abide

Posted on September 25, 2014 by Dana

“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. 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.” John 15:4-5

If we could fully grasp these words, I think our favorite invitation of Jesus would be: “Abide in Me.” We are the branches… connected to the most beautiful, the most healthy, and the most productive Vine ever planted. The Gardener has planned it this way and the Vine simply whispers, “Stay in Me.”

And why would I not want to stay in Him? Without the Vine, I am nothing. Why would I want my identity to come from somewhere else? Jesus is the only source that matters. If I live in Him, why should I worry if my life is going to be productive? Jesus promises that if we remain in Him there will be much fruit… because fruit comes from Him.

Bruce Wilkinson wrote, “In abiding… you seek, long for, thirst for, wait for, see, know, love, hear, and respond to… a Person.” Everything centers in the Person Jesus Christ, who took our sins to the cross and died that we might be a part of Him. He has risen and He is our life!

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4

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fish

Posted on September 18, 2014 by Dana

In case you’ve not heard, Susan and I are going to be grandparents! Taylor and Emma are expecting their first child in the middle of March. We are all excited!

Though his fishing time may be diminished soon, I can picture Taylor teaching a little boy or girl how to fish in a few years. Since he was young, our son has loved to fish and God has answered many prayers and taught many lessons on the water. Several of Jesus’ disciples also experienced God’s intervention while fishing.

When the Rabbi called, “Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men,” the fishermen followed. When Jesus invites us to ‘fish’ with him, we see the priorities of the kingdom: people. He came to seek and to save the lost and he invites his disciples to participate.

Besides knowing all about lures and having a great ‘feel’ for what is happening under the water, Taylor has developed an important skill: he knows how to locate fish. “Cast your net on the other side!” Jesus helped his friends catch a boatload by telling them where the fish were.

I love the story in Acts 10 of Peter going up on a roof to pray. The Holy Spirit instigated one of the greatest ‘fishing trips’ of all time. He sent Peter to a forbidden zone to seek an unfamiliar ‘catch,’ and the result was the beginning of God’s plan for the Gentiles. II Chronicles says: “The eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” Cornelius longed for the Lord… so God sent a fisherman to share the gospel.

If I desire to ‘fish’ with Jesus I must value souls above everything the world promotes: wealth, position, pleasure, sports, comfort… Then I must have my eyes and ears open to his direction. Finally I must be ready to share the gospel: Jesus came as the Son of God; Jesus lived a sinless life; Jesus hung on a cross and carried my sins; Jesus died as a sacrificial Lamb; Jesus rose from the dead and defeated the devil; and Jesus is now sitting next to the Father waiting to return. He knows how to catch men and he invites us to join him!

“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.” Romans 1:16

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follow

Posted on September 11, 2014 by Dana

Jesus tapped me on the shoulder and said, “Bob, why are you resisting me?” I said, “I’m not resisting you!” He said, “You gonna follow me?” I said, “I’ve never thought about that before!” He said, “When you’re not following me, you’re resisting me.”
- Bob Dylan

If we believe Jesus is ‘the Way,’ does it not make sense that he tells us to follow him? As King, he has authority to command us, but I think sometimes he beckons us as our Brother.

“As I followed the Father, so I am inviting you to follow me. Do you think I was foolish to ‘become nothing’ to come to earth as a servant? No, I tell you that such a path led to incredible reward. And self denial will also bring you reward as you trust the Holy Spirit to lead.

“My apostles did not like to hear me talk of the cross I was destined to carry, but they did not know of the joy that was set before me. They did not know of the victory ahead or the blessings others would receive as I followed my Father. Any cross you bear for my sake will also have purpose. Pick up your cross and follow me and you will understand my joy.”

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who being in the very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:5-11

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2

“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Mark 8:34

Bob Dylan quote from ‘The Shack’ by William P. Young; Windblown Media; Los Angeles, California; ©2007; p. 231

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believe

Posted on September 4, 2014 by Dana

“He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him. Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His Name, He gave the right to become the children of God.” John 1:10-12

John tells us that the children of God recognize Jesus as King, the Son of the Living God. They receive Him as Lord and Savior, and believe in His Name. But how do the children of God live?

Andrew Murray wrote: “The life of grace is always and only a life of faith. In the relationship to Jesus the one daily and unceasing duty of the disciple is to believe, because believing is the one channel through which divine grace and strength flow into the heart of man.”

Jesus was constantly challenging His chosen twelve to believe. “Where is your faith?” He asked as they thought they were going to drown in a raging storm. But before I judge the disciples too harshly, I must admit that I’ve been afraid in life and death situations. Though Jesus had promised He was with me, the doubts and fears placed me in the same boat as the apostles. And Jesus whispered, “Where’s your faith?”

Our actions (the way we actually live) speak louder than words (claims we make). I say, “I would not have sunk in the lake like Peter did…” But Jesus might reply, “That’s right, Dana, because you would not have gotten out of the boat.”

Here’s our hope: “Jesus is the author and perfecter of our faith.” (Hebrews 12:2) He invites us to take a step and says, “Trust Me.” When we truly believe in Him He reveals more of Himself and we grow in faith. If ever I hesitate and pray, “Lord I believe, help me overcome my unbelief!” He smiles and gladly answers. Jesus is the Master Teacher and the perfect Coach. He knows how to lead, how to mold, and how to help us grow into His own image.

We cannot believe in Him too much!

“Don’t be afraid; just believe.” Mark 5:36

“Stop doubting and believe.” John 2:27

“Then they asked Him, ‘What must we do to do the work God requires?’ Jesus answered, ‘The work God requires is this: to believe in the One He has sent.’” John 6:28-29

Quote from “Abide in Christ” by Andrew Murray; ©1985 by Barbour and Company, Inc. (italics were Mr. Murray’s)

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listen

Posted on August 28, 2014 by Dana

The coach yells, “Listen up!” The teacher says, “Give me your attention.” The parent warns, “I’m not going to tell you again!” Jesus invites, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

The great desire of Jesus the Son of God is for all to have faith. And “faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” And Jesus is the Word. He offers Himself but not all receive Him. He speaks but not all listen.

If we could go back in time and choose our status in society, we would not want to be rich or a teacher of the law or a religious leader… these had no advantage. Jesus made it clear that wealth, prestige, and intelligence tended to make it more difficult to ‘hear.’ Wouldn’t we want to be children? Or at least wouldn’t we want to be like children? Has anything changed?

“I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.” Luke 10:21

Sheep are not the smartest or strongest or most resourceful animal on the earth, yet this is what we are called. We are His, ’the sheep of His pasture.’ We recognize our Good Shepherd’s voice and His words bring us life and guidance. He has told each of us, “I love you with an everlasting love.” And He encourages us, “Now go love others.” May we listen to His voice.

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and they know me – just as the Father knows me and I know the Father – and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep who are not of this pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd… My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me.” John 10:14-16, 27

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