Abide In Christ

John 15:4

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

Christ provides a powerful observation as it relates to the believer remaining in Him by using the analogy of a branch remaining in the vine. In order for the branch to bring forth fruit of any kind it must remain attached to the vine. This analogy is true for believers; they too must remain in Christ so the world will know who we are and whose we are. Remaining in Christ all believers can and will bring forth the fruit of the Spirit as outlined in Galatians 5:22-23.

If the question was raised, How must believers remain in Christ so that the world will know that believers are God's children? Believers remain in Christ through a constant study of God's Word and then living according to His word. Believers are to remain in union with Christ so they can and will draw closer to Him. Obeying God's Word and commandments is a major factor in remaining in Christ because believers will share in His love and in turn love Him and others as commanded by Christ. Lastly, remaining in Christ and yielding to the guidance of the Holy Spirit believers have the ability to resist sin. It is noteworthy to say that all believers are to remain in Christ as we died to sin with Him and was raised with Him to a life of righteousness.

Just as God the Father and God the Son are one; believers are one in Christ Jesus; the branch and the vine.

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Remembering

Joshua 4:3-6, 21

….Take you hence out of the midst of Jordan, out of the place where the priests' feet stood firm, twelve stones, and ye shall carry them in the lodging place, where you shall lodge this night…That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean by you these stones?

If we were to subtitle today's discussion it could be "What mean these stones"? Our scripture text provides the answer to the question, which was to establish a monument as a memorial as a remembrance of God's salvation and His deliverance of the young Israel nation out of bondage. Let's build our memorial in our hearts remembering God's goodness, His grace and mercy that endures forever.

This weekend's celebration of Memorial Day has been set aside as a day to keep alive the memory of a love one or an event that is near and dear to our hearts.

Have a safe and blessed weekend.

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A Christ-Centered Life

Psalm 16:8

I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

What does it mean to live a Christ-centered life? Living a Christ-centered life is a life where believers have committed his or her life to one of holy living. A Christ-centered life is one where self has been removed and replaced with Christ. A Christ-centered life is one where the believer cherishes an intimate fellowship with Christ above all else.  A Christ-centered life is one where the believer has submitted him or herself to Christ in obedience to His atoning work on Calvary's cross. Given the price Christ paid in ransoming all believers from the bondage of sin is reason enough to live lives that is Christ-centered which pleases the Lord.

If the question were raised, How must one remain in fellowship with Christ and live a life that is focused on Him? Believers remain in fellowship with Christ through daily prayer and Bible reading which enhances our knowledge of the Lord and His presence is felt. There is joy, protection and eternal blessings from living a Christ-centered life. Believers have Christ's Spirit the Holy Spirit residing in each believer to aid in living a Christ-centered life. It is noteworthy to say that living a Christ-centered life, the believer experiences an unspeakable joy that the world does not understand neither can it give or take away. O! What joy to be had from living a Christ-centered life?

Living a Christ-centered life has put this song in my heart, O what a fellowship, what a joy diving leaning on the everlasting arms of God.

Christ-centered or self-centered, Christ-centered is best.

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Fire A Symbol Of The Holy Spirit

Acts 2:3; Exodus 3:2; 13:21

And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them…And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush; and he looked and behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed…And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night.

In Tuesday's discussion we discussed the Holy Spirit and His manifestation on the day of Pentecost, but today's focus is on the Holy Spirit in the form of fire.

The Bible records the Holy Spirit representing God throughout our biblical history as annotated in our scripture texts where God got Moses' attention through a burning bush where under normal circumstances the bush would have been consumed by the fire, but when God is in the midst unusual things happens. This evidenced with God leading the young nation of Israel during their deliverance from oppression. He went before the nation of Israel as a cloud by day and fire by night. The cloud and fire were important in God's plan as the cloud provided a protective cover shielding the people from the scorching desert sun and the fire provided light for nighttime travel. On a spiritual plane the cloud represents God's protective hand and His fire as His purifier and way maker for the Christian traveler.

God has used fire in serving His purposes at that particular time, for example in Acts 2:3 when fire was the visible manifestation of God as He empowered the disciples to carry the gospel of Christ to the world over. Fire was used to rid Sodom and Gomorrah of its sins and in Hebrews 12:29 fire was used to pronounce God's judgment.

Let’s close today's discussion with this question; Will you be in God's judgment fire or His blessing fire?

The Holy Spirit as fire can bless, bring judgment, or purify; He is God.

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Uplifting Insights: Manifestation Of The Holy Spirit

Uplifting Insights: Manifestation Of The Holy Spirit: Acts 2: 2-4 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind and it filled the house where they were sitting. A...

Manifestation Of The Holy Spirit

Acts 2: 2-4

And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind and it filled the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto then cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

The coming of the Holy Spirit fulfills the promise made by Jesus at His ascension (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8) that all who possessed the Holy Ghost would have power to witness Christ the world over. The coming and manifestation of the Holy Spirit is another example of promises kept by God. The coming of the Holy Spirit fulfills the prophecy of Joel 2:28-29 when God's Spirit would be poured "out on all flesh."

Notice the manifestations made when the Holy Spirit came; first, it was on the day of Pentecost which was the harvest festival where the firstfruits of the grain harvest was presented to God (Leviticus 23:17), second, the people were in one place and on one accord (v. 1). Lastly, the manifestation of the Holy Spirit were done in three distinct ways, audible, visible and in speech. The Audible manifestation was the sound of a rushing mighty wind, the visible manifestation was cloven tongues of fire and the speech manifestation was that as the 120 disciples were being filled with the Holy Spirit they began to speak in other tongues as there were many other nations represented.

Upon closer examination of the coming Holy Spirit on Pentecost and parallel these verses to Acts 1:8 which represents the threefold promise of Christ that believers will have "power", they will "witness" and it will occur in "all the world." Another significant fact in Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit is that Pentecost represented a grain harvest and for the church it symbolizes the beginning of God's soul harvesting throughout the world.

The Day of Pentecost was a great display of God's power.

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Honor Your Mother

Exodus 20:12

Honour thy father and thy mothers; that thy days may be long upon this land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

Sunday is a day set aside to honor mothers as they are unique specimens who are constantly giving of self for the family and others. Mothers are constantly sacrificing self for her children and husband. Mothers make sure the family needs are met as Christian mothers typify the qualities of a virtuous woman as outlined in Proverbs 31:10-30 as she is a precious commodity.

How do we honor our mothers? We honor mothers in love, acts of kindness, respect, obedience and refraining from any and all unkind words or deeds. Mothers are "to be praised and given the fruit of her hands" (Proverbs 31: 30-31).

Mothers, you are a chosen vessel and worthy of honor as you bring forth children who are God's gift to the family.

Mothers, you are blessed and highly favored.

Happy Mother's Day

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Honor

1 Chronicles 16:27; 1 Timothy 1:17; Psalm 8:5-6

Glory and honour are in His presence; strength and gladness are in His place... Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever…For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet.

In today's brief discussion we will focus on honoring God, others and self as honor as a noun is to give reverence, respect, value, greatness and dignity is given or received (The Student Bible Dictionary P. 115). Our scripture text supports these definitions in that we are to reverence the all wise God for who He is and what He has done and continues to do in the lives of mankind.

God is worthy of our honor in that He created us in His likeness and image; He breathed the breath of life into man and he became a living soul. This is so that man can and will have an intimate relationship with out Creator and Sustainer. God upholds us with the strength of His mighty hands. He loves us unconditionally to the point that He gave His only begotten Son to die for our sins. His Spirit lives in each believer and provides a joy/gladness that the world cannot give neither does it understand our unspeakable joy.

God has placed great value on mankind in that man was created a little lower than the angels and is given dominion over God's other creations. What a value! God has given honor to all mankind regardless if the person is a believer or non-believer, and rightly so being that God's Spirit lives in each of us.

How can we honor God? We honor God through our worship, serving Him and others. Worship can be in the form of congregational worship with fellow believers, daily prayer and offering praises to God. We honor God through daily scripture reading and meditation on His holy Word and then living according to His Word.

Since God has placed such honor and glory on mankind, How are we to honor one another? We are to love and honor one another as thyself (Matthew 19:19) as all mankind is linked through the Spirit of God. We are commanded to love one another by Christ Himself as love is of God and is His nature. (1 John 4:7).

Let's close this discussion by saying that God is worthy of all honor and praises and we are to honor others as God honors all and we honor persons whom honor is due (Proverbs 3:9; Romans 12:10).

Honor a worthy God.

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Marvel At His Works

Psalm 105:3-5

Remember His marvellous works that He hath done; His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth.

This entire Psalm is encouraging all to give thanks to the Lord for what He has done and continues to do in the lives of mankind and especially believers. We are encouraged to worship, obey and praise the Lord for His goodness and seek His presence. It is good to be in the presence of the Lord our creator and sustainer. Being in the Lord's presence there is strength and grace through His Spirit.

Just as God remembers His covenant promise we are encouraged to remember all God's marvelous works in creation and the lives of all mankind. God is still working wonders in the lives of all believers through His Spirit the Holy Spirit who empowers us as we persevere in our faith. Through God's indwelling Holy Spirit believers have the power to withstand all manner of wickedness and live holy lives before God daily. Believers must die daily to sin as we are kept by the Holy Spirit.

If the question were raised, What are some of the marvelous works that can be witnessed daily? It is a wonder how mankind can go to sleep each night and the body comes alive with the dawning of a new day. It is only through the work of God that this happens. Another wonder of God's work is the sun, moon and stars perform their tasks without delay. Who can forget the changing of the seasons and how they take their place in a timely manner; even the trees, flowers and plants know when to bud and bring forth their respective fruits. What a wonder working God!

Stand in Awe at the wonders of God and His works.

Today's discussion is taken from my monthly devotional "Heavenly Bread" which is available from the author, www.amazon.com www.createspaces.com/heavenlybread

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Prayer

Psalm 17:1, 6

Hear the right, O Lord, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips…I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God inclined thine ear unto me; and hear my speech.

While writing my fourth inspirational book "A Study Guide on Prayer" I felt compelled to provide some insight into the book and receive feedback from my loyal reading audience by asking some questions regarding prayer. With that being said, allow me to begin by asking the following questions, How do you define prayer? Is prayer you communication with God? Is prayer a form of worship as the prayer lay prostrate before a holy God? Do we see prayer as a place where pride is abandoned, hope is lifted, and supplication is made?  Is prayer the place of admitting our needs, adopting humility, and admitting dependence upon God?  Can we say that prayer is the needful practice of Christians?  Can we agree that prayer is the exercise of faith and hope for all?  Can we agree that prayer is the privilege of touching the heart of God the Father through the Son of God, Jesus our Lord? Can we say that supplication is at the heart of prayer for prayer always springs out of a sense of need and a belief that God is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6) while adoration, confession and thanksgiving also has a place in prayer?

Allow me to ask just a few more questions in today's topical discussion and they are How often you should or do you pray? Lastly, is there a set position while praying?

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