November 13, 2011

Fruitful Vine, Broken Branch, Or Burned?

John 15: 1 - 17

John

Jesus said, "I am the vine, and my Father is the gardener.  He cuts off every branch that doesn't produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.  You have already been pruned for greater fruitfulness by the message I have given you.  Remain in me, and I will remain in you.  For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful apart from me.

"Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches.  Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit.  For apart from me you can do nothing.  Anyone who parts from me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers.  Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned.  But if you stay joined to me and my words remain in you, you may ask any request you like, and it will be granted!  My true disciples produce much fruit.  This brings great glory to my Father.

"I have loved you even as the Father has loved me.  Remain in my love.  When you obey me, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father and remain  in his love.  I have told you this so that you will be filled with my love.  Yes, your joy will overflow!  I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you.  And here is how to measure it - the greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends.  You are my friends if you obey me.  I no longer call you servants, because a master doesn't confide in his servants.  Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.  You didn't choose me, I chose you.  I appointed you to go and produce fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.  I command you to love each other.  

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Thoughts.....

Please reread todays scriptures.  Take each sentence and think about what Jesus has said and how it applies...or should apply to your life.  Think about the statements and commands in each paragraph.  Think about what can happen, if you do not remain in his love.

Do you consider yourself a fruitful vine, broken branch, or will you be burned?  How do you think God and Jesus consider you?  

Paragraph one:

God is the gardener, Jesus is the vine.  He reaches out for you, do you cling to him?  If not, you can become a broken branch.  Heavenly Father/God will prune you for greater growth to produce more fruit, if you cling to Jesus.  Fruit within, and others as fruit, having been brought to him by you.  Jesus indicates you must listen to his message to be pruned for greater fruitfulness.  It is in listening to him, and others who have known him, and still now by the Holy Spirit, that you are fed and are pruned.  Receive what he has told you and act on what you have learned.

Remain in him and he will remain in you.  This is a precious thought....command.  You cannot produce fruit without him.   

Paragraph two:

What he said is so important, he repeats himself:  "Yes, I am the vine, you are the branches.  Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit.  For apart from me you can do nothing."  Remain in him.....be loved.

Now, listen to this next statement....it is powerful:  "Anyone who parts from me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers.  Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned."  Are you at risk?  Don't let go!  Not now....not ever.  Return to the arms of love....Jesus.  Do not risk losing the gifts of forgiveness for your sins and eternal life.  Do not risk your salvation on a wrong choice.  THE wrong choice. 

If you are not at risk, do you know someone who fits this category?  Have you always believed that there is forgiveness of sin for everyone?  This statement by Jesus clearly indicates that is not true.  For once parted, there can be no redemption. There is no salvation.  It is over.  It is finished.  Like the song says, 'There's no turning back....no turning back.'

This is not talking about those who have not turned their lives over to him yet, this is about those who have and who have walked away.  This is not talking about those who try to do good and follow Jesus and listen to his word and then sin asking forgiveness.  This is about those who listen, accept him, and then thumb their nose at him.  Those who, having known him, mock him, hurt him, abuse him and others, and walk away from him.  This may even be about people who PORTRAY themselves as Christians.  They don't look back.  They have hardened their hearts.  They have chewed him up and spit him out.  They may try to return.  They may talk the talk.  They may choose to try and walk the path again, but it will be in vain.  When they die, God and Jesus will say, 'I know you not'.  They will not get into heaven.  Pay attention, folks.

But then, still in paragraph two, Jesus gives hope.  "But if YOU stay joined to me and MY [Jesus'] words remain in you, you may ask anything you like, and it will be granted!  My true disciples produce much fruit.  This brings much glory to my Father."  He is not referring to a new car, house, lollipop, bling, etc.  He is talking about asking him anything you like to help you to be more fruitful.  To bring God more great glory.  To become a better Christian, to bring others to him with staying power.  I'm thinking that new pair of shoes or that new electronic gadget isn't going to cut it.  It's about that which brings him glory....not about what you can selfishly ask for to play with and bring YOU glory with the Jones of the neighborhood and life. 

Up to now, you may have been a seed planter.  Now he is asking you to reap.  It's time for the harvest to be plentiful.  It is time for the fruit to be ripe.  It is nearly time for him to pluck the ripened fruit.  Are you ripe for the picking?  Will you be one?  'Tho' none go with me, yet I will follow.'  Great song.  Now consider singing with others who surround you who you have helped to pick/reap, 'Come ye thankful people come.  Raise the song of harvest home.  All are safely gathered in, ere the winter storms begin.  God our maker doth provide, for our wants to be supplied, come to God's own temple come, sing the song of harvest home.'  Together in Christ....a great place to be. 

He will rejoice, if you follow.  He will rejoice louder, if you bring others with you, which brings him and God more glory.     

Paragraph three:

Jesus said, "I have loved you even as the Father has loved me.  Remain in my love."  These, to me, are the most beautiful words in the whole Bible.  Do you realize how great that love is?  God saved the whole world through Jesus' suffering and death.  He took an event so awful, so painful, and made it so filled with love.  He took Jesus to be with him, and when he did, he opened up all of heaven for the rest of us.  Jesus knew he was going to die.  And he chose to do his Father's will in going to the cross.  He knew there would be sorrow and loss.  But he also knew there would be immense joy at his return.  Delerium, ecstasy, at his acceptance into the Father's arms in heaven because of what it would mean for us. 

Have you experienced that delerious joy, the ecstasy of knowing you can follow him where he leads....be forgiven of your sins and receive eternal life in the arms of Heavenly Father and his?

He has told you how much he and God love you.  He has told you that so that you will be filled with his love....that your joy will overflow because of his love. Remain in his love, my brother(s) and/or sister(s).

And then he commands you to love others as he loves you:  "I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you."  Wow.  Powerful words.  "As I love you."  So....when was the last time you laid down your life for another?  When was the last time you loved the cashier, the policeperson, the mailperson, the electrician, your boss, your spouse, your family member, a friend?  I mean REALLY loved them.  Agape love....love in friendship.  Philos love.....brotherly love.  Why do we have wars?  No love.  No respect.  Why do we have to believe that everyone has to believe the way we do?  They don't.  HOWEVER, if they want to get to heaven they do.  There is salvation in no one else....than Jesus Christ.  But even if they don't want salvation, or they believe their god will get them there, you are still commanded to love.  You don't have to like the other person or the choices they make.  But you have to love them, and, that also requires an element of respect.  Not respect for their choices, but love them respectfully.  Honoring their right to make choices for themselves.  You also do not have to associate with those making poor choices.  God and Jesus indicate that numerous times throughout the Bible and here as well, where you can learn that people get thrown away....and burned.

And how do you show love?  By laying down your lives for another.  BIG LESSON.  Do you only do something for what you get out of it?  Do you ever do something just because you know it is the right thing to do.....and no one is watching, but God, by the way?  Do you go out of your way to help others and do for others?  This is God's love in you.  Do not harden your hearts.....I can't say it enough times. 

Are you Jesus' friend?  He said, "You are my friends if you obey me."  OBEY HIM.  ONLY if you obey him can he call you friend.  What else did he say?  "I no longer call you servants, because a master doesn't confide in his servants.  Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me."  Wow again.  He doesn't want you bowing at his feet, he wants you by his side.  He wants you to know you can trust him, that he will tell you all things, as you walk by his side as his friend.  The charismatic that he is, loves you, believes in you, does for you, and....big AND....you need to love him, believe in him, and do for and WITH him.  You need to obey what he says and you will 'know that you know' he is not just at your side, he has your back, if you honor him....obey him.  He is not a dictatorial boss.  He is a loving boss.  A leader.  THE leader who will 'lead you not into temptation, but will deliver you from all evil.'  'Where he leads, you need to follow.  No turning back, no turning back.'

One of the last things he shared in this reference...."You didn't choose me, I chose you."  Super wow.  You have been chosen by him.  How special?!  You, of everyone in the world, you have been chosen....with others.  Put your name in this sentence and read it again.  "You didn't choose me, I chose you, _______."  Receive the fullness of that love and trust.

And then he appointed you.  "I appointed you to go and produce fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you what ever you ask for using my name."  What trust....to be appointed to go and produce fruit that will last.  Have you ever realized how much he trusts you?  Do you feel worthy of that trust?  It's time to step into that glorious place of being trusted by Jesus.  It's time to do as he calls you to do....produce fruit that will last. 

Remember we talked about 'Layers' in a recent 'Thought'?  Here is another layer.  Here, Jesus indicates that Father will give you what ever you ask for using Jesus name, IF YOU go and produce fruit that will last.  It is presumed that what you will ask for will be in alignment with his will for you and to help you achieve your goal of going and producing fruit that will last.  Some still think this refers only to shoes and bling.  As a material girl or guy, this can be a hard swallow.  And, maybe what you are understanding this layer to mean is that it truly is WHATEVER you ask for.  God, Jesus, Holy Spirit speak to each of us the same and differently.  Right now, 'whatever' may be rent, food, climate control, a job, etc.  But please do not discount the spiritual aspect of this.....are you obeying him, do you need help doing that, and help listening, so that he can give you knowledge and wisdom on how to help yourself achieve what you need to receive?  Help with how to achieve what HE needs you to achieve....producing fruit?  Could he just plain old give something to you?  Of course.  But why should he if you don't want to listen to him, obey him, love others, lay your life down for him and others?  Why should he help someone who only thinks of themself and not him and others?  What's in it for him?  Ahhhhhhh......it's not just about him...any more than it should be just about you. 

His last sentence re-emphasizes that.  "I command you to love each other."  You know the commandment that says you should love yourself?  Ya....you know that one.  But hey, it doesn't say that.  It says, you should 'love the Lord with all your heart, all your mind and all your strength.  And love your neighbor as yourself.'  Too often, folks deeply internalize the love yourself part.  You are to love yourself because Christ is in you, honor the temple you are to him, and give that pure love to your neighbors.  When you go to give something away, do you give the best?  Do you give those torn and broken things to a donation bin for others?  Severely outdated food?  Why?  If you don't want it, how dare you give it to someone else?  Shame on you. This is not about someone's junk another's pleasure.  Pleasure involves things that are nice, workable, edible.  Loving another involves doing so with the great love of Christ within you.  What would you like to receive as a gift?  The greatest gift anyone can receive is God's, Jesus', and Holy Spirit's love.  The second greatest, love for another, and then, from another.   

God is giving you his best.  Jesus is giving you his best.  Holy Spirit is giving you his best.  And you are giving WHAT?! to WHOM?!  Anybody????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!  "I command you to love each other."  Today, think about what that means.  Think about whether you could give what you have to others with the love of Christ.  Decide how you can lay your life down for someone.  That's right, make a sacrifice.  Most importantly, decide as to whether you truly want to be a part of the vine or be a broken branch.  Or get burned. 

God, Jesus and Holy Spirit love you.  Will you love them back?  To the point of laying your life down for them?  For another?  Make your choice today.  Your end time may come sooner than THE end times.  Be ready.  Receive them today.                                          

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Let Us Pray

God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, let me make this short sweet and simple today.  Please forgive me of my sins.  I have not turned my back on you completely, I have been trying and doing to the best of my ability to be a good Christian and a friend to you.  I pray you have seen that and will help me grow further in the Kingdom of God.  I have loved, and will continue to love.  I have laid my life down and will continue to lay my life down.  I have obeyed you, however, I can and will do better.  I wish to remain in you, and have you remain in me.  I would rather be pruned than burned, so I will never be a broken branch, this is my promise to you.  I do not ever wish to be burned as a final outcome.  So I will continue my good works and ask that you reinforce all those fruits and gifts, that only you can give, to help me be a better Christian, so to bring you more fruit and great glory.  Thank you from the depth of my heart for giving me this opportunity to renew my commitment to you....with you.  I wish to always be a fruitful vine, I'm ready to harvest others for you.  Please fill me with your love always....and never let me leave your side.  Amen.

Lord,LordJesJeJeJJjEJJJ     JJThe LORD is king!  Let the nations tremble!  T***

More love.... 

  Benediction...Blessing

Let us hear from Paul as he prays:  

When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.  I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.  And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him.  May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it.  Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now glory be to God!  By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.  May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages.  Amen.  Ephesians 3:14-21 NLT         

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Scroll down to read Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving...'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'.

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Definition of a Christian:  Anyone who believes in God, Jesus and Holy Spirit, and accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Regardless of church name or religious affiliation. 

It is not how we worship, but that we worship....the Trinity!   

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If you feel that the Church of the Holy Spirit has inspired or helped you, we'd like you to prayerfully consider tithing regularly to us or gifting us, so that we can further the work and carry out the will of the Father as proclaimed in Matthew 28:19-20 NLT

 to

 "Go and make disciples out of all the nations

baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.  And be sure of this:

I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

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  Our Current Cause

It is time to reach into the community and the world around you to see wherein lies the greatest need.  As you choose to focus on these areas, do so with a servant's heart.  Whether the need is for children, adults, or animals, or any cause in between that will help those in need, ask God how you can best serve his needs, what path you must take, and how long you should persevere.  Sometimes we are to be in the lives of others merely as stepping stones.  Sometimes we are to touch those lives forever.  Whatever journey you are called to take, whatever team you will be a member, know this:  God is with you always...even til the end of time.  He loves you, is grateful for you, and will help you along life's way, especially if you are helping others along theirs, persevering with a servant's heart. 

Please accept my sincerest thanks....and God's....and may God richly bless you!   

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    One last thing....

 Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving

'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'

"Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer:  "Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.  You've concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people.  Yes, Father, that's the way you like to work."

Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly.  "The Father has given me all these things to do and say.  This is a unique Father - Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge.  No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does.  But I'm not keeping it to myself; I'm ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen."

"Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to me.  Get away with me and you'll recover your life.  I'll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn how to live freely and lightly.

   Matthew 11:  25-30

  The Message

And the people said,

"Amen."

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I now write most prayers in the position of ' I ' (first person) because most people are sitting at their computer alone, not in groups, and it allows those reading and praying to personalize the prayer as coming from them going to God.  Variations may appear on holidays when families may wish to use the prayer provided. 

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  Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.  All rights reserved.

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