Daily Devotional

PRUNING THE BRANCHES

Every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit (John 15:2).

Our goal is to abide in Christ, not to bear fruit. Jesus promised that if we abide in Him, we will bear much fruit (John1 5:5). In order that we may bear more fruit, God the Father prunes us. Sometimes well meaning Christians have cut too much too soon, hindering growth. A dear but sadly abused child of God pictured her experience in the following poem:

A friend of mine whose grapevines died was about to throw them away.

REFLECTING REALITY

For as he thinks within himself, so he is (Proverbs 23:7).

Telling someone that they shouldn't feel the way they do is a subtle form of rejection. They can do little about how they feel. The real problem is that they have a wrong perception of their situation which is making them feel the way they do. You can't change how you feel, but you can change what you think.

GOD GIVES THE GIFTS

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord (1 Corinthians 12:4,5).

OUR MOST IMPORTANT ASSIGNMENT

If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever (1 Timothy 5:8).

When love is used as a verb in the Bible, it requires the lover to meet the needs of the one being loved. Love must be given away. God so loved the world that He gave (John 3:16). The corollary to John 3:16 is 1 John 3:16-18: "We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

USING OUR GIFTS AND TALENTS

To each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good (1 Corinthians 12:7).

A CHILD'S BEST DEFENCE

Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these (Matthew 19:14 NIV).

THE POWER IN THE TRUTH

He who practices the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God (John 3:21).

A MATTER OF BEING SOMEONE

If any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come (2 Corinthians 5:17).

THE TRUE NATURE OF BONDAGE

Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8).

CONSULT YOUR GOD

False Christs and false prophets will arise, and will show signs and wonders, in order, if possible, to lead the elect astray (Mark 13:22).