Thursday, September 04, 2008

God's working

Yesterday I had a true sense of God's working in me to change me. I think this was in answer to prayer, a prayer prayed on my back, so to speak, knowing I'm weak and helpless and hopeless in and of myself.

What can be more precious than God's working in us in Jesus? This is what we need to long for by faith, and hold on to by faith, and repent when we turn back from it. Recently in looking at Andrew Murray's book, Abide in Christ, I was reminded of just how utterly dependent the branch is on the vine, which is the branch's source of life. Life and health and fruit does not depend on the branch at all, but on the vine from which it flows. Jesus, of course used that analogy to speak of the relationship he is to have with us as his disciples; he is the vine and his disciples are the branches.

Our effort, our works, the fruit we bear is to come forth from that. So I must get back to that. Abide in Jesus. Be at home in him. Make that first priority over what I do or don't do. Even over my thought life, in a sense. So that everything is dependent on that. I'm definitely a learner, or seeking to so learn, follow and grow through God's working in Jesus.

What would you like to share on this?

11 comments:

Crowm said...

"...knowing I'm weak and helpless and hopeless in and of myself."

"Life and health and fruit does not depend on the branch at all, but on the vine from which it flows."

What a GREAT place to be - smack dab in the arms of Jesus Christ!

Love the post Ted!

Mike

The Walk said...

I think often of that idea of Vine and branches.

So often I struggle and strive to do it on my own, to do the right thing on my own, and find myself tired and empty.

But in Him we find our strength...

I guess for me it all comes down to faith, trust.

Every Square Inch said...

I remember reading Murray's book early in my Christian experience - it affected me.

Thanks for sharing

Royce Ogle said...

Over the past few decades I have gone again and again to Andrew Murray's books and have found refreshing and encouragement.

You are reading some very good stuff!

His peace,
Royce

Anonymous said...

Great post, Ted!

This made me think of an old Amy Grant song written by Mike and Barbara Hudson.

You may remember it:

I need You Lord, in all I do
You're always there, to see me through
I can't get by unless I lean on You Lord

The Lord has a will
And I have a need
To follow that will
To humbly be still
To rest in it, nest in it,
Fully be blest in it
Following my Father's will

Your law of love is in my heart
You wrote it there, it won't depart
It lights my way, and keeps me out of the dark

The Lord has a will
And I have a need
To follow that will
To humbly be still
To rest in it, nest in it,
Fully be blest in it
Following my Father's will

I thank You Lord, Your word is sown
Into my life, and there it's grown
It's roots go deep where living waters are known

The Lord has a will
And I have a need
To follow that will
To humbly be still
To rest in it, nest in it,
Fully be blest in it
Following my Father's will

God bless you, brother!
-bill

Ted M. Gossard said...

Mike, Thanks. And, amen. We all need it, more than we can tell. Read something today, translated from Augustine which hit on this from a different angle. Was refreshing.

Ted M. Gossard said...

The Walk, You're so young (to me) and think of that often. Wonderful. That's important for me, to be pondering such things. Amen. Thanks.

Ted M. Gossard said...

ESI, Me, too. Someone brought his work, and this book to my attention, so began to get into it again. It is good. Thanks.

Ted M. Gossard said...

Royce,
Thanks. I was under the influence of someone some time back, and actually got rid of some of his books, most unfortunately. But the value in them means most all of them are still in print or accessible somewhere.

Ted M. Gossard said...

Thanks, Bill for sharing that old song. Seems like I have a faint recollection, particularly of the chorus. But good words which do remind me of this.

Ted M. Gossard said...

Blessings on you, too, Bill!