John 15:5,8
Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. (NLT)
Fruit grows on vine and trees. We see it in many forms from grapes, to apples, to pears, and even tomatoes. We don't pick them ourselves, usually. We simply go to the market and purchase what we want to eat. Farmers plant the appropriate seeds to grow the vines and trees. They nurture them and feed them water and protect them so the fruit will be tasty and plentiful.
Life is full of choices and God has given us the ability to make our own. We choose eternal life by believing in Jesus and following Him. God sent the Holy Spirit to live in us. He is in us and we are in Him as long as we choose to remain in Him.
All produce fruit. Even those who are not following Him are producing fruit in their lives. So it is important that we trust Holy Spirit to guide us in all we do. If we choose to follow the fruit that looks good to us we could be walking away from our Godly path. Remember what happened to Eve when she chose the wrong fruit?
"Lord, show me the path to follow. Lead me to produce the fruit of your vine so you will see me as your true disciple. All the glory goes to you, Lord. In Jesus name I pray."
Monday, December 31, 2012
Monday, December 24, 2012
The Way We Are
John 3:36
And anyone who believes in God's Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn't obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God's angry judgment. (NLT)
When we were in school there were different groups of people that you could associate with. They tended to dress alike and talk alike. When I was growing up the list was short. You were either with the button down shirt, chino pants and penny loafer group or with the t-shirt, dungaree, and engineer boots group. As I understand it, there are many more groups in High Schools today.
When a bunch of the members of a group gets together, they tend to do things as that group. Even if you don't want to participate in whatever the activity is, you go along with it because you , are part of that group; right or wrong. That is the way we are even in our technologically advanced culture.
There are two groups in the world today. There are those that believe in Jesus and follow Him. And there are those who don't. The later is spread across many religions and even includes those who do not believe God exists at all.
The Bible is made up of two parts, the old and new testaments. The former is filled with examples of God's wrath poured down on His people for their disobedience. The later is filled with teachings and promises to those who have decided to follow Jesus.
The true believers do not remain under God's angry judgment. They will see it all around them as they live this earthly life, but their ultimate destination is fixed with Him in eternal places.
And anyone who believes in God's Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn't obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God's angry judgment. (NLT)
When we were in school there were different groups of people that you could associate with. They tended to dress alike and talk alike. When I was growing up the list was short. You were either with the button down shirt, chino pants and penny loafer group or with the t-shirt, dungaree, and engineer boots group. As I understand it, there are many more groups in High Schools today.
When a bunch of the members of a group gets together, they tend to do things as that group. Even if you don't want to participate in whatever the activity is, you go along with it because you , are part of that group; right or wrong. That is the way we are even in our technologically advanced culture.
There are two groups in the world today. There are those that believe in Jesus and follow Him. And there are those who don't. The later is spread across many religions and even includes those who do not believe God exists at all.
The Bible is made up of two parts, the old and new testaments. The former is filled with examples of God's wrath poured down on His people for their disobedience. The later is filled with teachings and promises to those who have decided to follow Jesus.
The true believers do not remain under God's angry judgment. They will see it all around them as they live this earthly life, but their ultimate destination is fixed with Him in eternal places.
Monday, December 17, 2012
Being a Representative
Colossians 3:17
And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. (NLT)
We have elections every couple of years and elect politicians to be our representatives in the state and national governments. They are supposed to represent our desires and govern themselves by the laws of the land. In addition we hope they are following the same moral standards we have.
At times it seems as if those men and women have different agenda than what they spoke of when running for office. Some get far off track and seem more interested in what work best for them to be elected next time around including looking out for those who support their campaigns financially.
As believers in Jesus Christ as the risen savior and our personal Lord, savior, and friend we were given the awesome position as His representative. Whatever we say and do represent Him. And yet how often are we guilty of doing and saying things from a human perspective looking out for ourselves first?
"Father God, help me to be the representative of Christ you have called me to be. In Jesus name I pray."
And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. (NLT)
We have elections every couple of years and elect politicians to be our representatives in the state and national governments. They are supposed to represent our desires and govern themselves by the laws of the land. In addition we hope they are following the same moral standards we have.
At times it seems as if those men and women have different agenda than what they spoke of when running for office. Some get far off track and seem more interested in what work best for them to be elected next time around including looking out for those who support their campaigns financially.
As believers in Jesus Christ as the risen savior and our personal Lord, savior, and friend we were given the awesome position as His representative. Whatever we say and do represent Him. And yet how often are we guilty of doing and saying things from a human perspective looking out for ourselves first?
"Father God, help me to be the representative of Christ you have called me to be. In Jesus name I pray."
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Thoughts on the Connecticut Elementary School tragedy
As we move into the end times, "Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold." (Matt 24:12 NLT) "“When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day." (Matt 24:37). And in the days of Noah "Now God saw that the earth had become corrupt and was filled with violence." (Gen 6:11).
As we become more and more a godless society, we move out from under the protection of God. To believers, He is a merciful God. To others, He is as He has been throughout the ages, the vengeful God we read about in the Old Testament. God has not changed. He wants us to seek His face through our belief in His Son, Jesus Christ. In Him our sins are forgiven and because of Jesus God looks at us with His Mercy and Grace.
I believe this tragedy is one more in the many that have happened over these past few years and in the many more that will occur in the future as we become more reliant on government and less on God to protect us and to prosper us. As our faith turns to man instead of God we open the door for satan to step in and control the events surrounding our lives.
How do we prevent the end times? We don't. It will happen. Our task is to preach the Good News to as many as possible so they may become saved.
"Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord." (Romans 12:19).
"Father, God help us to forgive the young man who did this terrible deed. Help us to let go of the anger we harbor inside us. Help us to let you deal with him in Your perfect wisdom. Protect us and our children and our children's children as they go about their day. In Jesus name we pray."
As we become more and more a godless society, we move out from under the protection of God. To believers, He is a merciful God. To others, He is as He has been throughout the ages, the vengeful God we read about in the Old Testament. God has not changed. He wants us to seek His face through our belief in His Son, Jesus Christ. In Him our sins are forgiven and because of Jesus God looks at us with His Mercy and Grace.
I believe this tragedy is one more in the many that have happened over these past few years and in the many more that will occur in the future as we become more reliant on government and less on God to protect us and to prosper us. As our faith turns to man instead of God we open the door for satan to step in and control the events surrounding our lives.
How do we prevent the end times? We don't. It will happen. Our task is to preach the Good News to as many as possible so they may become saved.
"Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord." (Romans 12:19).
"Father, God help us to forgive the young man who did this terrible deed. Help us to let go of the anger we harbor inside us. Help us to let you deal with him in Your perfect wisdom. Protect us and our children and our children's children as they go about their day. In Jesus name we pray."
Monday, December 10, 2012
See Attachment
Mark 16:20
And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. (KJV)
Seldom do we get something in the mail that is not an advertisement or a bill. Most of my bills come by email and fewer and fewer ads are showing up in the mailbox. Times have changed and even the older generations are adapting to a connected world.
We take pictures with our digital cameras and even out cell phones. After uploading them to our computers we email them to family and friends as attachments. The message is usually something that tells them what the pictures are all about and then we say "see attachment"
The message comes first and then the attachment. And so it is with God's Word. As we preach the Word, God confirms it with His attachments--signs following.
And yet we often look for the signs without the message. We want the results without going through the process.
And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off your shoulder, and his yoke from off your neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing. (Isaiah 10:27 KJV)
As Spirit filled believers we have Holy Spirit with us at all times. As we allow Him to use us to preach to believers and nonbelievers alike, He shows up with signs following. Expect Him to to be there. Open the attachment!
And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. (KJV)
Seldom do we get something in the mail that is not an advertisement or a bill. Most of my bills come by email and fewer and fewer ads are showing up in the mailbox. Times have changed and even the older generations are adapting to a connected world.
We take pictures with our digital cameras and even out cell phones. After uploading them to our computers we email them to family and friends as attachments. The message is usually something that tells them what the pictures are all about and then we say "see attachment"
The message comes first and then the attachment. And so it is with God's Word. As we preach the Word, God confirms it with His attachments--signs following.
And yet we often look for the signs without the message. We want the results without going through the process.
And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off your shoulder, and his yoke from off your neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing. (Isaiah 10:27 KJV)
As Spirit filled believers we have Holy Spirit with us at all times. As we allow Him to use us to preach to believers and nonbelievers alike, He shows up with signs following. Expect Him to to be there. Open the attachment!
Monday, December 03, 2012
Foul Language
Ephesians 4:29, 6:4
Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes; these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. (NLT)
In today's world it is hard to not be around foul language. It is everywhere; on television shows, in the movies, in the novels we read, and coming out of the mouths of many we know. Some we even love.
Before we were walking with Christ, we used foul language, told dirty jokes, and love to use innuendoes with sexual meaning. I did not grow up that way. I never heard my parents use a foul word even once. As I grew older and left home I made new friends and picked up many new words. Oh, I knew the words, but just did not use them much in my High School years.
I worked hard to not use bad words when I was around church people, older folks, and my parents, aunts, and uncles. It took self control to do that. They probably thought "What a nice young man", but little did they know what came out of my mouth when I left.
When my wife, Dianne was healed of Crohn's disease in 1991 God took away the disease, repaired the damage, and removed her foul language. Our daughter of 10 said to her a couple of days later in the week, "Mommy, you don't swear anymore!"
Now I accepted Jesus into my heart and started my journey with Him. My mouth did not change. I still had to work at it especially when I banged my thumb hitting a nail with my hammer!
Over time, as I received more of Him on the inside, others speaking the way i used to made me cringe. I could no longer watch movies that had foul or abusive language. I did not want to be around people who told obscene stories and coarse jokes.
I thank God that He took that away from me. I no longer have to watch my language. And when I do something dumb and injure myself those long multi-word obscenities do not come rushing out. Thank you Jesus.
Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes; these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. (NLT)
In today's world it is hard to not be around foul language. It is everywhere; on television shows, in the movies, in the novels we read, and coming out of the mouths of many we know. Some we even love.
Before we were walking with Christ, we used foul language, told dirty jokes, and love to use innuendoes with sexual meaning. I did not grow up that way. I never heard my parents use a foul word even once. As I grew older and left home I made new friends and picked up many new words. Oh, I knew the words, but just did not use them much in my High School years.
I worked hard to not use bad words when I was around church people, older folks, and my parents, aunts, and uncles. It took self control to do that. They probably thought "What a nice young man", but little did they know what came out of my mouth when I left.
When my wife, Dianne was healed of Crohn's disease in 1991 God took away the disease, repaired the damage, and removed her foul language. Our daughter of 10 said to her a couple of days later in the week, "Mommy, you don't swear anymore!"
Now I accepted Jesus into my heart and started my journey with Him. My mouth did not change. I still had to work at it especially when I banged my thumb hitting a nail with my hammer!
Over time, as I received more of Him on the inside, others speaking the way i used to made me cringe. I could no longer watch movies that had foul or abusive language. I did not want to be around people who told obscene stories and coarse jokes.
I thank God that He took that away from me. I no longer have to watch my language. And when I do something dumb and injure myself those long multi-word obscenities do not come rushing out. Thank you Jesus.
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