Listen to this devotion
Living in the Spirit … Is God's Choice for Me
In the Word
“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide” (John 15:16a).
Of the Word
Life is filled with choices — what car to drive, what clothes to buy, which TV channels to watch, which foods to eat. Sometimes the choices bring satisfaction, and sometimes they bring great disappointment.
In and of ourselves, there is one choice we cannot make. We cannot choose God. Instead, Jesus assures us, I chose you … It is the Holy Spirit who enables us to hear God’s call.
And what is our response? We know how to handle life’s other choices: we drive the car, we wear the clothes, we laugh and learn from TV, we get nourishment from foods. Our response to God’s choice is to follow His direction, … go and bear fruit …
The fruit may be as simple as smiling at the harried supermarket clerk or helping the toddler get his shoes on the right feet. It may be as difficult as “parenting” an aged parent or working in a special church or community ministry. These are fruits that will last because they are responses to God’s gifts to us.
Walking with my Lord
Dear Lord, thank You for choosing me. I know that I could never have chosen You on my own. Thank You for the gifts You have given to me. Help me to use them to bear lasting fruit for You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Mustard Seed: Living in the Spirit. Authors: Marcia Gomulka, Deaconess Betty Knapp, Myrna Lou Meyer. 5/30 ©2007, revised 2024 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
