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Topic: Staying Connected to Jesus (Open Heaven 15 January 2019)
Memorise: “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.”- John 15:4
Read: John 15:1-7 (KJV)
1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
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.
6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
Bible in One Year: Mark 1-2, Isaiah 13:1-16
Open Heaven 15 January 2019 Tuesday MESSAGE:
Having received reassurance from the Lord yesterday that we are not alone, we need to reflect on what we need to do to remain connected to Him always. Every child of God must be conscious of the fact that God’s righteousness means He will never renege on His word. His promises such as those in Deuteronomy 31:8 and Matthew 28:20 are sacrosanct. However, there is a possibility of us abandoning God when we are carried away by the lustful desires of this life. An example of someone who deserted God was Demas. Concerning him, in 2 Timothy 4:10, it is written:
“For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica…”
It is unfortunate that some preachers teach eternal security, saying that once saved, you are always saved. This is a lie of the devil because examples abound of people who abandoned their first love for God or even abandoned God entirely. Judas Iscariot was once numbered among the twelve but he fell away (Acts 1:16-20). The question then is, if Judas who was one of the twelve disciples chosen by Jesus Himself could fall away, who then cannot? We therefore need to be watchful to keep our place in Christ. As seen in today’s memory verse, it is our responsibility to stay connected to Jesus.
Our Bible reading today reveals the danger of not staying connected to Jesus Christ. Anyone who for any reason at all disconnects himself from the Lord will dry up spiritually, and this will affect all other areas of life because the spiritual controls the physical. However, when we stay connected to Jesus, there are bundles of blessings awaiting us. How do we stay connected to Jesus, and what blessings can we derive from doing so? The Lord answers these questions in John 15:7 saying:
“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”
We stay connected to Jesus by abiding in His word. This means modelling our lives to the dictates and principles of His word. You need to back up your every thought and action with His word. Fruitfulness is the portion of those who stay connected to Jesus. In other words, goodness and mercy will be partners of such people. Staying connected to Jesus requires walking intimately with Him. When you do this, His blessing in John 14:27 will be your portion to enjoy. It says:
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
Open Heaven 15 January 2019 Tuesday Prayer Point:
Holy Spirit Divine, please help me to remain ever in tune with my Master, Jesus, for unbroken partnership.
Open Heaven 15 January 2019 Tuesday Hymn 10: I Have Decided To Follow Jesus
1.I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.
2.The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
No turning back, no turning back.
3.Though none go with me, I still will follow;
Though none go with me, I still will follow;
Though none go with me, I still will follow
No turning back, no turning back.
4.My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
No turning back, no turning back.
