I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. —John 15:5 Take away the branches from the main stem of a tomato plant and you will not get any tomatoes. Take away the branches from the main stem of a pepper plant and you will not get any peppers. Take away the branches from the trunk of an apple tree and you will not get any apples. Take away the branches from the trunk of an oak tree and you will not get any acorns. Take away the…

Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. —John 14:21 Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. —John 14:23 “Yes, dad” the child said when asked to clean his room and off he went to do so. “Yes, mom” her daughter said when asked to do the dishes and off she went to do what was asked of her. When asked to do something by a parent, by a teacher, by an employer and the answer is yes shows at least respect. A blatant “no” would surely bring conflict between the one requesting something to be done and the one being asked to do…

But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” —-Matthew 26:24 They had been friends from their youth, but John always seemed to have better things happen to him. He was well liked, had a very pretty girl friend and a good job. Troy became jealous and when an opportunity presented itself to betray his friend for money and have John sent off to prison for life, Troy did it. He thought that he not only would have the money, but also have an opportunity to “comfort” John’s girl friend and maybe end up marrying her…

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” —John 13:34-35 Spend time with a person 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for a year and you will know what that person stands for, their likes, dislikes etc. So it is with a person’s vocation. Follow them around long enough and you will know what it is they do. People can claim to be this or that, but when you spend time with them, you will really come to know who they…

You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. —Matthew 22:29 A compass is a great guide… if you are reading it correctly. This summer we set up a compass course for some teens. Overall they did really well, but there was a moment when one of the teams was not reading the compass correctly and they were actually going in the opposite direction from what was intended. They had gone some distance before they realized their mistake and had to back-track to end up at the correct destination. So many people wind up with the wrong conclusions because they do not know…

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. —Luke 19:10 Hide and Seek is still a game children like to play. They look and look and look for those who are hiding until they find them. Some are easy to find and others are much harder to discover where they are. But the one seeking continues until all are found. It takes concern, compassion, empathy, endurance, persistence and patience in seeking out those who are lost. Jesus told us that one reason He came was “to seek and to save the lost.” This should be our desire as well. But to seek the lost we…

And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart… Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” —Luke 18:1, 8 When they were first married they spent large amounts of times either sitting or walking together and talking. They would talk about all kinds of things— their hopes and dreams, their relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and His goodness. But as time moved on, children came along, their jobs taking much more time and so much else happening in their lives, their relationship with the Lord and each other started to wane. They did…

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. —Luke 12:6-7 …life does not consist in an abundance of possessions. —Luke 12:15 But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” —Luke 12:20-21 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no…

“Lazarus, come out.” — John 11:43 Yet again, another funeral we are to attend. How many has that been? Another person lies lifeless. The shell of their body is empty. The spirit of that person has left and now leaves behind loved ones who sorrow and grieve over the loss. Now imagine this scene of a grieving family. It has been four days since their loved one died. They are still in that fog of grasping that their loved one has truly died and will no longer be with them. They will not see their face, hear their voice or be in their presence anymore on this planet. Life will…

“Go now and leave your life of sin.” —John 8:11 I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins.” —John 8:24 Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” —John 8:31-32 “Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.” —John 8:47 “Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.” —John 8:51 Have you ever stolen anything,…