Skip to main content
As we get older, our lives begin to get stuck into a pattern of daily events that become routine, religious and habitual.  We wake to eat breakfast, go to work or school, come home, rest, begin our evening regiment of activities with our family, watch a little television and go to bed only to get up the next morning and do it all over again.  The benefit of having a routine keeps us focused and disciplined, unless the routine is destructive.  The pattern of our lives produce a fruit in our lives that not only help sustain us but impact those around us.  Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit because you can do nothing without me.” - John 15:5 (HCSB)  The word “remains” three things:

1.  Jesus gives us a place.  Do you remember the last time you had a family dinner? From an early age I was taught how to set a place setting.  Put the fork on this side, make the blades of the knife face this way, fold the napkin like so.  I was preparing a place for me and my loved ones to sit, eat, and fellowship.  God has set a place for us at His table.  Jesus pulls out the chair and asks, “Will you dine with (remain) with me?  Let me feed you.”

2.  Jesus gives us a time.   Remaining in the place that God had set for us is not a one time sitting.  Too many times we treat God with the same importance of an item on our to-do checklist.  We say to ourselves, “I went to church today, check!  I read a Bible verse today, check!  I said a prayer today, check!, I was a good person today, check!”  God did not send Jesus to die for our sins to be “one” of the items on our daily list.  Jesus was sent to be our entire life, not for a place to visit but to dwell.  Jesus asks, “Will you let me walk with you?”

3.  Jesus gives us a state. God knows that our minds are often set to wander and stray from Him.  Our daily routines and commitments that are against Christ pull us away from Him.  God’s presence gives us a state of mind that is set on peace. Philippians 4:6-7 (HCSB)  Time spent away from Christ moves us into being self-reliant.  By turning away from Christ we are left to our own limited understanding which can make our state of mind very unstable.

As we move into a new phase of growth in our individual lives and a church, continue to REMAIN in Christ!

In Him,

Pastor James
Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

Confession, Reflection and The Lord's Supper

Yesterday, our church observed the ordinance of the Lord''s Supper or Communion as some call it.  Our church is blessed to have a committee that prepares this for us on every fifth Sunday.  This practice is designed to take us back in our hearts and minds to that dreadful night where Jesus sat at a table with His disciples to prepare them for His pending crucifixion .   The purpose of the Lord's Supper is not for us to go through the motions, but to remember all that Christ did for us.  His body was broken and blood was shed for the forgiveness of our sins.  Communion is a time to reflect, appreciate and give honor to Jesus for what He endured for us. This ordinance is not for everyone.  This is only to be taken by those who are believers and accepted Jesus as their ultimate forgiver and leader.  To partake in this service in an unworthy state is sin. 1 Corinthians 11:27 (NLT) 27 So anyone who eats this bread or drinks this...
Read more

Pastor's Post: Worshiping Expectantly (Genesis 4:26)

I am so excited to be meeting in person on Sunday after only meeting virtually for the past two weeks on facebook live. I ran across this thought the other day. Moses wrote in Genesis about creation this gem: Genesis 4:26 NLT When Seth grew up, he had a son and named him Enosh. At that time people first began to worship the Lord by name. This is the first time since creation and the fall of man where worship was recorded as happening.  This is the “genesis” of how and why we worship today.  We do not worship an unnamed impersonal God.  We worship “Yahweh” (“I Am”)!  He is our creator, Heavenly father.  Worship is not an obligation, it is a privilege! It is an expression of our love for God for all He has given us!  I encourage you to worship Him Sunday with other believers.  Whether it be with our church family or another one.  Worship corporately with those who want to do the same.  Let’s not take our worship opportunities for granted but vi...
Read more

Pastor's Post for November 2024: A True Disciple

  A True Disciple Pastor’s Post for November 2024 Newsletter Oswald Chambers in his devotional entitled, My Utmost for His Highest writes, "A true disciple is one who has his new name written all over himself-interest, pride, and self-sufficiency have been completely erased." Pride is the sin of making "self" our god.”  A disciple is someone who learns from someone else.  Much like a student from a teacher or an apprentice learning a trade.  As a disciple of Christ we are to learn from Him.  This is accomplished by reading His word (The Bible) and applying it to our lives.  As you experience God throughout the month of November, make a conscious effort to learn from Christ.  Learn how to be humble, thankful, determined and loving towards others.  Make spending time with your heavenly Father a priority and make your focus to please Him and love others before meeting your needs first.  Our world is filled with enough people who claim to be a di...
Read more