Jeremiah 33:3

New International Version (NIV)

3 ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’

I have a little card with my name on one side of it and some encouraging scripture verses on the reverse. During my quiet time with the Lord, I decided (or more accurately was directed in the spirit) to go through these verses today, meditating on them.  All of them were beautiful, heart soothing promises given by our Lord.  All, of course are favorites.  

One of them was Proverbs 3:6, "in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."  I had to read verse 5 as well:  Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;   We Christians just love those 2 verses together, and they do fit don't they!?!

My Bible  has something called Word Wealth, where it delves into different words and phrases in certain passages to give a deeper, fuller understanding of what is being said.  Well in these verses the Word Wealth (WW) led me to the above verse in Jeremiah.  (please remain on this twisting path with me!). And that verse just touched and spoke to my heart this morning.  God asks me (and you too) to call to Him.  He desires us to seek Him, to address Him to call out, shout out to Him. Putting these 2 sections together, calling out to God, trusting in Him, submitting to Him, and in return He gives us straight paths.  He lead us and answers us and shows us great and unsearchable things.  

I feel like the Lord was telling me, "ask me to visit you".  Ask for His presence in my everyday life.  I feel like jumping up and shouting "Visit Lord!!  Here I am, come on over.  I want to spend time with you."  But how many times am I too busy, too distracted?  

Lately it seems like I don't do that enough.  I get so caught up in the details of the day that I forget to take a few minutes here and there with Jesus being front and center.  I forget to invite Him for more than just coffee in the morning.  

Lord, please come and visit, sit a while with me.  

Have you asked Him to visit today?

Jeremiah 33:11...Praise the Lord of hosts, for the Lord is good, for His mervy endures forever...

Look !!

Yesterday was grocery shopping day.  I left my house, and it was an absolutely beautiful day.  The sun was warm and shining, the air felt clear.  It was one of those great crisp, chilled autumn mornings that make it favorite season.

I said a little prayer for God's blessing on my shopping trip.  As I entered Target, I decided to use the ladies room.  Of course there is never a place to put down your lists, and coupon holder and sale papers....I know the ladies understand.  But I just happened to bring my pocketbook that actually makes its own little shelf when hung just so !!  Thank You Lord for that little blessing.

Next up, as I proceeded through the aisles I noticed that many of the items I needed where on sale, and.....I had coupons for those items !!  SCORE !!  Thank You Lord for another visit.

Finally, I come to the dairy section.  I picked up my yogurts, my hummus and really wanted to get the guacamole I like.  I have such a hard time finding the guac in the right sized containers anymore, you know the individual serving size ones instead of the big one.  Well, guess what?  There were actually 2 of the ones I use left !! Unfortunately, they were pushed all the way towards the back of the shelf (something that is a problem for someone of my vertically challenged 5'2" stature). But once again my Father came through...there was a step stool right there !!  I was completely amazed !!

My Papa was with me all the time, working things out to help me through my shopping day.  All I had to do was take notice.  To look for His hand of blessing.  I am so grateful that He opened my eyes to His intervention in my day.  And that is the reason for this blog, to make my heart and hopefully those who read it more aware of His loving care everyday.  To help us to remember to take notice!!

Thank You Lord for helping us each and everyday.  Please continue to open our eyes more and more.

Healing, health, and obedience

This was supposed to be published a couple of weeks ago, it is the post I referenced in "Papa".  I don't know why it didn't publish, but some how God means these posts to be shown on the same day.  He knows best. 

Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?  Romans 6:17

As some of you may know, I have been given a report of some health issues by my doctor.  I believe that these problems are a direct result of my disobedience in eating habits and abuse of coffee.  In Tony's teaching on Sunday he spoke on Romans 5 where it talks about sin being handed down to us by Adam.  My addictive nature seems to be a family trait.  Why have one cup of coffee when you can have 3 or 4, why one serving of honey mustard pretzel pieces when you can have 2/3rds of the bag....

As I read on in Chapter 6, some verses seem to be jumping up to greet me.
Like verse 11-14:  Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Therefore do not let sin reign in you mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.  And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.  For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.  

The teaching from Sunday and these verses started speaking directly to the situation I am in.  It is through that addictive nature, handed down to me from previous generations and my obeying that nature that I have become unhealthy. But.........For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous.  Romans 5:19

So onward to Monday morning and my quiet time with the Lord.  I opened up my Bible (and this was one of those rare "open it up to a page with a verse that calls out your name" times), and at the top of the page, highlighted, yoohooing my name was Luke 13:12 "...woman you are loosed from your infirmities".   Sunday I had told the Lord I would be looking for a verse on healing to couple with those on being dead to sin and obedience to righteousness so I could write them down on an index card to meditate on this week, and HE supplied the verse.  I did not even have to go looking for it, not pick one on my own, JESUS gave me His own words to encourage me and to strengthen me.   This lead me to the other woman, the woman with the issue of blood, Jesus healed, and to her He said "Daughter be of good cheer, your faith has made you well, go in peace", Luke 8:48.  

I realize that my healing has to come not just to my physical body, but it also has to be walked out spiritually, in obedience by me.  I have to walk out the verses in Romans, walk to meet the healing the Lord has promised.  I have to do my part.  It is absolutely driving me crazy not to have more than one cup of coffee a day.  But it is essential to my healing, both physically and spiritually to line up with the verses in  Romans 6.  I know that I need healing of my digestive track, but I also need healing of the cause, which is my addiction to food and caffeine.  I know to, that I have an awesome, loving Savior who desires to heal me.  I need to do my part.  God doesn't let us get away with sloppy, haphazard living.

Thank you Lord for giving me these verses to hold on to and claim as my own.  I pray that you will empower me to obey and walk to my healing.  I know You desire to bless each of us and I thank You for that.  Lead us each to the path of healing you have planned for our lives.

Papa

I struggle with food so much.  Eating is on my mind 90% of the time.  I was just crying out to the Lord over this again.  I am grateful for the words He spoke to me a few weeks ago, yet I still struggle, still fail.  Today He brought me back to the women with the issue of blood in Mark 5, and Luke 8.

In "Set Apart",  her story was retold in such a way, I could really feel her shame, her feelings of rejections, her hurt over being ostracized by a society more concerned with rituals than people.  She was an outcast to everyone.  Everyone, that is except God.  He was her Father, her Daddy, her Papa.  The one who was on her side, her protector, her benefactor, someone who saw her as the apple of His eye.  And He had a plan for her healing.

In this story I saw my own struggle. My own feelings of worthlessness and shame in the face of my failure to overcome my addictive nature.  I'm a Christian after all!!!  Why should I be defeated in this!!  Yet I am.  Again and again.

In this story, I also saw a Father who was on the side of His child.  A Papa who rushed in to help.  Who stopped a crowd of people moving to see an "important" man's daughter healed, in order to care for an outcast.

As I contemplated this story (that contemplative prayer again), I heard in my head "It is finished".  My Papa has a plan for my healing.  He has visited me with healing in this area.  I will no longer be held captive, bound to an addictive past, present or future.  It is finished.  I know I will have to stand in His power, and I believe I will have to walk this out before the craving and calling of excessive eating leaves for good.  But it's over.  My Father is here.

Thank You Papa, for Your deliverance.  For coming in and making a way of freedom in Jesus for all of us.  Help us to learn to live in this freedom and rejoice in our relationship with You.

Weaknesses and love thinks no evil.

Friday in Ladies Bible Study we viewed a video on  Contemplative Prayer, listening to God speak instead of doing all the yakking ourselves.  On of the speakers talked about going to a section of Scripture and reading it through once for context. Then again, highlighting the words or verses that stand out in the passage.   Then he instructed us to meditate on those words or verses that spoke out to us.

I decided to read the section of Scripture we all know as the "Love Chapter" in 1 Corinthians 13.   The words that caught my eye were in verse 5, speaking of love,: "is not provoked, thinks no evil".

As I mulled over these words, waiting for the Lord to speak to my heart, He brought to mind that these words described Himself.  God is not easily provoked (good thing for me !!) and He thinks no evil.  These are traits attributed to our Lord and Savior.  When I look at Him this is the person He wants me to see.  Someone who is not easily provoked or angered at my  glaring faults,  persistent sins, frequent screw ups, and  overall bad days. He wants me to know Him as one who does not go around thinking ill of me, planning punishment for every wrong I do.

This was God's comfort and cheer visit !!  Then came the correction and chiding part (uh-oh).  This, He told me, is what He expects of me.  This is the way He wants me to act and think towards those around me.  Hmmmm, a little less comfortable now !!!  I thought to myself, well this is just impossible for me to do!!
There is no chance in a million that I could walk around being patient with others and thinking good thoughts about some of those who inhabit my space in this universe.  I'm just not that.....dare I say nice?   Tall  order Lord !!!

So I moved on from this, feeling a little discouraged and decided some worship and praise to the Lord was in order.  Even though I am faulty, He is not and He deserves worship no matter how I feel or act.  I got out my "31 Days of Praise Book" for today's praise reading.  And lo and behold, the subject of it was .....THANKING GOD FOR OUR WEAKNESSES!!!  Hello ?!?!?!

I am going to quote from the book here a few of the phrases in the reading:

"I choose to thank You for my weaknesses, my infirmities, my inadequacies...and that in Your infinite wisdom You have allowed these in my life so that they may contribute to Your high purposes for me."  "Thank You that many a time my weaknesses cut through m pride and help me walk humbly with You...and then as You promised, You give me more grace--You help and bless and strengthen me. Thank You for all the ways I'm inadequate, for they prod me to trust in You and not in myself..."  "Thank You that I can trust You to remove or change any of my weaknesses and handicaps and shortcomings the moment they are no longer needed for Your glory, and for my good, and for the good of other people..."

Oh my goodness.  This is so on target.  It is not the Holy Spirit trying to make me feel bad about myself but trying to show me what He desires for me and how much I need Him to carry out His plan for my life.  I am always grateful that He makes a way.  Do I need to cooperate with Him?  Absolutely.  Will this all happen overnight?  Probably not (although I know He can do that if He thinks it is appropriate and needed), so please be patient with me folks!!  But I am going to rely on Him to do this changing in me. And I am going to praise Him all the more for it and give Him all the glory.

Lord, help us to rely on You for all things.  Let us take time to listen and help us to obey.  Give us a hearing heart and a willing spirit.  Thank You.

God's card

Yesterday was one of those days.  Ugh !!!  Everything seemed to be plotting against me, including my own emotions, and my patience (or lack there of).   Just an example; the day before I was trying to send a fax, and I of course plugged the fax into the wrong jack (not knowing that when I removed the cord  that was already there I had caused the phone system in my house to cease working).  So I tried again yesterday, and everything was still not working.  Nor could I get a human being on the phone to the dr's office I was trying to fax something to, but that is another topic all together.  So, I finally got the idea I should try the jack in the bedroom, which was the right thing to do, but in the process I knocked over my little jewelry holder, which of course had all these little beads in it, and of course Vinny is trying to sleep (this jack is in the bedroom remember) through all this, and well, this is just a taste of how the whole day was going.  Unanswered phone calls, nothing going right at work,  and cleaning the house had it's own trials and tribulations of course.  Well, I guess really all of this was just the normal everyday issues and frustrations we all face, but as I said, my patience was non-existent for whatever reason.

Well just when I was lamenting some annoying trifle at work, I decided to give a quick check of my email.  In it was an e-card from a dear sister at church, and just check out what it said !!

Ten things God wants you to know.

I am for You.
I love you.
I believe in you.
I will not fail you.
I will be with you.
I will provide for you.
I will bless you.
I will give you rest.
I will strengthen you.
I will answer you.  

WOW!!  That is all I can say.  A card from God!!!  How completely awesome is that.  Not one of the problems or irritations I encountered that day was earth shaking or major in anyway, yet He still too the time to remind me He was on my side.  I am still so blown away, still so grateful.  And thank you, dear sister for your thoughtfulness.

And if you are reading this, this card is for you too.  Accept it from your loving, heavenly Father.

Jesus a reality

A couple of nights ago, as I drove home from the evil place (that's work, to those of you who don't know my nick name for it, lol) I was trying to meditate (a difficult and completely frightening thing to me) on the whole salvation thing and Jesus, Heaven and Hell....I was trying to make this more "real" to my heart instead of it being an abstraction.

Ok, onto the next morning, and I just happened to read my wall (the one in my house, not my FB ) and on it I have John 3:16:  For God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.  Now this may be unremarkable to some because you would think, "well it is always on your wall, you see it everyday", but it's one of those things that you take for granted and don't notice because it is always there.  But that morning I took notice of it.

So I went in the bedroom to have my quiet time with the Lord, and on the floor next to my bed a little card that someone had given me many years ago was staring up at me and on it were the words:  "FOR GOD SO LOVED MADELINE THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM, SHOULD NOT PERISH BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE".    Are we seeing a theme here?

Well,  now I am starting to think something is happening here.  I went on to my study and the verse I was to work on was Luke 1:78:  Through the tender mercy of our God, with which the Dayspring from on His has VISITED us.  

Hello!?!?  A VISIT??   Was this my God visit?  Of course it was.  I believe God was affirming my desire to make the reality of salvation more of a presence in my heart and life.  Not only did the verse speak to Jesus, in His mercy, coming down from Heaven to save us, it spoke directly to Him, in His love, coming down into my life that very day.  Amen.

Lord, I am so blessed by You.  To think that You would take time out for me.  That You would honor me with a "visit" on even the most basic of things.  I am so thankful.  Again, Lord, help our eyes to be open to Your special touches on our days.  In the most holy and precious name of Jesus, our loving and compassionate Savior.  AMEN

Hillsong United - Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) HD 3D - Lyrics

Walking on the water.

At Sunday's service John spoke about Peter.  He referred to the verses in Matt 14 where Peter walks on the water:

And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water."  So He said, "Come."   And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.  But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying "Lord, save me!"  And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of  little faith, why did you doubt?"

This is part 1 of the God visit.

Part 2:  On the way home there was a song on the radio that referenced this same concept.  I have posted this beautiful song above.  Take time to listen to it today, I think it will really bless you.

During the Sunday teaching John said 2 things that hit my heart: "whatever He tells you to do, do it" and "Listen to Him."

Now, I am so nervous about the VOM thing.  There are certain things I can do, God has gifted me in them.  I believe speaking to others about the suffering of our persecuted family is one of them, and I am so honored to do so.  But there are others things in my life I am not gifted in, they are weaknesses for me and this is where the wind and the waves come in.  Organization is one of those weaknesses (along with technology, spacial planning, using tape, does anyone else have that problem, and opening those darn milk containers !!)  There are certain areas my organizational skills excel, and then others where no matter how hard I try it just doesn't happen.  And this is the problem I am facing and fearing right now.  How can I keep all the stuff for VOM organized. The papers, the supplies, the emails, the names and lists.....I am terrified in this!! And struggling.

But this is where the walking on water comes in.  It is to be where I keep my focus on Jesus and not on the waves and the wind (organization and paperwork).  I believe He has told me to come out of the boat and walk on the water.  And if He has told me then He will hold me up.  Do I still feel scared?  Absolutely.  But am I trusting?  Absolutely.

Jesus help me to keep my eyes above the waves and looking only at You.  I know that whatever You tell me to do, I can do.  I will listen to You.  I do ask that You help me organize properly so I can find things when I need them and help me to be the blessing You want me to be.  Give us all the strength to keep our focus on You, knowing that whatever You call us to do, You will supply the way.   Glorify Your name in this.  Amen

Continued Abiding

This morning in my quiet time with the Lord, I was reading a teaching someone had given me (sorry I don't remember who right now---most of you know I have no memory LOL), entitled "Marks of a Disciple."  It was a great little study btw, so someone please step forward to let me know who it was who gave it to me.  I really enjoyed it!!  And as you will see, it is bearing fruit.

I am going to include an excerpt from it so that you will see the context I am writing from.  This passage was based on John 15:1-8. (I included v 8 myself)

I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.  Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.  You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.  Abide in Me, and I in you.  As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.  I am the vine, you are the branches.  He who abides in Me and I in him, bears much fruit; for without me you can do nothing.  If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.  If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire and it shall be done for you.  By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.  

"Jesus teaches us that He is the Vine and that we (individual Christians, not different churches) are the branches with the responsibility of bearing fruit.  In order to bear fruit, we must abide in Jesus and allow Him to abide in us too (v4). The word abide (meno) in this context means 'an inward, enduring personal communion.'  The idea is 'to keep fellowship with Christ so that His life can work in and through us to produce fruit' (C.K. Barrett).  Thus, it is crucial that we maintain an intimate relationship with our Lord and not allow that relationship ever to take a back seat to anything or anyone else. "

It is in the words "inward, enduring personal communion", the idea "to keep fellowship with", the maintained "intimate relationship",  that the God visit called out to me.  All of these had one thing in common to me.  CONSTANT.  It is what binds them together.

Throughout the day, my thoughts flit from one thing to another.  Whatever is happening at the time fills them.  Whatever falls into my head consumes my thinking at that moment.  Good, bad or indifferent.  From the mundane to the things of great importance.  For the most part Jesus is not front and center.  This is not an intentional slight to Him, just the way the human mind seems to work  (at least my undisciplined, scattered one!!).  I go from one thing to the next and forget to include my precious Savior.  And this seems to be something He is working on me with a lot lately.  When I go back over my musings in this blog, I can see the thread of abiding running through it.

Jesus Himself is to have the # 1 spot in my thinking.  Yes, other things demand and clamour for  my attention, but there should never be a time when that continual, intimate abiding is not there.  Then and only then will I have the wisdom and strength I need in every situation, only then will I maintain the peace in my heart whatever the circumstances, only then will I bear His fruit and be a true disciple, only then will I be the salt and light, the witness He desires me to be.

Lord, I don't know how to do this, this constant, intimate communion with You. But I want to with all my heart.  Help me to maintain unbroken, unforgotten continual fellowship with You, every minute of every day.  Even when I am sleeping, I want You in my dreams.  Direct my steps, my heart, my speech.  Bear Your fruit in my life for Your glory.  Amen.

And then His answer from the "31 Days of Praise" devotional I read immediately following this writing:

"You who began a good work in me will carry it to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.  You are utterly faithful and will finish what You have set out to do. You will not abandon the work You have begun."

Was that not an amazing answer !!!  Hey, can I put big smiles on this thing???
: D      : D       : D      : D   That's the best I know how to do  LOL.

Romans 4:20-21  He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to  God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.  

Don't waver my dear family.  He is fully able.

Angels all around

A wonderful reminding from the Lord was given to me this morning.  I read a daily devotional from Charles Spurgeon  based on Hebrews 1:14  Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

I was reminded of the help and care He sends everyday, that is all unseen round about us.  His angels are at work, at His command to minister to us day after day.

From the devotion:  " Seraphim still fly with live coals from off the altar to touch the lips of men greatly beloved.  If our eyes could be opened, we should see horses of fire and chariots of fire about the servants of the Lord; for we have come to an innumerable company of angels, who are all watchers and protectors of the see-royal."

So much going of which we are unaware.  I wonder how many times God's mighty warriors and guardians have saved us, helped us, delivered us from trouble or protected us in some way, which we thought was a perfectly "natural" act.

I am so grateful for this care that is bestowed on us by our loving heavenly Father. So thankful that He sends these special beings to do His will concerning us. Father, let us never take for granted Your care.

Blessed are the peacemakers !!

That is the Beatitude  that I am studying in "Set Apart" right now.  And yesterday as I was studying this area, there was a line in the book that really jumped out at me, and I knew, just absolutely knew this was my God visit.

In this chapter was a section titled "Peacebusters" and the author based her writings on James 4:1-3:

What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you?  You want something but don't get it.  You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want.  You quarrel and fight.You do not have because you do not ask God.  When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

And this line Jennifer Kennedy Dean wrote stood out for me;  "You want something but don't get it.  You have inner conflict because you want something--something external--and you don't get it.  YOU ARE FOCUSING ON OUTWARD CIRCUMSTANCES INSTEAD OF KEEPING YOUR FOCUS ON THE KINGDOM."

Oh my goodness, I never, ever, ever looked at it that way.  All those little annoyances, the day in day out mundane disturbances that get me so crazy (frustrated, complaining, agitated, impatient.....) are so external and so not  where my focus should be.  How do any of them compare to the Kingdom of God?  How do any of them compare to working out the fruit of the Spirit in my life.  Of building the Kingdom of God, which Jesus says is withing us?  Now, many of you may say, well sure, that is quite obvious.  But for me.....well I guess I am more than a little dense in some areas.  But for whatever reason, this seems to hit me a whole new way.   Why does this seem so new?  It isn't like I have never thought of this in some way before, it's just the way it hit me was so much more real than I had ever thought of.    I think it has something to do with, focusing on the kingdom, and something God told me a few years ago, which I will mention in a few minutes.

When I go into work and see a mess left by the previous shift, junk here, there and everywhere, mail not properly tagged or staged, my focus goes immediately to self.  Self-righteousness, pride, and  the "now I have to clean up, now I have to do it" mentality hits in full force.

But what would happen if instead my focus was on the Kingdom of God? What if it went to serving as Jesus served, selflessly, humbly.   What if I followed His words  of going the extra mile, giving my coat as well as my shirt?  Peace would reign in my heart.  I'd be a more Christ-like example to those around me.  I would not be contributing to an already toxic atmosphere by complaining and pointing fingers.  The Kingdom of God would be reigning in me and thus bringing it to my work place, and only God Himself knows the eternal harvest this would bring.

God once told me that I can either be building His kingdom or Satan's.  I really want to be building His.  Now, will I be getting this all perfect instantly, you know, that "well that's that, I will now be doing this Kingdom focus thing all the time starting tomorrow", that we all  like to think.  No, probably not, so please be patient with me all.  But I will be cooperating with the Holy Spirit and doing my best to make this a reality in my life.

Lord, remind me.  Remind me.  Remind me !!!!

I just wanted to share some songs that touched my heart in Sunday's service !!

Alan Jackson - O How I Love Jesus

Bill & Gloria Gaither - He Is Jehovah (Live)

United with Christ.

Sunday's service included the reading from John 13, the passage that tells of Jesus washing the disciple's feet.  As Sonia read (she reads so beautifully and with such passion for the word)  from this chapter, I got the impression that as Jesus said "I have given you and example to follow.  Do as I have done to you.", that we are indeed to be united with Jesus in service.  As I listened to her reading, my eyes fell to the communion table.  I felt God showing me, as I partake in Holy Supper, I am uniting myself with Jesus.  And this means I am united with Him in service and am to follow His example of humility and servanthood.

This week I have been back in "The True Vine" by Andrew Murray.  In this identifying myself with the Lord, I am to remember that it is His life that flows through me.  I am the branch and He is the Vine.  In John 15:12, I am told:  "This is my commandment: Love each other as I have loved you."   So to follow His example, is to love others, to serve others, with the power that flows from Him, the Vine to me, the branch.

I loved this section of the book where it stated: "This is the joy of being truly branches--abiding in His love, and then giving up ourselves in love to bear fruit for others.  Let us accept  His life, as He gives it in us as the Vine".

I love the way God fit this all together for me, starting on Sunday with the reading, and the communion table, to the chapters on verses 11 and 12 of the 15th chapter of John.  I love the way God just strings together visit after visit, building His principles one atop the other.  We are to move from identifying with Christ, to truly abiding in Him and Him in us in order to share His love and live in service to others, bringing glory to Him.

Thank You Father, for the teachings You give.   For the gift of life, love and joy You give when we abide in You.  Create an awareness in each of us of this minute by minute abiding.  Let us not leave that place.