We have a tendency to come up with these varied excuses because we misunderstand the basis of fruit-bearing, thinking we are responsible for developing the fruit. So we say to ourselves, "I am going to work on patience as a fruit. "I'm going to work on love. "I'm going to love this person even if it kills me." Can you develop these fruits? It's ridiculous! Yet the devil convinces us of this, and we become determined to do it. How many times have I talked with husbands and wives who say, "Well, I'm going to love her even if it's the last thing I ever do!" And that is totally ridiculous.
But what happens if we are aiding in the Vine? Love just comes out. If we take all, we will give all. If we give all, we'll have to take it--you can't do it without Him. No matter how much determination you muster on your own, it will still be utterly impossible to develop these fruits. What is a severed branch fit for? Burning, and it is good for nothing else. The branch lasts a minute, generates a little heat, and then it will be gone--that's the end of it, and that's exactly what Jesus intended to communicate. This illustration is so completely true and so completely simple that it's very, very difficult for us to believe it.
So the very things I want you to remember and put down in your notes from these verses of Scripture is the lesson of the branch's total and absolute dependence. The branch cannot live, it cannot exist, it cannot produce, it cannot do anything without abiding in the Vine. And it must continually abide, 24 hours a day, 365 days out of the year. It isn't a matter of abiding only on Sabbath or at the midweek service; it means abiding every day, it means abiding continually! And if the branch abides in the Vine, it cannot help but bear the fruit! That's right it can't help but bear the fruit, for it has to; it's the natural thing and it can't help but do so. This is what righteousness by faith is really all about.
I think I mentioned before my experience of loving people, and I am still learning to love people no matter who they are. I was just asking God to help me be like Him and a few days later, I realized how much He had changed me. From a critic to someone who loves people and really wants to. So there is hope for us all, don't give up just keep surrendering your life to God and He will take care of all the fruits that you need. He really does do it, it is so very true. Grandma Joan
Wednesday, November 29, 2017
Monday, November 27, 2017
Abiding, Trials, and Fruit Bearing - Part 14
The branch only does what comes naturally. Do blossoms put any effort into pollinating? No, they wait for the God of Heaven to also take care of the pollinating. There's not any effort. They simply bear the blossoms, and the pollination takes place through God's working upon that flower---through His Own way, whether it means the pollination being carried by bees, the wind, or something else. The plant still grows perfectly normal, and doesn't put any effort into the process. We must accept God's simple lesson, and get over the notion that environment affects our ability to bear fruit.
One person asked, "What if wind, a storm, cold, or some other abnormal situation comes along? How would that affect fruit-bearing? Fruit-bearing would undoubtedly be affected to some degree, but I don't exactly know how to relate to that, nor do I think we have to factor in all abnormalities in order to use it as a practical illustration, because the illustration is still true: God is still responsible for the fruit-bearing!
Please note that the abiding here is more than sitting down and doing nothing physiologically. Don't get the idea that you can only sit in a pew at church, and then go home and sit in a rocker before the fireplace.
Waiting--abiding, trusting--is a condition of the emotions. Intellectually I accept Christ, but to abide there is all about the emotions--which is where the real problem actually takes place.
The Lord doesn't prune until there is fruit. Let me repeat that" The Lord doesn't prune until there is fruit! If He were to start pruning before there were any fruit, it would hurt. And we might react and say, "I'm through with this!" But when there is fruit, He prunes, and then there is more fruit. And then He prunes more. I can hear someone saying, "But that's not what I wanted. I don't want any more of this stuff that hurts!" But God keeps pruning, and finally there is much fruit. And all of it comes while I am abiding. So the individual who abides is not only abiding in moments of ease, but also abiding through trials and perplexities.
So we come back to the same thing: Our environment has nothing to do with our fruit-bearing or with our abiding. We abide simply and completely and wholly in spite of the environment. We get back to this fact repeatedly, because we make so many excuses for lack of fruit on account of the environment we live in or because of the particular situations we find ourselves in. Even in the case of tornado-like trials, God takes responsibility for the perplexities and trials that seem to come from outside factors. We come up with these excuses for not bearing fruit. And remember, when we talk of bearing fruit we are talking about the fruit of the Spirit" love, joy and peace, etc. (Galatians 5:22,23), and therefore are coming up with excuses for not bearing the character of Christ; excuses for why you don't see Christ' character in my life, and excuses for why I don't see His character in your life.
Wow! that was a long lesson to digest. It's better to go over it again and again until we can grasp it. Don't forget to pray and ask God to lead in your thoughts and study. It is most important that we have His help in all Spiritual things. Please be blessed as you read these lessons. Like I have. I did not understand the Vine and the branch verses until I took the time to read about it and ask God to help me to abide in Him. Grandma Joan
One person asked, "What if wind, a storm, cold, or some other abnormal situation comes along? How would that affect fruit-bearing? Fruit-bearing would undoubtedly be affected to some degree, but I don't exactly know how to relate to that, nor do I think we have to factor in all abnormalities in order to use it as a practical illustration, because the illustration is still true: God is still responsible for the fruit-bearing!
Please note that the abiding here is more than sitting down and doing nothing physiologically. Don't get the idea that you can only sit in a pew at church, and then go home and sit in a rocker before the fireplace.
Waiting--abiding, trusting--is a condition of the emotions. Intellectually I accept Christ, but to abide there is all about the emotions--which is where the real problem actually takes place.
The Lord doesn't prune until there is fruit. Let me repeat that" The Lord doesn't prune until there is fruit! If He were to start pruning before there were any fruit, it would hurt. And we might react and say, "I'm through with this!" But when there is fruit, He prunes, and then there is more fruit. And then He prunes more. I can hear someone saying, "But that's not what I wanted. I don't want any more of this stuff that hurts!" But God keeps pruning, and finally there is much fruit. And all of it comes while I am abiding. So the individual who abides is not only abiding in moments of ease, but also abiding through trials and perplexities.
So we come back to the same thing: Our environment has nothing to do with our fruit-bearing or with our abiding. We abide simply and completely and wholly in spite of the environment. We get back to this fact repeatedly, because we make so many excuses for lack of fruit on account of the environment we live in or because of the particular situations we find ourselves in. Even in the case of tornado-like trials, God takes responsibility for the perplexities and trials that seem to come from outside factors. We come up with these excuses for not bearing fruit. And remember, when we talk of bearing fruit we are talking about the fruit of the Spirit" love, joy and peace, etc. (Galatians 5:22,23), and therefore are coming up with excuses for not bearing the character of Christ; excuses for why you don't see Christ' character in my life, and excuses for why I don't see His character in your life.
Wow! that was a long lesson to digest. It's better to go over it again and again until we can grasp it. Don't forget to pray and ask God to lead in your thoughts and study. It is most important that we have His help in all Spiritual things. Please be blessed as you read these lessons. Like I have. I did not understand the Vine and the branch verses until I took the time to read about it and ask God to help me to abide in Him. Grandma Joan
Sunday, November 26, 2017
Abiding and Total Dependence - Part 13
We have a tendency to come up with these varied excuses because we misunderstand the basis of fruit-bearing, thinking we are responsible for developing the fruit. So we say to ourselves, "I am going to work on patience as a fruit." "I am going to work on love." "I'm going to love this person even if it kills me." Can you develop these fruits? It's ridiculous! Yet the Devil convinces us of this, and we become determined to do it. How many times have I talked with husbands and wives who say, "well, I'm going to love her even if it's the last thing I ever do!" And that is totally ridiculous.
But what happens if we are abiding in the Vine? Love just comes out. If we take all, we will give all. If we give all, we'll have to take it--you can't do it without Him. No matter how much determination you muster on your own it will still be utterly impossible to develop these fruits. What is a severed branch fit for? Burning, and it is good for nothing else. The branch lasts a minute, generates a little heat, and then it will be gone--that's the end of it, and that's exactly what Jesus intended to communicate. This illustration is so completely true and so completely simple that it's very, very difficult for us to believe it.
Wo the very things I want you to remember and put down in your notes from these verses of Scripture is the lesson of the branch's total and absolute dependence. The branch cannot live, it cannot exist, it cannot produce, it cannot do anything without abiding in the Vine. And it must continually abide, 24 hours a day, 365 days out of the year. It isn't a matter of abiding only on Sabbath or at the midweek service; it means abiding every day, it means abiding continually! And if the branch abides in the Vine, it cannot help but bear the fruit! That's right, it can't help but bear the fruit, for it has to; it's the natural thing and it can't help but do so. This is what righteousness by faith is really all about.
This lesson became one of the most astounding things that have happened in my life, long before I read this little book. I was praying a lot about having the character of Jesus and sometime later I was thinking about this and I was thinking about how much I was loving everyone, or nearly everyone and how fulfilling it was and how much my life had changed from one of criticizing others to one of loving everyone that would allow me to love them. There are some people that it takes time to break through the barrier. So don't get discouraged! I can only think of a very few that are like that and for some reason, some people don't like me and I suspect it has to do with jealousy, since I don't really know them and they don't know me but they see how much I am loved by others. It is such a fulfilling life, I would never want it any other way. We have new members in our church now, 16 to be exact and I am going to love them too. Everyone needs loved, I have found that out and I just tell them I love them and they respond beautifully. Ask God to fill you with His love and you will be so filled yourself that it is absolutely amazing. This all happened as an answer to a prayer that I asked God to make me more like Him. Grandma Joan
But what happens if we are abiding in the Vine? Love just comes out. If we take all, we will give all. If we give all, we'll have to take it--you can't do it without Him. No matter how much determination you muster on your own it will still be utterly impossible to develop these fruits. What is a severed branch fit for? Burning, and it is good for nothing else. The branch lasts a minute, generates a little heat, and then it will be gone--that's the end of it, and that's exactly what Jesus intended to communicate. This illustration is so completely true and so completely simple that it's very, very difficult for us to believe it.
Wo the very things I want you to remember and put down in your notes from these verses of Scripture is the lesson of the branch's total and absolute dependence. The branch cannot live, it cannot exist, it cannot produce, it cannot do anything without abiding in the Vine. And it must continually abide, 24 hours a day, 365 days out of the year. It isn't a matter of abiding only on Sabbath or at the midweek service; it means abiding every day, it means abiding continually! And if the branch abides in the Vine, it cannot help but bear the fruit! That's right, it can't help but bear the fruit, for it has to; it's the natural thing and it can't help but do so. This is what righteousness by faith is really all about.
This lesson became one of the most astounding things that have happened in my life, long before I read this little book. I was praying a lot about having the character of Jesus and sometime later I was thinking about this and I was thinking about how much I was loving everyone, or nearly everyone and how fulfilling it was and how much my life had changed from one of criticizing others to one of loving everyone that would allow me to love them. There are some people that it takes time to break through the barrier. So don't get discouraged! I can only think of a very few that are like that and for some reason, some people don't like me and I suspect it has to do with jealousy, since I don't really know them and they don't know me but they see how much I am loved by others. It is such a fulfilling life, I would never want it any other way. We have new members in our church now, 16 to be exact and I am going to love them too. Everyone needs loved, I have found that out and I just tell them I love them and they respond beautifully. Ask God to fill you with His love and you will be so filled yourself that it is absolutely amazing. This all happened as an answer to a prayer that I asked God to make me more like Him. Grandma Joan
Saturday, November 25, 2017
Lack of Abiding and Withered Branches - Part 12
Staying with the illustration, Jesus said, "I am the True Vine, you are the branches, and My Father is the Husbandman." We must constantly keep these three elements in mind; if we forget, we will get completely lost. Now remember, this is the simplest type of illustration; you could not it in any simpler illustration than the branch and the Vine. John 15:6 tells us, "If a man abide not in Me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned." The branch that is not an abiding branch is only fit to be burned; it is worthless--totally and completely worthless!
Now someone asks, How do you correlate being worthless with the fact that if you don't abide, you do other works? Remember, you are dealing with the fruit of the Spirit, which is an unnatural thing. The natural thing is to do what Satan naturally does in us. So, we are either bearing the fruit Satan gives us or bearing the fruit God gives us.
Now turn with me to Galatians5:17. We find there the contrast between the fruit and the works that we have been talking about. In this verse the matter of "works" comes up. It says in Galatians 5:17:
"For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so ye cannot do the things that ye would." It's entirely impossible! There's only one way it can be done, and that is to rest, completely abiding in Christ.
Let each days study sink deep into our heart and stay abiding in Him and we will bear the fruit of the Spirit and not Satan's fruit of the flesh. Tomorrow we will see what the fruit if the flesh is and we won't want any part of the works or fruit of the flesh. I am sure you will agree with me. Grandma Joan.
Now someone asks, How do you correlate being worthless with the fact that if you don't abide, you do other works? Remember, you are dealing with the fruit of the Spirit, which is an unnatural thing. The natural thing is to do what Satan naturally does in us. So, we are either bearing the fruit Satan gives us or bearing the fruit God gives us.
Now turn with me to Galatians5:17. We find there the contrast between the fruit and the works that we have been talking about. In this verse the matter of "works" comes up. It says in Galatians 5:17:
"For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so ye cannot do the things that ye would." It's entirely impossible! There's only one way it can be done, and that is to rest, completely abiding in Christ.
Let each days study sink deep into our heart and stay abiding in Him and we will bear the fruit of the Spirit and not Satan's fruit of the flesh. Tomorrow we will see what the fruit if the flesh is and we won't want any part of the works or fruit of the flesh. I am sure you will agree with me. Grandma Joan.
Thursday, November 23, 2017
Abiding and the Spirit's Fruit - Part 11
How then does the branch produce perfect fruit? What is our work? It is always--and I emphasize this again--it is always to abide and let the Vine do the work. Now this is absolutely difficult for us to understand. If we abide and let God do the work, then it is done right, and we become channels through whom He can flow. If we put ourselves into it, we mess things up; and we've been messing things up for 6,000 years which is why it is taking us so long.
We are talking about fruit bearing, but what kind of fruit are we talking about? Fruit bearing is actually a matter of bearing the fruit of the Spirit described in the book of Galatians: love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance.
I want to emphasize again that I am printing out a little book that helped me so much and I though you would like the help that I have received from it. It was written by Evangelist Frank Philips who spent the last ten years of his life sharing this message and it's all Biblical and so simple to under-stand. May you be blessed by this message. Grandma Joan, more tomorrow.
We are talking about fruit bearing, but what kind of fruit are we talking about? Fruit bearing is actually a matter of bearing the fruit of the Spirit described in the book of Galatians: love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance.
I want to emphasize again that I am printing out a little book that helped me so much and I though you would like the help that I have received from it. It was written by Evangelist Frank Philips who spent the last ten years of his life sharing this message and it's all Biblical and so simple to under-stand. May you be blessed by this message. Grandma Joan, more tomorrow.
Tuesday, November 21, 2017
Abiding: Giving and Taking - Part 10
Quoting Paul, "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him." "The just shall live by faith." You gave yourself to God, to be His wholly, to serve and obey Him, and you took Christ as your Savior." SC 69 And there's not a person taking in these words that hasn't done that, I believe. "You could not yourself atone for your sins or change your heart; but having given yourself to God, you believe that He for Christ's sake did all this for you."
I know you believe this; there is no question about this in your mind. "By faith you became Christ's, and by faith you are to grow up in Him--by giving and taking." By what? By giving and taking." Is that what the branch does? Yes. What does the branch take? It takes the sap from the Vine; it also takes the sunshine from the same Source--from God. It's constantly taking. And then what does it do in turn? 'By giving and taking." Now notice. "You are to give all,--your heart, your will, your service,--give yourself to Him to obey all His requirements; and you must take all."
But notice, the Vine determines the amount! And just the amount the Vine is ready to give, is the amount we are to take. Why? Because that's the amount the Vine knows we need in order to bear the particular kind of fruit we're supposed to bear.
Now notice; "and you must take all,--Christ, the fullness of all blessing, to abide in your heart, to be your Strength, your Righteousness, your everlasting Helper,--to give you power to obey."
Now if we abide, we are to walk even as He walked. But we are not to walk in our own strength. We are to walk in His strength because he abides and He gives us the power to actually walk even as He walked. It isn't something that we can do by effort--not in any sense of the word.
Abiding is without question the most difficult state of the Christian life. It is not difficult for me to surrender my life to Christ. It is not difficult for me to accept Christ. But to abide is very difficult.
Now can you think of any reason why this is so? Probably one of the greatest reasons is that most of us try to make this a mental act. But notice, while the surrender that comes when I first accept Christ is a mental process, for God appeals to my thinking mind and I accept Him mentally, abiding goes deeper and affects one of the most difficult parts of our living. Did you ever have to wait for your wife while she was shopping? It was difficult to "abide" while she was shopping, wasn't it? You stood there gritting your teeth and saying "why is it taking her so long to buy a pair of shoes? And this can be just as hard for a lady as a man. She says, "Why does it take you so long to shave, anyway?"
Waiting for the Lord, letting something rest with Him is also a very, very difficult thing. Why? Because it touches the emotional part of our being, not just the intellect. It would help if we could honestly say while waiting, "Of course I would want to be particular, too, if I were in there buying a pair of shoes." But we don't respond like that; we simply feel hurt in our emotions and get all tense. You see, the real problem is that abiding touches the feelings.
This has been a pretty heavy study, you may want to read it over a few times to really get the meaning. It is worth our time to understand these things as it will help us on our journey to heaven.
I pray that you will follow on with the studies to know the Lord and understand His sill in your life.
Grandma Joan
I know you believe this; there is no question about this in your mind. "By faith you became Christ's, and by faith you are to grow up in Him--by giving and taking." By what? By giving and taking." Is that what the branch does? Yes. What does the branch take? It takes the sap from the Vine; it also takes the sunshine from the same Source--from God. It's constantly taking. And then what does it do in turn? 'By giving and taking." Now notice. "You are to give all,--your heart, your will, your service,--give yourself to Him to obey all His requirements; and you must take all."
But notice, the Vine determines the amount! And just the amount the Vine is ready to give, is the amount we are to take. Why? Because that's the amount the Vine knows we need in order to bear the particular kind of fruit we're supposed to bear.
Now notice; "and you must take all,--Christ, the fullness of all blessing, to abide in your heart, to be your Strength, your Righteousness, your everlasting Helper,--to give you power to obey."
Now if we abide, we are to walk even as He walked. But we are not to walk in our own strength. We are to walk in His strength because he abides and He gives us the power to actually walk even as He walked. It isn't something that we can do by effort--not in any sense of the word.
Abiding is without question the most difficult state of the Christian life. It is not difficult for me to surrender my life to Christ. It is not difficult for me to accept Christ. But to abide is very difficult.
Now can you think of any reason why this is so? Probably one of the greatest reasons is that most of us try to make this a mental act. But notice, while the surrender that comes when I first accept Christ is a mental process, for God appeals to my thinking mind and I accept Him mentally, abiding goes deeper and affects one of the most difficult parts of our living. Did you ever have to wait for your wife while she was shopping? It was difficult to "abide" while she was shopping, wasn't it? You stood there gritting your teeth and saying "why is it taking her so long to buy a pair of shoes? And this can be just as hard for a lady as a man. She says, "Why does it take you so long to shave, anyway?"
Waiting for the Lord, letting something rest with Him is also a very, very difficult thing. Why? Because it touches the emotional part of our being, not just the intellect. It would help if we could honestly say while waiting, "Of course I would want to be particular, too, if I were in there buying a pair of shoes." But we don't respond like that; we simply feel hurt in our emotions and get all tense. You see, the real problem is that abiding touches the feelings.
This has been a pretty heavy study, you may want to read it over a few times to really get the meaning. It is worth our time to understand these things as it will help us on our journey to heaven.
I pray that you will follow on with the studies to know the Lord and understand His sill in your life.
Grandma Joan
Monday, November 20, 2017
Abiding - Constantly Accepting - Part 9
Now the Author says quoting Paul, "As you have therefore received Christ, so walk . . . " There is nothing different about abiding than actually receiving Him. Just as you accepted Christ initially, abiding in Him is constantly accepting! And when we accepted Christ in the very first place, self was simply--to the very best of our knowledge at least--set side, and we accepted Him in His full Person to the point that He actually revealed Himself to us.
The problem you see, is that as we go along in life, He reveals Himself in greater measure, and therefore there are greater demands on our lives because we are actually supposed to be able to abide and conform to His pattern. And that's exactly what the branch does. The branch does nothing but bear the leaves which enable the chemical processes to take place, taking the sap from the vine and producing fruit. But the branch doesn't put any effort into it. It doesn't because it was made to bear fruit! You and I were made to bear fruit for God; to reflect His image--that's what He made us for from the very beginning. Now notice, this is only possible in an effortless--and I mean exactly that--in an effortless manner! The problem is that abiding, and fruit-bearing, and works, get all mixed up in our thinking.
I can vouch for that! I had it all mixed up in my mind, the abiding an fruit-bearing and works and it was weighing heavily on my mind and the devil was trying to deceive me into thinking I need to bear the fruit in Galatians on my own and I didn't know how to do that and also that works was preying on my mind that I wasn't doing anything for God. Now I know that if I abide in Him constantly that He does the fruit-bearing for me and also the works. You can't imagine the burden that was lifted from my shoulders. I am so grateful for this enlightenment on this subject, and we aren't through yet. Hang in there and you will be blessed if you are sincerely seeking as I was. Grandma Joan
The problem you see, is that as we go along in life, He reveals Himself in greater measure, and therefore there are greater demands on our lives because we are actually supposed to be able to abide and conform to His pattern. And that's exactly what the branch does. The branch does nothing but bear the leaves which enable the chemical processes to take place, taking the sap from the vine and producing fruit. But the branch doesn't put any effort into it. It doesn't because it was made to bear fruit! You and I were made to bear fruit for God; to reflect His image--that's what He made us for from the very beginning. Now notice, this is only possible in an effortless--and I mean exactly that--in an effortless manner! The problem is that abiding, and fruit-bearing, and works, get all mixed up in our thinking.
I can vouch for that! I had it all mixed up in my mind, the abiding an fruit-bearing and works and it was weighing heavily on my mind and the devil was trying to deceive me into thinking I need to bear the fruit in Galatians on my own and I didn't know how to do that and also that works was preying on my mind that I wasn't doing anything for God. Now I know that if I abide in Him constantly that He does the fruit-bearing for me and also the works. You can't imagine the burden that was lifted from my shoulders. I am so grateful for this enlightenment on this subject, and we aren't through yet. Hang in there and you will be blessed if you are sincerely seeking as I was. Grandma Joan
Sunday, November 19, 2017
Abiding and Fruit Bearing - Part 8
Now, what does this abiding do so far as fruit-bearing is concerned? Well, we go back to 1 John 3:6, where it says, "Whosoever abides in Him sins not"! What do you think of that? That's beyond your comprehension and mine, isn't it? "Whosoever abides in Him sins not"! Now tell me, Why is this a fact, and how is this a fact? Is this about pardon? Is this about believing in it? Well, how much can the branch do that abides in the vine? It can do nothing! How much? Nothing! All it can do is abide; that's all it does. It is true that it receives its strength from the vine, but does it say, "Well, now, I 'd like to have five gallons of sap today"? Or does it say, "I only need a quart today!"? Does it?
No! What does the branch do? Nothing! It receives exactly what the vine gives it!
Now the word "abiding" implies something very important for us to understand. What is implied when the word "abiding" is used as a command? The point is this: There would be no need to give the counsel--the command--to abide if it were not the natural thing to do the opposite! Isn't that true? The natural thing is to not abide. We get the information; we gather the facts and then go our way with a big smile on our face. Isn't that what we do; get the inspiration, then leave the Source? That's the natural thing to do. Jesus said "Abide". This abiding, then, is the essential thing, the absolutely essential thing, for living the Christian life. Abiding is the one thing that we must absolutely do to live the victorious life; there is no way around it.
Now immediately somebody says, "But tell me, how?" Notice page 69 of "Steps to Christ": Do you ask, 'How am I to abide in Christ?" "Have you ever asked that? Absolutely! "In the same way as you received Him at first. 'As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him.'"
Colossians 2:6. So, if we a bide in Christ, the ability to walk even as He walked is ours. Isn't that right? Of course it is. That's why 1 John 2:6 says that the ability to walk only comes as we abide.
It's getting better all the time isn't it? I pray that you are being blessed as I am. This is so powerful that it actually changes our lives to a complete turn around. I love to know that I can abide in Christ and He takes over the Fruit Bearing, the Love, Joy, Peace etc. in Galatians 5: 22,23. Grandma Joan
No! What does the branch do? Nothing! It receives exactly what the vine gives it!
Now the word "abiding" implies something very important for us to understand. What is implied when the word "abiding" is used as a command? The point is this: There would be no need to give the counsel--the command--to abide if it were not the natural thing to do the opposite! Isn't that true? The natural thing is to not abide. We get the information; we gather the facts and then go our way with a big smile on our face. Isn't that what we do; get the inspiration, then leave the Source? That's the natural thing to do. Jesus said "Abide". This abiding, then, is the essential thing, the absolutely essential thing, for living the Christian life. Abiding is the one thing that we must absolutely do to live the victorious life; there is no way around it.
Now immediately somebody says, "But tell me, how?" Notice page 69 of "Steps to Christ": Do you ask, 'How am I to abide in Christ?" "Have you ever asked that? Absolutely! "In the same way as you received Him at first. 'As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him.'"
Colossians 2:6. So, if we a bide in Christ, the ability to walk even as He walked is ours. Isn't that right? Of course it is. That's why 1 John 2:6 says that the ability to walk only comes as we abide.
It's getting better all the time isn't it? I pray that you are being blessed as I am. This is so powerful that it actually changes our lives to a complete turn around. I love to know that I can abide in Christ and He takes over the Fruit Bearing, the Love, Joy, Peace etc. in Galatians 5: 22,23. Grandma Joan
Saturday, November 18, 2017
Abiding: An Anointing - Part 7
I am sharing a little book with you that has helped me tremendously. The Title: The Branch and the Vine. By Frank Phillips. Frank Phillips was an Evangelist when he came upon these truths and spent the last ten years of his life sharing them. They are so good that I have permission to share them with you.
Let's turn to 2 Corinthians 1:21,22 "He which establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, is God; Who has also sealed us, and given us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts." So not only are we established and anointed in Christ, but God also seals and grants the Holy Spirit to dwell in our hearts.
Now lets turn to 1 John 2:27,28. "But the anointing which you have received of Him abides in you. . Notice the anointing is there again. "But the anointing which you have received of Him".... of Whom? God! John says this anointing is of God. "But the anointing which you have received of Him abides in you and ye need not that any man teach you." Isn't that interesting? "Ye ned not that any man teach you." Why? Because the Holy Spirit will.
The person who is honestly and consistently abiding in Christ will be constantly receiving his instructions from the Holy Spirit....he is constantly being taught. It isn't a matter of some man coming along and teaching; rather it is a matter of receiving instruction from the Holy Spirit. Now notice, "But as the same anointing teaches you of all things, and is truth, an is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in whom? "Him". "Ye shall abide in Him!" Now verse 28: And now, little children, abide in Him; that, when He shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming." Jesus said, "Abide in Me." Can you see that there is much solemn truth involved in this abiding business?
What does this abiding do for us? Why does God want us to abide in Christ? Why is this whole thing given to us?
1 John 2:6 "He that says he abides in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked." Abiding enables a person to walk, even as He walked.
Keeping this in mind, let's return to John 15:5, where John is quoting the words of Jesus when He said "I am the Vine, you are the branches. He that abides in Me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." We already touched on the fact that the branch has only one purpose: bearing fruit---the illustration is absolutely crystal clear. Yet we need to establish a bit more of a foundation about what is accomplished before we get into the profound yet simple truths of the illustration. Grandma Joan is sharing from the book 'The Branch and the Vine"
I hope you are really learning how to abide in Christ and what the results of abiding in Him does for us. Continued tomorrow. Grandma Joan
Now lets turn to 1 John 2:27,28. "But the anointing which you have received of Him abides in you. . Notice the anointing is there again. "But the anointing which you have received of Him".... of Whom? God! John says this anointing is of God. "But the anointing which you have received of Him abides in you and ye need not that any man teach you." Isn't that interesting? "Ye ned not that any man teach you." Why? Because the Holy Spirit will.
The person who is honestly and consistently abiding in Christ will be constantly receiving his instructions from the Holy Spirit....he is constantly being taught. It isn't a matter of some man coming along and teaching; rather it is a matter of receiving instruction from the Holy Spirit. Now notice, "But as the same anointing teaches you of all things, and is truth, an is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in whom? "Him". "Ye shall abide in Him!" Now verse 28: And now, little children, abide in Him; that, when He shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming." Jesus said, "Abide in Me." Can you see that there is much solemn truth involved in this abiding business?
What does this abiding do for us? Why does God want us to abide in Christ? Why is this whole thing given to us?
1 John 2:6 "He that says he abides in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked." Abiding enables a person to walk, even as He walked.
Keeping this in mind, let's return to John 15:5, where John is quoting the words of Jesus when He said "I am the Vine, you are the branches. He that abides in Me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." We already touched on the fact that the branch has only one purpose: bearing fruit---the illustration is absolutely crystal clear. Yet we need to establish a bit more of a foundation about what is accomplished before we get into the profound yet simple truths of the illustration. Grandma Joan is sharing from the book 'The Branch and the Vine"
I hope you are really learning how to abide in Christ and what the results of abiding in Him does for us. Continued tomorrow. Grandma Joan
Friday, November 17, 2017
How is Purging a Part of Abiding?- Part 6
Let's check out some more verses that will help us with what we are studying.
Turn with me to 2 Corinthians 1:21, 22. Paul said, "Now He which establishes us with you in Christ...
What did he say?....He which establishes us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is...Who?
"God" God does this; God places us in Christ. He not only places us in Christ, but then He actually follows through.
Now notice verse 22: "Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts."
God puts us into Christ, anoints us in Christ, and than tells us that instead of our doing this, it is the Holy Spirit who is doing it. The Holy Spirit puts us in Christ, keeps us in Christ, and then seals us.
The Holy Spirit is God's Spirit working in us.
I didn't mention purging, so let's talk about it for a moment. Purging is not an after kind of thing; it is a while thing. Purging takes place while other things are going on. Here is what happens. The purpose of the branch is to bear fruit; purging makes it bear more fruit; more purging makes it bear much fruit. So you go from fruit, to more fruit, to much fruit, and Jesus said that His plan for you and me is to bear much fruit. So a lot of purging is going to take place along the way. This is absolutely a fact, because when the Gardener--the Husbandman--sees the branch and recognizes that it needs a little pruning here and there, He goes ahead with the pruning whether the branch likes it or not.
Purging is pruning away at the things that don't belong in our life. Yes, God does the pruning, His Spirit works in us to will and to do of His good pleasure. We need this pruning to produce much fruit. Hold on until tomorrow and we will discuss more about this. Grandma Joan
Turn with me to 2 Corinthians 1:21, 22. Paul said, "Now He which establishes us with you in Christ...
What did he say?....He which establishes us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is...Who?
"God" God does this; God places us in Christ. He not only places us in Christ, but then He actually follows through.
Now notice verse 22: "Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts."
God puts us into Christ, anoints us in Christ, and than tells us that instead of our doing this, it is the Holy Spirit who is doing it. The Holy Spirit puts us in Christ, keeps us in Christ, and then seals us.
The Holy Spirit is God's Spirit working in us.
I didn't mention purging, so let's talk about it for a moment. Purging is not an after kind of thing; it is a while thing. Purging takes place while other things are going on. Here is what happens. The purpose of the branch is to bear fruit; purging makes it bear more fruit; more purging makes it bear much fruit. So you go from fruit, to more fruit, to much fruit, and Jesus said that His plan for you and me is to bear much fruit. So a lot of purging is going to take place along the way. This is absolutely a fact, because when the Gardener--the Husbandman--sees the branch and recognizes that it needs a little pruning here and there, He goes ahead with the pruning whether the branch likes it or not.
Purging is pruning away at the things that don't belong in our life. Yes, God does the pruning, His Spirit works in us to will and to do of His good pleasure. We need this pruning to produce much fruit. Hold on until tomorrow and we will discuss more about this. Grandma Joan
Wednesday, November 15, 2017
Our Relationship with God - Part 5
Let's read verse 6 now: "If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned."
How important is it for us to abide in Christ? If we don't, it says that every branch that does not abide in Him is cast forth and withers up and is burned in a fire. I won't dwell on the fire right now, the importance of it all is that we abide in Christ and bear much fruit, but we must realize that without Him we can do nothing, so the most important part is abiding in Him.
Verse 7. "If you abide in me, and My words abide in you, you shall ask what you will and it shall be done unto you."
A lot of people have taken the part out of context which says you can ask what you will and it shall be done unto you. So what is the meaning of these words, well, lets look at the next verse and it is explained.
Verse 8 "Herein is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit; so shall you be My disciples."
What glorifies the Father? That we bear much fruit and then we will be His disciples.
What can we ask for? We can ask for more fruit to bear, that glorifies God.
And then if we are His disciples we will bear much fruit and glorify our Father in Heaven. I can't wait for more fruit and for spending time with Him, it is so rewarding. Grandma Joan
How important is it for us to abide in Christ? If we don't, it says that every branch that does not abide in Him is cast forth and withers up and is burned in a fire. I won't dwell on the fire right now, the importance of it all is that we abide in Christ and bear much fruit, but we must realize that without Him we can do nothing, so the most important part is abiding in Him.
Verse 7. "If you abide in me, and My words abide in you, you shall ask what you will and it shall be done unto you."
A lot of people have taken the part out of context which says you can ask what you will and it shall be done unto you. So what is the meaning of these words, well, lets look at the next verse and it is explained.
Verse 8 "Herein is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit; so shall you be My disciples."
What glorifies the Father? That we bear much fruit and then we will be His disciples.
What can we ask for? We can ask for more fruit to bear, that glorifies God.
And then if we are His disciples we will bear much fruit and glorify our Father in Heaven. I can't wait for more fruit and for spending time with Him, it is so rewarding. Grandma Joan
Our Relationship with God - Part 4
Let's read Verse 4 now: "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself except it abides in the vine: no more can you, except you abide in Me."
How much effort does it take for the branch to bear fruit? None, so can we make ourselves bear fruit? In Verse 4, it says, we can only bear fruit if we abide in the vine. The only thing that takes effort is 'abiding'. We have a free choice if we want to abide in the vine and bear fruit to His glory or if we want to be a withered branch and bear sickly fruit that no one wants to pick. This would be caused by not abiding day by day in Christ the Vine.
Let's look at verse 5, "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abides in Me and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing."
How important is it that we abide in Christ? If we abide in Him, we will bring forth much fruit: How much can we bring forth without Him? Without Him we can do nothing. How simple is that? So far I see the secret is ABIDING IN HIM MOMENT BY MOMENT, DAY BY DAY. We will bring forth lots of fruit.
Let's read Galatians 5:22,23 again to refresh our minds as to what fruit is.
"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, against such there is no law."
I have discovered that when I stay connected to the Vine, Christ, I have much love, joy, peace and my patience is getting better, I am more gentle with others, and I have learned that it doesn't all come at once. We must be patient and wait on God to fill us with His Spirit which includes all these fruit. The thing that thrills me the most is how much love God has place in my heart for nearly everybody that I come in contact with. Even some who have never spoken to me before, I can still love them. The best part of it all is that I really do have an abundance of love in my heart for all those that I thought I could never love. It is so wonderful. Please be a fruit bearing branch and bring glory to God with your fruit. Grandma Joan
How much effort does it take for the branch to bear fruit? None, so can we make ourselves bear fruit? In Verse 4, it says, we can only bear fruit if we abide in the vine. The only thing that takes effort is 'abiding'. We have a free choice if we want to abide in the vine and bear fruit to His glory or if we want to be a withered branch and bear sickly fruit that no one wants to pick. This would be caused by not abiding day by day in Christ the Vine.
Let's look at verse 5, "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abides in Me and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing."
How important is it that we abide in Christ? If we abide in Him, we will bring forth much fruit: How much can we bring forth without Him? Without Him we can do nothing. How simple is that? So far I see the secret is ABIDING IN HIM MOMENT BY MOMENT, DAY BY DAY. We will bring forth lots of fruit.
Let's read Galatians 5:22,23 again to refresh our minds as to what fruit is.
"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, against such there is no law."
I have discovered that when I stay connected to the Vine, Christ, I have much love, joy, peace and my patience is getting better, I am more gentle with others, and I have learned that it doesn't all come at once. We must be patient and wait on God to fill us with His Spirit which includes all these fruit. The thing that thrills me the most is how much love God has place in my heart for nearly everybody that I come in contact with. Even some who have never spoken to me before, I can still love them. The best part of it all is that I really do have an abundance of love in my heart for all those that I thought I could never love. It is so wonderful. Please be a fruit bearing branch and bring glory to God with your fruit. Grandma Joan
Tuesday, November 14, 2017
Our Relationship with God - Part 3
Today we are going to concentrate on Verse 3. "Now you are clean through the word which I have spoken to you."
God's word is powerful and when He tells us we are clean through His word, we know this is a truth we all need and that is, 'to be clean'. What does it mean to be clean? The dictionary tells us the following: Free from moral impurity, free from defilement, free from guilt, sanctified and holy. I like the last one, 'free from guilt, sanctified and holy'. I believe that is what the Bible definition is.
How do we get free from guilt, sanctified and holy? Verse 3 tells us,"now you are clean through the word which I have spoken to you>" That's pretty simple, isn't it. Spend time in God's word and accepting His promptings and counsel and before you know it, you will be bearing much fruit to God's glory. All those things you wanted to be; will be a part of your character as you linger in His word, absorbing it day by day. You also will be abiding in Him through His word. It is such a simple thing to do, I was overwhelmed with the simplicity of it all. Not through yet, we have some more verses to consider. I pray that you are praying for strength and wisdom to grasp how simple it is to have a relationship with Christ and God. So simple, but I have some more good news to add to this.
Grandma Joan
God's word is powerful and when He tells us we are clean through His word, we know this is a truth we all need and that is, 'to be clean'. What does it mean to be clean? The dictionary tells us the following: Free from moral impurity, free from defilement, free from guilt, sanctified and holy. I like the last one, 'free from guilt, sanctified and holy'. I believe that is what the Bible definition is.
How do we get free from guilt, sanctified and holy? Verse 3 tells us,"now you are clean through the word which I have spoken to you>" That's pretty simple, isn't it. Spend time in God's word and accepting His promptings and counsel and before you know it, you will be bearing much fruit to God's glory. All those things you wanted to be; will be a part of your character as you linger in His word, absorbing it day by day. You also will be abiding in Him through His word. It is such a simple thing to do, I was overwhelmed with the simplicity of it all. Not through yet, we have some more verses to consider. I pray that you are praying for strength and wisdom to grasp how simple it is to have a relationship with Christ and God. So simple, but I have some more good news to add to this.
Grandma Joan
Monday, November 13, 2017
Our Relationship with God - cont. Part 2
Yesterday I shared John 15:1-8 and a little 'hint' that God is the husbandman and Christ is the vine.
Verse 2. "Every branch in me that bears not fruit He takes away and every branch that bears fruit, he purges it, that it may bring forth more fruit."
What is the fruit that God wants us to bear through Christ the vine? Galatians 5:22,23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."
These are the fruit that will be borne on every branch that is connected to the vine in Christ. If we are abiding in Him we will develop the character traits of Jesus the vine of which we are attached. This truth is pretty simple but because it is so simple, we skim right through it and don't apply it to our lives as we need to.
We need to abide in Him every minute of every day, so that He can purge our branch or us and cause us to bring forth more fruit as each day goes by. My prayer for myself is: "Lord Jesus, You are the vine and I am a branch and I want to bear fruit to Your glory all through this day, please keep me abiding continually in You and allow Your Spirit to cause me to bear more fruit to Your glory. Thank you Jesus for blessing me with more of Your character traits." Then you can continue to pray for those that you hope to influence by the new fruit that you are bearing. Tomorrow is another part of John 15. I hope God is impressing these truths upon your hearts and minds. Grandma Joan
Verse 2. "Every branch in me that bears not fruit He takes away and every branch that bears fruit, he purges it, that it may bring forth more fruit."
What is the fruit that God wants us to bear through Christ the vine? Galatians 5:22,23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."
These are the fruit that will be borne on every branch that is connected to the vine in Christ. If we are abiding in Him we will develop the character traits of Jesus the vine of which we are attached. This truth is pretty simple but because it is so simple, we skim right through it and don't apply it to our lives as we need to.
We need to abide in Him every minute of every day, so that He can purge our branch or us and cause us to bring forth more fruit as each day goes by. My prayer for myself is: "Lord Jesus, You are the vine and I am a branch and I want to bear fruit to Your glory all through this day, please keep me abiding continually in You and allow Your Spirit to cause me to bear more fruit to Your glory. Thank you Jesus for blessing me with more of Your character traits." Then you can continue to pray for those that you hope to influence by the new fruit that you are bearing. Tomorrow is another part of John 15. I hope God is impressing these truths upon your hearts and minds. Grandma Joan
Sunday, November 12, 2017
Back again! "Our relationship with God"
I am so sorry that I have been under the weather, it seems like it's just one thing and another, this time it was my lungs and so short of breath even at small exertions. I hope you will all check back in again, I have something special to share with you that I think will give you peace in your heart and mind like nothing I have ever learned before. God is so good!!! I just have to share what He is doing in my life and can do in yours. You will have to check in every day as I am going to do it in pieces and because I am still weak and expecting God to help me, I will do short studies to make it easy for you to grasp and easier for me to spend time with you.
"Our relationship with God". or "Our relationship with Christ" Whichever you prefer to call it.
In John 15, the subject is "abiding" which means, enduring, lasting, everlasting, eternal, unending, permanent, and steadfast. They all mean the same thing, don't they? Now let's read the first few verses in John 15.
John 15:1-8 "I am the vine and My Father is the husbandman. Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away; and every branch that beareth fruit He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now you are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can you except you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without Me you can do nothing. If a man abides not in Me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them and cast them into the fire and they are burned. If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is My Father glorified that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be My disciples."
If you can read these verses over a few times, then tomorrow we will start at verse one and explain these verses one by one. Read them very carefully and try to think what God or Christ is saying to you. Hint: God the Father is the husbandman and Christ is the vine. This is soooo good you will really appreciate how simple it really is. Grandma Joan.
"Our relationship with God". or "Our relationship with Christ" Whichever you prefer to call it.
In John 15, the subject is "abiding" which means, enduring, lasting, everlasting, eternal, unending, permanent, and steadfast. They all mean the same thing, don't they? Now let's read the first few verses in John 15.
John 15:1-8 "I am the vine and My Father is the husbandman. Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away; and every branch that beareth fruit He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now you are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can you except you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without Me you can do nothing. If a man abides not in Me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them and cast them into the fire and they are burned. If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is My Father glorified that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be My disciples."
If you can read these verses over a few times, then tomorrow we will start at verse one and explain these verses one by one. Read them very carefully and try to think what God or Christ is saying to you. Hint: God the Father is the husbandman and Christ is the vine. This is soooo good you will really appreciate how simple it really is. Grandma Joan.
Tuesday, November 7, 2017
Faith
Faith is taking God at His word.
Faith is the only condition upon which justification can be obtained, and faith includes not only belief but trust.
1 Timothy 2:4 "Who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."
2 Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance."
Revelation 3:20 "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.
We need to trust God's promises as quoted above and realize that He wants all to be saved and He is patiently knocking on the door of your heart begging you to let Him come in and dine with you and show you just how much He loves you and wants you to be saved, He doesn't want any to perish but all to repent of their sins and be saved. Faith is trusting His promises to save you and 'He will save to the uttermost all that come to God through Jesus Christ.' Hebrews 7:25. Grandma Joan
Faith is the only condition upon which justification can be obtained, and faith includes not only belief but trust.
1 Timothy 2:4 "Who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."
2 Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance."
Revelation 3:20 "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.
We need to trust God's promises as quoted above and realize that He wants all to be saved and He is patiently knocking on the door of your heart begging you to let Him come in and dine with you and show you just how much He loves you and wants you to be saved, He doesn't want any to perish but all to repent of their sins and be saved. Faith is trusting His promises to save you and 'He will save to the uttermost all that come to God through Jesus Christ.' Hebrews 7:25. Grandma Joan
Monday, November 6, 2017
Born Again
When the Spirit of God takes possession of the heart, it transforms the life...The blessing comes when by faith the soul surrenders itself to God. Then that power which no human eye can see creates a new being in the image of God...Its mystery exceeds human knowledge; yet he who passes from death to life realizes that it is a divine reality.
How, then are we to be saved? 'As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness,' so the Son of Man has been lifted up, and everyone who has been deceived and bitten by the serpent may look and live.
'Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.' John 1:29. The light shinning from the cross reveals the love of God. His love is drawing us to Himself. If we do not resist this drawing, we shall be led to the foot of the cross in repentance for the sins that have crucified the Savior. Then the Spirit of God through faith produces a new life in the soul.
'One thing you lack,' said Jesus. 'If thou will be perfect, go and sell that you have, and give it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.' Christ read the ruler's heart. Only one thing he lacked, but that was a vital principle. He needed the love of God in the soul. This lack, unless supplied, would prove fatal to him; his whole nature would become corrupted. By indulgence, selfishness would strengthen. That he might receive the love of God, his supreme love of self must be surrendered.
The new birth is a rare experience in this age of the world. This is the reason why there are so many perplexities in the churches. Many, so many, who assume the name of Christ are unsanctified and unholy They have been baptized, but they were buried alive. Self did not rise to newness of life in Christ.
The born-again experience necessitates a complete surrender, a dying to self, before a new creature can be born by the power of God. We had no choice in the first birth, but the new birth must be by our choice.
Joshua 24:15 "Choose you this day whom you will serve...." Grandma Joan
How, then are we to be saved? 'As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness,' so the Son of Man has been lifted up, and everyone who has been deceived and bitten by the serpent may look and live.
'Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.' John 1:29. The light shinning from the cross reveals the love of God. His love is drawing us to Himself. If we do not resist this drawing, we shall be led to the foot of the cross in repentance for the sins that have crucified the Savior. Then the Spirit of God through faith produces a new life in the soul.
'One thing you lack,' said Jesus. 'If thou will be perfect, go and sell that you have, and give it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.' Christ read the ruler's heart. Only one thing he lacked, but that was a vital principle. He needed the love of God in the soul. This lack, unless supplied, would prove fatal to him; his whole nature would become corrupted. By indulgence, selfishness would strengthen. That he might receive the love of God, his supreme love of self must be surrendered.
The new birth is a rare experience in this age of the world. This is the reason why there are so many perplexities in the churches. Many, so many, who assume the name of Christ are unsanctified and unholy They have been baptized, but they were buried alive. Self did not rise to newness of life in Christ.
The born-again experience necessitates a complete surrender, a dying to self, before a new creature can be born by the power of God. We had no choice in the first birth, but the new birth must be by our choice.
Joshua 24:15 "Choose you this day whom you will serve...." Grandma Joan
Sunday, November 5, 2017
Surrender
I've brought this word up quite a few times, but this time it's the real meaning of surrender. Let's take it to heart!
There are some who are seeking, always seeking, for the goodly pearl. But the do not make an entire surrender of their wrong habits. They do not ie to self that Christ may live in them. Therefore they do not find the precious pearl.
Implicit belief in Christ's word is true humility, true self-surrender.
When the soul surrenders itself to Christ, a new power takes possession of the new heart. A change is wrought which man can never accomplish for himself. It is a supernatural work, bringing a supernatural element into human nature. The soul that is yielded to Christ becomes His own fortress, which He holds in a revolted world, and He intends that no authority shall be known in it but His own. A soul thus kept in possession by the heavenly agencies is impregnable to the assaults of Satan.
The only defense against evil is the indwelling of Christ in the heart through faith in His righteousness. Unless we become vitally connected with God, we can never resist the unhallowed effects of self-love, self-indulgence, an temptation to sin. We may leave off many bad habits, for the time we may part company with Satan; but without a vital connection with God, through the surrender of ourselves to Him moment by moment, we shall be over come. Surrender and death to self equal the same thing.
This is victory over sin, written in simple language for me and I hope that you get it too. Ask God to help you with understanding any of these posts that seen cloudy to you, He knows your heart and will assist you in your understanding and give you the victories that your need. Grandma Joan
There are some who are seeking, always seeking, for the goodly pearl. But the do not make an entire surrender of their wrong habits. They do not ie to self that Christ may live in them. Therefore they do not find the precious pearl.
Implicit belief in Christ's word is true humility, true self-surrender.
When the soul surrenders itself to Christ, a new power takes possession of the new heart. A change is wrought which man can never accomplish for himself. It is a supernatural work, bringing a supernatural element into human nature. The soul that is yielded to Christ becomes His own fortress, which He holds in a revolted world, and He intends that no authority shall be known in it but His own. A soul thus kept in possession by the heavenly agencies is impregnable to the assaults of Satan.
The only defense against evil is the indwelling of Christ in the heart through faith in His righteousness. Unless we become vitally connected with God, we can never resist the unhallowed effects of self-love, self-indulgence, an temptation to sin. We may leave off many bad habits, for the time we may part company with Satan; but without a vital connection with God, through the surrender of ourselves to Him moment by moment, we shall be over come. Surrender and death to self equal the same thing.
This is victory over sin, written in simple language for me and I hope that you get it too. Ask God to help you with understanding any of these posts that seen cloudy to you, He knows your heart and will assist you in your understanding and give you the victories that your need. Grandma Joan
Wednesday, November 1, 2017
Death to Self
This is a major event in our life, so read carefully!!
When self is crucified and Christ is formed within, the hope of glory, we shall reveal, in thought, word, and deed, the reality of our belief in the truth.
Words cannot describe the peace and joy possessed by him who takes God at His word. Trials do not disturb him, slights do not vex him. Self is crucified.
Romans 6:6 "Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin."
2 Corinthians 4:10-12 "Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus; sake, that the live also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death works in us, but life in you." (speaking of death to self)
Surrender of self to die in Christ, sounds easy, but some of us who are older have a lifetime of ingrained habits and thoughts that are not easy to give up, but if we truly love the Lord with all our hearts and want to please Him and be ready to live with Him forever, it is important that we learn this lesson and persevere in our surrender to Him and as Paul tells us, 'He dies daily', so it is a daily matter and a daily surrender. May God help all of us to put this death to self in our daily routine. Grandma Joan
When self is crucified and Christ is formed within, the hope of glory, we shall reveal, in thought, word, and deed, the reality of our belief in the truth.
Words cannot describe the peace and joy possessed by him who takes God at His word. Trials do not disturb him, slights do not vex him. Self is crucified.
Romans 6:6 "Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin."
2 Corinthians 4:10-12 "Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus; sake, that the live also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death works in us, but life in you." (speaking of death to self)
Surrender of self to die in Christ, sounds easy, but some of us who are older have a lifetime of ingrained habits and thoughts that are not easy to give up, but if we truly love the Lord with all our hearts and want to please Him and be ready to live with Him forever, it is important that we learn this lesson and persevere in our surrender to Him and as Paul tells us, 'He dies daily', so it is a daily matter and a daily surrender. May God help all of us to put this death to self in our daily routine. Grandma Joan
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