Today’s Bible Verse

You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and I have appointed you [I have planted you], that you might go and bear fruit and keep on bearing, and that your fruit may be lasting [that it may remain, abide], so that whatever you ask the Father in My Name [as presenting all that I Am], He may give it to you.

John 15:16 (AMPC)

Chosen

As a child, I remember playing Tug-of-War in school and relishing the thought of victory as we pulled together to achieve the win.  Having the strongest people on your side most assuredly meant victory.  I also remember not being on the strongest side and “feeling” like I was doing all the work, blaming everyone else when we lost even though “I” was a part of the team.

Perhaps I should have instead focused on our strengths, focused on what we could accomplish together as a team.  Instead, I did my team a disservice because my “whole” heart was not there.  Subsequently, I ended up giving the other team the advantage. 

Is it possible that we have been in a position as Christians and leaders, to have given the other side the advantage because our heart is on the other side?  Perhaps there has been a longing for what you perceive to be available on the other side rather than His redemptive power on this side of glory.

In the past, instead of working with the Holy Spirit, I was instead engaged in a tug-of-war battle.  A battle over control, over trust, and over my calling.  I came to the realization that not only am I on the same team as the Holy Spirit, but I have also been chosen and appointed to bear long-lasting fruit.  What was on the other side was NOT going to fulfill me.  It was NOT going to transform or change my story for the better.  If I continued to fight God over where He had placed me in the body or where He wanted to take me, I would not be able to experience the benefits of bearing fruit. 

See, the benefit of bearing fruit is that whatever you and I ask the Father in Jesus’ Name, He may give to you! Family, we have been chosen and appointed for greatness in the Kingdom, and our Father wants to ensure that we are in a position to obtain those things that we desire so that we can accomplish our mission, the mission to win souls and make disciples. (Pastor Orlando Sagarnaga, Word of Life Arizona)

Change My Story

What are you currently doing right now that has put you on the opposite end of the power of the Holy Ghost?  What arguments have you allowed to take hold of you?  What mindsets have you allowed to STOP what God has in store for you and your family?  I encourage you to examine your heart, surrender to the power of the Holy Spirit, and walk in your rightful position as a child of God, chosen and appointed to bear much fruit for HIS glory!

Today’s Declaration

Holy Spirit, I declare today that I am on YOUR team.  Whatever You would have me do, I will do!  Whatever You would have me say, I will say.  I will go where You tell me to go!  I am a new creation, and I have been reborn to accomplish great things in this world.  I declare that I not only bear fruit, but I bear MUCH fruit!  I declare and believe this by faith, in the Name of Jesus, Amen!

Today’s Bible Reading

• Old Testament: 1 Kings 11; Psalms 119:49-56
• New Testament: Luke 2:21-40; Ephesians 4:1-16