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“In all circumstances, be grateful always for that’s the will of God towards you in Jesus Christ…” 1Thes. 5:18. Give thanks always, not just on Thanksgiving Day, but every day. We at Dr&Kids wish you all our fans a blessed and joyous Thanksgiving.
These two simple words also account for one of the many powerful prayers in the Bible. Remember me is a common phrase (prayer, request) among people who care for one another and even sometimes strangers. One of the best Bible stories, is the story of Hannah (1 Samuel 1:11). Being childless and dejected she committed herself to God through prayer asking for a son. She made her promise of what she would do with the child if God answered her humble prayer. Her key word in her prayer, was ‘remember me.’
Samson also used this prayer asking for justice against the Philistines who had hurt his eyes. He said, ‘O Lord, remember me, I pray thee (Judges 16:28)’ and his prayer was answered. Another key moment was the crucifixion of Jesus. One on the two thieves crucified with Jesus, looked up at him and said to him; “Remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him that very moment and granted this humble prayer (Luke 23:41)
Now over to you. I don’t know how many times I too have asked people to ‘remember me’ in their prayers or activities. in addition, I have friends and strangers who also have asked me to remember them. It is a good feeling to know that someone ‘remembers you.’ Every now and then getting a phone call from a long-lost friend just makes the day brighter. Do you ask the Lord to ‘remember you’? The words ‘remember me’ appear over 40 times in the Bible…let this be a hint. Ask the lord to remember you for whatsoever you need but also be ready to add, “not my will, but thy will be done.”
The analogy given by Jesus on the vine and branches carries such deep messages in it (Just like the other analogies). Allow me to dive in this one a little further. For anyone who has grown any kind of plant that is composed of the main vine and then runner branches, it is easy to relate to the imagery here. Truly, speaking, once a branch is cut off the main vine, it withers and dries up…no exception. In addition, once a branch is broken or cut of, so dies any fruit on that branch.
As a farmer, tending the vines includes pruning and trimming off extra vegetation to promote better fruit growth and size of the fruit. Most vines are hardy and will grow excessively given the right environment. consequently, one has to be diligent enough to control the vines and their branches to achieve maximum fruit growth and size.
Now, let turn this to God and Christians’. As a Christian, or follower of Jesus, one has to remain attached to the Living Water and Bread to grow and bear any kind of good fruit. This may sound simple, but God has given to us ‘free will’. It is this free will that leaves us with a very important decision on the direction of our lives. We have a choice to remain attached to the Source (God) or like the prodigal son, ask God to give us what we think we are entitled too and then go squander it away doing evil and bearing bad fruit (At least we know God is merciful and does not desire the death of a sinner – one is always welcome back!)
Those that choose to remain attached to the Vine (God) go on to bear much fruit (Fruits of the Holy Spirit) and even do greater works strengthened by the Holy Spirit. Not only that, God, prunes these branches (by facing trials and tribulations) so than they bear maximum rewards and good works. Just like iron is tested by fire, a Christian is tested by temptations. The choice is primarily the will of the Christian. That statement alone should send a chill of fear down the spine…but Christ says, fear not for I am with you always.
The analogy of the Vine and Branches includes another key statement that unless a Christian in attached to the God, one can do nothing. O how true this is! I mean one can still do something, but it amounts to nothing. Unless, God builds, one builds in vain. The elements of nature buffets such works and wash them away. Needless to add, what does it befit one to win the whole world and lose one’s soul? The choice is clear…or so I think. Remain attached to the Vine (God) and you will bear much fruit. Amen.
For many observing Christians, Holy Week marks a time of deep faith and hope. Starting from Palm Sunday all the way to Easter Sunday, the bible readings carry a theme of suffering, but greater hope at the end. It is this hope that we cling on because that’s the faith.
Among the human pains highlighted include betrayal…such a painful experience especially when one considers that the person that has betrayed them was someone they thought and trusted to always have their back. Betrayal can cause one even to lose their faith in God. However, the word of God says clearly that one cannot be tempted beyond their strength.
Let me share a story. A good buddy was involved in a research group which with time sort of took sides. There were fractions within the research group, and she found herself all alone. Her view was that taking sides in a research environment was immature. It was not a surprise then that she found herself on one side of the island and everyone else on the other side. However, that did not deter her from her studies or research. With time, one of the other researchers slowly won her trust and they would share widely about their studies and life.
Unbeknown to her, he was a double agent. He had actually befriended her with the hope of finding out her plans and aspirations which he would then share secretly with the other group members. As she was nearing the end of her research, the split in the group got worse, but she was not so concerned, she had a friend on the other side.
One day, the group had an outing which she opted not to partake in. Long and behold, when her confidant showed up to ask why, she sensed his dishonesty. Somehow, it all become clear how he had just befriended her in order to get info and then betrayed her. It was devasting. Her world crumbling down. She did not know who to turn too at that moment. She was done.
That was until she attended a church service, the reading of the day was the betrayal of Jesus by Judas for 30 pieces of silver. The homily struck a code with her. The priest asked the congregation, how many of you have been betrayed? She felt the ‘yes’ echo in her heart…but the priest asked another question.
“What had Jesus done to deserve to be betrayed? If Jesus who was sinless, was betrayed…then look at your own pain and ask yourself the same question? You do not suppose to be greater than Jesus? Do You? Jesus forgave those who betrayed him…do likewise and heal”… the priest went on.
This message cut deep into her heart…she felt a weight taken off her and she breathed with relieve. She contemplated she was not greater than her Lord and Saviour…She just had to let her ego go and let go. Wow! she thought…what a lesson she had learned. Her trust though broken, she had found strength and healing in the word of God.