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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.
We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own people. 1 Thessalonians 1:4
There are few things we can know for sure. We watch the weather forecast in hopes of ‘knowing’ what the weather will be like, and sometimes the meteorologists are actually right!
You may read the business section to see how your IRA or retirement account is doing. You may study prophecy to see what is going to happen in the future. The reality is, there just aren’t many guarantees in life!
Some of us lament over the past. Some are dissatisfied with today. Some are full of anxiety over tomorrow. Sometimes it’s refreshing to focus on the things we know. Especially since the things we know will carry us through the unknown.
Sometimes the things we know get lost in the distractions of the things we aren’t sure about or are fearful. So here is your reminder for today. It’s set in stone. It’s as secure as a mountain. It’s withstood the storms of time. It’s weathered every attack throughout history. Ready?
God chose you. He didn’t choose you for your looks, your spotless past, your strength, your financial stability or your ability to be of any value to him at all! He chose you because he loves you with a love you can never return, never be worthy of and never run from. You are loved. Live in the strength of that truth!
When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. John 15:8
Imagine having the craving for an apple, seeing an apple tree, and then, in your excitement going up to grab an apple only to find Brussel sprouts hanging from the branches!
What a huge disappointment! Of course, nothing like that could happen, right? After all Apple trees only produce apples. Orange trees only produce oranges and brussels sprouts? Well, that’s another story.
In John chapter 15 Jesus tells us that he is the vine, and we are the branches. The branches are worthless without the vine. The branch does not strive to produce fruit. The fruit comes naturally as a result of the work of the vine.
Jesus says that when we produce fruit, it brings glory to the father. Think of glory here as being joy. The father takes great joy and seeing us produce fruit. But the father is also the one that causes the fruit to form. Our job is just to show the fruit that he’s given us.
So don’t get tired. Don’t get weary. Don’t give up on the good works you do. Don’t give up on the love that you show. Others may not see, or acknowledge your efforts, but God does. It’s these things that gives the father great joy as he produces fruit in your life.
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!
All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 1 Corinthians 9:25
A good athlete will train hard. He’ll sacrifice much to hopefully gain much. But training is no guarantee you’ll come in first.
There are many excellent athletes who train hard and still come in second or worse. Some may even train harder than the champion. Yet a good athlete keeps trying.
Training may not guarantee you’ll win, but failing to train guarantees you’ll lose. Two things keep us from being all God wants us to be. The first is failing to take that first step. Small steps lead to big rewards. The hardest part of a walk is getting out of your chair!
The second thing that keeps us from being all God wants us to be is quitting when we lose. Champions don’t allow initial losses to keep them from eventual victories.
Don’t allow doubt in your ability to win keep you from training. If you fail (come in second) don’t give up!
Jesus is your personal trainer and His goal is to help you cross the finish line.
Mike Fisk & Built with Grace 