I seek out My sheep and deliver them from all the places where they were scattered on a cloudy and dark day.

1 Peter 2:25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Revelation 12:13-17

We have nothing to fear but fear itself.

We are safe, loved and protected in the mighty name of Jesus. King of kings and Lord over all!

Just as God acted to give His people victory over this enemy in Judges 7, He sent His Son to give us eternal victory over our spiritual enemies. Jesus is victorious over all His enemies, including the devil, sin and death. (Hebrews 2:14-15;  1 Corinthians 15:54-57)

(Colossians 2:15), Paul wrote that, through Jesus' death on the cross, God "disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.”

Jesus is seated at God's right hand "far  above all rule and authority and power and dominion ... not only in  this age but also in the one to come" (Ephesians 1:21). First5 

Psalm 91

1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” 3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. 4 He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. 5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, 6 Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you. 8 Only with your eyes shall you look, And see the reward of the wicked. 9 Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, 10 No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; 11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. 12 In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone. 13 You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot. 14 “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. 15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.”The New King James Version

Revelation 12:13-17

13 Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child. 14 But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. 15 So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood. 16 But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. 17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.  The New King James Version

The Greek word for “pursue” can also mean “persecute.” Since the woman is given two wings, “pursue” fits the context better. However, verse 17 indicates that he will soon persecute her offspring. 

John again alludes to the imagery of the exodus event to describe the deliverance and protection of God’s people.  These verses describe the futile efforts of Satan to destroy the woman. These two verses should probably be understood as a metaphor for an attempted destruction of God’s people. John’s concern for the persecuted church suggests this is a reference to the Church. They will be attacked by the enemy, but they will be spiritually protected.  Faithlife Study Bible

The woman is somehow brought to her place of protection from the serpent, the wilderness, as if carried on the wings of a great eagle. This is reminiscent of how Israel escaped the Egyptians and came to Mt. Sinai. A time probably equals one year, so the period of protection here is three and a half years, which corresponds to the length of the two witnesses’ testimony. It is also equivalent to the period of the beast’s authority, which includes his ability “to make war with the saints and to overcome them”.  The danger of the flood to the woman is averted when the earth opens up, perhaps as it did to claim the rebellious Korah and his followers in Numbers 16:30–33. There is no way of determining whether this describes an actual flood or figuratively describes the onslaught of Satan against those protected by God.

Enraged by his inability to destroy the woman, Satan, the dragon, resorts to war against a related group. The rest of her offspring are believers in Christ, since they keep the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. It is not clear whether they are Jewish believers (physical offspring of the woman) or Gentile believers (spiritual offspring; see Galatians 3:29). In desperation, Satan opposes every trace of a biblically oriented faith in Christ.  The NKJV Study Bible

The church and all her friends might well be called to praise God for deliverance from pagan persecution, though other troubles awaited her. The wilderness is a desolate place, and full of serpents and scorpions, uncomfortable and destitute of provisions; yet a place of safety, as well as where one might be alone. But being thus retired could not protect the woman. 

The flood of water is explained by many to mean the invasions of barbarians, by which the western empire was overwhelmed; for the heathen encouraged their attacks, in the hope of destroying Christianity. But ungodly men, for their worldly interests, protected the church amidst these tumults, and the overthrow of the empire did not help the cause of idolatry. Or, this may be meant of a flood of error, by which the church of God was in danger of being overwhelmed and carried away. 

The devil, defeated in his designs upon the church, turns his rage against persons and places. Being faithful to God and Christ, in doctrine, worship, and practice, exposes to the rage of Satan; and will do so till the last enemy shall be destroyed.  Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Exodus 19:4 You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself.

Deuteronomy 32:11 As an eagle stirs up its nest, hovers over its young, spreading out its wings, taking them up, carrying them on its wings,

Isaiah 40:31 But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

Daniel 7:25 He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, shall persecute the saints of the Most High, and shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand for a time and times and half a time.

Daniel 12:7 Then I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever, that it shall be for a time, times, and half a time; and when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished.

Jeremiah 4:1-2

God is merciful and kind. He is quick to forgive us and restore us to Him in Jesus. He longs for us to return. Like the prodigal son “those who have been forgiven much…humble themselves and love much!”

God,
We thank you for all your gifts.
This day, this night
These fruits, these flowers,
These trees, these waters-
With all these treasures you have endowed us.
The heat of the sun, the light of the moon,
The songs of the birds and the coolness of the breeze,
The green, green grass like a mattress of velvet,
All owe their existence to your grace.
Dear God, May we forever breathe the breath of your love
And every moment be aware
Of your presence above.
Amen.
Chinese prayer

Jeremiah 4:1-2

4 “If you will return, O Israel,” says the Lord, “Return to Me; And if you will put away your abominations out of My sight, Then you shall not be moved. 2 And you shall swear, ‘The Lord lives,’ In truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; the nations shall bless themselves in Him, and in Him they shall glory.” The New King James Version

If the people of Israel would repent, they could return to Yahweh. The implication is that their confession has been heard, but verbal acknowledgment of their past sins is not enough to prove full repentance. They must change their behavior as well. The Hebrew word used here, shiqquts, refers to abominable religious practices. Repentance involves a clean break with idolatry.

Referring to foreign deities with a word for repulsive objects was intended to discourage Israel from worshiping those deities. The word can refer to anything detestable from the perspective of proper Yahweh worship—anything violating standards of holiness, exclusive worship, and ritual purity. Nations will be bless by him describes restoration of the covenant blessings through Abraham. Faithlife Study Bible

The term abominations or “detestable objects” is usually used in the context of idolatry in the Old Testament. You shall not be moved implies that repentant Israel would be unwavering in its faith in God. 

The Lord lives was a phrase used regularly in oaths. When spoken by those faithful to the covenant it should have been a sign of truth, judgment, and righteousness. These three terms summarize the ultimate and ideal demands of the covenant. They are the standards by which all men, from kings to slaves, were and will be judged. 

The results of Israel’s justice and righteousness would have international consequences. God’s promise to Abraham was that other nations would be blessed through his descendants. The NKJV Study Bible

Genesis 22:18 |n your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”

Isaiah 48:1 “Hear this, O house of Jacob, who are called by the name of Israel, and have come forth from the wellsprings of Judah; who swear by the name of the LORD, and make mention of the God of Israel, but not in truth or in righteousness;

Isaiah 65:16 So that he who blesses himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he who swears in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hidden from My eyes.

Zechariah 8:8 I will bring them back, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. They shall be My people and I will be their God, in truth and righteousness.’

1 Corinthians 1:31 that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.”

John 3:14–17

Those who love God above all and others as much as themselves  fulfill the Law and the commands of Jesus. 

God loves us with a love so great that He allowed Jesus to choose to give up His spotless life in exchange for ours.

When believers hold up Jesus, in the love of the Father that He came to proclaim,…others will be drawn to salvation.

And what promises has He made for us today?

We can ask God for His presence because He has promised, "I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20).

We can ask for peace because Jesus also promised, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you" (John 14:27a).

And "if any of you lacks wisdom," the Word of God says, "let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him " (James 1:5).

The presence, peace and wisdom of God are blessings we can ask for and know we will receive because each of these promises is yes and amen in Christ Jesus! (2 Corinthians 1:20)

Where might you ask, seek and knock (Matthew 7:7) for more of God's presence, peace and wisdom? First5 

This week, pause, look for moments that remind you of the sacred in the ordinary. Mental snapshots to make you stop. To breathe. To say thank you. Sabbath Moments 

John 3:14–17

14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. The New King James Version

As Moses lifted up the serpent alludes to the events of Numbers 21:9 and presents the Son of Man as superior to Moses. The Son of man is lifted up refers  to both the crucifixion and the exaltation of Jesus in His death and resurrection.

This verse presents a concise summary of the gospel message, tying the events of Jesus’ death to God’s love for the world He created. The statement is remarkable in its depiction of divine care for the entire world—not just His chosen people, Israel. 

John prefers to refer to Jesus as the “Son” and God as the “Father”.  Jesus’ reflection and representation of the Father is complete. As one sent by God, Jesus fully represented Him on earth. Faithlife Study Bible

Every time the words lifted up occur in the Gospel of John there is a reference to Jesus’ death. When Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, those who looked at it lived. So it is with the Son of Man. This is the first time eternal life is mentioned in John’s Gospel. 

When a person trusts Christ, he or she is born again and receives eternal and spiritual life, God’s kind of life. 

God’s love is not restricted to any one nation or to any spiritual elite. World here may also include all of creation. At His first coming, Jesus came so that the world through Him might be saved. When Jesus comes again, He will come in judgment upon those who refused His offer of salvation. The NKJV Study Bible

The love of God is shed abroad in his heart by the Holy Ghost, and is become the commanding principle of his actions. So long as he continues under a load of unforgiven guilt, there can be little else than slavish fear of God; but when his doubts are done away, when he sees the righteous ground whereon this forgiveness is built, he rests on it as his own, and is united to God by unfeigned love. Our works are good when the will of God is the rule of them, and the glory of God the end of them; when they are done in his strength, and for his sake; to him, and not to men. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Numbers 21:9 So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.

John 12:25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

1 John 4:9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.

1 John 4:10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Life Church Vineyard

Pastor Mitch Price

We worship You for who You are! You are good.

How glorious. How beautiful You are.

What a beautiful name it is. 

Nothing compares to this. 

The name of Jesus. 

Death could not hold You. 

You have no rival

You have no equal. 

Yours is the Kingdom. 

Yours is the  glory. 

What a powerful name it is.

 Jesus Christ the Son of the living God!

Worthy is the Lamb

You are holy.

We are honored to say we are the sons and daughters of the most high God.

 Without love we are just noise!

Becoming good soil

Matthew 13:1-9

13 On the same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea. 2 And great multitudes were gathered together to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. 3 Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. 5 Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. 6 But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. 7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. 8 But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

Matthew 13:18-21

18 “Therefore hear the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. 20 But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.

How is your soil? Are you being fruitful?

How do we know if our soil is rocky and shallow?

Check your reactions.

 

Out of the heart the mouth speaks. 

Your actions reveal your roots. When conflicts arise do you go to peace, mercy and grace OR anxiety,  anger and divisiveness. We re suppose to be different than the rest of the world. 

2 Corinthians 13:5-6

5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified. 6 But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified.

Jesus died for us so that we could depend on Him for everything. It allows us to examine ourself. And with the help of Holy Spirit we can filter everything through His love. 

Matthew 7:21

21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.

How to know if your soil is rocky and shallow

Am I hearing but not listening?

God offers us His very Word are we taking it in to our spirit? 

Am I a follower or a fan?

Are we obeying what Holy Spirit shows us. It is more than being a fan. Are we doing something with the seed the He has planted in us?  

Check your calendar and your checkbook do they include Bible Study and helping others? Are you serving those in need? Are you spending time with others both believers and unbelievers showing them the love of God for them.

Mark 12:30

30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. 31 And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Jesus alone satisfies! We need His love, His mercy and His compassion for others to be able to fulfill His calling on our life.

James 4:8

8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

Ask and He will give you knowledge of  Him. Seek and you will find Him. Knock on His door and He will open it up for you to enter in. He did not leave us as orphans but gave us Holy Spirit to indwell us and teach us His way.

We need to let Him come in and do damage control. Showing us the true way to life. 

Ways to deepen and de-rock your soil:

1. Intimacy-quality time spent with Him.
2. Obedience- responsive steps in doing what He shows us to do.
3. Go deep with Him and wide with others-interdependency. We need others and they need us.