Pruning Hooks...

I can not say enough about how beautiful all the colors are this time of year.... I feel sorry for those who live in places where fall colors do not happen.

I guess I am one of those people who like things defined. That is why I like the changes of the seasons as it gives me markers of what comes next so I can prepare.

In the times a head I think we can see definite markers on the horizon. One thing I know is that being spiritually prepared is the most important thing for any of us. If our faith is not in place and our relationship with the Creator is not on the right footing then all of the physical preparations are in vain. Faith casts out all fear... and the only true faith is the faith we have in our Lord and Savior.... He is the rock we can count on and the only rock we know that will not shift or cause us to stumble.

While you prepare in the physical be sure to make sure the spiritual is in order...the physical will parish but the spiritual will last forever....

Now blessings to you all as you meditate on the studies below....

Judy


Reading: Isaiah 18:4-7

PRUNING HOOKS

The reality of any plant or tree is that it must be pruned. We read that the people used an instrument called a pruning hook. This special tool involved a knife, but was also designed to prune the vine. God is faithful to use certain instruments to prune His people back to produce the fruit that is necessary for His glory.
This Scripture reveals that the fruit represents the labors of those who planted it. But, because of transgression the Lord is telling them that the creatures will partake of the fruit, and not those who planted the vine, for those who did the work will be scattered.
This prophecy was given to Ethiopia , but it needs to serve as a warning to us. We are laboring in the harvest field of humanity, but to partake of the fruit, God must designate and keep it for us. We must be reminded that God’s grace must be present towards His people, but His people must make sure that God can show His favor or grace towards them.
The Apostle Paul tells us how God’s grace is able to be bestowed upon His people in Romans 5:21: “That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ, our Lord.”
Clearly, if sin reigns, people will taste the bitter fruits of death. The other source that reigns is grace. But, consider what it reigns through: righteousness. As His people, we must be in an upright standing to ensure that God’s favor towards us will reign in our lives.
In Isaiah’s prophecy to Ethiopia , we can see that God will use pruning hooks to cut back the fruit of the land, not to show favor to the people, but to allow the creature to reap the fruit of it.
As Christians we assume that God will show His favor towards us no matter how we are living, serving and worshipping Him. Clearly, Scripture shows us the contrary. God’s grace or favor can only reign through righteousness.
Are you in the position for God’s grace to reign in your life?

Prayer: Lord, Your grace is unlimited favor, but it must reign through our lives within the boundaries of righteousness for us to experience it. Have Your way. Amen.

Reading: Isaiah 11:1-2

THE BRANCH

We have been considering being a branch in God’s kingdom. Our source, life, and productivity come from the Vine of life. However, the Vine of life, Jesus, began as a branch in the midst of humanity. He came out of the root of Jesse. We need to consider His journey as the Branch for our own edification.
Need to grow: In His humanity, Jesus had to grow. His life was connected to heaven. His ways were right, and through suffering and obedience, He was brought to perfection in His humanity. It is important to recognize that He grew in His humanity because He was in subjection to the Father.
The Spirit was upon Him: In His humanity, He had to be set apart and identified. The Spirit of God came upon Him to identify Him as the Messiah, and set Him apart to do a work. We can see this identification take place in the form of miracles, and we see Him set apart by His attitude and ways. We need to be identified as Christ’s followers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit working in our lives.
Insight: Since the Spirit of God was upon Him, He would be endued with wisdom, understanding, counsel, power, and knowledge in the fear of the Lord. Obviously, in His humanity, He needed the very wisdom of heaven to walk in understanding as our counselor, as well as in the power and knowledge of God. He had the necessary attitude that ensured His meekness and humility to carry out His mission.
As Christians, we need to take note of how the Branch of heaven, Jesus came out of the root of Jesse. We need to consider the environment the Branch developed in, as well as the type of life that came out of His side when He was offered on the cross.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for being the Branch. We can trust the life that has budded forth through Your redemption. Amen.

Reading: Isaiah 60:21-22

HE PLANTED THE BRANCH

We are clearly reminded who plants and grows everything in this present world and in the kingdom of God . As believers, we are looking forward to a time where everyone around us will be deemed righteous. The righteous will also inherit what God has for them. The reason why is because God will do the planting. In fact, two thousand years ago, God planted a branch. That branch grew up among humanity. His name is Jesus Christ.
Today, there is a lot of planting going on. The problem is the source of life that is being planted. God plants everlasting life in people through His Son, Jesus, but there are those who are claiming to be planting the life of Christ, but they are actually planting their own idea of life. The people that blindly follow these individuals are unable to recognize that these “leaders” can only produce a counterfeit or perverted concept of life. It might look like life, but it possesses only the seeds and ways of death.
It is hard for some people to realize that life only comes from God. The other aspect of this life is that it cannot come from just “any old god,” it must come from the God of the Bible.
The Bible is clear there is only one true God by nature. He alone is the essence of true life, and is the only one capable of producing this life in others. Although our politically correct society frowns on the concepts that there is only one true God, and only one true way to heaven, but these declarations of truth will never cease to serve as the absolute standard. In the end, such truths will stand when all other gods, beliefs, philosophies, and ways fall at Jesus’ feet.
The other aspect of our God is that He can take a little branch like Abraham, and produce fruit a thousand-fold. He can take a small branch like David and produce a strong nation. He also took an unlikely branch in the form of His Son, and provided salvation for all who will believe.
Keep this in mind the next time you think you are insignificant in the scheme of things. Let God have your life and strength, and you will discover His strength and power.

Prayer: Lord, You are the essence of true life; therefore, I choose You as my source. Amen.

©2008 Rayola Kelley, Gentle Shepherd Ministries. Permission is granted for non-commercial (free) distribution provided this notice appears.
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