Good Morning Friends,
Today we reflect on the nature of the Church—the Bride of Christ—and on what it means to love God and our neighbors from the inside out. When we look in the mirror, we may think we are polished and prepared, yet God lovingly humbles us so we can become holy. Along the way, we must discern which voice we are hearing: the world, the flesh, the devil, or the Holy Spirit. Our wisdom and generosity cannot compare to God’s, yet we still ask: How do we become more like Jesus, come clean, and keep tending the garden of our souls?
Scripture:1 Kings 10:1–10, Mark 7:14–23, James 1:22–25, and Genesis 2:4b–9, 15–17
Message: God deserves a “wow factor” in our worship—a banquet of spiritual nourishment. Like polished silver, our lives should reflect God’s love from the inside out. Solomon’s encounter with the Queen of Sheba reminds us that true wisdom seeks God with wholehearted devotion. Yet our calling is more than imitating biblical figures; it is remembering who we reflect and who deserves the glory. We cannot love others well until we first receive God’s love. The danger is claiming credit for what only God can do. The Holy Spirit dwells in us so our lives may offer praise, thanksgiving, and genuine fruit. Life in Christ is more about being someone who loves than doing things to be loved. Like gardeners, we work with soil—messy, earthy, real. Not everything in the garden is meant to be consumed, and not everything brings lasting joy. The Pharisees confused tradition with holiness and missed the joy of God’s garden. The real issue is not external dirt but the condition of the heart.
And So, cultivating a spiritual garden is challenging. Some are lost, some believe, some work, but few multiply disciples. Sharing Jesus takes kindness, grace, and authenticity. Jesus Himself got His hands dirty—teaching, healing, serving, even washing feet. We learn from Him how to tend the garden of God’s kingdom.
Pray our Sunday worship spills into the week. Pray we seek God daily in prayer and Scripture. Pray we obey God moment by moment. Pray our lives and words witness to Christ. Pray we trust God with every detail. Pray the Holy Spirit empowers our growth and our influence. Pray we embrace God’s strategy for Kingdom growth. Pray Scripture renews our minds and reorients our hearts toward God. Pray we lead others into a relationship with Christ. Pray we surrender all we are to live in union with God. Pray our worship reflects the unity, love, and glory of Father, Son, and Spirit. Pray our faith is refined like gold, knowing God owns all the gold. Pray we distinguish between law and tradition, love and culture. Pray our bodies and lives become gardens of new creation. Pray we invite others into the great adventure of tending God’s garden and bearing much fruit.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 