Thursday 25th July 2019 Prayer Devotion
Scripture Reading:- John 15:1-11
Topic:- True Vine And The Husbandman
Text:- John 15:1.
A. What Is The Meaning Of Husbandman:
1. An online dictionary says, One whose business it is to cultivate the ground. It was one of the first occupations, and was esteemed most honourable. All the Hebrews, except those engaged in religious services, were husbandmen. See Genesis 9:20; 26:12,14; 37:7.
2. Another one says, “A farmer; one who tills the ground. See Joel 1:10-11.
3. The term husbandman means “farmer” or “worker of the soil.” Husbandry is an agricultural term related to the production of crops or livestock. And to husband is to manage something well, showing prudence and economic sense. The word husbandman is not often used anymore. See John 15:1.
B. What Does It Mean To “Abide” In Christ:
1. Jesus defined “Abiding in Christ” when He likened Himself to a grapevine and believers to its branches. See John 15:4.
2. That picture illustrates the vital union existing between Christians and Jesus Christ.
3. The word “abide” basically means “to remain.” Every Christian remains inseparably linked to Christ in all areas of life.
4. We depend on Him for grace and power to obey. We look obediently to His Word for instruction on how to live. We offer Him our deepest adoration and praise and we submit ourselves to His authority over our lives.
5. In short, Christians gratefully know Jesus Christ is the source and sustainer of their lives.
Abiding in Christ evidences genuine salvation.
6. The Apostle John alluded to that when he referred to defected professors who “went out from us, but they were not really of us. See 1 John 2:19.
7. People with genuine faith will remain–they won’t defect; they won’t deny Christ or abandon His truth. Jesus reiterated the importance of abiding as a sign of real faith. See John 8:31.
C. A True story:
A certain Gentleman walked into a Hotel and after perusing through the Menu, ordered for some food. After about 20 mins, another group of Gentlemen walked in and ordered for theirs. To his dismay, the first Gentleman saw them get served first.
He watched as they began to eat and laugh heartily. He even overheard one of them brag about how he knew everyone at that Hotel and how things moved fast for him there. He felt he was being mocked. He contemplated leaving. But he had waited so long.
Unable to take it anymore, he called the Waiter and spoke rather verbosely of how unfair things were. The Waiter calmly told him, yours is a Special Order sir, being prepared by the Chief Chef himself. Their Orders were prepared hurriedly by Interns because the top Chefs are busy with yours. That’s why they came first. Please have some Juice as you wait.
Unknown to him, the Owner of the Hotel (who happened to be an old long lost friend of his) had seen him coming and wanted to surprise him and had made changes to his simple meal to make it a five star meal. He calmed down and waited. Shortly after, his meal was served by 6 Waiters and he was waited on hand and foot and being made very comfortable. The Party at the other table were shocked. They couldn’t stop staring. Suddenly they were the ones murmuring, asking why they didn’t get that kind of service and meal.
So it is with this life. Some people are ahead of you and eating now, laughing at you about how they know people and how they’re blessed and moneyed and how they’re enjoying life because of it.
You have been waiting long wondering why its taking soo long to get your breakthrough, enduring mockery and humiliation. Maybe you have contemplated suicide, gone through depression or suffered severe mental anxiety.
Do not worry. The Owner of the World has seen you. And doesn’t want to give you simple meals like those laughing at you.
And you’re waiting long because yours is a special meal. Yours takes time. And only Chief Chefs make it. Take heart today. Wait for your meal and relax. When it comes. That laughing Party will be silenced for good. Calm down. Your appointed time is here.
Prayer Points:-
1. Oh Lord God, help me to understand myself very well that my time is in God’s Hand henceforth, in the name of Jesus Christ.
2. I refuse to eat the meals prepared for my enemies henceforth but the table set and prepare by the Chief Chefs of the whole universe, in the name of Jesus Christ.
3. I refuse to live a waste life henceforth by fire, in the name of Jesus Christ.
Have A Wonderful Thursday! www.timogundelejesu.com
