DMA Devotional for May 7th, 2015
Jesus said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”
He concludes, “11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”
We are tempted to to be RELIGIOUS PROFESSIONALS…John Piper, in his book Brothers, We Are Not Professionals, says that professionalism in ministry alludes to our education, skills and clergy-defined practices that are all possible without Jesus. He adds: “…professionalism can push our supernatural center more and more into the corner while ministry becomes a set of secular competencies with a religious veneer.”
I’m tempted to coast on my up-front skills. i look Spiritual but is it authentic? In the pursuit of doing our very best, honing our skills in preaching, teaching and equipping, may we not lose our center, our core dependence upon Jesus as our Savior, Lord and boss!
Jesus said, “5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”
Let me end with this prayer from John Piper today: “Banish professionalism from our midst, O God, and in its place put passionate prayer, poverty of spirit, hunger for You God, rigorous study of holy things, white-hot devotion to Jesus Christ, utter indifference to all material gain, and unremitting labor to rescue the perishing, perfect the saints, and glorify our Sovereign Lord. In Jesus’ great and powerful name, Amen.”
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