GREENE STREET LETTERS

Thursday, July 22, 2010

John 15:1 -- "I AM the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman."

Words of Jesus.

Jesus identifies himself along with his relationship with his Father.

He understands the exact nature of his position in the Godhead.
He is the Son and is submissive to the Father.
What the Father asks....

The Son does.

Oh that I could learn and understand my position in Christ.

I fit into this wonderful hierarchy of heaven, based solely on my salvation.
I am a son.
I am an heir.

I am a friend.
I am a servant.

Jesus, in the opening words of John 15, makes an interesting statement.

He says, "I AM the true vine."

Why would he have to say this?
Why would He say this?
Why identify himself?

Because Jesus knew that there were false vines out there.
He could distinguish them, but he knew that we lacked discernment and would fall prey to these "false" vines.

It is written in Romans 10:17 that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.

Do you realize how many voices are out there today all claiming the same thing?

Do you realize how easily people are swayed by the mannerisms and image of those who belong to the false vine?

Jesus simply and clearly states....."Hey guys...I'm the one you're listening for."

"I am the true vine."

Jesus is the complete that my can fill my soul.

Jesus is the complete that can satisfy a hunger that will not go away.

Jesus is the complete that can bring rest to my wandering eyes and feet.

He makes me lie down in green pastures to rest and be restored.

He is the true vine that keeps every promise the Father has spoken.

This is why King David could write, "The Lord is my shepherd...I shall not want."

Do you really understand the words that David wrote?
DO I really understand the words that David wrote?
Read again the words of Ps. 23...

The Lord is my shepherd.....I.....SHALL......NOT......Want.

There is a satisfaction that we do not realize when we come to Jesus.

There is a wholeness that comes to our spirit, soul and body when we come to Jesus.

I....shall....not....want.

Wow!
Father God...
Help me this day to truly realize that I shall not want in this relationship with you.
Lord, I know that it speaks not of material things that would only stir my flesh, but of the eternal things that you have promised to those whose hearts are totally committed to you.

Lord, plant us deep in your vine today and receive the nourishment only you can give.

Thank you...
In Jesus name..

amen!

God on you...

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Looking At The World Through Cracked Lens

As ol' Paul wrote in his Corinthian letters.."We see in part and we know in part." Now what piece of this bit of wisdom do we not get? I wish to not run around acting and trying to be some sort of Biblical G00-Ru (I meant to spell it wrong). Or a sage of sages.

I simply want to be able to communicate some of what God has given to me. Why? Do I think what I get is better than what you may have received from Him? Nope. But I do think encouragement comes when we share our daily story of struggle and victory in an effort to encourage each other.

Thanks for letting me share.

Time to soldier on..

mbb

Our Statement of Faith

We believe that God is the eternal king. He is an infinite, unchangeable Spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, goodness, justice, power and love. From all eternity He exists as the One Living and True God in three persons of one substance, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit equal in power and glory. we believe that God created mankind in His image, male and female, for relationship with Himself and to govern the earth. Under the temptation of Satan, our original parents fell from grace, bringing sin, sickness and God's judgment of death to the earth. Through the fall, Satan and his demonic hosts gained access to God's good creation. Creation now experiences the consequences and effects of Adam's original sin. Human beings are born into sin, subject to God's judgment of death and captive to Satan's kingdom of darkness. We believe that Jesus, God's Son, was sent to this world, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin, Mary, fully God and fully man in one person. He is humanity as God intended us to be. Jesus was anointed as God's Messiah and empowered by the Holy Spirit, ushering in God's kingdom reign on earth, overpowering the reign of Satan by resisting temptation, preaching the good news of salvation, healing the sick, casting out demons and raising the dead. Jesus' atoning death on the cross took God's judgment for sin which we deserved as law-breakers. Jesus' resurrection and ascent back to heaven opened the door for those who received salvation to begin a relationship with God.

Little Nets Into Deep Waters

Fishing nets were designed for one purpose only. To catch fish. Nets are no good if they stay on the boat. Nets serve no purpose if they are never used. I think maybe God sees us this way. We are all created for a purpose (by the way, the creator gets to define what our purpose is). Any other use besides the one we were created for does us no good. But when the creator places His hands upon us, casting us out into those scary, dark places with deep waters, it is then we can see the reality of our purpose. He knew there would be a catch waiting for us. I think I will be the net God has called me to be.

The Twelve Steps

As a community of people in recovery, we affirm that our higher power is Jesus Christ. He did for us what we could not do for ourselves. Just as God told the children of Israel He was going to give them a promised land, He has revealed to us that He desires to give us a "Promised Life." When Israel got to the promised land, God instructed them to go and in a possess it, fight for it and claim it. In recovery, the 12 Steps are the directions given to us on how to fight, possess and claim this promised life.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

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THE REALITY OF THE NAME OF GOD