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Here’s today’s devotional. (If you don’t have a Bible, you can read the passage online here.)
Enjoy!
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First of all, I know you must be tired to have gotten up at 5:30 AM to produce this devotional for us. That is somewhat putting into practice what was discussed in the versus you gave us to study today. You died today to sleeping in a longer, especially since you stayed up late before to produce the first devotional. As Christians and followers of Christ we must willing to die to our own lives in order to love as He loved us. He died so that we could have life and have it more abundantly. He made a way that we could be with Him forever by dying for us and our sins. We have to die to our own wants and needs and not necessarily dying a physical death like He did for us. In order for us to follow him and He wants us to remain in Him and follow Him and His example so that we can produce fruit, new followers. I have not yet heard you teaching before sharing my comments because I did not want that to influence how the word spoke directly to me. I am also very intereted to hear what others got out of the word and your teaching. I loved reading everyone’s comments and hope this gets to let us learn a little something new about each other. Thanks again Pastor Tony for all your sacrifices.
I’m praying that I will remain in him and sow seeds that will produce much fruit! I want to bring great glory to God!! I want to a great friendship with him!!
Got it…
Thx for the early morning jump start.
Thanks man! God is def. challenging me to change up and he is pruning my study habits and devotionals. I am pretty good about Bible reading but he is asking me to go deeper and spend more time with Him. Thanks for the devotion!
Thanks Tony for taking the time to share your devotional with us!
Wow! This was strong for me. To think that God CHOSE me??? I have always been chosen last! That would HE confide in ME and trust ME? I am amazed by that. Mostly that if I remain in HIM and HIS word and HIS word in me that my will would be purified and my will be granted. That is life-changing and I’ve never read it quite like that before. Thank you so much, Pastor for your time in doing this. What a great way to spend my lunch hour. True Nourishment!!!!
This was the one I was waiting for. This was the one I needed more than anything. The description of the Grapevine, and how it is handled and cared for describes the issues in my life right now.
There are many dead branches that God is removing. There are times though, when you don’t realize that the branches no longer serve a purpose, and you may try to hold on to them. But once you let go, and realize how much you didn’t need them, the weight that they held over you is released, and it is an AMAZING feeling.
The things I need to focus have drastically changed, as well as the things that I need to drop.
The fact that there will be a “cut” no matter what helps to prepare me. We tend to think that, “Well, things are bad. I have to change something,” so we may be prepared for the “cut” to come. It is painful at times, but it needs to be done in order to clear out the old branches. But then there are times when we are producing a lot of fruit, and we still get “cut” and it is surprising, and it hurts, because in our minds we think, “I’m producing! I’m being fruitful!” and we don’t realize that the pruning is necessary for us to produce even MORE fruit, and to be MORE fruitful.
That is an amazing thing for me. I have always been the person to take it personally, when good things are happening, and I have to be pruned. I set out to believe that I’m a finished version of myself, and that no pruning is needed. But day after day, I have come to realize that is no longer the case. I am now welcoming the cuts, and the pruning and the removal of the branches, because I know, through that process, I will become more fruitful than I could ever imagine myself being.
I love verses 4 and 13. I find that when I stay connected with God it is much easier for me to feel confident about the choices I make. Sometimes, as an employee in Corporate America, it is difficult to stand your ground and do what you know is right. But when I remember that I am living my life for God, I feel calm and determined.
“You are my friends”…that says a lot to me. Jesus considers me a friend. I am not always a good friend to him, but He chose me to be his friend no matter what. Very Cool!
Tony, keep the video podcasts coming.
the thing that strikes me most about this devotional is that I need to surrender control to Christ. I’ve been trying to make things work in my life; I’ve been frustrated that I can’t fix things; I’ve been angry that I can’t make things work. but my focus has been completely wrong. I can’t do anything myself! I can’t do anything without Christ. I have to surrender all my troubles to Him and focus on knowing Him, praising Him, talking to Him and He’s gonna take care of all the stuff that I can’t fix. if I make sure I’m doing what I should be doing, He’s going to give me everything I need. I keep acting like I can take care of the problems in my life, but why would I want to do that when I can let the perfect Creator of the world fix things. I can try and fix the sink if it’s broken. I might be able to rig something to work. but isn’t smarter to just call on the plumber who knows exactly what needs to be done?
the thing that strikes me most about this devotional is that I need to surrender control to Christ. I’ve been trying to make things work in my life; I’ve been frustrated that I can’t fix things; I’ve been angry that I can’t make things work. but my focus has been completely wrong. I can’t do anything myself! I can’t do anything without Christ. I have to surrender all my troubles to Him and focus on knowing Him, praising Him, talking to Him and He’s gonna take care of all the stuff that I can’t fix. if I make sure I’m doing what I should be doing, He’s going to give me everything I need. I keep acting like I can take care of the problems in my life, but why would I want to do that when I can let the perfect Creator of the world fix things. I can try and fix the sink if it’s broken. I might be able to rig something to work. but isn’t smarter to just call on the plumber who knows exactly what needs to be done?
My favorite verse from the Bible has always been John 15:13, where Jesus said, “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends”. I try to live my life by that.
Tony rules!
“Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit.” (part of v.5) That really stood out to me. I don’t have to produce the fruit myself, I just need to remain in Jesus. It is all about having a authentic friendship with the Lord. He does all of the hard work. He plants the seed, nourishes it, prunes the branches and produces the fruit. I just have to stay attached to “the vine.” Awesome!
Thanks for the sacrifice of your time, Tony. I feel like you are showing great love by laying down your life for us. You are appreciated.
Jesus being the centerpiece of the garden is the image that is really standing out the most for me. That’s a really strong image. Again, it all goes back to prioritizing our relationship with Him. I must admit, though, that this is difficult for me to do sometimes. I want a great friendship with Him. And sometimes I’m better at cultivating that than others. But I really struggle with just being close to Him on a regular basis. I’m not sure where I veer off. Maybe I get too distracted, maybe I focus too much on what I should be doing–instead of simply allowing myself to love and be loved by Him. Lord, please help me to remain in You.
Pastor Tony – First off, thank you for doing these devotionals this week. I’m am enjoying them and getting a lot out of them. I know you are busy and it means a lot that you are taking your time to do these (especially at 5:30a!).
What stuck out for me today was “You didn’t choose me. I chose you.” WOW! I read that over and over. To know that God chose me before I ever found my way to him is amazing.
Anyone else thinking about the song “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” differently? Great devotional Pastor Tony. Thank you.
Just some thoughts I had…pruning is personal and we can’t expect others to be pruned exactly the same way at the same time we are. My wants have changed & Bible verses do pop up in my head. I love the thought that fruit that I don’t set out to do counts because it IS fruit even though “I” didn’t decide to do it. Investing in spending time with God has been paying off. Although I have been following Jesus for many years until the 201 class I didn’t read the Bible every day. Now I am reading even when I don’t “feel” like it and it is making a difference.
Tony,
I just cant seem to get enough of God, the Bible, and Christianity! I hunger for more. During my regular devotions on Saturday, I prayed to find a way to learn more about God and his word, then BAM! You start doing this! Little did you know that YOU were answering my prayers. I love this, keep it up!
I have read this passage many times but this was a real blessing and eye-opener. Thanks and God bless.
Very cool message. So many things are to be learned from so few words. God is on the move, I can feel it! And it’s very exciting. What’s comforting to know is that he chose me to be his friend.
I love this passage b/c there have been times in my life that I have not always been as close to God as I am now. This passage helps me realize how important God is to us and who we are and how things are in our daily lives. I completely agree with what this passage is telling us that with God our lives seems so much better and less complicated. When we grow away from God things start to become more complicated and difficult. God truly is an Awesome God!!! Thanks for the devotional.
Something that stood out to me in this passage was the word “remain”. I noticed it 7 times and it stood out as important to me because it makes me realize how our relationship with Him should be an ever growing relationship that always “remains”. It’s not meant to be a periodic or occasional relationship. It is scary to think that we may be missing out on what God has planned for us in our lives when we have periods in our lives where we seem to become too busy to put as much effort into our relationship with Him.
Thanks Tony!
This devotional really spoke to me in so many ways. One point that seemed really important to me this morning is that I need to not put so much emphasis on how things will work out (what is the end result?) — but instead focus on the process of living my life through God. How am I spending my time day-to-day? What am I focused on? Am I worrying so much about outcomes that I lose sight of the importance of remaining in God’s love and deepening my relationship with him? I love the fact that if we stay plugged into God and his word he will give us what we want, and that our wants will be consistent with His wants for our lives. I need to focus on living my life through God daily and have faith that God will keep me on the right path. God will take care of the details!
I’m here. What struck me today was the idea that I’m a branch, and while the fruit may be visibly attached (or attributed) to me, the reality is that without the nourishment that flows to the branch from the vine, there is no fruit. The fruit is only the result of the lifeblood of the vine flowing into the branches. If I’m not connected with Jesus, growing in my relationship with him by praying and listening and reading his words, NOTHING will be produced, no matter how much I may want to do something, even something for him. The other side of that which struck me is that when I am focused on my relationship with him, I don’t have to worry about “doing something for him,” the fruit will be produced as a natural result. Awesome!
Pruning is a good thing, when driven by God. You cannot properly do this without Gods direction. I love verse 5 and 6, apart from me you can do nothing, anyone who is apart from Him will be gathered and burned. Sounds hot to me.
I started this devotional yesterday, but kept having interruptions. Anyway, I made sure I finished it today and I’m glad I persisted. What an awesome thing to know that we were all CHOSEN to be His friend.
Pastor Tony – I feel your love for the church through these devotionals. Thank you. I agree with Danice. I’ve been so distracted lately in my life. I have no focus. I’ve been battling instead of letting my relationship with God lead the way. I need to develop my friendship with God so I may be fruitful in my life instead of doubtful. I need to refocus on God and his word so I may be “filled with joy.” God has chosen me. I need to be a good friend and return the favor.
Thanks Tony for the time you have spent preparing these devotionals. Much appreciated!
The points that touched me were:
1)Fruit happens! What a relief that I don’t have to make that fruit myself.
2)The Ask/Receive/Glorify life cycle. If you are consistantly in the Word then you will ASK for the things/situations that God wants for you, then you will RECEIVE what you ask for. You will then GLORIFY God for what He has given you. What a great way to live!
3)Joy – When you obey God you will have complete joy, then you will Glorify God.
What a great plan God has put together for our lives. All we have to do is follow, He does all the work, we have joy in our lives and He gets the glory. Praise God!
I want to be God’s true friend so I need to do what He asks me to do.
Also, I need to stay plugged into God so I can see FRUIT HAPPEN!
Thanks Pastor Tony. That was awesome!
Apart from Him you can do nothing.
Love each other.
Playing a little catch up today but these are great passages. Strong words. “You can’t help but create fruit” – Tony. ;-)
Love that Old Skool shirt btw.
WOW this was an amazing message ! My new favorite of all time!!
I feel like God sent this directly to me this morning. I think a lot of my life has become an example of things that used to work but don’t anymore. What you reinforced for me this morning is , that’s OK, and actually a GREAT thing! I feel so blessed with so much good in my life…but truthfully, I feel God saying, we gotta move out some of this good to get to the great! (It’s easy to prune out the bad stuff, but when the good stuff starts shipping out, I’m thinking “now wait a second!”.) Instead of mourning it, I feel like celebrating it! God wants to do more and BETTER things in my life….how cool and wonderful is that? Who am I to deserve that? Tony you just so elequently and susinctly said what I think I knew in my heart…but just never actually heard articulated in such a clear and compelling way. I can’t tell you the hope and excitement I feel…thank you Tony!
I also think I’ve been too focused on the outcomes (basically I’m confused…I’m trying to be God which isn’t exactly working out!) I just need to let God decide what fruit he wants to produce…I just need to stay connected to Him and obey….which is much easier than determining what the heck I’m suppose to be producing!!!!
I could go on and on…thank you Tony for being such a wonderful and true example of a Christ follower…I’m so incredibly inspired!
Oh , and “Fruit Happens”…what a cool name for a whole series on this. Who wants to dress up as the fruit of the loom guys? I’m in!