A year of Growth

We have had a year of new beginnings, a year of change and now I believe we will have a year of growth.  Not that I think we will stop having the other, but that there is a adding to the other.

We will continue to have new beginnings and change. But this has been and will continue to be a time of preparation for growth.

Be careful now! Growth is not only in numbers, but much more.

John 15:1-6

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.

v  The true vine. Know who the source is!

There are some false vines out there. The promise of life from another source. Settle this once and for all. Christ is the ONLY WAY!

In Him is our way! Is our life! Is our Truth!

John 14:4-7

4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. 5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

v  Abide in me and I in you. Know how to connect!

How do we  abide in him? Bible, yes! Prayer yes! But what about faith and trust in Him? Who has your future? Who has your problems? Who do you run to when things get hard? Do you go internal, fleshly or spiritual?

v  the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine. Know how to continue!

Growth will happen if we continue. Something new? The devil is always sowing the lie that in MAN there will come an answer for the lack of fruit in the world. The next discovery, science!

Man remains the same.

Col 1:16-23

16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. 21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: 23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

Is your identity hidden in Christ?