THE VINE DRESSER, THE VINE, AND THE BRANCHES

When I contemplate my relationship with Jesus, I am always drawn to the amazing realization that I ABIDE IN HIM, AND HE IN ME ! It is at times hard to conceive that His Love For Me is SO DEEP that we are truly spiritually in each other’s heart all the time. It is a CLOSENESS AND INTIMACY that no other relationship or belief system comes close to. I believe that is what truly differentiates the Christian Faith and Life from all other religions and theological thoughts. It is a connection that defines Life, Surrender, and Total Completeness. Jesus Himself tells us in John 15 that HE IS The Vine, and We Are The Branches. He is the source of LIFE FOR US, and we as branches draw everything from our attachment to HIM. It is a place of total reliance for everything we are and all we need. I love this because it assures me that if I maintain a constant closeness and trust in His Care and Love, I WILL BE SECURE AND ALIVE ! I can count on receiving all I need from Him on an ongoing basis, and as I Grow, He will make sure that I have all I need to Thrive and Mature. It is such a different approach to Life than the world, culture, and much of mankind choose to follow. It takes away the picture of counting on oneself for nourishment and growth. It takes away the idea that counting on ourselves for success is even a possibility. THE VINE GIVES US LIFE ! Alone, we have nothing to be a part of. Nothing to count on for sustenance and guidance. The world tells us to be independent and trust only in ourselves and our limited wisdom, while Jesus tells us to Count On Him For Everything.

"“I AM THE VINE; YOU ARE THE BRANCHES. IF YOU REMAIN IN ME AND I IN YOU, YOU WILL BEAR MUCH FRUIT; APART FROM ME YOU CAN DO NOTHING. IF YOU DO NOT REMAIN IN ME, YOU ARE LIKE A BRANCH THAT IS THROWN AWAY AND WITHERS; SUCH BRANCHES ARE PICKED UP, THROWN INTO THE FIRE AND BURNED. IF YOU REMAIN IN ME AND MY WORDS REMAIN IN YOU, ASK WHATEVER YOU WISH, AND IT WILL BE DONE FOR YOU. THIS IS TO MY FATHER’S GLORY, THAT YOU BEAR MUCH FRUIT, SHOWING YOURSELVES TO BE MY DISCIPLES.” John 15;5-8

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. John 15:16

EVEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH , WHOM THE WORLD CANNOT RECIEVE, BECAUSE IT NEITHER SEES HIM NOR KNOWS HIM. YOU KNOW HIM , FOR HE DWELLS WITH YOU AND WILL BE IN YOU. John 14:17

So what does it look like to be a “Branch”, attached to the very Savior, Lord, and King that we serve ? I think about this quite a bit. I have had the pleasure of walking in many vineyards and it always amazes me to see not only the different aspects of each Season of Dormancy and Growth in the vines and branches, but also how much of a process it is for these amazing plants to actually produce fruit ! It is a long process, and throughout the timeframe there is a great deal of Care and Work for the branches to stay strong, stay healthy, and be shaped in precisely the right manner to truly produce FRUIT:) Spiritually, I see Father God watching as those who seek Jesus begin to spring forth into Life From Him. Some branches attach deeply to Jesus, while others seem to be only superficially there; not really seeking or pulling life from Him except on a surface like level. Christians who are on an emotional or pious level in their faith, but not totally surrendered to Christ for nourishment, growth, and life are not abiding in the Son in a true heart worthy way. God The Father recognizes this, and removes them, letting them fall to be gathered, stacked and dried up, eventually to be burned in the fire. With Love and Care, The Father Prunes and Shapes the branches that are Truly Attached to His Son, that they may lose their Wild Growth and Blemishes to become complete and bear Marvelous Fruit For The Kingdom Of God. I want with ALL MY HEART TO BE A LIVING BRANCH; a part of The Body Of Christ that Lives In Him and Is a bearer of Fruit For His Kingdom.

I AM THE TRUE VINE, AND MY FATHER IS THE VINE DRESSER. EVERY BRANCH IN ME THAT DOES NOT BEAR FRUIT HE TAKES AWAY, AND EVERY BRANCH THAT DOES BEAR FRUIT, HE PRUNES, THAT IT MAY BEAR MORE FRUIT. ALREADY YOU ARE CLEAN BECAUSE OF THE WORD THAT I HAVE SPOKEN TO YOU. ABIDE IN ME, AND I IN YOU. AS THE BRANCH CANNOT BEAR FRUIT BY ITSELF, UNLESS IT ABIDES IN. THE VINE,NEITHER CAN YOU, UNLESS YOU ABIDE IN ME. John 15: 1-27

FOR WE ARE HIS WORKMANSHIP, CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS FOR GOOD WORKS, WHICH GOD PREPARED BEFOREHAND, THAT WE SHOULD WALK IN THEM. Ephesians 2:10

SO AS TO WALK IN A MANNER WORTHY OF THE LORD, FULLY PLEASING TO HIM: BEARING FRUIT IN EVERY GOOD WORK AND INCREASING IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD. Colossians 1:10

It is time for us to Truly SEE WHO, WHOSE, AND WHAT WE ARE ! Are You Abiding In Christ ? Are You Attached To Him Deeply….or just playing a role as a “Christian” ? Is Jesus your LORD, or just a Salvation bet ? Is your approach to Life centered on serving Him and being a slave to His Will And Authority, or are you counting on your own wisdom and strength to get the things you need or mostly just desire ? Seeking Pleasure and Things, or Seeking Truth and Righteousness. WHO ARE YOU LISTENING TO AND TRUSTING IN ??? Maturing in Christ has opened my eyes to a lot of HARD TRUTHS. Sin is a constant challenge, and ONLY IN CHRIST may it be Overcome. My attachment to Jesus gives me the Strength to Confess and Repent from my Heart ! The World absolutely Rejects Jesus, and thus many reject my Faith and Beliefs….but I WILL ENDURE THROUGH HIS GRACE AND STRENGTH IN EVERYTHING I FACE. God requires me to Bear Fruit by seeking to Walk In His Ways and Do The Good Works He Has Chosen Me To Complete ! Knowing God and Being In His Kingdom and Plans requires Action, not just Theological and Religious Consciousness. DO KINGDOM WORK ! MOST IMPORTANTLY, SEEK GOD AND BE IN HIS WORD. He will guide you through The Holy Spirit that Jesus left for us when He ascended to the Right Hand Of The Father. Strive to Be A Branch that is truly attached to the Vine:) Give Jesus Your Heart, and HE WILL SURELY GIVE YOU HIS ! GROW IN HIM/JAA

{BE} FILLED WITH THE FRUIT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS THAT COMES THROUGH JESUS CHRIST, TO THE GLORY AND PRAISE OF GOD. Philippians 1:11