DAY 43
DATE: 2/12/2013
Good Morning! This is the day the Lord hath made – let us rejoice and be glad in it. My name is Harold Gatlin and I was asked to give you a devotional thought from the book of John 15-16.
KEY VERSE:
John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
REFLECTION:
The book of John is a wonderful story of the life of Jesus and perhaps the most precious book in the Bible as it relates to the Son of God. As I read the beginning of chapter fifteen, I quickly notice the repetition of the word, ‘Abide.’ Upon studying this word, I found it means, ‘… to accept without objection, to be patient, to remain stable or fixed, to conform, to sojourn.’ In common language, perhaps we could interpret, ‘to stay put, to hang around.’ This word is used seven times in the first seven verses of John 15. Several of the verses speak of God’s blessing being conditional, based upon our abiding in Christ.
APPLICATION:
God wants all of us to bear fruit and the Word indicates our cleanness through the ‘abiding in Christ.’ Isn’t it interesting, both concepts of bearing fruit and cleanliness with God are directly associated with my abiding, or staying near Christ in my everyday walk. If I stay close to Him, I am told I can be an instrument in His hand. The greatest of life’s ambition – to be used of God! Jesus instructs us, and if we are obedient, we will be blessed with His love and power. What a blessed thought!
God bless us as we continue to serve Him. Thank you for being a part of the Route 66 Challenge. Thanks for reading, and you have a blessed day.
In Christ,
Harold
WHEN YOU GOT SAVED: Age 6 – my Dad led me to the Lord
FAVORITE BOOKS OF THE BIBLE: Romans and Philippians
FAVORITE BIBLE CHARACTERS: Paul, David, and Daniel
FAMILY: Wife Susan and three children (Daniel, April, and David)
OCCUPATION: CPA
HOBBIES: Golf, beekeeping