DEVOTIONS

Monday, January 31 – “That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither – whatever they do prospers.” (Psalm 1:3) What you see above ground is only a fraction of the tree.  The most important part of the tree is underground, out of sight.  Your roots need attention.  Is your life planted by streams of water?  Or is your life planted in a desert?  How do you know the difference?  Does your life bear fruit?  Or are your leaves withered?

Tuesday, February 1 – “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.” (Ephesians 2:19-20) This verse describes the truth of who you are, as a follower of Jesus.  Does your visible life prove it?  Do you make decisions in your life based on this truth?  Do you claim this truth with your words and your actions?  If yes, keep on keeping on.  If no, why not? 

Wednesday, February 2 – “In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world – just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace.” (Colossians 1:6) How long has it been since you first believed in Jesus as your Lord and Savior?  Whether it has been one day, one year or 100 years, since the day you first believed, the gospel of Jesus has been bearing fruit and growing in your life.  Like rings on a tree, there might be years where you grew less and some years where you grew more.  The question for you now is this: How much will I grow in faith this year?   

Thursday, February 3 – “As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living.  Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.” (1 Thessalonians 4:1) Schools out!  No more studying.  It’s time that you got out there and started living.  You know enough to be dangerous.  You have the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit.  You have a community of faith that will walk with you.  What are you waiting for?  The best way to continue to learn is to continue to do. 

Friday, February 4 – “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” (Ephesians 3:20) Marianne Williamson once wrote, “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.  Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.”  As a follower of Jesus, you have power beyond measure.  You are indwelled by the Holy Spirit.  All things are possible.  (If you just thought about being rich or becoming famous or some other worldly thing, you need to examine your faith in Jesus.)  You have the power to overcome whatever life is handing you today.  Not because of what you can do.  Because of what God can do in you and through you. 

Saturday, February 5 – “Remain in me, as I also remain in you.  No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine.  Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” (John 15:4) Isn’t it interesting that Jesus will remain in you, but you don’t have to remain in him?  Remaining in him is a choice. Yet, every choice has a consequence.  If you make the choice not to remain in Jesus, your life will never bear fruit.  Will you experience times of happiness?  Yes.  Will you do good things?  Yes.  But, will your life be what God has always intended it to be?  No.  This God-given intention for your life is the very fruit that your life can bear, if you choose.