Date: October 23, 2013 9:33 PM
Topic: +DEV+ Pruning Serves A Purpose
Pruning Serves A Purpose
"This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples." (John 15:8)
Scripture Focus: John 15:1-8
"Stop!" a voice cried behind me. "My plum tree!" I turned to see my customer running toward me. New to owning fruit trees, she didn't know that young trees need to be pruned. This strategic cutting makes for a stronger tree and better fruit. After some explanation, she reluctantly let me continue.
From time to time God cuts back the branches of our lives, for His glory and our good. But often we yell, “Stop!" We have worked hard to grow those branches, and we want to keep them. Ultimately though, we must admit that God, in His wisdom, knows what will make us better people. He has a lesson for us to learn. Through the experience, we'll come to understand "remaining in Him" and what Jesus meant when He called Himself the vine and us the branches.
Pruning hurts. But it serves a purpose: "...every branch that does not bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful." (John 15:2b). And about that plum tree-eventually it bore more fruit than my customer knew what to do with!
Insight: Our Heavenly Father is the master gardener who knows just how and when to remove our unproductive branches. He does all things well.
Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.
We are in need of a monochrome laser printer that does duplex.
So your donations would be appreciated small or large.
If you would like to become a prayer partner and a financial partner with monthly gifts.
A freewill offering to Restoration Ministry may be made via PayPal at our web site: http://www.rollanet.org/~restore/donations.htm
You will receive a copy of both complete sets of devotionals series: "Forgiveness" Series and the "Grace" Series Or their choice of our Bible Study Syllabus Booklets
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
+DEV+ Transforming A Mess
Date: October 22, 2013 10:17 PM
Topic: +DEV+ Transforming A Mess
Transforming A Mess
"The Lord will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; he will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the Lord." (Isaiah 51:3)
Scripture Focus: Isaiah 51:1-7
Gardeners are often hired to rescue a property from itself. When landscaping is neglected, the plants and trees grow until they almost overwhelm the house. We call this "clean up" work, and we like it. Not only does it bring in extra money, but we also have the joy of transforming a mess into a thing of beauty.
I wonder if this is like the feeling that God has when we humble ourselves before Him and truly seek to live for Him. Imagine the Master Gardener looking with compassion on the ruins of our lives and doing what He is so good at: rescuing us from ourselves and leading us in His path of righteousness. He's not overwhelmed by how hard the task is. He is transforming us into what He knows we will soon become.
No matter how neglected or overgrown your life is, Jesus will make good on His promise to "make your wasteland like the garden of the Lord." You may be tired and discouraged; life may feel overgrown with troubles. But He is excited about the beauty He will masterfully restore in you.
Insight: God has made good on His promises in the past. Today and forever He promises to make the deserts of your life look like Eden.
Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.
We are in need of a monochrome laser printer that does duplex.
So your donations would be appreciated small or large.
If you would like to become a prayer partner and a financial partner with monthly gifts.
A freewill offering to Restoration Ministry may be made via PayPal at our web site: http://www.rollanet.org/~restore/donations.htm
You will receive a copy of both complete sets of devotionals series: "Forgiveness" Series and the "Grace" Series Or their choice of our Bible Study Syllabus Booklets
Topic: +DEV+ Transforming A Mess
Transforming A Mess
"The Lord will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; he will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the Lord." (Isaiah 51:3)
Scripture Focus: Isaiah 51:1-7
Gardeners are often hired to rescue a property from itself. When landscaping is neglected, the plants and trees grow until they almost overwhelm the house. We call this "clean up" work, and we like it. Not only does it bring in extra money, but we also have the joy of transforming a mess into a thing of beauty.
I wonder if this is like the feeling that God has when we humble ourselves before Him and truly seek to live for Him. Imagine the Master Gardener looking with compassion on the ruins of our lives and doing what He is so good at: rescuing us from ourselves and leading us in His path of righteousness. He's not overwhelmed by how hard the task is. He is transforming us into what He knows we will soon become.
No matter how neglected or overgrown your life is, Jesus will make good on His promise to "make your wasteland like the garden of the Lord." You may be tired and discouraged; life may feel overgrown with troubles. But He is excited about the beauty He will masterfully restore in you.
Insight: God has made good on His promises in the past. Today and forever He promises to make the deserts of your life look like Eden.
Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.
We are in need of a monochrome laser printer that does duplex.
So your donations would be appreciated small or large.
If you would like to become a prayer partner and a financial partner with monthly gifts.
A freewill offering to Restoration Ministry may be made via PayPal at our web site: http://www.rollanet.org/~restore/donations.htm
You will receive a copy of both complete sets of devotionals series: "Forgiveness" Series and the "Grace" Series Or their choice of our Bible Study Syllabus Booklets
Monday, October 21, 2013
+DEV+ Jesus Was Buried in a Garden
Date: October 21, 2013 9:25 PM
Topic: +DEV+ Jesus Was Buried in a Garden
Jesus Was Buried in a Garden
"Thinking he was the gardener, she said, Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him." (John 20:15)
Scripture Focus: John 19:40-42, 20:14-16
Sometimes the little details in the Bible are as amazing as the big ones. Did you know Jesus was buried and rose again in a garden? The Bible says, "At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb ... they laid Jesus there" (John19: 41-42). When Mary Magdalene saw the resurrected Christ, she even thought He was the gardener.
Why is this significant? Think back on the story of humanity in the Bible. It began in a garden. Although sin entered the world there, God also assured Adam and Eve then that He would send a Redeemer to save His people from sin. That Redeemer, Jesus, was crucified, buried and arose from death in a garden. How like God to keep His promises so precisely that the circumstances match with perfect symmetry.
Do you think it's a coincidence that all of this happened in a literal garden? More likely it is evidence that history is in the hands of a great Master of art and science who is writing the ultimate masterpiece with you and me in it!
Insight: Poets often write poetry to put history in perspective. but here is a place where poetry and history meet: in the amazing work of Jesus.
Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.
We are in need of a monochrome laser printer that does duplex.
So your donations would be appreciated small or large.
If you would like to become a prayer partner and a financial partner with monthly gifts.
A freewill offering to Restoration Ministry may be made via PayPal at our web site: http://www.rollanet.org/~restore/donations.htm
You will receive a copy of both complete sets of devotionals series: "Forgiveness" Series and the "Grace" Series Or their choice of our Bible Study Syllabus Booklets
Topic: +DEV+ Jesus Was Buried in a Garden
Jesus Was Buried in a Garden
"Thinking he was the gardener, she said, Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him." (John 20:15)
Scripture Focus: John 19:40-42, 20:14-16
Sometimes the little details in the Bible are as amazing as the big ones. Did you know Jesus was buried and rose again in a garden? The Bible says, "At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb ... they laid Jesus there" (John19: 41-42). When Mary Magdalene saw the resurrected Christ, she even thought He was the gardener.
Why is this significant? Think back on the story of humanity in the Bible. It began in a garden. Although sin entered the world there, God also assured Adam and Eve then that He would send a Redeemer to save His people from sin. That Redeemer, Jesus, was crucified, buried and arose from death in a garden. How like God to keep His promises so precisely that the circumstances match with perfect symmetry.
Do you think it's a coincidence that all of this happened in a literal garden? More likely it is evidence that history is in the hands of a great Master of art and science who is writing the ultimate masterpiece with you and me in it!
Insight: Poets often write poetry to put history in perspective. but here is a place where poetry and history meet: in the amazing work of Jesus.
Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.
We are in need of a monochrome laser printer that does duplex.
So your donations would be appreciated small or large.
If you would like to become a prayer partner and a financial partner with monthly gifts.
A freewill offering to Restoration Ministry may be made via PayPal at our web site: http://www.rollanet.org/~restore/donations.htm
You will receive a copy of both complete sets of devotionals series: "Forgiveness" Series and the "Grace" Series Or their choice of our Bible Study Syllabus Booklets
+DEV+ God The Gardener
Date: October 21, 2013 12:20 AM
Topic: +DEV+ God The Gardener
God The Gardener
"Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the East, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed." (Genesis 2:8)
Scripture Focus: Genesis 2:4-9
Gardening is hard work, and yet it is rewarding. There are profound reasons why this is so. We have a connection with the soil that goes all the way back to creation.
Though God spoke the heavens and the earth into existence, He formed the animals and the first man, Adam, from the "dust of the earth," the soil. Can you picture God's hands shaping the intricate human being into life? God placed him in the Garden of Eden "to work it and take care of it."
God, who planted the first garden, let Adam be its gardener. But Adam was a type of garden, too. God worked in him to produce the fruit of obedience to His will. After God formed Eve out of Adam, they were both His "gardens." He cultivated them with loving care, giving them everything they needed for a perfect life with Him.
Yet Adam and Eve sinned, turning the Garden of Eden and themselves into a weed patch. Still God provided a Rescuer for them and us. Now human beings can once again be God's "gardens." Abiding in Jesus, we will bear much fruit
Insight: God can turn your weed patch life into a fruitful garden. As He works in you, all your work will become meaningful.
Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.
We are in need of a monochrome laser printer that does duplex.
So your donations would be appreciated small or large.
If you would like to become a prayer partner and a financial partner with monthly gifts.
A freewill offering to Restoration Ministry may be made via PayPal at our web site: http://www.rollanet.org/~restore/donations.htm
You will receive a copy of both complete sets of devotionals series: "Forgiveness" Series and the "Grace" Series Or their choice of our Bible Study Syllabus Booklets
Topic: +DEV+ God The Gardener
God The Gardener
"Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the East, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed." (Genesis 2:8)
Scripture Focus: Genesis 2:4-9
Gardening is hard work, and yet it is rewarding. There are profound reasons why this is so. We have a connection with the soil that goes all the way back to creation.
Though God spoke the heavens and the earth into existence, He formed the animals and the first man, Adam, from the "dust of the earth," the soil. Can you picture God's hands shaping the intricate human being into life? God placed him in the Garden of Eden "to work it and take care of it."
God, who planted the first garden, let Adam be its gardener. But Adam was a type of garden, too. God worked in him to produce the fruit of obedience to His will. After God formed Eve out of Adam, they were both His "gardens." He cultivated them with loving care, giving them everything they needed for a perfect life with Him.
Yet Adam and Eve sinned, turning the Garden of Eden and themselves into a weed patch. Still God provided a Rescuer for them and us. Now human beings can once again be God's "gardens." Abiding in Jesus, we will bear much fruit
Insight: God can turn your weed patch life into a fruitful garden. As He works in you, all your work will become meaningful.
Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.
We are in need of a monochrome laser printer that does duplex.
So your donations would be appreciated small or large.
If you would like to become a prayer partner and a financial partner with monthly gifts.
A freewill offering to Restoration Ministry may be made via PayPal at our web site: http://www.rollanet.org/~restore/donations.htm
You will receive a copy of both complete sets of devotionals series: "Forgiveness" Series and the "Grace" Series Or their choice of our Bible Study Syllabus Booklets
Thursday, October 17, 2013
+DEV+ A Spiritual Life Takes Time
Date: October 17, 2013 11:17 PM
Topic: +DEV+ A Spiritual Life Takes Time
A Spiritual Life Takes Time
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9)
Scripture Focus: Luke 8:11-15
When you plant a fruit tree, you don't expect to see fruit right away. You have to wait. We know that fruit develops at the proper time. What is obvious with physical fruit is often ignored when it comes to spiritual fruit. Many people read about the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23 ("love, joy, peace, patience..."), but don't allow for the effort and time that it takes to develop them. They give up because they don't see the fruit of the Spirit immediately.
But God, the Master Gardener of our lives, takes the long view. Just as He designed a tree to grow deep roots and strong branches before bearing fruit, He knows that our spiritual life takes time. Becoming a Christ follower may take an instant, but learning to be like Him will fill the rest of our lives.
Certainly we can exhibit love and other fruit of the Spirit today, but for a consistent, increasing, abundant crop, we must plan to follow Christ, the very one who bears each and every fruit of the Spirit for us even when our own harvest is slim.
Insight: Expecting love, joy, peace, and patience to develop in a hurry is being...impatient! let God cultivate the fruit no matter how long it takes.
Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.
We are in need of a monochrome laser printer that does duplex.
So your donations would be appreciated small or large.
If you would like to become a prayer partner and a financial partner with monthly gifts.
A freewill offering to Restoration Ministry may be made via PayPal at our web site: http://www.rollanet.org/~restore/donations.htm
You will receive a copy of both complete sets of devotionals series: "Forgiveness" Series and the "Grace" Series Or their choice of our Bible Study Syllabus Booklets
Topic: +DEV+ A Spiritual Life Takes Time
A Spiritual Life Takes Time
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9)
Scripture Focus: Luke 8:11-15
When you plant a fruit tree, you don't expect to see fruit right away. You have to wait. We know that fruit develops at the proper time. What is obvious with physical fruit is often ignored when it comes to spiritual fruit. Many people read about the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23 ("love, joy, peace, patience..."), but don't allow for the effort and time that it takes to develop them. They give up because they don't see the fruit of the Spirit immediately.
But God, the Master Gardener of our lives, takes the long view. Just as He designed a tree to grow deep roots and strong branches before bearing fruit, He knows that our spiritual life takes time. Becoming a Christ follower may take an instant, but learning to be like Him will fill the rest of our lives.
Certainly we can exhibit love and other fruit of the Spirit today, but for a consistent, increasing, abundant crop, we must plan to follow Christ, the very one who bears each and every fruit of the Spirit for us even when our own harvest is slim.
Insight: Expecting love, joy, peace, and patience to develop in a hurry is being...impatient! let God cultivate the fruit no matter how long it takes.
Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.
We are in need of a monochrome laser printer that does duplex.
So your donations would be appreciated small or large.
If you would like to become a prayer partner and a financial partner with monthly gifts.
A freewill offering to Restoration Ministry may be made via PayPal at our web site: http://www.rollanet.org/~restore/donations.htm
You will receive a copy of both complete sets of devotionals series: "Forgiveness" Series and the "Grace" Series Or their choice of our Bible Study Syllabus Booklets
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
+DEV+ Applying Gods Word
Date: October 16, 2013 10:40 PM
Topic: +DEV+ Applying Gods Word
Applying Gods Word
"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15)
Scripture Focus: John 7:16-18
We've all seen bushes trimmed in geometric or animal shapes. They're called "topiary bushes." When gardeners grow a topiary bush, they install a wire shape and let the bush grow into it. Then they keep trimming the branches to make the bush grow in that shape. Trimming topiary bushes is tedious work, but it must be done regularly to keep the original pleasing shape.
Keeping sound doctrine is like that. Continue studying to make sure you believe the right things. Some think that because God's truth never changes, we never have to think about it once we have believed. But our world is always changing, challenging the way we apply God's truth to our lives. Without knowing it, we can end up with inaccurate beliefs.
Our beliefs are built on the solid truth of Jesus. We grow from Him like the topiary bush on its frame. Jesus said, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind." One way we love Him with our mind is when we consider what we believe and how we apply it.
Insight: How can we love God if we never think about Him and what He's said to us? Read His word today... and think about it.
Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.
We are in need of a monochrome laser printer that does duplex.
So your donations would be appreciated small or large.
If you would like to become a prayer partner and a financial partner with monthly gifts.
A freewill offering to Restoration Ministry may be made via PayPal at our web site: http://www.rollanet.org/~restore/donations.htm
You will receive a copy of both complete sets of devotionals series: "Forgiveness" Series and the "Grace" Series
Or their choice of our Bible Study Syllabus Booklets
Topic: +DEV+ Applying Gods Word
Applying Gods Word
"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15)
Scripture Focus: John 7:16-18
We've all seen bushes trimmed in geometric or animal shapes. They're called "topiary bushes." When gardeners grow a topiary bush, they install a wire shape and let the bush grow into it. Then they keep trimming the branches to make the bush grow in that shape. Trimming topiary bushes is tedious work, but it must be done regularly to keep the original pleasing shape.
Keeping sound doctrine is like that. Continue studying to make sure you believe the right things. Some think that because God's truth never changes, we never have to think about it once we have believed. But our world is always changing, challenging the way we apply God's truth to our lives. Without knowing it, we can end up with inaccurate beliefs.
Our beliefs are built on the solid truth of Jesus. We grow from Him like the topiary bush on its frame. Jesus said, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind." One way we love Him with our mind is when we consider what we believe and how we apply it.
Insight: How can we love God if we never think about Him and what He's said to us? Read His word today... and think about it.
Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.
We are in need of a monochrome laser printer that does duplex.
So your donations would be appreciated small or large.
If you would like to become a prayer partner and a financial partner with monthly gifts.
A freewill offering to Restoration Ministry may be made via PayPal at our web site: http://www.rollanet.org/~restore/donations.htm
You will receive a copy of both complete sets of devotionals series: "Forgiveness" Series and the "Grace" Series
Or their choice of our Bible Study Syllabus Booklets
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
+DEV+ In His Presence We Grow
Date: October 15, 2013 8:42 PM
Topic: +DEV+ In His Presence We Grow
In His Presence We Grow
"The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the LORD they will flourish in the courts of our God." (Psalm 92:12-13)
Scripture Focus: Psalm 92
I have a “brown” thumb, every plant life dies and turns brown. My wife is a plant rescuer. People bring troubled plants to her and ask her to bring them back to health. It's amazing to watch an orchid or African violet respond to a little attention. What's her secret? She cares about plants. Sometimes, when the owners return for their plants, they insist that the plant stay with my wife because "it's happier with you."
When we practice a spiritual discipline, it brings us closer to Jesus. It's not that we earn His favor by reading the Bible, praying or fasting, etc. These are simply factors that nourish us in our faith and in our life with Him. These are valuable steps, but He is the one who cares for us and creates the right conditions for us to grow. We naturally, or rather supernaturally, respond to being with Him.
Jesus invites us to abide with Him today, to bask in His grace. Spiritual disciplines help us enter His presence. As in the Psalm above, we grow "like a cedar of Lebanon" when we are with Him. And we never have to go back to our previous owner.
Insight: Spiritual growth requires discipline. But the discipline doesn't change us. It just brings us close to Jesus, and He changes us.
Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.
We are in need of a monochrome laser printer that does duplex.
So your donations would be appreciated small or large.
If you would like to become a prayer partner and a financial partner with monthly gifts.
A freewill offering to Restoration Ministry may be made via PayPal at our web site: http://www.rollanet.org/~restore/donations.htm
You will receive a copy of both complete sets of devotionals series: "Forgiveness" Series and the "Grace" Series
Or their choice of our Bible Study Syllabus Booklets
Topic: +DEV+ In His Presence We Grow
In His Presence We Grow
"The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the LORD they will flourish in the courts of our God." (Psalm 92:12-13)
Scripture Focus: Psalm 92
I have a “brown” thumb, every plant life dies and turns brown. My wife is a plant rescuer. People bring troubled plants to her and ask her to bring them back to health. It's amazing to watch an orchid or African violet respond to a little attention. What's her secret? She cares about plants. Sometimes, when the owners return for their plants, they insist that the plant stay with my wife because "it's happier with you."
When we practice a spiritual discipline, it brings us closer to Jesus. It's not that we earn His favor by reading the Bible, praying or fasting, etc. These are simply factors that nourish us in our faith and in our life with Him. These are valuable steps, but He is the one who cares for us and creates the right conditions for us to grow. We naturally, or rather supernaturally, respond to being with Him.
Jesus invites us to abide with Him today, to bask in His grace. Spiritual disciplines help us enter His presence. As in the Psalm above, we grow "like a cedar of Lebanon" when we are with Him. And we never have to go back to our previous owner.
Insight: Spiritual growth requires discipline. But the discipline doesn't change us. It just brings us close to Jesus, and He changes us.
Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.
We are in need of a monochrome laser printer that does duplex.
So your donations would be appreciated small or large.
If you would like to become a prayer partner and a financial partner with monthly gifts.
A freewill offering to Restoration Ministry may be made via PayPal at our web site: http://www.rollanet.org/~restore/donations.htm
You will receive a copy of both complete sets of devotionals series: "Forgiveness" Series and the "Grace" Series
Or their choice of our Bible Study Syllabus Booklets
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