Daddy’s Girls

Scripture: John 15: 1-8 -  “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 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. 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. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so, you will be My disciples”.

A minister told a story about finding himself inside of the mall with his three teenage daughters. He said as they passed their favorite store, they all began saying, “Daddy, Daddy, can we please go in just for a few minutes and get something”? The father, agreed and gave each daughter a small amount of money and a time limit. The first daughter took her money and ran off to the left, she knew exactly what she was going to get. The second daughter took her money and ran off to the right, she also knew exactly what she was going to get. The third daughter decided to stay with her daddy. She and her father walked around the store and talked. As they walked and talked, she picked up items. Her and her dad discussed the items, laughed and just enjoyed their time together. When the time allotted ended each daughter arrived at the counter. The two daughters who ran off were very happy with their purchases. They had spent their money well. But as they looked at the “bounty” that the third daughter had they asked, “Why did she get so much”? The father responded, “because she chose to walk with me”.

Who have you chosen to walk with? Who are you giving your time to? Have you decided to walk with the Lord or are you content with just taking what He gives you and running off? Being a child of the Lord comes with benefits. Being a daughter/son of the King means that we are heirs to the Kingdom. Being a son/daughter of the King means we have access to God’s power, peace, and provision. Being a child of the King means there are some things we get just because we are in the family. However, those heirs who make the decision to actually spend time with their Father get so much more.

When you spend time with the Lord, you learn His ways. When you spend time with the Lord, you recognize His voice even amongst other voices. When you spend time with the Lord what you get is greater than the sum total of just being in the family. There are some of your own family members who have never been to your home, that don’t know what you like or dislike. They are just family in name only. The same can be true in God’s family. There are some family members who are just nominal Christians; they are just Christians in name only. They don’t really know their Father. They don’t really follow His commandants. They don’t go to His house or respect His rules. Spending time with Daddy means reading His word, learning His ways, and having a genuine desire to look more like Him. Spending time with Daddy means following His rules, listening to His advice, and seeking His wisdom. If we just take Daddy’s salvation and run with it, we are missing out on the true bounty that comes with walking with Him, talking with Him, and learning from Him. Choose this day who you will follow, and follow Him with a zeal that causes you to actually sit, listen, and learn from Him.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for adopting us into Your family and making us full heirs to Your kingdom. Thank You for the benefits of being Your child. Forgive us Father for not making spending time with You a priority and only calling You or talking to You when we need something. Thank You for letting us come home when we stray and not turning us away because of our faults. Thank You, Lord for Your word that leads, guides, and teaches. And thank You for Your Son, Jesus Christ who died on the cross for our sins -- thus cementing our family bond. In the Matchless Name of Jesus, Amen!

(by Pat Towns)