Scripture Reading: Isaiah 27:1-13, Isaiah 28:1-29, John 15:1-8
There’s not much that gets my seven-year-old more excited than the word “iPad.” Sure, there are a few other things that hype him up, like Superman ice cream and an hour at Chuck E. Cheese. But the chance to play one of his favorite games on our family tablet definitely ranks high on his list. The only problem? iPads, and essentially every other electronic device, have to be charged regularly. And I’m notoriously bad about making this happen.
So when the beloved iPad comes out, it pretty much always needs to be charged. And seven-year-old boys are notoriously bad at waiting.
There have been times when I’ve watched the battery hit 4 percent, only to have my kid anxiously beg to unplug it and start playing. But that 4 percent is about enough power to get the thing turned on and maybe see the opening screen of a game. Then it shuts down. And the dreaded “Connect to Power” screen comes on.
It kind of makes me wonder how often you and I walk around with a “Connect to Power” warning stamped on our minds and hearts. Reading this prophecy from Isaiah 27, we get a great picture of what our relationship with God was created to look like—a vineyard that is being watered and cared for by its owner.
“I am the LORD, who watches over it to water it regularly. So that no one disturbs it, I watch over it night and day.”
—Isaiah 27:3
But how often do we get impatient with this process? How often do we try to do things in our own way, disconnected from our source of purpose and peace? Isaiah’s prophecy declared that God’s people would blossom and fill the world with their fruit, as long as they stayed connected to the vine (v.6).
I don’t know a lot about gardening, but I know there is a season to plant and a season to reap. As we grow in our walk with God, there is a process to planting and harvesting. And while the pruning in the middle isn’t always fun, it is necessary. Like my son, I can be so tempted by the thrill of immediate gratification. I think I know best what I need, and so often I’ve looked for that outside of God. But the Bible tells us the way of the world will come to ruin, and this is no place to put our hope and trust (vv.10–11). If we want to live a life that glorifies our Father, the best thing we can do is stay on the vine because the richest fruit comes from our lives when we stay close to Christ (John 15:4).
May we not be so distracted today by the promises of this world or the confusion of our hearts that we forget to abide in the One who is the source of true life.
Lord, may you be glorified through us today. Amen.
Written by Abby Flynn
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100 thoughts on "The Lord’s Vineyard"
Love the garden analogy! Just like how he created it to be in the Garden of Eden before the fall of man!
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Amen
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Amen. I have always tried my best to stay close to Christ in my life. Throughout my teens, single life, marriage, divorce and single life again. His guidance has kept me from going insane in this world. And has brought me hope and built up my faith.
lives when we stay close to Christ.
I like this sentence, “If I want to live a life that glorifies our Father, the best thing we can do is stay on the vine because the richest fruit comes from our
Make me your garden Jesus! Watch over me! Help me grow the way I need too!! Amen
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Thanks x
Amen!
I was wondering what the fb group name is. I tried to join SRT Shes a few weeks ago but have not been approved. Was wondering if I have the right group:)
Kristy – did you answer the question about bible study? You have to answer which study rather than yes or no. I think, anyway – Rhonda J is the boss of that so maybe she’ll see this and confirm. I’m not on facebook at all but I’ve read her cautions on getting in many times :)
I will give that a shot. Thank you!!
Just added you!
Yes, Searching you gave the right answer! That way you don’t get spammers in the group!
Kristy, if you type in the search bar – SRT SHE’S – it should pop up.
“Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.”
Isaiah 25:1 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/isa.25.1.NIV
I believe praise helps me to stay connected to God! I just need to remember to do it!
Praying for all!
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Last year my husband cut a huge branch from my Redbud tree just before the buds would have opened. I was so upset with his timing! He threw the branch aside as waste. Lo and behold, about a week later those buds opened fully even though the branch was no longer connected to the tree. We can all understand what happened to that branch after a time. No sustenance left. No life left. No energy left. That’s us without connection to Christ. That branch flourished for a few days from the nourishment it had stored up, but when that ran out, it died and became brittle. Father, help me to stay connected to Your Source of Life!
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My mind went to another aspect of gardening- almost as challenging as weeding and prunung- well, more challenging! That is the WAITING! Tina touched on that in her comment too, but it is really what stood out to me today. We fuss and stew about having to wait for this or that. God is the Perfect Illustration of WAITING!
He waits… and waits… and waits so that no one will perish.
Kind of disjointed comment I know, but that’s my takeaway today. ☺
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Partial lyrics from While I Wait by Lincoln Brewster
I live by faith, and not by sight
Sometimes miracles take time
While I wait, I will worship
Lord, I’ll worship Your name
While I wait, I will trust You
Lord, I’ll trust You all the same
When I fall apart, You are my strength
Help me not forget
Seeing every scar, You make me whole
You’re my healer …
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Love, hugs, and prayers, sisters! ❤
TERESA DONLEY – Praying for Amanda today and in the weeks ahead- for tolerance of the treatments and success in eradicating cancer cells! Prayers for the family as they adapt to het needs/care during these months.
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LYNNE FROM ALABAMA – Praying you get through all the red tape soon and can start your healing process. Love you, sis! ❤
Yes, Amen CeeGee!! Oh its hard to wait. When I pull back the protection before the new growth is ready..it might die or delay its beautiful growth when its ready to be revealed!!
Exactly- just like trying to ‘help’ the butterfly out of the cocoon. So many life lessons in nature! ❤
I made that comment at preschool one day, and my identical twin girls repeated it all. the. time.
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It IS hard to wait!
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Your redbud tree comment reminded me that it is about time to make some redbud cookies for the preschoolers! Yum! (The ones I made last year were lemon-ey and the blossoms were on top. Did you know the blossoms are edible? They are!) I even used blossoms from the tree at preschool, instead of the ones at my house. Soon…
Wow, Adrienne, I have been around redbuds all my life and never heard that! Thanks for the tip! ❤
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Thank you for your prayers, Cee Gee.
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I was listening to a podcast this morning about the beauty of spring. The guest was talking about a time that much of her town was wiped out by spring tornadoes, but many of the downed trees continued to blossom because they were still connected to their roots. She said that it was such a powerful testimony to God’s presence even in the midst of all of the destruction that surrounded them and a beautiful reminder of hope and encouragement.
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Lord help me to constantly be aware and connected to your source of true power. So that your word flows through me and outward toward others I meet each day.
A BIG thank you to our daily She Reads Truth writers. You have helped me to continue to read Isaiah, as truthfully I struggle to read.
Wishing you all a blessed day.
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The song playing now is good for today ‘Still Waters” by Leanne Crawford!
“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want..” He walks with me and he will follow me all my days. Every season of my life!!
I live that song and am thankful to the SHE SISTER who introduced it to me recently. The Truth I’m Standing On by LC is a great song, too! ❤
Love! ☺
GM She’s!
Here we are, more of the same of Isaiah…wow to you, but wait…there is hope! This is going to happen to those that don’t listen….but I am telling you for those that do hear. Those that want to do it their own way…you will be sorry. Those that heed my voice, you will be blessed. You can’t do it without me—yet they wanted to, they were not connected, EVEN the people of Israel- his very own.
I so see the US being warned as well, that started out as a very Christian nation, but too successful and stiff-necked to see that God is still in charge. We moved away from looking to him to bless us and see it as US doing the work. We have put him out of the forefront, and almost away completely. And woe to us. We have the warnings. BUT there is always a remnant, and I saw it awaken. The little remnant has grown. Some sleeping have awoken. More passion for God is happening! Those that have remained connected to the vine don’t need to fear. We will trust and obey. We let him lead us in all our ways. We ask for bread daily for our understanding. We take the testing as pruning. We grow, flourish. We go through seasons though. Mountains and valleys. But in the valley, we don’t have to worry, He is planting seeds and watering to grow a new garden that flourishes. He is warning in Isaiah and now- know He IS judgement, Our Maker, but merciful and gracious, wanting none to perish! Keep holding his hand, looking to him in the Storm and holding tight. In the sunshine, summertime…flourish and let your light shine! Don’t fear…but be strong and courageous! For he has made you for a time as this, to do beautiful things in his name!! It should make us grateful every day and dance and praise with joy and celebration!! That is contagious!
Preach it, sister! ❤
I have to say, there is a lot of very unchristian behavior coming out of leadership. A reading of Matthew 25:35-40 is needed.
There always will be. “Christian” has become a very generic term in my opinion. But also many could still be growing in their understanding, that you have to be connected to the source, not just putting yourself in the garden. We have all been there. I am so glad that God prunes us and helps us grow when we are willing and trusting.
I know you all must be weary of me talking about podcasts (but I’ve mentioned I’m a podcast “junkie”). I have one saved that I haven’t listened to, titled “Is Christianity Making a Comeback?” from the “I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist” podcast.
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I sure hope it is making a comeback. We need a revival!
Jesus, thank you that you don’t leave us to do this alone. You abide in us when we abide in you. Thank you for your care and how you “watch so no one can harm” (v3). Let us remain in you today. Amen!
..the best thing we can do is stay on the vine because the richest fruit comes from our lives when we stay close to Christ. THIS is another one of my prayers not just for me but for my adult children! I know they love JESUS and are still young and growing their own faith in Christ! When trials and hard times come, my hope is that they will look UP and remember John 15:4. I know in this day and time there are so many distractions, SO MANY and its hard to watch as I don’t want to NAG my kids. So when I “see” and “hear” my daughter struggling to complete an assignment, I take a deep-breath and pray instead of telling her “I told you so” Live and learn. BUT GOD….I am a blessed mama as both of them are walking with JESUS and its so important to them. Thank you all for praying regarding the incident earlier this week. It was difficult/stressful on all of us. Please pray for my daughter Alyssa. She was having some anxiety yesterday and difficult time concentrating. Thankfully she did finish her assignment.
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Prayers for Alyssa and your mama heart ❤️
These 2 verses in particular stand out to me…Listen and hear my voice. Pay attention and hear what I say. Isa 28:23 This also comes from the Lord of Armies. He gives wondrous advice; he gives great wisdom. Isa 28:29
And so, why am I slow to listen or choose to be disconnected when I know these things to be true? The Lord’s desire is for us to stay connected to our source of strength, power, hope and help. To pay attention, to hear. Who doesn’t want wondrous advice and great wisdom? I sure need it.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit, apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5
Heavenly Father, my hearts desire is to walk with you Jesus. To abide in your presence, to be in fellowship with you and to bear fruit. I know that without you, I can do nothing. Thank you Lord for making the way to know you, to draw near and to live a life that is changed by you. Amen✝️
Amen! ❤
“May we not be so distracted today by the promises of this world or the confusion of our hearts that we forget to abide in the One who is the source of true life.
Lord, may you be glorified through us today. Amen.”
Thanks for this reminder! ♥️
Yes Carol I second this prayer over us!!
A good reminder that no matter how skillful or self-reliant we or nation may be, our pride and achievements will not save us from God’s judgment. Our efforts, no matter how great, cannot stand against God’s sovereign power.
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“How often do we get impatient with the process? How often do we try to do things our own way, disconnected from our source of purpose and peace?”
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A very present question I will ponder this week. I started this new job, and I feel the push and pull of wanting to get to everything all at once because I’m excited to start while being asked to sit and observe and get acclimated for the first couple of weeks – it feels so unnatural to me, haha especially since in all of my prior positions I’ve been thrown right into it on my first day. But I’m trying to remain patient and remember that my primary assignment is to serve people the way Jesus did, and the best way to do that starts with listening.
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I read Ecclesiastes 3 last night before bed, and it was a balm to my soul. A comforting reminder that God designed everything for a due time.
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The call on our lives is too big for us to do it on our own. If we try, we end up like a withered branch. God, may I abide in you and walk in your ways. May you renew my patience and strength and give me a heart for your will. May you be glorified by my work.
Christy, so much truth!
Praying for patience ❤️
Abide. That’s been a word on my heart and mind a lot for a longgg time now. I want to, I need to abide in Christ..we all do. Without Him we can do nothing and in Him nothing is impossible!
Why is it so hard to stay connected to power? We know it is the source of our strength and joy, and yet daily we find ourselves relying on our own strength. Thanking the Lord for His reminder to stay connected. He wants us to flourish and prosper. He wants us to see blessings. He asks us to stay connected so we can see the harvest of plenty.
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Lord, may I “listen and hear your voice and pay attention and hear what you say” for You alone “give wondrous advice; he gives great wisdom” Isaiah 28:23, 29
Lord,
You are my firm foundation, my refuge in every storm. I trust in You to be my strength, just as You promise in Your Word. Help me to remain connected to You, the true Vine, so that my life may bear the fruit You desire. I ask You to prune away anything in me that isn’t of You and shape me into who You’ve called me to be.
In every moment, help me to stay close to You and to reflect Your love in all I do. Thank You for Your faithfulness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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May I sing your praises and not be silent!! What an amazing God we have!!
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Impatience, distractions, pride – and what else do I let get between me and following the Lord and seeking/walking in His will? What lies am I believing (or telling myself) and how am I building up myself rather than realizing I am nothing without God, His mercy and His grace?
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Isaiah 27:11 NLT … Israel is a foolish and stupid nation,
for its people have turned away from God.
Therefore, the One who made them
will show them no pity or mercy.
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These words are alarming to me as I look around my own foolish nation whose people have turned away from God. The most frightening thing is where I see the church leading the way. There was a local situation involving a church recently that I still can’t quite grasp as true, but it is. Lord, help us please.
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TERESA DONLEY – praying for Amanda as she starts this next round of treatment
MEAGAN C – praying for you and relationship with this family member
NICOLE BURKE – love that you were singing scripture to your little one!
GWINETH52- keep that holy poetry coming, sister ❤️
MARI V – praying
KIMBERLY Z – ❤️
Amen, Searching! When wr can no longer trust the church for the Truth, we are indeed in a fix! Praying the members of that church find another church that does preach Truth!
“ These words are alarming to me as I look around my own foolish nation whose people have turned away from God. The most frightening thing is where I see the church leading the way.” So true, Searching. Some churches do not look much different than our culture. Our pastor used a new term several Sundays ago called religious syncretism. It is a blending of biblical trues with cultural values. That is exactly what we see the Israelites doing. They were blending Jehovah with Baal.
The church needs to keep the main thing, the main thing, JESUS!!
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Searching – thank you for your prayers
Amen and amen!
“the Lord of Armies.
He gives wondrous advice;
he gives great wisdom.”
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Now may I/we take His advise and wisdom to live according to His perfect plan!
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TERESA DONLEY – continuing to pray for Amanda’s treatments and healing.
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LYNNE FROM AL – lifting you and your family up in prayer for peace and comfort.
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MIA FAITH – praying for you and your family too.
Amen!
Praying with you ❤️
Kelly (NEO) – thank you for your prayers
We had a gloriously beautiful sunny day yesterday! I had forgotten what having the sun on one’s back whilst gardening was like..
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Bliss!
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As I pruned, chopped(gently), tidied and built the ‘greats’ Wendy house, I could feel an impatience to see what my finished day in the sun would /could look like.. down the line! (I’m videoing it all for you to see Rhonda… Soooooooooon, I promise.)
The tulips I planted in the winter are showing signs of happening, the roses are all budding, and the grass grows like it’s in need of its second mow, already..!!
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BUT GOD..
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What patience he shows, I mean let’s face it, He has been patient for thousands of years, from time immemorial to be fair..
He waits and He waits and He continues to wait for us to one day come to our senses, to realise, once and for all, that we need Him daily, every hour of every day, that we need Him every minute of every hour, and every second of every hour..
The song, I need thee every hour, comes to mind..
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I need thee every hour(oh boy, do I)
Most gracious LORD,
No tender love like thine.
Can peace afford..
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I need thee every hour,
Stay thou near by
Temptation loose their power
When thou art nigh.
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I need thee, every hour
Most Holy One
Oh make me thine indeed
Thou blessed son..
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I need thee, oh I need thee
Every hour I need thee
Oh bless me now my Saviour
I come to thee.
I NEED THEE.
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Yesterday, I was doing a good thing, true.. BUT I began to lose sight of the greater picture, the greater power in my impatience.. I wanted it now. I wanted to show off… Now!
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Father God, thank you that you have your eye on this impatient sparrow. Thank you that each day, you prune, chop(gently), and tidy my heart, mind and soul. That you open my eyes to the wonders you have for me in your plans for good and purpose in my life.
Thank you for being the LORD who watched over me/us, for watering me/us regularly, feeding me/us spiritually through the Holy Spirit, so I/we am topped up in your love, grace hope.
Thank you Father God, for watching over me/us day and night.. Thank you for being the source of my/our true life.❤
May My life speak of your watering, daily..
Thank you, Father God, Thank you..
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Amen..
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Happy Wednesday, you beauties!
Praying this beautiful verse from Numbers 6, over each of you, and as I remember calling out your names..
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The LORD bless you and keep you.
The LORD make His face to shine upon you ( and your) and be gracious to you.
The LORD look upon you with favour and give you peace..
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Much love,
Tina ❤❤❤,
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What gift words the Lord has given you, Tina.
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I can’t wait to see your garden! Oh that is the good of FB, to connect to each other! I remember the first time I was able to see your beautiful face, and other she’s!! It was so good! To see a bit of “across the pond” of your slice of heaven will be exciting. I remember the joy of warm sunshine and being so excited to go out to my brown Spring garden and pull away to see the tender young green underneath! I always jumped ahead knowing the cold was not done with us in Chicagoland in March!! But I was always impatient to get going! Now I live where its green all year and I don’t know what month we are in half the time! But we see spring trees still bloom here and flower. And the fruits grown. I have always loved the imagery of gardening with what God is doing.
Tina, same here with my little garden patches and thoughts on this reading. My back and legs were so sore last night from work I did yesterday, but I thanked God for what I was able to accomplish with this old body.
Hearing the buzz of the pollinators and smelling the blended fragrance of pansies and hyacinths – pure heaven! I wish I could create that in a candle!
Hope you have another sunny day today! Hugs, sis! ❤
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And may the Lord bless you as well,Tina!❤️
Your garden sounds like it will be lovely!…could you please come and help me with mine!…last year and the year before my flowers did not do well – the first year they did beautifully. I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong – I need your green thumb!
Tina – thank you for the beautiful prayer today
Morning
On paper copy what’s today’s reading?
Commintory and podcast led me to believe chapter 27???
Ta in advance x
Alison, morning..
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According to the on line we are on 27.. Yesterday we were in 26..
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Happy Wednesday!❤
On the website it says for today: Isaiah 27, Isaiah 28 and John 15:1-8
Ta x
Isaiah 27:1-13, Isaiah 28:1-29, John 15:1-8 according to website :)
This is correct :) I have the paperback.
Oops. Thank you! Now I have to go back and read the correct scripture. :)
AMEN!!! YHWH help us remain connected to you. The imagery of you watching over us, watering us continually, guarding us day and night so that no one harms us is just what I needed. I am sorry for choosing worldly things some days and don’t show up to our appointments daily and I leave you hanging. You never leave me LORD thank you for your mercies that are renewed everyday. JESUS thank you!!
Amen, Claudia.❤️
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I love this! I miss many appointments as well! I’m going to look at it in this way in the hopes of keeping more:)