Stay Connected

Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you. [Live in Me, and I will live in you.] Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in (being vitally united to) the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in Me. I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing. (John 15: 4-5)

Amazing Grace

And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Cor.12:9) The law of God was given to point out sin, but grace is the ultimate provision given for salvation through faith. How marvelous is the grace that looked beyond all our faults, frailities, failures and saw our great need. We are saved by grace through faith, not by works so there is no need to boast.

Closer

So be subject to God, resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you. Come close to God and He will come close to you. [Recognize that you are] sinners, get your soiled hands clean; [realize that you have been disloyal] wavering individuals with divided interests, and purify your hearts [of your spiritual adultery]. Humble yourselves [feeling very insignificant] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up and make your lives significant]. (James 4: 7-8, 10)

Chosen

He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. (Col. 1:13-14) Arise! Shine! For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the Lord will arise over you and His glory will be seen upon you. (Isa. 60:1-2) You are uniquely designed, chosen and placed in a particular environment as a representative of the kingdom of God to fulfill the Father's will in the earth. As kingdom citizens, the presence of the chosen faithful ones brings light amid darkness and offers hope to the world for the glory of God.

Moving Forward

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. With all the shifting, shaking, tearing down of old structures and so much devastation going on in the world today, it is time for the faithful to arise and shine as lights amid the darkness. Keep on moving forward, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Let God arise and His enemies be scattered.

Stay Connected

In the wake of so many catastrophic world events, rapid response to crisis situations, for the most part, has been ineffective due to systemic failures; in other words, failure among all parties involved to connect the dots in real time. On a spiritual level, the body of Christ is reminded in scripture to endeavor to keep unity among its members to avoid a system breakdown. There is a wealth of information available to ensure healthy functioning systems, however, more often than not, systems fail due to ineffective communication. It is critical to stay connected, to the extent, the world can see a demonstration of working systems that keep vital information flowing among its various parts. Till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. From whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. (Eph. 4: 13,16)

Stay Connected

As faithful believers, without being connected to Christ we can do absolutelly nothing; therefore it is critical for bearing good fruit to trust Him at all times in every situation. The supreme expression of this Divine connection is manifested when people with major differences can work harmoniously and peacefully to bring about change in the world. When human barriers fall, this is a demonstration of love, to the extent, the world can see something that only Christ can provide. 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 15:5)