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
Tuesday, November 14, 2017
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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