Where are you resting?

"These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." -John 15:11

Do you depend upon Jesus Christ?  I mean totally depend upon Him?  Here's the way you can tell--are you resting in Him today?  You see, when you are totally committed to Jesus Christ, you rest in Him.  You realize it is necessary for Him to supply your every need.

Have you ever looked at a branch?  It has no other source of life than the vine.  If you asked that branch, "What's your secret for your healthy leaves and fruit?"  then it would say, "My secret is that I'm resting in the vine."  "But, what about your needs?"  you ask.  "I know I have needs, but that's not my responsibility.  My response is to rest in the vine's ability to provide.  I don't produce the fruit.  I just bear it."

Are you resting in the Lord today?

Jesus Christ as Lord

"For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell."  Colossions 1:19

Do you know why everything happens?  It is to bring glory to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.  In fact, God's Word tells us Jesus Christ is to have preeminence in all of history.  All of history is culminating in this one thing. 

Do you know why the world was created?  Jesus.  Do you know why the Holy Spirit ministers?  Jesus.  Do you know why there is going to be a final judgment?  Because "every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Phil 2:11).

Hitler and Hemingway will confess it.  Buddha and Mohammad will confess it.  None of us can change that fact--all of creation will acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord.  Next time someone asks you why something happens, tell them:  "for the glory of God."

Growing by His plan

"Let us go and possess it, for we are well able to overcome it.  Rebel not ye against the Lord, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us." -Numbers 14:9

What is God's plan for you?  God wants to enlarge you, not indulge you.  God is not that interested in making you happy and healthy as he is in making you HOLY.  I want you to think about the times when you've grown most spiritually.  I can tell you that I have grown the most in my life during times of deepest despair.

Faith is like film, it is best developed in the dark.  The plan of God for your spiritual growth includes trials.  You will never grow spiritually until you eat the bread that God sets before you.  And most of the time, that bread is trouble!!!

What's your motivation?

"That I may know HIM......"

Do you know what is very sad today?  Is to have a full church filled with empty people.  Do you have a purpose for your life?  Paul did.  "THAT I MAY KNOW HIM..."  That was his motivation in life.  That is what drove Paul to be one of the greatest missionaries that ever lived.  His life was a purpose-centered and not a self-centered.  Today, most people are self-centered rather than Christ centered. 

Are you willing to say yes to Christ and "no" to self today?  If not, you don't have a purpose-centered life not in a Bible sense.  What is a purpose-driven life?  A life that is centered in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Let your motivation be the same as Paul's.  "That I may know HIM....."