Abide

Something to think about

Abide

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:4-5

The analogy of the vine illustrates our total dependence on Jesus. We need to be permanently connected to Christ.  Notice we are not the fruit we are the branches. And the fruit we bear will be grafted into the vine which is Jesus, not us. If we separate from Jesus, we become dried out dead branches which cannot bear any fruit. We become useless.

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Profit

Something to think about.

Profit

For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? Matthew 16:26 
 
The amassing of great things power, influence, prestige, accomplishments, and wealth were very much sought after in Jesus's day as they are today. And the question He asked is just as relevant today as it was yesterday.  "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?" But the opposite can be asked as well. If you're living a life of extreme poverty what will that profit you? It really isn't a question of extremes or position. When you stand before God your wealth or poverty will not matter. You won't be judged on either, you will be judged on whether you choose to obey God or not. Wealth and poverty will pass away but your choice will be eternal. 

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The Fruit You Deserve

Something to think about.

The Fruit You Deserve

“"I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds."”
Jeremiah 17:10 ESV

Is this a verse you claim for your life or is it a verse you fear? Do you look forward to the fulfillment of this verse or hope that it never comes to fruition. Are you living a life that will allow you to receive the best fruits for your life or are you living a life that will only produce sorrowful fruit?

Interesting questions, but the truth is without Christ we will receive the fruit we deserve. With Christ, we will receive the forgiveness and restoration provided by His life, death, and resurrection.

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Useful Gifts

Something to think about.

Useful Gifts

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1Peter 4:10-11

The question has never been, do you have a gift? Peter states it as something that has occurred. He is saying, use your gift to the glory of God. Do not sit around waiting for a bolt of lightning to hit you and ignite your life. It is up to you to ignite the fire that will bring the gifts in your life to full fruition.

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