Devotionals

Devotional: Setting Aside Pride for Connectedness {John 15:7-8}

‘If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.’ {John 15:7-8}

Pride is my biggest sin.

I’ve always struggled with the line between contentment, prayer, asking for God’s wisdom and just going, doing. Confusing the first with laziness, and the latter with ambition.

My plan, my way, my timing, and by my strength.

But Jesus warns, ‘…apart from me you can do nothing’ {John 15:5}. Reading this is always like a punch to the gut.

In fact, he goes on to say that we have two options:

• Option A: Bear fruit through connectedness with Jesus
• Option B: Dry up and be thrown into the fire when we disconnect from ‘The Vine’ {as in Jesus}

Coincidently, it seems that the more I’m connected to the Word {as in Jesus} through the Word {as in the Bible} the better steward I am of the talents God has given me.

Shifting my perspective on contentment, prayer, and seeking God’s wisdom first, from laziness to connectedness.

Because we are called to to be ambitious, work hard, and to do things, but the more connected we are to ‘The Vine’, the easier it is to do things not for our own glory, but for ‘my Father’s glory’.

Devotional: Setting Aside Pride for Connectedness {John 15:7-8}

Dear God,

Help me set aside my pride, and stay connected to your Word.
So I can bear much fruit,
be a good steward of the talents you’ve given me,
be filled with your joy {John 15:11}; and ultimately be on mission for you.

This is from week two of Hayley Morgan’s ‘Pennies are for Wishing’ Bible Study I’m doing {free when you join her email list}. For full context on this verse read John 15:1-11.

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