Devo John 18:4-11

4Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them,
“Who is it you want?” 5”Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am he,” Jesus said.
(And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) 6When Jesus said, “I am
he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7Again he asked them, “Who is it
you want?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” 8”I told you that I am he,” Jesus
answered. “If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” 9This happened
so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those
you gave me.” 10Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the
high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.)
11Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the
Father has given me?”

Meditation
1. Go over the passage slowly with humility. Wait for God to speak to me about
Peter’s actions here.
2. Read this passage again. How does the story of Peter both self-confident(v10)
and weak (vv25-27) encourage me? When have I felt like Peter?
3. Talk to God about this. Allow the Holy Spirit to work to heal and to mold in
me slowly and surely.

Personal Note:
When people attack Jesus, what is my reaction?  Fight back,

Devo John 15:1-9

1”I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2He cuts off every branch
in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so
that it will be even more fruitful. 3You are already clean because of the word I
have spoken to you. 4Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear
fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you
remain in me. 5”I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and
I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6If anyone
does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such
branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7If you remain in me
and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.
8This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be
my disciples. 9”As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in
my love.

Meditation
1. Jesus’ disciples are branches, He is the Vine. As we remain in His love, we
produce fruit. A branch draws its nutrients from the vine. In the same way
we draw the spiritual vitality from Jesus in order for us to produce fruit. Thus
Jesus says clearly, “Apart from me you can do nothing.”
2. For the branches to bear more fruits, the gardener needs to prune his vine
regularly. The great Gardener, our heavenly Father, works with extreme care
to prune His vines. We’re assured that God, the gardener, actively tending
His vineyard, is fully committed to bring us to maximum fruitfulness. God’s
pruning work benefits us, it doesn’t threaten us.
3. Remain in the Lord and thank Him for the necessary pruning in order for me
to be fruitful.

Personal Note:
I know that I am in the good hands of God.  I am to remain in Jesus Christ in order to bear fruit.  I am willing to follow Jesus Christ's leading and let God's Spirit work in me.