Daily Devotional: Friday, Feb 26

Speaker: Rick Enloe

Theme: The Roman Flower and Garden Show

Weekend Music links on iTunes: Yesterday, Today and Forever by Vicky Beeching, Let the Praises Ring by Lincoln Brewster; Cannons by Phil Wickham; You'll Come by Hillsong.

Read: Hebrews 10: 32 - 40; Matthew 25:23

Think: As Pastor Rick taught about the grafting process I wondered about those dead branches that were pruned, just lying there on the ground. How does someone end up there -  pruned from the Tree of God? Can that ever be me? Those thoughts crossed my mind - how about yours?

According to the Bible those pruned and broken branches are simply there because of unbelief... They refer to those who were God's chosen people from the very beginning, but who rejected Christ. Though they waited expectantly for their Messiah, they did not believe in Him - Jesus - when He showed up.

For those of us who believe in Jesus, God promises through the words of the apostle Paul "I'm absolutely convinced that nothing-nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable-absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love..." (Romans 8: 39) Did you catch that? We grafted branches can't be un-grafted because of any sin we commit, any trouble, any sinister intervention...nothing!

I know there have been seasons in my own life where discouragement or just plain old being tired threw me off track with my relationship with the Lord. And there were times my own poor choices led to sin that all but halted my walk with Jesus. Those times were among the lowest of my life - but God never gave up on me. And thankfully never put me in danger of becoming that dead branch! And that goes for you too.

We do have to remember though that the Christian life is for the long haul. We are in a race that is much more a marathon than a sprint. We are moving toward a finish line that is so far beyond what we can imagine, so glorious that it will be worth all we endure: Heaven! So don't give in to the temptation to give up, don't let sin sweep you away, but stay firmly grafted to our God. Bloom, grow, mature so that we can one day the Lord's commendation will greet us: Well done good and faithful servant. Come share your master's happiness!

Do: Rest knowing that once you are God's, nothing can take that away from you! Keep heaven in your sights and live today for the Lord.

Pray: God, I am so thankful that Your love for me is strong and steady. I wait eagerly for the day I get to spend eternity with You. But until then help me to be focused on living for You. Help me to stay dialed into your purpose and plan for me. Amen.

The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.

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