A Devotional By Bob Hoekstra (good stuff)

Branches in the Vine, the Vine in the Branches

"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." (John 15:4-5)
Previously, we examined these verses to see how the grace of God produces fruit in those who walk in humility and faith (thereby living by grace). Now, let's revisit these words to consider the intimate relationship they describe. It is a profound biblical picture of us being in Christ and Christ being in us. It is like the relationship between a vine and a branch. Jesus is the vine; we are the branches. "I am the vine, you are the branches." He is the source of the life we need. We are the recipients of the life that He alone can provide.

The Lord Jesus wants us, His branches, to be fruitful. "By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit" (John 15:8). Fruit is the result of developing life. Branches do not innately have that life in themselves. "The branch cannot bear fruit of itself." Branches must always find their life in the vine. The vine, Jesus, has life. "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). Our Lord came to share that life with us in abundance. "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly" (John 10:10). His abundant life is what enables us to bear much fruit.

Such life abundant (fruit-developing life) flows out of the intimate relationship available to us in Christ. Think of the "joined relationship" that a vine and a branch have. The branch came forth from the vine, and is everafter connected to, and is dependent upon, the vine. The life of the vine is available to flow in and through the branch. We came forth from Jesus, our vine, as we were born again by His Spirit through faith in Christ. Now, we are joined to Him forever. "He who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him" (1 Corinthians 6:17). Day by day, His life is accessible to us.

We access that life by abiding. "Abide in Me, and I in you." To the extent that we humbly depend upon Him to be our source of life, He then lives in and through us.

Another Sad Song

Too many voices
Pull me down
Can't shake them
Let them go
Every chance I'm breaking
Is a chance I'm making worse

So many smiles
Turn to frowns
I'd almost fake them
But I know
Everyday I'm shaking
Gotta fight away this curse

Why?
Don't you know I try
I try to be someone
Someone you love around?

My feet are planted
Yet I fall
I'm not talking imperfection at all
It's a struggle weighing me down
All heart crushes to the ground
My thoughts can't fly away
My sky is turned to grey
And if there's one thing true
I just wanna be better for you...

GMA Week (2007's video pt. 2)

Good Reminders in Our Day

Do me a favor, today. Take a look at Psalm 42:1 & 2.

Just as a car can only drive with gas in its tank, so I can only walk with God when my spirit is filled up with Him. I NEED to fill up with the Holy Spirit! Do you realize how vital it is, how that should be a big part of our day? Pray for it, ask for it, and not just once - but throughout our day.

I am running on "empty," when the warning signs flash in life, and the only way to "drive" (to actually WALK WITH GOD) is to fill up.

Our journey to be filling up in the Spirt (by reading the Word and continuously praying for God's will to be done) begins NOW. Today. Right here. As you step up and out. As we daily encounter school, work, or people in our household. My chances to do God's will should not be passed-up.

It's best to take the back seat, to not try and control the outcomes in life, and to give outcomes over to our Lord. Allow HIM to chose the outcome - for all those things we worry about.

To be under the influence of the Spirit... is the daily choice I must make. People on the outside will see this! They will see God!

Read Galatians 5:16.

A car can not be running on fumes. It's not a matter of someone being more spiritual... but rather, it's a matter of having a "full tank" in our Lord.

We may procrastinate in many things. Don't let God's will be one of them.

GMA Week (2007's video pt. 1 and thoughts)

I will truly miss going to Nashville, this year. In fact, I feel as if I already do.

In Nashville, being part of GMA Week is not only a privilege - it's an unforgettable experience. Sure, your ears are hurting and ringing from hearing concerts ALL day long... and lack of sleep is only the normal... but nothing compares to being part of the industry and spending a week with favorite bands and artists in the same hotel.

All week long, each day is entirely filled with music. Showcases begin in the morning, as well a chances to spend time with the artists as they talk and perform live on radio stations (based in the hotel convention-center hallways). Afternoons ignite the new artists' showcases, as well as different concerts for multi record label's luncheons. Continuing with music, interviews, and coffee sessions with the artists, music and connections continue in the afternoon - which spills over into having dinner at perhaps my favorites restaurants ever - places with some of the best food (only walking distance from the venues, hotel, and convention center). Field trips to the artists homes, exclusive concerts (only attend-able if you know someone who's on the inside)... I mean, it's a dream come true, honestly. Then, in the evening... that's when the real fun begins. Concerts go on ALL night. Some even BEGIN at midnight! And the cool thing is, there are so many concerts going on simultaneously, I get to bounce back and forth and taste a bit of everything.

Truly, I will miss being there this year. Plus, I just want to see the South again... explore the streets of Nashville... and be amongst many artists and bands - not as observers, but as peers. It is truly amazing for me. I have always found this aspect of my life to be something I hold close to my heart. I truly hold it close.

Simply On My Mind.

Live each day like it is your last.