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Abide & Belonging What are you the branch of? And do you bear fruit? Have you known that you were meant to bear fruit? Did you realize that as a branch of God’s vine you are meant to bear fruit? So many Christians read their Bible, listen to worship music, attend church on Sundays, but they don’t bear fruit. In Matthew 28:19 it says that we should spread the good news and make disciples. Let’s change the perspective. A branch can’t bear fruit when it isn’t connected with the vine. A vine without branches can grow but won’t bear fruit. A branch gets all it needs from the vine. It doesn’t create its own fruit, but it bears the right fruit that comes from the vine. An apple tree won’t bear pears. So when you stay connected with God and align your life with his purpose, you will bear his fruit. A healthy branch grows. When you start to grow, fruit will be the result. Fruit also needs time to grow. You might not even recognize it at first. To grow to your potential...

Thanksgiving Thanksgiving has been celebrated as a federal holiday in the United States every year since 1863, when, during the American Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of "Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens," to be celebrated on the last Thursday in November. Psalm 9:1 says, “I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.” No matter what challenges we face, there’s so much to be thankful for. This is the season that we usually take time to reflect on our many blessings . How has the Lord blessed you? What mighty things has the Lord done for you? How will you celebrate this holiday season? What traditions have you and your family established so that you will always remember God’s goodness? Praise Him and commit to Him that you will never forget the amazing things He has done for you. ...

The Spirit Guides Us Time after time the Scriptures help us make sense out of life’s puzzles; it confirms its divine origin again and again as it makes sense out of our experience in the real world and points the way to harmony. The Holy Spirit is the divine author of all Scripture. The eternal Holy Spirit, the Spirit of love and delight between the Father and the Son, is the author of Scripture. Here are a few scriptures that speak about the Word of God… Therefore, it is true (Psalm 119:142) and altogether reliable (Hebrews 6:18). It is powerful, working its purpose in our hearts (1 Thessalonians 2:13) and not returning empty to the One who sent it (Isaiah 55:10–11). It is pure, like silver refined in a furnace seven times (Psalm 12:6). It is sanctifying (John 17:17). It gives life (Psalm 119:37, 50, 93, 107; John 6:63; Matthew 4:4). It makes wise (Psalm 19:7; 119:99–100). It gives joy (Psalm 19:8; 119:16, 92, 111, 143, 174) and promises...

Created 2 Create We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works. Ephesians 2:10 NIV We have been created to work. God has called us to be co-laborers with Him in this world. He has given us varying gifts, talents, and abilities to graciously ensure that we are up to the task He has called us to. I also talked about this in my last blog post . We work with diligence and depth, trusting that God has a grand purpose for our work.   Our creative endeavors and entrepreneurial efforts serve as conduits for God’s activity here on earth. Our work is His work. God is using our work to demonstrate His truth, beauty, creativity, goodness, and justice in the places He has called us to. It is all to His glory, for our good, and to be a blessing to the world. May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us – yes establish the work of our hands. Psalm 90:17 NIV With the recent update to Adobe Creative ...