To What Have I Died?

So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God.
Rom. 7:4

He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 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. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
John 15:2, 5, 8

oh, the good book of Romans. again i'm reminded how complex this book can be, and yet, how simple it's truth can be discerned. all this talk about the law... learning about what reigns in my body and what shouldn't. i realize that we don't speak much about a specific law very often, but these Romans had to know the law well, in order to discern what Paul was speaking to them about.

ok, so i died to the law so that i could belong to Christ in order to bear fruit to God. but what does it mean that i died to the law? what part of me died, because somedays, those parts feel mighty alive? where in my life am i feeling God 'prune' me? what parts of the law am i still upholding, but should be 'put to death'? what fruit have i been bearing lately? do others know that i am a disciple because of my actions? what does 'fruit' look like? ...love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. has my Father's glory increased lately due to my 'fruit'? does increasing my Father's glory honestly matter to me?

my Jesus,
i know that i've died to the law thru Your blood, and i'm clean, and i belong to You. i know all these things are true. but i want to open myself up to You. if there is any place within me where the law still residse, please prune it away. i desire to bear fruit for You. let me be discerning to know when to move. may You create opportunities for all the fruit within me to be evident to those around. let me know when to do good to others, to speak the Truth in love, to humble myself enough to do those deeds which others care not to do. give me a servant's heart; replace arrogance with compassion. Holy Spirit, what in me needs to die? please reveal this to me - i want to be a true disciple. refine me - melt me- mold me - burn out the impurities within that i may be made holy for Your glory. as the hymn goes:
Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me.
Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me.
Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me.
Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me.

In Jesus's Holy and Precious Name ~ Amen
*Leslie *Hamilton *Linda

Seeking Discernment

"Now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?"
The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this.
1 kings 3:7-10

webster defines discernment as the quality of being able to grasp and comprehend what is obscure. also discernment is a power to see what is not evident to the average mind. seems like a similar definintion of faith: now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see (hebrews 11:1).

in any case, i've been reading the Word about discernment. the book of proverbs has many insights into how a discerning person reacts to varying situations. and the story listed above about david is a prime example of someone who possesses discernment. david could've asked for anything, but he chose to ask God for a discerning heart to guide him. that's amazing to me. so now i'm on a quest to seek discernment - to find ways to increase in discernment - to cry out to God for this grace to be bestowed upon me.

my Jesus,
as i read about david and how he chose to requests a discerning heart, i'm convince that discernment is something to be sought after. so i come before You and ask for a discerning heart. let this be for Your glory.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen.
*Sarah *Lydia *Denise

Wisdom in 'Zip Your Lip'

Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.
Proverbs 17:28

He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.
Isa. 53:7

on my drive home from work today i was thinking about the fool who comes across as wise if he holds his tongue. and then i was thinking of times when i've held my tongue... and times when i should've held my tongue. funny how our minds remember the bad times, and forget the good ones. i could list several times when i should've zipped my lips, and only a few when i remained quiet. there are certainly times to keep silent, to not put up a defensive argument. (too often i fail at this.) and there are times to open our traps and let the words of Christ speak.

there's a verse in 1 peter, 4.11 i think. [If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God.] and sometimes the words of God slice to the heart. even Jesus and his parables brought division. but then there are times when his words fall like a gentle rain, healing our deepest pain and hatred. there is a grace that runs deep in Christ, even when he chooses to remain silent. perhaps i could learn a lesson in discernment about shutting up.

hey Jesus
loving a person ain't not small thing... and you constantly flood my life with Your love. thanks for speaking the truth to my heart. may You teach me discernment, to know when to speak and when to remain silent. it had to be so difficult to go before the judge and not defend Your noble cause. but now, i want to say thanks, for going down that path, so i may enjoy Your presence and know You in a personal way. You've graced me in a deep way. You've given me wisdom to seek You and trust that will help me to know You. Thanks for giving to me. You are the bread of my life.
in Your holy Name, Jesus ~ Amen
*Kim *Courtney *Tricia

Expecting Much

Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.
Prov. 6.34

In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.
Psalm 5.3

i have to give props to denise for the title. she uses this phrase periodically, and it's catchy! and i sense this is what God is laying on my heart for this new year. 'Expecting Much'. there's just a ring to it.

i was reading the Word this morning, and came across this verse in proverbs. can't you sense the wonder in the air - about being active in listening for the voice of God, and watching every day at the doors of heaven, and waiting eagerly at His door. it just sends a shiver over my body - seeking God is exciting... or at least i think i should be.

it's interesting this is what was laid on my heart first thing this morning. and this is why it is interesting: because 2 fellow employees have been laid off today. the entire office staff is tense; so tense you can feel it in the air. and yet i am pressed to expect much. it is quite a mix of thoughts/emotions. tho i've mentioned to shottie about my lack of job security.. it just doesn't seem right that others were let go and i remain. but i am grateful, and continue to seek His face about a career.

Dearest Lord Jesus,
it is a stir of emotion here today. let Your consistancy effect me. let this belief which You've given me strengthen my heart, since it trembles like a leaf. as Rich sings, 'hold my Jesus...' truly You are doing a new thing and a good thing. Your light radiates even in the midst of financial crisis/lack of security/unbelief. 'Yours is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is Yours. Yours, O Lord, is the Kingdom; You are exalted as head over all.' 1 chron. 29:11. thanks for allowing my strength to come for You - to source of living water.
tho i don't even know how to pray for my co-workers who have been told the news of being laid off, i trust that You know my heart. i want for them the best in life... and You know what's best. where there is insecurity, be secure. where there is anger, be peace. where there is questioning, be their answer. where there is brokenness, be the healer. may You be evident in this trial.
in Christ's Name ~ Amen
*Terry *Kim *Glenn *Ron

"This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time," declares the Lord. "I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest," declares the Lord. "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."
Jer. 31:33-34

i wait with eager anticipation for the day when all will know Jesus. won't that be a wonderful day? this is mostly how i'm feeling right now... 'God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.' - Psalm 63:1 so this time when every one will know Jesus is sounding pretty amazing! a great way to begin a new year - longing after Jesus.

tho all may not know Jesus, i trust this new covenant began when He was born on earth. i trust that He has put His law in my mind and on my heart. by having His word in my heart - thru memorization, reading His Word, and the Holy Spirit, i know it - and I'm learning to know Him more. that is my heart's desire, as it has been fore years.

i've been trying to formulate a new year's resolution, but i'm struggling with it. as super wa mentioned this morning, 'i haven't had enough quietness to think of a resolution'. so this week, i'm spending moments in calm quietness - meditation and reflection. for sure i want to get back into the 'habit' of going to the gym and healthier eating. (i have a wedding in may to attend - always a bridesmaid, never a bride.)

How awesome it is, Father, to begin anew. Your gentle embrace draws me in like the warming of the seasons. my heart is awake and alert - longing for more of You. 'expecting much' seems to be my phrase for the upcoming year. where are you going to conquer battles which satan has held for so long? where are you going to blow me away with miracles? what wisdom are you going to bestow upon me this year? what new births are your going to create? who is going to accept You as their Lord this year? what ways are You going to challenge me to be more bold for You? who are You going to call to abide in Heaven this year? where will my heart be broke? where will You lead me to trust You? --oh so many questions... truly i am looking forward to seeing You move and knowing You more deeply thru the upcoming 12 months. "Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is Yours. Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom; You are exalted as head over all.' 1 Chron. 29:11. Amen.

*Derrick *Kimberly *Denise