Branches Devotional
Genesis: The Beginning
“I am the vine and you are the branches. If you remain in me and I and you, you will produce much fruit. Apart from me, you can do nothing.” John 15:5
When I first became a believer, I had no guide; well, I did, but I didn’t know it. No one told me about the Holy Spirit, or if they did, I didn’t get it. No one told me the Bible was the story of Jesus from Genesis to Revelation. No one told me accepting Christ wasn’t just about repenting of sin – that was only a small part of allowing Jesus to take my hand.
More importantly, it was about allowing him to lead me to the Father, and letting the Father embrace and restore me in His unconditional love and generous grace. It was about accepting His gift of inheritance – the inheritance of everlasting acceptance as His own. It was about growing in the acknowledgment that He walks with me through every circumstance. It was about His plan to restore all of us to Himself; His family.
For the last several years, I have been writing Branches Devotional Collection, a devotional Bible series for New Believers, Christian families and people who simply want to grow in their faith. I have been able to write this study through participation in a two-year course in Bible interpretation, my own experience in being open to the hearts and minds of others, and the prompting of the Holy Spirit who reminds me daily of the words of Jesus.
And as I wrote, I began to see the threads that connect it all into a giant, woven pattern that is the beautiful tapestry, from Genesis to Revelation, of God’s planned restoration for all of creation through Jesus. The more time I spend under the Father’s tutelage, the more I came to see and experience the depth of His love, the tenacity of His grace, and the extent of His compassion.
“The belief that God’s love is conditional is at the root of all performance-based Christianity. This is also probably one of the most demonic lies of all because it puts a question mark on God’s emphatic declaration of His love for us.” Mel Wild, Sonshift: Everything Changes in the Father’s Embrace, p.122, ©2015
That is why Branches takes small but significant portions of God’s Word and illustrates how they are not fear-based, but loved based, and are reoccurring themes throughout the Bible. As you allow the Spirit to take hold of your heart, you can become more familiar with your Bible. You can feel less uncertainty and apprehension about reading God’s Word. You can begin to understand things that only appear to be contradictions. You can also put certain passages you’ve become familiar with in the context of its purpose for being written. You can do all this and more if you allow your heart to remain open.
If you want to begin the New Year with Jesus from The Beginning, I invite you to download Branches: Genesis, The Beginning. May you be blessed with a closer relationship with Him.
Church Set Free 
[…] Source: Free Download; Merry Christmas […]
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Reblogged this on Uniquely Designed Individuals and commented:
With prayer and meditation, the heart focuses on God …
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“When I first became a believer, I had no guide; well, I did, but I didn’t know it. No one told me about the Holy Spirit, or if they did, I didn’t get it. No one told me the Bible was the story of Jesus from Genesis to Revelation. No one told me accepting Christ wasn’t just about repenting of sin – that was only a small part of allowing Jesus to take my hand.”
Ain’t that the truth? Nobody told me anything!
Thanks for the link Susan.
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You’re welcome, Wally.
This was a six-year, heartfelt journey. Sometimes, after a day of writing, I looked back and knew the words did not come from me. I only pray I can assist others to bypass legalism and sin management and go straight to establish a relationship with Him and find God’s heart.
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Yeah. that whole legalism and sin management thing will get us every time. On the other hand, build the relationship and the sin tends to manage itself!
I haven’t read it all yet of course, but it’s on the to read list now! Your hard work is vastly appreciated Susan.
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“build the relationship and the sin tends to manage itself!” Precisely, Wally. And don’t plan to read it in one sitting. It’s a six-month devotional. Take it one day at a time! 🙂
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Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
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Oh, Vincent – tears. Thank you so much for passing this along to your readers. ❤
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You’re very welcome Susan! 🙂
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wonderful. 😀
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Thanks for the download. I look forward to reading.
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You’re welcome, Jennifer. I pray it helps take you to the heart of God.
Have a truly blessed Christmas.
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I sometimes have wondered if keep us in the dark as “newborns” in spirit isn’t a conspiracy!! But then, the whole idea of faith AND relationship come in and it is just like those of us who became parents for the first time without an instruction manual, only reversed!! We had to learn to be children of our Heavenly Father!!! Thank you Sis, so very much for the further “look-see” into your heart; I so look forward to reading it!
Isn’t it a joy though when we finally get past the thinking that we have to do and get on with the relationship part? I can truly say, my journey with the Lord as Father, Redeemer, Counselor truly began when I started to relate to Him rather than TRY with my works to please Him! God bless you Sis!!!
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Amen, Roland. And thank you for all your encouragement. I do believe we grow in Him as He helps us mature as believers. Part of that is leaving the chains behind that Jesus already unlocked. It’s an invitation into a brand new life, a deeper level of knowing Him heart to heart.
Bless you, sweet brother.
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Devotional downloaded and ready for the new year. Thanks Susan! Look forward to a fresh journey with Jesus. 🙂 Blessings.
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Thank you, Mel. Always so appreciative for your support.
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