“Is The Lord Your Shepard?”
Today let’s look at Psalm 23. Read each verse and realized that God is always there for us, no matter what our circumstances. He loves His children, and wants the best for all of us.

Psalm 23: 1-6, 1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

God’s people must actively, consciously trust that God’s Word is true and that He always acts in accordance with it. Every situation we encounter is an opportunity to choose to trust God rather than our own inclinations. Faith involves an element of risk, but always yields the richest dividends. Choose to believe that the Lord will never forsake you when you trust Him. Know that the Word of God has been proven to be absolutely trustworthy. Expect Jesus’ shepherding care. Believe the Lord for your vindication, not seeking it yourself. Consciously commit all your plans to the Lord daily.

Do not presume His help if it is uninvited. We need to remember that God has allowed each of us our own self – will. God is a gentleman and will not go against our will. This is the reason we do not need to presume His help if it is uninvited. God will run to us with open arms when we depend on Him and call on Him.

Joyfully, In The Master’s Service
Blessings, Prayers and Love,
Pastor Pat

©1996/2015
CWPM1996/2015
Notes: The New King James Bibleb

“Are You A Forgiver?

”

“ He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. ” (Proverbs 17:9)

I know that we have all had people who we thought would be there until the end of time. We have found out that 95% of the time, that does not happen. We have also found out those persons are like the last part of the verse above, they will talk about you and if you have made a mistake, they will judge you until they are in their grave. In others words their mouth has separated a close friendship.

That is really shameful, mostly when you thought those persons were your shoulder to cry on and buddy forever. A true friend is always there. they will not judge you. They will stand by you, and even if you were wrong, they will still lift you up, and love you.

Below are a few quotes made by some familiar people. I love the one made by Bernard Meltzer, it says it all. Read them all and enjoy.

“A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked.” ~ Bernard Meltzer

“Among Life’s precious jewels, Genuine and rare, The one that we call friendship Has worth beyond compare.” ~ author unknown

“A friend loves at all times…” Proverbs 17:17

Real friendship is a rare and precious gift, strong, stable, yet fragile, and never to be taken for granted. ~Char

“Friendship is the only cement that will ever hold the world together” -Woodrow Wilson

“Treat your friends as you do your pictures, and place them in their best light.” ~ Jennie Jerome Churchill

“I am a big believer that you have to nourish any relationship. I am still very much a part of my friends’ lives and they are very much a part of my life. A First Lady who does not have this source of strength and comfort can lose perspective and become isolated.” ~ Nancy Reagan

“When you ask God for a gift, Be thankful if he sends, Not diamonds, pearls or riches, but the love of real true friends.” ~Helen Steiner Rice

“Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art… It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival.” ~C.S. Lewis

“In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” ~ Martin Luther King Jr.

“Friendship doubles your joys, and divides your sorrows.” ~ author unknown

“Friendship without self – interest is one of the rare and beautiful things of life.” ~ James F. Byrnes

“Give me one friend, just one, who meets The needs of all my varying moods.” ~ Esther M. Clark

“The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches but to reveal to him his own.” ~ Benjamin Disraeli

“The only way to have a friend is to be one.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

“The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, nor the kindly smile nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when he discovers that someone else believes in him and is willing to trust him.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Friendship is always a sweet responsibility, never an opportunity.” ~ Kahlil Gibran

“Friendship is neither a formality nor a mode: it is rather a life.” ~ David Grayson

“If a man does not make new acquaintances as he advances through life, he will soon find himself left alone; one should keep his friendships in constant repair.” ~ Samuel Johnson

“Am I not destroying my enemies when I make friends of them?” ~ Abraham Lincoln

“You cannot shake hands with a clenched fist.” ~ Golda Meir

“Friendship is one mind in two bodies.” ~ Mencius

“The best way to keep your friends is not to give them away.” ~ Wilson Mizner

“Think where man’s glory most begins and ends, And say my glory was I had such friends.” ~ William Butler Yeats

“Stay is a charming word in a friend’s vocabulary.” ~ Louisa May Alcott

“Celebrate the happiness that friends are always giving, make every day a holiday and celebrate just living!” ~ Amanda Bradley

“If we would build on a sure foundation in friendship, we must love friends for their sake rather than for our own.” ~ Charlotte Bronte

“The person who tries to live alone will not succeed as a human being. His heart withers if it does not answer another heart. His mind shrinks away if he hears only the echoes of his own thoughts and finds no other inspiration.” ~ Pearl S. Buck

Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart. ~Eleanor Roosevelt

“Friendship is like a bank account; you cannot continue to draw on it without making a deposit.” ~ Nicole Beale

“Friendship with oneself is all important, because without it one cannot be friends with anyone else in the world.” ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

“A friend is someone who sings your heart’s song back to you when you have forgotten the words.” ~ David Coppola, Ph.D.

“Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some people move our souls to dance. They awaken us to new understanding with the passing whisper of their wisdom. Some people make the sky more beautiful to gaze upon. They stay in our lives for awhile, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never ever the same.” ~ Flavia Weedn

“Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into flame by another human being. Each of us owes deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this light.” ~ Albert Schweitzer

“You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.” ~ Dale Carnegie

“A friend is a gift you give yourself.” ~ Robert Louis Stevenson

Joyfully, In The Master’s Service
Blessings, Prayers and Love,
Pastor Pat

©1996/2015
CWPM1996/2015
Notes: The New King James Bible

“Bring Faith’s Works Alive Within You”

Letting the life of the Holy Spirit Bring Faith’s Works alive in You!

3 John 2-11 2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.

3 For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth.

4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

5 Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers,

6 who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well,

7 because they went forth for His name’s sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles.

8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth.

9 I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us.

10 Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church.

11 Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.

The godly desire physical health, emotional stability, and prosperity to be established in the lives of others. Those who are so blessed should be eager to receive and support those ministers who are serving God. Prosper in your soul. Understand that health and prosperity are affected by the spirit. Be assured that God rejoices over His children who put God’s Word into practice daily. Be eager and faithful to show hospitality to those who labor in the gospel. Recognize that this is how God wants us to treat His servants. Beware of those who want preeminence in the church. Reject those who are malicious gossips. Reprove those who reject righteous ministry because of envy and jealousy.

(Proverbs 6: 16-19) says, ” These six things the Lord hates, Yes, but the seventh is an abomination to Him. A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, and a false witness who speaks lies and one who sows discord among brethren .”

Pat’s Opinion: When we read these verses we can see that there are six things the Lord hates. They are: when we act proud, lie, hurt the innocent, premeditate evil, run to take part in wrong actions, and spread gossip. He then says of all these things that the seventh is an abomination to Him, and that is when one instigates problems between people.

In our churches today that seems to be the most common problem. I believe that a lot of times it is caused by jealousy. If we would read this scripture and really think about it, I am sure it would stop so much discord among church members and the world as a whole. Do you understand that He is saying that to sow discord is an abomination? Webster defines abomination as intense aversion or loathing. He also describes loathing as a strong dislike mingled with disgust. Hey! Do you get this yet? God gets disgusted with us. Even though He hates the first six, the seventh is the worst. Yet, why are there so many churches who are losing members because they cannot keep their mouths shut?

We should be a shining light in our communities and lead the way for peace among brethren. So the next time you start to jabbering about someone else, you need to think about the life you may be destroying.

Joyfully, In The Master’s Service
Blessings, Prayers and Love,
Pastor Pat

©1996/2015
CWPM1996/2015
Notes: The New King James Bible

“Miracles, Signs and Wonders”

Acts 2: 17-21 17 ‘ And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams.

18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy.

19 I will show wonders in heaven above And signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke.

20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD.

21 And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved.’

Miracles, Signs, and Wonders. Without exception, miracles, signs, and wonders accompanied the ministry and preaching of the early church. In the scripture above, Peter reminded the people that Jesus’ credibility was based on His miracle ministry. This same credibility accompanied those set apart in leadership, such as Stephen, Phillip, Barnabas, Silas, and Paul, as well as the original apostles. Miracle, signs, and wonders were commonly accepted in the early church, and leaders led the way in giving place to such ministry. Also, the early church leaders prayed for miracle seeing them not as random, occasional events, but as worthy evidences of God’s anointing, continually glorifying Christ through the church, and therefore to be sought and welcome.

We as disciples today need to want and welcome these same miracles, signs and wonders, in our churches. Some say that this was just for the days of Jesus and His disciples. In reading the above scriptures as well as the ones below, we see that it is meant for today also.

John 14:12. 12 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.

13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

14 If you ask[c] anything in My name, I will do it.

Matthew 28:19-20 19 Go Ye therefore[a] and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Amen. When we as people of God, get serious about the work that God’s has left for us to do, it will happen again. You do not need to plan a big Revival, or go to a Azusa Street Revival. Just get right with God, and do His work. Stop all the politic and favoritism, and let Godly people do the work God has call them to do, and watch the miracles, signs and wonders happen again. Get back to the basic, which is “Go Ye”

Joyfully, In The Master’s Service
Blessings, Prayers and Love,
Pastor Pat

©1996/2015
CWPM1996/2015
Notes: The New King James Bible

“Be Strong In The Lord”

“Be Strong In The Lord”

It seems that everyone I talk to is having some type of battle in their life. I know that it is getting close to the return of Jesus. I also know because of this, satan and his demons are working over time.

Daily we need to dress in the armor of God. We need to make sure our family is dressed in the armor. Ephesians 6: 10-18, “10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,[a] against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance an supplication for all the saints—”

Isaiah 58:8: “And the glory of the Lord shall be my rear guard.”

The scriptures above talks about withstanding. Strong’s concordance compares it with “antihistamine.” “against, and to cause to stand” The verb suggests vigorously opposing, bravely resisting, standing face to face against an adversary, and standing your ground. Just as an antihistamine blocks histamine, the Scripture tells us that with the authority and spiritual weapons granted to us we can withstand evil forces.

Faith’s Warfare, Paul admonishes us to put on the whole armor of God in order to stand against the forces of hell. It is clear that our warfare is not against physical forces, but against invisible powers who have clearly defined levels of authority in a real, though invisible, sphere of activity.

Paul, however not only warns us of a clearly defined structure in the invisible realm, he instructs us to take up the whole armor of God in order to maintain a “battle-stance” against this unseen satanic structure. All of this armor is not just a passive protection in facing the enemy; it is to be used offensively against these satanic forces.

Note Paul’s final directive; we are to be “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit.” Thus, prayer is not so much a weapon, or even apart of the armor, as it is the means by which we engage in the battle itself and the purpose for which we re armed. To put on the armor of God is to prepare for battle. Prayer is the battle itself, with God’s Word being our chief weapon employed against Satan during our struggle. The chief weapon is not the book. So throwing your bible at satan will not defeat him, or his demons. Knowing the scriptures, God’s Word, is the chief weapon.

That is the reason you need to know the scriptures and be able say them. Speaking God’s Word out loud will defeat the evils of hell.

Joyfully, In The Master’s Service
Blessings, Prayers and Love,
Pastor Pat

©1996/2015
CWPM1996/2015
Notes: The New King James Bible

I read this story many years ago. I shared it with the devotion team back in 2005. I came across it this morning and decided that we all needed to read it again, and remember, “Jesus Paid the Price for us.”

John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believes in Him not not perish, but have everlasting life.

MY ATTORNEY
Author: Unknown
After living what I felt was a “decent” life, my time on earth came to the end.

The first thing I remember is sitting on a bench in the waiting room of what I thought to be a court house.

The doors opened and I was instructed to come in and have a seat by the defense table. As I looked around I saw the “prosecutor.” He was a villainous looking gent who snarled as he stared at me. He definitely was the most evil person I have ever seen.

I sat down and looked to my left and there sat my Attorney, a kind and gentle looking man whose appearance seemed so familiar to me, I felt I knew Him.

The corner door flew open and there appeared the Judge in full flowing robes. He commanded an awesome presence as He moved across the room I couldn’t take my eyes off of Him. As He took His seat behind the bench, He said, “Let us begin.”

The prosecutor rose and said, “My name is Satan and I am here to show you why this man belongs in hell.”

He proceeded to tell of lies that I told, things that I stole, and In the past when I cheated others. Satan told of other horrible perversions that were once in my life and the more he spoke, the further down in my seat I sank. I was so embarrassed that I couldn’t look at anyone, even my own Attorney, as the Devil told of sins that even I had completely forgotten about.

As upset as I was at Satan for telling all these things about me, I was equally upset at My Attorney who sat there silently not offering any form of defense at all. I know I had been guilty of those things, but I had done some good in my life – couldn’t that at least equal out part of the harm I’d done? Satan finished with a fury and said, “This man belongs in hell, he is guilty of all that I have charged and there is not a person who can prove otherwise.”

When it was His turn, My Attorney first asked if He might approach the bench. The Judge allowed this over the strong objection of Satan, and beckoned Him to come forward.

As He got up and started walking, I was able to see Him in His full splendor and majesty. I realized why He seemed so familiar; this was Jesus representing me, my Lord and my Savior. He stopped at the bench and softly said to the Judge, “Hi, Dad,” and then He turned to address the court.

“Satan was correct in saying that this man had sinned, I won’t deny any of these allegations. And, yes, the wage of sin is death, and this man deserves to be punished.”

Jesus took a deep breath and turned to His Father with outstretched arms and proclaimed, “However, I died on the cross so that this person might have eternal life and he has accepted Me as his Savior, so he is Mine.”

My Lord continued with, “His name is written in the book of life and no one can snatch him from Me. Satan still does not understand yet. This man is not to be given justice, but rather mercy.”

As Jesus sat down, He quietly paused, looked at His Father and said, “There is nothing else that needs to be done. I’ve done it all.” The Judge lifted His mighty hand and slammed the gavel down.

The following words bellowed from His lips.. “This man is free.” The penalty for him has already been paid in full.

“Case dismissed.”

As my Lord led me away, I could hear Satan ranting and raving, “I won’t give up, I will win the next one.”

I asked Jesus as He gave me my instructions where to go next, “Have you ever lost a case?” Christ lovingly smiled and said, “Everyone that has come to Me and asked Me to represent them has received the same verdict as you,

~Paid In Full~

“Stop telling God how big your storm is. Instead, tell the storm how big your God is!”
We succeed when we realize that our failures are the preparation for
our victories.

Pastor Pat Aman/©1996/2015
CWPM1996/2015
Notes: The New King James Bible

“I Raise My Hands”
Author of Devotion:
Pat Aman 3/6/2013

I listen to mostly gospel music. I do like beach music as well as 50’s, Even though I was born in 1953. I just like the oldies. I like the old time country music, but I rarely listen to it. I was scanning the radio channels and heard this song. I fell in love with it. I did not know who the artists were, or the name of the song. I went to Wally-World and asked someone in the music department, who sings a song about the raising hands, bowing head, and reading the words in red. A young man told me real fast that it was a oBrooks and Dunn song. I told him I had to have it. So I bought it and I have played it over and over. I do not know another song on the CD, but number 8, “Believe”.

You are probably asking why I am telling you this, right? Well have you noticed that a lot of the older country singers, and some of the new are doing gospel. I have a collection of gospel music being sung as a reunion for the older singers. On the tape, they talk about how in their older age, how much the Lord means to them. Some of them really have a testim

https://youtube.com/watch?v=X5z-jjWyAJQ%3Fautoplay%3D1

ony to what God has done for them. They also talk about how they started singing in church as a child, but soon were singing in the secular world. They also talk about God and His Word meaning more to them now.

Well, when I heard this song, I thought the same way. I have always known the Word of God. I have always depended on the Word of God, but now I am getting a little older myself, I am learning to treasure it a little more each day. In the song, it is just an old man, telling a younger man to depend on God. What more needs to be said. Here are the word to the song. I hope you have heard it. It is a beautiful testimony. I almost cry every time I hear it, when it comes to the part, “I raise my hands, I bow my head, I am finding more and more truth in the Words written in red. They tell me that there’s more to life than just what I can see. Oh I believe.”

.Artist: Brooks & Dunn Song: Believe Lyrics: Old man Wrigley lived in that white house Down the street where I grew up Momma used to send me over with things We struck a friendship up I spent a few long summers out on his old porch swing Says he was in the war when in the navy Lost his wife, lost his baby Broke down and asked him one time How ya keep from going crazy He said I’ll see my wife and son in just a little while I asked him what he meant

He looked at me and smiled, said (Chorus) I raise my hands, bow my head I’m finding more and more truth in the words written in red. They tell me that there’s more to life than just what I can see. Oh I believe Few years later I was off at college talkin’ to mom on the phone one night Getting all caught up on the gossip. The ins and outs of the small town life.

She said oh by the way son, old man Wrigley’s died. Later on that night, I laid there thinkin’ back. Thought ’bout a couple long-lost summers I didn’t know whether to cry or laugh. If there was ever anybody deserved a ticket to the other side It’d be that sweet old man who looked me in the eye, said (Chorus) I raise my hands, bow my head I’m finding more and more truth in the words written in red. They tell me that there’s more to life than just what I can see I can’t quote the book. The chapter or the verse. You can’t tell me it all ends In a slow ride in a hearse.

You know I’m more and more convinced. The longer that I live Yeah, this can’t be No, this can’t be No, this can’t be all there is. (Chorus) When I raise my hands, bow my head I’m finding more and more truth in the words written in red. They tell me that there’s more to life than just what I can see I believe Oh, I believe I believe I believe I believe I believe.

Blessings, Prayers and Love,
Pat Aman

Pastor Pat Aman/©1996/2015
CWPM1996/2015
Notes: The New King James Bible

https://youtube.com/watch?v=X5z-jjWyAJQ%3Fautoplay%3D1

https://youtube.com/watch?v=X5z-jjWyAJQ%3Fautoplay%3D1

I was thinking today, about my quiet time with God. I know that I spend a lot of time in the Word. Hours upon hours, while doing the e-mail devotions.  When I do a devotion, it is just like a preacher getting ready to minister on Wednesday nights, or both services on Sunday.  I just have to do a sermon every day.  That is the reason sometimes, you may see that I send a devotion out after mid-night or ever later. I am seeking God and what He wants me to say. But I still need my quiet time with God.  A time to hear Him speak directly to me for my circumstances.  Now every e-mail I do, speaks to me, because I am listening to what God wants me to say in the devotions.  I will not do a devotion unless God gives me a word. Sometimes it is a personal thought, or maybe a direct note from the Bible.  But still it is what God wants me to say.  I still need my time to be intimate with God.  Being intimate with someone, is loving them with all your soul, heart and strength.  

Psalm 62: 5-7, “I wait quietly before God, for my hope is in Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.” Matthew 22: 37-39, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all you soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

If you were to ask me, “Do I love God more than my own family?  My answer would have to be, yes.”  When you love God that much, your love becomes more pure and strong and selfless.  A person’s love for other people has much greater depth and strength and purity when they know and love God.  If you would talk to my girls, Tara and Anna, they would tell you that when I talk to them on the phone, or see them in person, I am constantly telling them I love them.  I may talk to them on the phone just a minute or so, but I probably tell them 10 times during the conversation I love them. 

 I started thinking, how many times a day do I tell God I love Him?  Yes, I pray and read His word, but just how many times do I say,  “God, I love You.”  We need an intimate relationship with God.  We need to be on a one on one basis.  And yes, we need to tell Him we love Him every time we think of Him. We may be surprised just how many times a day God tell us, that 

He loves us, if we would just listen. Today, get to know God in an intimate way. Seek a true heart knowledge of Him and not just a head knowledge of Him. 

Blessings, Prayers and Love,

Pat Aman

Devotion Written By: Pastor Pat Aman Book © 1996/2015 “Coffee With Pat Daily Devotionals”

StuPastor Pat Aman/©1996/2015
CWPM1996/2015dy Notes: The New King James Bible

Fruit of the Vine

John 15:1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit–fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other.

Jesus is the Vine, we are the branches. Did you realize that the Branches bear the fruit, not the vine? We are branches grafted to the vine; we have been attached to it. In order for a grafted branch to bear fruit it must be of the same basic nature as the vine. It must have the same texture and must be at nearly the same level of growth as the vine; if not then the branch will not receive the nourishment from the vine, and will wither and die.

The fruit Jesus wants is the fruit of Love. This is the nature of the vine, and it is to be our nature; we are to love one another AS Jesus loved us. We cannot manage this on our own, but, bless God, we aren’t on our own. The Word and Spirit of God are ours, the very Love of God is ours. That Love, born in God’s heart, is shed abroad in our own hearts by the Holy Spirit. It comes to us from the Vine, Messiah Jesus, the Head of the Body.

Romans 5:5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

We are to rest from our own Earthly labors and begin to go about the Business of our Head, the business of the Vine. We are to bear fruit for the Vine. We will bear fruit when we allow God’s Word and Spirit to conform us to the image of Jesus, for then we will be fully-grafted, and the Love of God will flow through us to bear the Fruit.

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

And, as was said above:

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.”

Jesus was a branch, and the Father was the Vine. Remember that he said, I do nothing of myself, but that which the Father does, I do. Jesus bore fruit for the Father, and now we must bear fruit for Jesus. The process requires little of us; we must simply choose the Word, the Spirit, and the Love. The Vine produces the nourishment which keeps us healthy, and that same nourishment produces the fruit through us.

“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”

There is no greater Joy than that of doing the work we were created for. We can only find complete fulfillment in doing the works of our Father. That is because it is innate to our very nature. We were created so as to only be truly complete In Him. Only when we are yielded to Him, and the Love of God is flowing through us producing fruit, can we be totally satisfied.

Devotion Written By: Pastor Pat Aman Book © 1996/2015 “Coffee With Pat Daily Devotionals”

StuPastor Pat Aman/©1996/2015
CWPM1996/2015dy Notes: The New King James Bible

I am studying I and II Chronicles. I hope you enjoy me sharing with you what I am learning about The Steps to Holiness.

In this world today, we have no time to waste. We need to be getting ready for the return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We not only need to be sharing God’s word with the world, but letting them see God in us. IIChronicles 19:2-3, “And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, (Jehosphaphat) and said to King Jehospaphat. “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord? Therefore the wrath of the Lord is upon you. Nevertheless good things are found in you, in that you have removed the wooden images from the land, and have prepared your heart to seek God.”

Steps to Holiness require that we guard our associations. We must be careful not only to shun unrighteousness and worldliness ourselves, but not to support or participate with others who promote it. Be careful not to promote the ungodly or to support those whose ways contradict the Scriptures and thus displease the Lord. Avoid evil ethic of expediency. Do not employ procedures or practices you suspect of being unethical or ungodly, even if they promise success.

II Chronicles 1: 10-12, “Now give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this great people of Yours?” Then God said to Solomon: “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches or wealth or honor or the life of your enemies, not have you asked long life, but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge My people over who I have made you king, wisdom and knowledge are granted to you; and I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings have had who were before you, nor shall any after you have the like.”

Steps to Dynamic Devotion is in those whose hearts are fully devoted to God. Scripture maintains a consistent testimony that those whose hearts are devoted to God are blessed by Him. Partial devotion to God, lukewarmness, inevitably results in spiritual mediocrity and sporadic communion with the Lord. Be confident that God honors those who depend upon His wisdom to carry out the work He has assigned them. Be confident that if you seek God with all your heart and soul, He will surety be found by you. Maintain a heart that is fully committed to the Lord. Know that the Lord seeks out such to strengthen them and prosper their works.

Blessings, Prayers and Love,
Pat Aman

Pastor Pat Aman/©1996/2015
CWPM1996/2015l