BE the change you wish to see in your Faith

BE the change you wish to see in your Faith

Be Fruitful in Your Faith

Jesus explains to his 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 up, 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 you.  This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”
[John 15:5-8]

Notes 15:5-8:  
"Many people try to be good, honest people who do what is right.  But Jesus says that the only way to live a truly good life is to stay close to him, like a branch attached to the vine.  Apart from Christ our efforts are unfruitful.  Are you receiving the nourishment and life offered by Christ, the vine?  If not you are missing a special gift he has for you."

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So with Jesus' parable/story of the grape vine, imagine you are a grape and I am a grape.  We are both of the same vine.  We both feel we are good grapes.  Of course we have our faults, but who doesn't.  We may look about the same and even taste about the same, but if analyzed close enough, we are slightly different and each made uniquely.  We both will grow, develop into our peak plumpness, then start to wither away (some may even sell us in a raisin box).  Our purpose here on this earth will be full and complete.  Now, a grape won’t go to Heaven, but we, as human beings, have the chance to --
by faith in our Friend, Jesus, who has prepared a room for us for all of eternity!

“…Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen,
since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
[2 Corinthians 4:16-18]

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Jesus continues talking with the disciples:  
"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.  Now remain in my love...
I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that
your joy may be complete."
[John 15:11]

Notes 15:11:  
"When things are going well, we feel elated.  When hardships come, we sink into depression.  But true joy transcends the rolling waves of circumstance.  Joy comes from a consistent relationship with Jesus Christ.  When our lives are intertwined with his, he will help us walk through adversity without sinking into debilitating lows and manage prosperity without moving into deceptive highs.  The joy of living with Jesus Christ daily will keep us level-headed, no matter how high or low our circumstances."

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Jesus continues:
 "My command is this:  Love each other as I have loved you." 
[John 15:12]

Notes 15:12:  
"We are to love each other as Jesus loved us, and he loved us enough to give his life for us.  We may not have to die for someone, but there are other ways to practice sacrificail love;  listening, helping, encouranging, giving.  Think of someone in particular who needs this kind of love today.  
Give all the love you can, and then try to give a little more."


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“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
[Galatians 5:22-23]

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BE  Challenge:
Every day:
Be Love   
Be Joy   
Be Patience    
Be Kindness   
Be Goodness    
Be Faithfulness    
Be Gentleness    
Be Self-Control    
Be a Listener
Be a Helper
Be an Encourager
Be a Giver

  you will be representing the
Fruit of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit!  

Easier said than done, I know, but try. He will be pleased and so will others.  :0)

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You may be the only way someone can see/feel/get to know God.


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Evidence that Jesus = 100% God + 100% Man

Jesus said to Philip and the his disciples:
“Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me?  
The words I say to you are not just my own. 
Rather it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 
Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me;
or at least believe on the evident of the miracles themselves.”
[John 14:10-11]

MIRACLES  Challenge:
Examples of Jesus' Miracles recorded by Matthew, Mark, Luke & John
If you want to dig deeper, look up the following scripture/miracles and
write them down in your journal:
John 6:5-14  
Luke 8:22-25
Mark 5:25-34
Matthew 17:14-21
Mark 7:24-30
Luke 4:33-36
John 9:1-7
John 2:1-11

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JESUS QUOTES  Challenge: 
Walk with Jesus this week and read what He had to tell his disciples in the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke or John) each day this week.  In your journal, each day write down a Jesus quote, underline it in red, and write down what Jesus is telling you.  Write 10 of these. 
Then, write a summary of who Jesus is and what he means to you.  
Share this exercise with a friend or bible study group and discuss your findings. 

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Closing Prayer

Friend Jesus,
The more I read your Words, Truth and your Way in the books, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, the better I will understand you and your mission/purpose you had on this earth - that you were born to die - I pray that I begin to understand this.  I pray that I grow in my faith and become more fruitful toward others by trying to become more like you.  You are perfect and sinless.  I am messy and sin everyday.  But through your death and resurrection, I am forgiven, therefore the weight of my sin is lifted from me and placed on You.  I didn't ask for this, but realize what a special gift your loving Friendship is to me.  You are so full of wisdom.  
I pray for your guidance and that I may find my complete joy in this life in You!
In God's Loving Name,
  Amen.




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References
Life Application Study Bible