Your Identity in Christ
I am the fruit of Jesus’ life-time investment in the tree of the cross; I look to reproduce such love and mercy as I am rooted and established in Him.
Pondering Point
Jesus bore fruit on the tree of the cross (Galatians 3:13)-- or maybe it's better said through death on a tree, becoming the first-fruits from the dead. Paradoxically Hebrews 5:7 says that He would be saved from death. Some may contend one is saved from death by escaping it. But that wasn't true for Jesus – and it's not true for us either. Rather, we are saved from death by coming back from it, not avoiding it. Jesus didn't avoid death, but came back from it, swallowing it up in victory, as Apostle Paul shares in 1 Corinthians 15:54.
Prayer
Spirit of God, I look to be led by You and bear Your fruit for the honor of my Heavenly Father. Give me great discernment to know how to invest myself, what to root myself into in order to produce the “fruit of righteousness” that You describe in Your Word. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Micro-Meditation
Psalm 27:7-14
- Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
- When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek.
- Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.
- When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.
- Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.
- Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.
- I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
- Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.
Read the versus of the Psalm.
Mark the words or phrases that catch your attention.
Meditate: talk (or better, write) with God about those words. Ask him to impress things upon your heart and mind; expect responses.
Teaching or Command of God
Romans 8:1-2
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who Are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.
The Promise
Hebrews 13:6
So we say with confidence: The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?
Pondering Point
Have you thought about what it would be like if God were your enemy rather than helper? Hmm.