Day 6
Daily Spiritual Habits of Disciples
From the moment we open our eyes until we lay our heads down on the pillow, there is something that needs to be done– an errand, a task, a phone call, a meeting, a project, a meal to make, and the list goes on.
When I search the scriptures I do not find where Jesus tells us, come to me and I will give you a life filled with errands. When we abide in Him, Jesus prunes our lives so that we may bear more fruit for Him.
Pruning here means to trim, reduce, cut down, cut away, or cut off entirely. A life pruned down to what is essential and important aids in keeping God first, stewarding our time well, and keeping our identity as a disciple at the forefront.
Jesus adds by subtracting, we must do likewise.
David declared one thing he desired was to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of His life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, to inquire in His temple. Paul said one thing that He does is press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Jesus told Martha, one thing is needed and Mary chose it by sitting at His feet and hearing His Word. Jesus also told a man with great possessions that he lacked one thing and instructed him to go and sell all that he had and give it to the poor and to come and take up the cross and follow Him.
Notice any commonalities to these one things?
First, it’s one thing. Second, they’re all centered around Jesus. When we learn to clearly define the “one thing” in our lives and seasons, it leaves room only for what is essential and necessary. We learn to say “no” and set boundaries so that our lives aren’t filled with busyness, hurry, and schedules crowded with unimportant things.
Have you allowed busyness, hurry, and a crowded schedule to fill your days?
What needs to be pruned from your life in this season?
Lesson 5: Fight against a life of busyness; instead, allow the pruning of God. Pruning is required to bear more fruit.
Let’s pray: Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for your Word! Help me to diligently edit my life to include only what is essential and necessary. Help me to trust you in your pruning process. I ask it in your name, Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Scripture
Genesis 2:2-3 NKJV ”And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.“
Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV ”Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
John 15:2 NKJV “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.“
Psalms 27:4 NKJV ”One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple.“
Philippians 3:13-14 NKJV ”Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Luke 10:42 NKJV ”But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”“
Mark 10:17-22 NKJV ”Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ” And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.” Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.“