Take a moment to meditate on this week’s scripture verses. 

‭‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭49‬ ‭NIV‬‬ by saying — Why were you searching for me? he asked. Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?

‭‭Luke‬ ‭3‬:‭23‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry. He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph, the son of Heli.

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭14‬:‭27‬-‭28‬ ‭NIV — But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.””

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭16‬:‭17‬-‭19‬ ‭ESV‬‬ — And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭16‬:‭24‬-‭26‬ ‭ESV‬‬ — Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?”

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This week we will be sharing Jesus’ ministry. Take a moment to worship with Found A Love by 7 Hills Worship.

Some of the lyrics sing, “I found a love that would make me believe that beauty is found even in broken things. And every praise is a song I can sing, How you love me.”

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Read the various versions of today’s scripture.

Psalm 91 KJV

Psalms 91 NIV

Psalm 91 MSG

What do you and I need to be nourished so we will flourish in Christ? As we finish our week on being nourished so we can flourish in Christ, I encourage you to stay dusty. Yes, you read that correctly. I realize that sounds strange so let me explain. In Mark Batterson’s book Draw the Circle he states, “The complete devotion of discipleship is sometimes described as being ‘covered in the dust of your rabbi.’ It was an allusion to the fact that disciples followed their rabbi so closely that the dust of the rabbi kicked up with his heels would literally cover the disciples who followed him.” What a beautiful reason to be dusty. Being covered in His dust is the ultimate goal to being nourished so we can flourish in Christ.

Let’s pray. Dear Father, may I follow You so closely that I am covered in the dust of Your feet. May I always be so dusty that I am nourished and flourish for You! In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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John 15:4-5 NIV — 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. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

How can you and I be nourished so we may flourish in Christ? Today’s scripture instructs us to remain in Christ. Some versions of this scripture use the word abide in place of remain. 

Abiding in Christ is not just praying during our devotion time, but approaching every aspect with prayer and discussing it with Christ as our friend. We must use the lens of Christ to see EACH person. We must work EVERY task with the hands and feet of Christ. Then as a result of abiding in Christ we can better display His image and bear fruit. Abiding in Christ will nourish us so we may flourish.

Let’s pray. Dear God, may I draw close and remain in You. May I be nourished by abiding in You, flourish in Christ, and bear Your fruit. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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Psalms 1:1-6 NIV

What do you and I need to be nourished so we will flourish in Christ? Today’s featured scripture tells us that a righteous person is like “a tree planted by streams of water.” A righteous person takes “delight in the law of the Lord” and “meditates on his law day and night.”

How can we meditate on God’s law day and night? First of all we must know His word. We must spend time reading, studying, and meditating on scripture. If you are reading this devotion you are taking a step to lean into Him by resting in His word. If you do not already have a daily devotion time set aside, ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in carving out a daily time to spend with God. I like to start my day in prayer and devotion with God. Then I am able to be more intentional to meditate on His word throughout the day. When do you spend time with God? How do you carry His word with you day and night?

Let’s pray. Dear God, I desire to be like a tree planted by streams of water. May I always take delight in Your Holy Word. May my meditations and prayers nourish me so I may flourish in Christ. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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Watch today’s video for an explanation of these pictures.

Matthew 4:4 NIV — Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

I take pleasure in having plants around me. Now that I have a sunroom, I have collected several potted plants to enjoy throughout the year. Outside of our sunroom, I have created a large flower bed and have begun gathering various plants to watch grow throughout the spring and summer. Just beyond that flower bed I have two raised beds to plant vegetables and herbs in for my family to enjoy. All of these plants have different needs for nourishment so they will flourish. 

According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary the definition of nourish is to nurture, rear, or promote growth. Flourish means to grow luxuriantly or to thrive. This week we will explore what you and I need in order to be nourished and what we can do to be sure we flourish in Christ.

Let’s pray. Dear Heavenly Father, prepare me to receive Your message this week. May my heart be like fertile soil waiting to be planted. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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