AUTHOR NOTE: Due to a personal matter present in my life I am forced to take a leave of absence from writing and am suspending any payed subscriptions for a yet undefined period of time. I am so grateful to you all for reading me and participating in conversation. I will return when the chaos subsides and I can concentrate on producing good content. Thank you in advance for your understanding and patience. Don’t forget to peruse my extensive archive. There’s more there than even I can keep up with. Meanwhile here is an new entry I wrote a few years ago. I hope you enjoy.
Did you know that a branch cut from a vine is pretty much worthless with the exception of being used as fuel for burning? Pretty simplistic thought, isn't it? Well how about if it's posited in the spiritual sense and significant meaning was attached to it, would this peak your interest in the slightest? Well, I dare you to read on.
The person I'm about to quote has the ultimate authority on everything for He created all things. Yet He chose a simple vine to illustrate a profound truth. Jesus of Nazareth had something very interesting to say to everyone who chooses to follow Him. "Everyone" includes the first to the last, the least to the greatest, lest anyone feel excluded or outside the constraints of this truth.
In the book of John, chapter 15, Jesus speaks plainly: “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. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you."
It's clear to me that Jesus is, and has always been actively pruning His church body. Those who take without giving back, He eventually removes. Those who try to do things for His kingdom under their own strength and power will fail. They may gain success, status and perhaps even the whole world, but in the end they will loose everything, even their very soul. Likewise, those who actively bear fruit, He gifts with the ability to bear even more fruit by continually purifying and conforming the life of the believer into His image.
His final statement is a significant but conditional promise. If, and only if we abide in Him 24/7, and love Him with all of our heart, soul and mind, then He will give us the desires of our heart. Of course at that point His desires become our desires anyway, if you think about it. Only then will our own agenda be set aside for something much more glorious and eternal.
Be well!
Jim
No matter how much we try to ignore it or delay it, one way or another, every single person’s life on earth will suffer chaos. Either it will end in confusion, or it will end with a refreshed soul. While we may wish that we could be the ones to choose just how chaos will dominate, that is not for us to decide. What we can do is see the reality of such trials in how each can purify our message to a starving world. We all are here for you, Jim. Please keep me updated via my personal email.
Thank you Jim!
God’s speed through all life’s challenges!
Imagine the fun Jesus would have, if he took time-out to surf a hurricane, just for the hell of it 🤔😇💪🌪💥
I’ll be looking forward to your full return and will check in frequently for any up-dates you’re free to share.
Stay Blessed..