April 21, 2012
April 22, 2012
Bible Study Verse
John 15:4
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. (NKJV)
Thoughts
Many years have passed, but I will always remember this fishing trip . . .
I had been asked by a family friend to take her nephew from out-of-state trout fishing. So we four-wheeled and hiked into a remote back-country stream that I had been wanting to fish. It was August, monsoon season in Arizona; and about half way through the day, the sky opened up and poured rain.
Earlier,
I had spotted an old cabin up stream, so we made our way there and
weathered the storm under the small front porch roof. We had both caught
several nice fish and were sharing our stories when I noticed a large
blackberry patch at the edge of the stream.
After
the storm subsided, we found a couple of old three-pound coffee cans
and picked them full of luscious wild blackberries to top off our trout
dinner that night. As I remember those berries, I don't believe I've
seen any that large since then.
(Bryon S)
Action Point
Jesus' words in John
15:4 fit the example of the berry patch that I found. That patch of
berries grew right alongside a mountain stream with the roots going deep
into the earth and out into the running water. Those berries were
constantly fed with nutrients from the life-giving water. No wonder they
were so large and luscious.
We can be like that if
we do as Jesus says: plant ourselves in His Word and take Him, the
Living Water, into our lives. If we do so, He promises that we will grow
in faith and bear much fruit.
Knowing and
understanding His Word not only guides our daily lives, but also
provides us with the right thoughts and words when we need them. For
example: It may not be easy for me to get through a day without an
unhealthy thought crossing my mind, or perhaps having a plan go wrong.
When I try to handle these on my own, my mind might linger too long on
the thought, or I don't handle the situation as I should.
But I have found that
when I stop and take time to ask Him for help, He is always true to His
Word--the thoughts are blocked, or somehow, the plan begins to come
together in His way. So, abide in Him and let Him abide in you; and
surely, whatever you ask of Him will be done for you. His Word is His
bond!!!
Sportsmen's Tip of the Day
Be sure and carry an
inexpensive emergency plastic poncho in your gear when you are out on a
day fishing trip. If you don't have one, try a large plastic garbage
bag; it will work in a pinch. Also, find shelter in a thunder storm. The
lightning can be deadly.
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