Saturday, March 24, 2018

March 25, 2018

I believe what Paul is saying here is, “Look, you guys know what you ought to be doing! You know what’s right and wrong! But you can’t do it on your own. You can’t glorify God. Do as I do and trust Jesus to live out His life through you!”
“I am the true Vine, and my Father is the Gardener.  He lops off every branch that doesn’t produce. And he prunes those branches that bear fruit for even larger crops.  He has already tended you by pruning you back for greater strength and usefulness by means of the commands I gave you.  Take care to live in me, and let me live in you. For a branch can’t produce fruit when severed from the vine. Nor can you be fruitful apart from me. “Yes, I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in me and I in him shall produce a large crop of fruit. For apart from me you can’t do a thing.  If anyone separates from me, he is thrown away like a useless branch, withers, and is gathered into a pile with all the others and burned.  But if you stay in me and obey my commands, you may ask any request you like, and it will be granted!  My true disciples produce bountiful harvests. This brings great glory to my Father.” John 15:1-8
HOW?

OBEY AS CHRIST OBEYED

(1) CELEBRATE GOD’S GOODNESS, Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Philippians 4:4

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2

(2) ASK GOD FOR HELP, Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6

“…. and call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.” Psalm 50:15

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7

“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrew 4:16

(3) LEAVE YOUR ANXIETY WITH GOD, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7

 4) MEDITATE ON GOOD THINGS, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

To sum up one of the most amazing Scriptures of the Bible, cling to Christ and receive His peace, His presence and His power to help you overcome anxiety!