Remain - III

A Wonderful Discovery

MEMORY VERSE

“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.” (John 15:5)

 

REFLECTION

Following Jesus should be exciting, joyful and full of adventure, but an incredible number of Christians feel lonely, bored and without clear direction. Why is that?  It could be because many hold to the philosophy, “I’ll do my best and let God do the rest.”  That idea is totally opposite of Jesus’ plan for us to remain or abide in Him.  Any attempt to “do my best” apart from God is weak and fruitless.   God’s plan is for every day of our lives to be an exciting adventure of being filled with the Holy Spirit and living constantly, moment by moment under His direction.

There is a fantastic teaching by Campus Crusade called Have you made the wonderful discovery of the Spirit-filled life?  You can find it here.  If you make this wonderful discovery, it will change your life into something better than you could ever imagine.

ACTION STEPS FOR THE WEEK

Carefully, slowly, study this teaching this week.  It is divided into eight sections.  Go through one section each day for the next eight days.  Find someone to discuss it with.  Don’t stop praying through this until you see evidence of this wonderful discovery in your life.

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
In what specific ways are you like the natural? spiritual? and carnal person?
How can you tell when you are working in your own power vs. being directed and empowered with the Holy Spirit?

Remain - II

Evidence of Remaining

MEMORY VERSE

Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. (John 15:4)

REFLECTION

In John 15:1-17 Jesus used the word “remain” eleven times. Pretty important word!   What does it mean to Remain in Jesus? The Bible Exposition Commentary explains it like this: It means to keep in fellowship with Christ so that His life can work in and through us to produce fruit.  This involves knowing the Word of God. It involves the confession of sin so that nothing hinders our communion with Him. And it involves obeying Him because we love Him.   Are you remaining in Christ? If you're not sure, here are some evidences:

• You produce fruit (v.2)
• You experience the Father's pruning so that you produce more fruit (v.2)
• Your prayers will be answered (v.7)
• You experience a deepening love for Christ and for other believers (v.9,12,13)
• You experience joy (v.11)

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

Are there any of these five evidences listed above that you have not seen in your life this week? This month? What will you do about it?

ACTION STEPS FOR THE WEEK

If you don’t have one already, start a spiritual journal.  Identify each day something that has happened to you or in you or through you as a result of remaining in Christ and record it in your journal.

Remain - I

Remain so that the world may believe

 

MEMORY VERSE

" …May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me."  (John 17:21)

REFLECTION

If you found out you would be arrested and executed in a mere 24 hours, how would you spend the time you have left? Saying goodbye to friends, family? Asking for forgiveness from those you have offended?  Prayer would likely be one of the many things you would do. When Jesus was faced with this situation He prayed, too. I'm guessing that His last prayers, like ours might be, were for things that were most important to Him. So what was it that he prayed? He prayed that His followers would remain in Him so that the world would know that God sent Him.  This shows us that there is more to our Christian walk then just the quality of our personal relationship with God. Our families and friends will know that Jesus is the son of God by how well we abide or remain in Him. 

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

In what ways can you live more Spirit led so that others will see Jesus is the way to God?

What are some of the other benefits and blessings of remaining in Him?

ACTION STEPS FOR THE WEEK

Begin thinking about how your abiding in Jesus might impact those around you.

Take  15 minutes and write down what steps you will take to remain in  Him this week.