I may be wrong, but it looks to me that the boat in the picture is traveling at a high rate of speed. The picture reminds me of how I sometimes travel through life. I speed through one task at a time splashing and creating waves. As I reflect on my post from yesterday on abiding in Christ, I am reminded of what was going on in our world this time 2 years ago.
Two years ago we were in the beginning stages of the pandemic. We were in the midst of being quarantined to our homes and in a sense, forced to slow down and wait. Waiting wasn’t easy. Slowing down and waiting caused some anxiety at first, but many of us learned to appreciate our time at home. Many home projects were completed, books read, and puzzles assembled. More importantly, many of us drew closer to God and spent more intentional time in prayer and devotion. We were abiding in Christ, whether we realized it or not.
My tip on this Transformation Tip Tuesday is to intentionally slow down and wait. Take time to reflect on where you were 2 years ago and let that reflection shape your perspective on today.
Have you ever heard a scripture hundreds of times and one day you hear it differently? Yesterday was one of those days for me. In Sunday School we discussed what it means to “abide” in Christ. I have known the definition of abide for years: to remain stable or fixed in a state. However yesterday I understood the meaning even more. Read now the context of the scripture as written in the NIV.
““I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 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 15:1-4 NIV
NIV uses the word “remain” to mean abide. Now read The Message version of the same passage.
““I am the Real Vine and my Father is the Farmer. He cuts off every branch of me that doesn’t bear grapes. And every branch that is grape-bearing he prunes back so it will bear even more. You are already pruned back by the message I have spoken. “Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can’t bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can’t bear fruit unless you are joined with me.” John 15:1-4 MSG
The Message version uses the words “live”, “make your home”, and “joined.” All of these words help paint a picture of how encompassing it is to abide in Christ. Abiding in Christ is not just praying during my devotion time, but approaching every aspect with prayer and discussing it with Christ as my friend. I must use the lens of Christ to see EACH person. I must work EVERY task with the hands and feet of Christ. Then as a result of abiding in Christ I can better display the fruit of the Spirit.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
The beautiful statue in the picture was donated in memory of one of the matriarchs of our church. This week, the image of the statue will remind me of my new insight of what it means to abide in Christ. On this Mindset Monday may each of you have a heightened awareness of abiding in Christ. May we each share every aspect of our day with our Jesus and as a result, may others see Christ through us.
Today is Spiritual Sunday. Today is a new day. Today holds new promises and blessings. Often we get caught up on the mistakes we made yesterday. We linger in the world of should haves, could haves and would haves. Let’s not look back today. Instead, let’s embrace the promises and blessings of today and give praise. As you start your morning, listen to this version of Morning Has Broken by David Phelps. Praise God as you ponder the possibilities of this Spiritual Sunday.
In Wikipedia a banner can be a flag or other piece of cloth bearing a symbol, logo, slogan or other message. A flag whose design is the same as the shield in a coat of arms (but usually in a square or rectangular shape) is called a banner of arms. In Exodus 17:15 NIV; “Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner.” This was a symbol of the Lord fighting our battles for us. You can read the full story in verses 13–16.
Jehovah-nissi is the name given by Moses to the altar which he built to celebrate the defeat of the Amalekites at Rephidim.
On this Finish Friday I encourage you to not only listen to this music video My Weapon by Natalie Grant but to watch it as well. The intensity of the musicians playing their instruments in is very moving. I encourage you to really listen to the lyrics; Your presence is my greatest weapon. Pushing back the darkness. Breaking every chain. My worship opens up the heavens. Crushing every stronghold. When I speak Your name ‘Cause Your presence is my weapon.
Today let’s, raise our banners high and let our Jehovah Nissi fight our battles for us! Let’s finish strong in Jesus name! Victory has already been won.
“Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’” Matt 22:37 NIV
What is the second greatest form of obedience?
“And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Matt 22:39 NIV
Jesus said he will bless us for carefully following His commands. Do you want to be set on high above all the nations on earth?
“If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth.” Deu 28:1 NIV
On this Water Walking Wednesday let’s get back to the simplicity of God’s commands. Stepping on the shoreline is the greatest form of obedience because the first step is the hardest step is taken. Walking on water should naturally follow, just like loving others.
Can you imagine going through this life without Jesus? On this Thankful Thursday I am thankful for all those that pointed me towards a relationship with Christ Jesus. I am thankful for the gift of salvation. I am thankful that I can be a light in the darkness for others.
If you look to the left of this photo there is a lighthouse. The Wikipedia definition of a lighthouse is a tower, building, or other type of structure designed to emit light from a system of lamps and lenses and to serve as a beacon for navigational aid, for maritime pilots at sea or on inland waterways.
Just like a lighthouse for ships, we are instructed to be a light for others as we read in Acts 13:46 NIV; “For this is what the Lord has commanded us: “ ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’””
Heavenly Father, Thank you for putting others in our path to point us towards you. Thank you for the gift of salvation. Equip us to be a beacon of light for others to receive this beautiful gift. We pray for all those living in darkness and the trials they are facing without you. In the name of Jesus Amen!
As we say in Run Club, now go shine God’s light! I encourage you to listen to this song, Shine Jesus Shine
