#Isaiah 11:6

[loveerran]

Come, all ye that are heavy laden

One of the things that has really stood out to me the last few weeks is that Jesus and the gospel are for everyone. I recently attended church in a ward where most of the attendees are or were incarcerated. Almost all had been excommunicated and were no longer even members of the church. But still they came, and the spirit was there and it felt raw and real and relevant.

In a ward where most people aren’t members, adjustments have to be made. A way is found to help people who are under armed guard feel welcome. Service opportunities and assignments for them and their loved ones are made available. They are specifically welcomed and encouraged in their spiritual journey toward God, regardless of where on the path they may be at the moment. There is an understanding that the need for healing is real.

I imagine this ward exists, at least in in part, to provide a socially and spiritually safe and encouraging environment for those who might be ostracized in a typical family ward because of their history and non-conformity. I am glad the church is seizing the opportunity to minister to these men, extending love, kindness and compassion in a sensitive and caring way to them and their families. I am truly heartened to see how traditional ward structures are stretched and modified to accommodate them and make things work, to meet the needs of the moment and the individual - despite circumstances that might cause others to recoil or cross to the other side of the road and pass them by.

I appreciate how clear it was that those men are specifically invited, despite their past deeds, any feelings they may have about where they are in life, or the internal and external shame that they may feel. They are told repeatedly that Jesus wants them and that their ward family wants them too. That is real Christianity.

Love, Erran

[walkswithmyfather]

‭‭Isaiah 11:1-6 (NASB)‬‬. “Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch from his roots will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him, The spirit of wisdom and understanding, The spirit of counsel and strength, The spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. And He will delight in the fear of the Lord, And He will not judge by what His eyes see, Nor make decisions by what His ears hear; But with righteousness He will judge the poor, And decide with fairness for the humble of the earth; And He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, And with the breath of His lips He will slay the wicked. Also righteousness will be the belt around His hips, And faithfulness the belt around His waist. And the wolf will dwell with the lamb, And the leopard will lie down with the young goat, And the calf and the young lion and the fattened steer will be together; And a little boy will lead them.”

2 Timothy 4:18 (AMPC). “[And indeed] the Lord will certainly deliver and draw me to Himself from every assault of evil. He will preserve and bring me safe unto His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen (so be it).”

“A Promised Hope” by In Touch Ministries:

“If you are in a season of waiting, don't become discouraged—the Lord always delivers.”

“Sometimes it can be hard to grasp how much time passed between events in the Bible. After the Old Testament’s completion, for instance, 400 years passed before God’s next direct revelation.

Let’s put that span in terms we can better comprehend. In 1620, the Pilgrims landed on the shores of what would become Massachusetts. That was 404 years ago. Think of all that has happened since then—everything from the American Revolution to man walking on the moon to the creation of artificial intelligence. God’s people waited that long without a word from the Lord! While many grew despondent, others clung to hope.

Anna, for example, was a widow and prophetess who served at the temple in Jerusalem, waiting for Israel’s redemption. She trusted that “A shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse ... and the Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him” (Isa. 11:1-2). This promised Messiah would bring order, strength, counsel, and wisdom as He delighted in the Lord, and He would make everything right.

Then, at the appointed time, Anna witnessed the miracle of fulfilled prophecy as she gazed into the face of the tiny baby Jesus. In response, she praised and thanked God for being faithful to His promise (Luke 2:38). Like her, we can praise God, secure in the knowledge that God will do all He says He will do.”

(Photo by Marco Lopez at Unsplash)

[disneynerdpumpkin]

~ Scriptures about forgiveness ~

Matthew 6:15 "But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."

Ephesians 4:32 "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."

Colossians 3:13 "Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive."

Daniel 9:9 "To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him."

Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

Proverbs 10:12 "Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses."

Micah 7:18 "Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love."

Mark 11:25 "And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses."

Luke 17:3-4 "Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him."

Luke 6:37 "Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:"

Matthew 6:14 "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:"

1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Isaiah 1:8 "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."

James 5:16 "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."

[freebiblestudies]

Line Upon Line Lesson 061: People Are Watching

Exodus 11:3 - And the Lord gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh’s servants and in the sight of the people.

It must have been discouraging for Moses to go repeatedly before Pharaoh and get rejected.  Perhaps Moses might have thought at times what was the point of asking Pharaoh to release the children of Israel.  Why go through all this trouble of petitioning Pharaoh then sending a plague when he refused?  Couldn’t God just send the plagues all at once and devastate Egypt?

Let’s read together Galatians 6:9. 

While Pharaoh’s heart may have been hardened against God, some Egyptians were beginning to see that God was greater than the gods and idols of Egypt.  They recognized that Moses truly was sent from God.

Let’s read together Matthew 13:18-24.

We should likewise not get discouraged when we are rebuffed sharing the Gospel message with someone.  You may be sowing spiritual seeds that will bear fruit at another time.  Also, other people may be watching and be convicted to follow Jesus.

[touchofgoddotworld]

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[drshermaines-wisdomnuggets]

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[givingchrist]

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[bojackson54]

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[gettruthgetlife]

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[mindfulldsliving]

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[martyschoenleber]

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[kmac4him1st]

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[graceandpeacejoanne]

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[minnesotafollower]

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[hermajestyimher]

As someone who has battled anxiety and very dark thoughts in the past, God has shown me it is crucial to not try to get out of that mindset on my own strength. These are spiritual attacks, and I need to learn to lean on the Spirit to fight for me. I do this by using scripture that reminds me of the nature of God and his will for my life.

The enemy is a liar and he uses catastrophizing and overthinking to tell us lies about ourselves and the things to come. I refuse to give him an inch into my life by coming into agreement with his lies. Understanding the spiritual nature of our thoughts empowers you to not allow them to control you, but for you to have power over them.

1. John 10:10

“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”

2. Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

3. Psalm 55:22

“Give your burdens to the Lord, and He will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.”

4. Isaiah 41:10

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”

5. Philippians 4:6-7

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

6. Romans 8:6

“So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.”

7. Matthew 11:28-30

“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.’”

[touchofgoddotworld]

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