John 15:3 - Have You Been Pruned?

John 15:3
“You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you.”

Grapevines, especially when professionally tended, are amazing. Sometime after the harvest, and before new growth begins, vine growers will take time to trim off all the branches from the previous year, leaving just a few stronger branches, which they tie to a taut wire to hold them firm while they grow for the next harvest.

When the growing season gets under way, it is amazing how little time passes before the bare, clean branches explode with fresh, new green leaves. It seems like they pop out almost over night!

John 14:15 - What Motivates You?

John 14:15
“If you love me, you will obey what I command..”

Parents hope their children will love them -- and not just love them -- but obey them, too.

Our parents knew that most of our problems with disobedience came from a lack of attention -- we would get distracted -- enticed -- tired.

When we got off the track, they would apply a remedy to remind us -- a gentle swat on the bottom -- a measure of time set off to ourselves -- an undesirable chore to do. You know what worked with you!

John 13:34-35 - Love Sets Us Apart

John 13:34-35
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Did you know that corporations spend millions of dollars every year just to keep their names, images, and reputations from being confused with someone else?

Trademarks, copyrights and patents are all designed to help a company control and distinguish itself form others, and they are vigilantly guarded against infringement.

“Aspirin,” “Kerosene,” “Linoleum,” “Videotape” and “Zipper” were once trademarks, but because of a lack of diligence to protect these names from misuse, (or in the case of Aspirin, the spoils of World War I,) they have become generic terms for many similar products.

John 13:6-10 - Wash My Feet?

John 13:6-10
He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
“No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”
“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”
Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.”

Have you ever taken the trouble to get all dressed and ready to go to a special event -- like a wedding or a funeral -- only to have a tough time staying clean before the event starts?

It seems everything you come in contact with leaves something behind -- lint -- dust -- stains!

John 9:25 - What Do I Need to Know?

John 9:25
He replied, "Whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!"

How many letters behind your name do you need to collect before you are useful to the Lord? Is there a minimum number of years you need to study, or a test that you take to allow you to serve the Lord?

Not according to a blind man -- no, make that a formerly blind man.

This man -- born blind -- had been directly benefitted by a miracle performed by Jesus. He had felt Christ spread mud over his eyes, and had followed His instructions to go and wash in the pool of Siloam. And because of Jesus -- he could now see!

Exodus 40:16 - Worship God His Way

Exodus 40:16
Moses did everything just as the Lord commanded him. 

Is there any question that God is concerned about how we worship Him?

The several chapters that precede this verse are filled with detailed instructions about the construction of the tabernacle, the choices of materials to be used -- even the names of the craftsmen who are to do the work!

Without a doubt, God had a definite purpose and design for how He wanted to be worshiped by Israel.

How He is worshiped is something that He is still concerned with today.

Somehow, though, many “religious” people today believe that the method and means for worshiping God is subject to their whim.

Romans 12:2 - Think Outside the Box

Romans 12:2
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Have you ever heard the phrase, “Think outside the box?”

This is Paul’s version.

Having a preconceived idea is sometimes the hardest part of thinking. It tends to have you thinking about the expected answer without looking at the situation clearly.

“If all you have is a hammer, everything you see looks like a nail.”

Paul is telling the Romans to be careful about being so closely conformed to the desires -- expectations -- values -- and traditions of this world. If they (or we) have the world in their (our) hearts, then it will be all too easy to rationalize -- justify -- excuse -- gloss over the times they (we) stray from God’s Will.

Matthew 27:21-22 - Barabbas? That's Me!

Matthew 27:21-22

"Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" asked the governor.
"Barabbas," they answered. “ 
"What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?" Pilate asked.
They all answered, "Crucify him!"

He had been a true zealot when it came to the nation of Israel -- Barabbas loved his nation!

He was irked by the very fact that Rome had placed a heavy yoke around the neck of the nation of Israel. But -- his desire to press hard for what he thought was right had gotten him to where he was:  cold -- lonely -- hungry -- and waiting for the executioner to come for him.

Barabbas had a good start in life.  His name suggests that his father had probably been a Rabbi, so he knew about the religious aristocracy -- and had a firm understanding of the tradition of the Law. But, like many -- even today -- his desire to be righteous had blended social concerns with spiritual concerns.

As a “Zealot,” the Roman Government had him in their cross-hairs -- making him a man on the run -- forcing him to do brutal things to survive -- causing him to become a hardened criminal, and not just a rebel against the government -- committing robbery, battery -- and eventually -- MURDER!

Can you imagine what was going through Barabbas’ mind when he finally heard the guard coming down the corridor to his cell? The anxiety he had when he heard the keys rattling as the jailer unlocked the door… The magnitude of his fear and dread when he heard the lead jailer say… 

Matthew 26:33-34 - Have You Heard the Rooster?

Matthew 26:33-34

Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will”
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”

Has anyone known you so well that they knew you better than you knew yourself?

We can often lie to ourselves and let our pride convince us that we are someone we really aren’t.

For instance, you might try and tell yourself that you can play your favorite sport better than most -- think you are smarter than the average person -- believe that you are of “star quality.”

But, then -- when you ask someone who knows you well, and he is honest with you -- you learn otherwise.

It hurts when that happens! 

We want so badly to be the people we think we are, but when we are faced with the undeniable truth -- we see we are not.

So? What was Peter thinking when he spoke to Jesus?

Romans 2:6-8 - Keep Improving Your Aim

Romans 2:6-8
God “will repay each person according to what they have done.” To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.

In target shooting, the direction is important. In order to hit the target, the first thing you have to do is face the target. You might not hit the target, but if you are facing any other way, you have no chance of it.

Does God expect us to consistently hit the target? No. If He did, why would He have made provisions for our salvation?