John 20:8 Expectant

Then the disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in, and he saw and believed— (John 20:8 NLT)

Observation:

Based on Mary's information that the tomb is empty, John and Peter run to the tomb. It says in chapter 20, that John was faster than Peter in running.  I think that is funny since it is John that wrote the book. Was this a one upper? Hmm, don't know :)

Anyway, John looks in the tomb and believes that Christ has risen. John is the only one at this point. Everyone else has to see Jesus to believe. So it begs the question of why was John the only one?

It could have to do with John's age. He was the youngest of disciples and hadn't been tainted not to believe in miracles. Although all of the disciples had witnessed lots of miracles, including raising Lazarus from the dead, surely Christ conquering His own death didn't seem like that far of a stretch after watching Lazarus raised. Or it could have to do with watching Jesus be paraded in front of a mock trial, tortured, then crucified, and seeing Jesus never fight back but take it all. Whatever the reason, John believed the minute he saw the empty tomb.

Application:

John was prepared to witness a miracle, he was expectant. My heart is convicted at the lack of expectancy that I have. What if every time I walked in somewhere I looked for and expected to see God do something amazing. I think the results would be daily excitement and motivation, and an overflow of God's love and grace in my life for others. So what stops me from being expectant? Negativity. Thankfulness is a catalyst for an expectant heart and negativity is catalyst for a depressed and unmotivated One. I desire to live in a constant attitude of gratitude; to develop a habit of thankfulness. I will take steps today in making intentional time to say thankYou.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for Your word and how it enlightens the soul. Thank You for the birds chirping and the hum of the air conditioner. Thank You for electricity and a roof over our heads. Thank You that I get to be a wife and a mama. Thank You that I am Yours and no one and nothing can take me away from You. Thank You for hearing my prayers. Thank You for Your continued faithfulness and grace in my life. I love You!

1John 2:15-17- Our Enemy The World

Don't love the world's ways. Don't love the world's goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world—wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important—has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him. The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out—but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity. 

Observation:

John is writing this while living in Ephesus. Ephesus is a booming city, whose remains are in Turkey. Ephesus didn't last. During John's life Ephesus was a mixing pot of various idol worship and sexual sin. In doing research on Ephesus I found the only thing different about Ephesus and America is that there isn't the persecution of Christians. The sin is all there, we just do a better job at appearing to have it all together. Just like it is difficult for us not to chase after the trappings of this world, it is difficult for for the Ephesians Christians as well.

Application:

The world, not people, the world is our enemy. The world is all about appearance. And the standard of appearance is unrealistic at best. Just take a look at how the world describes beauty, success, relationships, if you examine the definition it will make you laugh. How could starving yourself, baking in the sun, having surgical implants and hair extensions, plus air brush make you beautiful? Yet that is the standard of beauty that we chase after. Let me rephrase that, it is the standard of beauty that I chase after. To add insult to injury, I beat myself up that I am drifting farther and farther from this unrealistic beauty the older and older I get. Can we say CRAZY. When I do this I edge God out, which is more than crazy, its heartbreaking. I would say this is the one area of my life that there is a stronghold and I need God's truth to set me free!

Prayer

Father, please set me free from this stronghold. My belief and thought system is warped. I've consumed junk and believed the lie of the world and it edges you out of my life. Please set me free with your truth.

1 John 2:4-6 (MSG) How Did Jesus Live?

If someone claims, "I know him well!" but doesn't keep his commandments, he's obviously a liar. His life doesn't match his words. But the one who keeps God's word is the person in whom we see God's mature love. This is the only way to be sure we're in God. Anyone who claims to be intimate with God ought to live the same kind of life Jesus lived. 

Observation:

John is writing to his spiritual children. He is an old man now and those who are growing up in Christ have never seen Jesus, so He is writing this letter both as instruction and as encouragement to them. John is specifically giving instruction in how to know whether someone is from Christ or a false teacher. Like the present age, false teachers were common place, generally mixing a little bit of gospel with a lot of rules that made themselves look great instead of showing off the greatness of God. Like I said, not much different from the present age. John is saying this is how you will know...... You will know because they will walk and live as Jesus did. The first step is to know how Jesus lived. If you don't know that then there is nothing to compare it to really. 

Application: 

Here is what I know about how Jesus walked on this earth. One, He gave all glory to God. He didn't seek the glory for Himself. This is very difficult to do, for one our flesh wants the glory and for two people want to give it us the glory. Jesus would very often disappear in the crowd because He knew people wanted to give Him glory and it wasn't His time yet. Secondly, He was obedient unto death. Jesus gave His life so that God would be glorified and we would be saved. If someone isn't willing to get uncomfortable for Christ's glory you can bet that the intimacy with Christ is not there. Finally, He loves extreme. Everything Christ did and does is rooted and grounded in love. He always speaks truth, seasoned with grace, because He loves us. Christ's heart motive is love. 

These things have to be pursued by the Christian. It does not come naturally, you have to ask God to help you. I know the battle within myself to steal the glory from God, to be disobedient, to reject instead of love, so I ask God for help. And John gives us the key in how to live as Jesus lived,  intimacy. You must spend time with Him, pursuing, going deeper, falling more in love. 

Prayer:

Father, I want more of You, take me deeper. I choose to purse an even more intimate relationship with You. I will never hit the bottom of Your love. I know I can always choose to go deeper in You. Please take me there and reveal more of Your heart to me.

John 19:12,15 True Repentance

From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jewish leaders kept shouting, “If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar.” But they shouted, “Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!” “Shall I crucify your king?” Pilate asked. “We have no king but Caesar,” the chief priests answered. 

Observation

The Jews hated Roman rule. Pilate is a unnecessarily cruel Governor for Rome and many Jews will die on his watch. Yet in this scene you have the Jews lying and siding with their enemy, in order to take out their greatest enemy; God. Jesus has been peaceful and has only spoken truth, but that truth shines light on the religious corruption in the Jewish leaders. And the Jews will do anything to cover up their corruption including partnering with their enemy.

Application

I can understand where the Jewish leaders are coming from. God's word is a double edge sword, which means it can hurt going in and going out. God's word doesn't give us time to nurture lies so we can stay coddled. God calls it out, He says that's sin, and then He says give it to Me, I'm the only one who can clean it up. Our natural reaction to being exposed is to cover up, but true repentance is a combination of humility (I don't know best, only God does) vulnerability, and obedience (doing whatever God says to do). It is a hard place to get to, and it is absolutely impossible without Christ. Their tragic mistake was rejecting Christ. I need to be careful that I don't reject Christ when He reveals sin in my life, but instead to enter true repentance. 

Prayer

Father, You and I know the pride and selfishness that is in my heart so much of the time. It hurts me to see parts of myself that want to live without You. The truth is I need You, if left to my own accord I would try to stand in my own righteousness. Please lead me into true repentance for all sin so that I never settle for less then all You have planned for me.

John 19:11 Who Is Ultimately In Charge?

Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.” 

Observation:

Jesus has already been beaten severely and is now wearing a crown of thorns. Pilate still finds no wrong in Jesus, but the crowd is yelling crucify. Pilate is a little shaken up to hear that the man he has before him claims He is the Son of God, so he asks Jesus where He comes from. But Jesus won't answer. I wonder if Pilate recalled their early conversation in John 18 where Jesus says His Kingdom is not of this world? Pilate then tells Jesus that he has the power to set Him free or to crucify Him. I believe Pilate wanted to find a good enough reason not to crucify Christ. However, Christ bursts Pilate's bubble when He says that only God is the One who can set Him free, it is God alone who is ultimately in charge.

Application:

Who has absolute authority in your life and mine? It is God, He alone is Sovereign. If someone hurts me God has allowed it. If I'm sick, God has allowed it. If we have leaders who are oppressive, God has allowed it. But He only allows it for our good and His glory. Today, I'm stepping wayyyyyy outttttt of my comfort zone and trying something that I fear could lead to rejection from the church and displeasure from God. Now in my mind I know that not to be true, but the fear still lingers there whispering in the back of my brain "you better do it perfectly or God will not show up and show out". From this thought pattern it is pretty clear that I think I have the power and am in charge and that God is not sovereign. I'm struggling with believing that God will really do what He says He will and He is who He says He is. I'm struggling with the thought that I could totally fail today and that my failure was all apart of God's plan, now I know it will be for my good and His glory, but it still terrifies me.

Prayer:

Father, today is it, I'm going to get out of the boat and walk on water with You. I know You want me to enjoy this time with You, but I'm too busy looking at all the "what if's" instead of trusting Your goodness. Yet in this moment, before the hour has come, I truly hope I'm ready to surrender. So many times I've been here laying it down only to pick it back up. You know better the working of my heart better than anyone, so You know If this is true surrender. Regardless, of the issue of my heart, bless Your people today with Your word. Give them encouragement my Lord.  Today I praise You for who 

You are and I remind my soul that You are sovereign, You are good, You are faithful, You are righteous, You are my Redeemer, You are Love, You are all that matters.

John 18:23-24 They Don't Know What They Are Doing

“If I said something wrong,” Jesus replied, “testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?” Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest. 

Observation:

Jesus had done nothing wrong, had never sinned, yet here He is being accused of? Well......The Jewish leaders are unsure of what to accuse Him of, so they try to lay traps for Him, desperately trying to find Him guilty of something. 

And in the midst of trying to trap Jesus, Jesus is slapped in the face by an official, over an honest and non-condemning answer to Annas question. The slap was no doubt a trap to get a condemning reaction out of Jesus, but they failed.

Application:

When first reading this my first reaction is anger, what would make anyone think it is ok to slap God? But a tug in my heart reminds me that I have the Holy Spirit within me so I can see the wrong of their actions, but they had no such revelation. I wonder if we would be more compassionate with the unbelieving world if we realized that that only those with the Holy Spirit have been given eyes to see the truth. My heart breaks that Jesus endured such torture. But even Jesus asked God to forgive them for they know not what they do. What a great example Jesus has given us in how to live and love!

Prayer:

Father, thank You for the revelation that comes from Your Spirit. Please continue to pour out Your compassion and love in my heart for those who don't understand the depravity of sin and the destruction that it causes.

John 18:10 Pleasing God

Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) 

Observation:

Most people would see the defense given by Peter as a great sign of loyalty. But Jesus rebukes Peter, because God has a purpose that needs to be fulfilled. I imagine Peter is a little deflated after this moment. Moreover he, nor the rest of the disciples, really understand what is going on. This same disciple who cuts the ear off another is the same disciple that denies Jesus three times a few hours later. I wonder if Peter was feeling like he was on shaky ground, unsure if all he believed about God was true? A faith crisis if you will.

Application:

I want so bad to please God, but His pleasure is not based on my performance. His pleasure comes from my faith in Him. Hebrews 11:6 says without faith it is impossible to please God, because those who come to Him must first believe He exists and rewards those who earnestly seek Him. I'm preaching on Sunday and I've put so much pressure on myself to please God with my performance that I'm wrapped up in anxiety, and tension headaches and sleep deprivation are all have to show for it. Like Peter, my focus on performance for Christ has left me on shaky ground. My anchor is my faith in God to be who He says is and do what He says He is going to do.

Prayer:

Father, I am Yours, and I know that I bring a substantial mess to the equation. Please forgive me for once again getting caught up in performance instead of resting in You by faith. Help me be IN YOU Lord.

Romans 8:15-17 It's An Adventure

This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It's adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike "What's next, Papa?" God's Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. And we know we are going to get what's coming to us—an unbelievable inheritance! We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we're certainly going to go through the good times with him! (Romans 8:15-17 MSG)

Observation:

Paul is beckoning Roman Christians to grab hold of the life that God has given to them; Life Abundant! I imagine it would be hard to grasp abundant life in a culture that persecuted Christians with death. But Paul also challenges our idea of abundant life by excitedly explaining that we will go through hard times and good times with Christ. The abundance, the peace, the joy, the thrill, is that we do it with Christ, so there is nothing to fear.

Application:

Since I have become a Christian I have been on a grand adventure. However, many of those adventures have been scary, hard, and even painful. It reminds me of riding on the back of the Harley with Tim. It is scary and thrilling at the same time. Tim instructed me when I first got on the bike to hold on to him and follow what he does. When he leans I lean. I don't have to anticipate his next move, I just let go and let my body naturally follow his lead. Soon I become comfortable enough to enjoy the ride. It is that way with the Holy Spirit, we are riding this journey together, He is driving, and I am following His lead, and wherever He takes me is what gives God the most pleasure.  As a side note I still don't like to go fast, but sometimes God and Tim drive that way anyway :)

Prayer:

Father thank You for calling me on this incredible adventure. I've seen amazing things and met incredible people. I've cried so hard I didn't think there were any tears left and laughed just as hard. You've given me life abundant. I love YOU!

Psalm 42:5 The Only Equation That Works

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. 

Observation:

David wrote Psalm 42. There were many trials in his life and it is unknown when he wrote this psalm specifically.  But what we do know is that he is downcast and he doesn't understand why. It disturbs him that he is disturbed. He knows that he has every reason to rejoice, yet his heart isn't responding easily or naturally to the joy set before him. 

Application: 

I find so much comfort in this verse. Because there seems to be this expectation as a 

Christian that you won't struggle with your emotions,  and specifically that you won't struggle with discouragement. We give leniency to those going through terrible circumstances, but what about when you just wake up in a funk? What if the answer for the sorrow isn't obvious? Should we beat ourselves up because of how we feel, should we judge others because they can't seem to get happy in the same pants they got sad in? No on both accounts. Instead of trying to explain the why, instead of trying to pass judgement, we should point our hearts and others to Christ. It is amazing to me how praise is energy for the soul. Praising God is the + sign on my day that always ='s a positive outcome.  It doesn't matter how negative I am, if I add God to the equation I will always end positive. 

I think that is why it is so important to seek God first thing in the morning. If I don't I will spend the day with just one part of the equation. 

Prayer: 

Father, You are the only Equation that works for my life, for my day. I need You and I praise You that You make everything better. I love You!

John 16:1 Avoiding Offense

I am telling you all this so that you may avoid the offenses that are coming.

Observation:

Jesus gives revelation to the disciples of what is to come. Some things are going to happen quickly (Christ's death and resurrection), some things might take just a little longer (the baptism of the Holy Spirit) and others won't happen until they die (seeing the place God has prepared for them in heaven). Christ is describing what the journey is going to look like on the road they have chosen to travel, the road of righteousness. There are some really cool and amazing things that they will experience on this journey, but there will also be some hard and hurtful things they will experience as well. God is saying, "don't get stuck in the bad places, allow them to make you look more like me then move on". On this journey they will have many opportunities to be offended, but choose not to be offended, it is the only way to keep moving forward.

Application:

As Christians we tend to be surprised when people hurt us or bad circumstances come our way, and thus we harbor offense. Yet Christ makes it clear that there will be opportunities to be offended all around us, so don't be surprised and choose not to be offended by remembering His words. He says in John 16, that the Holy Spirit will remind us of all that Christ has said and will give us unlimited access to Him so that we can avoid being offended. In my experience of being a Christian, offense has been one of the greatest challenges to overcome. In the midst of hurt it is so easy to dwell on the pain and feed the offense, instead of cleansing the wound with the healing balm of God's word and promises. I read a book a few years back called the Bait of Offense. In the book the author described satan leaving traps of offense for the Christian in order to leave them unproductive and bound up. Christ is instructing me and us how to avoid these traps,

Prayer:

Father, I thank You for Your word and Your Spirit, please help me to avoid the traps of offense that satan leaves. I don't want to be bound by unforgiveness. Thank You Lord.

Isaiah 40:28-31 Renewal

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. 

Observation:

God sends this message to Isaiah when all seems lost to the people of Israel. They don't think it could get any worse, and it does. What they have ahead of them is a long and tiring journey. Each day they aren't sure what is going to happen. God reminds them who He is. He is strength and gives strength. If they hope in Him and come to Him every day, all day for their portion He promises them they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not grow faint.

Application:

It seems like over these last few months the spiritual life-blood in me has sprung a slow leak. I think I may have committed to too many things or met with too many people, maybe my diet is unhealthy, I don't know. However, I do know that I haven't gone to God to ask Him what I should commit too and what I shouldn't, what I should eat and what I shouldn't.  When the days tasks are bearing down on me I have an opportunity to hand them to Him and trust Him with them. Instead, though, I take up the tasks and my life revolves around getting things done and not enjoying the abundant life He has for me. My sleep patterns get off, my eating takes a nose dive, and even the best of intentions make it hard to get me off the couch to exercise. And that is just what is happening to me physically, my relationships get worn out also. With my slow spiritual leak, I don't have as much as normal to pour intro others, and instead of emptying my cup everyday because I trust God to fill me up, I become selfish and stingy with my time and energy. What hurts most of all, my relationship with God becomes distant. It becomes based on performance and not on just enjoying and loving one another.

God made it clear to me that He wanted me to study this scripture today. I'm going to get up on stage this morning and proclaim this encouragement to the congregation, but it first needs to encourage my soul. 

The truth is I don't know how to find my way back to just enjoying and trusting Him. God reminds me, however, that I don't have to know the way back, I just have to ask Him. He doesn't see my jump back on the treadmill as failure, but an opportunity to not just come back but draw deeper into Him.

Prayer:

Father, take me back to Your heart. Revive me with Your lovingkindness. Please keep in step with the rhythms of grace and love. I want to enjoy You and for Ou to be the center of all that I do and all that I am.

Dry and Downcast

Sometimes you go through seasons where you don't hear from God like you use too. The Holy Spirit is within you and because of Him you know what is right and what is wrong. But you miss His still small voice that washes over you and floods you with peace and assurance that you are His and He is pleased with you. It seems that without those moments of intimacy with God, the world gets cloudy and your thoughts turn to what is negative and the life-giving energy within you springs a leak.

That is where I am this week. I go through times like this more than I care to admit. It isn't depression or even discouragement, but instead, a deep thirst for intimacy with the Lover of my Soul. 

David explains this in the Psalms

You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. (Psalm 63:1 NIV)

It can become so dry in your soul as you wait for God to quench your thirst that it can be easy to become downcast, like what David describes in Psalm 42

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. I say to God my Rock, “Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?” Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. (Psalm 42:5, 9, 11 NIV)

What can I rejoice in? I can rejoice in knowing that the need of my heart is not for the gift, but the Giver.  I can rejoice in knowing that His promises are sure, that if I seek Him, I will find Him, when I seek Him with all my heart (Jeremiah 29:13).  There is only one response I can give, regardless of the season I am in and that is to rejoice in The Lord always (Philippians 4:4). I know He hears me and will answer me from His holy mountain. He has not forgotten me, He loves me. I am His and He is mine. He is my hope and I will praise Him.

John 15:7,16 Anything I Ask....Anything?

But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. (John 15:7, 16 NLT)

Observation:

This is a conditional sentence, with the conditions being expressed in the first two clauses. The first condition is abiding in Christ, the second having His words abiding in us as well. Then in verse 16, Christ elaborates that we are also in a state of perpetual fruit bearing when we are making requests of the Father.

What we “wish” for will be conditioned upon our continuously abiding in Christ, and upon the impact His word has in changing our hearts, our minds, and our priorities and bearing fruit in our lives. John the Apostle, who recorded these words in John 15, provides us with his understanding of them when he writes in 1 John 5:14, “This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” We know the will of Christ by abiding in Him and having His word abiding in us.

But the promise then is, if we are abiding in Him, and His word abides in us, He shall grant the desires of our hearts! This is not a blank check with which we force God to do this or that. Instead, it is a promise that God will fulfill His work within us. That is, if we ask, “God, make me holy” He will do just that. If we pray “God, make me like Christ,” and that is our desire, He will do it. To even consider the idea that this means we can say, “God, give me more of the things of the world so I can be happier” is to completely miss the context in which these words were spoken. 

Application:

I'm trying to let these scriptures make a bigger impact on my heart. In doing this in-depth study of John I'm surprised by how many times Christ tells the believer to ask in His name. Yet when I pray, I just sign Jesus's name to the end of my prayer without even thinking about it.  There is more He wants me to do with this promise, but it starts with my heart motive. Am I looking out for my own happiness, or the will and glory of God? Sad to say there is still a lot of work to be done in my heart. But I want to go deeper, be transformed into His likeness, and this is a request that He will grant.

Prayer

Father, make me like You. Search my heart and cleanse me of my unrighteousness. Align my thoughts and heart with Yours. I want to know and stand in the depth of this promise. In Jesus name, Amen.

John 15:11, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 What is Joy?

These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. (John 15:11 NASB)

That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NLT)

Observation

What is joy? I heard one Pastor call joy, spiritual buoyancy. We are unsinkable, just like Rocky Balboa we get back up. That buoyancy comes from our focus on the unchanging privileges we have in God. Many people believe that joy is happiness and it's opposite is sadness. But that is not true, joy is not an emotion. We can be sad and still be joyful at the same time. Joy is a deep kind of rejoicing, a security, a deep belief that "I've got the only thing that really matters." Criticism may make us feel bad, but we fall back on something deeper. The opposite of joy is hopelessness. Look at 2 Corinthians 4:16-18. Why should we have joy and have it full? Because our story doesn't end here. Our best days on Earth is just an appetizer for what is to come in heaven. 

Application

I will for certain lose joy when my eyes rest on the gift and not the Giver, when I focus on the challenge and not the Champion.  Everything around me, however, beckons me to focus on the other. I have to continually talk to and point God's promises out to myself. Somedays God's promises are evident and confidence in them seems natural. Other days, well not so much. Here is what I know though, the number of days that I stand confidently and rest in the Giver and not the gift, is growing. That is why I never give up, He is my hope.

Prayer

Father, all good gifts come from You. Thank You for giving me an unspeakable joy. Your promises are sure and I'm so grateful for how they hold on to me. 

John 15:8, Jeremiah 17:7,8 Bear Much Fruit

My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. (John 15:8 NASB)

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord And whose trust is the Lord. "For he will be like a tree planted by the water, That extends its roots by a stream And will not fear when the heat comes; But its leaves will be green, And it will not be anxious in a year of drought Nor cease to yield fruit. (Jeremiah 17:7,8)

Observation:

Here we learn how to glorify the Father: bear much fruit.  What is the fruit God is talking about? it is the fruit of the Holy Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23 (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control). It is often the prayer of Christians to live in such a manner as to glorify God. Here we are given direct teaching as to how to do this. Bearing fruit is the means of proving or displaying gOd transforming love in your life, or in other words "discipleship". There is no meaningful way of demonstrating the reality of discipleship outside of our manner of life. This is exactly the point of James in James 2:14-24: the demonstration of faith by consistent actions. 

It stands to reason, then, that fruitless branches are not, by definition, disciples. This is why they are taken away. An interesting question to ask yourself is how long does it take as a new Christian to bear fruit? Well after doing some research, I've concluded that there are many factors that determine how quickly a branch will bear fruit. Factors like climate, type of fruit, area planted, etc. I think the same is for us. So we need to be careful in concluding in our own wisdom that someone is not a disciple. God could be doing an incredible work, and we just haven't seen the evidence of that yet.

 Application: 

What is interesting to me is that all three texts, John 15:8, Jeremiah 17:7-8, and Galatians 5:22-23, use the word fruit and not fruits. This means that all of the fruits appear together. People might be naturally inclined to one or a couple, but only the indwelling of the Holy Spirit can produce all the fruits at the same time. So I think it is important to have an accurate, godly, definition of each fruit. I won't do that in this SOAP, but I will give you an example of what I'm talking about. Many people think joy is happiness, but it is not. The godly definition of joy is an assurance in our salvation. So that even in sadness we can have joy. Our view is not limited by a moment in time, we know the end of the story so our hearts do not despair. I know I bear fruit for God, not because of anything I have done, I've just been willing, and He is able. Bearing fruit begins with complete surrender and allowing the Vinedresser to do His work in your life. You lay down your plans, your rights, and you say "God, have Your way in me".

Prayer:

Father, I love You. All glory belongs to You. Any of Your fruit that is evidenced in me is because of You. Please continue to have Your way in my life.

John 15:2 Pruning Vs. Punishment

Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. 

Observation:

Pruning a branch involves ripping out any diseased parts, getting rid of bugs and even cutting away seemingly healthy but unwanted shoots so that the branch can grow stronger in the direction that the vinedresser desires. From the branch's perspective, being pruned can be uncomfortable, if not painful, and at times also appear to make no sense. But every branch should trust that the vinedresser knows what He is doing and be grateful for His care and attention. The time for concern is when the vinedresser stops pruning, as that means either the branch is perfect, or more often the case, the vinedresser is about to take away that branch because it does not bear fruit.

Application:

It is very hard for me, and others that I know, to not see pruning as a sign of failure. It feels very much like you are being punished for not performing up to standards. But those feelings are deceptive, because God disciplines and prunes those He loves. Sometimes, we even judge others and misdiagnose pruning as falling out of favor with God. I've seen this in ministry. If my team shrinks for various reasons, there is an immediate feeling of failure as a leader, and a handful of people see it that way too. But by pressing through those feelings, I've been blessed to see the team I lead grow leaps and bounds. We just all need to remember that the Vinedresser is good, even if the feelings we are having, and our perceptions of others performance are not.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for pruning me and Your church, so that we can bear even more fruit. I ask that You continue to prune and mold me as You see fit, also Lord help me to press through the negative and contradictory feelings when they come. 

John 15:4 Abide In Me

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. (John 15:4)

I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:12,13)

 Observation:  

A branch cannot do what it was designed to do without having a connection to the vine.  

The life-giving sap flows from the vine to the branch, resulting in the creation of fruit. The vine is the source and sustenance of life for the branches, and the branches must abide in the vine to live and bear fruit. 

To be able to “do” anything as a Christian requires intimate union with Christ. True fruit--not just foliage without fruit--comes only from the life that is in close intimate union with Christ. Only as God’s grace produces fruit do we truly glorify God.

Application: 

I've been studying spiritual warfare for the last month to prepare for some teaching I'm doing at the end of May. Here is what I know, our enemy(s) whole tactic is to get us not to abide in Christ. Over the last several weeks Tim and I have been plagued with opportunities to abide in ourselves and not in Christ. Old wounds being opened, financial strain, injustice, physical pain, persecution, intense feelings of failure and anger, all tempting us to remain in ourselves and ultimately become ineffective Christians. It is tough! But God is using such things to bear even more fruit in our lives if we abide in Him.

Prayer

Father, You are the only who is faithful. I need You to hold on to me. I know I would fail this test with out You Jesus, but You are greater in me and I choose to abide in You.

John 15:1 The Vinedresser

 "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.

Observation

What does a Vinedresser do or in this case, the Father? Well to simply put it, the vinedresser engages in his work to increase the productivity of the vine. Without the vinedresser, the vine would become wild, and its productivity would decrease greatly. The purpose of the work of the vinedresser is paramount to the growth and health of the vine.

The Vinedresser attends to only one vine, the true vine (Jesus). Because of this singularity, the only branches to which the Vinedresser’s attention is turned are those related to this one true vine; not many vines, just one.

The Vinedresser engages in two activities here. First, fruitless branches are removed. Fruitful branches are pruned or cleansed, and for a purpose: more fruit-bearing. Both actions, in reality, promote more fruit-bearing, as a fruitless branch is worthless. 

Research done at  http://vintage.aomin.org/John15.html.

Application

It is incredibly encouraging to me to know that God the Father takes such diligent care in my spiritual growth. He is always working on me and others who are connected to Christ. I can take no credit for the goodness evidenced in my life, it is all due to the Vinedresser. He is so perfect, He knows where and when to prune me. He knows when I need more of the Son (Sun), Living Water, and Bread of Life. 

Prayer

Father, thank You for being the perfect Vinedresser. For holding me and nurturing spiritual growth in me. There is no one as great and as wonderful as You!