From: May 26, 2023
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5 NLT).
The abundant life begins with salvation, yet here in John 15, Jesus is speaking of the fruitful life that becomes evident as we continually remain in Him. We understand that our salvation is accomplished by Christ and by no effort of our own. Yet, after receiving this salvation, we often attempt to live the Christian life by our own self-effort. But just as we are saved by grace through faith in Christ, so shall we continue to live by faith, abiding in Christ.
Wherever we are not exhibiting love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness or self-control, in that very place we are not abiding in Christ. Abiding, we rest in Christ, drawing on His life-giving power and presence even in the midst of life’s storms. We are not called to imitate Christ, but to abide in Him, so that His life is made manifest in ours. Imitating, we do our best to be Christlike, but abiding, we experience the Spirit of Christ living in and through us, enabling us to bear much fruit.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we are thankful for the abiding life of Christ. Yet we are sorry that we often seek to live by our own strength. Forgive us. Teach us to abide. We want to bear much fruit. Show us where we are striving rather than abiding, so that we might repent. Train us to always abide. For we want to decrease so that Christ increases in us. In His name we pray, amen.
From: May 26, 2016
In the Spring, when kings go to war, David stayed home. Yet, he sent his army off to engage in a conflict. Perhaps he told himself that he deserved a break. The leader who usually led from the front, didn’t even leave his house. And so, a kind of restless ennui seems to have settled on him. He strolled around on the roof of his palace, while his troops marched to battle. In was in that moment, that the most dangerous foe in David’s career was observed. Was it another giant from Gath preparing to charge? No. Was it an enemy archer taking aim at the king? No. It was a beautiful woman, bathing on the roof of a nearby house. In that moment, that lazy, unfocused moment, David’s heart was breached by a spiritual battle more deadly than any giant’s sword or assassin’s dart. David’s unguarded eyes fell upon beautiful Bathsheba and his casual glance turned into a lustful look. In the next few days, David, the man “after God’s own heart,” went from apathy to adultery and from spiritual malaise to murder. David, the champion, was defeated by sexual temptation. Thinking himself safe within the confines of his palace, he was overcome by man’s ancient foe. Staying home, David surrendered to sin.
From: May 26, 2015
The abiding life begins with salvation, yet here in John 15, Jesus is speaking of the abundant life that becomes evident as we continue to abide in Him. We understand that our salvation is accomplished by Christ and by no effort of our own. Yet, after receiving this salvation through faith, we often attempt to live the Christian life by our own self-effort. But just as we are saved by grace through faith, so shall we continue to live by “abiding” in God’s grace through faith. Wherever we are not exhibiting love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, in that very place we are not abiding in Christ. Abiding, we rest in Christ, drawing on His life-giving power and presence even in the midst of life’s storms. We are not called to imitate Christ, but to abide in Him, so that His life is manifest in ours.
From: May 26, 2014
Psalm 119 is not only the longest psalm. It is the longest chapter in the Bible. It is an acrostic poem with 22 stanzas based on the Hebrew alphabet. This verse is found in the stanza beginning with Hebrew’s 7th letter “zayin.” It speaks of God’s “promise” which comforts the psalmist in his troubles. It doesn’t name which promise. It could be one of many. Psalm 119 is an anthem to God’s Word. It celebrates his laws, promises, statutes, words, decrees, etc. (and many other synonyms for “word.” How many can you find?). When I feel troubled, I often find solace in God’s promises. The Lord is a promise-making and a promise-keeping God. I meditate on his promises and find comfort there. Today, I am encouraged by his promise to always be with us, even until the end of the age. If I have his presence, I have him and all his promises too.