Author: fmpastor

Read John 15:1-8.

Much of the discussion around discipleship centers on fruitfulness. Sometimes we continue practices or ministries because they have become a habit or because “that’s what we’ve always done.” It is a worthwhile exercise to examine practices and ministries for their fruitfulness. Maybe it is time for a little pruning, remembering that pruning is vital in making room for new growth. We don’t lop off a branch without the hope of new life springing from it.

How do you measure fruitfulness? Think of one practice or one new ministry that you think might help you to grow as a disciple of Jesus. What would need to be pruned for you to make room for this new thing? What fruit might come from making this change or trying something different?

In prayer, ask the Spirit to help you look deeply and honestly at your spiritual practices. Offer your life up for pruning and trust that God will bring new life and growth into the open space.

Read 1 John 4:7-21.

Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection is the proof of God’s extravagant love for humankind. It is the very picture of who God is and how God wants to be in relation to all of creation. And John reminds us that the best way to experience that love is to express it.

How might you demonstrate that love to God? How might you demonstrate love to those who are closest to you, to your acquaintances at work, school, or church, to those who are in need, or maybe even to a person you don’t particularly like?

Pray that God would help you to make the love of Jesus visible to each person you meet today.

Read Psalm 22:25-31.

This is a surprising end to a psalm that begins with, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” In what must have been a time of desperation and fear, the psalmist reminds himself that even when it feels like he has been abandoned, God is still there, blessing and redeeming. God is the God of yesterday, today, and tomorrow. No matter how bad life gets, we can trust that we are not alone. Our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer walks the road with us, offering hope, peace, strength, and the courage we need to make it through to the other side of our suffering.

Think of the most difficult times in your life. In what ways or in what people did God show up for you? Who might need a reminder today that they are not alone in their struggle?

Offer that person and that situation to God in prayer. Commit yourself to a phone call, note, or visit as a way of reminding them that God is good and God is present.

Read Acts 8:26-40.

This is a powerful, rich story of evangelism. It speaks to the cross-cultural nature of the gospel and connects Jesus to the prophesies of the Hebrew scriptures. What strikes me upon reading it this time, though, is that Philip responded so enthusiastically to the angel’s command. Usually, when I feel the Spirit nudging me to share about my faith with someone who is not a part of my congregation, family, or circle of friends, I find all sorts of excuses. I don’t want to offend this person. I don’t want to seem too pushy or self-righteous. What if I can’t express myself very well or say the wrong thing? We can learn from Philip’s method. First, he responded to the call and approached the chariot. Before he said a word, he listened. He waited for an invitation and then accompanied the man. The man asked a question and Philip answered to the best of his ability. This method must have been effective as evidenced by the man’s desire to be baptized.

Can you think of a time when you had an opportunity to speak about your faith, but didn’t seize on it? What kept you from doing it? If you felt the Spirit nudging you to share your faith with someone right now, how would you respond? How would you go about doing it? How might forming a plan make it easier when the opportunity comes?

In prayer, ask God for the willingness to risk failure when it comes to sharing about your faith, and for the tools to be an effective witness.

Read John 10:11-18.

When Jesus says, “I am the Good Shepherd,” he is making a promise. He is saying that when we are trying to navigate an intimidating and confusing world, we aren’t alone. When we feel tempted to wander away from our communities, to try to make it on our own and fail to lean on those who care about us, Jesus keeps us in his sight, reminding us there is no distance too great that he will not guard us and hold us close. When the pressures of the world leave us feeling exhausted and depleted, we can rest safely knowing our Shepherd never sleeps nor slumbers so that we can.

A shepherd has many roles within the flock. Think of as many as you can. Which of these roles is especially important in your life right now? What feels threatening to you today? What is your biggest fear?

In prayer, offer these up to your Shepherd, finding peace and trusting that you have someone guarding, guiding, gathering you in, and leading you to green pastures.

Read 1 John 3:16-24.

“Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.” ‘Little children,’ in this letter, refers to those who are new to the faith. This letter is meant as a primer for those who are figuring out what it looks like to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. The inner workings of the Holy Spirit create a new life grounded in the love of God. The natural outflow of this transformation is sacrificial love.

When we become saturated with God’s love, there is nowhere else for it to go, but to the people around us. It becomes undeniable in the way we show compassion and mercy, and in our willingness to shift our focus from our own comforts to those who are in need. Human need may take on many forms: need of adequate food and shelter, need of an advocate, need of acceptance and belonging, need of forgiveness, need of a safe haven, the need to be seen, the need for affection…

In what ways do you show the love of God in truth and action? Think of the people you see on a regular basis. What needs might they have and how has God equipped you to address that need?

Today, offer this prayer: God of Transformation, fill me with your Spirit and guide me into an encounter with someone in need. Give me eyes that see and ears that listen. Empower me to obey your commandment to love as Jesus loves, for it is in his name I pray. Amen.

Read Psalm 23.

This is such a familiar psalm, we might read through it without giving it the attention it deserves. Instead, practice lectio divina (divine reading) with it today. Read or recite the psalm slowly, pausing after each verse. Listen for a word or phrase that captures your attention. What is God up to in this passage for you today? Spend some time in silence and listen for the Spirit to speak.

Read Acts 4:1-12.

In this passage, we have Peter and John running up against opposition once again. What Peter and John are saying about resurrection is contrary to what this elite delegation believes. And the fact that so many everyday, run-of-the-mill Jews are embracing the good news that the apostles are sharing is a threat to the power these men have been given. If people start thinking about God for themselves, what’s next? Their motive is clear. They’re going to put these upstarts in their place. They’re going to reclaim their own power and make an example of the disciples.

Think about how Peter and John respond. Instead of taking credit, they continue to point to Jesus as the source of the good that they have done. This humility is a vital trait in God’s kingdom. We see it in Jesus and we see it in these early apostles. What might be different about our world if humility among those with power was seen as an important value? What part does humility play in your own life? Where does pride prevent you from being humble?

Today, offer a prayer of thanksgiving, giving God credit where credit is due.

Read Luke 24:36-48.

This reading reminds us that resurrection is more than just a spiritual reality, but also is also revealed in flesh and bone, in hands and feet, in daily activities like shared meals and feeding someone who is hungry. The living Christ stands before us in the form of friends, family, and stranger. Despite any fear or reservation, the disciples gave Jesus a piece of fish.

What fears or reservations keep you from open-heartedly engaging with others or responding to an expressed need? What difference might it make if you looked for Jesus in the faces of not only the people you love, but in the stranger, in the refugee, in someone experiencing homelessness, addiction, or mental illness, etc.?

Offer a prayer of thanksgiving for the ways Jesus continues to show up – not only in the spiritual realm, but in tangible ways. Commit yourself to responding with love and openness to the God-print in all people.

Read 1 John 1:1-2:2.

This passage speaks both to the importance and to the possibilities of self-examination and repentance. As we read in Romans 3:23, we all sin and fall short of the glory of God. I suspect most of our sin is not overt and visible to others. That truth does not make sin any less harmful to our relationship with God, others, or self. In fact, according to this passage, ignoring or denying our sin means we are lying to ourselves and to God, making it impossible to expose our true selves – warts and all – to the light of God. The promise in these verses, though, is that when we inevitably sin, we have an advocate in Jesus, who sacrificed himself for our sin, freeing us to begin again with a clean slate and allowing us to live in the light once again.

Spend some time in self-reflection today. What sins in your life do you have a hard time admitting even to yourself? How have these sins disrupted relationship with God, others, or yourself?

In prayer, offer a confession and give thanks for the atoning work of Christ Jesus.