HANG IN THERE
Today’s Reading: John 15-16
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion on the right-hand side).
Orange trees are planted in the rich soil beneath Mount Herman in northern Israel.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.
Key Verse: John 15:4
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.
Those delicious oranges pictured above must be connected to the branch and the branch must be connected to the trunk in order to be all that they were meant to be. This is the design of the Creator. The example Jesus uses is the same. He is the Vine and we are the branches. In order to fulfill the purpose for which we are created, we must keep connected with Jesus 24/7. This is not a struggle; it’s simply abiding. We just hang in there. We rest in Jesus and His life flows into us. The ingredients of His life are listed here in our reading – LOVE (15:9) – JOY (15:11 & 16:22) – THE HELPER, THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH – (15:26 & 16:7) – PEACE (16:33). Relax, abide, and let His life flow. We should take note that what He desires will also flow into us. Our desires will be His desires. This is the secret to receiving what we desire. We must find out what He desires and ask accordingly. It will “be done for you” (15:7 & 16:24).
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, I’m abiding, hanging in there, relaxing in the sure knowledge that Your life is flowing into me and through me to produce delicious fruit. When someone picks my fruit, may they taste the Fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
At times in life I have, figuratively, taken myself by the scruff of the neck and tried to drag myself into doing what I knew I should do. Frankly, it doesn’t work. It’s frustrating, hard work, and produces rotten fruit. In the early 1970’s, we had a peach tree in our back yard which bore delicious fruit. Early one morning I went outside to pray, and I learned the lesson of the peach tree. I observed that it didn’t struggle. It didn’t push. It didn’t jump up and down in its effort to produce the fruit the Creator intended. It just simply knew enough to “abide.” I relaxed and decided to do the same. I prayed only for those things I knew Jesus desired. I knew His desires because I was faithful in daily reading what He had to say to me in His Word. This blog is an extension of that understanding. He is the Vine. I am a branch. Perhaps the Internet is the twig that enables the fruit to be there for the picking and eating.
Yours for productive lives,
David
A few days ago we read John 9, which referred to the pool of Siloam. On the 100 Huntley Street telecast a Jewish archaeologist was a guest. He shared about the healing of the blind man who was instructed to wash in the pool of Siloam. It was new and exciting information for me. Check out this interview by clicking here!
I’ve heard the message about abiding from 2 different sources two days in a row. It’s a very important reminder. Thanks for the link to the interview about the archeological discoveries. It would be interesting to know if the man who was interviewed has written a book
Thank you for the link Pastor David, I was so impressed and happy to hear that what we believe is confirmed by these archeology finds. I hope lots of people will listen to this interview, it is very enlightening. Have a Blessed Lord’s Day everyone. Eleanor M.
Thank you David the interview was very interesting indeed to listen to him and see
the artifacts
Thank you David for the lesson of relaxing, abiding in producing fruit. Can save us a lot of anxiety. Very interesting interview as well. Remember taking photos at the pool of Siloam during my first visit to Israel. God bless you.
interesting archaeological finds; always good to see Moira Brown and her enthusiasm and interest so evident in the subject being brought forward.
I like your analogy David about abiding in the vine, the oranges did need to struggle, just to abide!! What a relief!!
Interesting to see Reynold’s picture of orange blossoms this morning. I have been watching the orange blossoms popping out here in NZ on my family’s orchards. They are pretty and so aromatic. The ripe fruit on the trees is so delicious and juicy. Have a blessed Sunday everyone, it is Monday morning here.
Amen!! Beth sounds lovely there.
Great interview biblical Archaeology is always something that’s interested and fascinated me and amen to all the comments amen
PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW!
please pray the Holy Spirit to enter SL’s heart, this person is brilliant, does excellent work! Needs to calm down, needs to figure out does he do these good things for the pat on the back or because God has given him great talents and abilities to do this work! Perhaps he needs to stand back and thank others for helping and not be in a snit when he does not receive the desired reviews! He is extremely gifted; he is a child of God; he just needs to hear the voice of the Lord comforting him and helping his ego to calm down…..
Blessings to all