Dying to Bear Fruit
Date: May 8, 2023
I use the BLESS method every morning for my devotional.
B - Bible Verse
L - Listen for God's Word and pray
E - Explore the History and meaning
S - Study the Key Words or Phrases
S - Summarize and Share
You can read more about it by going to: What is a Faith Journal?
B - Bible Verse - John 12:24 (NIV) - "Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds."
L - Listen for God's Word and pray - Lord, as I dig into this verse, open my heart and mind to receive Your wisdom and insight. Help me to understand the deeper meaning behind Jesus' words and how they can transform my life. Guide me in applying this truth to my journey of faith.
E - Explore the History and Meaning - In this passage, Jesus uses the analogy of a kernel of wheat to explain a deep spiritual truth. He teaches that just as a seed must die and be buried in order to bring forth new life and produce a bountiful harvest, just like it is with our lives as followers of Christ. Jesus himself is the ultimate example of this, as He willingly laid down His life on the cross, dying and being buried, to bring about the redemption and salvation of humanity.
S - Study the Key Words or Phrases - Let's focus on the key phrase: "unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies." The act of dying and being buried is necessary for the seed to fulfill its purpose and bring forth abundant life. It signifies surrendering our own desires, ambitions, and self-centeredness to God's will. It involves letting go of our own plans and allowing God to work in and through us for His purposes.
S - Summarize and Share - As I thought about this verse, I was reminded of the transformative power of surrender in our lives. Just like the kernel of wheat, we are called to die to ourselves and allow God to work in and through us. It us such a challenging concept, but it leads to a life of greater purpose, impact, and fruitfulness. When we let go of our own agendas and surrender to God's will, He can bring forth new life, growth, and blessings in and through us.
It is easy to get caught up in pursuing our own ambitions and striving for personal success. But, Jesus invites us to a different way of living. He calls us to lay down our lives, our dreams, and our own desires for the sake of His kingdom. When we surrender to Him, we become vessels through which His love, grace, and truth can flow to touch the lives of others.
Let's accept the invitation to let go of ourselves and follow God's plan. Every day, let's give our lives to Him and trust that His ways are better than ours. As we do this, our lives will reflect God's power and make a positive impact on others.
Bible Cross References -
John 12:25 - "Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life."
Matthew 16:24-25 - "Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.'"
Romans 6:4 - "We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life."
Galatians 2:20 - "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me, and the life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.