Based on “Humbly Confident” by Pastor Mark Balmer; 5/5-6/12,
Message #6096; Daily Devotional #3 - “On the Cutting Edge”
Preparing the Soil (Introduction): "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, and I will 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) The Father prunes every branch that bears fruit so that it will be even more fruitful. No matter where we are in life, or what circumstances we face, there is a good work the Lord desires to do in our hearts and lives. Even in the hard and difficult times, He is working, and He is in control. What a difference, once we recognize that it is His loving hand that is directing every circumstance, conversation and interaction for our benefit!
Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): Pastor Mark outlined four dangers for Christ followers to living an effective life in Christ: self-sufficiency, self-limitation, complacency or apathy, and unbelief. These are universal dangers for every child of God because we are all prone to wrestle or fall prey to them in our walk with the Lord. Each one of them can be overcome, cured and conquered through the Truth of Jesus Christ, the Word of God made flesh. Therefore, it is key that we learn to recognize them in our hearts and minds to guard our walk with Christ. Self-sufficiency is nothing more than pride. Self-limitation is also pride, believing God isn't greater than our circumstances. Apathy and complacency are a common response to not being engaged in the battle or not getting back in the battle when we've fallen. And unbelief comes from not being in the Word of God regularly, for Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17). Our Heavenly Father uses the Word of God to cleanse us (Hebrews 4:12-13). But it often hurts a bit to be cleansed. Oh, but the relief and freedom once we do allow Him to cleanse and change us! Remember, there is life and fruit that comes when we allow the Lord to replace our ways and our thoughts with His precious, life giving ways and thoughts. In what ways is the Lord calling you with His love and earnest Truth to listen and obey?
Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): My grandmother always had a little magnet on her refrigerator that stated, "Bloom Where You Are Planted." As a child, I never understood what that meant. But now, there are many things the Lord has graciously called me to as His beloved child, and I would have been unable to succeed, to bloom, in any of them, without Him. It is only who I am IN CHRIST that enables me to love Jesus and live this life He has called me to with success and victory. He is building a legacy in me, just as He did with Paul in chains, and as He is in you, right where you are in your current circumstances. Thankfully, God loves us too much to leave us where we are. His purpose is to make us like His beloved Son, in whom the Father was well pleased, and to present us before Him spotless and without blemish. We simply need to continue to stay on the cutting edge of the Word of God and allow the Lord to freely work in and through us. Just as we can do nothing without God, we can do all things with Him. Father, thank you for the gift of Your Son. May we, too, be people of Your Word for Your glory. Amen.
Cultivating (Additional Reading): Hebrews 12:1-3; Zechariah 10:12; Psalm 20
CSH
Calvary Chapel of Melbourne; 2955 Minton Road; W. Melbourne, FL 32904; 321-952-9673
All Bible references are from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise noted.