“But”Brianna Breen“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33John 16:33 is one of my favorite verses in the Gospel of John. This entire chapter is focused on the idea that we can rest in His peace because He has overcome the world.So often in life, we focus and dwell on the trials, t...  Read More

Jesus Knows AllJohn Rigg“Jesus answered them, ‘Do you now believe?’” John 16:31I am always amazed at the excitement that is in the atmosphere during the Easter season. Churches all around the world celebrate with varying degrees of worship styles and events. For some, it begins with fasting during Lent while others observe Passion week. However, most churches gather on the solemn day of Good Frida...  Read More

A God of ClaritySydney Kimball“I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father.” John 16:25Let me ask you a question, “Who can hold a candle to Jesus and His teachings?” Now, without speaking literally, I was able to ask you, “Who can compare to Jesus and how He teaches?” The...  Read More

Are you Greater than your Master?Kyle Wendel“Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.” John 15:20Persecution is defined as hostility and ill-treatment, especially because of race or political or religious beliefs.How many of you like to be persecuted?I woul...  Read More

You Belong HereStephen Billings“If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” John 15:19Have you ever just wanted to belong? Have you wanted to be welcomed into a fun group of friends, classmates, work buddies, a band, or even a sports team?When I was in high school, I loved to ...  Read More

Savior and LordKeaton Washburn“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.” John 15:18One of my greatest joys in ministry is getting to baptize students that have been part of our student ministry. Over the past two weeks, I had the privilege of baptizing eight students at and after student camp. It was amazing! As I have gotten more comfortable baptizing, God has transf...  Read More

God Works in all SituationsJeremy Smith“If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.” John 15:10Jesus has just explained to His disciples how their relationship to Him and God should work. He used the example of a vine producing fruit and explains how the fruit (us) needs to be attached to the vine (Jesus) to continue g...  Read More

Brush Pile or Fruit ProducerMark Pittenger“If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.” John 15:6At the end of every winter, when the weather finally breaks, one thing that always needs to be done is to pick up the dead branches that have fallen off the various trees around my backyard. This is a tedio...  Read More

Good vs. FallenJoe Wilson“By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” John 15:8As I sit here this morning studying these words, I cannot escape the imagery of a nice bright red apple still on the tree just waiting to be harvested and used for good. I am thinking of a nice warm homemade apple pie with some freshly churned vanilla ice cream.Now picture ...  Read More

Bearing FruitRich Sawicki“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” John 15:4Jesus is the vine. The vine chose us to be grafted into it, to become part of it; but it is our choice to stay connected to the vine and feed off the vine. If we stay connected to Him we will be fed by the vine. When we are...  Read More

BranchesMitchell Holmes“Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” John 15:2The relationship between followers of Christ and God has been described in many ways in the Bible. Jesus describes us as sheep that need constant guidance and attention that are unable to fend for ourselves. We see God described ...  Read More

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