"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 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 the fruit unless you remain in me.
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. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given to you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
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. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given to you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 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. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other."
- John 15:1-17 NIV
I am going to do my best to keep this blog "real." I want it to represent my heart and my life's journey. Not only do I want to capture what's happening physically in our daily lives, but also spiritually.
In my opinion, one of the best ways to see God woven through your life is to keep a journal. Some of my most humble moments have come about by looking through my prayer journal. His hand is all over my life, and sometimes I need to be reminded. If you look back to where you were, it is much easier to realize how far you have come.
It is my prayer that I am not the same person today that I was yesterday. But in order to accomplish that goal, I must do what it takes. We are not going to evolve as individuals in Christ unless we put forth the effort. A relationship with Jesus is not meant to be one-sided. Just like any good relationship, it takes work.
I am going to do my best to keep this blog "real." I want it to represent my heart and my life's journey. Not only do I want to capture what's happening physically in our daily lives, but also spiritually.
In my opinion, one of the best ways to see God woven through your life is to keep a journal. Some of my most humble moments have come about by looking through my prayer journal. His hand is all over my life, and sometimes I need to be reminded. If you look back to where you were, it is much easier to realize how far you have come.
It is my prayer that I am not the same person today that I was yesterday. But in order to accomplish that goal, I must do what it takes. We are not going to evolve as individuals in Christ unless we put forth the effort. A relationship with Jesus is not meant to be one-sided. Just like any good relationship, it takes work.
This brings forth my new commitment: I will attempt to be in the Word every day for one month. I know this seems like a small goal, but I have been consistently inconsistent (as Darby put it), when it comes to quiet time, for as long as I can remember. I have been in and out of Bible studies my entire life, but to be COMPLETELY honest, I don't think I have ever actually finished one. (I know, isn't that terrible?!). I have learned by experience to start small with my goals. Each day is an accomplishment and will encourage me to move onto the next. I don't know about you, but when my morning starts with a cup of coffee and time with God, it is evident in me all day long. When you take the time to spend in God's Word, you are so much more in tune with the Spirit. If you spend time reading scripture, the benefits are unending.
I also believe that reading scripture alone isn't good enough. Reading the Word is the first step, but if you read the Word and don't give it a second thought, you will miss out on the blessings it intends. You must read, then spend time contemplating what you've read. You then have the tools to live out God's Word in your life. No matter how long ago the Bible was written, its relevancy is undeniable.
I encourage you to join me in my journey. I will try to share my successes and failures, as well as all that I learn with you along the way.
I also believe that reading scripture alone isn't good enough. Reading the Word is the first step, but if you read the Word and don't give it a second thought, you will miss out on the blessings it intends. You must read, then spend time contemplating what you've read. You then have the tools to live out God's Word in your life. No matter how long ago the Bible was written, its relevancy is undeniable.
I encourage you to join me in my journey. I will try to share my successes and failures, as well as all that I learn with you along the way.
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