““I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.”
John 15:1-4 NLT
http://bible.com/116/jhn.15.1-4.nlt
I am fascinated with grapes. First of all they are delicious. But my fascination goes beyond taste. They are uniquely made and a well trained Gardner has a lot to do with the yield of the grape vine. Grape vines are more productive if they are not left to grow wild. They grow better with the care of a Gardner. The Gardner needs to cut away the bad spots to increase growth.
My God is my Gardner. I am just like the branches of the grape vine, I need trimmed back so I can become more. All of my growth comes from spending time and connecting with Jesus. He is my vine, the source of my life growth. I think most people seek a productive life, they want to be more tomorrow than they are today. That can only be sustained when we let God prune our lives. Yes, sometimes it's painful, but great things come out of that pain. I trust God to care for me with love and grace. He will allow some pain and some sorrow so I can grow and produce good fruits in my life.
Dear Lord, I love you. I am proud to serve you. I am thankful that when you see areas of my life that need changed, you initiate that change. I dedicate my life to your service and invite you to make me a better servant. My life is yours. Amen!
Thursday, April 20, 2017
Wednesday, April 19, 2017
It's not enough!
“Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.””
Matthew 28:18-20 NLT
http://bible.com/116/mat.28.18-20.nlt
These verses have really been on my heart lately. I feel that I'm not doing enough. Are you? What do you do outside the church? Have you ever asked someone if they would like to know Jesus? I have always been about living as an example for non-Christians. I try to love everyone, including the lost. I try to be a servant leader and try to build bridges to those that live a life outside of the family of Christ. Is that enough? All is lost if I don't look for opportunities to directly lead the lost to eternity. So many people I see throughout the day will not even witness an alter call at church. When will they get the opportunity to choose? I may be there only chance.
Dear Lord, Lead me to the lost. Give me the heart to ask others if they want to take the step to know Jesus. Give me the boldness, open my eyes, and give me the words to bring others with me into eternity. I am blessed by your presence and I want everyone to receive those same blessings. Amen!
Matthew 28:18-20 NLT
http://bible.com/116/mat.28.18-20.nlt
These verses have really been on my heart lately. I feel that I'm not doing enough. Are you? What do you do outside the church? Have you ever asked someone if they would like to know Jesus? I have always been about living as an example for non-Christians. I try to love everyone, including the lost. I try to be a servant leader and try to build bridges to those that live a life outside of the family of Christ. Is that enough? All is lost if I don't look for opportunities to directly lead the lost to eternity. So many people I see throughout the day will not even witness an alter call at church. When will they get the opportunity to choose? I may be there only chance.
Dear Lord, Lead me to the lost. Give me the heart to ask others if they want to take the step to know Jesus. Give me the boldness, open my eyes, and give me the words to bring others with me into eternity. I am blessed by your presence and I want everyone to receive those same blessings. Amen!
Tuesday, April 18, 2017
Sit back and watch!
““If you love me, show it by doing what I’ve told you. I will talk to the Father, and he’ll provide you another Friend so that you will always have someone with you. This Friend is the Spirit of Truth. The godless world can’t take him in because it doesn’t have eyes to see him, doesn’t know what to look for. But you know him already because he has been staying with you, and will even be in you!”
John 14:15-17 MSG
http://bible.com/97/jhn.14.15-17.msg
I'm not sure we grasp the inspiration of this statement. God is always with us, through the power of the spirit. God has a great desire to be with us and reveals himself through the presence of the Holy Spirit. The world does not understand this idea of a Spirit that is alive and active in our lives. They do not see the presence of God through the Holy Spirit. I get so excited when I see the spirit of the Lord active in my life. Every single day I can see the Lord moving.
If you do not feel the Spirit of the Lord active in your daily life, you need to change. You need to get on your knees and pray for your Heavenly Father to send the spirit to fill you from the inside out. Then you need to sit back and watch. Your life will change forever.
Dear Lord, I am so thankful you are with me every day. I never have to be alone. I never have to make decisions or challenges on my own. Continue to fill me with your Spirit. Direct my life. Lead me on the path you have set before me. I love you. Amen!
John 14:15-17 MSG
http://bible.com/97/jhn.14.15-17.msg
I'm not sure we grasp the inspiration of this statement. God is always with us, through the power of the spirit. God has a great desire to be with us and reveals himself through the presence of the Holy Spirit. The world does not understand this idea of a Spirit that is alive and active in our lives. They do not see the presence of God through the Holy Spirit. I get so excited when I see the spirit of the Lord active in my life. Every single day I can see the Lord moving.
If you do not feel the Spirit of the Lord active in your daily life, you need to change. You need to get on your knees and pray for your Heavenly Father to send the spirit to fill you from the inside out. Then you need to sit back and watch. Your life will change forever.
Dear Lord, I am so thankful you are with me every day. I never have to be alone. I never have to make decisions or challenges on my own. Continue to fill me with your Spirit. Direct my life. Lead me on the path you have set before me. I love you. Amen!
Monday, April 17, 2017
The road
“Jesus said, “I am the Road, also the Truth, also the Life. No one gets to the Father apart from me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him. You’ve even seen him!””
John 14:6-7 MSG. http://bible.com/97/jhn.14.6-7.msg
The school year is in the home stretch and my eyes are fixed on the final plans for vacation. I love planning our annual trips. There are so many options and I love the challenge of taking the right roads to see as much as we can in a short time. There really isn't a perfect route, but I keep looking.
I've stopped looking for a perfect way to live. I've found it. I'm not saying I am perfect. I'm saying I have found the perfect path, through Jesus. There are no OTHER real options. That's what Jesus said. There is only one road and it's through him. I have taken so many different detours, side roads and off-beaten paths through my life. They all looked so inviting. They were all dead ends. My savior has laid out a perfect route. A route that leads me to blessings and peace and a route that is an adventure to be enjoyed every day. Turmoil is found everywhere when I drift or head out on my own. Praise God for his love. Praise God for the plan he has set out before me.
Dear Lord, I love you. I praise you for the joy you have given me. I am excited for my future. I am excited that you care so much for me that you have planned my life day-to-day and minute-by-minute. Thank you Lord! Amen!
John 14:6-7 MSG. http://bible.com/97/jhn.14.6-7.msg
The school year is in the home stretch and my eyes are fixed on the final plans for vacation. I love planning our annual trips. There are so many options and I love the challenge of taking the right roads to see as much as we can in a short time. There really isn't a perfect route, but I keep looking.
I've stopped looking for a perfect way to live. I've found it. I'm not saying I am perfect. I'm saying I have found the perfect path, through Jesus. There are no OTHER real options. That's what Jesus said. There is only one road and it's through him. I have taken so many different detours, side roads and off-beaten paths through my life. They all looked so inviting. They were all dead ends. My savior has laid out a perfect route. A route that leads me to blessings and peace and a route that is an adventure to be enjoyed every day. Turmoil is found everywhere when I drift or head out on my own. Praise God for his love. Praise God for the plan he has set out before me.
Dear Lord, I love you. I praise you for the joy you have given me. I am excited for my future. I am excited that you care so much for me that you have planned my life day-to-day and minute-by-minute. Thank you Lord! Amen!
Saturday, April 15, 2017
A hard days work?
“When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.” “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.”
Luke 5:4-7 NLT
http://bible.com/116/luk.5.4-7.nlt
Sometimes life is just hard. Ever since the fall of man we have been toiling, laboring, to live a life of abundance. I had a perfect day off yesterday and had quite a bit of work to get done outside. Planting bulbs, hauling dirt, spreading mulch, and cleaning up. It was a great day but I have to admit, I was tired. But the day was not over. I quickly showered and headed to Auburn to be with my CMA family and then some fellowship with a couple of dear friends. Yes, I was tired but I also was blessed and the entire day was so complete!
This story about Peter and his fishing buddies really puts things in perspective. They had fished all through the night, laboring, tired, with no results. Then Jesus spoke. They had the choice right there to make an excuse and quit, or follow the Lord. The results, even through their exhaustion was bundance beyond all measure.
Follow Jesus! Follow him even through the labor and toil of your life. Heed hi voice even when you are weary and ready for a nap! My CMA devotional said we need to work even harder for the harvest. We need to double our efforts to save the lost. We need to share the Lord and go deeper just like the fisherman in the story. The reward is eternal!
Lord, I praise you through all things. I praise you through the joys and hardships of life. Forgive me for not working hard enough for your kingdom. Give me strength to serve you even when I think I can't go on. You are amazing Lord. Praise God for his love! Amen!
Luke 5:4-7 NLT
http://bible.com/116/luk.5.4-7.nlt
Sometimes life is just hard. Ever since the fall of man we have been toiling, laboring, to live a life of abundance. I had a perfect day off yesterday and had quite a bit of work to get done outside. Planting bulbs, hauling dirt, spreading mulch, and cleaning up. It was a great day but I have to admit, I was tired. But the day was not over. I quickly showered and headed to Auburn to be with my CMA family and then some fellowship with a couple of dear friends. Yes, I was tired but I also was blessed and the entire day was so complete!
This story about Peter and his fishing buddies really puts things in perspective. They had fished all through the night, laboring, tired, with no results. Then Jesus spoke. They had the choice right there to make an excuse and quit, or follow the Lord. The results, even through their exhaustion was bundance beyond all measure.
Follow Jesus! Follow him even through the labor and toil of your life. Heed hi voice even when you are weary and ready for a nap! My CMA devotional said we need to work even harder for the harvest. We need to double our efforts to save the lost. We need to share the Lord and go deeper just like the fisherman in the story. The reward is eternal!
Lord, I praise you through all things. I praise you through the joys and hardships of life. Forgive me for not working hard enough for your kingdom. Give me strength to serve you even when I think I can't go on. You are amazing Lord. Praise God for his love! Amen!
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