You are currently browsing the category archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ category.
When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. John 15:8
Imagine having the craving for an apple, seeing an apple tree, and then, in your excitement going up to grab an apple only to find Brussel sprouts hanging from the branches!
What a huge disappointment! Of course, nothing like that could happen, right? After all Apple trees only produce apples. Orange trees only produce oranges and brussels sprouts? Well, that’s another story.
In John chapter 15 Jesus tells us that he is the vine, and we are the branches. The branches are worthless without the vine. The branch does not strive to produce fruit. The fruit comes naturally as a result of the work of the vine.
Jesus says that when we produce fruit, it brings glory to the father. Think of glory here as being joy. The father takes great joy and seeing us produce fruit. But the father is also the one that causes the fruit to form. Our job is just to show the fruit that he’s given us.
So don’t get tired. Don’t get weary. Don’t give up on the good works you do. Don’t give up on the love that you show. Others may not see, or acknowledge your efforts, but God does. It’s these things that gives the father great joy as he produces fruit in your life.
So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. Galatians 5:16
Many people dream of being able to work from home. No clock to punch, stay in your jammies all day, your schedule on your time. Sounds amazing doesn’t it?
When the pandemic hit, many were forced to work from home and the reality of how hard it is to work from home hit many people. Some were/are successful at it, others? Not so much.
The key to working from home, as I found it, was to treat it like any work day. Get up, get ready as though you were in the office and move on towards productivity. The struggle with working from home is distraction. Too many things that keep us from carrying out our good intentions.
Life can seem like one big rabbit trail at times! Those that found they could work from home learned the importance of being disciplined. They learned to set goals and conquer the desire to do other, more enjoyable things.
What’s true in the work world is true in our spiritual lives. Have you ever talked with God and said something like, “I’m sorry God. I won’t do that again. I’ll be stronger and wiser next time”. Two days later (or earlier for some) you are right back at the same place. Your human desires overcame your spiritual desires. Your passion for pleasure conquered your passion to follow God.
The spiritual life is a battle between human nature and Holy Spirit guidance. The Holy Spirit is sent to be our helper, our guide and our prayer warrior. I love how the Psalmist writes, (my paraphrase of Psalm 119:36) ‘Give me the desire to follow your ways and not the ways of my human nature!”
Too often we strive to be better and work harder at the Christian life, but we were never called on to do that in our own strength. Every day (or as often as necessary) ask Holy Spirit to help you conquer the passions of your heart. Don’t beat yourself up when you fail (and you will!), ask for forgiveness and help to move on!
All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 1 Corinthians 9:25
A good athlete will train hard. He’ll sacrifice much to hopefully gain much. But training is no guarantee you’ll come in first.
There are many excellent athletes who train hard and still come in second or worse. Some may even train harder than the champion. Yet a good athlete keeps trying.
Training may not guarantee you’ll win, but failing to train guarantees you’ll lose. Two things keep us from being all God wants us to be. The first is failing to take that first step. Small steps lead to big rewards. The hardest part of a walk is getting out of your chair!
The second thing that keeps us from being all God wants us to be is quitting when we lose. Champions don’t allow initial losses to keep them from eventual victories.
Don’t allow doubt in your ability to win keep you from training. If you fail (come in second) don’t give up!
Jesus is your personal trainer and His goal is to help you cross the finish line.
He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. I John 2:6 (NKJV)
Jesus walked with purpose. When one walks with purpose, they neither jog or saunter. They are not wandering around, but have a purpose in mind, a destination to get to and a mission to accomplish. Those who walk with purpose are seldom distracted by their surroundings. Throughout the gospels, especially in the book of Mark, verbs define Jesus’ life.
Jesus also walked with passion. His purpose was fueled by the passion he had for his mission. And people were his mission. His passion for people empowered him to love them. His passion attracted those who lived a lifestyle completely opposite of what he stood for. His passion for others rose above politics, ethnicity, and gender.
Jesus walked with wisdom. He knew what he stood for. He knew what his father, Jehovah God, wanted from him. He did what needed to be done, while at the same time taking care of himself physically, spiritually and emotionally.
Abiding in Christ means that we walk with passion, purpose, and wisdom through the power of the Holy Spirit.
For since the world began, no ear has heard and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him! Isaiah 64:4
Unrealized dreams. Unfinished work. Unmet expectations. Disappointing results. You’ve been there. We all have. Those times when, hard as we try, life doesn’t work out as planned.
Our efforts, or the efforts of others we put our trust in, turn out to be an epic fail. It’s easy to get caught up in the negative.
The voices of criticism and mockery tend to remind us of ways in which we fall short. Have you ever noticed that the harshest voices tend to come from your own mind? I do. I’m my own worst critic.
Maybe it’s time to step back and remind ourselves of what’s really important and who is really holding this all together.
Isaiah reminds us that while our human efforts may fail, the works of our God last forever. He’s never late. He’s never overwhelmed or surprised.
When we’re learn to wait on him, we’ll see his power unfold in front of us.
Ask for his leading. Wait for his timing. Act in his power.
Mike Fisk & Built with Grace 