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!
An important lesson that we cannot bear fruit on our own but must abide in the Vine which is Christ Jesus! Trust all is well saints. Would appreciate your prayers tomorrow as I go for a medical test. Thanks and God bless. Is a beautiful photo Reynold. Amen!
Lord Jesus I lift Ger up to you; that the medical test she will be taking, will be as she has hoped, a good report. Amen Jesus for Your Highest and Best in Ger’s life!!
Amen, Irene. In agreement with prayer for you and our dear sister, that her test, tomorrow, be in Your Hands.
Rest assured Ger! you are in our prayers for the tests to produce good news! We pray the Lord will grant you good health for many more years, GOD IS WITH YOU RIGHT NOW! HE WALKS RIGHT BESIDE US!
Lord Jesus I pray You keep this branch close to You where I can feed of the delicious food You provide daily. Thank You Jesus, Amen!!
As usual David’ s personal comments are truly interesting and humorous!
Be Still and Know that I AM God!!!
Amen to Irene and Ger’s comments. Thank you in heaven, David. Your words ring true. Indeed, we are the Vine in Christ.
Today’s photo, scripture, and message are divine in my heart. Blessings on all saints, today.
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart. Proverbs 3:3 NIV
Adonai – Hillsong
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1Imw9ERPT0
Praying for you, Ger as you go for your test tomorrow.
May all go well and the results be favorable!
God bless you and everyone on this blog.
May the Lord answer you, when you call! Amen!
if anyone gets a chance to read the Book Mission with Jesus with Greg Finke! It is amazing how is reads out! God has done everything for us; now He wants us to walk with Him and watch How He sets up a situation to play out to His glory! We don’t do anything; just walk and watch and listen!
He mentions that when we go out into the world each day just ask “What have You got lined for today Lord? And look with anticipation!
Blessings to all…..
Please pray for Kevin, he is very concerned about his grand children; they are not involved in a church and they are very handsome and the Grand pa is afraid these precious children will get into trouble; we ask the Lord to keep watch over these precious grand children and keep them from all harm in Jesus name we Pray amen
Keven also asked if I had any renting the back room? I told him I had been praying to the Lord about this and asked him to pray also that the Lord would send me the right person, all praise and glory to our Lord God amen