Apicontent

Today’s Reading: John 15:1-11

Hearing God’s Voice for Today:

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes that it may bear more fruit…I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

* * * * *

This is the last of Jesus’ seven “I am” statements in John’s Gospel. Once again, it points to his deity.

He said, “I am the true vine.” The word “true” contrasts him with Israel. The term “vine,” or “vineyard,” was used in Old Testament nomenclature as a symbol of Israel. But Israel failed to produce fruit for the Father and be a light to the nations.

That is why Jesus is the true vine. As his followers abide in him, they will succeed where Israel failed. Through them, the gospel will spread throughout the world.

The Father in heaven is the vinedresser. His work in you ensures fruitfulness. This happens when he connects you, the branches, with Jesus, the vine. What connects you is your faith. That’s why the Lord desires great faith. When you are solidly one with him, his life will easily flow to you. Who he is becomes who you are. And with him, you can do anything.

As the vinedresser, the Father sometimes must prune branches. It can be painful, but it’s very purposeful. He does this so you will bear more fruit.

The Father prunes you. He sees certain things in your life that are preventing full fruitfulness and must be removed. Thus, the painful process of pruning begins.

Perhaps you are experiencing that right now. Something in your life has been removed that you thought was important. You’re wondering what the Father is doing.

As this pruning takes place, try to look at it from the Father’s perspective. He knows you well. He realizes what is keeping your full growth in him from happening. Trust him in the pruning. Though it’s painful, remember that he is an expert vinedresser. He knows what he’s doing.

And remain solidly connected to Jesus. Then the fruit of the Spirit will be produced in your character: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Then who you are will be reproduced in the lives of others. Remember: You reproduce who you are and not what you do. This brings much glory and praise to God.

The Lord created you to bear great fruit for him—both inwardly and outwardly. You should be like a tree on a riverbank, bearing fruit each season for him. Even in old age, you are to remain vital for the Lord and produce fruit for his glory. That’s why you were placed on this planet: For his life to be in you and to flow through you so that you bear much fruit for him.

Don’t be dismayed when pruning takes place. The Father is removing some good and bad fruit so you can produce more and better fruit. Just make sure you remain connected to the vine.

You were created to bear great fruit for God.

Jesus is the true vine. Remain in him.

Apart from him, you can do nothing.

[from “Hearing the Voice of God” by Pastor David Chadwick, Moments of Hope Church, Charlotte, NC]

Today’s Reading: John 15:12-17

Hearing God’s Voice for Today:

“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full…Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends…No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends. You did not choose me, but I chose you.”

* * * * *

Jesus wants you to have his complete joy. It comes by abiding in him. When your life is rooted in him, his joy will be in you. This reality can’t be forced or mandated. It naturally flows from him to you when you abide and remain in him.

The Savior wants you to know he loves you. The proof is that he laid down his life for you. It’s the greatest example of selfless love the world has ever seen. He laid down his life for his friends.

You are his friend. Moses and Abraham were also called his friends. Yes, before you gave your life to the Lord, you were a rebel and an enemy. But now, through Jesus’ death, you are a close friend. He will never betray or desert you. You are friends forever.

What a friend you have in Jesus! He bears all your sins and grief. You have the privilege of coming to him daily in prayer. You forfeit a lot of peace and bear much needless pain because you don’t go to him in prayer. So carry everything to him in prayer. After all, he is your friend.

Here is another insight about your relationship with Jesus. You are no longer merely a servant. Humanly speaking, servants have no rights or relationship with their master. They are second-class citizens. Their job description is simply to obey the master.

But as a believer, you are an adopted child of the King of the universe. All he owns is now yours. Royal blood pulsates through your veins. The Father yearns to spend time with you.

Yes, you still obey him—as a servant does. But there is a major shift in motivation. You obey because you want to, not because you have to. You obey because of your close relationship with him. Joy increases as you willingly obey what he tells you to do.

You are Jesus’ personal friend, and a chosen member of his heavenly family. He wants to spend time with you every day, as any good friend wants to do. He is closer than a brother. Your friendship with him will never be broken. He died so you could be friends. Could there be greater love? What more could he give to you?

Live today in the reality of that close, personal relationship.

It should bring joy to your heart. And make his joy in you complete.

[from “Hearing the Voice of God” by Pastor David Chadwick, Moments of Hope Church, Charlotte, NC]

Today’s Reading: John 15:18-25

Hearing God’s Voice for Today:

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you…I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you…A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you…Whoever hates me hates my Father also.”

* * * * *

If you are a faithful follower of Jesus, the world will hate you. Don’t be surprised when that happens. It first hated him.

Why does the world hate him? There are several reasons.

First, Jesus’ life exposes human pride. It shows how we trust in our own insights and ways. It shows self-exaltation and worship of self. It proves we want the world to revolve around us so that we get all the fame and glory. By contrast, his followers want only God to receive the glory.

Second, we want to control our own life. We want to oversee all the shots and yield control to no one. But the Lord calls us to yield control of our life and trust him. He tells us that if we try to save our life, we will lose it. But if we give up our life for his sake and the sake of the gospel, we will gain it.

Third, we want to earn our own salvation. We think we are good enough to enter heaven, but we aren’t. Jesus says that all fall far short of the glory of God. We need a Savior who will save us by grace, not our works. Only he can make this possible. We are offended when we hear that salvation is by his grace alone.

Jesus chose you out of the world to follow him. That means you are to reject the world’s values. You now belong to him and possess his kingdom values. They are completely different than the world’s values. The way you live for Jesus should remind people of their rebellion against him. As you live for him, the world will hate you as it hated him.

The servant is not greater than the master, nor is the pupil greater than the teacher, nor is the disciple greater than the mentor. If it happened to Jesus, it will happen to you. If people hate the word of truth, the world will hate it when you speak and live it.

When people hate you, don’t retaliate or seek revenge. Leave those individuals to heaven. The Lord will rightly deal with them when the time is right.

You may feel lonely at times. Don’t despair. Jesus will be with you wherever you may go. Even when you go through deep waters, he will be there with you. Don’t ever be shaken. Call upon the Lord and he will whisper to you, “I am right here.”

Yes, Jesus chose you from the world. Nevertheless, he calls you back into the world. You are to be in the world, but not of it.

You are Jesus’ light in a dark world. Shine brightly for his glory!

You are Jesus’ salt in a decaying world. Be very salty!

You are Jesus’ ambassador to the world. Represent him well!

And don’t be surprised when the hatred comes.

It shows you’re being effective for your Lord.

[from “Hearing the Voice of God” by Pastor David Chadwick, Moments of Hope Church, Charlotte, NC]

Today’s Reading: John 15:26-27

Hearing God’s Voice for Today:

“But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.”

* * * * *

Jesus promised his disciples that the Holy Spirit would come to them. He would infuse in them a power from heaven. His life would live in and through them.

The Holy Spirit’s purpose is to bear witness to Jesus. He wants no public attention or acclaim for himself. He is the silent sovereign.

Note the concept of the Trinity here in John 15:26-27. Though the term Trinity never appears in the Bible, the idea is clearly seen. The Holy Spirit flows from the Father, at Jesus’ command, to bear witness to the Son. There is one God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. There are not three gods in Christian orthodoxy.

The Trinity is a profound mystery. It can’t be explained by human logic. But it’s clearly taught and seen in the Word. For example, Jesus told his disciples to baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.⁹

The Holy Spirit wants to bear witness to Jesus. He desires that his name be exalted above all other names.

When the Spirit enters your life, you desire to yield to his guidance. His heart becomes your heart and you are motivated to bear witness for Jesus as well.

At Pentecost, that’s exactly what happened. When the Holy Spirit filled the 120 who were gathered in the Upper Room, they were consumed with a desire to witness to those who had gathered in Jerusalem from many nations. They flooded the streets to share the good news. They were so joyful that some observers thought them to be intoxicated in the early morning hours.

Jesus told the disciples that when the Holy Spirit came upon them, they’d be his witnesses—both locally and globally. A major evidence of the infilling of the Spirit in your life is your bold and confident witness about the Lord—both locally and globally.

Do you desire to witness for Jesus? Or are you still trying to please people? Are you more concerned about your reputation than his? Are you concerned your name will be rejected rather than his name exalted?

You can’t have it both ways. You can’t be Jesus’ follower and say you’re filled with the Holy Spirit and not be a bold witness for him. In fact, the word “witness,” in the original Greek text, is martus—the word from which we get the English word martyr.

If you are a witness for Jesus, you are willing to give your life for the Lord’s cause. You are faithful until the end of this life. You cannot deny the reality of what Jesus has done in you. You know he has begun a good work in you and you’re certain he will be faithful to complete it, even if you are called to be a martyr.

Is this you?

Are you a faithful witness?

[from “Hearing the Voice of God” by Pastor David Chadwick, Moments of Hope Church, Charlotte, NC]

Today’s Reading: John 16:1-11

Hearing God’s Voice for Today:

“When he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.”

* * * * *

Here, Jesus has much to say to us about the promised Helper. When he comes, he will do three necessary works that will point people toward faith in him. What are they?

First, he will convict people of their sin. This is the important first step that’s necessary for someone to come to faith. Most people believe they are basically good and occasionally do bad things. The opposite is true. They are basically selfish and occasionally do good things. And they need to realize that the wages of sin is death. The Helper will convict them of this essential truth and their need for a Savior.

Second, he will convict people of their unrighteousness. Perfect obedience to God’s moral law, the Ten Commandments, is God’s standard for salvation. Yet no one can ever achieve it. No one is righteous, not one. All people fall far short of God’s glory. Once this conviction occurs from the Helper, they will realize their need for a Savior.

Third, he will convict people of the reality of the final judgment. This teaching is unpopular. People prefer to believe that life is only about eating, drinking, and being merry—for tomorrow you may die. They think that God is an eternal granddaddy who, after death, will merely wink at them, pat them on the head, and say, “There, there, it’ll all be okay.”

The Helper will contradict this lie. He will convict people that one day they will face their Maker and be held accountable for how they lived. He will remind them that a future, eternal judgment is coming. Jesus will be the Judge of the living and the dead. By revealing this truth, the Helper will show people their need for a Savior.

No one will come to Jesus for salvation unless they are convicted by the Holy Spirit of their sin, unrighteousness, and the reality of a final judgment. People will love him in direct proportion to how great a sinner they know they are. Until the Helper convicts them of these realities, they will never feel a need for a Savior. No one will move toward faith.

But if you have not received Jesus as your Savior, you are a sinner who has missed God’s mark for your life. You are a rebel who has fought against his kingdom rule. You are ungodly, seeking your own selfish way. You deserve eternal separation from him, with hell being your eternal destiny.

Has the Helper convicted your heart of these awful realities? If so, here is some good news.

Jesus personally carried your sins in his body on the cross so that you can be dead to sin and live for what is right. Once you’ve confessed your sins to him, he will forgive you of all unrighteousness and you will possess a personal relationship with him. Your eternal trajectory will have changed.

Heaven is your eternal home.

And you now know how amazing God’s grace truly is.

[from “Hearing the Voice of God” by Pastor David Chadwick, Moments of Hope Church, Charlotte, NC]

Today’s Reading: John 16:12-15

Hearing God’s Voice for Today:

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.”

* * * * *

Jesus’ greatest gift to you is not earthly presents but his eternal presence. He promised he would be with you—even to the close of the age. That promise is fulfilled when, at the moment of salvation, the Spirit of truth comes to you.

Notice Jesus called him the Spirit of truth. He wants to guide you into all truth. There is absolute truth in the world; the Father ordered it that way.

Jesus is that truth.

If you are truly seeking him with all your heart, you will be guided into all truth. You will deny the lie of this world that truth is whatever you believe it to be or that truth is a social construct. Rather, you will understand the difference between right and wrong and be able to discern good from evil. Absolute truth will form the foundation of your faith.

The Spirit of truth does not speak on his own authority. He hears from Jesus, and Jesus speaks through him. The Spirit only speaks what Jesus tells him.

The Helper does not want any attention. He wishes to point people to Jesus and for him alone to be exalted. He yearns for you to see that Jesus is the King of kings. He longs for you to believe that one day, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord.

The Holy Spirit knows the future and how the world will end. He reveals insights about future events—especially Jesus’ second coming— through the Word. Though you should never attempt to predict the time or date of Christ’s return, you are told to look at the times and seasons and discern how they fit with his revelations.

The Helper not only knows the world’s future, but also discerns your future. He is aware of where your life is headed. Perhaps he will reveal it to you.

Most often, though, he will not.

Nothing in your life is catching the Helper by surprise. He will guide you with every step you take. You do not need to worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s troubles are enough for today. The Holy Spirit is guiding you along the right path and is watching over every step you take. You can be sure his plans for you are good.

Do you need truth today? Seek the Holy Spirit of truth. He will reveal it to you.

Do you want to glorify Jesus with all your words and works? That is the Helper’s desire as well. Seek the Holy Spirit of truth. He will show you how to glorify Jesus.

The Spirit’s presence and guidance is Jesus’ greatest gift to you.

Rest peacefully and securely today in him.

[from “Hearing the Voice of God” by Pastor David Chadwick, Moments of Hope Church, Charlotte, NC]

Today’s Reading: John 13:36-38

Hearing God’s Voice for Today:

“Simon Peter said to him, ‘Lord, where are you going?’ Jesus answered him, ‘Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward.’ Peter said to him, ‘Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.’ Jesus answered, ‘Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.’”

* * * * *

Jesus loved Simon Peter. He knew this disciple had a big heart for him. There was little question about Peter’s devotion to the Lord.

But how Peter struggled with his flesh! He was so impetuous. Frequently he would speak before thinking. His emotions easily swayed him. That’s why Jesus called him “Simon bar Jonah.” In Scripture, “Jonah” is the same word for “dove.” As a dove flies one direction and abruptly changes to another, so did Peter.

After Jesus’ death and resurrection, Peter even fudged on the gospel of grace. He was in Antioch, eating with Gentiles—as he should have been. Then the Judaizers came to town. They were convinced that new believers needed to be under Jewish law and be circumcised, and they persuaded Peter of this. So he stopped having fellowship with Gentile converts.

Paul called out Peter publicly for his prejudice. Peter knew he was wrong and repented immediately.

Do you see the pattern? Even when you are filled with the Holy Spirit, your flesh can still be easily manipulated. Often your spirit is willing, but your flesh is weak.

Peter asked Jesus where he was going. The Lord told Peter it was a place he couldn’t immediately come to. Later, he would be able to. Jesus was referring to heaven. Peter said he wanted to follow the Lord now and would even be willing to die for him.

Once again, Peter was being impetuous. He didn’t understand the profound disappointment he would feel after Jesus’ death, nor the antagonism, hatred, fury, and persecution that he would receive from the religious authorities. Jesus foresaw the future. He knew that Peter would deny him three times.

Peter and Judas behaved similarly. Judas was tempted by power and money and failed Jesus. Peter was tempted by fear and cowardice and failed Jesus. Even though their sins were different, they both betrayed the Lord in his hour of greatest need.

Though they behaved similarly, their responses were very different. Judas never repented. He felt sorrow for what he had done, but he never repented. Instead, he committed suicide. By contrast, Peter felt sorrow and repented. And Jesus, in one of his resurrection appearances, assured Peter three times of his unconditional love and forgiveness for him—one for each of Peter’s betrayals. Their relationship was restored.

Repentance is the key. It stops the behavior that is breaking God’s heart. It admits you are wrong and chooses to go in a different direction. If you return to the Lord and repent of your wrong, he will restore you. He loves to heal wayward hearts and give second chances.

Failure happens only when you fail to return to Jesus. His grace covers all sins—no matter how great or small, including Peter’s. Including yours.

You can’t sin beyond his grace.

[from “Hearing the Voice of God” by Pastor David Chadwick, Moments of Hope Church, Charlotte, NC]

Today’s Reading: John 13:1-5

Hearing God’s Voice for Today:

“He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.”

* * * * *

The Jews had rejected Jesus. It was the night before he went to the cross. He was nearing the Father’s appointed time to die.

As you read about his preparation for the cross, keep in mind these three points:

First, because the Jews had rejected Jesus, he was now devoting his full attention to those who had faithfully followed him to the end. Through them, he was going to start a movement that would change the world. They were now his focus.

Second, the devil had put into Judas’s heart the desire to betray Jesus. Satan was the tempter from the beginning. Though Satan’s temptations are inevitable and common to all, he can’t force you to do anything against your will. But he can tempt you in the hopes of getting you to make bad choices. That’s what he did with Judas, who loved money and power. He ensnared Judas and had him choose to betray Jesus. Beware! The enemy works to ensnare you in similar ways.

Third, the Father in heaven had given Jesus all authority in heaven and on earth. The Son had come from him, and would soon return to him.

These lessons are ones you need to know well. But the most important lesson—one that applies to all believers—is Jesus’ call on your life to be a servant. Why did he take the towel and basin and began washing the disciples’ feet? Luke’s Gospel tells us. According to his telling of what happened that night, an argument had erupted among the disciples about who was the greatest (Luke 22:24-27). Sadly, this selfish debate exploded several times during their three-plus years together.

That’s when Jesus took the towel and basin and started washing the disciples’ feet. This domestic duty was usually reserved for a household helper. It was essential in a culture where people wore sandals and walked many miles on dusty or muddy roads, which would cause their feet to become exceedingly dirty.

Jesus himself had carried out a most menial household duty that only the lowest of servants would perform. He was showing humility— the earmark of anyone who would choose to follow him. He wanted all his followers to emulate his example.

You are called to wash others’ feet. You are called to serve, not be served, and to give your life away to a dying world.

Do you acknowledge this truth today? If so, go find someone whose feet you can wash. Find someone you can serve. Find someone to whom you can give hope.

You will find yourself when you lose yourself in something greater than yourself. Your depression will lift like the noonday sun shining on creation.

It’s one of the most important lessons you can ever learn.

[from “Hearing the Voice of God” by Pastor David Chadwick, Moments of Hope Church, Charlotte, NC]

Today’s Reading: John 13:6-11

Hearing God’s Voice for Today:

“Jesus answered them, ‘The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.’ For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, ‘Not all of you are clean.’”

* * * * *

There were two symbolic meanings behind the foot-washing Jesus gave to the disciples. He wants all his followers to understand both of them.

Peter objected when Jesus began to wash his feet. When Jesus told Peter that he could not share in fellowship with him unless he washed his feet, Peter asked Jesus to wash his entire body.

Peter’s objection points to the first meaning: the forgiveness of your sins. This was the purpose of the cross. When you accept the washing made available through the cross, you become “completely clean” in God’s eyes. All sins are forever forgiven and you become his for all eternity. The only exception among the disciples was Judas, who had already decided to betray Jesus. He was not one of our Lord’s sheep.

There was another symbolic meaning behind the foot washing: Yes, you are forever forgiven. But as you continue your life’s journey, you will still sin and accumulate dirt on your soul. You’ll still fall prey to your old nature’s yearnings to rebel against the Lord. You’ll still need to return to him and ask for forgiveness.

John, in one of the letters he penned to the churches, wrote, “If you confess your sins, he is faithful and just and forgives you of all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

In other words, even as God’s child, you will need daily grace.

When you do something that hurts the Lord’s heart, come back to the cross. Be washed again. Receive anew his steadfast love. It never ceases. It is new every morning.

Jesus loves to clean a sullied heart. He loves to renew a right spirit in us. He desires to give grace to the disobedient.

Jesus asks just one thing: Don’t use his grace as an excuse to sin. That cheapens his grace. It makes a mockery of his death and resurrection. In doing this, you are taking advantage of his love as you rebel against him. It’s a total misuse and abuse of his grace. It breaks his heart, and it deserves his severest condemnation.

Yes, following Jesus is costly. It’s not for the fainthearted. It demands all you are to be all he is. It is extremely difficult and challenging at times.

But his grace is the fuel that will keep you moving forward. It will never fail you. It’s what has empowered you to live for Jesus until now. This grace will lead you home.

It should lead to a fervent faithfulness as you follow him.

Let Jesus wash you again and again with his grace—today, and every day.

[from “Hearing the Voice of God” by Pastor David Chadwick, Moments of Hope Church, Charlotte, NC]

Today’s Reading: John 13:12-20

Hearing God’s Voice for Today:

“I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’”

* * * * *

Jesus was instructing his disciples about faithfulness. But he wanted them to realize that even though he had chosen all twelve of them, there was one who would not be faithful. He would betray Jesus. His name was Judas.

Have you ever been betrayed? Has someone hurt you deeply through lies, deceptions, and behind-the-scenes manipulations?

Most people have experienced this crucible. Some of them were great men of faith. For example, Moses faced a rebellion led by Korah. King David experienced betrayal on two different occasions by two different people. The first time was Ahithophel—a close friend and advisor. The second occurred through his son Absalom. The apostle Paul was betrayed by Alexander the Coppersmith and Demas.

It happened to Jesus as well. He wasn’t surprised. Scripture had to be fulfilled (Psalm 41:9). But it still stung and scorched him. He loved Judas. He had made him treasurer over all money given to the disciples. This was not a small amount to oversee. Some widows gave significant money to fund Jesus’ ministry. Judas had an important responsibility. Sadly, he failed the Lord.

Is there someone in your life who has betrayed and hurt you? If so, Jesus can empathize with the hurt in your heart. But you must not allow bitterness to eat away at your soul. It is a root that can defile you and many who live around you. It can choke away the Lord’s grace and mercy.

If you cling to bitterness, you are the one eventually hurt the most. It’s like drinking arsenic and expecting the other person to die. You repeatedly pay the price for another’s sins against you. Sometimes this person is not even in your life anymore, and yet he continues to hurt you—even from the other side of the grave! That makes no sense.

You must forgive those who have hurt you. Refuse to hold a grudge so that the Father in heaven will forgive you. Release them to the Lord. Let him settle all debts and enact revenge. He knows all the details of what happened—much better than you do.

His justice is perfect.

If you persist in exacting revenge, Jesus will take his hands off the problem. It will become your deal. Or you can trust him and know that he will enact justice in the right way and time.

God has forgiven you a billion-dollar debt you owed him. Now forgive the person who owes you a ten-thousand-dollar debt. Let God settle the score.

In so doing, you are then released from the prison of your bitterness— and set free to live for the Lord.

[from “Hearing the Voice of God” by Pastor David Chadwick, Moments of Hope Church, Charlotte, NC]