We have the Exodus study going now (along with a hack-free blog!) and I mentioned starting some meditations on John 15. These are meant to be meaningful snippets to bring refreshment throughout the week. There is a short verse, then a bit of application. At the end there is a moment to praise Him, confess to Him, and petition Him. Make this portion your own – and from your own heart. I’ve provided words from my own soul to simply guide you.

“I am the true vine…” (John 15:1)

 If you haven’t heard the song Chain Breaker by Zach Williams, it’s my new favorite. The first part of the lyrics go like this:

If you’ve been walking the same old road for miles and miles

If you’ve been hearing the same old voice tell the same old lies

If you’re trying to fill the same old holes inside

There’s a better life

There’s a better life

Christ tells us in John 15 that the better life is Him. He’s the Vine – and we’re going to spend time understanding what that means and petitioning God for His divine reality regarding His seventh (and final) “I AM” statement before His crucifixion.

Jesus states that He is the true vine, which means there are substitutes in this world. This is a point of reflection and should give us pause. Friends, we all have imitations of Christ in our life we allow. Sometimes they don’t look wrong in appearance, but they aren’t right for us and our relationship with Christ. Ask God to reveal what’s not right for you and strip out those vain substitutions.

Praise

 Jesus, we praise You because You are the true vine. This world offers us so many fakes which claim to bring us rest and satisfaction, yet we are still empty. You are the Only. Thank you for going to the cross so I could receive Your precious grace.

Confess

 Lord, I confess that I’ve mixed imitations into the purity of who You are. I’ve tasted and tried many concoctions in order to patch my heart holes – yet I still lack. Forgive me for trying to substitute You, and give me who You are: whole and true.

Petition

 Your Word says in Psalm 34:8 to taste and see that the Lord is good. Father, I want a divine taste of You. I bow down and still my busy heart. I worship and wait for the divine Word to enter my heart in this very moment. Overshadow me with Your holy love and give me the perfect calm and rest knowing that You can do all. Amen.