The Simple Life

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 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. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.” John 15:1-3 (ESV) Christ's message is clear. We have no life apart from Him and cannot achieve the purpose we were created without Him. The more I try to accomplish without Him, the more frustrated I will be. The goal in life is clear. We are to bear fruit. This fruit comes from being part of a healthy plant. We need not work hard at the fruit. We need to work at being healthy, and the fruit will be abundant. Healthy plants always produce healthy fruit. Plants are unique in that some require much sun while others can only tolerate some or even none. If we plant something without considering what it needs to thrive, we should not wonder why it struggles. Many today struggle with anxiety, depression, anger, and more. Thes...

“You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.' If you loved me, you would have rejoiced because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe. I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.” John 14:28-31 (ESV) I have perspective; Jesus does not. He calls the death of His saints precious when I often see it as a tragedy. He saw His death as a blessing in many ways; we see it as cruel treatment of the innocent. I cannot change the fact that I am influenced by perspective, yet I can get in the habit of yielding my perspective to God. In doing so, I can rest in the peace that transcends understanding. I find it interesting that one of the most precious commodities of life, peace, is somet...

“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.” John 14:27 (ESV) Peace or Šālôm occurs about 250 times in the OT, and eirēnē about 100 times in the NT. Šālôm, iridescent in meaning, means "wholeness" or "well-being." (Dictionary of Scripture and Ethics) It is impossible to experience wholeness apart from Christ. It is impossible to be well, apart from God. It is God's will that all mankind live life the way it was intended to be, and we were intended to be with God, forever. Jesus seemed to be leaving, but assured them He will never leave them. Great enlightenment usually comes after confusion to those who seek the truth. My responsibility is to seek truth and my reward for doing so is peace. Today our world lacks peace because it lacks God. The solution is simple. https://www.podbean.com/relate365

"These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” John 14:25-26 (ESV) There is no greater authority than God. There is no more extraordinary privilege than to be indwelled by His Spirit. God knows what to do with life's circumstances, and if we are in tune with Him, we will know what to do. So often, we focus on good, better, and best, when we should focus on what is right. But, when the Holy Spirit speaks, it is always right, and there are no degrees of good and better, only best. It is always right to listen to God, and the wise pursue Him and position themselves to give others a clear view of His magnificence, whereas the foolish focus on what does not matter. Which one am I? Time will tell.   https://www.podbean.com/relate365

“Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him." John 14:21 (ESV) Those who love God obey God. This is because God is perfect in every way, and obedience is the only way to respond appropriately to perfection. This rule does not apply to any man, ruler, or nation, for it's exclusive to God, because God is unique or holy. If I do not obey God, I do not know God, for if I did know Him, there would be no way I would disobey Him. Everything critical in life goes back to the idea of knowing God. Satan works overtime to get people to neglect time with God knowing that the lack of knowledge destroys everything good. The one thing a person must not neglect is their time with God. https://www.podbean.com/relate365

"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.” John  14:18-19  (ESV) Because Jesus lives, I will also live. So for me and all believers, death will be an experience, not the end. When Jesus said He was leaving and Thomas wanted to know the way to follow, He said that He was the way, truth, and life. Healthy lives are about Jesus, not religion. Christians focus on position, not problems, and possibilities, not problems. As Jesus brought the concept of God to reality, we bring the concept of God to reality. We serve because He served, care because He cared, and give because He gave. When someone lives correctly, and we imitate them, we live correctly, and eventually we see how sensible and practical life can be. https://www.podbean.com/relate365

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” John  14:16-17  (ESV) As a believer, I enjoy having God in the form of the Holy Spirit indwelling me. This Spirit of Truth is God, and I am its flesh. As I listen to God, I know the truth, and this truth sets me free. Those who are not believers cannot know the truth, for they have no basis for determining what reality is or is not.  They become prisoners of their thought process, victims of Satanic deception. I have often wondered why Christians are so hated when caring for the poor, widows, orphans, and more. Yet, I see that they are the ones who threaten Satanic deception by the very example of their lives, and when it is a life rather than words that destroy your arguments, you try to destroy the life. Those who know the trut...

"If you love me, you will keep my commandments. John 14:15 (ESV) Simple, to the point, and very understandable. If we love God, we listen to God. If we are not listening to God, we do not love God. This specific statement has to do with God, not man. The Bible does not say that we need to obey other people in order to love them. This command is about God alone. When someone is perfect in everything they say and do, we love them; we listen to them. When we listen to God, we acknowledge that He is perfect and all He does is right. Those who do not listen to God do not love God, and those who do not love God do not know God. The answer to all of life’s questions starts with knowing God, and if you do not get that one right, you get nothing right https://www.podbean.com/relate365

Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.” "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. John 14:8-14 (ESV) We often do not understand who God is and the "benefit" of being a child of His. Yet, if we ponder the signifi...

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 (ESV) C.S. Lewis said that Jesus was either a liar, a lunatic, or Lord. Each person will need to decide what they believe and if they dare to accept the truth. The truth is that I am not the creator; I am the created. I am not needed; I am wanted. I live in time, whereas God lives outside of time. I cannot create or sustain life; God does both. I am not in a position to correct the Almighty. However, I am in the position to accept His mercy and forgiveness offered to me in Jesus and to enjoy the position of being His child. The sin in my life has devastating effects on every relationship I have. God offers me a better life, a better position, and eternal hope. It is foolish to reject His offer and it always ends in hopeless disasters.   https://www.podbean.com/relate365

Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:5-6 (ESV) There are no multiple paths to enlighten. There are no multiple ways to God. There are no numerous ways of being "right." In dark times, there are not multiple sources of light. Likewise, when we need hope, there are not various sources of hope. If belief were an integral ingredient to truth, sincerity would be the essential human quality. Belief has nothing to do with truth but is vital once one has discovered truth. Those who believe in lies end up proving themselves fools. Jesus, the creator, and sustainer of all life, has spoken. He knows the truth and He is the truth. He has stated that He is the way to God and that there is no other. That has to be the end of the discussion.   https://www.podbean.com/relate365

"Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going." John 14:1-4 (ESV) The idea of the unknown is troubling unless you are with someone who loves you and who knows. We may not know or understand what is to come after this life, but we can be assured that God, who loves us, has gone before us and has prepared a place for us. Our rest is not in the place but God. Our confidence is unshakeable because of who we know and that we are indeed His children, whom He loves. I cannot, with certainty, tell you the exact timeline of the end times, yet I can tell you that there will be an end, God will win, and all those who love Him and walk with Him will have no regrets on that day. What else...

Peter said to him, "Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you." Jesus answered, "Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.” John 13:37-38 (ESV) It is impossible to understand how God lives outside of time. For this moment, Jesus is in time, yet he knew that Peter was going to deny Him, and yet He still entrusted him with the leadership of the early church. He knew Peter would deny and abandon his calling. Yet, Jesus continued to work with Peter because He who has begun a work in us will complete it. I would have loved to know what exactly went through Peter's mind when the rooster crowed and his eyes met Jesus' eyes. I would have loved to sit at the water's edge and hear Jesus question and exhort Peter to get back to shepherding the flock. There are no perfect people in the world, only a perfect God. Therefore, there are no needed people. We are want...

When he had gone out, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, 'Where I am going you cannot come.' A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” John 13:31-34 (ESV) There are special moments in all our lives that have affected the course of our lives. Jesus was explaining, in concrete language, what was about to happen. The disciples did not want to hear about Jesus leaving them, and were probably lost in thought after Jesus told them that, in a way that perhaps missed the new commandment part. Jesus was proclaiming that life would soon be different than it had been for everyone. He was the way, the truth, and the life, and this would remain in place w...

Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. Some thought that, because Judas had the moneybag, Jesus was telling him, "Buy what we need for the feast," or that he should give something to the poor. So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night. John 13:28-30 (ESV) Jesus did not tell all to all. He did not create extra drama, try to get people to take "sides," or create a poor-me victim mentality. Often, Jesus would quietly do what He needed to do while focusing on His responsibility regardless of the response of others. So often, we spend time "sharing" our innermost thoughts on what someone did or said and how it affected us. We tend to focus our attention on ourselves, whereas Jesus focused the attention on God, His plan, and fulfilling His purpose. Jesus knew that nothing Judas could do would thwart God's plan, and that God would even use his disobedience to accomplish His will. We can willingly obey Go...

Jesus answered, "It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it." So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the Son of Simon Iscariot. Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, "What you are going to do, do quickly." John 13:26-27 (ESV) Those who want to use God rather than love Him will regret that choice. There seems to come a time when God allows us to test the waters of life without Him. Judas was about to find out how following Satan works. During this time, many disciples were confused. Judas' confusion led him to abandon Jesus and become a tool of Satan, which eventually led to suicide. Peter's confusion led him to deny Christ yet hang out where he could still find answers. Peter's choices allowed him to rebuild his faith during the confusing times, whereas Judas' choices led him down a dead-end street. Life can be and is often confusing. But, our choices, when we are c...

After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his Spirit and testified, "Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me." John 13:21 (ESV) It is not God's will that any should perish. It is not His will that people disobey Him and doom themselves to a meaningless life and horrific future. Yet these things will happen. God knows what is coming; we wonder what is coming. God's plans are specific because His knowledge of the future is perfect. Our choices are real, and God is sovereign; therefore, our choices matter. Judas had an opportunity to be a follower or use Jesus to boost his status and wealth. However, when he saw the status and wealth route was unavailable, he took a different course. At the end of every route, there is a destination. Judas arrived at the destination of his own choice. God is love, allowing us to have real choices and suffer real consequences. Yet, His love is not enabling or tolerant. it is empowering and just.   https://www.podbean....

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me." John 13:20 (ESV) In math class, I learned that if "A" equals "B" and "B" equals "C," then "A" equals "C." I did not understand all the math concepts, however, this one seemed simple enough to grasp. This formula also applies to life. If I am obedient to Christ, those who see me have seen Christ in me. I am not Christ, but I have the responsibility of living in a manner that brings the concept of the love of God to reality through my actions. I have the privilege of being God's hand and feet to those I meet. I have the opportunity to say what God would say to those around me as His Spirit leads me. I have often looked for reasons to justify my failures, rather than look for reasons for obedience. Nevertheless, to obey is better than sacrifice and it positions me to be used in a simple, yet pr...

“If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.” John  13:14-17  (ESV) Jesus invited His disciples to follow him. Paul invited Timothy to follow him. Those who teach need to do more than exhort. They need to lead with their lives and know that God will hold them accountable for the example they gave. Life is about what we do just as much as what we say. If the two are not in sync, we lose credibility and the privilege of demonstrating God's mercy and grace to the next generation. https://www.podbean.com/relate365

When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, "Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am.” John  13:12-13  (ESV) Do we understand what Jesus has done for us? Do we understand that the creator and sustainer of all life loves us and came to this earth to die on our behalf? Do we realize that the one with the ultimate power came to serve? Do we understand that when you have all power and authority, you use it for others and not-self? Do we understand? If not, why not?   https://www.podbean.com/relate365

He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, do you wash my feet?" Jesus answered him, "What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand." Peter said to him, "You shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no share with me." Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!" Jesus said to him, "The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you." For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, "Not all of you are clean." John 13:6-11 (ESV) Here is a typical illustration of human thinking versus Divine thinking. Jesus came into this world to serve, provide, and give to be the ultimate payment for our sins. Jesus came to show us how someone who created it all, knows all, and who always does what is right would live. Jesus has no pe...

Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. John 13:5 (ESV) The creator and sustainer of all life demonstrated what life is about. We were created to serve, not be served. We were created to give, not to receive. Yet all of what we have that is critical for life is received. We received God's mercy; therefore, we give mercy to others. We received God's grace; therefore, we give grace to others. We received God's provision in talents and resources; therefore, we give our talents and resources to others. We first receive, then we give. Those who have problems receiving most likely think they do not need to receive, and try to care for themselves. Those who have a problem receiving often have a problem giving in that they think others should not need to receive either. We love because He first loved us. We were made to respond to an original gift, and once we do, we turn into givers in...