To the Ends of the Earth: Character – Week 3, Day 3 - Discipline Surrenders to God's Pruning
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“He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth belongs to the earth, and of the earth he speaks; he who comes from heaven is above all. He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony; he who receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for it is not by measure that he gives the Spirit; the Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand. He who believes in the Son has eternal life; he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God rests upon him.”
John 3:31–36
Our Lord’s sacrifice for our sins has exalted him to the highest place (see Phil 2:9), and we have been given membership in his Mystical Body. We are new creatures, purposed for great works of service in the kingdom of God. All of this is because Jesus, the One from above, has the power and authority over all things.
Moreover, Jesus is fully human and fully divine. His divinity was never diminished by his human life here among us. All the fullness of God, all the power of the universe, all the wisdom of eternity dwells in him. He shares his authority with us through our baptism and the daily grace we receive from him. Thus he gives us victory over sin, insight for understanding the Gospel, and power to change lives in his name. He is our God and deserves our whole life. This is the great legacy we have been given: to share the love of Jesus with others by how we carry on his calling in our lives.
Questions for reflection
Where have you seen the greatest sign of Christ’s love in your life?
How does living under the authority of Jesus give you freedom for holy living?
Where do you believe God is leading you in your walk with his Son?
Praying with Scripture
For in him the whole fulness of deity dwells bodily, and you have come to fulness of life in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. (Col 2:9–10)
You can learn more about the To the Ends of the Earth Series HERE
You can watch and listen to this devotion HERE
Mark C. McCann is an author and Ministry Consultant with more than 30 years of writing and ministry experience. He has published articles for a number of Catholic magazines and websites including St. Anthony Messenger, Emmanuel Magazine, Liguorian Magazine, Catholic Stand, the Connecticut Catholic Men's Conference, and Homiletic and Pastoral Review. He recently published the 4-volume Catholic men's devotional, To the Ends of the Earth, as well as the 2021 Advent Daybreaks devotional and 2022 Lenten Daybreaks devotional with Liguori Publishing. He has also released his End Times novel series, Jacob's Dream: The Vision and Jacob's Dream: The Final Battle. He was a radio host and producer for 8 years at a Connecticut Christian radio station and has worked as a Catholic religion teacher/campus minister and a parish youth minister. He has also served the Norwich, CT Diocese as a Youth Ministry Director and Family Life Director. He currently lives in Connecticut with his Proverbs 31 wife, where together they have brought up three incredible children. He strives each day to live out his call to be a man of words. You can learn more about Mark and his writing at www.wordsnvisions.com.
