Author: Jayne Lawson

Scripture: “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” – Isaiah 53:5

Examination: This chapter is Isaiah’s prophecy of the suffering and crucifixion of the coming Messiah. Written approximately 700 years before the birth of Christ, it speaks to the price that was paid for our redemption.

Application: It is easy to believe that Jesus died on a cross, but it is very difficult to fathom the horrific details of what he actually went through beginning with His scourging to His crucifixion.

The Romans were very adept at administering punishments that inflicted the greatest amount of pain while prolonging the life of the individual who had been found guilty of a capital offense. Scourging was usually accomplished with a leather whip embedded with bits of sharpened bone and metal balls. It was often a precursor of crucifixion and designed to weaken the person to the point of shock. Unlike Jewish law, which limited the number of lashings, Roman scourging had no numerical limit, and many times the victims would perish from the flogging.

Crucifixion was the Roman death sentence reserved for the lowest on the social order, slaves, criminals, political rebels, and non-citizens of Rome, etc. This was such a terrifyingly brutal form of death that Josephus, an ancient historian, described it as “the most wretched of deaths”. The condemned individual was affixed to the wooden beams with nails and/or ropes and left to die by suffocation and exposure, most commonly within 24-48 hours.

The suffering a crucified person would experience is unimaginable. Jesus was well aware of what He was about to endure. In the garden of Gethsemane, He prayed to be spared from what was to come, but willingly surrendered to the will of His Father. “Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” (Luke 22:42). Knowing what was ahead of Him, Jesus was overcome with sorrow and anguish as He prayed to His Father, and God in His great mercy, sent an angel to help strengthen His beloved Son. Luke 22:43 states, “And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.”

The Bible also describes the intensity of Jesus’ suffering as He prayed with a condition known as “hematidrosis”… the sweating of blood. Luke 22:44 states, “And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” This rare medical condition is precipitated by extreme fear, severe stress, or intense emotional distress. Although He was God, He was also man, and this culmination of His work was not an easy road to walk. Jesus knew exactly what was about to happen to Him, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, yet He still chose to do the will of His Father and become the Saviour of the world (1 John 4:14).

With a better grasp of the suffering that Jesus endured to pay for our sins, we get a small glimpse of the enormity of the love He has for us. God’s holiness required a perfect sinless sacrifice for the remission of sins, and only Jesus could accomplish that. He chose to walk this most difficult of paths, so that we could have the opportunity to live with Him forever.

Memory Verse: “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” – 1 Peter 2:24

Stretching your thoughts:

1. When contemplating the events surrounding the death of Christ, what stirs your heart the most?

King of my life I crown Thee now,
Thine shall the glory be;
Lest I forget Thy thorn-crowned brow,
Lead me to Calvary.

Lest I forget Gethsemane,
Lest I forget Thine agony,
Lest I forget Thy love for me,
Lead me to Calvary.

(from “Lead Me to Calvary” by Jennie Evelyn Hussey)

Scripture: “Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.” – John 18:27

Examination: This chapter records the arrest of Jesus in Gethsemane and His confrontation with Caiaphas, the high priest. Meanwhile, Peter is outside the priest’s palace warming himself by a fire with a group of strangers. When one claims to recognize Peter as a follower of Christ, Peter vehemently denies it. This happens two more times, and then he realizes that he has rejected the Lord three times, just as Jesus foretold. He weeps in despair.

Application: Imagine being with Jesus every day for three years during His earthly ministry. Think of what you would have seen! The blind had their sight restored! The lame could walk again! Storms of nature were stilled with a simple command! Thousands fed with one small lunch! What an incredible time that must have been… and then it comes to an abrupt halt when Jesus is arrested. At first, you are outraged, but then the reality that you could be next brings you to a place where three times you deny even knowing Jesus. That was Peter.

The Bible gives us a vivid picture of Peter as the “rejector” and the anguish he went through with the realization of what he had done. Matthew 26:75 tells us this dearly beloved disciple was heartbroken over his actions. “And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.”

Perhaps Peter felt all was lost. After all he had experienced in the past three years, his faith had failed, and now he had rejected Jesus on three separate occasions. Surely, there was no hope for him. He couldn’t even talk to Jesus to beg for forgiveness. He couldn’t turn back the hands of time; he couldn’t undo what had happened. He had done the unforgivable… or had he?

After the resurrection, Peter had gone to the tomb after Mary had proclaimed that Jesus had risen. He saw it empty. Was he convinced that Jesus was alive? Matthew 28:16-17 states, “Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.” Was Peter one of the doubters? We don’t have an answer to that, but we do know that after all these events, Peter returned to his previous occupation of fishing (John 21:3). Did he believe that there was nothing he could do for Jesus anymore since he had rejected Him? Did he believe Jesus would never forgive him? These are answers that aren’t written in the Bible. However, we do know the end of this story.

After the resurrection, Jesus speaks to Peter and issues a command. In John 21:15-17, Jesus tells Peter three times, “Feed my sheep.” Despite the thrice-rejected declaration of Peter, Jesus loved him, forgave him, and gave him a job to do. Peter had value to God even though he had moments of weakness and failure in his time with Jesus.

Like Peter, we go through times when our faith weakens, and we fail miserably in our Christian walk. When we experience conviction by the Holy Spirit, we may have feelings of great sorrow and even fear that God no longer loves us or will forgive us. After all, as Christians, we should know better, but we must remember that, while we are saved by God’s grace, we are still sinners. As sinners, we still make wrong choices, but the Spirit of God will always convict us to bring us to a place of repentance and restoration. 1 John 1:9 reminds us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

God is not limited in His forgiveness. It is always available to anyone who seeks it… saved or unsaved. This week is a time to remember what Jesus did for us to provide the forgiveness of sins. The death, burial, and resurrection of Christ gave the world its Saviour. Once we have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, He continues to work in us, making us more like Him. When we sin, and we will, He is always ready to forgive us and continue His good work in us. Philippians 1:6 states, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” That good work started when we accepted Christ as Saviour and continues in us until He takes us to our home in heaven.

Memory Verse: “And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.” – Mark 9:24

Stretching your thoughts:

1. When someone believes they cannot be forgiven for a particular sin, what would you say to them?

I hear the Savior say, "Thy strength indeed is small,
Child of weakness, watch and pray, find in Me thine all in all."

Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.

(from “Jesus Paid It All” by Elvina M. Hall)

Scripture: “After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.” – John 13:5

Examination: Jesus and His disciples are together in the upper room preparing to celebrate the Passover. Jesus begins to teach His followers the meaning of being a servant by washing their feet. Just prior to instituting the new covenant, Jesus sends Judas, whom He knows will betray Him, to do what he needs to do.

Application: After entering Jerusalem on what is now known as Palm Sunday, Jesus celebrated the Passover meal with his disciples for the final time. As they sat together, Jesus took a towel, wrapped it around himself and began to wash the feet of the disciples. This was a profound act of humility as it was often the servant who would wash the feet of the master or his guests. Instead, it is the Son of God who is washing the feet of those who chose to follow Him.

One by one, Jesus knelt before each disciple and lovingly washed the dirt and dust from their feet. He moved to each of his disciples at the table… even Judas… the one He knew would betray him. Jesus was fully aware that Judas would sell him out for thirty pieces of silver, yet He still washed his feet.

John 13:11 states, “For he knew who should betray him;” As Jesus sat at the table, He knew Judas’ betrayal would lead to His arrest and ultimately send Him to the cross, yet He still washed his feet.

Later, Jesus would quietly tell Judas to attend to the task that was before him. John 13:27 records Jesus’ words to him, “That thou doest, do quickly.” The feet that the Son of God had recently washed now hastily walked to the chief priests and Pharisees to betray the location of Jesus and facilitate His arrest.

Jesus knew, but He still washed his feet.

John 18:3 states, “Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.” Judas returned with an armed mob to take Jesus into custody. Whatever his reason was for doing this, the bottom line was he chose to betray his Master.

Jesus knew his reasons, but He still washed his feet.

Jesus loves each of us with an everlasting love. Nothing changes that. Nothing we do can make Jesus “unlove” us. We can turn our backs on Him; we can deny Him; we can live as though He doesn’t exist. It doesn’t matter.

Jesus would still wash our feet because nothing… absolutely nothing… will ever separate us from His love. Romans 8:38-39 states, “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Jesus will always wash our feet.

Memory Verse: “The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” – Jeremiah 31:3

Stretching your thoughts:

1. Why is it difficult for people to believe that God’s love will never change for them?

2. What would you tell someone who believed their sins were too great to be forgiven?

Make me a servant like you, dear Lord,
Living for others each day
Humble and meek, helping the weak,
Loving in all that I say.

Give me, Lord, a servant's heart, here's my life, take every part.
Give me, Lord, a servant's heart.
Help me draw so close to You that Your love comes shining through
Give me, Lord, a servant's heart, give me, Lord, a servant's heart.

(from “A Servant’s Heart” by Ron Hamilton)

Scripture: “Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.” – John 4:34

Examination: In this section of the chapter, Jesus speaks to the Samaritan woman telling her that He is the Messiah of whom the prophets spoke. While she returns to the town to tell others, His disciples encourage Him to eat. Jesus explains to them that it is His work for His Father that sustains Him, and what is most important.

Application: I remember when I first fell in love with my husband. I was in high school, but my studies no longer filled my mind. Instead, all I could think about was him. It seemed as though everything in my life revolved around him. I focused on cultivating our relationship with dreams of eventually becoming his future “Mrs.”

After I married, I became a nurse. I was very focused on caring for my patients. I followed the doctors’ orders without deviating, and tried to anticipate problems before they happened to circumvent complications. That focus helped me do well in my chosen field.

Focusing on something enables us to move forward with determination to meet a specific goal. That was very evident in the life of Jesus. He stated, “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.” (John 6:38). Even as a 12-year-old boy, Jesus was intent on doing what His Father had sent Him to do. Luke 2:49 records His response to His parents when they found Him in the temple, “And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” Jesus was well aware of the reason He was born into this world, and He knew the price He would have to pay to redeem mankind. As focused as He was, it was not an easy road for Him to walk. Just prior to His arrest, He prayed to His Father, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” (Matthew 26:29).

Regardless of what He knew His future to be, Jesus remained focused on His purpose all through His life. Jesus was sent by His Father to become the Saviour for all mankind (1 John 4:14). To do so, He became a man, lived a sinless life, and then allowed Himself to be crucified and separated from His Father… all because of the love He has for us. At any time, He could have said, “No.” He could have called legions of angels to stop the crucifixion. But He said, “Not my will, but thine.” (Luke 22:42). Jesus’ focus was on me and you. He wanted to give us the opportunity for redemption and receive His gift of forgiveness and eternal life instead of what we deserved… everlasting punishment. His focus was love.

And it was this love that kept His focus on the cross.

Memory Verse:  “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” – Isaiah 26:3

Stretching your thoughts:

1. What things get in the way of focusing your life on God?

2. How can you improve your focus on living a life pleasing to God?

I am resolved no longer to linger,
Charmed by the world's delight;
Things that are higher, things that are nobler,
These have allured my sight.

I will hasten to Him, hasten so glad and free;
Jesus, greatest, highest, I will come to Thee.

I am resolved to go to the Savior,
Leaving my sin and strife;
He is the true one, He is the just one,
He has the words of life.

I will hasten to Him, hasten so glad and free;
Jesus, greatest, highest, I will come to Thee.

(from “I Am Resolved” by Palmer Hartsough)

Scripture: “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:14

Examination: Paul is writing to the believers in the church at Philippi. He is reminding them to live by faith, not my traditions or works. He encourages them to remember Jesus’ power as evidenced by the resurrection, to serve Him only, and to focus on spiritual benefits, not carnal ones.

Application: Living the Christian life is not an easy one, and it was never promised to be one. The world that we live in is constantly at war with the spiritual life we strive to walk. We face the same challenges that non-believers face; there are no pitfalls in life in which believers are immune. Financial woes, serious illnesses, rejection, loneliness, aging, death of loved ones… this list that goes on and on is no respecter of persons. Christian and non-Christians face these struggles throughout life equally, but there is one extremely important difference in the lives of Christians. We never have to face these challenges alone.

Amazingly (considering who we are and who He is), Jesus has done everything to make a relationship with Him possible. His sacrifice on the cross demonstrated the incredible love that He has for each one of us! It was His precious blood that paid for every one of my sins, and that is what makes me determined to live for Him today. My faith is not a fire insurance policy; it is the conscious commitment to the belief that I hold in what Jesus did for me on the cross and what He says in His Word. I am determined to trust Him and to try to live according to what the Bible says every day of my life. Easy? Not at all. But I have the sweet assurance that I am held securely in the hand of God, and He is helping me become more like Jesus every day. Philippians 1:6 reminds me, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:”

Jesus never promised my life would be a bed of roses. In fact, He stated just the opposite. 2 Timothy 3:12 states, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” But Jesus also promised that no matter happened in my life, He would always be with me. Joshua 1:9 reminds us of this truth, “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”

While Satan will do everything he can to diminish or destroy my faith in God, I am determined to follow my Lord as long as I live. When times are hard, I know to Whom I can depend; when times are good, I know the One who has blessed me, and when times are uncertain, I know Who controls everything.

Determining to trust God with my life and my soul is the best decision I have ever made. My life’s journey has had many ups and downs, but since Jesus became my Saviour, I’ve never walked alone… and I never will.

Memory Verse:  “In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.” – Psalm 56:4

Stretching your thoughts:

1. How can you encourage someone who is going through a hard time and struggling with their faith?

2. How has someone helped you navigate through a struggle that seemed overwhelming at the time?

My faith has found a resting place, not in device nor creed.
I trust the ever-living One; His wounds for me shall plead.

I need no other argument, I need no other plea,
It is enough that Jesus died, and that he died for me.

My heart is leaning on the Word, the written Word of God,
Salvation by my Savior’s name, salvation thro' his blood.

I need no other argument, I need no other plea,
It is enough that Jesus died, and that he died for me.

(from “My Faith Has Found a Resting Place” by E. E. Hewitt)

Scripture: “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.” – 2 Corinthians 2:14

Examination: Paul is writing about his delay incoming to visit in that he doesn’t want to cause anyone sorrow. He desires to be one who is able to bring joy, not sadness. He speaks about restoring a church member to their fellowship… a restoration of joy to one who sincerely repented.

Application: The last week of Jesus’ earthly life began and culminated with celebrations. The days in-between were filled with sorrow, fear, death, and despair.

The triumphal entry into Jerusalem saw Jesus riding upon the back of a young donkey to the praises of those lined up along the road into the holy city. Cries of “Hosanna” and “Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord” (Matthew 21:9) filled the air as the onlookers waved their palm branches in honor of His approach. Sadly, these accolades rapidly shifted to cries of  “Crucify Him!” in less than a week when the people saw that Jesus didn’t fit their mold of what the Messiah should be. They wanted a mighty warrior king to overthrow the Roman government, and thus they rejected the Prince of Peace who promised them a kingdom that would never end.

Many times when God doesn’t fit the mold as the “Almighty Wish-Granter”, our faith struggles. Sometimes we forget who we are and who God is. We expect Him to respond according to what we feel is right. But that theology is vastly incorrect. God does hear and respond to our prayers, but it always aligned with His perfect will and timing.

Being a Christian doesn’t mean that God is at our beck and call whenever we pray. It means we have access to our heavenly Father because of the work that His beloved Son Jesus accomplished on the cross. When that temple veil was torn in two, we gained entry into the throne room of God, bringing our prayers directly to Him, but that doesn’t mean He answers every prayer in the way we want.

God sees the big picture; He knows what is best, and the smartest human being cannot compare to God. It is important to remember that as believers, we belong to God. He has bought us with His precious blood. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 reminds us, “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” Think about what that means. We belong to the Creator of the universe! Because of that, we can live a triumphant life despite struggles, challenges, and disappointments. Here’s why we can have a triumphant faith.

• We have a promise that our sins are not only forgiven but forgotten by our heavenly Father when we accept Christ as our personal Saviour.
  • “I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.” – Isaiah 43:25
• We have the promise of a heavenly home for all eternity.
  • “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,” – 1 Peter 1:3-4
• We have a promise that wherever we are, God is with us, and He will NEVER leave us from the moment of salvation throughout eternity!
  • “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” – Hebrews 13:5
• We have the promise that one day, Jesus is going to come for us, and take us to be with Him forever.
  • “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” – John 14:3
• We have a promise that whenever we pray, God does pay attention, and He will respond. Maybe it won’t be the way we had hoped, but He will answer every time we pray.
  • “I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.” – Psalm 116:1-2

These are just a few reasons the Bible explains why we can have a triumphant, faith! And one day soon, that faith will become sight, when we see our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Then triumphantly we will be able to echo those cries of long ago, “Hosannq! Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord”

Memory Verse:  “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 15:57

Stretching your thoughts:

1. Why is it hard for some Christians to trust God’s answer to prayer when it differs from their desired response?

2. What would you say to someone struggling with their faith in these types of situations?

I heard an old, old story how a Savior came from glory,
How He gave His life on Calvary to save a wretch like me;
I heard about His groaning, of His precious blood's atoning,
Then I repented of my sins and won the victory  

O victory in Jesus, my Savior, forever!
He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him, and all my love is due Him.
He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood

(from “Victory in Jesus” by E. M. Bartlett)

Scripture: “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” – James 1:2-3

Examination: James writes about godly living, seeking God’s wisdom and applying it to daily life. He explains that the Christian’s faith should produce righteous works for the Lord, and that hard times help to grow our faith and serve Him better.

Application: Testing comes in many different forms. Tests in school are often preceded by increased stress as studying becomes more intense the closer the day of the test becomes. Some tests are referred to as tests of time, which means that the proof of something is in its durability. Examples of items that fall into this category include appliances, fashion, and even friendships.

There are also occasions when one’s faith is tested. There are many examples in the Bible, and perhaps one of the most well-known is found in the life of Job. Eventually, God rewarded Job for his faithfulness, but the process was a very difficult one for the biblical patriarch.

You may have heard it said that Christians are either in a storm, just exiting a storm or about to enter one. These are the times of testing for our faith. Like any other type of challenge we face in life, being prepared helps us navigate through them more successfully. Being victorious through hard times depends on several things.

1. Maintain your perspective.

• Remember that God allows challenges in life to grow our faith, and while it may be a tough pill to swallow at times, trust God’s plan.
• “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” – Jeremiah 29:11

2. Fall back on your personal spiritual support system.

• When facing trials, this is not a time to withdraw from daily prayer and Bible study. Instead, stay anchored to God as you go through hardships for His comfort and peace.
• “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” – Isaiah 41:10

3. Trust the Lord

• During the testing  of our faith, we often try to take control in an effort to generate the results we desire, but often our will is not God’s will for us. We must purpose to surrender control to the Lord and trust Him through the situation and for the outcome.
• “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” – Proverbs 3:5

4. Reach out to others

• Moses had Aaron; David had Jonathan; Ruth had Naomi. When times are tough, reach out to a trusted Christian for support through prayer, wise counsel, encouragement, or simply a shoulder to cry on. It can be a church leader, family member or friend.
• “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.” – Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

5. Have a spirit of gratitude

• It’s so easy for negativity to fill our minds, and that can lead to depression and despair. Instead, remember to be thankful for the blessings God has already given to you. Start your day thanking God for what He’s done for you in the past and for what He has promised to do for you now and always. Knowing that God is faithful and nurturing a spirit of gratitude will help you go through those times when your faith is being testing.
• “I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” – Psalm 34:1

Memory Verse:  “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” – Psalm 23:4

Stretching your thoughts:

1. Why is it difficult for Christians to trust God in challenging situations?

2. How could you help someone struggling with their faith when hard times come?

When peace like a river, attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well, with my soul

It is well (it is well), with my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul

(from “It is Well With My Soul” by Horatio Spafford)

Scripture: “And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.” – Isaiah 58:11

Examination: Isaiah is comparing the empty “going through the motions” forms of worship to authentic heartfelt worship. He then explains the results of worship that truly honors God.

Application: In the southeast, there is no doubt as to when spring arrives. One night you go to sleep, and when you wake up, the world has turned a lovely shade of yellow. Pollen season can be quite a nuisance when cars become yellow, porches are covered with the fine dust, which of course is carried into the house, and itchy eyes are the norm. But without pollen, our world would struggle to survive. Without pollen, the majority of our trees and flowers would eventually die out. It’s the same with our faith.

If our faith isn’t provided that which it needs to thrive, it will be barely alive within us, and eventually it will fade away. So, how do we pollinate our faith?

1. Pollinating our faith

• “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” – Romans 10:17
• Our faith begins when we read or are told about the Lord Jesus Christ, and how He died, was buried, and then rose again to be our Saviour. God’s Spirit opens our understanding to our need to have our sins forgiven and shows us that Jesus is the only way.
• Just as a new seed forms from pollination, a new faith begins when an individual accepts Christ as his or her personal Saviour.

2. Feeding our faith

• “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” – 2 Peter 3:18
• In order for our faith to grow, it must be spiritually fed. Faith grows from learning more and more about God, and that comes from His Word.
• Attending church as well as engaging in personal Bible study provides the nutrients our faith needs to grow.

3. Watering our faith

• “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.” – 1 Corinthians 3:6
• Since we also learn by example, fellowship with believers who are strong in the faith also helps our Christian walk. Choosing our friends wisely can help produce a thriving faith.

4. Reproducing our faith

• “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” – John 15:5
• As we continue to draw near to Jesus, learning more about Him and obeying His precepts, our faith will begin to produce spiritual fruit. Others will see us blossom in our relationship with Christ and seek to know what is happening in our lives. That gives us the opportunity to spread some of our “pollen” as we share the gospel message!

5. Cultivating our faith

• “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.” – John 15:1
• God is our spiritual Gardener. It is He who continues to teach us through His Word, prune us through trials and testing, and provide exactly what we need to grow strong in our new life with Jesus “…that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.” (Isaiah 61:3)

Colossian 2:6-7 reminds us, “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.”

May we continue to bloom brightly for our Lord!

Memory Verse: “… and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all.” – Jeremiah 31:12

Stretching your thoughts:

1. In what stage of growth is your faith?

2. How could your faith produce more fruit?

I am the vine, and ye are the branches,
Bear precious fruit for Jesus today;
The branch that in me no fruit ever beareth,
Jesus hath said, "He taketh away."

I am the vine, and ye are the branches;
I am the vine, be faithful and true;
Ask what ye will, your pray'r shall be granted,
"The Father loved me, so I have loved you."

(from “I Am the Vine” by Knowles Shaw)

Scripture: “To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him?” – Isaiah 40:18

Examination: This chapter proclaims the majesty of God. Isaiah writes that there is nothing that can compare to God, and writes the words of the Lord Himself as He asks, “To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal?” (v 25).

Application: Who or what can be compared to God? The world has been trying to prove that God is not supreme, not the Creator, not God… to no avail. Here are a few areas in which none can compare to God.

• Creator of All
  • “And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.” -Genesis 1:31
• Wisdom
  • “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” – Romans 11:33
• Power
  • “And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,” – Ephesians 1:19
• Love
  • “And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” – Ephesians 3:19
• Greatness
  • “Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.” – Psalm 145:3
• Merciful
  • “O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.” – Psalm 136:3
• Faithful
  • “Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.” – Psalm 119:90
• Forgiving
  • “Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.” – Micah 7:18
• Holiness
  • “There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.” – 1 Samuel 2:2

Colossians 1:15-17 refers to Jesus, “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”

There is none that can compare to our God, the Lord Jesus Christ!

Memory Verse: “O LORD, there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.” – 1 Chronicles 17:20

Stretching your thoughts:

1. What other attributes of God are incomparable?

O Lord my God When I in awesome wonder
Consider all the works Thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy pow'r throughout The universe displayed!

Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee;
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee;
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

(from “How Great Thou Art” by Stuart Hine)

Scripture: “And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.” – Matthew 7:25

Examination: In the end of this final chapter of the “Sermon on the Mount”, Jesus is teaching about the importance of obeying His teachings. Those who do so will be able to weather life’s storms and remain strong; those who don’t will struggle and eventually be destroyed.

Application: What was this rock upon which the wise man built his house? Jesus actually explains it in the previous verse. His reference is to the importance of doing what He has taught. Normally, Christians think of the rock as only being Jesus, but it is more than that. It is Jesus plus His teachings, which are found in the Bible.

A strong foundation for our faith is woven throughout the pages of Scripture. The Bible is full of “stones” that are used to create our footing, but Jesus Himself is our corner stone. In masonry, the corner stone is the first stone set, and it determines the position and alignment for the rest of the structure. The corner stone guides the placement of the rest of the stones that will be used. As our corner stone, Jesus is the One who sets our faith and aligns the other biblical “stones” that support our practice of that faith.  

When we accept Christ as our personal Saviour, our cornerstone is set, and then as we learn more about God through His Word, our foundation becomes stronger as we build it up with more “stones”.

• The Cornerstone
  • “Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.” – Isaiah 28:16
  • Jesus is our corner stone.
• Memorial stones
  • “And those twelve stones, which they took out of Jordan, did Joshua pitch in Gilgal.” – Joshua 4:20
  • Joshua built an altar of twelve stones as a memorial to God’s grace.
  • Our faith grows stronger when we read about His grace to His children in the Bible, as well as remembering God’s amazing grace in our own lives.
• Ebenezer stones
  • “Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.” – I Samuel 7:12
  • “Ebenezer” means “stone of help.” Samuel set up a stone as a reminder to the children of Israel of God’s help in battle resulting in victory for them against the Philistines.
  • Our faith grows stronger when we see God helping us through answered prayer, divine protection, illumination of His Word in our hearts, and providing spiritual victories.
• Promise stones
  • “And Joshua said unto all the people, Behold, this stone shall be a witness unto us; for it hath heard all the words of the LORD which he spake unto us: it shall be therefore a witness unto you, lest ye deny your God.” – Joshua 24:27
  • Joshua sets this stone as a symbol of the covenant between God and His people. It stands as a physical reminder to obey the Lord.
  • Our faith grows stronger when we read and experience the faithfulness of God in keeping His promises.
• Living stones
  • “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” – 1 Peter 2:5
  • We are the living stones upon which the church is built. Through our service to God, our faith continues to grow stronger, and our testimonies encourage the growth of faith in others.

When our faith is firmly set upon the Rock, the Lord Jesus Christ, it will continue to grow through the addition of more biblical “stones” to our foundation. Let us build a house for Jesus that will stand through the ages, and then one day, one final stone will be added. Revelation 2:17 states, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.” We can look forward to the moment when Jesus will give us a new name that will be written in heavenly stone!

Memory Verse: “The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation.” – 2 Samuel 22:47

Stretching your thoughts:

1. If someone’s life is built on “sinking sand”, how could you help them build a foundation built upon the Rock?

2. When circumstances in life try to chip away at your foundation, what steps can you take to fortify it?

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus' name.

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand:
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

(from “The Solid Rock” by Edward Mote)