Lent 2018 - Red Letters - Day 34 - John 15:7

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. -- John 15:7

This word challenges my faith to believe that he can do whatever I ask for. The only condition is about the status of my residence. Have I stayed in him? Have his words stayed in me? There are certainly miraculous things I desire of him. But I have tried to satisfy my yearnings with natural things, by natural means for far too long. It is his great grace that he calls me to him again and again. 

Prayer: Jesus, give me faith to pray again. To believe for the impossible. Help your words to remain in me. I give my heart open to you. I come to you today. Refresh my soul.

Red Letters is a devotion for Lent 2018 by Chris Michael Moore of His Call Church - ヒズコールチャーチ

Lent 2018 - Red Letters - Day 33 - John 15:6

If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. -- John 15:6

Today Jesus presents the alternative to life with him. Not as a threat, his love is too great for that, but as a warning. So we come again to the place of remaining and abiding. The repetition is for my benefit. I need the reminder. How deep is this love that does not worry about repeating the same encouragement knowing my weakness. It makes clear my need for him without which I am surely doomed to fire.

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for reminding me patiently. Thank you that you know me more than I know myself. Thank you that you came to save me from fire. Thank you for revealing the wither within me. I ask that you would help me to make my residence in you. Come to me, Lord. Draw me into you.

Red Letters is a devotion for Lent 2018 by Chris Michael Moore of His Call Church - ヒズコールチャーチ

Lent 2018 - Red Letters - Day 32 - John 15:5

 I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. — John 15:5

I can do nothing, without him. How often have I proved this to myself. The things I thought were sailing smoothly have come completely undone. Things that seemed to work fine no longer do. His support is essential to keep me in place against the wind and the rain. μένω... Am I staying, remaining, dwelling, abiding, waiting, continuing... ?   

Prayer: Jesus, forgive me for where I have tried to be, tried to do, so much apart from you. Forgive my impatience to get to my tasks when you are ready to support me. Help me to stay longer. Help me to dwell a little more over your word. Help me wait for you to come before I get busy. Help me continue in this. I need you.

Red Letters is a devotion for Lent 2018 by Chris Michael Moore of His Call Church - ヒズコールチャーチ

Lent 2018 - Red Letters - Day 31 - John 15:4

 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. — John 15:4

It is staying in him. In God alone. Real fruit cannot come from a partial commitment. There cannot be even leaf or bloom on this branch unless there is constant connection. Each time I uproot myself and cut off the flow of life, it must start again from nothing. What a privilege to be allowed as a dead branch to be grafted into the flow of life... and grafted again... and grafted again... and grafted again... No matter how many times I try to do it alone. 

Prayer: Jesus, help me to stay in you. The fruit is worth it. Help me to receive it not only for me, but to have extra to provide for others. Graft me in again. Let me know the moment I go astray. Forgive me for walking away and finding comfort in other things. Let me love deeply and truly the people around me through the fruit of love you give me.  

Red Letters is a devotion for Lent 2018 by Chris Michael Moore of His Call Church - ヒズコールチャーチ

Lent 2018 - Red Letters - Day 30 - John 15:3

You are clean already because of the word that I have spoken to you. -- John 15:3

So as faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word, his words spoken reaching to my heart, wash them clean. This word, clean or καθαρός, is the same as the pruning yesterday. As I return to his words each day, it takes off the things that stain, the tarnish and grime within. His word needs to move through my heart as I meditate upon it, to be of full effect. How am I considering his word and how it applies to me lately?

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for speaking to me your word that makes me clean. Help me to cherish it. Give me meditations today upon your word so that I can apply it more fully to my life and circumstances. Let your word be the standard by which my heart is judged, and make me more obedient to it. Forgive me where I have not pondered your word long enough for it to complete its work in me.

Red Letters is a devotion for Lent 2018 by Chris Michael Moore of His Call Church - ヒズコールチャーチ

Lent 2018 - Red Letters - Day 29 - John 15:2

He takes away every branch that does not bear fruit in me. He prunes every branch that bears fruit so that it will bear more fruit. -- John 15:2

Before I have faced pressure regarding the kind of fruit I needed to bear in order to please Christ. Consulting the places other the New Testament uses the word καρπὸν (fruit), it is associated with sanctification (Romans 6:22), material gifts (Romans 15:28), love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22~), righteousness (Philippians 1:11), blessing (Philippians 4:17), and lips acknowledging his name (Hebrews 13:15). The pruning process is painful but necessary, as he turns me more into his image. 

Prayer: Father, help me have confidence that I am of those that bear fruit and not the barren ones. Develop within me these fruits, especially ... today. Help me submit to the purifying process of your pruning. Take away the unnecessary parts that drain my life away from productive areas.

Red Letters is a devotion for Lent 2018 by Chris Michael Moore of His Call Church - ヒズコールチャーチ

Lent 2018 - Red Letters - Day 28 - John 15:1

I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. -- John 15:1

Jesus is the true vine. The only real source of life. Other sources are all counterfeits, because only this one is rooted in the Father. Am I depending on false sources? The Father is the γεωργός, the "worker of the earth". Carefully tilling the soil of my heart, He is removing unwanted weeds, picking out hard stones and bitter roots. Have I given space to him to work in me today?

Prayer: Jesus, you are the only true source. Forgive me where I have sought to be sustained by other things. I give over to you my dependence on these things. Help me to only depend on you. Today I also make straight the way in my heart for the Father, the gardener to do his work. Work the soil of my heart so nothing interferes with the crop of righteousness I am called to bear.

Red Letters is a devotion for Lent 2018 by Chris Michael Moore of His Call Church - ヒズコールチャーチ

Lent 2018 - Red Letters - Day 27 - John 14:31

but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me. — John 14:31

Jesus had no fear at the coming trial. He knew that he must suffer. He knew that he would experience pain. He knew that he would be mocked and must remain silent. He knew that the people he came for would choose a murderer before him. He knew that they would put him between thieves. He submitted to it with full knowledge and full ability to save himself. It was not nails that held him to the cross; love for the Father, love for me, is what held him there.

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for your courage and boldness. Thank you for your willingness to submit. Help me to lay down my own vision. To put aside my own strengths. To submit, fully and from the heart. I want more of your love. I want to love more like you love. 

Red Letters is a devotion for Lent 2018 by Chris Michael Moore of His Call Church - ヒズコールチャーチ

Lent 2018 - Red Letters - Day 26 - John 14:30

I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me, -- John 14:30

The victory at the cross assured eternal victory over the enemy. Even as Jesus is free from every kind of torment, that freedom was won for me. Over sickness. Over disease. Over curse. Over attacks on my emotions. Over lies and deceptions. Over the work of disunity. Over addiction, and so much more. In every way, "he has no hold." To get to me he has to go through Jesus... as long as I keep myself hidden in Him. 

Prayer: Jesus, I hide myself in you today. Guard my life and my circumstances against every attack of the unity. May the bond of your peace and love protect me today. Complete the work of the cross in my life and help me take hold of the promised freedom that is mine in you.

Red Letters is a devotion for Lent 2018 by Chris Michael Moore of His Call Church - ヒズコールチャーチ

Lent 2018 - Red Letters - Day 25 - John 14:29

I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. -- John 14:29

Jesus is faithful to his words. I know this because he has shown me again and again how he brings those things to pass that he said would. In this context specifically, I can believe in all of those promises given in this chapter, because I know that soon after he would die, resurrect and ascend. Even as a grain of wheat must die and be buried in order to bear much fruit, have I allowed myself to give space for Jesus to get all the glory?

Prayer: Thank you Jesus for your faithfulness. Even when I am untrue, you are always true. Help me believe more in your words and promise today. Help me to live as you did. In the same way I identified with your death and resurrection in the waters of baptism, help me to continue that identification today. 

Red Letters is a devotion for Lent 2018 by Chris Michael Moore of His Call Church - ヒズコールチャーチ

Lent 2018 - Red Letters - Day 24 - John 14:28

You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. -- John 14:28

For me today, that Jesus is not here in person is a simple fact. I can't imagine what it would be for the apostles to hear he was leaving them, even if he would return, even if he would send the Advocate. So much of what Jesus said in these final days leading up to the crucifixion went against their expectations, when everything up to that point had been going so well. How often have I fallen into the trap of a dulled faith that believes the good things right now will always be, when a different kind of difficulty is part of the sovereign plan and comes upon me unexpectedly? 

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for your promise to return. I too, long to be with you, and with the Father. Help my faith to not become passive as I live in the blessing of your grace, but to be prepared for new challenges. 

Red Letters is a devotion for Lent 2018 by Chris Michael Moore of His Call Church - ヒズコールチャーチ

Lent 2018 - Red Letters - Day 23 - John 14:27

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; I do not give it to you as the world does. Do not let your hearts be distressed or lacking in courage. -- John 14:27

When Jesus, prince of peace, became lord of my life, did his peace gain full reign? The peace which is beyond all my understanding is a promise of courage. No more distress. Today as I face the many challenges within, I need it more and more. 

Prayer: Jesus, give me your peace. I surrender my heart to the reign of your peace. Help me consider the challenges I face with serenity of knowing you will help me through them at all times. Give me courage to act boldly and decisively, not paralyzed by thoughts of consequences. 

Red Letters is a devotion for Lent 2018 by Chris Michael Moore of His Call Church - ヒズコールチャーチ

Lent 2018 - Red Letters - Day 22 - John 14:26

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and will cause you to remember everything I said to you. -- John 14:26

The Holy Spirit is within. Guiding me. Leading me. Teaching me. Training me. Reminding me. The question is only in my sensitivity. Am I ignoring this guidance? Am I tuning it out or ignoring it? The very source of my power and strength. When I am working out of duty and not from a sense of wonder, it means I have gone back to relying on my own capabilities, which leave no room for the miraculous. 

Prayer: Holy Spirit, forgive me when I have tried to accomplish my daily tasks out of mere duty. Thank you for patiently reminding me and teaching me, even as I repeatedly ignore your voice. Renew a heart in me that seeks to be amazed and experience awe of you every day. I want to be blown away in wonder of you. Come to me today.

Red Letters is a devotion for Lent 2018 by Chris Michael Moore of His Call Church - ヒズコールチャーチ

Lent 2018 - Red Letters - Day 21 - John 14:25

I have spoken these things while staying with you. -- John 14:25

One of the prerequisites for me to hear his voice is that I am where he is. That is why I need to come to him again. That is why I need to wait on him. That is why I need to stay ready to hear his voice. If I have ever felt far from him, it is not he that has moved. How have I experienced his nearness today?

Prayer: Jesus, thank you that you remain with me. Through every storm and battle, whether I am even aware of it or not, you stay by my side. You speak to me today and I hear your voice. Help me to dwell, rooted in you, today.

Red Letters is a devotion for Lent 2018 by Chris Michael Moore of His Call Church - ヒズコールチャーチ

Lent 2018 - Red Letters - Day 20 - John 14:24

The person who does not love me does not obey my words. And the word you hear is not mine, but the Father’s who sent me. -- John 14:24

It is my great privilege to be formed and reformed more into the image of Christ. His fingerprints mark the lines that form me. This clear challenge of my willingness to obey brings an almost automatic response to push back. That is how I know I need his help to follow him, and thereby to conform to the father's will.

Prayer: Jesus, help me to keep your words today. Even as the words you speaks are the Father's, let my words be yours as well. Conform me to your image. Thank you for the challenge regarding the true state of my heart, since it reveals my need of you. Have mercy on me, a sinner.

Red Letters is a devotion for Lent 2018 by Chris Michael Moore of His Call Church - ヒズコールチャーチ

Lent 2018 - Red Letters - Day 19 - John 14:22-23

Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?” Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. — John 14:22-23

Why doesn’t God just show himself to the world? Jesus’ response reveals the importance of love to him. Is his priority mine as well? Jesus doesn’t want to just show himself to me but also to live with me. The word τηρέω means to watch over or guard like a watchman. Have I guarded his words in my heart? 

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for showing yourself to me and dwelling with me. Help me to guard your words to prevent them from escaping. Help me to watch over them to prevent them from being attacked by external influences. My heart’s desire is for you. 

Red Letters is a devotion for Lent 2018 by Chris Michael Moore of His Call Church - ヒズコールチャーチ

Lent 2018 - Red Letters - Day 18 - John 14:21

The person who has my commandments and obeys them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and will reveal myself to him. -- John 14:21

The direct words of Christ here leave no wriggle room. While Jesus came with grace and truth instead of law like Moses, there are some non-negotiables with him. His commands, love God, love people and make disciples, set forth his priorities. Is love and nurture the law of my heart today? If I will let love be my law, Jesus promises that both the Father and the son will release their love in my live and I will be able to see Jesus more clearly. To conform to this standard, who are the people I need to forgive today? What are the practical ways I can show love, by sacrificing the routine things I am good at, in order to do the things that truly matter to the ones I care about? How can I form connections of mutual growth? Can my circle of love grow again beyond myself?

Prayer: Jesus, help me to love. Truly. Deeply, Meaningfully. Without condition. Without reservation. Honestly. Earnestly. With conviction and purpose. In other words, even as you loved, help me to love. Thank you that love is worth the effort and worth fighting for. Help me to not forget your mission and commands. 

Red Letters is a devotion for Lent 2018 by Chris Michael Moore of His Call Church - ヒズコールチャーチ

Lent 2018 - Red Letters - Day 17 - John 14:20

You will know at that time that I am in my Father and you are in me and I am in you. -- John 14:20

Jesus in the Father means that he is reigning and in control, with all authority in his hands. Me in Jesus means that I am hidden in Christ, guarded from the attack of the enemy and also empowered by his authority to rule and to reign. Jesus in me means that it is no longer I that live, no longer I that works, no longer I that speaks. This final statement of surrender is asking of me to let him renovate my inner being (Romans 12:2). Are there any walls of decay left standing from the old self that should be torn down to make way for his new pillars of truth? 

Prayer: Jesus, today I give room to you to tear down the broken things within me. Please fully inhabit every corner of my being and fill me with all your fullness. Help me find confidence as I am hidden in you. Let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Jesus, reign in me, in my circumstances, and in this world today.

Red Letters is a devotion for Lent 2018 by Chris Michael Moore of His Call Church - ヒズコールチャーチ

Lent 2018 - Red Letters - Day 16 - John 14:19

In a little while the world will not see me any longer, but you will see me; because I live, you will live too. -- John 14:19

It should come as no surprise when the world does not see him. He is no longer in the world. Fortunately for me, he has enabled my eyes to see him, if I would just look. His resurrection is the proof of new life. The regenerated life in me must become more full, but my resurrection by definition first requires that I die. What parts of my old life in the flesh are still resisting this mortification?

Prayer: Jesus, help me to put to death my flesh. Give me the fruit of the spirit, self-control, to overcome my weakness and live in a way that gives you more glory. When I speak to others that do not see you, give me the wisdom and revelation to show how you are at work in their lives.

Red Letters is a devotion for Lent 2018 by Chris Michael Moore of His Call Church - ヒズコールチャーチ

Lent 2018 - Red Letters - Day 15 - John 14:18

I will not abandon you as orphans, I will come to you. -- John 14:18

There is a great gap between word and practice when it comes to the knowledge that I am never alone. The Holy Spirit was sent so that I would never be alone again, but in moments of darkness do I choose to go down a path of self-pity? It is easy to be deceived by the feeling that I am alone, or that no one understands. The second part of this promise, that he will come, is hope. Jesus will come again to make all things right. Am I ready?

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for your promise. I declare today, that I will never be alone. Forgive me for my feelings loneliness. I long for you to come more and more in my life. Help me to make sure my lamp has oil when the hour comes. 

Red Letters is a devotion for Lent 2018 by Chris Michael Moore of His Call Church - ヒズコールチャーチ