Covenant Church at Creekside | Weekly Inspiration for Christian Living

Four times in three verses Jesus says, "Remain in me" We know when something is repeated in scripture it means it's important. Jesus is telling his disciples that even when he is no longer physically present they still have a choice. Remain in me. We must be so firmly grounded in our pursuit of Jesus that we want nothing more than to be with him, to be in his presence. Jesus tells us that: 1. No branch can bear fruit by itself, and 2. Apart from him you can do nothing. In our Western culture, we have an idolatry of independence. We believe that being dependent on something is bad, but Jesus is telling us that independence leads to a fruitless life. To be fully dependent on Jesus is difficult for us. We will be pruned--there's going to be transformation. but the first step is admitting we cannot do this alone--and inviting the Spirit to walk alongside us. Through the Spirit, we have the power to surrender those things we hold as obstacles so that we may choose to remain in Jesus.

¿Todavia te sientes sucio?

Do you realize where your traditions came from or why they continue? Traditions for traditions' sake lose both their power and authority. Yet, here in today's text, we find the Pharisees questioning Jesus. Why are his disciples not loyal to the tradition? The traditions, in the Pharisees' view, are a marker of one's holiness. While they are being accused of being unfaithful, Jesus (as Jesus does) turns the Pharisees' arguments upside down exposing them as hypocrites. The traditions they reference have no basis in God's word. They are human-devised traditions around which they've created extensive practices—rituals that have become so elevated and complicated they've become a barrier to people knowing God. When we focus exclusively on the rituals we ignore the heart of the law; we miss God. The rituals do not make us holy. But, if we seek God, and pursue him wholeheartedly, holiness will naturally follow and the witness of Christ will flow from us to the world. This is what being a disciple means.

Vida mediante el Espíritu

As individuals, we often separate different aspects of our lives into distinct compartments. However, when it comes to our faith, we cannot afford to do the same. By doing so, we hinder ourselves from experiencing the complete devotion and worship of God. It is crucial for us to lead an interconnected life, where the presence of God's Spirit permeates every facet. Our commitment lies in faithfully pursuing our ultimate authority. Recognizing that our bodies are considered sacred temples, we must consider who holds the position of power. Will it be the fleeting desires of our physical selves, or will it be the eternal Spirit of the Living God?

"Cuando desperdicias los dones de Dios"

Sampson was dedicated to God from before his birth. His super-human strength came as a blessing from God, yet we see in this story Sampson's pride in his abilities—and his deep belief that he's strong enough on his own and doesn't need God. Sampson's journey resonates with us, particularly those who have achieved success, as we often attribute our accomplishments solely to our own intelligence, hard work, and self-made efforts. Similar to Sampson, there exists a deep-seated part within us that falsely convinces us we can navigate life without God, even though we outwardly acknowledge Him as the source of all things. The insidious sin of pride blinds us to our desperate need for a Savior and deprives us of the profound joy that awaits us in God's kingdom.

El costo del disicipulado

Is the immense reward of an everlasting relationship with Jesus worth the sacrifices of following him? Being a member of God's Kingdom entails living in a manner that goes against the prevailing culture. Jesus frequently surprises us by challenging our expectations and societal norms. Additionally, Jesus emphasizes that following him requires prioritizing him above everything else in our lives. However, Jesus does not demand great sacrifices without promising great rewards. As we weigh the significant cost of following Jesus, may we come to the realization that we simply cannot afford to live without him.

El intercambio oscuro: idolatría