Making Life Count for Jesus!

Week 10, Day 5 Reading: John 15:1-17

John 15:5  I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

In this beautiful metaphor of the vine (Jesus) and the branches (we who follow Him), Jesus makes it clear that there MUST be a strong connection between us and Him. The metaphor drives this truth home. If a branch gets cut off from the vine, will it thrive? Will it bear a lot of healthy, juicy fruit? Hardly. When a branch breaks off from the vine, it becomes good for the fire and that's about it!

And so it is with us and Jesus. We can try all we want to live for him ... to serve him ... to impact our world for him. But if we are not abiding in him, we can do NO-THING!

So ... how does one "abide in Him?" In verse ten of this passage, Jesus gives us a key to abiding in him ... and that is obedience (John 15:10). And to obey him we must be in his word (so we get to know his commandments) and leaning upon his Spirit (prayerfully seeking God's grace and help as we seek to obey his commandments). SO it all comes down to living in a daily conscious relationship with Jesus, trusting him enough to obey him ... and finding the joy that only comes when we do just that! Only then will we be able to bear much fruit and make our lives count for Him!

Thanks for stopping by . . .
pj

Abundant Life!

Week 10, Day 4 Reading: John 10:1-18

John 10:10-11  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

When Jesus talks about offering to us abundant life, he is not talking about big houses, classy cars, fat bank accounts, good health and just plain "living the good life!" Rather he is talking about living a life of fulfillment and meaning. A life that brings joy and purpose as we live out that life under the favor of God our Creator AND in fellowship with him and his people.

David got it right when he wrote the following words, "The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot; The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore" (Psalm 16:5-6, 11). As we pursue Jesus Christ, we will experience this abundant life promised to us by our Good Shepherd! 

Thanks for stopping by . . . 
pj

Real Faith . . . Compassionate Heart!

Week 10, Day 3 Reading: Matthew 25:1-46

Matthew 25:37-40  Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

As you read through the whole parable of the sheep and the goats, it becomes apparent that what Jesus is really saying here is that true faith results in a compassionate heart. That certainly makes a lot of sense. Consider that we (Christians) in our pre-Christ state are devoid of hope because we are without God (Ephesians 2:12). But because God does an amazingly generous thing by lavishing HIS grace upon us so that we who were once dead are now alive (Ephesians 2:1-10), it follows that we should want to be generously gracious with those around us who are in need! So ... real faith is evidenced by a compassionate heart. That said, how compassionate are you?

Thanks for stopping by . . .
pj

Thank God for His Generous Grace!

Week 10, Day 2 Reading: Matthew 20:1-16

Matthew 20:15   "So the last will be first, and the first last.”

The note on this verse in the ESV Study Bible really captures the meaning quite well. Be sure to read the entire parable ... and then read this note.

"A disciple of Jesus should not measure his or her worth by comparing it with the accomplishments and sacrifice of others, but should focus on serving from a heart of gratitude in response to God's grace. Jesus is not denying degrees of reward in heaven (see 1 Corinthians 3:14-15) but is affirming that God's generosity is more abundant than anyone would expect: all the laborers except the very first got more than they deserved. It is probably correct also to see here a warning that Jesus' early followers (such as the Twelve) should not despise those who would come later." 

I also believe this parable shows just how deeply our sin is ingrained within us. Instead of rejoicing over the master's generosity in giving to others what they did not work for .... we complain because we feel in some way "cheated!" Yet ... the first one's who were hired got exactly what they had agreed to work for!  

Oh the sinfulness of the human heart. Thank God for HIS generous grace! 

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

Grow or Not Grow - That is the Question!

Week 10, Day 1 Reading: Matthew 13:1-58

Matthew 13:18-23  “Hear then the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”

In this parable, Jesus describes four different soils of the heart. In each one ... the seed of the Word of God that is planted in it will respond differently. The first soil (the seed that falls on the path and the birds come and eat it) is the heart that is hardened to the truth. As the seed does not penetrate and just lies on the heart's surface, the Enemy comes and snatches it away. The second soil is rocky. Therefore, even though the seed germinates, it does not grow for it has no roots. In fact, it will die in the face of persecution or tribulation. In the third soil, the seed will germinate and begin to grow. But because there are thorns all through it, it will not bear fruit. These thorns are, in Jesus words, "the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches." They will effectively choke out the plant so it remains fruitless. Finally there is the fertile soil. Here the seed germinates, grows and bears fruit. This soil is represented by the one who hears AND understands the word. Understanding here implies "putting it into practice." For if one truly "understands" the word, this is what he or she will do.

So ... as you think of these four soils of the heart ... which is your heart most like? How you answer this question will go a long way toward determining if you live your life for God's glory or merely waste it on the "stuff and fluff" of this world!

Thanks for stopping by . . .
pj

Here Come the Pharisees! (Sunday, Feb. 3)

Here are the PowerPoint slides for Sunday, February 3rd (Mark 2:13-3:6).

Here come the pharisees! mark 2 13 -- 3-6 - feb 3 2013 from John Smith

Thanks for stopping by . . .
pj

Slaying Pride!

Week 9, Day 5 Reading: Luke 18:1-14

Luke 18:13-14  "But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Ahhh . . . the ever presence reality of pride. We all struggle with it (if we are honest to admit to it!). In fact, it is the very essence of sin (and just what is the middle letter of that word?). And my guess is quite a few among us, moi aussi (me too!), think we are more humble than we really are! Just remember ... humility is one of those qualities that when you think you have it . . . you probably don't!

So Jesus tells us here in no uncertain terms that we need to humble ourselves. So ... how does one do this? I believe it all starts by realizing one fundamental truth about who we are in this vast universe (or in this case, who we are not!). And just what is this fundamental truth? GOD IS GOD AND WE ARE NOT! Once we realize this and live by this ... humbling ourselves will be something that we know we MUST strive to do (see Isaiah 6:1-5; Luke 5:7-9).

Thanks for stopping by . . .
pj