Daily Reading: Luke 8
Scripture Focus: And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. (Luke 8.14)
Devotional Thought: In this season of the year, we remember that Jesus came to earth as God’s greatest gift to humanity. The child who came to life in the stable in Bethlehem, gave his life on the cross of Calvary. Jesus invested all he had. He gave his very best, holding nothing back in order to secure our salvation. He provided the rich soil of God’s grace for us to sprout, to grow, and to produce. But, are you choking on thorns or bearing fruit?
Ask yourself...
Am I hearing? Am I faithful to the house of God weekly, to the Word of God daily, and to the people of God regularly?
Am I holding it fast in an honest and good heart? I hold it fast by living what I know to be true. Do sincerity and integrity describe me in my life and practice?
Am I bearing fruit with patience? I cannot get discouraged when changes do not occur overnight. I must stay the course, realizing that this is a marathon, not a sprint. The fruit will come only as I remain patient and faithfully wait for it.
Do I go on my way? Is my Christian life all about me? Do I walk in the way of the Spirit or the flesh?
Am I choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life? Do I have so much “stuff” in my life that the sun of God’s grace cannot reach my cold, dark heart?
The seed is good, for it is the Word of God. It won’t return to him void, but what fruit is it bearing in my life?
Prayer: Thank you, O Jesus, that your Word is life. I receive it with joy and surrender myself to be a fruitful garden where it can grow and bring forth fruit. Amen.
Psalm of the Day: 10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, for his steadfast love endures forever; 11 and brought Israel out from among them, for his steadfast love endures forever; 12 with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, for his steadfast love endures forever; 13 to him who divided the Red Sea in two, for his steadfast love endures forever; 14 and made Israel pass through the midst of it, for his steadfast love endures forever; 15 but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea, for his steadfast love endures forever; 16 to him who led his people through the wilderness, for his steadfast love endures forever; (Psalms 136:10-16)
Kommentare