It’s a pleasure not to be put off, former procrastinators. Of course, it’s good for every season. But biking to the library was an important part of summer for me. Inside it was musty and quiet. Not a sound unless someone stepped carefully up the creaky stairs to the second floor. The library was mysterious…
It’s undesirable to hear, former procrastinators, but true. Procrastination affects our fellowship with God. Therefore, it affects our abiding in the Vine. It affects our discipleship. What are some of the ways it does that? What thinking makes us believe that’s okay? Procrastination is resistance. I’m a branch on the Vine. Delay cuts off some…
Recently, former procrastinators, I’ve been thinking about the Bible as the most amazing written communication ever. I look at my Bible in awe and overwhelming gratitude. Then consider this: Jesus Himself is the most amazing communication ever. Of all time, beyond time. Jesus is the ultimate expression of God’s love, mercy, forgiveness, righteousness, promise of…
Let’s talk, former procrastinators, about the idea that Christians don’t have to exert effort to bear fruit. Some say a tree doesn’t strain to pop out an apple – that it just comes naturally, without effort, and we should be the same. It is “natural” because that’s how God designed it. However, not all apple…
Former procrastinators, Jesus made clear a final characteristic of His disciples: They bear fruit. “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” John 15:8 Fruit is the outcome or result of something. What is the important fruit Jesus wants? Scripture tells us He wants transformed…
It was a wimpy understanding, former procrastinators. A scripture portion I learned as a child was “Love one another.” For many years I thought that meant “be nice to everybody.” There’s so much more. Jesus used these three words to describe His disciples. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another;…
“To abide,” former procrastinators, means “to remain stable or fixed in a state.” (Merriam Webster) “To live or stay somewhere.” (Cambridge) Jesus uses it to describe another characteristic of his disciples. “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” …
Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.
Proverbs 6:6-8
. . . you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him.
Colossians 3:9-10