Bible League: Living His Word “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”— John 15:11 ESV Jesus taught his disciples, and taught us by extension, so that we would have His joy and our joy would be full. What did he say? He said, first of all, that the Father in heaven is like a vinedresser, He Himself is like a vine, and we are like branches of the vine. Although the Father removes every branch that doesn’t bear fruit, He prunes the branches that do bear fruit. This is not a bad thing. He prunes them so that they will bear even more fruit (John 15:1-2). Second, He said that branches cannot bear fruit apart from the vine. Indeed, apart from the vine, branches can do nothing. Branches should draw spiritual sustenance from the vine so they will not just bear fruit, they will bear much fruit. Branches that don’t abide in the vine are worthless. As a result, they are thrown away and burned (John 15:4-6). Third, He said “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you,” (John 15:7). The prayers of the branches will be answered so that they will bear fruit. It is so important to God that His branches bear fruit, that He answers the prayers that come before Him for that purpose. Finally, Jesus said “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love,” (John 15:9-10). If we obey Jesus’ commands, especially His command to abide in Him, then we will also abide in His love. That love flows from the Father to the Son, and then to us. It’s our spiritual connection to Jesus, our spiritual abiding in Him, that produces all this in our lives. It’s the reason for the good works that we do, it’s the reason our prayers are answered, and it’s the reason why the love of the Father is present in our lives. Jesus is very joyful about all of this. He told us about it so we will be just as joyful as He is. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingNumbers 5, 6 Numbers 5 -- Purity of the Camp; the Adultery Test NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Numbers 6 -- The Vow of the Nazirite and the Priestly Blessing NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Mark 4:1-20 Mark 4 -- Parables of the Sower, Lamp on a Stand, Seed Growing Secretly, Mustard Seed; Jesus Calms the Sea NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion Don't worry about the wickedor envy those who do wrong. Insight We should never envy evil people, even though some may be extremely popular or excessively rich. No matter how much they have, it will fade and vanish like grass that withers and dies. Challenge Those who follow God live differently from the wicked and, in the end, will have far greater treasures in heaven. What the unbeliever gets may last a lifetime, if he is lucky. What you get from following God lasts forever. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Hebrews 13:5 He hath said.If we can only grasp these words by faith, we have an all-conquering weapon in our hand. What doubt will not be slain by this two-edged sword? What fear is there which shall not fall smitten with a deadly wound before this arrow from the bow of God's covenant? Will not the distresses of life and the pangs of death; will not the corruptions within, and the snares without; will not the trials from above, and the temptations from beneath, all seem but light afflictions, when we can hide ourselves beneath the bulwark of "He hath said"? Yes; whether for delight in our quietude, or for strength in our conflict, "He hath said" must be our daily resort. And this may teach us the extreme value of searching the Scriptures. There may be a promise in the Word which would exactly fit your case, but you may not know of it, and therefore you miss its comfort. You are like prisoners in a dungeon, and there may be one key in the bunch which would unlock the door, and you might be free; but if you will not look for it, you may remain a prisoner still, though liberty is so near at hand. There may be a potent medicine in the great pharmacopoeia of Scripture, and you may yet continue sick unless you will examine and search the Scriptures to discover what "He hath said." Should you not, besides reading the Bible, store your memories richly with the promises of God? You can recollect the sayings of great men; you treasure up the verses of renowned poets; ought you not to be profound in your knowledge of the words of God, so that you may be able to quote them readily when you would solve a difficulty, or overthrow a doubt? Since "He hath said" is the source of all wisdom, and the fountain of all comfort, let it dwell in you richly, as "A well of water, springing up unto everlasting life." So shall you grow healthy, strong, and happy in the divine life. Daily Light on the Daily Path Leviticus 20:8 'You shall keep My statutes and practice them; I am the LORD who sanctifies you.Leviticus 20:24,26 'Hence I have said to you, "You are to possess their land, and I Myself will give it to you to possess it, a land flowing with milk and honey." I am the LORD your God, who has separated you from the peoples. • 'Thus you are to be holy to Me, for I the LORD am holy; and I have set you apart from the peoples to be Mine. Jude 1:1 Jude, a bond-servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, To those who are the called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ: John 17:17 "Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Hebrews 13:12 Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate. Titus 2:13,14 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, • who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. Hebrews 2:11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father; for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, John 17:19 "For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth. 1 Peter 1:2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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