GRAFTED INTO CHRIST
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Posted:Aug 29, 2006 8:51 am
Last Updated:Dec 15, 2025 10:41 pm 2032 Views
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Grafted Into Christ
John 15:1-8
A vinedresser plants and tends his vines for the purpose of seeing them produce grapes. God, as our vinedresser, encourages us to bear spiritual fruit. He wants us to have a character like Christ’s, marked by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. God wants to ensure that believers will be fruitful; for this reason, they are removed from the dead tree of humanity and grafted onto the living vine, Jesus Christ.
After His baptism, Jesus was “full of the Holy Spirit,” who led Him to the next step. (Luke 4:1) Christ’s life and ministry were the result of the Spirit’s empowerment, and when we become believers, God sends the very same Helper to indwell us. In the language of vineyards, the sap from the vine flows into a grafted branch, giving it life and the capacity to grow the kind of fruit typical of that plant. The branch and the vine become one life. The Living Bible translation says, “Let your roots grow down into him and draw nourishment up from him” (Colossians 2 ).
Some people run away from the Christian life because they think they cannot do it. And they’re right: They cannot, but the Holy Spirit can. When we are one with Jesus Christ, the Spirit of God lives His life through us. That doesn’t mean we are free from responsibility–the Spirit can do His work only as we wisely choose to yield to Him. When we are obediently following the Lord, our joy and peace are not be dependent upon circumstances; the One in whom we are rooted is our joy and peace.
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UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT
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Posted:Aug 29, 2006 8:44 am
Last Updated:Dec 15, 2025 10:41 pm 1990 Views
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Under New Management
“And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.”
–Matthew 24:6‒7
From the beginning of time, humanity has searched for peace. We have joined peace movements. We have marched for peace. We have given prizes for peace. We have even gone to war for peace. And when we hear that people have been arrested for disturbing the peace, we wonder where they actually found any. Some people tell us via their bumper stickers to “Visualize world peace.” Then they cut us off on the freeway.
Displayed above the doors of the United Nations are the words of Isaiah 2:4: “They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.” We are a people who want peace. But we need to know this: neither the United Nations nor politicians nor people who visualize it will bring about the long-awaited peace on Earth that humankind so desperately longs for. The peace that we long for will only happen when the Creator Himself returns, repossesses what is rightfully His, and hangs a sign over this war-weary planet that says, “Under New Management.”
It would be nice to think that with all of our technology, we could somehow bring about global peace. But according to Jesus, in the last days we “will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass . . . ” (Matthew 24:6). Tragically, war will be a part of the future of humanity until Christ Himself comes and establishes His kingdom.
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THE FRIUT OF THE SPIRIT
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Posted:Aug 28, 2006 9:01 am
Last Updated:Dec 15, 2025 10:41 pm 2000 Views
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The Fruit of the Spirit
Galatians 5:16-23
The Holy Spirit’s presence is essential to living the Christian life. The work that believers are called to do cannot be fruitful apart from Him–our sinful nature would always be hindering any attempt we’d make to be Christlike. Consider the example of the disciple Peter: he spent three years eating, sleeping, and learning in the presence of Jesus, and yet, before the Crucifixion, he nevertheless denied knowing the Lord. Peter was unable to live the Christian life on his own. But when the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost, the coward became a powerful preacher.
What happened to Peter happens to every person who receives Jesus, but many do not realize what a resource is available to them–God’s Spirit is the believer’s internal motivator for expressing external evidence of faith. He provides the power to live the Christian life and work effectively for the Lord.
The visible proof we present is the fruit of the Spirit. Some aspects may be stronger in our life than others. They may not all be expressed at the same time in the same proportion, but every one of those characteristics is within us because the Holy Spirit dwells in our hearts.
The practical truth is that we must exercise spiritual attitudes even if we don’t feel them. We are to be loving, though we may not feel love. We are to be kind when harshness makes more sense humanly. We are to practice patience when anger wants to take over. And the great mystery is that when we rely on the Spirit, our heart changes–love takes root, kindness feels right, and patience produces a peaceful spirit.
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STILL COUNTING - ADDITION
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Posted:Aug 28, 2006 8:55 am
Last Updated:Aug 29, 2006 8:42 am 2157 Views
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Still Counting - Addition
by Ed Young
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19).
The Bible is all about numbers. From the five smooth stones that David found in the creek to Jesus feeding the 5,000; numbers are apparent throughout Scripture. There is even an entire book of the Bible titled "Numbers."
Math is also all about numbers. Without numbers, we couldn't add, subtract or do any of those extensive trigonometry problems that we all love so much. But what's the relationship between numbers, math and God? Basically, math and numbers matter to God. And it all starts with the number one.
God works supernaturally through the church to add to his equation. He uses people like you and me to reach others and bring them into his family-one person at a time. God could easily snap his finger and have a church filled with thousands of people appear, but that is not how he works. It all goes back to the power of one.
This week, remember that math is important to God and that you are a major factor in his addition. God has added you and he wants to use you to help add more. But it's all about adding one at a time. You have to go out and find that one. Help add to his equation and invite someone to church with you. Show them that numbers do matter and that God is still counting-one life at a time.
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WORDS FOR THE WEEK
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Posted:Aug 28, 2006 8:36 am
Last Updated:Dec 15, 2025 10:41 pm 1955 Views
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Hope deferred makes the heart sick. But when the desire comes it is a tree of life. Proverbs 13:12
At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them? But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me. So that the message might be preached fully through me and that all the gentile might hear also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 2 Timothy 4:16-17
Who once were not a people but are now the people of God who had not obtained mercy. But now obtained mercy. 1 Peter 2:10
Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 1:13
My give attention to my words; incline your ears to my saying. Do not let them depart from your eyes keep them in the midst of your heart. For they are life to those who find them and health to all their flesh keep your heart with all diligence for out of it spring the issues of life. Put away from you a deceitful mouth and put preserve lips far from you let your eyes look straight ahead and your eyelids look right before you. Proverbs 4:20-25
Whatever your hands find to do, do it with your might for there is no work of device or knowledge of wisdom in the grave where you are going. Ecclesiastes 9:10
These things I have spoken to you that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But be of good cheer I have overcome the world. John 16:33
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HOW TO CLAIM GOD'S PROMISES
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Posted:Aug 25, 2006 12:01 pm
Last Updated:Dec 15, 2025 10:41 pm 2054 Views
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How to Claim God's Promises
Hebrews 10:23
There are reported to be more than 40,000 promises in the Bible, but sometimes it is difficult to determine how we can properly respond and claim God’s awesome pledges to us.
There are two kinds of promises from God. First, He gave limited promises. These are promises made specifically to people in the Bible for their individual purposes. An example of this is when God promised a to elderly Abraham and Sarah, who was barren. This is not a promise that all barren women can claim and expect God’s answer.
However, God also has given general promises. For instance, He promised to never leave or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5b) He also promised to return for us (John 14:3). These promises pertain to all believers.
And then there are two kinds of general promises: conditional and unconditional. The two aforementioned general promises are unconditional; they require nothing of the believer. However, Philippians 4:19, Psalm 37:4, and other promises like them are conditional. They require something of the believer. In Philippians 4:19, the condition is that we be in Christ. The believer must be living for Him and in total submission to His will. The same holds true for "delighting" in the Lord as stated in Psalm 37:4. Clearly, a relationship comes before a request.
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CHOICE THEORY
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Posted:Aug 25, 2006 11:45 am
Last Updated:Aug 28, 2006 8:35 am 2072 Views
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“Choice Theory”
Lysa TerKeurst; President of Proverbs 31 Ministries
Key Verse:
John 15:16, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit ‒ fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.” (NIV)
Devotion:
It all hinges on a choice.
When it comes right down to it, everything we do hinges on one simple yet complex, six-letter word. If you had to guess what this word might be, what would you say? Wealth? Health? Esteem? Dreams? Chance? No, I would have to say the word is “choice”. Knowing how to make good choices determines a lot in life. When to go, when to stay…when to stop, when to start…when to push, when to pull back… when to rush, when to slow down… when to say yes, when to say no…when to believe, when to doubt…when to spend, when to save…when to fly high, when to stay low…these are a gift and a curse all wrapped up in one.
God is the author of choice. The Bible makes it clear that we love Him only because He chose to love us first, and we choose to know Him personally because He chose to reveal Himself to us first (Matthew 11:27).
What a beautiful thing God gave us in the ability to choose. For it makes our choice to love Him true, genuine, and eternally significant. At the same time, what a tragedy that God gave us the ability to choose. Adam’s wrong choice to sin caused a separation from God that only the death of His , Jesus, could repair. But I trust our all-knowing and all powerful God, and take this gift of choice with a prayerful and sometimes trembling heart.
I know my own propensity toward bad choices and have made my fair share of them. The sad part is, I usually know when I’m making a bad choice, yet my self-centered flesh forges ahead past all the warning signals flashing through my mind. Oh I do fine with the “rules of life” type choices. I am a rule follower by nature. I don’t reuse postage stamps missed by the cancellation mark, I return my grocery cart to the designated place, and if I ever found a bundle of cash I would seek to give it back to the rightful owner.
No, the choice that I struggle with is letting the spirit of Christ, my first love, have full reign in me. Oh how I want to model a gentle, quiet spirit but what a struggle it is for this wild-blooded Italian woman! So much of my life hinges on this one choice. I have to consciously return to my first love every day. In big ways and small, I have to make the choice to reveal the reality of Jesus in my life.
This happens only when I remember that it is because of God’s grace that He chose me first. And then I must accept the mission that I have been given in that I’ve been “appointed to bear fruit ‒ fruit that will last.” The reality of Jesus in my life is manifested through the fruit-bearing process. But I must make the choice to be “pruned” for it to be possible. I must choose to have deliberate sin pruned from my life and then choose to make Him a priority ‒ my first love ‒ which waters the soul and fills me completely. Only when I bear fruit in this way, can I genuinely praise Him and feel those tugs toward eternity that make having a personal relationship with Him complete.
My Prayer for Today:
Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for choosing me to be Your from the beginning of time. Only because of this choice do I have the ability to know you personally and experience the reality of who You are in my life. Give me the wisdom to make good choices that bring about the reality of You in my life, and grace when I fall flat on my face.
Application Steps:
It is easy to talk about making good choices in life, but not so easy to do when we’re caught up in moments of desperation, frustration, or anger. So, I encourage you to journal your response to the following spiritual principles of how God relates to you in light of His exceptionally good choice to make you His :
Upon reflection, how does it make you feel to know that God chose you for Himself before the creation of the world to be His ?
What is significant about His choice?
What does God say about those that choose to follow Him (read today’s key verse and power verses)?
In what ways are you allowing God to “prune” your fruit tree? If you aren’t allowing Him to do so at all, list at least one way that might be needed.
Reflection Points:
What good choices have you made recently that reflect the reality of Christ in you?
What not-so-great choices have you made deliberately that brought about less-than-desirable consequences?
What role has choice theory played in where you are in your personal relationship with God at the present? Do you delight in Him because you are grateful that He chose You? Or are you distanced from Him right now because you’ve selfishly chosen to make your wants and desires your first priority?
Power Verses:
Deuteronomy 30:19b-20, “I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him.” (NIV)
John 7:17, “If anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.” (NIV)
Ephesians 1:4-6, “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will to the praise and of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.”
Additional Resources:
Living Life on Purpose by Lysa TerKeurst
Life Planning Journal by Lysa TerKeurst
Radically Obedient:Radically Blessed by Lysa TerKeurst
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GLORIFY GOD
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Posted:Aug 25, 2006 11:40 am
Last Updated:Dec 15, 2025 10:41 pm 2023 Views
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Glorify God
For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
–1 Corinthians 6:20
God wants to clean your house. He wants to cleanse your temple. Under the old covenant, the temple was either a tabernacle in the wilderness or a great building in Jerusalem where the high priest, representing the people, met God.
But ever since the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, God does not live in a temple. John wrote in Revelation 21:3,
And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.”
Under the new covenant, God lives in the hearts and lives of His own people.
We are so careful about cleaning the outside of our bodies. But what about the inside? Is there something that needs to be cleansed inside? The Bible tells us,
Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. (1 Corinthians 6:19‒20)
When we give our lives to Christ and put our trust in Him, He comes in and cleans house. He throws out old clothes, old furniture, even the old food in the refrigerator. Then He lays down beautiful new carpet. He puts in new furniture. He fills the refrigerator with the finest gourmet foods. And we realize that He took the old things away only to put something better in their place.
God wants to clean house. Let Him do that.
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WHAT KIND DO YOU WANT
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Posted:Aug 24, 2006 1:56 pm
Last Updated:Aug 28, 2006 8:34 am 2066 Views
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What Kind Do You Want?”
Van Walton, Director of Hispanic Ministries, Proverbs 31 Speaker Team Member
Key Verse:
Proverbs 17:14, “Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate, so stop before a dispute breaks out.” (NLT)
Devotion:
I asked my to drive us to church. As I stepped into the car, I noticed how desperately my car needed a good washing.
“The cars need to be washed,” I said to Benjamin. “Would you do that for me this afternoon?”
“I’ll wash my car, if I get around to it,” he responded. That was a resounding “no” to washing the other cars. I first experienced anger, followed by disappointment. Then my desire to preach and chastise mixed with my need to scold and shame. Yet I said nothing.
Saying nothing won the battle for me. I have learned that all the words in the world are not going to make a whole lot of head way with my stubborn . So, instead of losing my dignity and saying something I might regret, I kept my lips sealed, taking a mouth full of preaching, scolding, and nagging straight to the Lord. I have learned that, whenever my disappoints me or misbehaves, if I go to God in prayer, seeking wisdom and unconditional love for my , the potential disagreement is defused. God has also taught me to check myself when my sons let me down.
Today I asked my to wash my car. He declined. What has God asked me to do recently that I ignored? Lots of things! Earlier in the week, I know He nudged me to call a friend and offer to watch her , so she could get out for a few hours. I found an excuse and soon forgot. On another occasion I said an unkind thing to my husband. I know God has been waiting for me to apologize. I have a grudge that I need to drop and a neighbor who could use my forgiveness. “Would you do that for me?” I hear God gently ask.
How could I force the issue with my eighteen year old ? How could I expect him to be a more compliant than I? At this time in my ’s life, I have to let go. (This is why it is so important to plant the seeds of discipline and obedience early in life.) Now, as a , he is making his own choices, and experiencing deeper consequences than the ones I dole out or control.
Besides learning some lessons about my disobedience to God, I learned a couple of other good lessons by keeping quiet. Had I scolded my , we would have entered God’s house on a bad note. We have had too many disagreeable rides to church on Sunday mornings. As a result, I refuse to enter into battles on Sunday mornings.
Had I chastised his misbehavior, he would have come back at me. Instead, I allowed the silence in the car to teach him, praying that the Holy Spirit would convict him. I drew closer to God and no divisive words or actions came between mother and .
Had I succumbed to a typical mother’s pouting, I would have heaped hurt feelings upon the anger I felt, compounding emotions that needed to be brought under the control of the Holy Spirit. Allowing emotions to rage out of control never moves one toward a positive goal.
I am amazed how quickly I forgot the incident. I walked into church, heard praise music, prayed, listened to my pastor teach from the book of Hosea, and was reminded that God’s love is a mystery. His love is unconditional. God never gives up. Sitting in church, I felt God’s approval for not allowing my flesh to rule.
Praying for my during the closing prayer, I asked God to teach Benjamin the importance of developing a servant’s heart. “Help him to desire wisdom and seek your approval. Don’t let him be like his mother. I am still missing the mark and only recently am learning to seek You above all else.”
At the end of the day, he approached me in the yard where I was working. “Mom,” he said. “I am going to buy us pizza for supper. What kind do you want?”
My Prayer for Today:
Father God, forgive me for ignoring You each time You ask me to do something. I know better. Forgive me for being harder and more judgmental on others than I am on myself. I will never be able to understand Your unconditional love for me. Help me to love my like You love me. I ask You to rule over every aspect of my life, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Application Steps:
Ask God to help you take a parenting evaluation. If you have who struggle with obedience, decide today the course you need to take in order to strengthen their discipline. Do so for the sake of your .
In addition to helping your learn the importance of obedience, take a spiritual step in your own life toward unquestioning submission to God.
Ask God for wisdom in picking your ‘battles’ with your . Also remember, the older they get, the more difficult it will be to teach them. Begin at a young age to direct your toward obedience.
Reflection Points:
Do you obediently answer God whenever He asks you to step into His service?
Am I aware that I disobey God?
What areas of my life do I refuse to hand over to Him for service?
What can I do for Him today?
Power Verses: Deuteronomy 30:20, “Choose to love the LORD your God and to obey him and commit yourself to him, for he is your life. Then you will live long in the land the LORD swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” (NLT)
2 Corinthians 10:3-5, “We are human, but we don't wage war with human plans and methods. We use God's mighty weapons, not mere worldly weapons, to knock down the Devil's strongholds. With these weapons we break down every proud argument that keeps people from knowing God. With these weapons we conquer their rebellious ideas, and we teach them to obey Christ.” (NLT)
Ephesians 6:1-4, “, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. ‘ Honor your father and mother.’ This is the first of the Ten Commandments that ends with a promise. And this is the promise: If you honor your father and mother, ‘you will live a long life, full of blessing.’ And now a word to you fathers. Don't make your angry by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction approved by the Lord.” (NLT)
Additional Resources:
Who Holds the Key to Your Heart? by Lysa TerKeurst
What Happens When Women Walk in Faith by Lysa TerKeurst
Being a Great Mom Raising Great by Sharon Jaynes
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DO NOT QUENCH THE SPIRIT
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Posted:Aug 24, 2006 1:53 pm
Last Updated:Aug 28, 2006 8:34 am 2175 Views
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Do Not Quench the Spirit
Ephesians 4:30
A campfire needs fuel to burn. Campers will add dry sticks and leaves to keep the flames high and hot, but when it is time to sleep, they will either starve the fire or forcibly put it out with water or dirt.
The Lord has lit a fire in every believer’s heart. We must learn to heed Paul’s warning against quenching the Spirit and tend the flame of faith with care (1 Thessalonians 5:19). A newly saved person is sealed forever as a of God by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. Nothing can expel Him from their being. But with our actions and attitudes, we can stifle His voice. As Christians, we are to walk by the Spirit, relying upon Him to give guidance and fulfill our needs. When we choose to sin, however, the Spirit of God is muffled and consequently unable to operate as He normally does. It is as if we throw cold water on our heart’s fire.
Saying no when the Spirit prompts us to obey is rebellion. If we do not prayerfully deal with the fallout from our disobedience, we begin to drift away from the Lord. Other interests pull our attention away from reading the Bible and talking with God. Church loses its appeal. Our hungering and thirsting after the things of Christ wanes so we cease to feed our soul. Our faith fire slowly starves into ash.
Believers must fuel their flame with spiritual “kindling” – prayer, reading God’s Word, sharing the Gospel, and serving others. A hot fire has cleansing power. When we confess our sins and practice these disciplines, our heart stays clean. And the power of God flows through a clean heart.
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