The Faithful Word – March 20, 2026 (115/365)

4 For the word of the LORD is right, And all His work is done in truth.

5 He loves righteousness and justice; The earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.

Psalms 33:4-5

Things I learned from yesterday’s panel discussion:

There are catalysts that bring us from the old that passes away, and into where all things become new.

There are also catalysts that bring us from barely bearing any fruit to bearing much fruit; from working from the flesh, to bearing the fruit of the Spirit.

This ‘catalyst’ may sound so mystical and sophisticated, but it all really is our recognizing and naturally appreciating our connection to the Vine, done once and for all by the Vinedresser, and sustained by the Sap, or the Holy Spirit.

And, yes, the Holy Spirit has its role; Christ is the Vine, God is our Father and our Vinedresser, and, after discussion, the Holy Spirit is the Water, the Sap that flows from the Vine and through us, the Branches. Right, we have our role as well.

While the majority of us were flowing with discussion pleasantly, one of us wanted to sound ‘edgy’, I guess, by saying that it’s not without pain – making me sound like this is all pleasant and nice. I stayed quiet while he went through his tirade about how, in his mind, we don’t bear fruit without pain, and then also saying that these times we’re going through are times of birthing pains. I agree where he mentioned that we shouldn’t be looking into the immediate impact of events, and that we should be looking to the end, where God is ultimately glorified.

With that said, my fellow panelist mentioned that God is ‘giving birth’ to good things, and that ‘righteousness and justice will prevail’ (ironic, now that I think about it, because that last line sounded like it was an emotionally fueled response to what’s going on right now)… and as soon as he said that, I know right then and there that my response to his tirade was to say that we aren’t disregarding or ignoring pain – we endure, trusting in the Lord, bearing fruit while, in his words, God endures the pain on giving birth to new things.

I’ll say it again, and I will emphasize – we are NOT ignoring pain. This is NOT positive thinking. This is having the mind of Christ – seeing that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him; And, in spite of the pain, we have a peace that goes beyond ALL understanding.

It just goes to show one more thing that I’ve learned – that these ‘catalysts’ I’m speaking of aren’t one-time big-time things; They show up occasionally in our lives, so that we learn, unlearn, and relearn, so that we are pruned to bear more fruit, so that we move from glory to glory.

Final thought, final takeaway – Fellowship is key. Abiding in Christ is fellowshipping with Christ. We meditate on His Word, and are in fellowship with Him. We pray, knowing we are in fellowship with Him.

When we gather together, we are in fellowship. When we are gathered in His name, which is all the time, we are in fellowship with each other, and we are in fellowship with Christ. It is in fellowship that we bear much fruit.

And, it is in His Word that we abide in Him; We claim the promises of His Word as we abide, just as when we abide, we claim the promises of His Word.

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Ephesians 3:20-21

But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

1 Corinthians 2:9

For “who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.1 Corinthians 2:16

Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers, But a prudent wife is from the LORD.

Proverbs 19:14

He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the LORD.

Proverbs 18:22

And the LORD God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.”

Genesis 2:18

Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”Acts 16:29-31

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19

My my, I don’t know where all that came from, but I give glory to the Lord, for the fulfillment of His promises. My trust is in Him, and I know that because I trust in Him, I shall not be put to shame.

This gives me all the more reason to give glory to the Lord, for all that He has done, and all He continues to do, and, all that has been said in His Word. He is true to His Word.

After all, Christ is the living Word, or the Word that gives Life, the Life that flows in and through us.

Christ is also the Word of Life, or the Word that flows and and through us, no matter what we encounter, recall or experience in our lives.

When condemnation pops up, we can claim the promises of His Word – that there is no condemnation in Christ, and that nothing, not even bad memories can ever separate us from our Father’s love; In fact, even the bad memories would point us to Him.

Let’s keep looking to Christ, and be healed, be saved, be vindicated, be rescued; Let’s look to Christ, and be assured that all our questions shall be responded to by Him.

Let’s keep trusting the Lord, and let’s keep bearing fruit, knowing that as we trust in Him, we shall not be put to shame.

Fellowship remains, no matter what catalysts come. In fact, God’s Word stands, no matter what happens. Amen. Amen.

Playing catch-up here. This was from thoughts through Friday to yesterday, Sunday. Will follow up with another post, very soon.

Later.

115525/365000