Chosen

John 15:16  You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

Acts 9:15     But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.

1 John 4:10     In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Galatians 1:15   (  But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace,

Ephesians 2:10    For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

John 15:8     By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples

Isaiah 55:10     “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,  so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.  “For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

1 Corinthians 3:6     I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.  So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.

John 15:7     If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

John 14:13     Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

John 16:23     In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.  Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

Matthew 21:22     And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”

Chosen by God, beforehand, for His purpose.  His purpose is to bear fruit, abide, glorify, ask, pray, plant, grow, and be joyful doing it.  Staying in His word is the foundation on which we understand, hear, obey, and accomplish His purpose.  Apart from it we are only serving self interests and guessing at what His purpose is for our life.  Our understanding and knowledge of Him comes from and through His word.  Application into our daily lives happens when we seek and desire for His purpose each moment of every day.  Neglecting this and becoming complacent to this will not accomplish His purpose.  Being to busy to spend time in His word is the same as saying He is not worthy of our time.  Take time, make time, set aside time to feed and be filled with His word.  It will not return void.  It will set seed into your heart and mind.  He will whisper life into application for you.  Call upon Him.  Cast your cares at His feet.  Believe in His promises and humbly serve, honor, follow and obey Him as His word comes alive into your soul.

The Branch

Psalms 80:14  Turn again, O God of hosts! Look down from heaven, and see; have regard for this vine,   the stock that your right hand planted, and for the son whom you made strong for yourself.  They have burned it with fire; they have cut it down; may they perish at the rebuke of your face!    But let your hand be on the man of your right hand, the son of man whom you have made strong for yourself!  Then we shall not turn back from you; give us life, and we will call upon your name! Restore us, O LORD God of hosts! Let your face shine, that we may be saved!

Psalms 89:21    so that my hand shall be established with him; my arm also shall strengthen him.

Isaiah 11:1    There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.

Isaiah 49:5   And now the LORD says, he who formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him; and that Israel might be gathered to him— for I am honored in the eyes of the LORD, and my God has become my strength—

Jeremiah 23:5     “Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.  In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The LORD is our righteousness.’

Ezekiel 17:22     Thus says the Lord GOD: “I myself will take a sprig from the lofty top of the cedar and will set it out. I will break off from the topmost of its young twigs a tender one, and I myself will plant it on a high and lofty mountain.  On the mountain height of Israel will I plant it, that it may bear branches and produce fruit and become a noble cedar. And under it will dwell every kind of bird; in the shade of its branches birds of every sort will nest.  And all the trees of the field shall know that I am the LORD; I bring low the high tree, and make high the low tree, dry up the green tree, and make the dry tree flourish. I am the LORD; I have spoken, and I will do it.”

Zechariah 3:8    Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, you and your friends who sit before you, for they are men who are a sign: behold, I will bring my servant the Branch.

Zechariah 6:12     And say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, “Behold, the man whose name is the Branch: for he shall branch out from his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD

I have not counted but there are numerous scripture that God confirms by saying “I will do it”.  In these verses today we see the prophetic foretelling of Christ.  The Branch from which all fruit of God’s mercy, grace, and love originates.  It is through Christ those who believe are redeemed/forgiven.  There is no amount of good will (being good) that would ever be able to cover our sin – only the blood of Jesus.  Many try to be good and hope this is enough for eternal life with God.  His word is clear “there are none righteous, no not one”,  and again “there works are but filthy rags” and again “it is not by works less any man should boast”   His arms are wide open for all who come to Him for salvation.