Saturday night I was studying John 15, and Jesus telling us how he is the vine and we are the branches, and we are to remain in Him if we want to live and bear fruit. I was kinda struck by how many times he repeatedly tells us this in these passages. I guess He realllly wanted us to take note of this truth!John 15The Vine and the Branches
1"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
5"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.7If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
9"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. 11I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
5"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.7If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
9"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. 11I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
So Sunday morning, my daughter slept unusually late and I was able to spend some unexpected time in prayer, during which my old church, Citadel of Faith, kept coming strongly to mind. I was like ok God, I guess I'm going to Citadel today! I haven't been there since last summer.
I walk in and am handed a bulletin, and what is printed nice and big on the front? I am the vine, you are branches!!! John 15! Wow! Loud and clear : )
I walk in and am handed a bulletin, and what is printed nice and big on the front? I am the vine, you are branches!!! John 15! Wow! Loud and clear : )
I will be more deeply studying these passages and will share what I uncover!
And service was awesome. God used it to reiterate to me to keep having faith and trusting him and REMAINING in Him, and believing in the things He has promised! Even when an amount of time has passed that to me means something probably just isn't going to happen, I need to keep believing! (As I have also seen in the last few weeks!)
And worship is so awesome as always at Citadel. Such a blessing!
And service was awesome. God used it to reiterate to me to keep having faith and trusting him and REMAINING in Him, and believing in the things He has promised! Even when an amount of time has passed that to me means something probably just isn't going to happen, I need to keep believing! (As I have also seen in the last few weeks!)
And worship is so awesome as always at Citadel. Such a blessing!
Sunday - March 30th (2 weeks later)- Oh my gosh!! Pastor Carey, from Citadel, just came to Northridge today for the first time in months and preached on John 15!!!!
On remaining in Christ, the true vine.
Branches in close proximity to a tree but not attached will not grow. Every single day we need to be attached to Jesus, who, in his words, is THE true vine. And our fruitfulness will flow from there.
Also brings to mind for me, seek first the kingdom of God, and the rest shall be given to you!
I feel overwhelmed sometimes with the things I have to do. The things I want to do. But If I keep connected to him, keep seeking Him first, I can trust that His purpose will be fulfilled in me.
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