Bible.com 1 Corinthians 1:4–9 (NIV) 4   I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Point 3 - Total Depravity Today: 1 Peter 5

Jonah 1 (NASB95) 1 The word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai saying, 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh said to them, “I am a Hebrew, and I fear the LORD God of heaven who made the sea and the dry land.” 10 —for the sea was becoming increasingly stormy. 12 He said to them, “Pick me up and throw me into the sea will become calm for you, for I know that on account of me this great storm has come upon you.” 13 (Rom. 10:14-15).

Participating in the sacraments connects you to God's covenant people in all ages. 1 Corinthians 10:1 –4 (ESV) 1  For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, Today: John 15

You can't produce fruit if you're disconnected from Christ. Read / Listen Listen to passage & devotional: Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 64 Q. But doesn’t this teaching (that our works do not contribute to our salvation) make people indifferent and wicked? A. No. It is impossible for those grafted into Christ by true faith not to produce fruits of gratitude. Summary There are two words the Bible uses to describe how to live a fruitful life. The word used most often to describe successful Christians is the word Jesus uses in the example of a grape plant which bears fruit. This word has a passive feel to it. Jesus explains that as long as a branch remains connected to the vine, it will bear fruit. In other words, the fruit is going to come as long as the connection is maintained, just like a grape branch, when given the proper inputs, can't help but bear fruit. Sadly this isn't the case for every branch. Some grow off as long, wild shoots with lots of stem but no leaves or flowers. Others bury themselves under other branches, hidden from the sunlight. Still others seem to be in just the right condition, getting plenty of water, nutrients and sunlight, but for whatever reason nothing comes out of them. In each of these cases the unfruitful branches are cut of and thrown into the burn pile. In the second half of this passage, Jesus puts 'flesh' on this metaphor so to speak. He is the vine, and you and I are the branches. As long as we remain connected to Him - that is, as long as His Word and Spirit are flowing into our lives - He assures us that we will bear fruit. But some people are not content with this relationship, and shoot off on their own. Many bury themselves in the busyness of life, and although connected to the nutrients, do not absorb them. Apart from me, Jesus says, these people can do nothing, and their unfruitful lives will be cut off and thrown away. Dig Deeper Our instinct is to prefer the other word the Bible uses in regards to fruitfulness. We want to be people who produce fruit in our lives. Produce is a much more active word, and conjures up images of hard work, resourcefulness, and downright determination. Those are all good things, but most of the time the Bible uses the word produce, it does so in a negative way. Pharisees are quite often the people the Bible speaks of in connection with trying to produce fruit. They work super hard to impress their neighbors and appease their own consciences, but their reliance is totally on themselves, disconnected from the nutrients of the the true vine. The result is often like a Red Delicious apple: it looks really good and shiny on the outside, but not very appealing when the skin is peeled back. You've been created to be fruitful - to do and make things that reflect and glorify the image of God that you've been created in. Most of this world, separated from the vine by sin, is either desperately expending energy trying to produce fruit on their own, or they've given up trying and consequentially have very little meaning in their lives. So stay connected to the Vine - Jesus Christ. As you immerse yourself in the nutrients that flow from His Word, your life will naturally bear fruit. NOTE: The English Bible translations often use 'bear' and 'produce' interchangeably (even the Catechism uses the word produce). The contrast is much more noticeable in the Greek. AAA Prayer (About) ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Our Father, the gardner, who cuts away unfruitful branches; ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that you remain connected to the vine so that your life bears the fruit it was designed for. ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year, a chapter a day - Philippians 2

Isaiah 1:1–20 (NASB95) 1 The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz concerning Judah and Jerusalem LORD of hosts Had left us a few survivors, We would be like Sodom, We would be like Gomorrah. 10 the LORD, You rulers of Sodom; Give ear to the instruction of our God, You people of Gomorrah. 11 rams And the fat of fed cattle; And I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls, lambs or goats. 12 13 “Bring your worthless offerings no longer, Incense is an abomination to Me.

Joshua 1:1–9  After the death of Moses the servant of the L ORD , the L ORD said to Joshua son of Nun Canons of Dordt Point V Article 14: God’s Use of Means in Perseverance Just as it has pleased God to

Faithlife.com Leviticus 1:1–9 (NIV) 1 The L ORD  called to Moses and spoke to him from the tent of Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 19 Q.

The people of Israel then began to demand a king like the nations. 1 Samuel 8:6-20 (NIV) 6  But when   Samuel told all the words of the LORD to the people who were asking him for a king. 11  He said, “This sons and make them serve with his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots. 12   He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. 14  He will take the best of your On one hand, there is no authority except that which God has established ( Romans 13 ) .

Stay busy building life even as you expect Jesus to return at any moment. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6 (NIV Listen to passage & devotional: Belgic Confession of Faith, Article   37: The Last Judgment (Part 1) For all those who died before that time will be raised from the earth, their spirits being joined and throttle them back a little bit in his second letter, since many had quit their jobs (2 Thess. 3:6-12 with, Paul's prescription for each is remarkably similar - and not just from Paul, but also Peter and John

1 Corinthians 1:21-25 (NIV) 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election 1 - God's right to condemn all people 2 - God Today: Mark 12