Verse of the Day 6/8
5 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.
On Monday my wife Jean and I celebrated our 41st wedding anniversary and today's verse was part of my read through the New Testament plan for the day. The event and celebration of it brought me back to this verse. We weren't celebrating 41 years of sharing a name, or just living in the same house together, no, abiding in the sense of the verse is much more. As in a marriage it is getting to know one another better. It is building and growing that relationship, it is sharing, it is loving, it is experiencing joy and pain together.
Looking back in my life, I would be nowhere without the amazing love, strength, courage, joy and hope that comes from my wife of 41 years. At the same time, neither of us would be anywhere without the abiding presence of the Lord in our lives.
The passage immediately follows John 14 where we read of our final abiding place, the place prepared for us by God the Father and the encouragement that we receive as bookends in that chapter in verses 1 and 27, "do not let your hearts be troubled". Those are good words to abide by in our Christians lives and with our spouses.
27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
Blessings,
Mike
Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace. NIV
I Am the True Vine
15 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 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. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
No comments:
Post a Comment