Abide in My Word
As we spend time with Christ this week, we are thinking about the practical application of truth to our lives. Truth is not an assent to a set of mental principles, but the very thing that shapes our lives. But before we get started, let’s invite the Spirit to open our minds to what He is doing in us today. Pray with me:
Holy Spirit, lead me today. Allowing someone to lead me is always difficult, even if it is You. Whether it's accurate or not, I trust myself! I trust my own desires and I trust my own abilities to satisfy those desires. Help me to see that the truth that You are inviting me into brings freedom and life. Help me to trust that truth and the process You are taking me through. Help me to trust You fully. Amen.
John 8:31-36 (NLT)
31 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
33 “But we are descendants of Abraham,” they said. “We have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean, ‘You will be set free’?”
34 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. 35 A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.
I have always loved riding a bicycle. I would spend summer days riding all over town with my friends. My bicycle was a vehicle to friendship and freedom. But my bike could be a source of pain and fear, too. Some of my most devastating injuries involved a bike. I loved my bike, but what if I never rode it because of fear? Has there ever been something you loved and yet fear kept you from taking part in it? Take a few minutes and reflect on this.
Fear often relegates our love for Jesus to a simple set of beliefs and practices that are safe and within our control. We love singing songs, studying scripture, and getting together with our friends, yet to obey Christ in every way like He commands stirs fear in us. What are the things Jesus commands that scare you? Are there any parts of your life you worry Jesus will ask you to surrender or give up?
Jesus promises that when we get past our fear and put what He says into practice, we are on the path to freedom. Just like taking my bike out of the garage and riding it into town was the path to freedom, doing what Jesus says is the path to true freedom. What would freedom look like if you trusted Jesus in obedience?
After taking some time to reflect on these questions, take 4-5 minutes to pray about what God is bringing to your mind. If you need help, here are some prompts to get you started.
Talk to God about the things you fear.
Ask Him to solidify His promises in your life.
I hope that the presence of the Holy Spirit guides your heart and thoughts today.
Holy Spirit, lead me today. Allowing someone to lead me is always difficult, even if it is You. Whether it's accurate or not, I trust myself! I trust my own desires and I trust my own abilities to satisfy those desires. Help me to see that the truth that You are inviting me into brings freedom and life. Help me to trust that truth and the process You are taking me through. Help me to trust You fully. Amen.
John 8:31-36 (NLT)
31 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
33 “But we are descendants of Abraham,” they said. “We have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean, ‘You will be set free’?”
34 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. 35 A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.
I have always loved riding a bicycle. I would spend summer days riding all over town with my friends. My bicycle was a vehicle to friendship and freedom. But my bike could be a source of pain and fear, too. Some of my most devastating injuries involved a bike. I loved my bike, but what if I never rode it because of fear? Has there ever been something you loved and yet fear kept you from taking part in it? Take a few minutes and reflect on this.
Fear often relegates our love for Jesus to a simple set of beliefs and practices that are safe and within our control. We love singing songs, studying scripture, and getting together with our friends, yet to obey Christ in every way like He commands stirs fear in us. What are the things Jesus commands that scare you? Are there any parts of your life you worry Jesus will ask you to surrender or give up?
Jesus promises that when we get past our fear and put what He says into practice, we are on the path to freedom. Just like taking my bike out of the garage and riding it into town was the path to freedom, doing what Jesus says is the path to true freedom. What would freedom look like if you trusted Jesus in obedience?
After taking some time to reflect on these questions, take 4-5 minutes to pray about what God is bringing to your mind. If you need help, here are some prompts to get you started.
Talk to God about the things you fear.
Ask Him to solidify His promises in your life.
I hope that the presence of the Holy Spirit guides your heart and thoughts today.
Recent
Archive
2026
January
Don’t Stop Short of JesusThe Cross Is God’s Invitation to YouRemembering the OwnerThe OwnerThe Illusion of Self-Made SuccessActs 26:12–23 | Paul’s Encounter with JesusActs 26: 1–11 | Agrippa Grants PermissionInvited From The OutsideSurrender Creates PeaceWhen Blessing Becomes ForgetfulnessWhat A Pastor Means When They Say... | The Branch Living as Stewards, Not OwnersCreated for RelationshipThe Heart Behind the GiftSurrender GainsThe StewardFaithful StewardsOne Percent BetterEverything Belongs to GodThe Evaluation Is ComingActs 26:24-32 | Agrippa Parries Paul's ChallengeRedefining Success | The Branch The EvaluationHow You View God Determines EverythingThe Economy of Kingdom InvestmentChoose Your Category WiselyAnchored in Steadfast LoveActs 27:1-3 | Paul Sails for RomeDiscerning Between Good And Evil | The BranchLoved Enough to Be DisciplinedThe Steadfast Love of GodReturning to God’s WayCrying Out from the DepthsLiving with Wise Awareness
February
Partnering with God’s MissionBuilding Kingdom FruitTHE GIVER | PASTOR ANTHONY LOMBARDIWorship Through SacrificeNavigating God's Calling Within MarriageTrusting God’s ProvisionActs 27: 13-20 | The Storm at Sea | TCBSActs 27: 4-12 | From Caesarea to Fair HavensFrom Self-Focus to Kingdom-FocusFrom Death to LifeThe Answer Is a PersonEmpowered for MissionActs 27:21–26 | TCBSTHE CHURCH | PASTOR MATTHEW JOHNSONDesigned for CommunityAnger, Justice and Psalms of Judgment | The BranchHeaven Invading EarthBetter Together PURPOSED RELATIONSHIPS | PASTOR MATTHEW JOHNSONLifted When You FallWarmth in the ColdProtected by the CordWhen to Wait, When to Work | The BranchOne Body, One MissionWhere Your Treasure IsThe Antidote to AnxietyINVEST HEARTS AND FINANCES | PASTOR MATTHEW JOHNSONActs 27: 39-44 | The Shipwreck | TCBSReturn to MeTreasures That LastThe Heaps of Hezekiah
2025
January
A New Heart and SpiritSowing in Tears, Reaping in JoyFrom the Pit to a New SongNo Other God's Before MeSeek First the KingdomStoring Treasures in HeavenServing One MasterTrusting God with EverythingThe Power of InfluenceRelationships That InfluenceFinding Godly FriendsIron Sharpens IronSpeaking Truth In LovePrioritizing God's PresenceChoosing the Better PortionLiving With Eternal PerspectiveCreating Margin For God's PurposesBearing Fruit Through AbidingReleasing the Past, Embracing God's FutureTransformed By God's LoveOur Past And A Hope For A FutureEmbracing Our New Identity In ChristRunning The Race Of Perseverance
No Comments