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Oberon Golf Course - Links Pro Am 2006 |
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PGA Chaplain Bible StudiesStudy 14 – April
21st to April 27th 2008. Being Left out of the Team?Jesus said; “Whoever does not remain in me is thrown out like a branch and dries up; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, where they will be burnt. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, then you will ask for anything you wish and you shall have it”. John Chapter 15: verses 6 to 7. (Good News Bible) Last study we mentioned how golf is an individual sport. There are those who play the game for fun, a round here and there on holidays or when we have free time. There are many of us though who play at golf clubs where we have the opportunity to be part of a team. Most golf clubs have team selections all the way from juniors aged in their teens to super senior teams of age 65 and more. To be selected for a team and then dropped because of better players or poor form is sometimes hard to manage. But such is sport where a certain standard is required to make the team. Our relationship with God is just that, a relationship that also has standards. For any relationship to be worth anything it has to have standards and requirements. Some make the mistake of thinking that God does not require anything of us, but a relationship that has no substance is just that, no relationship. Jesus uses the term of abiding, remaining, being united to him in life. This is where we play a role in responding to the love God has for us. A relationship that is not real or worked on is useless to God, because the purpose of Jesus saving us is to love; to bear fruit; and to obey God’s way of life. The good news in regards our relationship with Jesus is we can all be winners because loving, obeying and being fruitful for God is within our grasp. It simply boils down to what is in our hearts and what we develop. The sad news is that some recognise God and even believe in Jesus in some ways, but who do not nurture, develop or practice their relationship with Jesus. I have found many adults still have a Sunday school relationship with God, in some ways growing away from God, as they become adults. They acknowledge God, but to speak in any meaningful way about their relationship with Jesus is awkward because it does not exist. Jesus speaks about our life in union with or remaining with Christ as one of a tree with lots of fruit on it. In other words it’s full of life, expressed in love, obedience and appreciation of all that God has given us with Jesus. Jesus also speaks of encouraging us to ask God for anything in line with his will. A tree busting with fruit shows that the branches (that’s us) and the vine (Jesus) have connected. The sad reality is that branches that do not bear fruit will be cut off and thrown into the fire, of no use for God. Jesus spoke about this in another parable of “The Sower” (See Mark Chapter 4:3-20). There the vine grows among the weeds. The weeds are those things such as those who overly worry about the things of this life, have a love for riches and other desires that choke the vine and it bears no fruit. Judas was one example who sold his relationship with Jesus for money. I encourage you that if you the connection with Jesus is not real or being lost, then now is the time to fix it. Prayer |
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