In John 15:5-11, Jesus described our relationship with Him as branches connected to the true vine. In a vineyard, grapes are produced when the plant's sap runs through its branches. As Christ's life-giving Spirit flows through us, spiritual fruit will develop. This includes divine joy (Gal. 5:22-23).
To experience this deep spiritual contentment, we must stay closely connected with the Lord. Jesus often slipped away [to pray] so He and the Father could have intimate communion (Mark 1:35). He was able to endure much because of His fellowship with God and the joy He knew was to come (Heb. 12:2). In a similar way, the apostle Paul overflowed with joy even when he suffered (2 Cor. 7:4). He described a Christian's connection with God this way: "I no longer live, but Christ lives in me." (Gal. 2:20 niv).
Joy will increase when we follow Paul's example and fix our attention upon Jesus rather than upon ourselves or our circumstances. The more we abide in Him, the greater our spiritual happiness will be. Our initial reaction to hardship may be discouragement or overwhelming pain. But if we focus on Him and commune with His Spirit, our sense of peace will return. Remember, the Lord promised that His joy would be in us fully when we rest in Him.
~ Dr. Charles Stanley
Wednesday
Tuesday
Broken Bread
Make me broken bread, make me poured out wine.
For I am yours Lord, my life is in the Vine
So as you crush the fruit born of my flesh
Remove all bitterness, make me sweet and fresh
To be poured out upon a hurting world so lost
Make me broken bread no matter what the cost
And as I cry out to You, Your will, not mine,
Make me broken bread, make me poured out wine.
For I am yours Lord, my life is in the Vine
So as you crush the fruit born of my flesh
Remove all bitterness, make me sweet and fresh
To be poured out upon a hurting world so lost
Make me broken bread no matter what the cost
And as I cry out to You, Your will, not mine,
Make me broken bread, make me poured out wine.
~ Angela Gill
Messiah
There are about 400 years that exist between the *end* of the Old Testament and the *beginning* of the New Testament in the bible. The Old Testament is prophetic in nature and foretells of the birth, death, and resurrection of the coming Messiah. The bible is called Holy partly because of the many prophecies within it that have actually came to be. God's perfect plan for His people has always been that a savior would be born to us, a redeemer, one who would be anointed to carry away the burdens of our life. One who would offer us redemption and hope. He is Jesus. The name Jesus means "God saves". Immanuel means "God with us". These are holy names, for a holy God. God in flesh, who Himself came to earth, to die - to overcome death and destruction - so that he would be resurrected again so that WE might be resurrected or "born-again". It is when we truly lose our life [by surrendering it to God, as a living sacrifice - by dying to sin, dying to self, taking up HIS cross that we might be resurrected] that we truly gain life...life in Christ...life of peace, joy, and hope. With Christ in us we are more than conquerors. We are given the keys to heaven and hell and what we bind on earth (darkness and sin) is bound in heaven and what we loose on earth (peace, hope, love) is loosed in heaven. Thank you God that you came to earth in flesh, as a man, as a son - Jesus. Thank you that you carried our burdens of sin, shame, fear, guilt, and suffering all the way up that hill to Calvary. Thank you that you died on the cross, and that you rose again and overcame the grave, death, and darkness. Thank you that you showed us the way to living a resurrected life by accepting your free gift of salvation simply by accepting Jesus as our savior and making Him the Lord of our lives. Jesus, we ask you to lead us as we make decisions in our lives, as we pray, as we seek more of You.
Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
About 400 years later:
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests. Luke 2:11-14
Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
About 400 years later:
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests. Luke 2:11-14
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