John 15:5- (NIV) I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
Just a week ago, a terrible wind came through and broke out half of our Bradford Pear tree in our front yard. For a few days the leaves remained green, and it seemed to keep some of its blooms.
Yesterday I noticed all of the broken part of the tree, is BLACK, even the leaves. Such a strange sight.
It made me think of Jesus. As long as we are attached to Him, we thrive. We excel in our relationships with others, our joy is complete and in Him we are strengthened. In our daily walk with Him we are fed spiritually.
As soon as we get "broken off" away from Jesus, our whole life gets savaged by the wind(sin) of this world. Our relationships with others break apart, often those that are the closest to us, our husband/wife, our children ~ those we love the best. Our personal walk with Jesus suffers, our time with Him~ our Bible study time breaks away. Without God's Word we die. Our hope is in Him. We must stay close to our Lord and Saviour, Jesus. He is the true vine.
John 15:1-2 (NIV)
I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Welcome: Fear, Time & Dog Hair
Welcome: Fear, Time & Dog Hair: "Fear, Time & Dog Hair. Its what the Devil used to try and get me to miss church this morning. Fear of going into a new place, goi..."
Fear, Time & Dog Hair
Fear, Time & Dog Hair.
Its what the Devil used to try and get me to miss church this morning. Fear of going into a new place, going in by myself, and fear of being early and having to sit up front. My fear is Anxiety. Since going thru menopause, Anxiety follows close on my heels, never knowing when its going to attack, but, knowing its always close. It finds me when I least expect it. But, this time, it started yesterday (Sat), when Pastor calls to ask all the regulars to sit up front. I was terrified, it was a constant nagging fear, loss of good sleep and worry. I know my God is bigger than this fear and anxiety. But, its so real and comes so fast, sometimes I don't think straight.
Time- The Devil wanted me to believe that I didn't have time to get ready, and I admit, I was cutting it very close. But, I was determined God wanted me there this morning. So even though I was a few minutes late, I am glad I listened to God and went on in. Did I mention Anxiety was close by, when I pulled in the parking lot and it was so full, I almost turned around and went back home. Praise be to God, I parked and walked on in.
Dog Hair- Probably should have listed this second, but........ I was ready to go, cutting it close by only minutes now, got into truck, looked down and saw white hair all over my black pants. "Oh no, never going to make it now", I heard the Devil say. Never to miss an opportunity to prove someone wrong, I unlocked the door, slipped off my shoes, ran upstairs, hurriedly hunted for another pair of black pants, changed, got my shoes back on and ran out the door.
I did make it to church, the message was great. So glad I listened to God and not that other voice in the back of my head.
Its what the Devil used to try and get me to miss church this morning. Fear of going into a new place, going in by myself, and fear of being early and having to sit up front. My fear is Anxiety. Since going thru menopause, Anxiety follows close on my heels, never knowing when its going to attack, but, knowing its always close. It finds me when I least expect it. But, this time, it started yesterday (Sat), when Pastor calls to ask all the regulars to sit up front. I was terrified, it was a constant nagging fear, loss of good sleep and worry. I know my God is bigger than this fear and anxiety. But, its so real and comes so fast, sometimes I don't think straight.
Time- The Devil wanted me to believe that I didn't have time to get ready, and I admit, I was cutting it very close. But, I was determined God wanted me there this morning. So even though I was a few minutes late, I am glad I listened to God and went on in. Did I mention Anxiety was close by, when I pulled in the parking lot and it was so full, I almost turned around and went back home. Praise be to God, I parked and walked on in.
Dog Hair- Probably should have listed this second, but........ I was ready to go, cutting it close by only minutes now, got into truck, looked down and saw white hair all over my black pants. "Oh no, never going to make it now", I heard the Devil say. Never to miss an opportunity to prove someone wrong, I unlocked the door, slipped off my shoes, ran upstairs, hurriedly hunted for another pair of black pants, changed, got my shoes back on and ran out the door.
I did make it to church, the message was great. So glad I listened to God and not that other voice in the back of my head.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Unconditional Love
I was taking my son to ball practice this past week. Teenagers, they have a mouth, and their not afraid to use it! They can be very sarcastic, even to the point of hurtful barbs. We had the radio on tuned into K-love, my favorite, and God spoke to me thru a song. I don't know who sings it or even the title. But it goes something like this " God loves me for who I am, and not for who I will become". I am so thankful God loves me just like I am with all my faults.
God is the only one who loves me unconditionally. God never makes fun of me, God is never sarcastic, He never puts me down, He never makes me feel unworthy, never makes me feel useless, He never gives up on me, He never tells me I am unworthy of His love.
My God loves me unconditionally. He encourages me (Psalms 10:17), and He sends others to encourage me (Hebrews 3:13). He says in His Word I am the apple of his eye (Psalms 17:8, Zechariah 2:8 b), that He delights in me (Psalms 18:19). God made me and I am His (Psalms 100:3). He hears me when I cry out to Him (Psalms 34:4, Psalms 116:1), He rescues me (Romans 3:22-24), He bears my burdens (Psalms 68:19). He gave His Son for me (John 3:16), His love is better than life (Psalms 63:3).
Once again, My God reminds me it is better to trust in the Lord than to trust in man (Psalms 118:8). God will NEVER let me down, God CANNOT LIE!
1Corinthians 13:4-8a NIV Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
God is the only one who loves me unconditionally. God never makes fun of me, God is never sarcastic, He never puts me down, He never makes me feel unworthy, never makes me feel useless, He never gives up on me, He never tells me I am unworthy of His love.
My God loves me unconditionally. He encourages me (Psalms 10:17), and He sends others to encourage me (Hebrews 3:13). He says in His Word I am the apple of his eye (Psalms 17:8, Zechariah 2:8 b), that He delights in me (Psalms 18:19). God made me and I am His (Psalms 100:3). He hears me when I cry out to Him (Psalms 34:4, Psalms 116:1), He rescues me (Romans 3:22-24), He bears my burdens (Psalms 68:19). He gave His Son for me (John 3:16), His love is better than life (Psalms 63:3).
Once again, My God reminds me it is better to trust in the Lord than to trust in man (Psalms 118:8). God will NEVER let me down, God CANNOT LIE!
1Corinthians 13:4-8a NIV Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
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