March 10-A Taste of Rooted
Write out the Scripture.
Galatians 6:10, Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Observe what it is saying.
Rooted, page 208, Week 10, Day 1: It’s in this verse where we see the context of the family of God. A family is a place where we love and are loved in a way that helps us become all we should be. When we belong to a family, we are in relationships with the other members of our family. We are part of something bigger than ourselves. As part of a family, we are valuable, contributing members, not just attendees. We contribute our time, money, ideas, and energy. We are not only served, but we serve as well. We are together for times of celebration, hardship, and everything in between. We are connected through the blood of Christ, and are sisters and brothers in God’s family.
Relate it to your life.
I have an amazing family of brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ.
Do something.
“Father, make me a vital and active participant in celebration, support, and care of Your family. Amen.”
March 11-A Taste of Rooted
Write out the Scripture.
John 4:23-24, Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
Observe what it is saying.
Rooted pages 211, Week 10, Day 2: True worship occurs only when your spirit meets with God, and finds itself praising Him for His love, wisdom, beauty, truth, holiness, compassion, mercy, grace, power, and all other attributes that describe Him. William Barclay sums it up well: “The true genuine worship is when man, through his spirit, attains to friendship and intimacy with God. True and genuine worship is not to come to a certain place; it is not through a certain ritual or liturgy; it is not even to bring certain gifts. True worship is when the spirit, the immortal and invisible part of man, speaks to and meets with God, who is immortal and invisible.”
Relate it to your life.
Worship isn’t primarily about what I get from a service but what I give in authentic praise and love.
Do something.
“Father, sync my life and my worship so my every breath brings praise to you and Your truth dwells deep within. Amen.”
March 12-A Taste of Rooted
Write out the Scripture.
1 Corinthians 10:16-17, Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf.
Observe what it is saying.
Rooted, page 215, Week 10, Day 3: Ceremonies are important. They mark transitions, accomplishments, and milestones in people’s lives. We have ceremonies when people get married, when they graduate, and when they have birthdays. The reason we have these ceremonies isn’t for the ceremonies themselves; it is because we are celebrating an event or memorable time, and we are honoring someone’s life. God understands the importance of ceremonies, and so, He gave us two sacraments: baptism and the Lord’s Supper. These celebrations are public expressions of the Gospel of Christ. Both are instituted in the gospels, celebrated in Acts, and explained in the epistles. We can conclude they are part of Christ’s message to us, belong to the practice of the church, and are designed to be continued until Christ returns.
Relate it to your life.
These sacraments are sacred moments in which we share with the Body of Christ the gifts of Christ.
Do something.
“Father, my baptism marks my inclusion into Your Body, and our celebration of communion remembers Your great gift of forgiveness and salvation offered to all who will receive it. Amen.”
March 13-A Taste of Rooted
Write out the Scripture.
Acts 2:44-47, All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Observe what it is saying.
Rooted, page 220, Week 10, Day 4: Infant children who are not held, snuggled, or played with can develop what doctors call “failure to thrive” syndrome. The Christian life can be the same. We might be born into new life with Jesus, but if we are left on our own, we can have that same “failure to thrive” syndrome in our spiritual lives. The early church knew the value of walking through life together. They prayed daily for one another, served together, and encouraged one another to change the world.
Relate it to your life.
If I am going to thrive spiritually, it will be in community with others.
Do something.
“Father, use me to make our community of Christians a dynamic thriving fellowship of believers. Amen.”
March 14-A Taste of Rooted
Write out the Scripture.
Acts 2:42, They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Observe what it is saying.
Rooted, page 224, Week 10, Day 5: As we come to the conclusion of our Rooted experience, don’t stop here. Continue the momentum of growing in your relationship with God and with others. Live out the rhythms of Rooted by serving together, praying together, and loving those around you. You are a part of a culture-changing movement. God has equipped you perfectly and beautifully to fulfill His purpose in you and your purpose in the world. Remember this experience. Take it, and use it as you move through your one God-given life. And always, always remember how much God loves you.
Relate it to your life.
This journey has not come to an end but is the impetus for continuing to deepen my spiritual roots.
Do something.
“Father, I am so grateful for these 10 weeks in which I have increased my connection with You. I don’t want it to stop. Keep me connected to the Vine so I may bear more fruit for Your glory. Amen.”
March 15-A Taste of Rooted
Write out the Scripture.
John 17:1-4, After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4 I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.
Observe what it is saying.
This is the introduction of Jesus’ prayer that He offered on the night He was betrayed. He prayed for Himself, His disciples, and for all who would one day believe. That means Jesus prayed for us! Jesus’ prayer is a powerful model for what I need to offer for myself and my church family.
Relate it to your life.
We have our own version of Jesus’ prayer that we call the Blue Grass’ Prayer based on John 17.
Do something
“O Glorious One, we pray that we would bring you glory by completing the work you have entrusted to us. As we go about your ministry and mission, may we know the full measure of Jesus’ joy. As we go about your work in a hostile world, we plead that you would protect us from the evil one who wants to destroy your work in us. And by the power of your word, we ask you would make us holy, a pure bride for our coming Groom. Keep us in love and unity with one another to be a positive witness to the world so they might believe that Jesus is the way to life. We deeply desire to be known as your people so that we can always be with you and see your glory both on earth and in heaven. Amen.”
Write out the Scripture.
Galatians 6:10, Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Observe what it is saying.
Rooted, page 208, Week 10, Day 1: It’s in this verse where we see the context of the family of God. A family is a place where we love and are loved in a way that helps us become all we should be. When we belong to a family, we are in relationships with the other members of our family. We are part of something bigger than ourselves. As part of a family, we are valuable, contributing members, not just attendees. We contribute our time, money, ideas, and energy. We are not only served, but we serve as well. We are together for times of celebration, hardship, and everything in between. We are connected through the blood of Christ, and are sisters and brothers in God’s family.
Relate it to your life.
I have an amazing family of brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ.
Do something.
“Father, make me a vital and active participant in celebration, support, and care of Your family. Amen.”
March 11-A Taste of Rooted
Write out the Scripture.
John 4:23-24, Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
Observe what it is saying.
Rooted pages 211, Week 10, Day 2: True worship occurs only when your spirit meets with God, and finds itself praising Him for His love, wisdom, beauty, truth, holiness, compassion, mercy, grace, power, and all other attributes that describe Him. William Barclay sums it up well: “The true genuine worship is when man, through his spirit, attains to friendship and intimacy with God. True and genuine worship is not to come to a certain place; it is not through a certain ritual or liturgy; it is not even to bring certain gifts. True worship is when the spirit, the immortal and invisible part of man, speaks to and meets with God, who is immortal and invisible.”
Relate it to your life.
Worship isn’t primarily about what I get from a service but what I give in authentic praise and love.
Do something.
“Father, sync my life and my worship so my every breath brings praise to you and Your truth dwells deep within. Amen.”
March 12-A Taste of Rooted
Write out the Scripture.
1 Corinthians 10:16-17, Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf.
Observe what it is saying.
Rooted, page 215, Week 10, Day 3: Ceremonies are important. They mark transitions, accomplishments, and milestones in people’s lives. We have ceremonies when people get married, when they graduate, and when they have birthdays. The reason we have these ceremonies isn’t for the ceremonies themselves; it is because we are celebrating an event or memorable time, and we are honoring someone’s life. God understands the importance of ceremonies, and so, He gave us two sacraments: baptism and the Lord’s Supper. These celebrations are public expressions of the Gospel of Christ. Both are instituted in the gospels, celebrated in Acts, and explained in the epistles. We can conclude they are part of Christ’s message to us, belong to the practice of the church, and are designed to be continued until Christ returns.
Relate it to your life.
These sacraments are sacred moments in which we share with the Body of Christ the gifts of Christ.
Do something.
“Father, my baptism marks my inclusion into Your Body, and our celebration of communion remembers Your great gift of forgiveness and salvation offered to all who will receive it. Amen.”
March 13-A Taste of Rooted
Write out the Scripture.
Acts 2:44-47, All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Observe what it is saying.
Rooted, page 220, Week 10, Day 4: Infant children who are not held, snuggled, or played with can develop what doctors call “failure to thrive” syndrome. The Christian life can be the same. We might be born into new life with Jesus, but if we are left on our own, we can have that same “failure to thrive” syndrome in our spiritual lives. The early church knew the value of walking through life together. They prayed daily for one another, served together, and encouraged one another to change the world.
Relate it to your life.
If I am going to thrive spiritually, it will be in community with others.
Do something.
“Father, use me to make our community of Christians a dynamic thriving fellowship of believers. Amen.”
March 14-A Taste of Rooted
Write out the Scripture.
Acts 2:42, They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Observe what it is saying.
Rooted, page 224, Week 10, Day 5: As we come to the conclusion of our Rooted experience, don’t stop here. Continue the momentum of growing in your relationship with God and with others. Live out the rhythms of Rooted by serving together, praying together, and loving those around you. You are a part of a culture-changing movement. God has equipped you perfectly and beautifully to fulfill His purpose in you and your purpose in the world. Remember this experience. Take it, and use it as you move through your one God-given life. And always, always remember how much God loves you.
Relate it to your life.
This journey has not come to an end but is the impetus for continuing to deepen my spiritual roots.
Do something.
“Father, I am so grateful for these 10 weeks in which I have increased my connection with You. I don’t want it to stop. Keep me connected to the Vine so I may bear more fruit for Your glory. Amen.”
March 15-A Taste of Rooted
Write out the Scripture.
John 17:1-4, After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4 I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.
Observe what it is saying.
This is the introduction of Jesus’ prayer that He offered on the night He was betrayed. He prayed for Himself, His disciples, and for all who would one day believe. That means Jesus prayed for us! Jesus’ prayer is a powerful model for what I need to offer for myself and my church family.
Relate it to your life.
We have our own version of Jesus’ prayer that we call the Blue Grass’ Prayer based on John 17.
Do something
“O Glorious One, we pray that we would bring you glory by completing the work you have entrusted to us. As we go about your ministry and mission, may we know the full measure of Jesus’ joy. As we go about your work in a hostile world, we plead that you would protect us from the evil one who wants to destroy your work in us. And by the power of your word, we ask you would make us holy, a pure bride for our coming Groom. Keep us in love and unity with one another to be a positive witness to the world so they might believe that Jesus is the way to life. We deeply desire to be known as your people so that we can always be with you and see your glory both on earth and in heaven. Amen.”
Posted in Daily Devotionals