Abiding

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.   John 15:4-5

As Holy Week was coming to an end Jesus again takes the opportunity to teach the disciples. There is a long discourse of what they need to do; take a few minutes to read and meditate on John chapter 15.

I believe He is speaking to His disciples as well as Christians today. Here are some highlights:

Verse 1:

Jesus is the vine and His Father is the husbandman. God takes care of us.

Verse 4:

Abide in Jesus and He will abide in you. Abide in the Greek means to stay (in a given place), dwell, endure, be present, remain.

We need to stay right next to Jesus. When we abide in Him we will receive all the strength we need to get through each and every day.

Verse 5:

Jesus is the vine we are the branches. To bear fruit we must abide in Him. Without Him we are nothing. Without Him is the same thing as separated from Him. Albert Barnes says, “As the branches, if separated from the parent stock, could produce no fruit, but would immediately wither and die, so Christians, if separate from Christ, could do nothing.”

Verse 6:

When we do not abide in Him, we will wither away (or dry up). We have a choice, accept or reject Him.

Verse 8:

Jesus wants the disciples and us to bear much fruit. We need to apply the “fruit of the spirit” to our lives to show forth and share with others.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23  Meekness, temperance: … Galatians 5:22-23

Verse 9:

As God loves Jesus, Jesus loves us, continue in His love. Show His love to others in word, action and deed.

Verse 10:

When you keep His commandments you will abide in His love. Abide means to stay in a given place. We will be close to Him. Jesus is trying to stress that the disciples need to abide. Abide with Him.

Verse 12:

Love one another.

Verse 13:

No greater love than when a man lays down His life for His friends. Jesus loves us so much he was willing to die for us.

Verse 14:

We are His friends if we do what He says.

Verse 17:

Love one another.

Verse 26:

Jesus will send a Comforter which is the Holy Spirit.

This was one of the last times the disciples were with Jesus before He was killed. He was preparing them for the time after He was physically gone.

We need to abide in Him. When we pull away from the vine all strength is zapped out of us. We cannot get nourishment unless we are attached to the vine.

Abide in Him today.

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Gospel gems – The great I AM

Jesus is God, the Bible bears witness to this fact by the following verses:

Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. John 8:58 

And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. John 6:35 

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. John 8:12 

Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. John 10:7 

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.  John 10:11 

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: John 11:25 

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6 

I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. John 15:1 

And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. Exodus 3:14  

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Abiding

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. John 15:4-5

As Holy Week was coming to an end Jesus again takes the opportunity to teach the disciples. There is a long discourse of what they need to do; take a few minutes to read and meditate on John chapter 15.

I believe He is speaking to His disciples as well as Christians today. Here are some highlights:

Verse 1:
Jesus is the vine and His Father is the husbandman. God takes care of us.

Verse 4:
Abide in Jesus and He will abide in you.

Abide in the Greek means to stay (in a given place), dwell, endure, be present, remain.

We need to stay right next to Jesus. When we abide in Him we will receive all the strength we need to get through each and every day.

Verse 5:
Jesus is the vine we are the branches. To bear fruit we must abide in Him. Without Him we are nothing. Without Him is the same thing as separated from Him.

Albert Barnes says, “As the branches, if separated from the parent stock, could produce no fruit, but would immediately wither and die, so Christians, if separate from Christ, could do nothing.”

Verse 6:
When we do not abide in Him, we will wither away (or dry up). We have a choice, accept or reject Him.

Verse 8:
Jesus wants the disciples and us to bear much fruit. We need to apply the “fruit of the spirit” to our lives to show forth and share with others. (Gal 5:22-23)

Verse 9:
As God loves Jesus, Jesus loves us, continue in His love. Show His love to others in word, action and deed.

Verse 10:
When you keep His commandments you will abide in His love. Abide means to stay in a given place. We will be close to Him. Jesus is trying to stress that the disciples need to abide. Abide with Him.

Verse 12:
Love one another.

Verse 13:
No greater love than when a man lays down His life for His friends. Jesus loves us so much he was willing to die for us.

Verse 14:
We are His friends if we do what He says.

Verse 17:
Love one another.

Verse 26:
Jesus will send a Comforter which is the Holy Spirit.

This was one of the last times the disciples were with Jesus before He was killed. He was preparing them for the time after He was physically gone.

We need to abide in Him. When we pull away from the vine all strength is zapped out of us. We cannot get nourishment unless we are attached to the vine.

Abide in Him today.

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Be a light

For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: Ephesians 5:8

December is upon us. The entire month is hustle and bustle. We are busy throughout the year but it seems that as soon as December arrives every day is booked. There are so many things going on during the month of December. Church activities, Bible studies, plays, Christmas bazaars, brunches, lunches, time with extended family, Christmas parties for work the list goes on and on. We run from one activity to another sometimes having two or more things to attend on one day.

In the midst of this busy time, we need to take time to reflect about all the busyness. Most of us are busy because it is the “holiday” season. What “holiday” are we celebrating? Most people tend to forget what the “holiday” is centered around. We are celebrating the birth of Christ. The Savior of the World, the One the whole Bible is centered around. The Light of the World. Are we being the “lights” to those around us? Are we allowing the Light to shine through us?

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16

In the busyness of the season never forget the true meaning: Jesus is the reason for the season. I am praying for guidance to keep my perspective right. Ask the Lord to give you JOY this season by putting him first.

Jesus
Others
You

These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. John 15:11