WATCHWORD:
5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you[b] will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so, you will be My disciples. John 15:5-8
Meditation:
Is God in My Pumpkin?
Let us begin with prayer — Thank you, Lord, for the blessings you have bestowed on our lives. You have provided us with more than we could ever imagine. You have surrounded each of us with people who care. You have given us family and friends who bless us every day with kind words and actions. They lift us up in ways that keep our eyes focused on you, Lord, and make our spirits soar.
Also, thank you, Lord, for keeping us safe during this time of uncertainty. You protect us from those things that seem to haunt others. You help us make better choices. You speak to us in so many ways so that we always know you are here.
And Lord, we are so grateful for keeping those close to us safe and loved. We hope that you provide us with the ability and sense to show them every day how much they matter. We hope that you give us the ability to give to them the same kindness they have provided to us. We are so grateful for all of your blessings, Lord. We pray that you will remind us how favored we are, and that you never allow us to forget to show our gratitude in prayer and in generous acts of kindness. Thank you, Lord. In your name, Amen.
Stan Ott is a long-time Presbyterian pastor who has seen the church through transformational eyes and theology. Years ago, I attended a conference where Stan was one of the speakers, he told a little story about a time, during the Halloween season, when his three-year-old daughter interrupted his early morning meditation time. He invited his daughter onto his lap, and explained to her that she would need to be quiet, but she could talk to God if she liked. The child remained in thoughtful silence for a time, then whispered, “Is God here?” Yes, Stan replied, God is here. Then after a period of silence, she whispered, “Is God everywhere?” Yes, God is everywhere. Another a period of silence, then she whispered again, “Is God in my pumpkin”. Trying to keep a straight face, Stan replied, Yes, God is in your pumpkin. To which his daughter replied, “Why is God in my pumpkin?”
The innocence of a child. Going straight for the facts, trying hard to understand. We all have ‘Whys’ that we are trying to understand. Trying to sort out where we are, where we are going, how long will this last?
We may think we are seeking answers to more profound questions than “Is God in my pumpkin”, but do we? In this morning’s devotional, Oswald Chambers asks the question: Am I fulfilling this ministry of intercession deep within the hidden recesses of my life? Not a three-year-old’s question, to be sure, but no less sincere, and at the heart of it, the same question. How would Stan Ott answer that one?
The ministry of intercession? What is that? How deep and sincere are your prayers and your interactions with others? Do we take the time to support them? Where is Christ in all of that? Is Jesus more and more dominating every interest in our lives?
Here’s the observation that Chambers makes: If the central point, or the most powerful influence, of my life is the death and resurrection of our Lord, then every aspect of my life will bear fruit for Him.
Jesus speaks of ‘abiding’ in Him. Which means, if you continue to act, and think, and work from that central point of abiding in Him, and He in me, then, ‘you will ask what you desire and it shall be done for you’.
Chambers closes his meditation with this: “The disciple who abides in Jesus is the will of God, and what appears to be his free choices are actually God’s foreordained decrees. Is this mysterious? Does it appear to contradict sound logic or seem totally absurd? Yes, but what a glorious truth it is to be a saint.”
How about you? With all the blessings that God provides, where is God in all you do? Is God in your pumpkin? Amen
Bulletin Board:
Irish grins for the day –
Reilly went to trial for armed robbery. The jury foreman came out and announced, “Not guilty.” Reilly shouted, “That’s grand, does that mean I can keep the money?”
An old Irish farmer’s dog goes missing and he’s inconsolable. His wife says: “Why don’t you put an ad in the paper?” The farmer does, but two weeks later the dog is still missing. “What did you put in the paper?” his wife asks. “Here boy” he replies.
Closing Prayer:
Gracious Father, as we begin a new day, help us to engage your will with a reckless faith. Teach us to trust in you, and help us grow in righteousness. Heavenly Lord, give us the courage to step out in faith this day. Fill our hearts with your spirit, and let us speak your words with pride. With gratitude and joy we offer this prayer in the Name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
