We are bombarded with information. From billboards to books, from electronic media to engaging magazines, there is no void of information. The accessibility of information is literally at our fingertips. If you really want to know something, there are unlimited avenues of securing the information that you are seeking.

The Bible is still the most read book on planet earth. As you read God’s Word, you have the opportunity to listen to what God is saying and then to do what He says. However, you also have the opportunity to keep God’s Word at a distance. You can listen to God’s Word for information purposes only. Your reading and hearing of God’s Word becomes a cognitive exercise that yields minimal fruit in your life. God wants your level of listening to move beyond that of information. The reality is that we know more than we are doing. It is not that we need to know more at this point, but rather obey what we already know.

You can literally deceive yourself by listening to the Word of God at the level of information. God’s Word is designed for more than just informing you about facts and trends. God’s Word is to inform you about the nature and character of God. God’s Word is to inform you about His world redemption plan and where you fit into the process. However, you can stay at the level of knowing about God and His plan without allowing the information to directly impact your life.

God wants you to go to the next level.

**Current devotions are from Dr. Trammell’s new devotional book available from Auxano Press **

                Paul continues his look at his past by speaking of his persecution of the church.  His mention of this event drives home both his Jewish heritage and the unique apostolic calling by Christ Himself.  No doubt the Galatians knew of this part of Paul’s history, but he reminds them once again that they might fully comprehend the wonder of God’s call upon his life. 

                Perhaps you noticed that Paul speaks of the “church of God.”  This phrase connects the church with God’s chosen people.  In one sense, the church is the continuation of Israel as God’s chosen people.  As we move throughout this letter we will see that the linking of the church to Christ implies that for one now to belong to the church of God he/she must have faith in Christ. 

                Besides being a persecutor of the church, Paul was zealous for ancestral traditions and Jewish institutions.  He exceeded his countrymen as if he was in a race with them.  His religious zeal for Judaism and resulting persecution of the church serve to demonstrate how his current zeal for Christ had nothing to do with human intervention. 

                It is good news that those who are “in Christ” can now refer to times past as a “former life.”  The old person that existed before Christ is dead and buried.  You are a new creature in Christ. 

Prayer:  I thank you that my former way of life has been crucified and that I am raised a new person.  Amen.

            He was writing this letter to all the believers in Rome.  Thus, while it is true that certain persons are “called” to unique ministry vocations, it is equally true that all Christians are “Jesus Christ’s by calling.”  Translated literally, this text says we are “called to be Jesus Christ’s,” that we are His property.  We belong to Him. 

            It may be hard for you to believe that God loves you so much that He called you to be His own.  He purchased you for Himself at the price of His own Son.  If you have ever struggled with issues of low self-esteem, you may find this promise hard to believe.  Perhaps you haven’t accomplished many of the goals and dreams you set for yourself or you haven’t received much affirmation from the significant people in your life. 

            Let this verse become the promise that the Holy Spirit uses to remind you how loved and cherished you are by your heavenly Father.  

Prayer:  Thank you for calling me.  Teach me what it means to be called to belong to you.  Amen.

            I often try to imagine how the disciples must have felt when Jesus declared—“You are My friends if you do what I command you” (John 15:34).  Did you notice that genuine friendship implies responsibility?  Thus it is not surprising that Jesus told the disciples that His friends obey His commands.  As friends of Christ, we know that His love is steadfast and His word is true and therefore we desire to obey. 

            Along with the responsibilities of friendship there are also privileges.  Listen to verse 15: “I do not call you slaves anymore, because a slave doesn’t know what his master is doing, I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard from My Father.” 

            This is one of my favorite “we are” passages because it teaches us that He has chosen us as His friends (16) not because of any merit on our part, but because of His great love.  Have you spent any quality time with your friend Jesus?  Told anyone about Him lately? 

Prayer:  It is beyond my comprehension that You chose me as Your friend.  Help me to introduce others to my best friend.  Amen.

            The relationship between vine and the branch is so close that the vine “abides” in the vine.  Equally amazing is the fact that the vine and its indwelling branches are superintended by the Father (v. 1).  Our Father loves us so much He personally overseas the condition of our life in Christ.

            Everything the Father does to and for the branches is designed to enable us to bear much fruit.  When we bear spiritual fruit, we “prove” ourselves to be Jesus’ disciples and we glorify the Father (v. 8). 

            The connection between vine and branch is so intimate that the branch can do “nothing” apart from the vine (v. 5).  We like to believe that we could do some things apart from Him and that we only need to turn to Him when we encounter the difficult challenges.  The Christian life, however, is one that is wholly dependent on the life that flows through the vine.            

Prayer:  I confess that often I try to please you in my own strength.  Forgive me.  May I learn to abide in You today and every day.  Amen.

            At the end of the gospels, Jesus tells His disciples that they are witnesses of His life, death, and resurrection (cf. Luke 24:48).  Jesus had opened their minds to understand that His entire life had been lived in fulfillment of those things predicted by Moses and the Prophets.  Now these witnesses had been given the unique privilege and responsibility of heralding this good news to all nations. 

            We can’t allow this kingdom promise to reside in the first century alone.  If you have experienced Christ in redemption, you have become an eyewitness of His power to save and transform.  Thus you have a unique story to tell.  No one else has your exact story and the world deserves to hear what you have experienced. 

            Witness is what we are before it is what we do.  But far too many Christians have hidden their story under a bushel.  I know you may be a little frightened to tell your story but I have good news for you.  The same empowering promised to the first century believers is available to you.  (If you need a little practical help check out Splashinfo.com.) 

Prayer:  Thank you, Father for your grace.  Give me the opportunity to tell my story to someone today.  Amen

            Jesus, addressing His first disciples, declared: “You are the light of the world.  A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden” (Matt. 5:14).  Followers of Jesus are “light.”  Being light is not optional for the Christian.  It is what we are by virtue of our relationship with Jesus.  Jesus is the Light who came into the world to enlighten every man (John 1:9).  Thus our relationship with Jesus enables us to reflect His light to a dark and needy world. 

            The Apostle Paul expressed the same truth in this manner; “Do everything without grumbling and arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world” (Phil. 2:14-15).  I hear many believers bemoan the fact that the world seems to be darker and more evil.  Perhaps the problem is that we are reflecting less and less of the character of Christ, who is the Light.

            For light to have an impact, it must be made visible.  That’s why Jesus told the disciples that light could not be hidden under a basket, but must be positioned like a city on a hill.         

            We are to live in such a distinctive manner that our light will draw people to Jesus. 

Prayer:  Forgive me when my bashfulness causes me to hide my light.  Let me shine for you today.  Amen

            Isaiah, the prophet, speaks of the coming of One who would be Wonderful Counselor (Isa. 9:6).  Isaiah wrote during dark and depressing days.  Isaiah swept back the dark clouds by promising that those who were “walking in darkness” would see a great light. 

            Today we know that these grand titles from Isaiah 9:6 were all fulfilled in Jesus.  He is the Wonderful Counselor.  Look at Jesus as He counsels the woman taken in adultery.  He offers her grace and forgiveness and yet confronts her with the reality of the destructive nature of her sin.  His counsel was a perfect balance of grace and truth.

            We have a Wonderful Counselor in Jesus, but to benefit from His counsel, we must be willing to listen to Him, meditating on His Word, and then taking the prescription offered from His Word.  In other words, we must be prepared to heed and obey the Words of the Wonderful Counselor.  By the way, Our Counselor sent the Holy Spirit to enable us to hear and obey His Word.  

Prayer:  I confess to you my need of a counselor today.  I will listen and obey.  Amen

This weeks devotionals are abbreviated from God Is.  Check it out on AuxanoPress.com

            In Ephesians 2:20 Paul writes—“{You are} built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone.”  The context preceding this declaration talks about redemption which is freely given by grace (2:8-9).  Our redemption means that we are no longer “foreigners and strangers, but…members of God’s household” (19).

            The cornerstone is the central foundation stone which binds the whole structure together.  The imagery of “cornerstone” has great Old Testament lineage.  The prophet Isaiah wrote, “Look, I have laid a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will be unshakeable” (28:16).  Paul tells us that Jesus is the cornerstone laid by the Father and that we now, by virtue of our faith in Him, are now linked to that stable foundation. 

            I like the word “unshakeable,” don’t you?  It seems like everything today is being shaken.  Wall Street has certainly been shaken.  The world economy has been shaken.  I am glad to know that my life is secure and unshakeable since my faith has linked me to the Cornerstone. 

Prayer:  I praise You as my cornerstone.  Forgive me when I feel shaken by the events around me.  Amen.

            The idea of Jesus as shepherd was actually introduced earlier in 1 Peter 2:25—“For you were like sheep going astray, but you have now returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.”  Isn’t it wonderful to think of Jesus as a caring shepherd who serves as the guardian of our souls?

            You may recall that John records that Jesus referred to Himself as the Good Shepherd. who unlike the false shepherds, refused to desert the sheep at the first sign of danger. Instead of exposing His sheep to danger, Jesus laid down His life for the sheep (Jn. 10:11-14).  The image is of the shepherd who was willing to place his own body between his sheep and any enemy. 

            What enemy do you fear today?  It may be someone or some circumstance.  Are you frightened by the economic uncertainty of our day?  Does the political turmoil around the world cause you to lose sleep?  You have a Savior who is the guardian of your soul.  Rest well! 

Prayer:  Jesus, thank you for being my Chief Shepherd.  Forgive me when I fail to put my trust in you.  Amen