December 4- Flourish- Remain
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. John 15:4
Imagine cutting a huge branch from a fruit tree. Picture this branch laying on the ground. What is the probability of that branch bearing fruit while not connected to the trunk of the tree? No chance, right?
Now think about how we tend to live as humans. God made us. He points us on the way to life and flourishing. We get on the path. Things are going great. We bear fruit, and then something happens. It’s as if we say to God, “I’ve got this figured out. I can do it. I don’t need you anymore. I can grow fruit on my own.” Our pride severs the relationship. When we separate ourselves from God in this way, we lose. Our fruit bearing days are over.
What’s the lesson for us? Remain in the vine. Stay connected to Jesus through intentional spiritual practices. Feel disconnected from Jesus? No worries. Ask Him to graft you back in. Do this and you will bear fruit again! Don’t do it and, well, you know what happens. It’s not good. You become firewood.
Jesus, I want to remain connected to you. Remind me that despite the busyness of life, nothing matters more. Amen.
For those that find reading a challenge, try the intentional practice of listening to the Word of God on YouVersion, Lectio 365, or other Bible apps. Do this while you get ready in the morning or on your commute. Consider how it helps you remain connected to Jesus.
December 5-Flourish- Enjoy the Fruit
Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds. Isaiah 3:10
Flourishing entails enjoying the blessing of fruit despite the reality of stormy weather or drought conditions. It will be well for the righteous. This must not be understood as a prosperity gospel message that says right living always results in material prosperity for personal gain. The righteous get the promise of enjoyment associated with choosing God’s way.
Why does God have His servant Isaiah send such a reminder to the righteous? And why is it relevant for us? Following God’s design goes against the flow. In most cases, it runs counter to the pattern of the world. Though God’s way may not be popular, it comes with the promise of well-being and enjoyment.
To make the idea of wellness and enjoyment more tangible, think of your favorite fruit or fruits. We fancy grapefruit, oranges, and berries. Next, envision other fruits you think family and friends might enjoy. Now, picture having a party with loved ones with these fruits spread bountifully on a table. You give thanks to God and enjoy them together.
Father in Heaven, help us choose your path together so all may be well in our souls and so we may enjoy the fruit of our deeds. Amen.
Plan a party. Ask your family and friends to tell you their favorite fruits. Go to the store and buy them. Then, invite them over to celebrate God’s blessings and to enjoy the fruits together. Tell them about what you are learning. Encourage them to join you in reading FLOURISH.
December 6-Flourish- Unfruitful
The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. Matthew 13:22
Jesus likens our souls to thorn-choked fields. If we worry about the cares of life or get deceived to trust in money instead of God, these thorny issues can choke the life out of us. And thorny soil does not produce an abundant crop. Furthermore, thorns choke out the Word and render us unfruitful.
But how does this appear in everyday living? The world tells us it’s our job to sort the cares of life. When we do this, we worry. Coupled with that, wealth is tricky. It has power, but not to the level it claims. Wealth fools us into thinking that it can solve our problems and address the cares of life. Wrong thinking chokes out God’s truth that tells us He is all we need to flourish. We can’t save ourselves from the trials of life and all the money in the world can’t give us the security we seek. Only God can.
Jesus, I want to discern the difference between tricky messages and truth. Remove the thorns of my life so I bear much fruit. Amen.
List things that you worry about or lies you may believe. Ask God to sort the cares of your life and help you abide in the truth. Now, practice gratitude with the alphabet. List a gift from God that starts with the letter A, then B, and so on. This activity reminds us of the matchless and loving care of God.
December 7-Flourish- Basket
Take some of the first fruits of all that you produce from the soil of the land the Lord your God is giving you and put them in a basket. Deuteronomy 26:2a
When we close a big deal or get a promotion or bonus at work, it is amazing how fast our minds think of what we could buy with the windfall. Some want technology upgrades. Others desire a new car or the latest clothing. But what if we decide together to do something different the next time we get a harvest of fruit from our labor? What if, instead of becoming consumed with buying things we may not need, we put a portion of all we earn in a basket?
This act creates margin for giving to God and sharing with others. For the baker, this appears as a plate of cookies for the hungry. For the knitter, it takes the shape of a sweater for the needy. For the steward of a vineyard, it’s a bottle of juice for celebrating the Lord’s table at church. Imagine the generosity and widespread impact!
For most of us, the fruit of our labor is income. God supplies it for our livelihood and to support our families. But what if, before spending it, we put some in a proverbial basket to create margin for giving? This discipline ensures that we have funds to return to God and money for helping others in need. What might happen in us and around us if we all lived this way?
God, help me set aside a portion of my earnings for giving before I spend. Amen.
Do you live on a budget? If not, start today. Each time you get paid, set aside a portion to give to things God cares about, a portion to save, and the rest to spend on designated needs. If you already have a budget, evaluate your spending. What can you trim to increase your margin for giving?
December 8-Flourish- Reach
My roots will reach to the water, and the dew will lie all night on my branches. Job 29:19
Did you know that olive trees can live and bear fruit for over a thousand years? That’s a long time! We do well to study them to learn their secrets. For example, to strengthen themselves over time, their roots reach deep and wide to collect water. Olive trees flourish in places that have Mediterranean climates with a mix of arid and temperate weather. Their secret to growing strong is to reach down with roots to find water and reach wide to catch the dew. Their roots can grow 20 feet deep and 40 feet wide! Consider the parallels for us.
We must make every effort to reach for that which sustains life. It is fitting that Jesus would tell us that He offers living water. When we drink it, our needs are satisfied and we never thirst again. But how can we reach for this living water? We find it by going deep into God’s Word and by catching living water as we go through life in community.
G.K. Chesterton said, “Christianity has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and not tried.” Will you try? Regardless of what others are doing and despite the difficulties of life, will you reach like the olive tree’s roots and branches to get what can satisfy and sustain you?
Lord Almighty, I want to reach for living water to satisfy and sustain me. Make my life long and fruitful. Amen
Think about the things you tend to reach for in life in contrast to reaching for the living water of the Word of God. What is different between the two? Journal about this.
December 9-Flourish- Planted or Transplanted
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers. Psalm 1:3
Few things are more beautiful than a well-tended garden or orchard. The vegetables and trees are planted in specific spots. Each one can access sufficient nutrients. Together they flourish in God’s field.
Imagine you are a tree. But rather than finding yourself in the orchard row or by the stream, you are planted far from water and outside the care of the gardener. You might bear some fruit. Maybe.
Sadly, many plant themselves in isolation and settle for a paltry, unpruned existence with minimal fruit. God wants more for you. He wants you to flourish. This does not mean a life free of troubles, but rather, it implies life as God intended you to live it.
Most people settle for much less than abundance because they don’t know any better. Will you? If you are new on your Christian journey, plant yourself by water. Allow the Master Gardener to prune you to increase your fruitfulness. Or if you find yourself outside God’s care, perhaps ask Him to transplant you by water and prune you today.
God, plant me where I can thrive and prune me as needed. Amen.
Are you planted in a place, in relationships, and in a community, where God can work through others to help nourish you? Or is it time to be transplanted to a new spot to help you experience a more fruitful existence? In other words, if you do not attend a church regularly where you are fed from the Word of God in community with others, find one today.
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. John 15:4
Imagine cutting a huge branch from a fruit tree. Picture this branch laying on the ground. What is the probability of that branch bearing fruit while not connected to the trunk of the tree? No chance, right?
Now think about how we tend to live as humans. God made us. He points us on the way to life and flourishing. We get on the path. Things are going great. We bear fruit, and then something happens. It’s as if we say to God, “I’ve got this figured out. I can do it. I don’t need you anymore. I can grow fruit on my own.” Our pride severs the relationship. When we separate ourselves from God in this way, we lose. Our fruit bearing days are over.
What’s the lesson for us? Remain in the vine. Stay connected to Jesus through intentional spiritual practices. Feel disconnected from Jesus? No worries. Ask Him to graft you back in. Do this and you will bear fruit again! Don’t do it and, well, you know what happens. It’s not good. You become firewood.
Jesus, I want to remain connected to you. Remind me that despite the busyness of life, nothing matters more. Amen.
For those that find reading a challenge, try the intentional practice of listening to the Word of God on YouVersion, Lectio 365, or other Bible apps. Do this while you get ready in the morning or on your commute. Consider how it helps you remain connected to Jesus.
December 5-Flourish- Enjoy the Fruit
Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds. Isaiah 3:10
Flourishing entails enjoying the blessing of fruit despite the reality of stormy weather or drought conditions. It will be well for the righteous. This must not be understood as a prosperity gospel message that says right living always results in material prosperity for personal gain. The righteous get the promise of enjoyment associated with choosing God’s way.
Why does God have His servant Isaiah send such a reminder to the righteous? And why is it relevant for us? Following God’s design goes against the flow. In most cases, it runs counter to the pattern of the world. Though God’s way may not be popular, it comes with the promise of well-being and enjoyment.
To make the idea of wellness and enjoyment more tangible, think of your favorite fruit or fruits. We fancy grapefruit, oranges, and berries. Next, envision other fruits you think family and friends might enjoy. Now, picture having a party with loved ones with these fruits spread bountifully on a table. You give thanks to God and enjoy them together.
Father in Heaven, help us choose your path together so all may be well in our souls and so we may enjoy the fruit of our deeds. Amen.
Plan a party. Ask your family and friends to tell you their favorite fruits. Go to the store and buy them. Then, invite them over to celebrate God’s blessings and to enjoy the fruits together. Tell them about what you are learning. Encourage them to join you in reading FLOURISH.
December 6-Flourish- Unfruitful
The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. Matthew 13:22
Jesus likens our souls to thorn-choked fields. If we worry about the cares of life or get deceived to trust in money instead of God, these thorny issues can choke the life out of us. And thorny soil does not produce an abundant crop. Furthermore, thorns choke out the Word and render us unfruitful.
But how does this appear in everyday living? The world tells us it’s our job to sort the cares of life. When we do this, we worry. Coupled with that, wealth is tricky. It has power, but not to the level it claims. Wealth fools us into thinking that it can solve our problems and address the cares of life. Wrong thinking chokes out God’s truth that tells us He is all we need to flourish. We can’t save ourselves from the trials of life and all the money in the world can’t give us the security we seek. Only God can.
Jesus, I want to discern the difference between tricky messages and truth. Remove the thorns of my life so I bear much fruit. Amen.
List things that you worry about or lies you may believe. Ask God to sort the cares of your life and help you abide in the truth. Now, practice gratitude with the alphabet. List a gift from God that starts with the letter A, then B, and so on. This activity reminds us of the matchless and loving care of God.
December 7-Flourish- Basket
Take some of the first fruits of all that you produce from the soil of the land the Lord your God is giving you and put them in a basket. Deuteronomy 26:2a
When we close a big deal or get a promotion or bonus at work, it is amazing how fast our minds think of what we could buy with the windfall. Some want technology upgrades. Others desire a new car or the latest clothing. But what if we decide together to do something different the next time we get a harvest of fruit from our labor? What if, instead of becoming consumed with buying things we may not need, we put a portion of all we earn in a basket?
This act creates margin for giving to God and sharing with others. For the baker, this appears as a plate of cookies for the hungry. For the knitter, it takes the shape of a sweater for the needy. For the steward of a vineyard, it’s a bottle of juice for celebrating the Lord’s table at church. Imagine the generosity and widespread impact!
For most of us, the fruit of our labor is income. God supplies it for our livelihood and to support our families. But what if, before spending it, we put some in a proverbial basket to create margin for giving? This discipline ensures that we have funds to return to God and money for helping others in need. What might happen in us and around us if we all lived this way?
God, help me set aside a portion of my earnings for giving before I spend. Amen.
Do you live on a budget? If not, start today. Each time you get paid, set aside a portion to give to things God cares about, a portion to save, and the rest to spend on designated needs. If you already have a budget, evaluate your spending. What can you trim to increase your margin for giving?
December 8-Flourish- Reach
My roots will reach to the water, and the dew will lie all night on my branches. Job 29:19
Did you know that olive trees can live and bear fruit for over a thousand years? That’s a long time! We do well to study them to learn their secrets. For example, to strengthen themselves over time, their roots reach deep and wide to collect water. Olive trees flourish in places that have Mediterranean climates with a mix of arid and temperate weather. Their secret to growing strong is to reach down with roots to find water and reach wide to catch the dew. Their roots can grow 20 feet deep and 40 feet wide! Consider the parallels for us.
We must make every effort to reach for that which sustains life. It is fitting that Jesus would tell us that He offers living water. When we drink it, our needs are satisfied and we never thirst again. But how can we reach for this living water? We find it by going deep into God’s Word and by catching living water as we go through life in community.
G.K. Chesterton said, “Christianity has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and not tried.” Will you try? Regardless of what others are doing and despite the difficulties of life, will you reach like the olive tree’s roots and branches to get what can satisfy and sustain you?
Lord Almighty, I want to reach for living water to satisfy and sustain me. Make my life long and fruitful. Amen
Think about the things you tend to reach for in life in contrast to reaching for the living water of the Word of God. What is different between the two? Journal about this.
December 9-Flourish- Planted or Transplanted
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers. Psalm 1:3
Few things are more beautiful than a well-tended garden or orchard. The vegetables and trees are planted in specific spots. Each one can access sufficient nutrients. Together they flourish in God’s field.
Imagine you are a tree. But rather than finding yourself in the orchard row or by the stream, you are planted far from water and outside the care of the gardener. You might bear some fruit. Maybe.
Sadly, many plant themselves in isolation and settle for a paltry, unpruned existence with minimal fruit. God wants more for you. He wants you to flourish. This does not mean a life free of troubles, but rather, it implies life as God intended you to live it.
Most people settle for much less than abundance because they don’t know any better. Will you? If you are new on your Christian journey, plant yourself by water. Allow the Master Gardener to prune you to increase your fruitfulness. Or if you find yourself outside God’s care, perhaps ask Him to transplant you by water and prune you today.
God, plant me where I can thrive and prune me as needed. Amen.
Are you planted in a place, in relationships, and in a community, where God can work through others to help nourish you? Or is it time to be transplanted to a new spot to help you experience a more fruitful existence? In other words, if you do not attend a church regularly where you are fed from the Word of God in community with others, find one today.
Posted in Daily Devotionals