Tag: Jesus

Are you flourishing?

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10

OLD TESTAMENT: 1 KINGS 15-16

POETRY: PROVERBS 16

NEW TESTAMENT: EPHESIANS 6:18-24

I have spent the last 3 years of my life and academic studies focusing on the subject of human flourishing.  Let me ask you a question this morning…Are you flourishing in your life?  Would you like to?  To flourish is to grow healthy, to thrive.  I believe it is God’s ultimate goal for us to flourish.  If you look at the Bible from beginning to end, it is all about flourishing.  In Genesis God creates the heavens and the earth.  He fills the earth with abundant plant and animal life and that places humans on the earth to act as his stewards.  Humanities first job was to cultivate and enjoy a flourishing garden.  God’s first command to humans was “be fruitful and multiply.”  That is all flourishing language.  At the end of the Bible, in Revelation 22 it shows the culmination of God’s plan to live with humans on a restores and renewed earth where there is flourishing.  There is a picture of a river flowing from God’s throne and along the banks of the river are the tree of life that bears fruit all year long and whose leaves bring healing.  This is, once again, flourishing language.  

Throughout his ministry, Jesus uses the language of flourishing as well.  He says things like “I have come that they might have abundant life.” (John 10:10). That is the language of flourishing.  In John 15 he says that he is the vine and we are the branches.  We must remain connected to him to bear fruit.  This is flourishing language.  Later, the Apostle Paul picks up this same language of flourishing.  In Galatians 5:22-23 he speaks of the “fruit of the spirit” as love, joy, peace, patience, etc…  This is most definitely flourishing language.

God wants His children to flourish.  As we know, in order for a plant to flourish it needs certain conditions.  It needs good soil with good nutrients, it needs the right amounts of sunlight and rain, it needs to be nurtured, weeds to be pulled, pruning, pests and parasites need to be kept away.  In the same way, God’s children need to have conditions that are favorable to our flourishing.  God lays these out throughout the Bible.

The week we are going to focus on Proverbs.  I think it is helpful for us to think of the Proverbs as very simple and clear instructions on how to spiritually, emotionally, relationally and even physically flourish.  To learn how to grow a flourishing garden you might want to talk to a wise and seasoned gardener who can give you insights into how to get the most flourishing.  How to prepare the soil, when to plan the seeds of plants, how deep to plant, how far apart to space them, how much watering is needed, do they need more sun or more shade, when and how to prune.  Proverbs give these kinds of practical wisdom instructions to help God’s people flourish.

Consider one of the short Proverbs in today’s reading: “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.” (Proverbs 16:24).  Raw honey has health benefits, it contains antioxidants and other good things, and it tastes sweet.  I remember as a child seeing my very English grandfather put a giant teaspoon of honey into his cup of tea which he drank several times a day.  He lived to be almost 100 (hey maybe I need to start putting honey in my tea?).  So honey tastes good and is good for you, win-win, right?  In that same way, in our spiritual, emotional and relational life, speaking gracious words or words that are full of grace also taste good and are good for you.  Jesus is the ultimate example of what a flourishing human life looks like and it was said of Jesus that he was “full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14).  Colossians 4:6 says: “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”

Maybe I am just getting old, but it seems to me that people are often not very gracious in the ways they speak to each other.  In many ways, social media makes it easier to speak very ungracious words to others behind the safety of anonymity or the filter of a phone or computer screen.  Now, when I hear someone speaking graciously in public or on social media, I am like, “Wow, that was nice to hear for a change.”

God wants us, His children, to experience flourishing lives.  One way toward flourishing is to monitor how we speak and intentionally choose to speak words that convey grace to others.  We do not always have to agree with others and even Jesus spoke truth to his opponents, but even hard truth can be spoken with grace.  That is part of being wise in our speaking and that is one-step towards a fruitful, productive and flourishing life.

~ Jeff Fletcher

Jeff is a pastor and chaplain who lives in the beautiful mountains of Virginia. He has spent his life in ministry and recently earned his doctorate from Vanderbilt University. He has a large, loving family and is very active in all the COG events and ministries.

Questions:
  1. In what ways are you flourishing in your life? Where do you feel like you are not flourishing?
  2. Have you noticed flourishing language in the Bible before? How does the Bible speak about flourishing? What is flourishing according to the Bible?
  3. How does the wisdom of Proverbs help you to flourish in your life?
sglcalendar2024Download

The Sword of the Spirit

Old Testament: 1 Kings 13-14

Poetry: Proverbs 15

New Testament: Ephesians 6:17b

Ephesians 6:17b – “…and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

We have been given the most powerful weapon of all – God’s Word. It’s so powerful that Jesus used the Word of God as he engaged in battle during his forty days in the wilderness. Three times, the devil proposed a tempting offer to the Son of God. And three times, the Son of God used the Word to fight back. After strike three, the devil turned tail and left Jesus alone. 

Have you ever used the Word of God while experiencing a spiritual attack? There have been nights where I have been lying in bed consumed with wonders and worries not able to sleep. I laid my Bible open on the edge of my bed, placed my hand upon the written word and eventually drifted off to a peaceful sleep. 

One particular day, anxiety was getting the better of me and the only thing that kept my mind from spiraling out of control was reading aloud 2 Samuel 22. I must have read that chapter twenty-two times that day. That day wasn’t easy, I was emotionally exhausted by the time the sun went down. But with the help of God’s Word, I managed to fight back and extinguish the flaming arrows that bombarded my mind. 

The author of Hebrews declares that “the word of God is living and active”. This is not just any sword, it is a double-edged sword that does damage going in and coming out of its intended target. It’s not a sword that will go dull or become irrelevant, it’s a sword that has withstood the test of time. It’s not just a sword for the elite warrior, it’s a sword that someone on the front lines of battle would use for both defensive and offensive maneuvers. It’s not a sword that is meant to be a decorative display, it’s a sword that is meant to be used.

An experienced soldier isn’t someone who has just seen a lot of battles. A soldier of high caliber is one who took their “basic training” seriously and continues to practice and hone their skills, even when they are not on “active duty”. 

Any professional athlete knows that their off season is not a multi-month vacation. It’s an opportunity to recover from injuries, cross train in other physical activities, continue with proper nutrition, and work on the finer skills of their game. 

Likewise, when we find ourselves in a period of peace, it is not time to lay aside our swords and eat grapes all day long. We need to be preparing for the next attack. If the Word of God is living and active – then we must also be living and active. Daily engagement with the Word is crucial, but so is being part of a church fellowship. Staying involved in local ministry, putting your spiritual gifts to good use is a way to stay ‘living and active’. 

While I am thrilled that you are reading these words, have you opened up your Bible today? It is a powerful weapon, forged with priceless materials, intended to protect and defend against the enemy’s attacks. Use it in times of battle. Use it in times of peace. Know this weapon inside and out. And may you be victorious as “you stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”

-Bethany Ligon

Reflection Question

  1. How can you use the Sword of the Spirit during times of war? And in times of peace? What has God’s Word provided for you at different times?
  2. Can you tell of a time that God’s Word was exactly the weapon you needed? What did you find there? What did it provide for you? How did it change the battle? Who can you share this testimony with?
  3. Where do you tend to turn when you don’t turn to the Bible? How do those battles go?
sglcalendar2024Download

Your Shield of Faith

Old Testament: 1 Kings 9-10

Poetry: Proverbs 13

New Testament: Ephesians 6:16

Do you ever feel like you’re being bombarded with issues, concerns, or worries? Have you ever heard yourself saying, “If it’s not one thing, it’s another”? Maybe you’re just having a typical ‘Monday’ even though it’s Thursday. Or maybe you find yourself clumsy dropping things, forgetting why you walked into a room, or having to deal with “that one person” more often than normal? It’s not so much one big thing, it’s just one little thing after another that really tests your patience. 

My friend, those big things, those small things, those things in quick succession, those repeated things…those very well could be “flaming arrows of the evil one”.

So why does the author of Ephesians, Paul, specifically use the term “flaming” arrows…why not just regular arrows? If a vulnerable soldier were hit by a normal arrow, it would likely only cause damage to himself. But if a flaming arrow hit him, the flame could catch onto nearby flammable material and cause significant damage.  

The comparison leads us to think about how these spiritual attacks affect us and those around us. When we’re experiencing trials and tribulations, how are we treating others? Are we still kind and compassionate or do we take our frustration out on others? When the challenges are mounting up all around us, do we hide out and disengage or do we press on with our commitments and ministries? When the attacks start coming from every angle, are we able to keep our head on straight and make responsible decisions, or are we tempted to act recklessly with our resources and health? 

You see, from the evil one’s perspective, the more damage that can be done with a single flaming arrow, the more successful the attack. It’s not just you and your personal faith; it’s your physical and spiritual health, your relationships and ministries that are under attack.

This is why taking up the shield of faith is so vital when engaging in spiritual warfare. A Roman soldier would have his wooden shield soaked in water so that when a flaming arrow hit its intended target, the flame would be extinguished and not cause collateral damage. 

Likewise, when we are soaked in the Word of God, those attacks become a little less hazardous to how we choose to carry on in the battle. 

In John 7:38, Jesus says, “Whoever believes in me as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”

The more of the living water that we have flowing through us, the more protected we are from the enemy’s attacks on our faith. We need to stay spiritually hydrated by engaging in the Word of God on a regular and consistent basis. This will build up our faith and protect us from the flaming arrows that are pointed in our direction.

-Bethany Ligon

Reflection Questions

  1. What do you see and recognize as flaming arrows of the evil one? How can recognizing them as flaming arrows of the evil one improve your response to them? Which ones have attacked you or caught you off-guard most recently?
  2. Where/when have you seen a flaming arrow in action – with the potential of injuring or taking down more than just the one it hit? How can we guard against the effect of the flames of these arrows?
  3. How strong is your shield of faith? Does it have weak spots that make you more vulnerable? What can you do to strengthen your shield?
sglcalendar2024Download

the Breastplate of Righteousness

Old Testament: 1 Kings 5 & 6

Poetry: Proverbs 11

New Testament: Ephesians 6:14b

As we continue our study on the Armor of God, we come across two terms that are not frequently used in our day to day vernacular: breastplate and righteousness. So let’s dig a little deeper in order to come to a better understanding.

The breastplate is the piece of armor that goes directly on top of the chest, protecting the heart, lungs, spleen, liver, and even the stomach. Longer breastplates would also cover and protect the intestines. Without this vitally important piece of the armor, any direct impalement by a sword, spear, or arrow could prove to be fatal. 

In modern warfare protection, soldiers wear vests made of a material called Kevlar. Invented by Stephanie Kwolek in 1965, its usefulness is not limited to body armor, but extends to brake pads, space suits, and drum heads. It’s been tested to be ten times stronger than steel, is capable of absorbing high-velocity impacts, and withstand extreme hot and cold temperatures. (Thanks Google AI for the information!) Today’s warriors don it knowing that their life could depend on it!

Righteousness is a word that is typically limited to “churchy conversations”. (Unless you were in high school in the early 90’s and claimed that something thrilling was “totally righteous”.) But what does this word really mean? Basically, it means to be in right standing before God; morally and ethically sound; to do the right thing with a pure heart. 

So how does a person become righteous? Romans 3:22-24 says, “This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

Let’s try to tie this together. When we wear the breastplate of righteousness, we are literally layering on spiritual protection upon our hearts. Without this gear, we are vulnerable to the attacks from the enemy that could prove to be fatal. When we wear this armor of righteousness, we are able to stand before God and be seen worthy and faithful. His Holy Spirit will protect us. 

Some may be tempted to try to shortcut the cost and find cheap substitutes for this level of protection. Whether it be trying to buy our own righteousness by being a “good person” or living an inauthentic lifestyle, where your words and actions cover up a deceitful heart, the Bible is clear that there is only ONE source for a legitimate breastplate of righteousness. We must have faith in Jesus. Faith that accepts Jesus as Savior and Lord. Faith that believes the Lord will fight for us. Faith that commits to standing firm when everything around us crumbles. Faith that submits everything, our hopes and dreams, our plans and purposes, our resources and relationships, our past, present and future to the One who is called Jesus, the Christ, the Son of the Living God. 

Yes, it is costly. But the protection and confidence that it provides is invaluable for the fight that we must fight. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Eph 6:12)

-Bethany Ligon

Reflection Questions

  1. How would you rate your righteousness: “to be in right standing before God; morally and ethically sound; to do the right thing with a pure heart”?
  2. How would you rate your faith in Jesus? What happens if you try to have righteousness apart from faith in Jesus? What does faith in Jesus lead you to be and do?
  3. How does a breastplate of righteousness protect you from the powers of this dark world? What would Satan want you to believe about the breastplate of righteousness? Where do you see this attitude/belief in the world?
sglcalendar2024Download

Belt of Truth Buckled

Old Testament: 1 Kings 3 & 4

Poetry: Proverbs 10

New Testament: Ephesians 6:14a

Heads up! This devotion is going to take you in a mini dive into the history of the buckle of all things! But first…

Many of us have read our key verse more than a handful of times in our lives. And we’ve even been taught about the belt of truth in our Sunday School lessons. It’s been explained that in ancient times, before a foot race or prior to battle, runners and warriors would tuck their long garments into their cloth belt, in order to provide free movement for the legs. 

As I considered this first half of this verse, the word buckle stuck out to me. My thoughts went a little something like this:

“Wait a minute…a buckle in ancient Roman times? This doesn’t make sense. The earliest I’ve ever seen buckles in history books is on the Pilgrims. Did Roman soldiers wear buckles?”

A few clicks in my web browser confirms that indeed, buckles were part of the Roman body armor. Depending on the type of armor, there could be one main buckle, or in segmented forms of armor, many mini buckles to hold all the pieces together. What’s more, the more elite soldiers had super fancy buckles, whereas those that served in the infantry had simpler and more practical buckles. 

Who knew???

With this new knowledge, our key verse today starts to take on an expanded meaning. Without the buckled belt of truth, the breastplate won’t stay in place and the protective plates on the shoulders wouldn’t be able to stay attached. Also, the tunic part of the armor which protected the groin wouldn’t have anything to attach to if it weren’t for the buckle. 

It all starts with the buckle on the belt. Just like it all starts with Truth. 

  • John 14:6 – “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”
  • John 8:32 – “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
  • 2 Timothy – “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”
  • Psalm 25:5 – “Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”
  • Ephesians 1:13 – “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation…”

The start of our key verse in Ephesians chapter 6 begins with “Stand firm then…”. If we are ignorant of the Truth, there is no way that we can stand firm. We must know the Truth of YAHWEH, and His Son, Jesus. We must know the Truth of salvation and the coming Kingdom. If we fail to know these truths, then our efforts to stand firm against the attacks of our opposition will be for nothing. 

So buckle up and stand firm in Truth.

-Bethany Ligon

Reflection Questions

  1. What would happen if you went into battle but couldn’t keep your pants up, or were restricted by your long garments? How important is truth? How do the other components of the armor rely on truth? What happens if we try to stand firm without truth?
  2. What truths do you believe about YAHWEH, His Son, Jesus, salvation and the coming Kingdom? Are there any that you are unsure about and need to study more? How do these specific truths affect other pieces of your armor: salvation, righteousness, faith, and gospel of peace?
  3. What can you do today to be better buckled into the truth?
sglcalendar2024Download

Be STRONG in the LORD

Old Testament: 1 Kings 1-2

Poetry: Proverbs 9

New Testament: Ephesians 6:10-13

Ephesians 6:10-13 – “…Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power…”

If you were to look at the different video playlists I have curated in my Youtube profile, you’d see that a majority of them are workout exercise videos. I have playlists for upper body strength, lower body strength, pilates and barre workouts, HIIT and stretching videos. What can I say, I need variety in my life if I’m going to pursue a lifestyle that includes regular exercise. 

But physical strength and endurance is not what the apostle Paul is talking about in the sixth chapter in his letter to the Ephesian church.

Nor is Paul referring to mental toughness. The kind of fortitude that prisoners of war or persecuted believers must endure when they are held captive in inhumane environments. 

Paul writes the words, “be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power”. These words are almost identical to what we read in Joshua 1, verse 9, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua was preparing for a physical battle that had spiritual consequences. We probably are not preparing for a physical battle; however, if we are actively pursuing a life centered on the Gospel message, we are indeed engaging in a battle that has spiritual consequences. 

So what does it mean to be “strong in the Lord and in his mighty power”?   

First, I think it means that we must recognize that if we are going to do anything in the name of Jesus, we are stepping into battle against the devil’s schemes. We become a threat that must be neutralized. A soldier prepares for battle by donning on their tactical gear. We need to do likewise.

Second, “be(ing) strong in the Lord and in his mighty power” means that our own efforts, our intelligence, our will power, our connections, our resources are insufficient protection for what we are up against. If it were up to only us, then our efforts would be whooped before we even really got started.

Once we acknowledge that we are in a battle and we are without adequate protection, what are we left with? We will only be successful in spiritual warfare with our faith. A faith that says:

We believe that God is who He says He is.

We believe that nothing is impossible for God.

We believe that God is faithful to His people.

We believe that God will fight for us. 

We believe that God has already won the ultimate battle.

When we cling to these truths, we are “strong in the Lord and in his mighty power” and we can withstand any kind of opposition that we are tasked to face and endure. And we will be victorious. 

For whatever battle you might be facing today, remember that you are not alone. You serve a God who loves you and has empowered you with His Holy Spirit to stand firm and do great things. Keep the faith and believe.

-Bethany Ligon

Reflection Questions

  1. How strong are you – physically, mentally, and spiritually? Of these three areas in which do you spend more workout time developing? How does one go about strengthening spiritual muscles? Why are spiritual muscles important?
  2. What do you believe about God and His Son Jesus and how does believing each statement help prepare you for spiritual battle?
  3. What do the devil’s schemes look like? When does he win battles? What can you do to stand against him in God’s power?
sglcalendar2024Download

Unity

Old Testament: 2 Samuel 20-21

Poetry: Proverbs 6

New Testament: Ephesians 4

After the attacks on September 11, 2001, President George W. Bush spoke to the emergency workers in Ground Zero through a megaphone, finding a response that resonated with the entire country and even more, the world, “I can hear you. The rest of the world hears you. And the people who knocked down these buildings will hear all of it soon.” A historical 92% of the country approved of the job he was doing, bringing together a country that was fraying at the seams in the previous election cycle. It is hard to imagine something similar happening today; no matter who is the president-elect in November, half of the country will be instantly dissatisfied with the results.  These are typical terms we accept in our government, but also this “majority rules” culture has historically found its way into boardrooms and even churches. Let me quickly lower the tension by stating that today’s devotion is not about politics or presidents.  It does not upend or chastise any church form of government. Its sole purpose is to examine the expectation of unity laid out for the church body, as it might be equally unimaginable. 

This spirit of unity was on the mind of Jesus before being arrested in the garden of Gethsemane. He prays for his disciples and all believers when he leaves us the following words, “Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. (John 17:11b)” Jesus knew his departure to the cross would scatter His apostles, create infighting, and feed doubt. Fortunately, with the exception of Judas, each of them found their way back to a unified front. Having seen Jesus Christ raised to life, they each waited for the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.  They each dedicated their lives to sharing the Good News of the Kingdom of God. They each shared in martyrdom or exile for the sake of Christ.

In the same manner, I have seen churches unite during revival, when facing tragedy, or during persecution from the outside. It is easy for the dross to fall away when the metal is hot, but what about when the metal starts to cool? What does unity look like in maintenance mode? Within the day-to-day routine of uniting relationships, mulling through ministries, and discerning what is best for a body of believers? In Ephesians 4, Paul describes this as “walk[ing] in a manner worthy of the calling, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

While there could be a devotion on each of the elements of this verse, let’s quickly unpack the key points given to Ephesus. First, walking implies that it is not a quick process, but instead requires some dedication to go the distance (Eph 2:10). Next, humility is the acknowledgement that self-reflection should be the first step in the process, making adjustments and amendments when necessary (Matt 7:3-5; Phil 2:3), and gentleness is the grace that is extended to my brother and sisters during this same process, as imperfect people try to discern the will of God (Col 4:6). Additionally, we are required to commit to patience and love, easily spoken but in reality, conflict makes us more unbearable to one another (Col 3:12-14; Matt 18:15-20). In the body of believers, this is similar to taking the last rep of weight training, it burns the most, but it is the one that produces the result. Finally, eagerness to maintain unity means we stay focused on what unites us (Rom 14:19), defending against the six things the Lord hates (Prov. 6:16-19), and keep our mission far away from doctrinal nuances or extra-biblical preferences.

Unity takes far more work than building a majority.  It isn’t a compromise or consensus because there are no losers. We grow as one together. We move towards one another as we move towards our Heavenly Father. Today, let us be extra mindful in our prayer time to dwell on the topic of unity and ask God to reveal our vision and repair divisions that may exist.  May we live out the prayer of Jesus and the petitions of Paul to become one like our God and His Son, Jesus Christ.

-Aaron Winner

Reflection Questions

  1. Where and when have you experienced or seen the beauty of a united church body?
  2. Dedication, humility, gentleness/grace, patience, love, focused on what unites. How can you exhibit these qualities today? How can you use them to increase the unity of your church? What can happen when just one is missing?
sglcalendar2024Download

Peace & Joy – Even in Trials

Old Testament: 2 Samuel 7 & 8

Poetry: Psalm 71

New Testament: Galatians 5:22

“And the Lord helped David wherever he went.”

This phrase shows up twice in chapter eight of 2 Samuel. The repetition of this phrase  tells me that it must be an especially important message that God wants us to hear. Reading this sentence calls to mind the passage in Deuteronomy 31:6: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (NIV) We know this promise was not just reserved for the Israelites because this promise is referenced again in Hebrews 13 in a message to all believers: 5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,

“Never will I leave you;
    never will I forsake you.”

I also want to throw in verse 6 for good measure since it really helps drive home the point.

6 So we say with confidence,

“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
    What can mere mortals do to me?”

I love that the passage in Psalm 71 is coupled with today’s reading. We can see that David is ever mindful of his source of help and strength and this whole passage reads like a recipe for having joy in the midst of suffering.

6 

From birth I have relied on you;

    you brought me forth from my mother’s womb.

    I will ever praise you.

7 

I have become a sign to many;

    you are my strong refuge.

8 

My mouth is filled with your praise,

    declaring your splendor all day long. (NIV)

19 

Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens,

    you who have done great things.

    Who is like you, God?

20 

Though you have made me see troubles,

    many and bitter,

    you will restore my life again;

from the depths of the earth

    you will again bring me up.

21 

You will increase my honor

    and comfort me once more. (NIV)

Psalm 71 reminds us that we are not promised a trouble-free life. In fact, Jesus promises us just the opposite in John 16:33: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Notice the promise that we can have peace in spite of suffering and trouble. Peace is even a fruit of the Spirit listed in today’s passage of Galatians 5:22: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (NASB 1995). 

What is the key to having this peace? Abiding in Christ and holding fast to our hope that Jesus has overcome the world is key! 

We are further reminded of this promise in today’s passage of 2 Samuel 7 that unfolds God’s covenant with David that will be fulfilled through Jesus Christ:

12 When your days are complete and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come forth from you, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be a father to him and he will be a son to Me; when he commits iniquity, I will correct him with the rod of men and the strokes of the sons of men, 15 but My lovingkindness shall not depart from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16 Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever.” (NASB 1995)

No matter what life throws our way, we can have peace and joy by abiding in Christ and holding fast to the hope we have in him thanks to the loving plan of our Heavenly Father. May we be especially comforted by God’s promise that He will never leave us or forsake us. We are not alone in this journey and God—the maker of the universe—cherishes us and is with us every step of the way! Wow!

Luke 12:7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows. (NASB 1995)

-Kristy Cisneros

Reflection Questions

  1. When have you needed to hear Psalm 71? How can you relate to David and his words?
  2. If you were to make a poster, memory card or bumper sticker of one or two verses from Psalm 71 which verses would you choose and why?
  3. Where would you rate your peace – even in the midst of trials? Where would you rate your joy? What can you do to increase your peace and joy? How can you abide more closely to Jesus, how can you trust more fully in His Father and yours?
sglcalendar2024Download

Recognized by Your Fruit

Old Testament: 2 Samuel 5 & 6

Poetry: Psalm 71

New Testament: Galatians 5:22

Matthew 7:15-20:

15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. (NIV)

“By their fruit, you will recognize them.” The fruit we bear in our lives is a litmus test for our spiritual health and the strength of our relationship with our Heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ. We just read yesterday how apart from Christ we can do nothing. So our ability to bear good fruit depends on our willingness to abide in Christ. Take an inventory of your life. Do you see evidence of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control? Taking this inventory of my life highlights areas where I need to repent of sin and abide more deeply in Christ. It is also important not to just take a cursory, shallow glance at that list of fruits, but to dig deeper and investigate more in depth what the scriptures have to say about the various fruits. For example, with the fruit of love, Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:44, “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Does my life show evidence of loving my enemies? Whew, I’m going to be real here, that is a tough one! To actually pray for someone who might be actively working against you or for your demise seems so counterintuitive to our human nature and our survival instinct. God, you want me to give my enemy a salt shaker so that they can rub it into my raw wound even more? Doesn’t that leave me vulnerable and unprotected? Do the scriptures support that God leaves us vulnerable and unprotected? In a couple of weeks you will be reading in Ephesians 6:10-17 about the spiritual suit of armor that God provides us. I won’t go too in depth with it since there are devotions coming that week, but that passage shows us that God protects us from head to toe. Also, remember we are talking about the fruit of the Spirit and John 15 reminds us that we are not alone in this battle.

John 15

26 “When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me, 27 and you will testify also, because you have been with Me from the beginning. (NASB 1995)

The scriptures also have something to say about who fights our battles. Let’s take a close look at Romans 12:19-21: 

19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
    if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (NIV)

Did you catch that part about putting that love of our enemies into action by feeding them if they are hungry, giving them something to drink if they are thirsty? That’s taking that command to love your enemies to the next level, isn’t it?!?!  Are you prepared to do that? Am I? It’s time for a heart check.

It really boils down to trusting God, doesn’t it? Do we believe Him when He says that He’s got it handled? If we find our faith lacking in this area, this is something we can pray about. It brings to mind the passage in Mark 9:

17 A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.” (NIV)

Later we read in verses 21-24:

21 Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”

“From childhood,” he answered. 22 “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”

23 “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”

24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (NIV)

That verse always touches my heart because I can relate to it so well. I know what the scriptures tell us, but sometimes my trust and faith are lacking. Sometimes my prayers sound something like this, “Father, I know that Your word tells me that I am to love my enemies, but it’s so hard, God. It hurts so much. I need Your strength to show them the love Your word says I should show them. Father, I know that Your word says that You will work all things together for the good of those who love Him. Help me to love You more deeply and fully and to trust that promise so that my fear does not hold me back from being obedient to Your word to love my enemies. Help my lack of faith in this area. Help my unbelief.”

In today’s passage in Psalm 71 we read how God handled David’s enemies:

24 My tongue will tell of your righteous acts

    all day long,

for those who wanted to harm me

    have been put to shame and confusion. (NIV)

Our only job in regards to our enemies is to love them and to follow through with loving action that helps meet their needs. God’s got the rest of it.

-Kristy Cisneros

Reflection Questions

  1. If a stranger watched you for an hour yesterday, would they have seen good fruit or bad? Would they guess that you abide in Christ? Do you? How can you do so more and more?
  2. Who might you consider as your enemy? How do you typically treat them? What is Jesus asking you to do for them? Will you? When and how?
sglcalendar2024Download

Spirit Grown

Old Testament: 2 Samuel 3 & 4

Poetry: Psalm 70

New Testament: Galatians 5:22

My understanding of the fruits of the Spirit has evolved quite a bit over time. I used to think that I needed to strive to demonstrate that fruit in my life and I would get so frustrated every time I would inevitably fall short. I felt like such a disappointment to God. It was actually an egotistical way to approach the matter. John 15:1-8 gives us insight into how we can bear good fruit in our lives:

1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 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. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also 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.

5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. (NIV)

The critical missing component of my approach was that if it’s a fruit of the Spirit, the fruit produced is a result of the Spirit—not our own efforts. So our effort should not be put into displaying those qualities, but rather drawing closer to the source of that Spirit so that those qualities naturally spring forth. “Apart from me you can do nothing” (verse 5). We are to abide in Jesus since he is the vine and we are the branches. Our Heavenly Father is the gardener and He prunes us in order to increase our fruitfulness.

I find the aforementioned passage to be very encouraging. Our human nature is often inclined to do the very opposite of the fruits of the Spirit, so if we try to master them by our own merit, we are destined to fail. However, God’s word clearly just told us that we cannot bear any fruit apart from Christ. The key is to draw closer to him and to let God prune away the bad stuff in us.

I think David is a great role model in today’s passage in Psalm 70. He is not looking inward and trying to pull from his own strength. In verses 1 and 3 we see where he recognizes his true source of strength.

1 Hasten, O God, to save me;

    come quickly, Lord, to help me.

3 But as for me, I am poor and needy;

    come quickly to me, O God.

You are my help and my deliverer;

    Lord, do not delay.

-Kristy Cisneros

Reflection Questions

  1. Contrast the fruit of the Spirit with human nature? What does each look like and sound like?
  2. Does your life display more human nature (living by the flesh) or evidence/fruit of the Spirit? When do you slip into more human nature characteristics? (when you are worried, stressed, hurried, selfish, etc…)
  3. How can you stay attached to Jesus? How can you make sure his words remain in you? How can you draw closer to the source of this good fruit?
  4. What can you learn from David and apply to your life today?
sglcalendar2024Download