The Fruit of Abiding..Craig Denison Ministries

 The Fruit of Abiding

Craig Denison Ministries

Weekly Overview:

This life is marked by a single choice: who or what will we center our lives around? This choice takes each of us down a path of decisions that shape who we are, what we feel, who or what we value, and what we will have accomplished at the end of our days. To center our lives around ourselves or the things of this world leads only to destruction. But, to center our lives around meeting with God fills each moment with the glorious abundance of God’s love, provision, and transcendent peace. May your life be marked by union with your Creator as we explore what it means to center our lives around meeting with God this week.

Scripture:“Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

Devotional:           

So often out of a right desire to do good and God-honoring works we try and force fruit out of ourselves without taking the time to rest and receive the nutrients we can only get from abiding in our heavenly Father. A branch disconnected from an apple tree can no more produce good fruit than you and I can do good works apart from continual abiding in the love, grace, and presence of God. Without truly centering our lives around meeting with God, we’ll never produce the fruit we were created to make. Jesus taught us in John 15:1-5,

I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 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.

God’s heart is for us to abide in him all day, every day. How incredible is that! You and I can graft ourselves every day into the perfect, good, and powerful vine of our heavenly Father. We can wake up every day, open our hearts to God, and live out of the union afforded us by the powerful sacrifice of Jesus.

Rather than striving to do good works from the moment our feet hit the ground, we must take time to be loved by our heavenly Father. Rather than making our own opportunities to serve God, we must allow him to guide us to the works he’s set out for us. Rather than trying to lead others to Jesus by our own efforts, we must simply live openly and honestly with others, thereby revealing God’s heart to meet with those who are broken and in need of him. And rather than living as if God has left us to our devices, we must acknowledge our union with the Holy Spirit in every moment, thereby allowing his loving presence to permeate everything we do.

James 2:26 teaches, “For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.” Connect yourself to the wonderful vine of Jesus today. Center your life around meeting with him. It’s only in abiding in God that your faith will produce works that are alive, eternal, and filled with the transformational power of God’s Spirit. May you discover the freedom and love available to you in continual communion with your heavenly Father today.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on the importance of abiding in the vine. Allow Scripture to stir up your desire to rest in God today.

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10

“Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

“That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.” 1 John 1:3

2. Where have you been striving to do good works apart from the abiding presence of your Creator? What parts of your life need to have a greater connection to the love of God?

3. Take time to rest in the presence of God. Abide in him. Don’t look to or think about the things set before you today. There will be plenty of time for tasks and relationships. Focus all your attention on the reality of God’s nearness and open your heart to receive all the love he has for you in this present moment.

The absolute most powerful and good work we can do every day is pursuing continual communion with God. More than God wants us to strive to serve him, he simply wants us to let him love us. More than he wants any work of our hands, he wants our hearts. His love comes without agenda. There is immense value in the children of God simply living in relationship with the Father. Don’t let the works-based systems of this world seep into the grace-based relationship you have with God.

Extended Reading: John 15

The Wisdom of Right Relationships..Dr. Charles Stanley

 The Wisdom of Right Relationships

Dr. Charles Stanley

Hebrews 10:23-24

The subject of positive relationships is near to my heart because God has provided me with such good friends. These are the people who challenge me to do more for the Lord. My friends love me, but they certainly aren’t content to let me stay as I am! If they spot a sin in my life or see something I could do better, they say so.

Paul gave relationships a high priority too. The apostle surrounded himself with people who could help him achieve two things: fulfillment of his God-given mission and conformity to Christlikeness. While Paul was pouring himself into the lives of others, he was being built up and strengthened by his fellow believers. That, in brief, is the Lord’s plan for every one of His children.

What about you? Do you have certain relationships that motivate you to pursue God more fervently? It does matter whom we allow to influence our lives. The Father equips your brothers and sisters to invest in you—to encourage you, to pray for you, and to prod you toward a more complete faith—so that you are prepared to devote yourself to serving others. Good relationships with people who build each other up can help believers fulfill God’s plan for their lives.

The finest relationships are between people who want to see each other succeed in faith and therefore “spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (Heb. 10:24, niv). In other words, our best friends are those who love us as we are but never cease to challenge us to be better for the Lord.

Are Your Relationships Meaningful?..Aaron D’Anthony Brown

 Are Your Relationships Meaningful?

By Aaron D’Anthony Brown

“Iron sharpens iron, and one person sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17)

What is a meaningful relationship?
There’s a certain conversation that plays out week after week on Sunday mornings. One person says, “Hey. How are you?” “Good,” the other responds, “How are you?” “Good,” the first answers, mirroring the second. This conversation probably sounds familiar. Most of us have either initiated or participated in such dialogue, inside and outside of church. But on the subject of Sunday mornings, what is the likelihood that every single Sunday, we’re actually doing good? Of all places to be dishonest, we pick the Lord’s house.

This brings us to an important question. Are our relationships meaningful? Don’t be too quick to answer. If our relationships are meaningful, why do we bestow the label of friend upon people who aren’t close to us? Why do we even have superficial conversations at church, a place where we are called to be vulnerable?

Much like the worldly culture surrounding us, the church has also lost sight of what constitutes meaningful relationships. Instead of calling someone an acquaintance, we say friend. Instead of communicating when something bothers us, we keep quiet to avoid offending. Though these behaviors mark our present day, they are not indications of meaningful relationships. Not according to biblical standards.

The Book of Psalms and Proverbs especially help us understand how to cultivate depth, even when someone is not our friend. We learn how to communicate and handle conflict. We also receive admonishment for better listening, prioritizing other people, making time for others, and ultimately, treating people the way that we would want to be treated. The lessons are there, we just have to heed them.

After all, we go to church not just for the sermon but for people and not just to learn but to put what we learn into practice. If we are to be one body, one family, and one church, then we should treat each other accordingly. What better day to start than today?

Intersecting Faith and Life:
The relationship dilemma at church, though widespread, is not insurmountable. After identifying any problem, next comes the solution. In fact, here are five different ways we can add more depth to our interactions.

Pause
One reason we have superficial exchanges at church and elsewhere is because we’re in a rush to our next destination. Instead of being in the moment with the person we’re speaking to, we feign politeness and keep moving. But lying isn’t polite, and if the person needed help but didn’t immediately know how to ask, who are we to pass them by? Take a moment. Pause. Be present.

Listen
When you reflect on your day-to-day conversations, what’s the ratio of you listening as opposed to talking? If we’re being honest, many of us opt to talk instead of listening, but Scripture makes clear what should come first and more often. Be quick not to speak, but listen.

Ask Questions
A good way to practice speaking less and listening more is to ask questions. Making inquiries of the other person helps them feel recognized, seen, and important. The same way we feel when people ask questions of us. Moreover, questions give them an incentive to keep talking.

Initiate
Do you wait around for people to ask you to hang out or do you initiate? The answer is easy when we’re considering an already-established relationship. You likely answer differently, though, when thinking about those you don’t know well. New relationships could be on the horizon, but you need effort to get there.

Appreciate
Another way to make people feel special is to give thanks. Not just for the obvious things like gifts or a ride to work. Thank people for spending time with you, for sharing secrets, and simply for being your friend.

As Christians, we profess a Jesus kind of love. That kind of love makes time for others, listens intently, asks questions, initiates, and offers plenty of gratitude. Trade in what’s superficial for what’s real, and let’s perfect the church today.

Further Reading :

• Colossians 4:6
• Proverbs 18:2
• 1 Peter 4:8
• Proverbs 17:17

10 Powerful Things the Holy Spirit Wants to Do for You..Brittany Rust

10 Powerful Things the Holy Spirit Wants to Do for You
By Brittany Rust

BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY: But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. – John 16:7

The Holy Spirit is a beautiful and powerful part of who God is. We need Him in our life as a conduit to become who God created us to be, and through His power we have aid in all situations. Without Him, we are powerless.

It’s not enough to exist with the belief that The Father and the Son are first and the Holy Spirit is secondary. They are equal and work in harmony with each other. The uniqueness of the Holy Spirit is His presence within us. Jesus said before he ascended to heaven that the Holy Spirit would come and dwell within us as a believer. With that, He empowers us to live victoriously for the cause of Christ and glory of the Father.

Here are just 10 of the supernatural ways the Holy Spirit wants to empower you today:

1. He is your Helper.

See John 16:7.

As my flesh fights for control, it’s the Spirit that steps in and helps me to be who God created me to be.

2. He sanctifies you.

See 1 Corinthians 6:11.

The Holy Spirit wants to help you in this process of sanctification: to die to your old self and be all that God created you to be; to be free from the entanglement of sin and live victoriously.

3. He makes you more like Christ.

See 2 Corinthians 3:18.

Our goal is Christlikeness and this takes place through the power of the Holy Spirit. While we focused on sanctification and the diminishment of sin in the previous point, this is rather a transformation into the image of Christ.

4. He helps you to do the Father’s will.

See Acts 8:29.

The Holy Spirit helps us tune into the voice of the Father and, in faith, do what we believe He is calling us to. Ask the Spirit to show you what the Father’s will would be for you today and ask Him to empower you to carry it out!

5. He gifts you for ministry.

See 1 Corinthians 12:7.

The gift(s) that you receive will empower you for the calling God has placed on your life. Embrace what God has put inside of you and be His instrument for Kingdom purpose!

* Additional passages of the gifts of the Spirit can be found in Ephesians 4 and Romans 12.

6. He imparts love.

See Romans 5:3-5.

We find love in our suffering. As we endure trials, God’s love is poured out into us through the Spirit and it’s this empowerment that carries you and I through the hard seasons. When you are doubting this love in your difficulty, remember that the Spirit pours it into your heart.

7. He gives hope.

See Romans 15:13.

Hope as God hopes. This is only possible in abundance through the power of the Holy Spirit. And it’s hope that carries people through all trials and tribulations. Hope is fuel for the soul. Tap into this by His power and experience peace among your surroundings.

8. He teaches and gives insight.

See John 14:26.

He empowers you with understanding and the ability to recall important verses that apply to your life.

9. He guides your prayers.

See Romans 8:26.

Sometimes we don’t have to have the right words--the Holy Spirit knows just what to say. Lean into Him and allow Him to express to the Father what needs to be said.

10. He uses you for evangelism.

See Acts 1:8.

Don’t shy away from being an advocate for Christ; it’s what you are called to do. Allow the Spirit to empower you for the Kingdom purpose of making disciples!

A Prayer for When You Don’t Know What God Is Doing..Molly Law

 A Prayer for When You Don’t Know What God Is Doing

By Molly Law

“How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, Having sorrow in my heart daily? How long will my enemy be exalted over me? Consider and hear me, O LORD my God” - Psalm 13:1-3

When life is stagnant, it can be hard to hear God’s guiding voice. It is an unknown occurrence that happens from time to time. We can be in the Word, seeking God through prayer daily, yet no doors seem to be opening, all we hear are crickets in return.

The beautiful part of Salvation is not just that we believe in the Savior and await eternity with him, which is certainly a wonderful thing, but we also get a friend who enters our hearts and stays with us on this earth until we join the rest of the Trinity in heaven. The Holy Spirit, who is God, is part of our very core. When we seek the Lord, the Holy Spirit evokes his wisdom, guidance, and comfort through us. 

Following the Holy Spirit’s guidance has always been an active choice for all my life decisions. I’ve always been ready to do God’s will in my life. Whenever I had a life decision, God would close all other doors and reveal the one he wanted me to go through. As I pursue another life course, all the doors I have tried remain closed. With each passing day, as I await the one to open, my hope continues to dim until it feels like it could fade entirely.

Before that can happen, I reach for the Word of God, my life source. As I flip to the Psalms, I realize that I am not the first to feel like this — not by a long shot. David’s vulnerability through his written prayers is so relatable, it feels as if he shared it on his social media post today. How timeless they feel as he cried out to the Lord thousands of years ago, “O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer; And by night, but I have no rest” (Psalm 22:2). 

The time in between, traversing the desert can almost feel worse than hearing a “no.” Of course, we would love the “yes,” but at least with a no, there is closure — one of the closed doors can be eliminated so that we feel as if, surely, the one door is just about to open. 

There is no quick fix for this, no profound insight that I could give. All I know is that God’s timing is perfect — and that there is a reason he is not moving right now. No answer is his answer. He’s saying, “Wait on me. It is not time yet. I’ll let you know when it is.” And you know what? I believe him. I trust him even when it seems as if the silence tells me otherwise. 

Let’s Pray:

Dear Lord,
Please let me remember your own words about your perfect timing, “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end” (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

You know that I am waiting for an answer for something that is very close to my heart. A desire you placed in me long ago. Lord, it is getting increasingly harder to wait. I am losing hope. I feel like you cannot hear me. Where are you, my God? 

When I feel like pulling away, I pray you will pull me tightly to your side — that I will still come to you daily so that I do not take matters into my own hands that will undoubtedly lead me astray from the path you had set out for me.

Be with us all as we go through the desert of our lives — as the silence grows louder until it becomes unbearable. Give us comfort and peace. Let the Holy Spirit stir within us, letting us know that you are still there, that you are with us even in the unknown. 

I pray for the day that you open that one door in answer. I pray as we await that fateful day that our trust and faith in you will not diminish. I pray we stay steadfast in our devotion and trust in you no matter what happens. 

We love and trust you, our Father, Friend, and Confidant.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.