Seeking the Life in Christ: September 2024

Monday, September 30, 2024

Pride Goes Before Destruction

Meditations for Seeking the Life in Christ

The Gospel of John

September 30, 2024

Pride Goes Before Destruction

Jesus’ trial before Caiaphas ended in the early hours of the morning. Then he was taken to the headquarters of the Roman governor. His accusers didn’t go inside because it would defile them, and they wouldn’t be allowed to celebrate the Passover.

John 18: 28

“Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” (Lord Acton, British historian, 1834-1902) Pilate, on behalf of Rome, and the priests of Jerusalem demonstrated the truth of this axiom. Although Rome boasted of having the most advanced legal and judicial system in the world, justice was the last thing on Pilate’s mind. He had absolute power and used his power at the whims of his own vanity. The priests had power, though not absolute, and used it with equal vanity. Both are affirming the wisdom of King Solomon: “Pride goes before destruction and haughtiness before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). Can the irony be any thicker than the priests’ refusal to enter Pilate’s residence, lest they become ceremonially defiled and unable to participate in the Passover? Yes, it can.

The absurdity of the moment escaped the priests as they conspired to kill an innocent man, while expressing a need to remain faithful to their law by refusing to touch something unclean. However, the irony thickens as they shout for the release of a man lawfully convicted and sentenced to die, and substitute on his behalf the innocent blood of Jesus. They thought they were being clever. What they really did was make it clear that the innocent Jesus was dying for sinful people.

Of course, it was not just the sins of Pilate, the priests, the crowd, and the Roman soldiers that Jesus took to the cross. Mine were nailed there as well. As I celebrate Jesus’ sacrifice on behalf of all humanity, it will be worth my while to examine my life. Where does my basking in God’s grace collide with my legalistic attitudes toward others? Where are the places in my life where I shout for my interpretation of justice for others, while I’m praying for God’s mercy in my life?

My Takeaway: It is not if, but where are these ironies in my life? Maybe the place for me to begin is by calling a spade a spade. Isn’t hypocrisy a more appropriate word than irony?

Sē’lah

My book on prayer,

First Think, Then Pray

is now available on Amazon Kindle.

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life. The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Friday, September 27, 2024

The Rooster Crows

Meditations for Seeking the Life in Christ

The Gospel of John

September 27, 2024

The Rooster Crows

“But one of the household slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Didn’t I see you out there in the olive grove with Jesus?”

Again Peter denied it.

And immediately a rooster crowed.”

John 18: 26-27

Full of love and loyalty, Peter makes his way to the place of Jesus’ interrogation. When questioned, Jesus told the truth. When questioned, Peter lied. However, Peter’s courage cannot be questioned. He alone, in the face of overwhelming force, took his sword to defend Jesus. Even after his confrontation with the arresting force in the Garden of Gethsemane, Peter followed Jesus into the hostile camp that held Jesus captive.

As Peter warmed himself by a fire, and verbally sparred with the others around the fire, a rooster crows after the third time Peter denied knowing Jesus. I suspect Peter’s experience in the courtyard of the High Priest served to ground Peter in Jesus’ teaching: I am the vine, you are the branch. Apart from me you can do nothing. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Peter’s courage was bolstered because Jesus was with him. In the courtyard, Peter was separated from his Master. Peter’s experience reveals the weakness of our sinful flesh that cannot be overcome until Jesus sends our Helper, our Advocate, the Holy Spirit.

(By the way, remember, John never includes a meaningless detail. John points out that Peter warmed himself by a charcoal fire. Peter will warm himself by another charcoal fire when he has a conversation with Jesus on the beach in John 21:9.)

My Takeaway: In our trip to Jerusalem, we visited the courtyard of the High Priest where there are memorials to Peter’s thrice denials of knowing Jesus. The atmosphere is contusive to sitting and pondering our own fidelity to our Master.

Sē’lah

My book on prayer,

First Think, Then Pray

is now available on Amazon Kindle.

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Thursday, September 26, 2024

Sinful Man Was Arresting God

Meditations for Seeking the Life in Christ

The Gospel of John

September 26, 2024

Sinful Man Was Arresting God

“Who are you looking for?” (Jesus) asked.

“Jesus the Nazarene,” they replied.

“I Am he,” Jesus said”

John 18:4-5

There is a beautiful symmetry in the way the Biblical writers tell the story of God. There was the first exodus of God’s people, from slavery in Egypt, led by Moses. The Gospels tell of Jesus, God’s Messiah leading the second exodus, from slavery to sin and death. In the book of Genesis, we read of the Garden of Eden inhabited by Adam. In John 18:1-14, the setting is another garden; the Garden of Gethsemane. In the first Garden, God, in the cool of the evening, came looking for Adam. In the second Garden, in the cool of the evening, sinful man comes looking for Jesus, God’s second Adam. (The Apostle Paul writes much about the ‘first’ and ‘last’ Adam in Romans 5 and 1 Corinthians 15) Yet a third Garden will be the setting for Jesus’ resurrection.

“Who are you looking for?” (Jesus) asked. “Jesus the Nazarene,” they replied. “I Am he,” Jesus said” (John 18:4-5). The disciples, and perhaps even Judas who was with the soldiers in the Garden that evening, heard much more than a simple reply, “I am he.” They hear; “I AM.”

“I AM The Bread of Life.”

“I AM The Light of The World.”

“I AM The Gate.”

“I AM The Good Shepherd.”

“I AM The Resurrection and The Life.”

“I AM The Way, The Truth and The Life.”

‘I AM The Vine.”

With the memory of these seven ‘I Am” statements echoing through the Garden, the absurdness of the moment was overwhelming: sinful man was arresting God. The arresting force drew back and fell to the ground. Did they understand the absurdity of the moment? Perhaps it was the humility of Jesus and his lack of resistance that shocked them.

My Takeaway: I don’t know why the arresting force drew back and fell to the ground, but as I meditate on that scene, falling on my knees seems an appropriate response for me.

Sē’lah

My book on prayer,

First Think, Then Pray

is now available on Amazon Kindle.

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Wednesday, September 25, 2024

God Loves Us as Much As God Loves Jesus

Meditations for Seeking the Life in Christ

The Gospel of John

September 25, 2024

God Loves Us as Much As God Loves Jesus

“I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.”

John 17:23

The seven concluding verses of Jesus’ prayer (John 17: 20-26) reveal the heart of Jesus for you: “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message” (John 17:20). You and I, the disciples of Jesus in 2024, are included in Jesus’ prayer to God two thousand years ago!

Jesus asked God to include us in the unity of the Trinity. Just as there is complete harmony and unity in God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, Jesus prayed that his disciples would have this very same unity. Through our sacred relationship with the Trinity and with our brothers and sisters in Christ, we offer a compelling witness to the world: “And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me” (John 17:21b).

Jesus then tells us how this is possible: “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one” (John 17:22). By the gift of God’s prevenient, justifying and sanctifying grace, Jesus is in the heart of the disciples. Since God is in Jesus, we experience such perfect unity that the world will know that God sent Jesus, and that God loves us as much as God loves Jesus. (John 17:23)

Whatever is next on your agenda for today can wait. Take as much time as you need and let the truth of this passage completely envelop you. God, the Father Almighty, loves you with the very same love He has for His son, Christ Jesus.

Jesus has given you the same glory God gave to him! The glory of God is the revelation of God’s essence and is revealed through the presence of God. The ultimate expression of God’s glory is the presence of God in the life, death and resurrection of our Lord, Christ Jesus. Jesus has given the presence of God within him to you!

When we open our lives to receive this love from God, and this glory from Jesus, we experience such perfect unity with the Trinity and with our brothers and sisters in Christ that the world will know “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

My Takeaway: Jesus ordained a place where we can experience His presence within us. When, by faith, we share in the sacrament of Holy Communion, we experience anew the presence of Jesus Christ in our lives as we look forward to His coming again in total victory.

Sē’lah

My book on prayer,

First Think, Then Pray

is now available on Amazon Kindle.

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Tuesday, September 24, 2024

Being Obedient to God’s Truth

Meditations for Seeking the Life in Christ

The Gospel of John

September 24, 2024

Being Obedient to God’s Truth

“And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them

so they can be made holy by your truth.”

John 17:19

The way John writes Jesus’ prayer suggests that he may have incorporated the prayer into his own devotional life, as well as taught others to pray Jesus’ prayer. This can be a helpful devotional practice for us as well. Take time to incorporate Jesus’ thoughts into your own prayer, and thus take ownership of Jesus’ will for you. Here is my incorporation of Jesus’ prayer in verses 13-19.

“Father your Holy Spirit has given me your Word and impressed upon me the teachings of Jesus so I would be filled with his joy. I am so thankful for the joy of Jesus within my heart because I know the world hates me; I do not belong to the world, just as Jesus did not belong to the world. Father, I’m not asking you to take me out of the world, but to keep me safe from the evil one.

“Father you are making me holy by your truth. Father, just as you sent Jesus into the world, Jesus is sending me into the world, so please continue teaching me your Word, so that I may be equipped with your truth.

“Jesus gave himself as a holy sacrifice for me and made me holy by your truth. Now, with your anointing, I seek to glorify you and your Son, Christ Jesus, by being obedient to your truth.

My Takeaway: “Now all glory to you Father. You are able to keep me from falling away and with great joy you will bring me into your glorious presence without a single fault. All glory to you who alone are my God, my Savior through Jesus Christ my Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are yours before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.” (This part of my prayer is from Jude 1:24-25)

Sē’lah

My book on prayer,

First Think, Then Pray

is now available on Amazon Kindle.

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Monday, September 23, 2024

Jesus’ Presence in Our Fragile Lives

Meditations for Seeking the Life in Christ

The Gospel of John

September 23, 2024

Jesus’ Presence in Our Fragile Lives

“I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began”

John 17:4-5

John has brought us into the inner sanctum, the holy of holies, the very heart of Jesus, where we can sit at the feet of Jesus while he prays for us. (John 17) I am in awe of Jesus’ prayer that brings his followers into a personal, intimate relationship with the Father. Jesus envisions his followers experiencing the very same unity that is glorified in the unity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

This is a good place to reflect on how Jesus’ intercession for his church has not been well received by the Christian church. The disharmony between denominations and disrespect and lack of unity within some denominations is not helpful for building the Kingdom of God here on earth. It is evidence of sin’s corruption of humanity, that some Christians sing praises to God while refusing to edify their brothers and sisters in Christ in other churches. Could John have been any clearer when he warned the church? “If anyone claims, “I am living in the light,” but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is still living in darkness” (1John 2:9).

Many Christians mistakenly look at the end of Jesus’ ministry as a disaster, with his arrest and crucifixion the lowest point of his life, redeemed only by God’s resurrection of the crucified Messiah. In the opening passage of Jesus’ prayer (John 17:1-8), Jesus takes an altogether different perspective: “I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began” (John 17:4-5). Jesus saw the last day of his life on earth as the climax of his mission to birth God’s New Creation.

My Takeaway: We will do well to rethink how we interpret those parts of our lives we think of as failures or low points. The Apostle Paul’s wonderful affirmation of Jesus’ presence in our fragile lives can help us in this process. (See 2 Corinthians 4)

Sē’lah

My book on prayer,

First Think, Then Pray

is now available on Amazon Kindle.

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Friday, September 20, 2024

A New Reality for the People of Christ

Meditations for Seeking the Life in Christ

The Gospel of John

September 20, 2024

A New Reality for the People of Christ

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me.

Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.

But take heart, because I have overcome the world”

John 16:33

Jesus tells his followers that when he is through birthing God’s New Creation, his followers will have the very same standing with God the Father as he does. When our prayers embody the life of Jesus, our prayers are unimpeded as they ascend to God. Think of what that means! When we pray in the Life of Christ, we receive the full and undivided attention of God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.

Jesus says that when we pray in his name, we are not going through him to God; we are speaking directly to God the Father. Jesus’ incredible promise is really hard to wrap our mind around, and that only becomes more difficult when you consider what he next told his disciples: “But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone” (John 16:32a). Jesus made his promise in the full knowledge that his followers, in their human frailty, would falter and not always remain faithful. Our prayers will not always fully embody the life of Jesus. Jesus knows all of the pitfalls that are in the pathways of his disciples and responds by making yet another incredible promise: “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

My Takeaway You are God’s beloved child with whom He is well pleased, and upon whom His favor rests. What is true for Jesus is true for Christianoi, the people of Christ. As a disciple of Jesus, you have unfettered access to God the Father. Yes, these promises of Jesus seem impossible for us to fully grasp. Even so, I invite you to join me as I take a leap of faith and choose to dwell in God’s new reality for the people of Christ.

Sē’lah

My book on prayer,

First Think, Then Pray

is now available on Amazon Kindle.

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Thursday, September 19, 2024

No One Can Rob You of That Joy

Meditations for Seeking the Life in Christ

The Gospel of John

September 19, 2024

No One Can Rob You of That Joy

So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again;

then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy.

John 16:22

In John 16: 12-22, Jesus is describing to his disciples the indescribable. God’s New Creation is about to be birthed into existence. How can you describe that? Jesus gave his disciples just a taste of what was coming, and then tells them to trust the Holy Spirit. One of the ministries of the Holy Spirit is to teach us the significance of what happened on those three days, and how to live out of this new reality.

The two greatest aspects of God’s New Creation are the gift of the Holy Spirit and the gift of prayer. The Holy Spirit is Jesus’ very presence with the believer. The Holy Spirit is our guide, our teacher, the One who empowers our souls to live as fully devoted followers of Jesus.

Jesus told his disciples, “So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy” (John 16:22 Emphasis mine). You are reading this today because of the truth of Jesus’ statement. The joy the disciples experienced at seeing the resurrected Jesus changed them forever. It was that joy that compelled them to follow Jesus’ command to go into the whole world and make disciples of Jesus for the transformation of the world.

This joy wasn’t just for those eleven disciples with Jesus the night he was arrested. St. Stephen experienced that joy and so did St. Paul. Teresa of Avila experienced that joy, as did Saint Teresa of Calcutta. So did Martin Luther, John Wesley and Detrick Bonhoeffer.

My Takeaway: So have I, and so can you!

Sē’lah

My book on prayer,

First Think, Then Pray

is now available on Amazon Kindle.

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

A Daunting Challenge

Meditations for Seeking the Life in Christ

The Gospel of John

September 18, 2024

A Daunting Challenge

And when (the Advocate) comes, he will convict the world of its sin,

and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.

John 16:8

God’s people have always longed for the day when God’s justice will prevail throughout the world. Jesus promised that with the coming of the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, God is working to answer the longing of our heart.

Jesus has promised that our Advocate will guide and empower us. Jesus is not saying that the Holy Spirit will be working independently of us to convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment. Jesus is saying that the Holy Spirit, working in and through his followers, will bring justice to the world. When the followers of Jesus lead lives of honesty and integrity, they will stand apart from the ways of the world. Their lifestyle will contrast sharply with the ways of people who do not believe in Jesus. When the followers of Jesus speak out against injustice in the world, their beliefs will contrast sharply with the ways of the world. When the followers of Jesus work diligently in ministries of mercy and justice, their ideals will contrast sharply with the ideals of the world. When the followers of Jesus live with the hope of God’s future in their heart, their sense of inner peace will contrast sharply with people living without hope. It will be through the lives of fully devoted followers of Jesus that the Holy Spirit “will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment” (John 16:8).

The challenge of Jesus to his followers is to open our hearts and our lives to the Holy Spirit so that Jesus can live his life through us. This challenge is daunting because the persecution that confronted Jesus awaits his followers as well. However, Jesus has promised us that he will always be with us; nothing can separate us from him. We can do everything through Christ, who gives us strength. (Matthew 28:20, Romans 8:39, Philippians 4:13)

My Takeaway: The Good News is that Jesus has sent the Holy Spirit to us. Now the question confronting us is whether we are up to the challenge that comes with receiving the Spirit?

Sē’lah

My book on prayer,

First Think, Then Pray

is now available on Amazon Kindle.

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Tuesday, September 17, 2024

It’s All About Control

Meditations for Seeking the Life in Christ

The Gospel of John

September 17, 2024

It’s All About Control

“If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.”

John 15: 18-19

In my meditation on September 12, 2024, I Am Leaving You with a Gift, I noted that John uses the word, world, to denote the opposition to the Kingdom of God. Within the world are those who choose not to believe and obey Jesus, and there are the forces of evil that oppose the reign of God. It is into this world that Jesus sends his disciples.

In today’s world culture, more than any other time in my life, I am seeing the manifestation of Jesus’ prophesy: “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you” (John 15:18-19). Why does the world hate Christians? At the risk of oversimplifying a complex issue, in a word the answer is control. It’s all about control.

Within our fallen human nature, we long to live life on our own terms, we want to sing as our own personal anthem, My Way:

And now, the end is near

And so I face the final curtain

My friend, I'll say it clear

I'll state my case, of which I'm certain

I've lived a life that's full

I traveled each and every highway

And more, much more than this

I did it my way

I planned each charted course

Each careful step along the byway

And more, much more than this

I did it my way

My Way by Frank Sinatra

The followers of Jesus willingly submit their lives to the will of God, and faithfully endeavor to do life God’s way. For a world bent on each person doing what seems right in their own eyes, a Christian becomes a threat and a target of hatred. On any given day, the issues discussed in newspapers and social media typically take positions opposed to the teaching of Scripture. Even so, the promise of Jesus is that while we are called to be in the world, but not of the world, we are not left alone.

My Takeaway: “But I will send you the Advocate—the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me” (John 15:26).

Sē’lah

My book on prayer,

First Think, Then Pray

is now available on Amazon Kindle.

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Monday, September 16, 2024

Three Words, One Command

Meditations for Seeking the Life in Christ

The Gospel of John

September 16, 2024

Three Words, One Command

This is my command: Love each other.

John 15:17

This morning, as I read John 15: 9-17, three words caught my attention: love, friend and joy.

Repeatedly, Jesus affirms his love for his disciples. Over and over, he affirms his command for his disciples to love others in the very same way he loves them. I believe it is his love that makes it possible for us to produce fruit; it is his love that raises us up in friendship; it is his love that fills our lives with joy. This word love gives me pause to examine my life for evidence that I live my life in the truth of Jesus’ love for me.

Jesus’ words, “Now you are my friends” (John 15:15) inspired the praise song, I Am A Friend of God, with its simple, yet profound, chorus: “I am a friend of God. I am a friend of God. I am a friend of God, he calls me friend.” This word friend gives me pause to examine my life for evidence that I have more than head knowledge about Jesus. Do I live my life in the reality of a relationship with Jesus? If so, is that relationship more like boss and employee or servant; or do I hear him call me friend? (Israel Houghton, I Am A Friend of God)

Jesus said he wants me to be filled with his joy. Six times in his Farewell Discourse Jesus speaks of joy. In Psalm 23, King David said that his cup overflowed with the goodness of God; in John 15:11b, Jesus says to his disciples, “Yes, your joy will overflow.” This word joy gives me pause to examine my life for evidence that Jesus’ joy overflows in my life.

Often, I hear Christians express confusion over Jesus’ promise that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using his name. The last two verses in today’s passage provide the context for Jesus’ promise: “I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. This is my command: Love each other” (John 15:16b-17).

My Takeaway: When our focus is on producing lasting fruit for God’s Kingdom and loving each other, when our asking is aligned with God’s will, Jesus’ promise becomes crystal clear.

Sē’lah

My book on prayer,

First Think, Then Pray

is now available on Amazon Kindle.

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Friday, September 13, 2024

Bringing Glory to God

Meditations for Seeking the Life in Christ

The Gospel of John

September 13, 2024

Bringing Glory to God

“When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples.

This brings great glory to my Father”

John 15:8

In John 15, Jesus says he is the true grapevine, and his Father is the gardener. What if your church announces the Gardener will be meeting with your congregation to cut off every branch that isn’t producing fruit. He will also prune the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. Ouch! I wonder how many people will show up to meet with the Gardener.

I believe our willingness to sit still for the Gardener is directly proportional to our ownership of Jesus’ expectation that we produce much fruit for him. Note that Jesus twice says that he expects much fruit from his disciples, not just some fruit. (John 15: 5 & 8) Our willingness to sit still for the Gardener is also directly related to our staying close to Jesus: “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me” (John 15:4). Knowing I am in Christ, and he is in me emboldens me to allow the Gardener to cut and prune, even if I do cringe and cry ouch!

Our mission is to make disciples for Jesus for the transformation of the world. The fruit Jesus is expecting us to produce is fruit that helps people know and love him. We are also called to produce much fruit in ministries of peace and justice that transform the world into the Kingdom of God. This passage should give us pause to examine our life for evidence that our focus, our priorities are aimed at producing much fruit for Jesus’ Kingdom.

My Takeaway: I must never lose my personal expectation that I will produce much fruit for Jesus. When I am faithful, I will hear Jesus says to me, “When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father” (John 15:8).

And also you!

Sē’lah

My book on prayer,

First Think, Then Pray

is now available on Amazon Kindle.

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Monday, September 30, 2024

Pride Goes Before Destruction

Friday, September 27, 2024

The Rooster Crows

Thursday, September 26, 2024

Sinful Man Was Arresting God

Wednesday, September 25, 2024

God Loves Us as Much As God Loves Jesus

Tuesday, September 24, 2024

Being Obedient to God’s Truth

Monday, September 23, 2024

Jesus’ Presence in Our Fragile Lives

Friday, September 20, 2024

A New Reality for the People of Christ

Thursday, September 19, 2024

No One Can Rob You of That Joy

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

A Daunting Challenge

Tuesday, September 17, 2024

It’s All About Control

Monday, September 16, 2024

Three Words, One Command

Friday, September 13, 2024

Bringing Glory to God

Seeking the Life in Christ

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