December 15 2011

Brazen Branches
 
Reading: John 15:4-5, 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

We have a Bradford Pear tree that is located only about 5 feet in front of our house. When we first moved in, we had to have a dead tree removed and each tree service that we spoke with stated that it would be essential to cut the Bradford Pear tree back. I learned that they are very well known for their branches breaking because the branches become disproportionate in size and location and tend to break from being too big for the location in which it is growing. This typically happens after the tree has matured for many years.

This verse reminds me of how similar we can be to the Bradford Pear tree. We find our strength and growth in God and His Son. But, as time goes on and as we have matured in Him, somehow we forget what our purpose is and we somehow begin to believe that we have something to do with our growth. But, men, God will not allow us to attempt to become bigger than He is. Unfortunately, the bigger we get with pride and arrogance that somehow we had something to do with our successes and growth, He will have to remind you that He is your life source and, unfortunately, it may be through being broken. Be careful not to be bigger than the tree itself.

Men, be honest, have you lost sight of where your successes and growth have come from? (before we quickly brush it off to be done with the devotional for today… really think about every aspect of your life… have you?)
If so, in what ways have you lost sight of that and how has that been demonstrated in your life?


How can you stay connect to Christ and let Him receive all the glory, praise and honor in your life for your successes, status or accomplishments?





End of the Day Review
  
How were you able to give all the praise, honor and glory to God today?
 
 
In your mind, heart and spirit, were you able to maintain a sense of humility that you are the result of what God is doing in your life, rather than YOUR accomplishments?