Today as I did my daily devotional, one of the scriptures I read, John 15:4, which I am familiar with, struck a cord in my heart and mind.
One of the things I want to do in my life is become closer to God and be lead by the Holy Spirit to do God's will.
I want to share the truth of God and the Word~Jesus, with the world to draw others to Christ.
Let me start by sharing the scripture in context.
One of the things I want to do in my life is become closer to God and be lead by the Holy Spirit to do God's will.
I want to share the truth of God and the Word~Jesus, with the world to draw others to Christ.
Let me start by sharing the scripture in context.
John 15
New King James Version (NKJV)
The True Vine
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 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.
5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
As many times as I have read this scripture, the words: "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."
I never let the last part: "unless you abide in Me." sink in to my heart and brain.
If I do not abide in Him, His Word, His Will which is His Word, I cannot bear the fruit.
I would be like a cut off branch that has no root, no nourishment, no life.
I felt so bad when I realized all the sermons I gave to others, I was not following the message God had given me. STUDY, PRAY AND SEEK HIM! How could I have expected the people to obey and listen if I was not doing the same.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
1 John 4:7-8 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
All these scriptures have one think in common, knowing God and living in that knowledge.
If I don't stay in His Word, in His presence, then I am nothing, have nothing and will be nothing.
God said:
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:8-10
This is true, but, we know His ways and His thoughts when we read His Word, learn His Word, and listen to His Word made flesh, Jesus Christ.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. "
2 Corinthians 5:17
When we study His Word, when we repeat His Word, when we live in His Word we become a branch that bears much fruit. And that fruit will lead us to being fulfilled in His Name.
To some of you this will be old knowledge, but to me it is Life more abundant.
In His Service, Always,
Susan
