I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5
This morning I continue a pause in my study of 1 Corinthians to use DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotional. Here John Piper highlights how Jesus seeks for believers to glorify Him. Using the end of John 15:5 (and Romans 7:8), Piper starts by sharing how "without Christ, we are capable of no Christ-exalting good." That is how we should see ourselves - as helpless and utterly dependent on Him to bear Christ-glorifying good. Of course, as believers, we should all seek to glorify Him - because that is why we exist. In the verse for today, Jesus guides us for how we are to glorify Him. First, we must abide in Him, He then abides in us, and it is then we bear fruit. Piper then points to vv7-8, where Jesus seeks for us to pray, and Piper shares that God is then glorified. Piper writes: "[w]e pray! We ask God to do for us through Christ what we can’t do for ourselves — bear fruit....Prayer is the open admission that without Christ we can do nothing. And prayer is the turning away from ourselves to God in the confidence that he will provide the help we need."
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My Prayer: Jesus, You are SO good as You provide all of my needs - thank You! Of course I am undeserving...my sin is great and it continues...daily. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
