Finding the Heart of Redemption: The Way ______: Blind eyes will be opened, deaf ears unstopped… Springs of 35:1-10 water will burst out in the wilderness, streams flow in the desert. Hot sands will October 4, 2020 become a cool oasis, thirsty ground a splashing fountain…. Isaiah 35:5-7 (MSG) Rev. Dr. Jonathan Lovelady ______: And I persecuted the followers of the Way, hounding some to death, arresting both men and women and throwing them in prison. Isaiah 35:1-10 The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will Acts 22:4 (NLT) rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, 2 it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our 3. ______the future God. 3 Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; 4 say to those with fearful hearts, "Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will ______: Jesus took the bread, blessed and broke it. Then their eyes were come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you." 5 Then opened and they recognized Jesus…they said to each other, “Weren’t our hearts will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. 6 Then fired-up in the Way as Jesus opened the scriptures to teach us who he is?” will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush Luke 24:30-32 (JOT) forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. 7 The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs. In the haunts where jackals once lay, Spiritual Action Step: grass and reeds and papyrus will grow. 8 And a highway will be there; it will be Are you struggling with despair? Where are you giving into apathy? God called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way. The is committed to love you and he will never leave you or forsake you. How will unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it. 9 No lion will be you move into this future? Jesus said: “God so loved the world that God gave there, nor any ravenous beast; they will not be found there. But only the his only Son that whosoever would put their faith in him will not perish but have redeemed will walk there, 10 and those the LORD has rescued will return. They eternal life.” (John 3:16) Accept Jesus as Lord so the words of Isaiah will be will enter with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and fulfilled in you: “Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. (NIV) flee away!” This week, read Isaiah 35 and Luke 24 and let God’s redemptive power lift you into joy and hope! Our Vision: Connect with Christ, Church and Community Translations: NIV: New International Version; TLB: The Living ; JOT: Jon’s 1. ______to God’s heart of redemption Own Translation; MSG: The Message; NLT: New Living Translation.

______: It was just because he loves you, and because he kept his promise to your ancestors. That is why he brought you out of slavery in with such amazing power and mighty miracles. Deuteronomy 7:8 (TLB)

2. ______the possibilities of being redeemed

______: Strengthen the hands that have given up and the knees that are paralyzed with fear!! Encourage the faint hearted by saying: “Be strong and do not be afraid! Our God is here to set things right and to repay the wrong that has been done. God is coming! God will save you!” Isaiah 35:3 (JOT)