SCRIPTURE
(John 15:1&2) "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit."
OBSERVATION
Hearers of the Word of God that do not bear fruit will not be allowed to remain a part of the true vine. Jesus says in this passage that God will cut them off and discard them. Those who are bearing fruit will go through times of limitation or pruning, for the purpose of being more effective for the kingdom of God.
APPLICATION
When things are hard or difficult in life experiences, God is most likely pruning you or preparing you for the future harvest. To develop a discontent disposition or a bitter heart will require more pruning to get rid of the non-productive growth. We can rejoice in momentary light affliction because we know it is producing eternal glory.
PRAYER
Have Your way Lord in my life. I submit to Your molding and shaping of my life so that You might be glorified. I want to bear fruit in the most productive way that you see fit.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
You Want Me to do What?
SCRIPTURE
(John 14:12) "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go to the Father."
OBSERVATION
There are instances when Jesus raised the dead, worked physical healings, and defied the laws of nature. He says that if we believe in Him and the works that He did, then we will be able to do even greater things. The key is belief in Him and to know the source from which He was able to do what he did.
APPLICATION
When I worry because things become tight with my finances, or I doubt God's ability to work through me to achieve great things, what I am saying is that I question the validity of who Jesus said He was. Mark 9 says all things are possible to him that believes. I do not have to worry about my family, my finances, or my calling because God is in control of it all and He has given me His authority through Christ Jesus.
PRAYER
God, I do not want to doubt the power and authority of Your Son. Help me to become more aware of the authority that You have given me through Jesus, and to act upon it.
(John 14:12) "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go to the Father."
OBSERVATION
There are instances when Jesus raised the dead, worked physical healings, and defied the laws of nature. He says that if we believe in Him and the works that He did, then we will be able to do even greater things. The key is belief in Him and to know the source from which He was able to do what he did.
APPLICATION
When I worry because things become tight with my finances, or I doubt God's ability to work through me to achieve great things, what I am saying is that I question the validity of who Jesus said He was. Mark 9 says all things are possible to him that believes. I do not have to worry about my family, my finances, or my calling because God is in control of it all and He has given me His authority through Christ Jesus.
PRAYER
God, I do not want to doubt the power and authority of Your Son. Help me to become more aware of the authority that You have given me through Jesus, and to act upon it.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Why Should I have to Do That?
SCRIPTURE
(John 13:4&5) "Jesus rose from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself about. Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded."
OBSERVATION
Jesus, the manifest power and earthly form of God, humbles Himself and washes the dirty feet of His disciples. Jesus was symbolically acting out His mission on earth: to wash away the dirt or sins in our lives so that we can have full access to a Holy God. He models for us an attitude He would like displayed: humility and a concern for the well-being of others.
APPLICATION
In the kingdom of God, some of the tasks that are needed are basic and dirty. Some times we may think they are beneath us. The servant is not above his master. When we are tempted to ask, "why should I have to do that," it is because Jesus did it before us and asks us to have the same servants heart.
PRAYER
God, I am willing to do whatever You ask. Keep my heart pure and my motivations right before You.
(John 13:4&5) "Jesus rose from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself about. Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded."
OBSERVATION
Jesus, the manifest power and earthly form of God, humbles Himself and washes the dirty feet of His disciples. Jesus was symbolically acting out His mission on earth: to wash away the dirt or sins in our lives so that we can have full access to a Holy God. He models for us an attitude He would like displayed: humility and a concern for the well-being of others.
APPLICATION
In the kingdom of God, some of the tasks that are needed are basic and dirty. Some times we may think they are beneath us. The servant is not above his master. When we are tempted to ask, "why should I have to do that," it is because Jesus did it before us and asks us to have the same servants heart.
PRAYER
God, I am willing to do whatever You ask. Keep my heart pure and my motivations right before You.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Are You Afraid of the Dark? You Should Be!
SCRIPTURE
(John 12:46) "I have come as light into the world, that everyone who believes in me may not remain in darkness."
OBSERVATION
Jesus is informing the crowds that He is the light of God sent to expose and lead them out of darkness. His purpose is not to judge but to redeem. We each have a free will to chose to follow the light or remain in the darkness. Darkness is seperation from God, a place of torment, loneliness and regret. A place to be afraid of.
APPLICATION
In Matthew chapter 5, Christ says that we are now the light of the world, and that we should let our light shine in such a way that people will see our good works that glorify God. Light has to be generated from a source. Jesus is the light and the source of our light. If we share Jesus, that light shines brightly. Fear or intimidation from man seeks to dampen the light. Don't fear man, but fear the judgement (imposed darkness and seperation) of an eternal God.
PRAYER
God, let your light shine in me that people may see Your good works and redemtive power.
(John 12:46) "I have come as light into the world, that everyone who believes in me may not remain in darkness."
OBSERVATION
Jesus is informing the crowds that He is the light of God sent to expose and lead them out of darkness. His purpose is not to judge but to redeem. We each have a free will to chose to follow the light or remain in the darkness. Darkness is seperation from God, a place of torment, loneliness and regret. A place to be afraid of.
APPLICATION
In Matthew chapter 5, Christ says that we are now the light of the world, and that we should let our light shine in such a way that people will see our good works that glorify God. Light has to be generated from a source. Jesus is the light and the source of our light. If we share Jesus, that light shines brightly. Fear or intimidation from man seeks to dampen the light. Don't fear man, but fear the judgement (imposed darkness and seperation) of an eternal God.
PRAYER
God, let your light shine in me that people may see Your good works and redemtive power.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
SCRIPTURE
Jesus wept.
APPLICATION
This verse seems to teach us that Jesus is full of great emotion stirred by love. He doesn't simply look at the world with foreknowledge, knowing with confidence how things will turn out. He is emotionally involved. Like us, Jesus has emotions and feelings. He understands our emotions. In fact, he created them. He can sympathize with us in the midst of difficulty, stress and sadness. How cool is that!
PRAYER
Jesus, I praise you for your 'realness'. That you aren't an impersonal, distant God. You are close, personal and relationally connected to your creation.
John 11:35
OBSERVATION
OBSERVATION
In the verses leading up to verse 35, Jesus continues to express his intention to raise Lazarus from the dead. Those around him don't understand what he is going to do, but Jesus obviously does. In spite of this, Jesus is moved with great emotion (v. 33) by the mourning of Mary, Martha and the others. He cries upon seeing the body of Lazarus. Jesus knows that he is going to move in a miraculous way, but he is still emotionally connected to the event.
APPLICATION
This verse seems to teach us that Jesus is full of great emotion stirred by love. He doesn't simply look at the world with foreknowledge, knowing with confidence how things will turn out. He is emotionally involved. Like us, Jesus has emotions and feelings. He understands our emotions. In fact, he created them. He can sympathize with us in the midst of difficulty, stress and sadness. How cool is that!
PRAYER
Jesus, I praise you for your 'realness'. That you aren't an impersonal, distant God. You are close, personal and relationally connected to your creation.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Lost Sheep
SCRIPTURE
"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me."
"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me."
John 10:14
PRAYER
Jesus, you are the Good Shepherd. When I follow you, you lead me to places of peace and joy and provision. Forgive me for those times when I don't follow. Help me to follow you more fervently and earnestly.
OBSERVATION
This is one of the great "I am" passages in John. Here, Jesus is stating that he is the good shepherd. There is a natural inclination to recall Psalm 23 while hearing the words of Jesus. In Psalm 23, God is called a shepherd, and indeed a good shepherd. He leads his sheep in the midst of darkness and threat. He leads the sheep through the valley to quiet waters and green pastures. He provides for all the needs of his sheep. Because of the presence of the shepherd, the sheep have no need for worry or fear. They have great faith in the love of their shepherd, and his ability to protect them. Jesus says that he is the good shepherd, that he will lead us to quiet waters and green pastures. He will restore our soul.
APPLICATION
I need to remember that I am a sheep. That I need to follow. That I am weak and fallible and dependent. Left to myself, I am lost and lonely. However, Jesus extends an invitation to become my shepherd. He expresses his desire to lead and love. All I have to do is accept the invitation and begin to follow.
This is one of the great "I am" passages in John. Here, Jesus is stating that he is the good shepherd. There is a natural inclination to recall Psalm 23 while hearing the words of Jesus. In Psalm 23, God is called a shepherd, and indeed a good shepherd. He leads his sheep in the midst of darkness and threat. He leads the sheep through the valley to quiet waters and green pastures. He provides for all the needs of his sheep. Because of the presence of the shepherd, the sheep have no need for worry or fear. They have great faith in the love of their shepherd, and his ability to protect them. Jesus says that he is the good shepherd, that he will lead us to quiet waters and green pastures. He will restore our soul.
APPLICATION
I need to remember that I am a sheep. That I need to follow. That I am weak and fallible and dependent. Left to myself, I am lost and lonely. However, Jesus extends an invitation to become my shepherd. He expresses his desire to lead and love. All I have to do is accept the invitation and begin to follow.
PRAYER
Jesus, you are the Good Shepherd. When I follow you, you lead me to places of peace and joy and provision. Forgive me for those times when I don't follow. Help me to follow you more fervently and earnestly.
Friday, August 7, 2009
God in a Box
SCRIPTURE
Some of the Pharisees said, "This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath."
PRAYER
Father, surprise me. Stretch my conception of you so that I may know you more fully. Soften my heart and open my mind to further comprehend your character.
John 9:16
OBSERVATION
The Pharisees missed it. They missed the Messiah. They were so caught up in keeping their religion in a nice box with neat categories that they missed connecting with the Son of God. Their expectations for God's move were defined by lists and rules, rather than an organic relationship with the living God. They refused to push past their assumptions about the nature of God. They allowed pride in their religious knowledge hinder their understanding of God. As a result, they missed the most profound expression of God on earth.
APPLICATION
I'm afraid that I have Pharisaical tendencies. Like the Pharisees, I sometimes place God in a box and limit His action to my preconceived notions of who He is and how He moves. We obviously need to have notions and knowledge of who God is, otherwise, anything might become God. However, we can also become so cautious with when, why and how God works that we miss it when He shows up because he doesn't fit in our neat, comfortable box. I want to be surprised by God. I want to allow my worldview to stretch beyond my past experiences and see God in fresh ways. I want to loose my Pharisaical tendencies.
OBSERVATION
The Pharisees missed it. They missed the Messiah. They were so caught up in keeping their religion in a nice box with neat categories that they missed connecting with the Son of God. Their expectations for God's move were defined by lists and rules, rather than an organic relationship with the living God. They refused to push past their assumptions about the nature of God. They allowed pride in their religious knowledge hinder their understanding of God. As a result, they missed the most profound expression of God on earth.
APPLICATION
I'm afraid that I have Pharisaical tendencies. Like the Pharisees, I sometimes place God in a box and limit His action to my preconceived notions of who He is and how He moves. We obviously need to have notions and knowledge of who God is, otherwise, anything might become God. However, we can also become so cautious with when, why and how God works that we miss it when He shows up because he doesn't fit in our neat, comfortable box. I want to be surprised by God. I want to allow my worldview to stretch beyond my past experiences and see God in fresh ways. I want to loose my Pharisaical tendencies.
PRAYER
Father, surprise me. Stretch my conception of you so that I may know you more fully. Soften my heart and open my mind to further comprehend your character.
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