http://crosswaycommunitychurch.net/archives/205 Walking with the King Wed, 02 Jun 2010 06:21:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 http://crosswaycommunitychurch.net/archives/205/comment-page-1#comment-21 MManley Wed, 27 Jan 2010 22:19:38 +0000 http://crosswaycommunitychurch.net/?p=205#comment-21 I was encouraged a couple years ago by someone saying that trying to change yourself by yourself is like a branch stapling fruit to itself. The staples damage the branch and the stapled fruit is painfully held on to as they rot. But Jesus said that if "you abide in my word you are truly my disciples" (John 8.31) and you cannot bear fruit "unless you abide in me" (15.4). The fruit will grow from the heart that consistently sticks with God's word. The help we need comes from the Spirit of the Lord that lives inside of those who trust in him. If you don't trust in him, but you want to, then listen to his word. The Bible says that faith comes from listening to God's word (c.f., Romans 10.17). Tom, Thank you for your words they are sound and encouraging. I was encouraged a couple years ago by someone saying that trying to change yourself by yourself is like a branch stapling fruit to itself. The staples damage the branch and the stapled fruit is painfully held on to as they rot. But Jesus said that if “you abide in my word you are truly my disciples” (John 8.31) and you cannot bear fruit “unless you abide in me” (15.4). The fruit will grow from the heart that consistently sticks with God’s word. The help we need comes from the Spirit of the Lord that lives inside of those who trust in him. If you don’t trust in him, but you want to, then listen to his word. The Bible says that faith comes from listening to God’s word (c.f., Romans 10.17). Tom, Thank you for your words they are sound and encouraging.

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