Jesus Calling - December 27th, 2024

Jesus Calling: December 27

I am preparing you for what is on the road ahead, just around the bend. Take time to be still in My Presence so that I can strengthen you. The busier you become, the more you need this time apart with me. So many people think that time spent with Me is a luxury they cannot afford. As a result they live and work in their own strength -- until that becomes depleted. Then they either cry out to Me for help or turn away in bitterness.
     How much better it is to walk close to Me, depending on My strength and trusting Me in every situation. If you live in this way, you will do less but accomplish far more. Your unhurried pace of living will stand out in this rush-crazed age. Some people may deem you lazy, but many more will be blessed by your peacefulness. Walk in the Light with Me, and you will reflect Me to the watching world.

RELATED SCRIPTURE:

Isaiah 64:4 (NLT)
4 For since the world began,
    no ear has heard
and no eye has seen a God like you,
    who works for those who wait for him!

John 15:5 (NLT)
5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.

Additional insight regarding John 15:5: "Fruit" is not limited to soul winning. In this chapter, answer prayer, joy, and love are mentioned as fruit (John 15:7, 11, 12). Galatians 5:22-24 and 2nd Peter 1:5-8 describe additional fruit: qualities of Christian character. Remaining in Christ means (1) believing that he is God's Son, (2) receiving him as Savior and Lord, (3) doing what God says, (4) continuing to believe in the Good News, and (5) relating in love to the community of believers, Christ's body.

Psalm 36:9 (NLT)
9 For you are the fountain of life,
    the light by which we see.

Additional insight regarding Psalm 36:9: "Fountain of Life" is a vivid image of fresh, cleansing water that gives life to the spiritually thirsty. This same picture is used in Jeremiah 2:13, where God is called the "fountain of living water." Jesus spoke of himself as living water that could quench thirst forever and give eternal life (John 4:14: "But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.").