Saturday, October 19, 2013

The Vineyard- October 13, 2013


The Vineyard

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. – John 15:5

 

Genesis 17:1-27

Pray for God to speak to you through the reading of His word. 

Read the passage. 

-          Alternatives to Faith

o   Are you ever tempted to try to solve things on your own, rather than trusting God?  Do you trust more in your own good deeds for salvation, or in God’s grace?

-          Our Response to Divine Initiative

o   God takes the initiative with Abraham by giving the covenant, just as he takes the initiative with us by sending Jesus to die on the cross.  How might we respond to God’s initiative?

o   Are you ever tempted to see things like baptism and obedience, our responses to God’s grace, as ways we “earn” something? 

-          God is the Good News

o   Sometimes we see the promise of an heir, or of land as the crown jewel of God’s covenant with Abraham, but in reality the cornerstone of the covenant is God’s simple promise “I will be their God”.  Do we ever place more emphasis on the gifts of God, rather than God himself?

Pray that we will accept God’s grace, rather than seek alternatives based on our own will or merits. 

Pray that our response to God’s grace will be inward as well as outward.

Pray that we will cherish God as the greatest gift of all. 

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