Stay Connected

I was reading through John 15 this morning. Jesus is speaking to His disciples and the chapter begins with an illustration of His - a vine and its branches. Jesus stresses the importance of staying connected to God for life and for power, apart from God we can accomplish nothing and we are worth nothing. Jesus then begins to talk with His disciples about the importance of remaining connected to God's love, apart from God's love there is no peace and there is no joy. Jesus continues by telling His disciples to stay connected to God through obedience, all wisdom comes to us through God and He has a greater plan in mind, desiring us to live a fruitful life and bear fruit that will last.

So, stay connected. 

From Merton's Palace of Nowhere by James Finley; "Mertton once told me to quit trying so hard in prayer. He said: 'How does and apple ripen? It just sits in the sun.' A small green apple cannot ripen in one night by tightening all its muscles, squinting its eyes and tightening its jaw in order to find itself the next morning miraculously large, red, ripe, and juicy beside its small green counterparts. Like the birth of a baby or the opening of a rose, the birth of true self takes place in God's time. We must wait for God, we must be awake, we must trust in his hidden action within us."

So, once again, stay connected.

Walk in Obedience

Blessed are all who fear the Lord,

who walk in obedience to him. (Psalm 128:1)

This passage goes in to outline many of the ways an obedient man will be blessed by the Lord. 

Recently I have been talking with many people about the account of the rich man who came to Jesus (Matthew 19:16-26) and asked what was required of him. Jesus told him to walk in obedience. Then, when the man inquired further, Jesus told him to sell everything and give all his money away. 

Not everyone will be called to sell all their possessions and give all their money away. Yet, all are called to obedience - totally and completely. And, when we inquire further, Jesus will reveal the thing - or things - in our life that compete for our time, allegiance, and faithfulness to Him.

So, this morning, I ask The Lord to reveal the things in my life that keep me from walking in obedience to Him and Him alone.

Bible Study: The Word Became Flesh

It's cold - really cold - outside! If you are not able to get out in the cold and experience the community of our Wednesday morning Bible Study, here are texts we will be reading, studying, and praying through today. 

Enjoy these in the comfort of your home, with a warm cup of coffee in the presence of The Lord. 

Psalm 144:3-4; O Lord, what is man that You care for him, the son of man that You think of Him? Man is like a breath; his days are like a fleeting shadow.

·     John 1:1-4

·     Matthew 10:16-31

·     Luke 13:31-35

·     Mark 6:31-44

·     Philippians 2:12-15

·     John 3:1-13, 7-12

·     Hebrews 5:7-10

Devoted To Devotions

From our daily devotional "The Word For You Today"; The word "devotion" implies total commitment to someone - giving them your time and attention, enjoying their company, seeking to please them, and making them priority in your life.

I often struggle to understand how so many followers of Jesus Christ are not actually devoted to Him. There is no daily time spent with Him, no time spent communicating with Him or allowing Him to communicate with them. This would never work with our friends or our family members. This definitely would not work with a spouse! Over time the relationship begins to corrode until Christ becomes only an acquaintance that we see from afar for an hour on Sunday morning. 

One of the first questions I ask an individual or couple that comes to talk with me about their struggles is "how do you daily devote yourself to God". I have found that many followers of Jesus Christ are not following Him, they are just hoping that He is following them. I have found that many followers of Jesus Christ have no real relationship with Him, they are just hoping that He continues to relate to them. Notice that I wrote "hoping" not praying. 

I have found that many followers of Jesus Christ are not following Him, they are just hoping that He is following them.

This is a new day, at the start of a new year. Let this be a year that you become devoted to The One that is totally devoted to you. Let this be the year that you worship Christ Jesus with passion and devotion.

Bible Study: Welcome the Stranger

We will not have our regular Wednesday afternoon Bible Study this week. However, I invite you to read through the following Scriptures - considering Jesus.

"Welcome the Stranger"

Isaiah 53:3, 5; He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

Pray - Think - Reflect

• Exodus 23:1-9

• Genesis 19:1-13

• Psalm 121

• Jeremiah 7:1-7

• Luke 9:51-58

• Matthew 25:31-46

If you live in the Robinson, Illinois area, I invite you to join us on Wednesday, January 7th, at 11:00 am as we read and study God's Word for our lives - applying it in a practical way.

 

2015; A Year of Worship

Let us declare that 2015 will be a year of worship! In 2015 - despite all of the hurts of the past, the burdens that we carry, and the opposition that we face - let us glorify the name of Jesus. Jesus has conquered sin, Satan, and death - He can lead you to a life of peace and joy. Let us magnify the mighty name of Jesus above all else in our lives.

New Year's Eve Thoughts

What are you going to stop doing?

What are you going to start doing?

How are you working to achieve this?

In 2014 my "word" was BOLD.

In 2015 my "word" will be THINK.