Good morning Heartstrings family

To have the Lord say, "I never knew you" would be the worst kind of heartache. What does it mean to know and be known? Think about it for a moment. What is your story?

In Matthew 7:24-27 Jesus is speaking with a very clear word picture. Anyone can understand. Even a small child. "So everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts upon them [obeying them] will be like a sensible (prudent, practical, wise) man who built his house upon the rock. ~And the rain fell and the floods came and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. ~ And everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not do them will be like a stupid (foolish) man who built his house upon the sand. ~ And the rain fell and the floods came and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell -- and great and complete was the fall of it."

How sturdy are the foundations of your life? Who are you trusting to build your house, your life? We have witnessed strong winds, heavy torential rains and flooding in these last days so much more. Even without personally experiencing them, we can sorrow with those who have experienced great and complete loss, can't we? And, think about the clean up. What a mess.

It doesn't matter what your circumstances have been, where you are and what you have left. If you and I aren't clinging to Jesus Christ, we will not recover. The journey is long and tough sometimes. Doesn't it make sense to lean and rely on God? After all, in the end, we will stand before Him and hear His voice saying, "Enter" or, "I don't know you".

It comes down to a choice each person has to make. You have to know all your efforts without the Lord will not be granite, safe and secure. Only depending on God's Word, Jesus.

It is not completely up to us to build. God is able and willing to help us when we call on Him for help. Whether it is building a life free from the ravages of the enemy or where you will spend eternity. Who then can be saved from eternal death?

Matthew 19:26 says, "But Jesus looked at them and said, With men this is impossible, but all things are possible with God."

In the last several days we have witnessed the mercy of God in a remarkable, what seems impossible way. No one can ignore the fact of God's incredible and perfect love.

Reading John 15 this morning, I asked the Holy Spirit to help me understand. It became so clear to me that the Vine is Jesus. And God the Father the One Who tends the branches. The goal is to bring the branches to bear much fruit. And, keep bearing more and more. For the Glory of God.

As we abide, dwell in the Vine, in Jesus then, we will be vitally united with the Vine. But, if not there will be no fruit. John 15:5 says, "I am the Vine; you are the branches, Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Mer [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing."

I don't know about you, but I do not want to be the branch without fruit that is thrown into the fire. I have had enough experience to know that feeling of uselessness. It is painful. But, when I have spent time in the Word and communing with the Son, I want to go out and touch others lives. 

There is an old song called, "No one ever cared for me like Jesus". The first verse says, "I would love to tell you what I think of Jesus, since I found in Him a friend so strong and true, I would tell you how He changed my life completely. He did something that no other friend could do." 

That is why I write to you today. I want you to find out what it means to abide, be so united with Jesus, that your life is full of glorious fruit. Think how it pleases God! So keep bringing all you have to God and ask Him to build you on a firm foundation. Keep abiding in the Vine and let His Word abide in you. 

"No one ever cared for me like Jesus. There is no other friend so kind as He. No one else could take the sin and darkness from me. How much He cares for me!" Praise the matchless name of Jesus and walk in the abundance of His Love.

Abundance is...when my thoughts are agreeable to His will