Friday, September 15, 2017

I Am the Vine

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I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.
He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit,
while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a]
so that it will be even more fruitful.
John 15:1-2 (ESV)

In explaining God to the people of Israel, Jesus used examples they could understand. Hence, His use of the vine in our focus verse. He identifies Himself as the true vine. He shows us through this imagery the importance of always living close to Jesus.

Without God’s presence in our lives, we wither and become less effective. Think of grapes separated too early from the vine. Without His guidance and presence in our lives, we are nothing.

In today’s world, we need to live as close to God as we can. We need to also ask God for His eyes to see the world as He sees it.

In explaining God to the people of Israel, Jesus used examples they could understand. Hence, His use of the vine in our focus verse. He identifies Himself as the true vine. He shows us through this imagery the importance of always living close to Jesus.

Without God’s presence in our lives, we wither and become less effective. Think of grapes separated too early from the vine. Without His guidance and presence in our lives, we are nothing.

In today’s world, we need to live as close to God as we can. We need to also ask God for His eyes to see the world as He sees it. 

In explaining God to the people of Israel, Jesus used examples they could understand. Hence, His use of the vine in our focus verse. He identifies Himself as the true vine. He shows us through this imagery the importance of always living close to Jesus.

Without God’s presence in our lives, we wither and become less effective. Think of grapes separated too early from the vine. Without His guidance and presence in our lives, we are nothing.

In today’s world, we need to live as close to God as we can. We need to also ask God for His eyes to see the world as He sees it. We need to fully adopt a Biblical world view. By walking with Jesus in these ways, we honor God. In return, He will bless us. 

Wednesday, September 13, 2017

I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life

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Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:6 (ESV)

Jesus has told His disciples not to be troubled in their hearts. He advised them to trust in God and in Him. He continued by telling them of the place in heaven reserved for each of them and that He would return for them.

Thomas did not understand and spoke for the others. “We don’t know where you are going so how can we know the way.”

Jesus’ response is our focus verse for today. He identifies Himself as “the way.” Often, I find myself wondering how I should handle certain circumstances in life. Then I remember God can handle anything I face. His way is always best. He is the way to God where we can lay those burdens down.  

Further, He tells them he is “the truth.” There is nothing false in Jesus. Truth is defined as “That which is reliable, trustworthy and consistent with the character and revelation of God.” 1. In today’s world, we need God’s truth in order to be victorious.

Lastly, Jesus calls himself, “the life.” Apart from God we really don’t have a life. Each morning, we should give thanks to Him for giving us each day. Each evening we should also thank Him for bringing us through that day. When we practice giving thanks for our days and for His guidance, we honor Him.


1.         Guidepost Family Concordance, © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc. Nashville, TN p 341

Monday, September 11, 2017

“I Am the Resurrection and the Life”

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Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life.
Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,
and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.
 Do you believe this?
John 11:25-26 (ESV)

                Jesus returned to Bethany because Lazarus had died. When Jesus arrived, Martha heard He was nearby and went to meet Him. She believed that had Jesus been present, her brother would have recovered. In her grief, she voiced her thoughts.
           
            Jesus told her Lazarus would rise again. She responded that she knew her brother would rise again ‘in the resurrection on the last day.’
Jesus then identifies Himself as “the resurrection and the life.” He continues, explaining what that means. Simply stated, it means that, although a believer dies, that believer will live with Jesus. He goes on to state that once a person believes in Him, he or she ‘will never die.’ (He is speaking of the soul of the believer.)

            The Master asked Martha a very pointed question, “Do you believe this?” Martha
Answers with the affirmation that she does believe that this man standing before her is “The Christ, the Son of God.”


            I have heard this passage preached at many funerals. When I hear the question Jesus asks, it sets me to thinking.   Our time on earth is getting short. We need to focus on this question that Christ asked Martha on a regular basis. 

           Things come into our lives that distract us from the journey that God has planned for us. We have the responsibility to live for Jesus and share His love with those around us. Part of that responsibility is that we search our hearts for hidden sin and ask Him to take care of it.         

God Alone

  Jesus and the children at our church's prayer walk.          I will both lie down in peace and sleep;  For You alone, O LORD make ...