[Friday's Devotional] - Remaining in Jesus

“Remain in me, as I also remain in you.” John 15: 4 [NIV]

If you have time, read the full passage:  John 15. 1-8

However our week is going, this passage reminds us of the importance of remaining

in Jesus.  Jesus explains that the vine gives the branch energy and nourishment - everything it needs to grow and produce fruit.  Likewise, Jesus says, we are to remain in him and allow him to give us all we need to live for him.

It is when we stay close to Jesus, depending on him in a close relationship that our lives will be full of God’s goodness.  Our lives will produce good things for God’s kingdom as we remain in Jesus and we will grow to become more like him.  On the other hand, Jesus also tells us that if a branch is not attached to the vine it does not produce anything that is of any value to God and it dies.  Let’s ensure this week that we are not running on empty but remaining close to Jesus.  Let’s receive from Jesus all that we need to live for him, for without him, we can do nothing.

Reflection: Am I remaining in Jesus or am I running on empty?  Whose strength am I relying on this week?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, today I say yes to living life with you.  I come to you today and ask that you would give me all the resources, strength and energy I need to live for you so that my life might produce good things for your kingdom.  Amen.

Hannah Mears

[Thursday's Devotional] - Feeling small?

“It is I, do not be afraid.” John 6:20 [NIV]

If you have time, read the full passage: John 6:16-21

Right now there are many people in our country fearful about the damage caused by the recent storms and floods. Suddenly they have new challenges to face, life feels very testing and in the midst of uncertainty they feel vulnerable and small.  Whether we are affected by the wind and rain or the storms of life, all of us have moments of feeling small and anxious.

The disciples in our Bible passage probably felt small as they sat in that boat, and who can blame them?  It was dark and a strong wind was blowing so the waters became rough.  They rowed three or four miles so we can guess they were also feeling rather weary.  The disciples saw Jesus walking on the water and were afraid.  But Jesus intervened and spoke into their panic: “It is I, do not be afraid.”  Can we hear these words of Jesus being spoken to us today? What are the situations where you need to remember that Jesus is near? What fears or burdens do you need to give him?

What interests me about this passage is that it is after hearing the words of Jesus, the disciples were willing to take him in their boat. They needed to know first that it was him they were seeing and on being assured of his presence they let him in.  When they were willing to take him in, Jesus could bring change to their situation and immediately they reached the shore.

Reflection: Can I catch myself today in moments when I feel small and vulnerable and remember the words of Jesus, ‘it is I, do not be afraid.’

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I pray today for those in our country who have been affected by the recent weather. We pray that they would know you intervention and peace. Please help me in moments when I feel small to know your presence and peace. Give me a heart that is willing to take you into the challenges I face as the disciples were willing to take you into their boat. Amen.

Hannah Mears

[Wednesday's Devotional] - A little offering

“Here is a boy with five small barely loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” John 6:9 [NIV]  

If you have time, read the full passage: John 6: 1-15

The crowd needed food, they were hungry.  Stood before Jesus was a boy with a little offering: 5 little barley loaves and 2 small fish!  The disciple Andrew said the obvious (v. 9) ‘but how far will they go among so many?’  The boy didn’t try to control what happened with his lunch; he simply offered it to Jesus.  This boy could not have imagined that his little offering could be used by Jesus to feed the hungry crowd. Jesus multiplied his offering so that there was even food left over.

I find this passage one of real encouragement because it reminds me that like the boy, we can come to Jesus as children who trust Him.  Do we know that whatever we are willing to offer to Jesus can be used by him, no matter how small we may consider our offering?  Jesus can transform what we give and multiply it, making it into something beautiful which blesses the lives of those around us.

We may feel inadequate at times, others may doubt our offering, but all it takes from us is a willing heart to offer what we can to Jesus: our time, resources, a listening ear, a helping hand, a particular talent, our compassion, a smile, a word of encouragement, so that Jesus can take and transform what we have to offer, beyond our imaginations.

Reflection: Are we ready to offer what we have to Jesus, to let go of control and trust him?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, please show me what I have to offer you.  I yield control of that area to you. Use it as you will, that others may know your love.

Hannah Mears

[Tuesday's Devotional] - Disciple-making disciples!

“The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus.”
John 1: 41-42 [NIV]

If you have time, read the full passage: John 1: 35-42

One thing I have learnt is that God uses us in the situations we find ourselves in.  We might be given opportunities to share our faith in the workplace, in the supermarket or at the school gate.  I know an elderly lady who gives space to listen to people and then point them to Jesus as she walks her dog.  She is often surprised by the opportunities God gives her as she walks across the park with her four-legged friend! What I love about this lady is that she is open to the opportunities God gives her and is willing to share the good news of Jesus.

In our Bible passage, we read that Andrew is definitely open to sharing the good news of Jesus!  I love the excitement he shows and the sense of urgency portrayed. Straight away Andrew finds his brother and shares the good news: ‘We have found Jesus!’  Just like Andrew we are called to point others to Jesus, sharing what we ourselves have found. It’s not just the work of a few that are called ‘evangelists’ – we all have a role to play.  Who are the people you already have a connection with?

Where are your God-given opportunities?

Reflection: Am I praying for opportunities to point to Jesus and share my faith?  Do I see this as important?  What proportion of my week is spent with people who do not already follow Jesus?

Prayer: Please give me opportunities today to point to Jesus, eyes to see them, courage to take them and the wisdom to know what to say.  Amen.

Hannah Mears

[Monday's Devotional] - Would the real evangelist please stand up?

“The word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” John 1: 14 [NIV]

If you have time take a look at the whole passage: John 1: 1-18

The prologue of John is a beautiful description of how God works in the world, drawing those he has created back to himself.   God desires that all might believe (v.7) and he longs to be known by his people (v. 18).  That is why God ‘became flesh’ – he became flesh, skin and bones through the person of Jesus and dwelt among his people (v. 14).  We didn’t come to him – he came to us.

So often in conversations I have with people about their journey to the Christian faith, I am amazed to see how God has been at work in their lives long before they put their trust in Jesus.  God is the real evangelist.  This is a great reminder that God is already at work in the world around us seeking to draw people back to him.  God is the real evangelist: we are simply called to join in with what he’s already doing.

Reflection: How was God at work in my life before I came to believe?  How might he be at work in those around me?

Prayer: Give thanks to God for his work in your own life.  Ask God to reveal himself afresh to you today.

Hannah Mears