The Weekly Word: A New Season
The weekly verse
“…Rejoice in the Lord your God! For the rain he sends demonstrates his faithfulness. Once more the autumn rains will come...The threshing floors will again be piled high with grain, and the presses will overflow with new wine and olive oil. The Lord says, “I will give you back what you lost to the swarming locusts, the hopping locusts, the stripping locusts, and the cutting locusts.
It was I who sent this great destroying army against you. Once again you will have all the food you want, and you will praise the Lord your God, who does these miracles for you. Never again will my people be disgraced. “Then, after doing all those things, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions.”
Joel 2:23-26, 28 (NLT)
the weekly question
“What Are You Rehearsing?”
Whether we like it or not, our words matter. The internal dialogue we maintain, the thoughts & opinions we openly express—every single word we speak carries weight. As Proverbs 18:21 says, our words carry the power of life or death. And ultimately, the fruit of our lips reveals the focus of our heart.
“For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.”
—Jesus (Matthew 12:34, BSB)
The nation of Israel continuously “grumbled & complained” about their circumstances, the Lord’s chosen leadership, and ultimately about God Himself. Day after day, they rehearsed a report that was faithless, fearful, and ultimately reflective of their eventual failure. As the 12 spies returned with a report of God’s Promised Land, and in the middle of their most trying time of testing, their true colors were revealed.
10 of the spies brought distressing news to the people of Israel, stating the land was full of “intimidating, giant men”. While the other two spies, Joshua & Caleb, spoke with great assurance of the provision of the land & God’s ability to deliver on what He had already promised. The “majority” report, the report of man, was full of fear & inferiority. The minority report, the report of the remnant of God, was full of faith & opportunity. With the exception of a few, an entire generation fell into unbelief & forfeited their entry into the Promised Land. Reminding us of Jesus’ powerful words found in Matthew 7:13-14, in which He urges us to:
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
It’s time for the “conversation” to fundamentally change for The Lord’s people. It’s time to reject the sin of complaining & grumbling, which ultimately taints the purity of our heart, grieves the Holy Spirit, & blinds us to God’s goodness. It’s time to embrace Jesus with a heart of gratitude & give God a life of unending praise.
the weekly Consideration
It’s common to hear people say, “I’m not a patient person.” They refer to patience as if it’s a quality they simply don’t possess. But for those of us who are in Christ Jesus, this couldn’t be further from the truth.
“…as God’s own chosen people, who are holy [set apart, sanctified for His purpose] and well-beloved [by God Himself], put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience [which has the power to endure whatever injustice or unpleasantness comes, with good temper];”
Colossians 3:12 (AMP)
The Lord is telling us point-blank, that because He’s chosen us, we are now capable of making a different choice. Where we lacked patience in our natural self, we find more than enough in the Holy Spirit. We now have access to a supernatural ability to live with enduring, God-honoring patience.
The truth is, God wouldn’t ask us to wear something that wasn’t in our wardrobe. Which is why we’re instructed to “clothe ourselves in patience” (verse 12, NLT). Patience is a quality & a choice, and because of Jesus, it’s now embedded in your God-given garment. The question isn’t whether you have it, the question is:
“Are you willing to wear it?”
the weekly challenge
“Listen to me; listen, and pay close attention. Does a farmer always plow and never sow? Is he forever cultivating the soil and never planting? Does he not finally plant his seeds— black cumin, cumin, wheat, barley, and emmer wheat— each in its proper way, and each in its proper place?
The farmer knows just what to do, for God has given him understanding. The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is a wonderful teacher, and he gives the farmer great wisdom.”
Isaiah 28:23-26, 29 (NLT)
God isn’t careless when it comes to when & how He chooses to do things in life. There’s wisdom & understanding behind His work, and as children of God, our life’s work should be marked by that same degree of intentionality.
If we’ll take the time to listen & “pay close attention” (v. 23), we’ll begin to recognize what God’s Spirit is saying & doing in this new season. We’ll experience how wonderful of a teacher Jesus is (v. 29), and how He perfectly positions us to sow & reap the purposes of God. We all have a deep longing for more, and at the end of the day, God’s the only One who can satisfy what we’re looking for.
“He has made everything beautiful and appropriate in its time. He has also planted eternity [a sense of divine purpose] in the human heart [a mysterious longing which nothing under the sun can satisfy, except God]…”
Ecclesiastes 3:11 (AMP)
we pray this week’s edition of “the weekly word” blesses you & the lives of those around you!
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