Monday, April 10, 2006
News Flash!
Over the course of last week, my attitude gradually deteriorated into general, miserable grumpiness. My wife, the lucky woman that she is, got to experience some of it, too ... graciously biting her tongue a-half-dozen or so times over the course of an hour after I'd arrived home from work on Friday. And all of this just in time to go lead people into worship at our church. What a mess! Saturday wasn't much better. Sunday morning before church service, I got up early and got into the Word ... confessing my behavior/attitude to God, determining to change course, and just generally asking for help. This is where I was led ....
(John 6:53;56 NIV)
Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. [56] Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him."
(John 15:5 NIV) [Jesus speaking]
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
Honestly, as I read these things, I first kind of thought, "Yeah, I know this ...." But then I got this thought ... "do you really know this stuff? Have you really been walking with Jesus this week? Have you been abiding in Him, or just taking time to read His Word and then go on your way?"
Here's the point ... the NEWS FLASH! Abiding is a way of life, not part of my life. This is a 24/7 thing, not one hour of my day. This, for me, is a reminder. The thing that strikes me most, even now, is that because of my laziness/apathy/complacency/lack-of-discipline, others also suffer. Not only do I experience "death" in my heart (Galatians 6:8), but anyone that is unfortunate enough to be around me will experience the shrapnel wounds caused by a miserable heart.
"Honor God, Benefit Others" Action Step: ruthlessly, daily, crucify the flesh!
(John 6:53;56 NIV)
Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. [56] Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him."
(John 15:5 NIV) [Jesus speaking]
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
Honestly, as I read these things, I first kind of thought, "Yeah, I know this ...." But then I got this thought ... "do you really know this stuff? Have you really been walking with Jesus this week? Have you been abiding in Him, or just taking time to read His Word and then go on your way?"
Here's the point ... the NEWS FLASH! Abiding is a way of life, not part of my life. This is a 24/7 thing, not one hour of my day. This, for me, is a reminder. The thing that strikes me most, even now, is that because of my laziness/apathy/complacency/lack-of-discipline, others also suffer. Not only do I experience "death" in my heart (Galatians 6:8), but anyone that is unfortunate enough to be around me will experience the shrapnel wounds caused by a miserable heart.
"Honor God, Benefit Others" Action Step: ruthlessly, daily, crucify the flesh!
# posted by jono : 12:00 PM
