Monday, October 28, 2013

Upper Room Daily Devotions ~ Monday, 28 October 2013 ~ “New Life” ~ READ: John 15


Upper Room Daily Devotions ~ Monday, 28 October 2013 ~ “New Life” ~ READ: John 15:1  “I am the true vine, and my Father is the farmer. 2  Every branch in me that doesn’t bear fruit, he takes away. Every branch that bears fruit, he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3  You are already pruned clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4  Remain in me, and I in you. As the branch can’t bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you, unless you remain in me. 5  I am the vine. You are the branches. He who remains in me, and I in him, the same bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6  If a man doesn’t remain in me, he is thrown out as a branch, and is withered; and they gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7  If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, you will ask whatever you desire, and it will be done for you.
8  “In this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit; and so you will be my disciples. 9  Even as the Father has loved me, I also have loved you. Remain in my love. 10  If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and remain in his love. 11  I have spoken these things to you, that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be made full.(Messianic WEB)
Jesus said, “Abide in me as I abide in you.”(John 15:4 (NRSV))
A few days ago I was surprised to find a butterfly lying on our small patio. It did not move, and I thought it was dead. I carefully picked it up to show my young daughters, and together we admired the delicate wings and antennae. I placed the butterfly on a table, out of my daughters’ reach. After a while, I noticed that the butterfly was in a different position. My husband suggested that I place it in the sunlight because the cold temperatures of the previous few days might have left it a bit frozen. I did so, and after a few minutes, the butterfly was fluttering its wings. It was alive! Something similar can happen to us when we fall away from our communion with God and our brothers and sisters in Christ. If we fail to pray regularly, read God’s word, or give God praise and thanks, our spirit can begin to “chill,” and we no longer reflect the life of Christ. However, when we return to God, the Light and the Truth, our spiritual strength will return. Spending time with God’s people and in God’s presence prepares us to more powerfully praise and serve God and to reflect God’s wondrous love.(The Author ~ Lucy de Tamez (Virginia, USA))
Thought for the Day: No matter how chilled we become, God’s love can warm our spirits.
Prayer: God of all creation, help us remain close to you and to leave behind all that distracts us from you and the community of faith. Amen.
Prayer Focus: Faith renewal
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