Connection Over Proximity

Years ago, God taught me the importance of connection over proximity. If a branch from a tree falls off but lands on the trunk of the tree, it is still close in proximity, but it is no longer connected. Therefore, it will never be fruitful again. 

Many Christians, especially in the United States, have proximity to Christ. They attend church gatherings regularly. They even open their Bibles from time to time. They attend concerts of Christian musicians. And yet, they bear no fruit. 

Why? They are not connected with Jesus. 

This chapter of John starts by teaching us the importance of being connected to Jesus. If we are connected to Him, we will bear much fruit. If you are bearing no fruit, then you are not connected to Jesus like you think you are. I recommend that you truly seek the Father. Ask Him to show you how you can be connected with Jesus and not merely have proximity to Him. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

John 15:4-6

4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.

Today’s Readings:

John 15:1-27; Proverbs 16:1-3

If You Love God, Obey His Commands

Today’s podcast episode has the same title as this devotion. I encourage you to go watch or listen to it. (The Agape Leaders Podcast on all major platforms)

In this passage, Jesus keeps it simple. If you love Him, keep His commands. That’s pretty straight forward. 

Unfortunately, as I talk about in the podcast episode, we seek to justify our actions with a million and one reasons why we should be allowed to act like we want to. 

In Christ we are called higher. Think about this. Jesus obeyed God every time the first time. He never disobeyed God. What was the result?

God gave Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow in heaven, on earth, and under the earth. And every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of the Father in heaven. 

That’s what total obedience leads to. Tell me again what’s your excuse. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

John 14:15

15 “If you love me, keep my commands.”

Today’s Readings:

John 14:15-31; Proverbs 15:33

Commanded To Love

Can I be honest?! Christians are blowing it. Or should I say, American Christians are blowing it. 

We think that loving Christ means saying, “I love Christ.” That’s not the case. Our love for someone should never stop with simply saying we love them. There must be action that follows. 

God so loved the world that He gave…action! God demonstrated His love for us…action! In John chapter 14, Jesus is recorded as saying that the people who have His commands and obeys them are the ones who love Him…action!

It is easy to say, “I love you.” It is more difficult to show it. But that’s the calling. Loving people by our actions is not optional. Go out and show the love Christ desires of us, you will be blessed for it. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

John 13:34-35

34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Today’s Readings:

John 13:31-14:14; Proverbs 15:31-32

Wash Someone’s Feet

This passage is one of my favorite because it provides a clear message for us to follow. We must serve others at the lowest level; wash someone’s feet. 

Most people only want to serve in ways that make them look good. They like the fancy mission trips to far away places so they can “brag” about the time they went to help the people of Poor Country. Those same people will not walk out of their house and go right down the street in their own city to help the needy. 

Our service is not for show, it’s to actually help people in their time of need. Make a plan to go serve someone in a way that brings you no glory but will glorify God. It will bless you in ways you may have never been blessed before. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

John 15:14-17

14 “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”

Today’s Readings:

John 13:1-30; Proverbs 15:29-30

When Anguish Comes

Who doesn’t want a trouble free life? I believe we all prefer a life in which answers come easy, problems are solved quickly, and when the end comes, it’s peaceful. I believe most of us would sign up for that life. Unfortunately, in Christ, that life does not exist. 

To live well in Christ, we must be willing to navigate, well, the troubles of life. In this passage Jesus says that though His soul is troubled, He will endure because “it was for this very reason (He) came to (that) hour.”

We are created in Christ for good works, which God has prepared in advance. When anguish comes for Christ’s sake, remember that you are  here for that very reason. Trust God and endure! Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

John 12:27-28

27 “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name!”

Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.”

Today’s Readings:

John 12:20-50; Proverbs 15:27-28

What’s Our Excuse

Reading this passage put a thought in my head. It’s understandable that the people of Jesus day did not initially realize that He was the Messiah because it can be difficult to notice something in real time. It is usually after the fact that we can look back at something and more accurately identify what it is. 

Jesus fulfilling prophecies right before their eyes may have been overwhelming. It was more difficult to notice. But what’s our excuse?

We have the entire Bible in front of us. God has made available to us His intentions, the back story, and the clarification of who Jesus is and what He did for us. 

Since we have this knowledge, why are we not living accordingly? Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

John 12:16

16 At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him.

Today’s Readings:

John 11:55-12:19; Proverbs 15:24-26

Life Happens

If you are familiar with Martha and Mary, you might find it interesting that when Jesus showed up on this occasion, it was Martha and not Mary who went to Jesus first. This is the same Martha who was distracted by the need for preparation on one of Jesus’ visits. 

This reminds me that life happens. Sometimes, in our zeal, we get it right. And sometimes, in that same zeal, we get it wrong. Martha’s love for Jesus propelled her to hurry to go see Him. And that same love allowed her to get distracted by good intentions. 

Let us learn a lesson from Martha. We need to seek God first. Trust Him. And maintain a heart of service for His people. He will take care of the outcome. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

John 11:20

20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.

Today’s Readings:

John 11:1-54; Proverbs 15:22-23

Don’t Grow Weary

Today’s Proverbs reading had me reflecting on my time as a teacher. I’ve enjoyed meeting and teaching the young people through the years. Several of you who receive these daily texts are my former students. That fills my heart. 

I think of you when my current students make decisions that seem right to them now, but in time they are going to realize that it was not wise. I understand that it’s a part of the process of growth, but it still saddens me. 

The way I press on is to remember to never grow weary of doing good. I know that it is not my job to ensure that every student makes wise decisions now. I believe my job is to provide opportunities for my students to be able to make wise decisions later in life, based on some of the life lessons they learned in my class. That’s my calling. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Proverbs 15:20-21

20 A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother. 21 Folly brings joy to one who has no sense, but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course.

Today’s Readings:

John 10:22-42; Proverbs 15:20-21

A Life Laid Down

When we think of Jesus on the cross, it is easy to forget that He was not killed, nor did He simply die. He actively laid down His life for us. He purposefully paid the price for us to have a right relationship with God. 

When we spend time thinking about this reality, we realize that we owe God a great debt, one that we will never be able to pay. 

And the beauty of God’s grace is that He is not asking us to repay the debt. He wants us to appreciate the sacrifice of Christ by sacrificing our lives to Him so others will come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Nothing else matters. 

Are you living a life that draws others to Christ? If not, what are you waiting for. People are dying apart from Christ! This means eternal separation from God. Ponder that. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

John 10:17-18

17 “The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

Today’s Readings:

John 10:1-21; Proverbs 15:17-18

How Will You Be Healed

This passage shows one of my favorite healings done by Jesus. He spat on the ground, made mud, and put it on the man’s eyes. I can hear people saying, “Ewww, that’s gross!”

Here’s my question for those people, “what’s the best way to heal people.” Jesus knows, you don’t!

Notice John highlights that Jesus did this on the sabbath. One thing He was trying to teach was that we are not to be religious in our doing good. Jesus did “work” on the sabbath to heal the man so He could continue making His point that doing good took priority over religious traditions not rooted in love. 

Do you have religious things that you do or beliefs that you have that are not rooted in love? Ask God to open your eyes to every belief and tradition you have. You might be surprised at what you see. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

John 9:6-7

6 After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. 7 “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.

Today’s Readings:

John 9:1-41; Proverbs 15:15-17

Boldness

To you and me, this passage may not be as meaningful as it was to the Jews of Jesus’ day. They fully understood that Jesus was saying that He is God. 

There is no ambiguity in His statement. The words “I am” are the same words God said to Moses from the burning bush. Jesus was displaying boldness. 

We must be bold like Jesus as we walk in this world. We must be confident in who we are. One of the schemes of the enemy is to convince Christians that boldness is a sin. He convinces us that when we walk in boldness we are being arrogant. That is a lie. 

There’s a lyric in the song Dim My Light that is, “So when you walk in the room, walk in like He sent you. God did it!” That line always gets me excited. 

Could you imagine what we could accomplish for Christ’s sake if we would be bold in our walk with Christ. If we accepted the reality that when we are in right standing with Christ, every room we walk into is for us to share God in that space. Let that marinate. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

John 8:58

58 “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!”

Today’s Readings:

John 8:31-59; Proverbs 15:12-14

Do Not Conform

As I was praying and writing in my journal, this morning, God placed Romans 12:2 on my heart. 

Recently, the Lord has made me hyper aware of how many people are playing “Christian.” We “get away” with it by claiming that anyone who comes against us are judging us and we quote Matthew 7 about not judging. But who are we kidding?

Paul wrote that we are NOT to conform to the patterns of this world. Yet, that’s exactly what we do. We focus on the ways of the world, then we pattern our walk after that so we can fit in. 

Why?

I want to challenge you to take time out of your day, or better yet, your weekend, and spend time alone with God. Ask Him to point out areas in your life where you are conforming to the patterns of this world. Ask Him to transform you by renewing your mind. Accept that the world will not like the new you, but God will. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Romans 12:2

2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world,but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Today’s Readings:

John 8:21-30; Proverbs 15:11

Sin No More

This passage is one that many Christians know. It is used to speak against hypocrisy in the church. But there’s a subtle message that is rarely discussed. 

Although it is correct that Jesus said He does not condemn the woman, He also said that she should, “leave (her) life of sin.” Meditate on that. 

In those few words, Jesus acknowledges her sin and encourages her to stop sinning. That’s a message for us. 

If you are walking with Christ, you should not be willfully sinning. Sit with God today and ask Him to expose those areas of your life where you are willfully sinning. As He shows you, heed Christ’s words to the woman, leave your life of sin. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

John 8:9-11

9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

11 “No one, sir,” she said.
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

Today’s Readings:

John 8:1-20; Proverbs 15:8-10

Jesus Is Not Divisive

The fact that this passage says the people were divided because of Jesus can give a person cause to pause. Is Jesus divisive? 

No, not in the sense of Him saying one thing to one group and another thing to another group, thus causing confusion and division. 

On the contrary, Jesus speaks one message. Which leads to the question, why are people divided because of Him. 

The simple answer is free will. Everyone is allowed to make their own decision about Jesus. That’s where the division comes in. People are convicted by the standard of living Jesus said we must have. Living up to that standard gets in the way of the type life some want to live. 

Therefore, the ones who want to “rebel” seek to say and do things to discredit Jesus. They do this to justify their rebellious lifestyle. 

What lifestyle are you living? Does it honor God first or honor you first? Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

John 7:43

43 Thus the people were divided because of Jesus.

Today’s Readings:

John 7:31-53; Proverbs 15:5-7

Non-Believing Brothers

Growing up as the youngest of five boys had its challenges. As I outline in my book, Practical Leadership, my siblings and I were very competitive. My position in the birth order lent itself to many losses in the games we played or things we did. 

Inwardly, the thing I yearned for was my brothers to believe in me. I wanted them to think I was good at something!

With that as my backdrop, I sometimes wonder what it may have been like for Jesus to have non-believing brothers. His love for people led Him to have compassion on them, which inspired belief among the masses. Yet, His own brothers did not believe He was the Messiah. But Jesus persevered. He lived the life He was created to live to perfection. 

By the grace of God, one of my brothers spoke life into me and it propelled me to live a life for Christ without hinderance. I praise God for that!

What about you? What holds you back from living a full life for and in Christ? Ask God to open your eyes to that area. He will do it. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

John 7:2-5

2 But when the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles was near, 3 Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. 4 No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” 

5 For even his own brothers did not believe in him.

Today’s Readings:

John 7:1-30; Proverbs 15:4

A Sobering Thought

This proverb should give all people, especially Christians, cause to pause. The writer is teaching us that everything we do is seen by the Father. Furthermore, everything we think is known by the Father.  This is a sobering thought. 

This reality should shape our behavior and our thought life. What you do matters. Behave in a way that honors God. What you think matters. Cast out thoughts that are contrary to the word and will of God but dwell on things that are true, right, noble, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. This is how we live a life that we can be happy knowing God sees everything. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Proverbs 15:3

3 The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.

Today’s Readings:

John 6:43-71; Proverbs 15:1-3

Too Smart For Your Own Good

As I read this passage the words I heard my mother say often came to my mind. When someone would say something that didn’t make sense, she would say, “you’re too smart for your own good.” That meant the thing someone thought they knew would be the very thing that caused them problems. 

The people in Jesus time were certainly too smart for their own good. They had the Messiah standing in front of them. They witnessed the miracles. They knew what the word said about the Messiah. Yet, they looked at Jesus and saw Joseph and Mary’s son. 

What about you? When you consider Jesus, do you relegate Him to something small and insignificant? Before you say, “No, I would never do that,” look at your life. Consider how you live. Do you seek to honor Jesus with every area of your life? If not, make changes. Honoring Christ is mandatory for living a fruitful life for Christ. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

John 6:40-42

40 For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”

41 At this the Jews there began to grumble about him because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” 42 They said, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, ‘I came down from heaven’?”

Today’s Readings:

John 6:22-42; Proverbs 14:34-35

Problem Solved

As I read this passage, I had an image of someone inviting Christ into the midst of their problem. In that moment, problem solved!

When we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us in any circumstance, that issue is done. It may take minutes, days, weeks, months, or even years for us to experience the benefits of the solved problem, but we can rest assured that when God is on the case, all problems must yield to His will. 

Please invite Jesus into the midst of your problems. Better yet, invite Him into your life, give Him complete access to everything and get out of the way! Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

John 6:18-21

18 A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened. 

20 But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” 21 Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.

Today’s Readings:

John 6:1-21; Proverbs 14:32-33

“Come out!”

As I read this passage, I flashed forward to the time Jesus calls Lazarus to come out of the grave. As you read the words of this passage, does it bring up Lazarus in your mind?

The Bible bears witness to itself. Rarely does something happen independently. Jesus walked on water, then Peter walked on water. Jesus fed the five thousand, then He fed the four thousand. Jesus raised Jairus daughter, then Paul raised the young man who fell to his death.

It makes sense that Jesus would foretell this important lesson of raising Lazarus from the grave. He’s going to raise the dead in Christ when He returns. 

I encourage you to read your Bible with the purpose of getting to know God better. As you grow in your knowledge of Him, He will use you in ways you have yet to think of. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

John 5:28-30

28 “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice 29 and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned. 30 By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.”

Today’s Readings:

John 5:24-47; Proverbs 14:30-31

Patience Are Free

I love God. 

Yesterday I received some disappointing news that had to do with work. This morning I read two different passages that highlight the importance of being patient. Although I want to respond a certain way to this disappointing news, I cannot help but think that God wants me to be patient. Why else would I read these two passages this morning when I needed them the most?

These days, when someone thanks me for being patient, I tell them that patience are free so I stocked up on them. 

Do you have a need for more patience? Be mindful that God embodies patience and we are created in His image and likeness. Therefore, it is in us to be patient. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Proverbs 14:29

29 Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.

Today’s Readings:

John 5:1-23; Proverbs 14:28-29