May 24 – John 15:3

John 15:3 Amp You are cleansed and pruned already, because of the Word which I have given you — the teaching I have discussed with you. In just a couple chapters — same last talk He has with them — He says, “Sanctify them — purify, consecrate, separate them for Yourself, make them holy — by the Truth. Your Word is Truth. As we read His Word,... Read More

May 23 – John 15:2

John 15:2 Amp Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit — that stops bearing — He cuts away (trims off, takes away). And He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit. Aren’t you glad! If there’s a part of us that is keeping us from producing for the kingdom, He’ll... Read More

May 22 – John 15:1

John 15:1 NIV “I am the true vine, and My Father is the gardener.” Amp – “…is the Vinedresser.” We’ve looked at the Father as a shepherd. Now He’s a gardener. Again making sure we have food and water, but now also doing the pruning that makes sure we are fruitful. Annie, I think I could talk about the first few verses of this chapter... Read More

May 21 – John 15:1

John 15:1a NIV [Jesus speaking] I am the true vine… In just a few verses, He says, “I am the Vine, you are the branches.” This time the emphasis must be on “true.” What other things could we attach ourselves to? If we get our sustenance (reason for being, for working, for anything) anywhere but Jesus, we are attached to the wrong, a false, vine.... Read More

Making Use of Waiting Times

Yesterday I had to drive in to the hospital to sign some paperwork with my husband. (It was house stuff – we’re under contract now!) He was pulled in for a procedure right before I arrived. This happens, and it’s ok. Instead of wallowing in the crookedness of my front teeth for the next half hour, I picked up the camera and experimented with more manual exposure... Read More

May 20 – Jeremiah 6:16

Jeremiah 6:16 NIV, Amp NIV – This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. Amp – Thus says the Lord, Stand by the roads and look, and ask for the eternal paths, where is the good, old way; then walk in it, and you will find rest for your... Read More

May 19 – John 14-1

John 14-16 Lots of “ask” verses I have a little story to tell you today. In the middle of all this rainlessness (I don’t know if it’s really a true drought yet.), I kept watching the weather predictions. Rain, but we got none. Even the weeds were drying up. Rain all around, but not here. Are You noticing, God? So yesterday I visited with Him. “You... Read More

May 18 – John 12:3

John 12:3 Amp Mary took a pound of ointment of pure liquid nard [a rare perfume] that was very expensive, and she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair. And the whole house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. May your whole house (and mine) be filled with the “fragrance” of our worship. Whatever we do “as unto the Lord;”... Read More

May 17 – Psalm 23:6

Psalm 23:6b NIV ….and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. You close on your house today. Your first house. A lovely little house that you’re already making into a real home. Remember, in the middle of this earthly happiness, to dwell, put your roots down and grow, in the Lord. His house is our eternal home, and anything we have here will pale in the... Read More

May 16 – Psalm 23:6

Psalm 23:6a NIV Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life… Can you imagine living life with this knowledge before you all the time? God’s love will always be there; it’s following you! Love borne out of goodness. God is good. God loves you. Sound familiar, Annie? You can build your life on it. It will stand. Forever. To catch... Read More