"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5) Jesus is the faithful one in our relationship. He remains in me no matter the circumstance. I am the one who finds myself in and out of Christ. Remaining in relationship with Jesus takes effort on my part. It requires that I read my Bible, memorize it, talk about it with others, live by it. Staying connected to God is directly related to my consistency in prayer and quiet time with Him. And my fruit bearing is directly related to my consistency in remaining in direct contact with Jesus, the living vine. Have you born any fruit lately?
Jesus chose us for the purpose of bringing glory to the Father. We do that by loving Him, obeying Him, and bearing fruit in Him. We bear fruit for Christ when we produce things in our lives that are like Christ. A pear tree bears pears. A pecan tree bears pecans. A Christian bears Christians. I know the joy of holding someone's hand as they receive Christ into their lives. Do you? It is a thrill I cannot describe to you unless you have been there! If you are unsure about your own salvation, will you please ask me about how to know for certain you will spend eternity with Jesus? If it has been awhile since you shared your faith with someone to receive Christ, will you let me know so I can help and encourage and pray with you?
"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other." (John 15:16-17) [I just had a wonderful flashback to when my children were ages 3 and 1. They would wrap one another in a bear hug, and Zach would say, "Cuz we love you-ch other!"] Obey Christ's command to love your fellow Christians. Then you will be able to walk together in unity as you bear the fruit of bringing others into relationship with God. My friends, it doesn't get any better than that!!!
My daughter was really moved this week by Jesus' words in John 15:18 through 16:4. In this life, we should expect persecution, even anticipate it. Enduring persecution for the Name of Jesus is another identifying mark of a true disciple. Are you following in the footsteps of Jesus? Are you doing exactly what He whispers in your ear? Then do not be shocked when the enemy attacks. Stand firm. Stand proud to be a spokesman for your Lord.
John 16:5-16 should bring warmth and comfort to your soul. Jesus has not left us without a Counselor. He has given us His Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth to convict us yes, but also to guide us, to speak God's Word to us, to reveal the very presence of God to us, and to give us the spiritual eyes to see God's activity. Do you see God at work daily? Are you looking for Him in anticipation? Then He will show up to you!
Remain in the vine. Stay connected to God. Be filled with the Spirit. We are gonna see my Jesus face to face, soon and very soon!
Will you complete today's reading with John 17:20-26? This is Jesus' prayer for you and for me, dear sister. He wants us to be in Him. He wants you and me to walk together in unity. I wanna see His GLORY!!! Will you join me?
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
John 14
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me." (v. 1) These words of Jesus are certainly appropriate for our lives today. Whenever I ask people how they are doing, more often than not, their answers are filled with the worries crowding their minds. Does stress have you buried? Trust in God. Trust in Jesus.
In the remainder of John 14, Jesus gives us a list of things of which we can be assured.
(v. 2) Jesus is preparing a place in heaven for his followers.
(v. 6) Jesus is the only way to heaven. He is the only truth. He is the only life. There is no other way to the Father except through his son Jesus.
(v. 10) Jesus and the Father are one.
(v. 13) Jesus will do what we ask in his name and for his glory.
(v. 16) Jesus will send the Comforter in the form of the Holy Spirit, who will live within us.
(v. 28) Jesus is coming again!
Our responsibility in God's grand scheme: Trust. Love. Obey.
When all around you is a sea of trouble, rest in these promises, my friend. Pass them along to someone else who is plagued by worry today.
In the remainder of John 14, Jesus gives us a list of things of which we can be assured.
(v. 2) Jesus is preparing a place in heaven for his followers.
(v. 6) Jesus is the only way to heaven. He is the only truth. He is the only life. There is no other way to the Father except through his son Jesus.
(v. 10) Jesus and the Father are one.
(v. 13) Jesus will do what we ask in his name and for his glory.
(v. 16) Jesus will send the Comforter in the form of the Holy Spirit, who will live within us.
(v. 28) Jesus is coming again!
Our responsibility in God's grand scheme: Trust. Love. Obey.
When all around you is a sea of trouble, rest in these promises, my friend. Pass them along to someone else who is plagued by worry today.
Monday, August 17, 2009
John 13:34-35
First we will finish the last few verses of John 13, and then we will move forward into chapter 14 in our next blog post.
John 13:34-35—“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” A new command? Was it not already a Jewish cultural mandate to love God first and your neighbor second? (Matthew 22:37-39; Mark 12:30-31; Luke 10:27). What was new about Jesus’ words, “Love one another?”
Remember that Jesus was giving his last instructions before leaving earth. He knew for a fact that the enemy’s first attack on this band of believers would cause them to turn on one another and to scatter them and break their bond of love for one another. Imagine if you were a wife to one of the disciples, and a Roman soldier came to your door the week after the crucifixion. Say the soldier asked you if your husband Thomas had been with Jesus. Wouldn’t you be tempted to say, “No, he wasn’t with Jesus, but I’m pretty sure Simon Peter was.” Jesus strongly warned his disciples to cement their bond of love for one another because he knew they were going to need the support. United we stand. Divided we fall.
The enemy’s first line of attack on the church in our day is division. As I look back over my 30 year history as a member of six different Baptist churches, I can recall divisive attitudes in almost every one of them. Lord Jesus, if it is me, please remove my lamp stand!
Take a look at the following verses from Leviticus 19. Ask God to bring you to your knees in prayer and confession as you recognize any of these divisive actions in your own life and in the life of your church family. May God heal our broken bonds of unity.
John 13:34-35—“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” A new command? Was it not already a Jewish cultural mandate to love God first and your neighbor second? (Matthew 22:37-39; Mark 12:30-31; Luke 10:27). What was new about Jesus’ words, “Love one another?”
Remember that Jesus was giving his last instructions before leaving earth. He knew for a fact that the enemy’s first attack on this band of believers would cause them to turn on one another and to scatter them and break their bond of love for one another. Imagine if you were a wife to one of the disciples, and a Roman soldier came to your door the week after the crucifixion. Say the soldier asked you if your husband Thomas had been with Jesus. Wouldn’t you be tempted to say, “No, he wasn’t with Jesus, but I’m pretty sure Simon Peter was.” Jesus strongly warned his disciples to cement their bond of love for one another because he knew they were going to need the support. United we stand. Divided we fall.
The enemy’s first line of attack on the church in our day is division. As I look back over my 30 year history as a member of six different Baptist churches, I can recall divisive attitudes in almost every one of them. Lord Jesus, if it is me, please remove my lamp stand!
Take a look at the following verses from Leviticus 19. Ask God to bring you to your knees in prayer and confession as you recognize any of these divisive actions in your own life and in the life of your church family. May God heal our broken bonds of unity.
11" 'Do not steal.
" 'Do not lie.
" 'Do not deceive one another.12 " 'Do not swear falsely by my name and so profane the name of your God. I am the LORD.
13 " 'Do not defraud your neighbor or rob him.
" 'Do not hold back the wages of a hired man overnight.14 " 'Do not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block in front of the blind, but fear your God. I am the LORD.
15 " 'Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.
16 " 'Do not go about spreading slander among your people.
" 'Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor's life. I am the LORD.17 " 'Do not hate your brother in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in his guilt.
18 " 'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.
Friday, August 14, 2009
John 13
You know the feeling you have when you are helping your children prepare for a major milestone such as their first day of Kindergarten, their driver's test, or their first time to go away to college? You are worried and stressed and proud of them all at the same time. Most of all you wonder if you have done a thorough job as a parent to teach them all the necessities. As you drive them to their destination, you give them a crash course in what you may have left out of their training, and you quiz them over all the things you pray they will remember. That is what is happening at the last supper Jesus shared with His disciples.
John 13:1--"Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father." It was time to remind the disciples of all the critical information Jesus had poured into them over the previous three years. So these last few hours Jesus spent with his brood should grab our attention. This is the important stuff. The stuff that will help us pass the test of this Christian life. The stuff that will transport us from earth to heaven when we pass on. Pay attention, girls. Don't miss it!
John 13:2--"Jesus showed them the full extent of his love." Now, you and I would think that Jesus' death on the cross would be the full extent of his love; so why did John use those words concerning a footwashing? Some churches today have footwashing ceremonies, and they are very moving indeed. A very humbling experience. But in Jesus' day footwashing was a very common daily practice. The lowest servant of the household took care of this nasty task for weary travelers.
Why did Jesus choose this action to demonstrate his passion for his closest friends? May it have been because his friends fully expected Jesus to challenge the Roman army at any moment? They had all placed their bets that Jesus the Messiah was ready to stake his claim and be King of all the earth. Jesus' act of humility as he bowed low to wash their feet was in stark contrast to the picture they had painted of him in their dreams. In fact, Jesus' actions that evening would bring their dreams crashing down around them. As Jesus bent over Peter's feet, Peter lashed out in anger. In taking on the form of a lowly servant, Jesus risked becoming a huge disappointment to the men in the room. Ever the master teacher, Jesus used this event as an illustration of servant leadership. This was a major lesson that would be critical for the success of his followers. You and I included. John 13:17--"Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."
John 13:19--"I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He." Jesus wanted his disciples to be absolutely certain of their faith in Him. The enemy wants us to be disillusioned when Christ doesn't do things the way we envision.
John 13:31--"When he [Judas] was gone...." Jesus wanted Judas to hear the lesson on being a servant and on being sure of who Christ was. However, before Jesus discussed more intimate details about the Father, he dismissed Judas to carry out Satan's plan. That is interesting to me. The application I hear the Spirit making in my life is, "Don't be absent and miss the good stuff!" I want to be so close to Jesus that I cannot possibly miss what he wants me to hear. That's one of the reasons I never want to miss church. (Okay, being married to the preacher is the other reason. ha.) I also like to tell people that I sit on the front row so that I can soak up more of the Holy Spirit! Application: be very present in your relationship with Jesus. Do not miss a single word.
John 13:1--"Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father." It was time to remind the disciples of all the critical information Jesus had poured into them over the previous three years. So these last few hours Jesus spent with his brood should grab our attention. This is the important stuff. The stuff that will help us pass the test of this Christian life. The stuff that will transport us from earth to heaven when we pass on. Pay attention, girls. Don't miss it!
John 13:2--"Jesus showed them the full extent of his love." Now, you and I would think that Jesus' death on the cross would be the full extent of his love; so why did John use those words concerning a footwashing? Some churches today have footwashing ceremonies, and they are very moving indeed. A very humbling experience. But in Jesus' day footwashing was a very common daily practice. The lowest servant of the household took care of this nasty task for weary travelers.
Why did Jesus choose this action to demonstrate his passion for his closest friends? May it have been because his friends fully expected Jesus to challenge the Roman army at any moment? They had all placed their bets that Jesus the Messiah was ready to stake his claim and be King of all the earth. Jesus' act of humility as he bowed low to wash their feet was in stark contrast to the picture they had painted of him in their dreams. In fact, Jesus' actions that evening would bring their dreams crashing down around them. As Jesus bent over Peter's feet, Peter lashed out in anger. In taking on the form of a lowly servant, Jesus risked becoming a huge disappointment to the men in the room. Ever the master teacher, Jesus used this event as an illustration of servant leadership. This was a major lesson that would be critical for the success of his followers. You and I included. John 13:17--"Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."
John 13:19--"I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He." Jesus wanted his disciples to be absolutely certain of their faith in Him. The enemy wants us to be disillusioned when Christ doesn't do things the way we envision.
John 13:31--"When he [Judas] was gone...." Jesus wanted Judas to hear the lesson on being a servant and on being sure of who Christ was. However, before Jesus discussed more intimate details about the Father, he dismissed Judas to carry out Satan's plan. That is interesting to me. The application I hear the Spirit making in my life is, "Don't be absent and miss the good stuff!" I want to be so close to Jesus that I cannot possibly miss what he wants me to hear. That's one of the reasons I never want to miss church. (Okay, being married to the preacher is the other reason. ha.) I also like to tell people that I sit on the front row so that I can soak up more of the Holy Spirit! Application: be very present in your relationship with Jesus. Do not miss a single word.
Next time I will write about some of Jesus' directions to his disciples. I will start with John 13:34 and continue through chapter 14. God's Word is so good to the very last drop!
Monday, August 3, 2009
Matthew 17-18
It’s been said “A Bible that is falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t.” I read this quote on Greg Laurie's blog. What do you think about it?
Matthew 17:1-13--Describe your most recent mountain top experience for us. Mine was seeing 12 children pray to choose Jesus as their Savior at Bible school!
Matthew 17:14-23--Two things I never want to hear Jesus say to me, "How long shall I put up with you?" and "You have so little faith." Jesus, I want to please you! Help me not to frustrate you!
Matthew 17:24-27--What a fun reminder that God is able to supply my every need!!! (You are reading the Scriptures and not just my lame commentary, right??)
Matthew 18:1-14--"Who is the greatest among us?" Who cares!!!!!!!!! That's not what it is all about! Forgive me just a moment while I rant. Why do we wear our feelings on our sleeves at church? Why do we get our feathers ruffled when someone snubs us? Why in the world do we even care if someone does or doesn't notice us at worship service? Who are we there to worship anyway? Church is NOT about us!!!! I am preaching at myself as much as anybody else. I too feel sorry for myself if so-and-so didn't welcome me with open arms at Sunday school. How frustrating we must be to our heavenly Father! (Sorry for all the exclamation points. AT LEAST I DIDN'T TYPE IN ALL CAPS!!!!)
Matthew 18:15-35--Wow! Jesus is getting nosy here, don't ya think? Have you ever been offended by someone at church? [giggle] Who hasn't been, right? How did you handle it? Did you follow the steps Jesus gives?
1. Go privately to the person.
2. Take one or two other believers with you.
3. Take it before the church.
My guess is that it is much easier to follow the steps that Satan gives.
1. Get mad.
2. Gossip.
3. Brag about how much better I am than the other person who obviously isn't even a Christian because how could she dare say anything negative about me because I am so holier than thou? Ouch.
Again, I am just as guilty as the next person in this area. I think that is why I am so frustrated when I see people at odds with one another. Satan is so sneaky, and it doesn't take much prodding from him to get us stirred up against one another. Will you covenant with me to pray that God will cultivate forgiveness in the hearts of His people? Let's promise to be forgiving toward one another. Be like a duck and let hurtful words roll off your back. When your feelings are hurt, in love, speak directly to the one who hurt you. Do not make it a church-wide issue. Nip it in the bud!!!
I love you girls! Please forgive me when I am selfish and unkind. And talk directly to me about it rather than stab me in the back.
Matthew 17:1-13--Describe your most recent mountain top experience for us. Mine was seeing 12 children pray to choose Jesus as their Savior at Bible school!
Matthew 17:14-23--Two things I never want to hear Jesus say to me, "How long shall I put up with you?" and "You have so little faith." Jesus, I want to please you! Help me not to frustrate you!
Matthew 17:24-27--What a fun reminder that God is able to supply my every need!!! (You are reading the Scriptures and not just my lame commentary, right??)
Matthew 18:1-14--"Who is the greatest among us?" Who cares!!!!!!!!! That's not what it is all about! Forgive me just a moment while I rant. Why do we wear our feelings on our sleeves at church? Why do we get our feathers ruffled when someone snubs us? Why in the world do we even care if someone does or doesn't notice us at worship service? Who are we there to worship anyway? Church is NOT about us!!!! I am preaching at myself as much as anybody else. I too feel sorry for myself if so-and-so didn't welcome me with open arms at Sunday school. How frustrating we must be to our heavenly Father! (Sorry for all the exclamation points. AT LEAST I DIDN'T TYPE IN ALL CAPS!!!!)
Matthew 18:15-35--Wow! Jesus is getting nosy here, don't ya think? Have you ever been offended by someone at church? [giggle] Who hasn't been, right? How did you handle it? Did you follow the steps Jesus gives?
1. Go privately to the person.
2. Take one or two other believers with you.
3. Take it before the church.
My guess is that it is much easier to follow the steps that Satan gives.
1. Get mad.
2. Gossip.
3. Brag about how much better I am than the other person who obviously isn't even a Christian because how could she dare say anything negative about me because I am so holier than thou? Ouch.
Again, I am just as guilty as the next person in this area. I think that is why I am so frustrated when I see people at odds with one another. Satan is so sneaky, and it doesn't take much prodding from him to get us stirred up against one another. Will you covenant with me to pray that God will cultivate forgiveness in the hearts of His people? Let's promise to be forgiving toward one another. Be like a duck and let hurtful words roll off your back. When your feelings are hurt, in love, speak directly to the one who hurt you. Do not make it a church-wide issue. Nip it in the bud!!!
I love you girls! Please forgive me when I am selfish and unkind. And talk directly to me about it rather than stab me in the back.
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