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He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. John 15:2
Sometimes we read scripture with a glass-half-full philosophy. For example, John 15 is one of the most intimate passages in all of the gospels. In Jesus final hours, he shares with his disciples his love. “I’m the vine.” “I call you friends” “I love you, love as you’ve seen me love time and again”.
Read through this passage with the glass-FULL (or overflowing) philosophy. Read it with the theme of unconditional love and mercy and grace.
Ironically, some get caught up in the ‘pruning’, the ‘cutting away’, the ‘casting in the fire.’ What if we look at this passage in positive, loving, graceful eyes. This cutting isn’t an act of anger or punishment, but an act of love.
The Father, the master gardener knows exactly what we need to rise above the muck and mire of life. The Master Gardener knows which things to take away so we can flourish. The Master Gardener wants his vines to be healthy, vibrant, effective. Healthy branches can fight off disease better. Healthy branches are able to receive all the benefits of a vine that continually sends vital nutrients into it.
Pruning? Yes, it will happen. Cutting away? Yes, it may seem painful to us at the time. Draw closer to Christ and His teaching, ask Him to help you abide in Him. Let ‘Him who began this good work in you complete it.’ Remember that everything the Master Gardener does in his vineyard is for our good. Trust the Master Gardener to care for you. He knows exactly what you need in this hour of struggle.
So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. Galatians 5:16
Many people dream of being able to work from home. No clock to punch, stay in your jammies all day, your schedule on your time. Sounds amazing doesn’t it?
When the pandemic hit, many were forced to work from home and the reality of how hard it is to work from home hit many people. Some were/are successful at it, others? Not so much.
The key to working from home, as I found it, was to treat it like any work day. Get up, get ready as though you were in the office and move on towards productivity. The struggle with working from home is distraction. Too many things that keep us from carrying out our good intentions.
Life can seem like one big rabbit trail at times! Those that found they could work from home learned the importance of being disciplined. They learned to set goals and conquer the desire to do other, more enjoyable things.
What’s true in the work world is true in our spiritual lives. Have you ever talked with God and said something like, “I’m sorry God. I won’t do that again. I’ll be stronger and wiser next time”. Two days later (or earlier for some) you are right back at the same place. Your human desires overcame your spiritual desires. Your passion for pleasure conquered your passion to follow God.
The spiritual life is a battle between human nature and Holy Spirit guidance. The Holy Spirit is sent to be our helper, our guide and our prayer warrior. I love how the Psalmist writes, (my paraphrase of Psalm 119:36) ‘Give me the desire to follow your ways and not the ways of my human nature!”
Too often we strive to be better and work harder at the Christian life, but we were never called on to do that in our own strength. Every day (or as often as necessary) ask Holy Spirit to help you conquer the passions of your heart. Don’t beat yourself up when you fail (and you will!), ask for forgiveness and help to move on!
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. Luke 23:34
“They don’t know what they are doing.”
I was working in an internet city children’s program while in Bible College. I loved it, loved the kids, and truly enjoyed working in the multicultural setting. I learned a lot!
One time we were playing a game and one young man, in his excitement, screamed the name of Jesus! Mind you, this was a church run program, and I grew up in a very conservative, white, rural area. I was, needless to say completely taken back!
I’m not sure why I reacted as calmly as I did. I’m guessing the Holy Spirit has a lot to do with it. I called the young man over and asked him what he said and he told me very innocently. I put y hands on his shoulder and asked him if he knows what it meant. He didn’t. When I told him that was swearing his jaw dropped. He had no idea. He was very apologetic. After letting him know it was okay but let’s not say it again, he rejoined the group and has a great time.
Both of us learned a valuable lesson that night. He resided using the name of Jesus that way want s as god choice. I learned that we sometimes assume those who go against God’s ways aren’t always rebellious. Sometimes they are ignorant.
How would it change things in society if we responded to people who hurt, reject or misunderstand us if we realized they are acting in ignorance?
Before we judge perhaps we should teach. Before we hate, let’s show love and grace.
Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.Luke 22:31-32
I’d failed. My actions completely went against everything that I stood for and believed. The worst part about it is, it wasn’t just me that I hurt but those around me as well.
Have you ever failed so badly that you didn’t think you could continue on in life? Maybe it was a destroyed relationship. Maybe it was making a decision that cost you your job or career. Maybe it was living a double life and the hidden part was revealed.
One of my favorite Bible characters is Peter. A close friend of Jesus, he was given every opportunity to be a strong leader. Yet with everything that he had going for him, Peter failed Jesus miserably.
But that’s not the end of the story. Jesus warned Peter that he would fail him. Jesus is never surprised by our failures.
Even though Jesus knew Peter would fail, he made Peter a promise. He promised Peter that when (not if) he returned, Jesus had a place for him in the kingdom. By doing so, Jesus made a statement concerning Peters value.
You see, our value is never placed on our ability to live for Jesus. Our value comes because of what Jesus does for us.
Being sifted like wheat hurts. It can leave lasting scars. But being sifted, like wheat also means the stuff we don’t need, the chaff is removed, and the most important part of us is preserved.
Don’t allow your defeats to determine your destination. Your value is not in your failures, but in your Savoir. He’s praying for you, and he has the power to restore you, so you can be the best that you can be.
For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. Romans 6:7
I used to work at a local convenience store. One of the things this store prided itself on was hot, fresh coffee. In order to assure customers this was true, a timer would go off every 30 minutes. This was our cue as employees to head back to the coffee area, check the product and turn off the timer.
I no longer work there, but frequent the store often and, on occasion, will be there when the timer goes off. Whenever that timer goes off (at this store or any of the others in the chain) my mind tells me to check the coffee and turn off the timer! Then, I remind myself that I’m no longer answerable to that call. It has no authority over me. I’m free!
This is a simple example of sin in our lives. Before we accepted Christ as Lord and Savior we acted a certain way, used certain words and involved ourselves in certain activities.
Once we accepted Christ, and began growing in His word through personal study, and corporate worship/teaching, we began to realize that some of the words, actions and activities we involved ourselves in didn’t please God and weren’t a good example to the world around us.
Because we love Jesus, and because our love should drive us to following His word, our desire is to change. But, if you haven’t noticed, there’s a problem.
We are still tempted to use language that doesn’t build others up. We gossip, curse, lie and stretch the truth (which is really a lie by the way).
Our minds take us to places and thoughts we know displease our Savior, and often our bodies follow!
We doubt and worry even though we know God’s promised to see us through every adversity.
We still enjoy certain activities even though we realize this isn’t a place we should be hanging out at because we bear the name of Jesus.
It’s like that crazy timer at the convenience store. We hear the call and have a choice to make. Do we respond or remove ourselves from the situation.
The bad news is, as long as we are alive we will be attacked by the cursed timer, calling us to the old life.
The good news is that through the Holy Spirit we have the power to resist the call. It may not come all at once. It may be a struggle that hounds you for a long time. But through Jesus, victory is yours. Keep trying.
Don’t let failure discourage you, even the best of Jesus followers struggle. He’s willing and ready to forgive. He’s more than able to give you the power to change those habits, those words and the desire to take part in those activities.
Through Jesus you are free!
Mike Fisk & Built with Grace 