Monday, July 06, 2009

Remain in God and Bear Fruits - Part II

After my 1st post, I'm certain many of you are asking, "So Sister Gwen, how do we walk through such difficult times???" Well, the answer is found everywhere in John 15 – Remain/ Abide in God


Remain/ Abide is to stay in God’s word/promises/commands/ instructions. It’s not a ‘weng weng’ thingy, it’s not a manipulative emotional roller coaster either. It’s the simple lifestyle of humility and inviting God into your life constantly.

With His word/promises/commands/instructions inscribed in our hearts and minds, going through life difficulties would be much easier and joyful. Amen?

Try this – count the number of ‘remain’ or ‘abide’ in John 15:1-12.

John 15:4-12 (NIV) Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. 9 "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

You know God really means it when He repeats the value of remaining in Him in almost every other verse or sentence in this short passage! So IGNYTE ministry, don’t give up and be discouraged when life seems to be going no where. Perhaps God wants you to just remain in Him.

James 1:2-5 (NIV) Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

So…. What do you think? =)

Blessings!
Sister Gwen!

posted by IGNYTE, Trinity@PL @ 10:06 AM