A Few Words: John 15

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Do You Need a Friend?

They are probably best friends since they were kids.
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor:
If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

New International Version (NIV)

We need friends. Living on one's own can be depressing and desperate when trying to get through difficult times. When you're dealing with troubles on your own you have no sounding board or outside support. Scripture and prayer can certainly get you through such times if your mindset is in the right place, but having a good friend by your side provides a strength that you may not be able to muster by yourself.

Independence can be an admirable quality for us to have. We should not be overly and needily dependant on anyone else. That situation can be dangerous for us in many ways. However we need other people in order to get us by in this world. We need to have friends whom we can trust when trust is needed or just to keep us company when company is desired.

Jesus Christ is the ultimate friend. He loved us so much that He gave his life so that we could find salvation and eternal life. We rarely have to give up our own lives for our friends--at least not in the literal sense that Jesus did. But often being a friend does require sacrifice. Our time, material goods, money, or even our emotions might be necessary to give to a friend in need. Then there are the times when you may look to a friend to provide these things to you. True friendship is an exchange, a sharing experience, and a relationship with mutual benefits.

We can try going it alone and indeed many of us do. When you have friends by your side, traveling life's sometimes difficult road can be so much easier. Companionship makes a burden a lighter load to carry.

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
John 15:13

New International Version (NIV)

Friday, April 25, 2014

Vine #atozchallenge

English: The Promised Land. View south west through the trees from SD51930209 near Promised Land Farm. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

You transplanted a vine from Egypt;
you drove out the nations and planted it.

Psalm 80:8

New International Version (NIV)

The descendants of Abraham were enslaved in Egypt for centuries before Moses led them on their quest to find the Promised Land. After forty years of wandering the Jews were brought to the geographical location of the land that God had promised to them.

Though the land had been promised to the Jews, they had to win it by acting under the authority of God to drive out the nations inhabiting that land. Battles were fought and Israel became the nation of the Jewish people.

The disobedience of Israel in regard to the previous nations resulted in intermarriage of the peoples and pollution of the traditions of the faith. False gods were often worshipped. Rebellion against God continually has resurfaced. And even though the Jewish people have been scattered throughout the Earth, God's promise to them concerning the land of Israel remains. No other nations or organized bodies can rightfully undo what God has promised.

Jesus was a Jew born in Israel. Like the vine of the Jews transplanted from captivity in Egypt to the Promised Land in Israel, Jesus is the human embodiment of God transplanted to Earth. Jesus is the vine from which his followers are nourished.. God has promised a Messiah to deliver us from our enslavement to sin and that Savior has come in the form of Jesus.

The Messiah Jesus Christ will one day return and rule from Jerusalem in Israel. The Promised Messiah in the Promised Land. God works in mighty and wonderful ways. We can do all things through Him.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing..."