Jesus calls Himself, “the vine,” in Scripture. I love this
analogy. When we are rooted deep in Him, we can bear much fruit. The fragrance
and ripeness of healthy fruit increases its value and nourishment. As we grow
in the vine of Christ, we, too, may bear much good fruit for the glory of God.
Listen to these
words of Jesus.
“I am the
vine and you are the branches. Remain in Me and I in you and you will bear much
fruit. Apart from Me, you can do nothing. John 15:5
Just as an avid
gardener, prunes his trees and bushes, so does God prune and pluck things out
of our lives that are not healthy and good. His discipline does not always feel
good. It may not match what we believe we want and need, but when we follow Him
and allow Him to cut off some unhealthy branches, we will blossom!
We did not
appreciate discipline from our earthly parents at the time, but later, we
realize it was meant for good.
No
discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it
produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained
by it. Hebrews 12:11
Is God asking you
to give up a bad habit, to walk away from temptation, to change a life-long
attitude, to close an unhealthy relationship, to change the channel? Lean on
Him, trust His discipline. And we will bear the fruit of the One who loves us.
Here is what the fruit looks like to the world around us. Let it be said of us!
But the
fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23
As you read through the list
above, ask God which fruit needs a bit of trimming, some Godly discipline, some
good new growth. Don’t be surprised, when you pray, He may bring some
challenges to grow you in His good fruit. Stay rooted in the vine.
Lord,
Teach us to appreciate Your many ways of discipline. They are
designed, always, for our good and for our growth. You are the master gardener.
Let the pruning begin!
In Jesus name,
Amen
This week we are talking about God’s discipline, the ways He
challenges us through the Words of Scripture and through prayer and through experience. He also
teaches us through others. I have learned so many valuable lessons from my
brothers and sisters in the faith. And God has a sense of humor, too!
I remember being
overwhelmed when it was my year to serve Thanksgiving dinner. Full disclosure,
another spiritual gift that has not been given to me is the gift of
hospitality. I marvel at those who love to entertain, whose door is always open
to others, and miraculously, seem to have food available to serve at any time!
Even though we have unique spiritual gifts and personality types, God does ask us to
move out of our comfort zones from time to time. I was worrying and grumbling
and, as God often does, two Scriptures just “happened” to be in front of me
during that time.
Share
with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Romans 12:13
Offer
hospitality to one another without grumbling. 1 Peter 4:9
Well, that stopped
me in my tracks and my irritable mood. “Practice hospitality,” and “without
grumbling,” spoke to my heart. I made it through with a changed attitude and a heart to serve..
Understanding what
God’s will is can guide us into the most difficult of tasks, even the ones that
don’t necessarily fit with grace and, yes, humor.
Lord,
Grumbling about my lack doesn’t help anything. Keep us filled
with positive attitudes and humor as we struggle with so much. The struggles
are often unnecessary. You change our thoughts and our abilities to move ahead
in Your plans.
In Jesus name,
Amen
God has challenged
me throughout my faith life. I have volunteered for ministries that were just
not meant to be fulfilled by me! My friend, Kim, talked me into leading the
entire vacation Bible school at our church many years ago. Luckily, she ended
up doing most of the work. The gift of administration, finding volunteers,
ordering supplies, finding spots for 120 children and leading opening worship
left me with sleepless nights and feelings of despair!
Finding my
spiritual gifts was one of the most valuable lessons God gave to me. Many times,
the discipline comes from doing the wrong things even when our hearts are in
the right place.
There are
different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are
different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working,
but all of them and in everyone, it is the same God at work. 1 Corinthians
12:4-6
I highly recommend
investigating the Spiritual gifts of our God. They are found in many places in
Scripture. For example, 1 Corinthians 12,
Romans 12 and Ephesians 4. There are spiritual gifts inventories and tests
available on line. God needs each one of us, all different parts of the same
body. Don’t learn the hard way like me! Allow Him to find your specific gifts. Using
our designated gifts bring joy and peace, rather than unrest. They will fit
you, your personality, your natural gifts and your values like a glove!
Father,
You teach us in so many ways. Help us to find our fit within
the body of Christ, so that we can fulfill the desires of Your heart.
In Jesus name,
Amen
God has been working in my life for over twenty-five years. I
am grateful for the gift of faith, the love of the Word of God and the Holy
Spirit that guides and changes me. Remember, GOD does the work if we allow Him
to open our hearts and minds to His will.
Being
confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to
completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6
This verse gives me
such comfort. Obviously, we aren’t going to become perfected until we arrive in
heaven, but God can use us as His ambassadors while we are here. Until God’s
work is complete in us, He will keep striving, disciplining, and moving us more
and more into His likeness.
As we age, we can
look back and see God’s hand through even the most difficult and tragic times
of our lives. No matter the circumstances, He weaves it all together to bring
glory to Himself. Trust Him to use the tough and the terrific times for good.
And we
know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have
been called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
Trust in these
verses again and again. God disciplines. God works for good. God transforms.
And, if we continue to pray for His will to be done, He will continue to work
for good in our lives. We are called according to His purpose.
Father,
Sometimes it seems impossible to see your hand in all that we experience
throughout our lives on this earth. Open our eyes to Your purposes, which moves
beyond this earth to eternity. Help us to see with eyes of faith and trust.
In Jesus name,
Amen
Did you know or have you experienced the discipline of our
Father in heaven? As believers, we are adopted sons and daughters, inheritors
of the kingdom of heaven and God wants us to live our best life according to
His will. Just as our earthly fathers discipline us for our own good, so too,
does our Father in heaven.
Blessed
is the one whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.
Job 5:17
Blessed
is the one you discipline, Lord, the one you teach from your law. Psalm 94:12
Endure
hardship as discipline. God is treating you as children. For what children are
not disciplined by their father? Hebrews 12:7
All discipline is
for our good. And the Holy Spirit within us gives us the ability to follow
God’s commands and implement the changes He views as necessary.
For the
Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power love and
self-discipline.
Lord,
Shine Your light into our lives and remove any darkness in our
attitudes, in our giving, in our habits, in our minds. We look to You to
transform us even when it is not easy.
Amen
This week, w
e have sorted and let go, humbled ourselves in love, gazed in
wonder at the beauty that surrounds us and laughed with delight at the young
ones in our lives. All of the deepest desires and delights of our hearts can be found with Jesus. He is the one with the wisdom, the one to open our eyes to the joy around us. Finally,
the simple joys of this life are found in Christ Himself.
He continually brings deep joy and that deep
joy continually gives us strength. Here is a great verse to memorize when worldly
joy comes up empty, when grief dwells within, when hope has vanished. Each day
is holy and good in His presence. Jesus remains.
This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy
of the Lord is our strength.” Nehemiah 8:10b
Jesus will walk
with you, talk with you, comfort you, strengthen you and guide you home to
heaven. Seek Him and find Him. Believe that He died and rose again for you! He
is there. He is love and He provides deep joy, always. Acknowledge His presence
and feel the strength of this joy.
Jesus,
The spiritual joys you provide are miraculous. Even in the
face of tragedy or trial, You give us with what we need to face another day.
You offer peace and joy amidst chaos and confusion. We cling to Your strength
and the joy that remains. Stay with us.
Amen .
It's easy to take our relationships for granted, to become
annoyed with the people closest to us and around us, to look for the imperfect
rather than the perfect, for the deficiency rather than the delight. Jesus
gives us a heart to look for the good in others, to humble ourselves and to do
good.
Therefore,
as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with
compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12
Do
nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value
others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests, but each of you to
the interests of the others. Philippians 2:3-4
These Scriptures
are easy to gloss over. When you read through them more than once, it can be
difficult to imagine fulfilling these words as followers of Jesus. But, with
God’s help, with the Holy Spirit flowing through us, we can ask to become
humble, to serve with love, even when we are irritated or annoyed. Impossible?
Jesus has a reminder for us today.
Jesus
replied, “What is impossible with man, is possible with God. Luke 18:27
I can do
all this with Him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13
Find simple joy
with the people around you this day. Give encouragement and compassion, put others
before yourself. Humility, gentleness and kindness are rare these days. Shine
your light. Be different in a world gone mad. Never easy, but with God, all
things are possible. Rely on His strength.
Lord,
We do know that You bring deep joy when we obey Your Words.
Give us the joy You provide by humbling ourselves, by looking for the good in
others, for bringing encouragement and to appreciate those we love most.
In Jesus name,
Amen
