The Proof

John 15:8 My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.

How does a tree bear fruit? It certainly will not bear fruit if we cut off the branches every time we see a bloom.  The only way is for the branch to be connected to the trunk so that all the nutrients extend to the branch, where the fruit hangs low and ripe.

We can do nothing apart from Him.  And all that we try to do will fail, unless we are connected to him.

We all strive so hard to “bear fruit” by being good, going to church, being kind to others, and all of these things are great.  But those actions in and of themselves don’t produce anything but weariness!

Staying connected to the trunk, where the roots run deep, just means staying in the truth, soaking up the Son, and drinking with our mouths open wide.

It’s then that what we do will be a result of where we’ve been, and it won’t result in weariness, but rather ripe juicy fruit – beautiful to behold.

Is your branch empty and dead, about to fall to the ground?  Ask Him to renew your strength, and then drink deep, soak in his love, and watch the fruit and the green reappear…even in the dead of winter.

The Helper

John 14:26

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.

Jesus went away to heaven to be with the Father, after his death and resurrection. Then he sent his Holy Spirit to be our helper, our comforter, our guide.  In other words, his spirit lives in us so that we too can experience oneness with the Father.

We too can hear His voice and remember His words, so that we can obey what He says to do.

We too can be taught and learn and do the works that Jesus did, because his Spirit lives in us.

We too can glorify our Father in all that we do, because Jesus did.

If you’re struggling with obeying God’s word of  love and hope, just pray and ask him for help.  He will then send the Holy Spirit to speak to your spirit, and all you have to do is say,

“Yes.”

I Go

John 14:2 In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.

It seems not many talk about the hope of heaven much anymore.  But it’s SO REAL.  There IS a better place awaiting those who believe.

Jesus assures us of this. If it weren’t true, he says, he wouldn’t say it.

In fact, if what Jesus says in any of his speaking in the word is not true, he wouldn’t speak it.  He only speaks what he heard his Father tell him to speak.

Weary living in this world of chaos and uncertainty?

Jesus promises us that he is preparing a place for us where there is no more crying, no more fear and worry, and no more pain.

I’m excited about that trip that’s coming up soon for all of us.

Are you?

The Works

John 10:37 If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me;

Here’s why I love this verse:

Many people do not believe in God or his love because of the lives we, those who profess to know him, live.  They don’t see us loving others when we are mistreated, giving and not expecting anything in return, or laying down our lives for our friends.  They see us bickering, fighting, and pushing just like anyone else.

Jesus says here that if he’s not doing the works of his Father, then the people don’t have to believe.

The only way others will believe in Jesus is if we lift him high in our attitudes, our actions, and our words.  And those three need to coincide, not collide.

The works of the Father are to love Him and to love others as we love ourselves.

That kind of living will cause others to believe, as well.

If we don’t do those works, they don’t have to believe, and they won’t.

One

John 10:30 I and the Father are one.

Wow.  I can’t say that…yet. There are times when I pray to the Father and I feel as though I hear nothing. There are times when I try to trust him, but I fail and do things my own way. And there are times when I shut him out of a particular area of my life.

But that oneness, the relationship where his thoughts are my thoughts, his ways are my ways, his plans are my plans…it’s possible…as I continue to trust in Him.

It’s coming – that oneness.  For all who believe.

Currently, we are headed toward an election day. And Christians everywhere are praying about their choice for president. Some will “hear” to vote for one candidate and some another.  Because we aren’t all one – yet. 

Or maybe…just maybe…we’re supposed to trust that even in our divided nation, even in our state of praying and hearing different answers, we are to still trust in HIM – no matter who wins.

That oneness and completeness is coming.  We just have to be still, wait, and obey, the best we know how…until that day.

Father

John 10:15 even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.

I love the relationship Jesus exhibits for us, the one between the Father and his son.

It doesn’t matter if we have the sorriest father on earth, one who is absent or disinterested or abusive, when it comes to having a relationship with HIM.

The Father knows us, and we can know the Father.

Jesus trusted his Father so much that he was willing to come here and do his Father’s will – die for the “sheep” (that’s us).  He knew his Father could be trusted.

There’s a relationship awaiting us all between ourselves and our Father.  He loves us like no other father can. And his plans and purposes are perfect and pure.

Trust him.

No matter what.

Rest.

The Will

John 6:40 For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.

Have you ever wondered what God’s will is for your life?  You pray about it, you search for it through a job, you seek for it through a spouse, etc.  And yet, his will is simple.

He desires that we behold his Son for who He is – the Savior.

That’s his will.  And it comes with a promise of eternal life.

Everything else is secondary. 

So take a rest in your mind today and relax.  Your job, the house you’re looking for, that perfect spouse you’re praying for…it’s all okay and will fall into place….when you behold the Son.

That’s his will.  Period. 

Once you do that, you’ll settle into life and quit looking for that perfect something to guide you.