We will all experience the painful “thorns” and “nettles” of life in this fallen earth. These thorns and nettles – just like the plants they represent – are the painful, stinging pierces that strike our hearts and unexpectedly interrupt our lives with circumstances we often have no explanation for.
Yet, as Christ followers we are called to continue to receive, believe and live by God’s faithful never ending, unchanging and all powerful Word. Then, as we do this, in God’s timing, our lives begin to look more like beautiful, strong cypress trees and colorful myrtles springing forth. Even if our circumstances have not changed, we have changed by the power God’s Word. Hearts planted and then plowed up in the soil of the Spirit’s moving and in seasons of surrender, receiving, repenting, suffering, studying, and submitting to the Word will bring forth the fruit of God Spirit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. His Word will prosper in us as His vessels. This is the restoration part of our Father’s love for His faithful ones. These restorative events in our lives bring glory and honor to His name alone.
This is the “abiding in Christ” that leads to abundant life, answered prayers, living an overcoming life filled with LOVE, JOY, PEACE and boldness together with humility.
If we say we love Jesus, we must love His Word too. We honor, respect, submit to and follow His Word above every other word, opinion or attitude.
We change our thoughts and ways to live by God’s Word. We do not choose thoughts, opinions, and ways that are contrary to God’s Word and then expect God to bless our own separate ways. This does not lead to bondage or being manipulated or controlled by a ruler who has no concern for our well being. On the contrary, as we choose to follow God’s higher ways of truth and living, we experience true freedom and life to the fullest.
You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands!
Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow. Where nettles grew, myrtles will sprout up. These events will bring great honor to the Lord’s name; they will be an everlasting sign of His power and love.
Isaiah 55:6-13: Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously. “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. “The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it. You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands! Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow. Where nettles grew, myrtles will sprout up. These events will bring great honor to the Lord’s name; they will be an everlasting sign of his power and love.”
Isaiah 40:8. “The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.”
Other Scripture References: John 1:1-4; John 1:14; John 15:5-17
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