Category Archives: Bible

Christ’s peace – John 16:33

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I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

Have you ever found yourself watching a TV series and intentionally stepping back to gain perspective or restore your emotional balance? I do it all the time. What I mean is something like this. Here you are, watching a show and it’s Season 1 of 7. The story has taken a number of exciting turns and the tension is high. It looks for all practical purposes as if the main character has so way out. Surely he or she is going to die. But wait. It is, you remind yourself, Season 1 of 7. It cannot end that badly or there would not be seven seasons. There must be a way out, a fortuitous turn in the story. This is what we face in the world as followers of Christ.

In the world we will have tribulation. That’s a promise. We also know that Christ has overcome the world. His peace is ours. Come what may, our eternity with Jesus is secure. Hold onto him and regardless what happens it has to end well. Not even death can separate us from the love of Christ. By all accounts, death will be more of an entrance into ultimate, intimate fellowship with him.

Take heart, Christian believer. Your Savior, personal Sacrifice and Substitute has overcome the world. As a result in him we may have peace.

John 15 – Verse by Verse

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John Pic

Christ’s illustration of the vine and the branches forms the basis of a lesson on our need to abide in him.

John 15.pdf     

John 15.mp3

Here is a link to the livestream video:

A Prayer Prompted by John 15

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Dear Lord Jesus,

We submit ourselves to you as our Savior, our Redeemer and our Lord. As the branches need the vine, we understand that our spiritual life depends completely on you.  Without you we can do nothing.

We ask you to produce fruit in our lives by means of the Holy Spirit who indwells us. Let that fruit transform our personalities so that we become more and more like you.

Help us to be strong and faithful witnesses for you in the face of the world’s hatred. And let us experience your joy regardless of what we face here on earth.

In your name we pray,

Amen

Nothing? – John 15:5

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I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

At first glance this seems like an exaggeration. Surely we can do something, no? It might not be any good, or as good or worthwhile as it should be, but we aren’t that helpless, are we?

First, I would say that it i entirely possible that Jesus means it to be an exaggeration. He obviously wants us to abide in him. And he wants to abide in us. He wants our relationship to be intimate and life-giving. He wants our lives to bear much fruit as a result. So he is quite possibly not speaking in absolute terms. Possibly.

On the other hand, if we consider that our very life is in God’s hands, this statement takes on a more absolute coloring. We might well be encouraged to abide in Christ, because without him we truly can do nothing at all. If he so decided, our life might end this minute.

I’m reminded of the prophet Daniel’s words to Belshazzar in Daniel 5:23,

And you have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which do not see or hear or know, but the God in whose hand is your breath, and whose are all your ways, you have not honored.

How shall we abide in Christ? Let’s start with cultivating a conscious experience of fellowship, frequent times of meditation on God’s word, and an attitude of humble trust in his all-good, all-loving Lordship. A moment of thanksgiving for his salvation is always appropriate. There will no doubt be a way to express outward obedience today. Keep an eye out for it – a good work that might not come naturally, but will clearly express the love of Christ.

Apart from him we can do nothing. Yet with him we can do all things.