The Vine Daily Scripture, Devotional Thoughts, and Conversation.

35 Days to Remain in the Vine

2009-04-12T06:00:00.001-04:00

This blog is dedicated to a 35 day study on John 15 and related scriptures for a Christ Follower to "remain" in the True Vine. You can start with day #1 and for 35 days read related scriptures, devotional thoughts, and make personal comments. Our goal is to draw closer to the True Vine, while allowing the Gardener, the Father, to cultivate with in us a Christ centered life of lasting fruit of abundance.

Thank you for reading and we pray this blog will be a blessing to you.

For more information please feel free to contact: Don Crane, Park Chapel Christian Church, 317-462-4513 or www.parkchapel.org.

35. John 20:1-9; 19-23

2009-04-11T06:00:00.003-04:00

John 20:1-9; 19-23 - Desperate to Remain in the Vine

¹Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. ²So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!"
³So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. ⁴Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. ⁵He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. ⁶Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, ⁷as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus' head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen. ⁸Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. ⁹(They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)
¹⁹On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" ²⁰After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
²¹Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." ²²And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. ²³If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."

This passage of scripture is incredibly moving in a couple of ways. As I read about John, the disciple labeled as the one whom Jesus loved, and notice how he out ran Peter to the tomb, I think about his young age, enthusiasm, and his love and connectedness to Jesus the true vine. He was desperate for Him. I desire to be desperate for Him too. I can easily get caught up in the busyness of life or in the worldliness of not wanting to be labeled fanatical when in truth I sincerely admire the relationship John had with Jesus. He was desperate for Him.....and he was loved by Jesus. John speaks of love a great deal throughout this gospel and especially in John 15 where we have been learning about abiding in the true vine. If we are abiding in the true vine we WILL love one another.

I also took notice of verse 8 that says he saw and believed! How important it is to know and believe in Jesus and in His resurrection! As you read further through the verses we see that Jesus walks through a locked door to greet them. The door was locked from fear but Jesus came in to immediately meet their needs and replace the fear with peace. I love that about Jesus.....part of why I want to be desperate for Him he replaces my fear with peace! Then He gives the the Holy Spirit.....this is one action packed drama....that is totally unimaginable but yet every word is true! Through the Holy Spirit they were given the resurrection power, this is particularly difficult to wrap your mind around but it is right there. We can abide with the True Vine, Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit given to us by Jesus, leaving us with no excuse not to abide, it is not of our own power but through His. I just need to be desperate for Him, wanting more of Him and less of me and then John 15:24 says, the Spirit of truth will come and tell me truth about Jesus, my true vine.

Written by Sally Brown, Ministry Assistant

34. John 19:16-30

2009-04-10T06:00:00.001-04:00

John 19:16-30 - The Vine Accomplishes the Mission

¹⁶Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified.
So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. ¹⁷Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). ¹⁸Here they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle.
¹⁹Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read:|sc JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. ²⁰Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. ²¹The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, "Do not write 'The King of the Jews,' but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews."
²²Pilate answered, "What I have written, I have written."
²³When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.
²⁴"Let's not tear it," they said to one another. "Let's decide by lot who will get it."
This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled which said,
"They divided my garments among them
and cast lots for my clothing." So this is what the soldiers did.
²⁵Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. ²⁶When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son," ²⁷and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
²⁸Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." ²⁹A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. ³⁰When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

I donʼt know that much can be said about this moment in time. It was the saddest day in history and yet ushered in the happiest day in history. I canʼt help but think about the relief Jesus must have felt when he said “It is finished.” knowing his mission was complete.

Written By Matt McConnell, Communication & Technology Minister

33. John 17

2009-04-09T06:00:00.003-04:00

John 17 - Unity in the Vine

¹After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. ²For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. ³Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. ⁴I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. ⁵And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.
⁶"I have revealed you^a]">[a] to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. ⁷Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. ⁸For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. ⁹I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. ¹⁰All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. ¹¹I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name—the name you gave me—so that they may be one as we are one. ¹²While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled. ¹³"I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. ¹⁴I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. ¹⁵My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. ¹⁶They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. ¹⁷Sanctify^b]">[b] them by the truth; your word is truth. ¹⁸As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. ¹⁹For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.
²⁰"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, ²¹that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. ²²I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: ²³I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. ²⁴"Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. ²⁵"Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. ²⁶I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them."

One of the main events of Christ's passion is the midnight prayer session in the Garden of Gethsemane. We know this is the sight where Judas leads the soldiers to capture Jesus. He betrays him with a kiss and then Jesus is put under arrest.

We know the scene well, Jesus is praying while the disciples sleep. His praying is so intense that his sweat becomes like drops of blood. He agonizes over the burden of the cross, asking the Father to "let this cup pass" but he finally submits with the words, "not my will but yours be done." What is not always mentioned is the content of the other prayers he prayed that night. Jesus prays for himself, his disciples and then for all believers in John 17. Let this sink in...on the night that Jesus was wrestling in prayer with the weight of the cross on his heart, he was thinking of you and me. He was praying for his future church. And what he prayed for is what he wants the cross to do in us and through us. And this is it: that we "may be one...so that the world may believe" in Jesus.

What a remarkable thought. The power of the cross relies heavily on our efforts for unity. Jesus' prayer for us as his church is that we might experience and exhibit "complete unity." Lasting fruit is all about unity in the vine and with the other branches. Obviously, there is still work to be done for us to live up to this prayer. But each of us has our part to play in being the answer to Christ's prayer for all believers. What are you doing to promote unity within your church? Do you ever find yourself working against the cross by stirring up strife among believers? How have you seen disunity hurt the cause of Christ? In what ways have you seen cooperation and harmony between churches impact the world around them for the Lord?

God, it is your will that we be one. Forgive me for ways that I have contributed to strife and disunity in the past. Give me the kind of heart that strives for unity and works with other believers to reach out with your love to the world around us. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Written by Danny Curry, Spiritual Development Minister

32. John 16:5-16

2009-04-08T06:00:00.001-04:00

John 16: 5 – 16 The Vine & The Work of the Holy Spirit

5 Now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, “Where are you going?” 6 Because I have said these things, you are filled with grief. 7 But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me: 10 and in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer: 11 and in regard to judgment because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

12 “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you. 16 In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me”

Jesus came as a man. Lived and died as "a man and God" to be the perfect sacrifice restoring us to the Holy Father. He had to leave so the Holy Spirit could come and continue God’s work throughout the world.

Jesus knew and said there was a lot more to learn. As we learn and receive more we will grow in an abiding relationship with Him. That’s the work of the Holy Spirit. That work is to bring more of Jesus into our lives, guide us to stand in truth, reject sin and evil and bring glory to the Lord.

The blessings of the harmony of the Trinity are expressed in verses 14 and 15. We are invited to be in that same harmony with our Savior and Lord, the True Vine. In the guidance of the Holy Spirit we abide with Christ and offer the “good news” to the world.

Written by Roger Hattem, Executive Minister & Elder

31. John 13:18-30

2009-04-07T06:00:00.001-04:00

John 13:18-30 - The Vine Holds the Branches

¹⁸"I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the scripture: 'He who shares my bread has lifted up his heel against me.'
¹⁹"I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He. ²⁰I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me."
²¹After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, "I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me."
²²His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. ²³One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. ²⁴Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, "Ask him which one he means."
²⁵Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, "Lord, who is it?"
²⁶Jesus answered, "It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish." Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon. ²⁷As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.
"What you are about to do, do quickly," Jesus told him, ²⁸but no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. ²⁹Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the Feast, or to give something to the poor. ³⁰As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.

This is tough... there is really no other way to put it. It calls me to a moment of silence every time I read this account. Silence because it is such a sad moment in scripture and it burdens my heart. Most of the time, I read past it as quick as I can because I just canʼt stand the idea of a friend betraying me, betraying my life. Here though, thatʼs exactly what Judas does and Jesus knows its going to happen.

There are several things we can takeaway from this moment but I think there is one serious point worth mentioning. God has our lives in His hands. If we trust him, even being betrayed by a friend, though hurtful, is no cause for drastic measures. Instead, Jesus knew God was in control. He knew the present was no match for eternity and despite what He was about to go through, God had a plan. Interesting enough, the plan called for not only a lot of pain, but for us, an eternity with God himself.

I canʼt help but think that Jesusʼ was very aware of this when he, a few moments earlier, looked up at Judas, knowing he was going to be betrayed and washed his feet.

Written by Matt McConnell Communication & Technology Minister

30. John 12:20-36

2009-04-06T06:00:00.001-04:00

John 12:20-36 - In the Vine is more than Packaging!

²⁰Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the Feast. ²¹They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. "Sir," they said, "we would like to see Jesus." ²²Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.
²³Jesus replied, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. ²⁴I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. ²⁵The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. ²⁶Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
²⁷"Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. ²⁸Father, glorify your name!"
Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again." ²⁹The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.
³⁰Jesus said, "This voice was for your benefit, not mine. ³¹Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. ³²But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself." ³³He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.
³⁴The crowd spoke up, "We have heard from the Law that the Christ will remain forever, so how can you say, 'The Son of Man must be lifted up'? Who is this 'Son of Man'?"
³⁵Then Jesus told them, "You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. ³⁶Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light." When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.

Years ago, when the Betty Crocker Company first began selling their cake mixes, they offered a product which only needed water. All you had to do was add water to the mix, which came in the box, and you would get a perfect, delicious cake every time.

It bombed. No one bought it and the company couldn’t understand why, so they commissioned a study which brought back a surprising answer. It seemed that people weren’t buying the cake mix because it was too easy. They didn’t want to be totally excluded from the work of preparing a cake; they wanted to feel that they were contributing something to it. So, Betty Crocker changed the formula and required the customer to add an egg in addition to water. Immediately, the new cake mix was a huge success. Unfortunately, many people make the same mistake when it comes to "packaging" or presenting the Christian Faith. They try to make the call of Jesus Christ as easy as possible because they’re afraid people won’t "buy it" if it seems too hard.

Jesus said, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies it bears much fruit. Jesus then explained what he meant. He said, "The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it." It's true in life isn't it? If we are going to get anything out of it we have to invest ourselves in it. Do you remember the second to last album by the Beatles? It was called "Abbey Road" and for my money it was their best. The last song is a little musical reprise called "The End." It's the last lyrical statement the Beatles make on the album. And it went, "And in the end the love you take is equal to the love you make."

The truth of this is written in creation. It is evident for everyone to see. It even is found in something as small as grain of wheat, a seed. Jesus said,

1. First, when a grain of wheat falls it dies.
2. Second, when a grain of wheat falls it bears much fruit.
3. Third, Christ is the grain of wheat that died and bears much fruit.
4. Fourth, the Church is to bear much fruit for the cause of Christ.
5. Anybody walking in darkness? Turn to the Light.

Remain in the Vine and you will find lasting fruit is what your life will bring forth.

Written by David Smith, Children's Minister

29. Week Five - Lasting Fruit

2009-04-05T06:00:00.003-04:00

"Sacrificial love in our relationships is the key to deepening our relationship with Jesus.”

In the “Problem of Pain”, C.S. Lewis said, “We are not metaphorically but in very truth, a Divine work of art, something that God is making, and therefore something with which He will not be satisfied with until it has a certain character.” God, the Gardner, is making His branches into living replicas of His dearly beloved Son.

Why would God desire to make us into a beautiful work of art? Lets make it personal...Why would God desire to make me and you into a beautiful work of art?

God is completing the work He started in us because He loves us. He loves us enough to live among us, die for our sin, and defeat death on our behalf. He knows that we are not able to meet Him half way on our journey to a restored relationship with Him. In fact, we can't meet Him a quarter of the way. We cannot get started on the journey...He had to do it all. It is God's unconditional love that created the opportunity for lasting fruit in our lives.

Galatians describes lasting fruit as; “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-25 NIV). Keeping in step with the Spirit is to remain in the Vine.

The Gardener knows the branches need attention to thrive. The Gardener know the branches need nutrients survive. The Gardener knows the perfect plan would be for the Gardener to become the True Vine in order to provide. In conclusion of our “Vine” study and the week of Easter, it seems our only appropriate response is to remain in the True Vine and remember His driving passion and loving commitment. The last week of Jesus’ life is the ultimate expression of “lasting fruit” in sacrificial love.

God, please forgive me when I fall short and pull away from you. Enable me to be true to your word and remain in Your shadow, Your provision of abundance and ultimately in Your love. You are a great God and I love you. In the name of the True Vine I ask these things. Amen.

Written by Don Crane, Fine Arts Minister

28. John 12:12-19

2009-04-04T06:00:00.001-04:00

John 12:12-19 - Remain in the Vine

¹²The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. ¹³They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,
"Hosanna!"
"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"
"Blessed is the King of Israel!" ¹⁴Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written,
¹⁵"Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion;
see, your king is coming,
seated on a donkey's colt."
¹⁶At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that they had done these things to him.
¹⁷Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. ¹⁸Many people, because they had heard that he had given this miraculous sign, went out to meet him. ¹⁹So the Pharisees said to one another, "See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!"

As I reflect on this passage of scripture I am drawn to the disciples…. They had no idea what was ahead of them and they did not realize how Jesus was fulfilling scripture….they were living in the moment. In that moment they remembered that Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead. This was probably the greatest act their eyes had ever witnessed. A miracle is an experience like no other and it moves us into a deeper relationship with the miracle maker. We are filled with awe and wonder of the power of God and the joy of knowing He allows us to be a part of it all. Remaining in the Vine is the power of God realized.

Every time I feel the still small voice of God in my heart it is as if I experienced a miracle meant personally for me and I am called into a deeper walk with Him. Isn’t that what He wants? For me to walker deeper with Him, to remain in the True Vine! I am especially grateful that I have spent some time memorizing His words, bible verses, so He can bring those to mind right when I need them and I can feel His presence lift me up beyond my circumstances. After Jesus was glorified the disciples recalled the scriptures and realized how Jesus Christ was their fulfillment, so in the moment of their grief, at Jesus’ departure, they could grasp a small picture of the bigger plan. God always has a bigger plan in mind regardless of our immediate circumstances and as we learn to trust Him more and dwell in the Vine….knowing He is the vine and the gardener…..we can live fully in the moment, without worries, looking close to notice God at work in our lives and join Him.

Would you like to share a favorite verse you have memorized and how God has used it in your life? I bet there are many who are reading “the vine” that would enjoy your story. If you have not yet memorized a scripture then I challenge you to begin today.

Written by Sally Brown, Ministry Assistant

27. 1 Peter 4:12-19

2009-04-03T06:00:00.003-04:00

1 Peter 4:12-19 - Never Alone in The Vine

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. ¹⁴If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. ¹⁵If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. ¹⁶However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. ¹⁷For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? ¹⁸And,
"If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"
¹⁹So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

Trials are not supposed to ruin us; on the contrary, they are to prune us, to strengthen our sincerity, our strength, our patience, and our trust in God. We should not be surprised that we are suffering for being a Christian, but rejoice because as we share in the sufferings of Christ on this earth, we will also share in his glory when he returns again.

If you are insulted or mistreated because of being a Christian, count it a blessing because the indwelling of the Holy Spirit within you is what brought you to the notice of others. Jesus spoke these words in Matthew 5:11…”Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” This scripture really encourages me to want to carry on in the footsteps of the faithful that have gone on before me.

The way that we conduct ourselves as Christians under persecution or unfair treatment is sometimes very difficult. We might want to retaliate or say un-Christian like words, but it is important that we persevere with the leading of the Holy Spirit; therefore, showing honor to Christ and growth in our own spiritual walk.

Our difficulties shall be light and shall come to an end, not like what will be in store for the wicked world. All trials that befall the Christian are in accordance with the will of the Gardener and the True Vine. We are never left alone….we are not in this by ourselves.

We should never stop teaching, witnessing and proclaiming that Jesus is the Christ no matter what happens….counting it all joy that we are fellow branches attached to the True Vine and will be sharing in His glory and a home in heaven in just a short time.

Today's Action Point: "Give Something Away"

Written By Carole Miller, Early Childhood Director

26. Romans 8:28-39

2009-04-02T06:00:00.003-04:00

Romans 8:28-39 - The Love of the Gardener

²⁸And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. ²⁹For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. ³⁰And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
³¹What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³²He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? ³³Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. ³⁴Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. ³⁵Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ³⁶As it is written:
"For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." ³⁷No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

When we remain in the True Vine, nothing can separate us from God. God's love is MORE than our imaginations can fathom. His blessing, His power, His graciousness, and His strength is offered to us in that love. My mind is just not able to grasp the reality of that fantastic love!

My in ability to grasp it's vastness does not limit me in trusting and living in the great love. I trust that all things are working for the good of those who trust Him. I am also living with the knowledge that God loves me and nothing can separate me from that love. This produces much fruit and brings glory the Vine and the Gardener.

Almighty God, forgive me when I fall short and forget about Your Love. Grant me wisdom and compassion that I may produce much fruit for your glory. In the name of the True Vine I ask, Amen

Action point for today: "Demonstrate unconditional love to someone today."

Written by Don Crane, Fine Arts Minister

25. Acts 4:23-31

2009-04-01T06:00:00.001-04:00

Acts 4:23-31 - There is no joke in the Vine's Love

²³On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. ²⁴When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. "Sovereign Lord," they said, "you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. ²⁵You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:
" 'Why do the nations rage
and the peoples plot in vain?
²⁶The kings of the earth take their stand
and the rulers gather together
against the Lord
and against his Anointed One. ²⁷Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. ²⁸They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. ²⁹Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. ³⁰Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus."
³¹After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

I have 4 incredible children, but let me tell you a story about my 9 year-old daughter, Mackenzie. Today is, of course, April 1st. April Fools Day. It is, quite possibly, the single most fun day of Mac’s entire year. You see, she is Autistic and one of the ways that her Autism adds to the beauty is our darling little Mackenzie will occasionally get a little obsessively focused on things. (Hang in there with me, this is going somewhere!)

One of more endearing obsessions is April Fools day. She knows it’s coming every year. She gears up for it by starting her “jokes” early. About 3 weeks early usually. They roll something like this: “Hey Daddy!” “Yeah, hun?” “There’s a gigantic purple monkey with 3 zillion eyeballs standing on your head!” (Big slapstick/Steve Martin-type reaction from me) “There IS!?!?!” (Hysterical laughter from Mac) “April Fools! Made You Look!”

Now, this goes on, mind you well PAST April 1st into late April/early May sometimes and is almost ENTIRELY focused on me. Why? Because I ALWAYS play along! She knows that Dad will give her the big reaction she is looking for but will never get from her classmates or her siblings. She will boldly pull one of these jokes anytime, anywhere because she knows some basic truths. I’m her Dad. I love her. That never changes. I will stop anything and focus on being silly with her. She’s totally confident in that. She trusts that. It emboldens her.

Now look at today’s passage. Peter and John have just healed a man who was lame for over 40 years! And were jailed for it! They were threatened and told not to talk about Jesus, whose power they said had healed the man. Their response was boldness. Fearless confidence! They went back and told the other believers what had happened and they reacted like Mackenzie. They went straight to the One they knew would always respond to them. The One that loved them. The One that never changes. Where I might laugh and tickle my daughter, God jiggled their house to let them know He had heard.

They went out with the bold confidence of loved children and continued to tell people about the True Vine…Jesus Christ.

Maybe today, God is shaking you a little. Maybe He has reminded you of His great love for you. That you can go with fearless confidence this week and send someone a card, make a phone call, restore a relationship, or invite that person to church or to your small group. There’s no gigantic purple monkey with 3 zillion eyeballs holding you back…trust me…I looked. ☺

Today's action point is: Boldly send a card or make a phone call.

Written by Chris Atkinson, Middle School Minister

24. 1 Kings 19:9-18

2009-03-31T06:00:00.001-04:00

1 Kings 19:9-18 - When the True Vine Shows Up!

⁹ There he went into a cave and spent the night. And the word of the LORD came to him: "What are you doing here, Elijah?"
¹⁰ He replied, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too."
¹¹ The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by."
Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. ¹² After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. ¹³ When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.
Then a voice said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"
¹⁴ He replied, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too."
¹⁵ The LORD said to him, "Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. ¹⁶ Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. ¹⁷ Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. ¹⁸ Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him."

I am currently in Louisville, KY with a group of high school students serving the homeless population in the downtown area and working to repair a homeless shelter for the Jefferson Street Baptist Center. I would ask that before you end your devotion time today that you lift up our group in prayer.

On Sunday Danny stressed with us the idea that when our life bears much fruit, God will invite us to abide more deeply with him. I began to think about what our lives would look like if we truly accepted the invitation to abide deeply in Christ. It is a temptation to believe that a follower of Christ has to or always looks like this:Christians are happy, well-dressed, confident and of course people perfect teeth right? Its often portrayed this way and I think we often feel that is how it should be when in actuality scripture paints a much different picture.

Take for example our passage today. Elijah was on the run through the desert from a wicked queen who wanted him dead. The people he was ministering to wanted nothing to do with God and he was to the point of wanting to end his life before God told him that he wanted to meet with him. Finally, a mountain top experience, a spiritual high, he was going to get to see the Lord!!! But God wasn’t in the wind, fire or earthquake. God wasn’t what he expected. So what are we supposed to do when God isn’t what we expect? What are we supposed to do when he shows up in a way that catches us off guard?

The point is not that God failed to show up in the wind, fire or earthquake, the point is that he showed up! We can get so focused on the fact that God didn’t show up the way we thought he would that we miss the point that he showed up at all.

Accepting the invitation to abide deeply in Christ will not always be what we expect but it is still an invitation and that is worth celebrating.

Today's Action Point for Much Fruit: Gently whisper a kind word to someone today.
Written by Charlie Ketchen, High School Minister

23. Numbers 13:17-25; 30

2009-03-30T06:00:00.001-04:00

Numbers 13:17-25; 30 - Much Fruit Goes beyond the Comfort Zone

¹⁷ When Moses sent them to explore Canaan, he said, "Go up through the Negev and on into the hill country. ¹⁸ See what the land is like and whether the people who live there are strong or weak, few or many. ¹⁹ What kind of land do they live in? Is it good or bad? What kind of towns do they live in? Are they unwalled or fortified? ²⁰ How is the soil? Is it fertile or poor? Are there trees on it or not? Do your best to bring back some of the fruit of the land." (It was the season for the first ripe grapes.)
²¹ So they went up and explored the land from the Desert of Zin as far as Rehob, toward Lebo Hamath. ²² They went up through the Negev and came to Hebron, where Ahiman, Sheshai and Talmai, the descendants of Anak, lived. (Hebron had been built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.) ²³ When they reached the Valley of Eshcol, they cut off a branch bearing a single cluster of grapes. Two of them carried it on a pole between them, along with some pomegranates and figs. ²⁴ That place was called the Valley of Eshcol because of the cluster of grapes the Israelites cut off there. ²⁵ At the end of forty days they returned from exploring the land.
³⁰ Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, "We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it."

One thing I’ve noticed though my life is that we like to stay in our comfort zone. The Israelites’ were no different. In Numbers, we read where they were sent out from their comfort zone to search out the promise land. They were sent out from God not to see if they could take the land (God had already told them it was theirs) but I think it was to show them God’s gift for them, what He planned for them and how well God would take care of them. If they would obey God, He would use them to bring glory to Him among the other nations. They didn’t want to trust God enough to get out of their comfort zone, and they were pruned (for 40 years).

God has promised us that He will dwell in us (John 15: 4) and that he has great plans for us (Jeremiah 29:11) that will glorify Him to those around us. Sometimes we do things for God and we produce a little fruit but it may not be what God wants, it may not be producing the amount or kind of fruit that He wants. That’s when God will do some pruning to bring us to an awareness of where He is working and where He wants us to be. He will prune us to change our priorities.

Have you ever jumped into a ministry and then asked God to bless it? I have, I think it would be smarter to pray for God’s direction and then look around where He’s working and join Him. It may not be in my comfort zone. God always shows his greatness when something is accomplished in spite of us (Romans 8:26). Much Fruit may take away from “me time” (being fed spiritually is very important, but we need to also serve) and it may not be a visual ministry. Every ministry is important, for example the children’s ministry is a much needed work at Park Chapel. When you serve in the Children’s ministry you are teaching not babysitting. Our children need to see Jesus through us, they need to see God at work in our lives, so that they will want it in their lives.

Branches are designed to bear MUCH Fruit! If our branches are not producing enough fruit we are not completely in His will and He will prune us. Pruning is good, it stirs growth in us.

Lord, I want to continue always to grow in You. Prune Me, Guide Me, and Give Me your graciousness so that I may produce much fruit. Amen.

Action point for today: Write out a plan for harvest in a life.

Written by Pam Christman, Ministry Assistant

22. Week Four - Much Fruit

2009-03-29T06:00:00.002-04:00

John 15:7-8 – “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”

This verse sounds like a blank check for those that remain in Christ, the True Vine. What would such a gift mean if it were signed by a benefactor wealthy enough to honor it and generous enough to write it. Such a gift could change a life! It could transform a congregation or a Christian school! Who would ignore a gift like that? Who could throw it in a desk drawer and forget about it?

And yet, perhaps, we do! To remain in the Vine means to produce much fruit. It is a blessing given to us by the Lord that gives very little detail on the “kind” of fruit. Rather, the goal of Christ-follower drawing nutrients from the True Vine is so broad as to cover completely the needs and hopes of the branches.

It is as though God were saying to us, “What do you need? Let me help and provide for you.” We know this to be true because other scriptures back it up. Consider, for example, these words of the apostle Paul:

“My God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19.

How rich is God in Christ? God is rich enough to honor his own blank-check promise! How generous is God in Christ? Generous enough to care in kindness for the needs of his very own sons and daughters…His branches. Absolutely! Our Gardener and His True Vine are able to provide for us to bear “much” fruit!

Those who do not know the Father very well might attach themselves to these words and attempt to use them to manipulate God into giving them blessings that would ultimately cause harm or destruction. But those who are growing closer to the Vine in faith and who are growing up in that faith are also learning to wait in hope for the true well-being ability to produce “much” fruit.

“Remain in me…. bear much fruit…show yourself as my disciples!” is Jesus’ teaching. He is still speaking these words into our lives today. May we trust His blessing in Christ.

We are also suggesting daily action points that will lead to bearing MUCH fruit for each day.

Written by Don Crane, Fine Arts Minister

21. Psalm 66:8-12

2009-03-28T06:00:00.002-04:00

Psalm 66:8-12 - Doing Life With the Vine

⁸ Praise our God, O peoples,
let the sound of his praise be heard;
⁹ he has preserved our lives
and kept our feet from slipping.
¹⁰ For you, O God, tested us;
you refined us like silver.
¹¹ You brought us into prison
and laid burdens on our backs.
¹² You let men ride over our heads;
we went through fire and water,
but you brought us to a place of abundance.

When life is tough and I am being refined like silver, I am forced to be with Christ instead of doing for Christ. I need Him and can’t make it through the fire without Him. I spend time pouring out all that I am (the good, the bad, and the ugly) to Him….not only does He carry me through, when I come out on the other side I am changed by being with Jesus!

Have you ever felt alone? Thought why me? Could not think of a way out? Knew all your hopes and dreams had been crushed? Felt like you did all the right things but somehow life still turned out wrong? During times like that is when I have had the most intimate times with Jesus….just the two of us….it is unexplainable but I can testify that it is real and I am eternally grateful for the pruning! Oh what joy!

Written by Sally Brown, Ministry Assistant

20. 1 Peter 1:6-9

2009-03-27T06:00:00.002-04:00

1 Peter 1:6-9 - "It's about the True Vine"

⁶In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. ⁷These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. ⁸Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, ⁹for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

To me, this passage is all about perspective. First perspective check is verse 6: “for a little while you may have had to suffer…” How often do we say or feel like we’ve been going through a trial forever? However, with eternity rather than lifespan as our perspective, things can seem a little different.

Second perspective check is verse 7: “…your faith – of greater worth than gold…” Sometimes I do slow down and stop and really appreciate what a precious commodity my faith is, but too often my own agenda still takes a front seat at the sake of the correct perspective that my faith truly is invaluable.

Next perspective check is verse 7 again: These trials have come so that our faith “…may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed,” and a similar concept in verse 8: “…the goal of your faith [is] the salvation of your souls.” Yes, I am refined by my trials and I experience much personal growth because of them, and I will surely reap a lot of benefits from my faith, but when it comes down to it, it still is and always has been not about my growth but about glory and honor to Jesus because he has offered me salvation.

He will lead us through growth when we abide in him, but the main reason we abide with inexpressible and glorious joy is because he is worthy.

Written by Katie Ketchen, Accountant

19. 2 Corinthians 8:1-5

2009-03-26T06:00:00.001-04:00

2 Corinthians 8:1-5 - Internal fruit of the Vine

¹And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. ²Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. ³For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, ⁴they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. ⁵And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will.

In the series of messages, “The Vine”, a strong case has been presented about the fruit. It has been assumed that the “fruit” is something external. In a grape vineyard, the fruit would be grapes. In an apple orchard or orange grove, the fruit would be “apples” and “oranges”. These would be the assumed and logical “fruit” from these sources.

I’ve heard it said that the “fruit” in Jesus’ story of the “Vine and the Branches” is souls, more disciples. That’s not bad fruit, but is it the “fruit” Jesus means?

What if the fruit alluded to in John 15 is something INTERNAL!?! There are two internal qualities mentioned that have external demonstrations. Love and joy!

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love . . . . Love each other as I have loved you." John 15:9-12

“I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” John 15:11

The fruit of God’s love and Jesus’ joy should be residing and reflecting in us. It seems pretty amazing that those two wonderful divine qualities, plus the “fruit of the Spirit” outlined in Galatians 5:22 is the crop that triggers reactions in us that God uses to grow and advance His kingdom on earth.

One powerful example of this “fruit crop” at work in Christ followers is 2 Cor. 8:1-5. The Greek congregation at Philippi was known for its poverty. It may have been like the congregation I visited in Nyeri, Kenya that exists in the middle of a slum, where the “poorest of the poor” struggle daily just to keep each member of their family living for one more day, one more week! Several members of their church live in a “garbage” environment and hardly have anything material. But they are learning to give to the Lord!

What happened in Philippi was a God-guided, 3-way spiritual collision. A “most severe trial” plus "their extreme poverty" collided with "their overflowing joy." The result was a "rich generosity." When the fruit of “joy” becomes a bumper crop within a person or a group of people, watch out! Something beyond human limitations happens. They went “beyond their ability.” How does that happen? Only when God is working in the mix is how something impossible occurs.

It would have been a huge error to have refused or to have convinced those very poor believers to not give generously to what God laid on their heart. To have convinced them that they needed this gift for themselves would have been a great robbery!

It’s important to pursue what “the love of God and the joy of Jesus, drives in us!

Written by Dave Woods, Senior Minister

18. Ezekiel 15:1-8

2009-03-25T06:00:00.001-04:00

Ezekiel 15:1-8 - Good Fruit comes from a Refining Vine

¹ The word of the LORD came to me: ² "Son of man, how is the wood of a vine better than that of a branch on any of the trees in the forest? ³ Is wood ever taken from it to make anything useful? Do they make pegs from it to hang things on? ⁴ And after it is thrown on the fire as fuel and the fire burns both ends and chars the middle, is it then useful for anything? ⁵ If it was not useful for anything when it was whole, how much less can it be made into something useful when the fire has burned it and it is charred?
⁶ "Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: As I have given the wood of the vine among the trees of the forest as fuel for the fire, so will I treat the people living in Jerusalem. ⁷ I will set my face against them. Although they have come out of the fire, the fire will yet consume them. And when I set my face against them, you will know that I am the LORD. ⁸ I will make the land desolate because they have been unfaithful, declares the Sovereign LORD."

Vineyards were very important in ancient Israel. Isaiah 5 gives a detailed description of all the work involved in preparing, planting and cultivating a vineyard. They were so important that during the period between starting a vineyard and reaping the first crop a man was excused from military duty. (Deuteronomy 20:6). Perhaps this emphasis on the first harvesting is a prophesy of Christ – the “first fruit”.

If a vine was carefully planted, pruned and cultivated but failed to produce fruit it was of no value. The wood of the vine was too weak to even make a peg on which to hang clothes. Its only use was as firewood. The people of Jerusalem had come through the fire of Nebuchadnezzar’s conquest; come out burned and scorched, but still of no use because they had not returned to God. The fire had neither consumed them nor refined them.

Like the branches of a grapevine, our spiritual growth is dependent on our vital connection to God. He is the vine – we are the branches. The holy Gardener, the Holy Spirit cultivates, prunes and oversees our spiritual development to make us fit to bear good fruit. Our part is to accept the pruning and cling to the vine; to draw our sustenance from Him.
What kind of branch are you?

Written by Trudie Hattem, Scheduling

17. Philippians 3:7-8, 13-15

2009-03-24T06:00:00.002-04:00

Philippians 3:7-8, 13-15 - Pruning Hurts

⁷But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.
¹³Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
¹⁵All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.

I am sure if we could interview a branch on a vine and ask it what it thinks about the "pruning shears", it would not respond by saying, "I love it! It's my favorite." Pruning hurts. There is no doubt about it. But without pruning, the branch simply cannot be productive. There is no fruit without the deliberate cutting back of excess so that healthy growth and fruitfulness can take its place.
The good news is that we have a Gardener who knows exactly what needs to be cut out and loves us enough to do it, even though we might not like it at the time. In this passage, Paul exhibits the mindset of a believer that is moving beyond personal comfort and convenience, and instead is pursuing an all-out commitment to Christ and his cause. Nothing else matters more than Jesus. Everything else can go by the wayside; it can be taken away like last week's garbage. In comparison to Jesus, it is just a pile of rubbish.
What this tells us is that there are many things that may seem "good", that would be hard for us to let go, but that need to be cut out of our lives by God's loving act of pruning, so that nothing will get in the way of our devotion to Christ. Where do you need God to "cut you back" so you can grow? Can you look back through your relationship with God and see how things that used to be important to you aren't that important anymore? Have you had experiences with "pruning" that were painful at the time, but led to a greater purpose in your life?

God, pruning hurts. But I know I need it. And I'm glad that you are the one in control. You are bigger than me, wiser and more loving. I trust you and believe that you know what is best. I take comfort in knowing that you aren't finished with me yet. Help me see clearly what is most valuable and be willing to let go of the rubbish. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Written by Danny Curry, Spiritual Development Minister

16. James 1:2-5

2009-03-23T06:00:00.002-04:00

James 1:2-5 - The Vine develops our Perseverance

²Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. ⁴Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. ⁵If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

This verse reminds me of the Daniel story of Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego from Daniel 3. The king's governors and advisers did not like that the Hebrews would not worship their gods. So, they tricked the king into setting up a new law that forced the people to bow down to false gods. These three Hebrews were workers in the king's court and were liked by the king...but the law is the law and they were forced to comply. They were facing a trial and a testing of their faith. They refused again and the king declared he would throw them into the fire...literally an oven and cook them. They responded with perseverance, maturity, and wisdom...Daniel 3:17-18 is the record of their response, "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."

Bearing more fruit requires courage to face the trials and it requires our willingness to submit to God's authority. God is generous in giving wisdom and it will usually comes with a fiery furnace...the great part of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego's response is their willingness to persevere even if God does not save them. That is true fruit...therefore, we persevere through our trials and testing with simple faith that God is faithful and will provide...He always does! He also tags along for the ride...if you read on in the Daniel story ...the King looks in the fire and sees four people in the fire and the fourth person looks like the Son of God.

Dear Lord, please give me the faith to be strong when the trials of life and the testing of this world head my direction. I want to bare more fruit for you. May I always be found faithful and steadfast so that you might receive the glory. Amen.

Written by Don Crane, Fine Arts Minister.

15. Week Three - More Fruit!

2009-03-22T06:00:00.001-04:00

When did you last get pruned?

Last Fall I spent time harvesting apples, I couldn’t help noticing the trees. One tree was very productive this past year, bearing many large and beautiful apples. Last year it was a poor crop in comparison, but it underwent healthy conditions and pruning with results of a fruitful season.

The second tree looks as if it has a good crop but on closer inspection all the apples are small and of poor quality. Why? Well, at the all–important time there was no opportunity to ‘thin out’ the fruit. If some had been taken out during pruning season the resulting crop would have been of better quality - larger, tastier apples in good condition instead of the many small and damaged ones.

It is also time to be cutting back the shrubs, bushes and climbers, getting rid of the dead wood that is crowding out or choking the good branches, identifying those ‘out–of-control’ stems that are just ‘in the way’. The goal is to leave the best and healthiest of branches to remain. We are pruning!

So, when were you last pruned?

Let’s ask the Master Gardener, our Creator, if there’s anything in our lives that may need cutting back. Are there sin issues we need to deal with? Are our attitudes healthy or have we allowed bitterness or negativity to creep in? What about our priorities? Are they God’s or ours? Are we really fruitful for His Kingdom? Is there any area where we need to be ‘thinned out’?

David Wilkinson writes it this way, “Mature pruning is God’s way of helping you put into practice His commands to “seek first the kingdom of God.” This is why God will always prune those things that we slavishly seek first, love most, and begrudge giving up. Again, God’s goal is not to plunder or harm, but to liberate us so that we can pursue our true desire, His Kingdom.” (Secrets of the Vine, pg. 78)

In pruning, we lay down our lives before God and surrender everything to Him and say ‘Have your way’? Abiding in the True Vine is to allow the Master Gardner to prune us. Therefore, we draw close to God today, feed on His Word, spend time in His presence, and allow Him to prune us.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I desire to lay my life down afresh before You this day - have Your way in my life . Show me what isn’t pleasing to You, and draw me close to You today. I give You permission to prune me so that I may be more fruitful for Your kingdom, I choose to dwell in Your presence and receive Your love. In Jesus’ precious name. Amen

14. Psalm 39

2009-03-21T06:00:00.001-04:00

Psalm 39 - Only What is Done for the Vine will Last.

¹ I said, "I will watch my ways
and keep my tongue from sin;
I will put a muzzle on my mouth
as long as the wicked are in my presence."
² But when I was silent and still,
not even saying anything good,
my anguish increased.
³ My heart grew hot within me,
and as I meditated, the fire burned;
then I spoke with my tongue:
⁴ "Show me, O LORD, my life's end
and the number of my days;
let me know how fleeting is my life.
⁵ You have made my days a mere handbreadth;
the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Each man's life is but a breath.
Selah
⁶ Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro:
He bustles about, but only in vain;
he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it.
⁷ "But now, Lord, what do I look for?
My hope is in you.
⁸ Save me from all my transgressions;
do not make me the scorn of fools.
⁹ I was silent; I would not open my mouth,
for you are the one who has done this.
¹⁰ Remove your scourge from me;
I am overcome by the blow of your hand.
¹¹ You rebuke and discipline men for their sin;
you consume their wealth like a moth—
each man is but a breath.
Selah
¹² "Hear my prayer, O LORD,
listen to my cry for help;
be not deaf to my weeping.
For I dwell with you as an alien,
a stranger, as all my fathers were.
¹³ Look away from me, that I may rejoice again
before I depart and am no more."

Wow, this is not the scripture I thought I had chosen, but apparently this is the scripture God wanted me to read. How many times I can relate to David in this passage?….struggling with my tongue and keeping my words from saying the wrong things in front of the wrong people. Not letting my thoughts be verbalized…..but just because I kept my tongue from wagging didn’t mean my heart was right. I was allowing issues to fester within me. So….it’s either talk to God about it or completely burst. When we talk to God about our struggles, when we “Abide” in Him, He will purify our hearts. When we continue on our thoughtless and self-indulgent ways, God will “discipline” us.

David asked for perspective. We need to do the same. Having grown children, time seems to fly by, I realize as David did how short our time here on earth is. If we allow ourselves to rush around trying to accomplish things on our own, make names for ourselves, accumulating wealth, and forgetting to “ABIDE in CHRIST”, it will all be left here; the name, the wealth, the prestige. Only what is done for Christ will last.

Verse 7 seems to be the turning point in this passage where David says, “And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in You.” What I believe David is saying here is …what we put our hope in is what we live for.

David did sin on a number of occasions, probably easy to do as king…..thinking you were in control. God also stopped David on a number of occasions to discipline him. We read in this Psalm of David’s surrender and his plea for God to hear him. I, like David, realize that I am a guest on this earth, not a permanent resident and certainly not in charge.

Make this Psalm a “Caution Sign”. Take time to look at your life with this Psalm and yield to God areas where you have not let go of control. Don’t wait for God’s discipline…give Him control now and “ABIDE” in Him today. God is eternal….this world is temporary.

Written by Carol Miller, Early Childhood Director

13. Psalm 94:12-13; 22-23

2009-03-20T06:00:00.001-04:00

Psalm 94:12-13; 22-23 - Discipline by the Vine is a Blessing!

¹² Blessed is the man you discipline, O LORD,
the man you teach from your law;
¹³ you grant him relief from days of trouble,
till a pit is dug for the wicked.
²² But the LORD has become my fortress,
and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.
²³ He will repay them for their sins
and destroy them for their wickedness;
the LORD our God will destroy them.

Blessed?! The man who is disciplined by God is blessed? Most of us probably read the first line of this passage and outwardly shout an “amen” but inwardly squirm at the thought of discipline from God. For many, the word “discipline” carries a connotation equal to that of “punish.” This may, however, be a limited perspective. With a little bit of research, I have learned that while the word “discipline” can mean to punish, it can also mean to “instruct,” or “train,” similar to how “cut off” can mean to “lift up,” as Danny explained on Sunday.

Now the concept appears in a whole new light. If we replace the word “discipline” with “instruct” or “train” it reads, “Blessed is the man you train, O Lord.” That already sounds a little less scary. In fact, we’d be crazy not to desire this. This is like an offer to a high school basketball player to be “trained” by Pat Summitt, or a vocalist to be “instructed” by Pavarotti. Your typical athlete and vocalist wouldn’t waste any time signing up.

Yet even Coach Summitt and Pavarotti would fall short of being the perfect teachers because both their knowledge of the subject matter and their concern for their students are limited at some point. With God, however, his knowledge about life is limitless because he created it, and he loves us so much that he invites us to abide in him and make him our “rock in whom [we] take refuge.”

God is the perfect trainer, the perfect instructor, and we have the opportunity to let him train us. No wonder this scripture says such a man is blessed.

Written by Katie Ketchen, Accountant

12. Hebrews 12:5-11

2009-03-19T06:00:00.001-04:00

Hebrews 12:5-11 - The Vine Teaches us the Correct Path

⁵And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons:
"My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline,
and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
⁶because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."
⁷Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? ⁸If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. ⁹Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! ¹⁰Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. ¹¹No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

This passage of scripture brings joy to my heart. I have always feared discipline no matter where it came from. Growing up my dad simply had to change the tone in his voice or look at me with “that look” and I would burst into tearful remorse. Even today I fear few things more than disappointing those I respect and love.

Throughout my life this has created a barrier in my faith because I remember hearing stories as a little girl about how God wiped out this country or that king and I really was convinced that God would do the same thing to me if I missed the mark.

Then I found this passage and realized God’s love for me. When I missed the mark as a child my dad taught me through discipline the right way to go. God does the same thing for us. When he disciplines us, prunes us, he is not declaring that he does not love us, but the contrary that he loves us so much he wants to guide us to the right path. He does not want us to lay in the mud for eternity, but instead wants to see us live abundant lives of joy. We can only live joyfully when we have been guided away from the sin that entangles us and lifted up to the vine that brings us nourishment, life and joy.

Written by Gayle Davis, Involvement Minister

11. Proverbs 12:1; 15:5, 32

2009-03-18T06:00:00.001-04:00

Proverbs 12:1; 15:5, 32 - The Vine Molds Us Through Discipline

Proverbs 12:1, "Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid."

Proverbs 15:5, "A fool spurns his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence."

Proverbs 15:32, "He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding."

So, I chose these passages because, at a glance, they are short, to the point and pretty clear on the message that is being conveyed. As I sit down to study them, and read them in a group together, it makes me think... "is God trying to tell me something!" I guess, as a culture, when we think of discipline we think of doing something we don’t want to do, we think of pain and some frustration.

Practicing particular disciplines is not always easy and is often a struggle for us. Whether it be physical disciplines - eating habits and exercise, spiritual disciplines - daily prayer, Bible reading, fasting, and even social disciplines - how we think about each other, how we talk to one another, the words and actions we use etc, all discipline takes work.

Sometimes the struggle I have with discipline involves trying to “do it all” at once...I want to be disciplined enough to wake up early, to exercise for an hour, to have a daily quiet time, and clean my house all before I go to work. I then become overwhelmed by trying to be super woman that I actually don’t do any of it! Once I look at these passages and get past my hang-ups with the word discipline, I am able to see the word “correction”. This is a HUGE struggle for me! I tend to think that I am always right (or at least pretty close) and that if I am wrong...you don’t need to remind me of it...I am already aware, so back off!!

All of these passages focus on discipline and correction being positive, being helpful; if you “heed correction you show prudence (or wisdom)”, if you “heed correction you gain understanding”, if you “love discipline you love knowledge”. All of these are about growth and development in positive directions! I think God’s message to us is move out of your own way, so I can prune you and mold you into the person that I have designed you to be!! That shouldn’t be so bad, right? I think we need to welcome and be grateful for the times in our life that God shows us a better way. We need to be more open to being corrected; and then, we may be more willing to embrace some personal disciplines that allow us to hear and be receptive to God’s teaching.

Written by Dana McConnell, Ministry Assistant

10. Jeremiah 31:18-19

2009-03-17T06:00:00.002-04:00

Jeremiah 31:18-19 - Discipline is part of the Restoration Process

¹⁸ "I have surely heard Ephraim's moaning:
'You disciplined me like an unruly calf,
and I have been disciplined.
Restore me, and I will return,
because you are the LORD my God.
¹⁹ After I strayed,
I repented;
after I came to understand,
I beat my breast.
I was ashamed and humiliated
because I bore the disgrace of my youth.'

After Genesis 3, we all entered the world with sin crouching at our doors. This places us at a disadvantage at best because we will sin. No matter how hard we try we will sin. God amazes me in the fact that He as the gardener knows this and prepares to lift us up.

This passage in Jeremiah makes it clear however, that God does not just lift us up without us doing our part. If we want to bear fruit we must repent of those sins that keep us lying in the dirt. We must face those things that bring us shame no matter how big or small. When we know we are in sin God waits for us to understand our error and then disciplines us to restore us to Him.

I am so grateful that after repentance we are restored to God. We are lifted out of the mud and tied back to the plant, so that the gardener can continue to prune us to be bearers of much fruit. What a blessing that God loves us enough to lift us up and not cut us off when we fall in the mud.

Written by Gayle Davis, Involvement Minister

9. 1 Cor. 11:31-32, Rev. 3:14-22

2009-03-16T06:00:00.002-04:00

1 Corinthians 11:31-32 & Revelation 3:14-22 - Thank God for Pruning!

³¹"But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. ³²When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world."

¹⁴"To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. ¹⁵I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! ¹⁶So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. ¹⁷You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. ¹⁸I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. ¹⁹Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. ²⁰Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. ²¹To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. ²²He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

Many people wake up wishing it was night, and at night wish it was morning. They are not enjoying life. They are not tapped into the Vine. A person that is attached to the Vine looks forward to each day. God has arranged life in twenty-four-hour periods so that it can be enjoyed. Our sour attitudes and dissatisfaction is a part of life the Gardener will prune.

God is a Gardner looking for fruit, thus we are to grow and live in abundant life. As we search out and see the new fruit, a Christ-follower will seek out pruning. Yes, it is hard and we have to wait on the Vine for our nutrients, not this world. The world will always disappoint us, but the true Vine will always be a provider of the best resources.

We can go to bed feeling hopeless and worn out. We can get out of bed feeling that we just can't go on. OR! We can seek out the Gardner's pruning and rest assured that our breakthrough will come in His time. So, thank God for pruning...no matter how much it hurts!

Dear Lord, thank you for loving me enough to prune me. Thank you that this discipline is for my best. You are a great God and I love you. I am also praising You for the great things you are doing in my growing! Amen.

Written by Don Crane, Fine Arts Minister

8. Week Two - Discipline

2009-03-15T06:00:00.001-04:00

John 15 through 17 occurred as the Lord and His disciples were walking on their way to the Garden of Gethsemane. On the way they passed through the vineyards that surrounded the city. Perhaps Jesus stopped in the midst of a vineyard, took a vine, and used it as a means of illustrating to His disciples the great secret He had been seeking to impart to them in His whole discourse there in the upper room, the most fundamental and basic secret of Christian life--"I am in the Father, and ... the Father is in me" (John 14:10).

His beautiful analogy has helped many Christians understand the relationship God wants them to know. When He said, "I am the true vine," He did not mean true in contrast with something false, but rather real, genuine, as opposed to the mere copy or symbol. As He held this vine and its branches in His hand, He indicated that this was the copy. He was the true vine from which true life is received.

The purpose of this vine is to bring forth fruit. A vineyard is planted not for ornamentation, but to produce grapes, to bear fruit. This is the point our Lord makes in the story. All through this account His emphasis is upon the fruit. So the question arises, "What does this fruit stand for in our life?"

The figure of the vine is used many times in the Scriptures. These disciples would immediately think of several places where it was used. One is in Isaiah 5: "The vineyard of the LORD Almighty is the house of Israel" (Isaiah 5:7a). Israel was that vine. As Isaiah tells us, God cleared out the rocks in His vineyard and hedged it about. He built a tower; He protected the vineyard and cared for it. He did everything possible to cause it to produce grapes. But when He came into His vineyard and looked for grapes, He found instead sour, tasteless grapes. Isaiah tells us what that represents in verse 7: "The vineyard of the LORD Almighty is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are the garden of his delight. And he looked for justice, but saw bloodshed; for righteousness, but heard cries of distress" (Isaiah 5:7).

God came looking for justice and righteousness; instead, He found oppression, cruelty, exploitation, and indifference to the needs of others. It is evident from this parable that the fruit that God expects of the vine is moral character or, as described in Galatians, the fruit of the Spirit. The life that is in the vine produces fruit that Paul describes in Galatians 5 as love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control. The fruit, in other words, is Christlikeness. And our Lord is indicating that the very purpose of the vine is to produce such fruit. Without such fruit the branch is removed. Being disciplined is not easy or pleasant, but necessary for a bountiful harvest.

7. Psalm 91

2009-03-14T06:00:00.002-04:00

Psalm 91 - Draw Strength from the Vine

¹ He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. ^a]">[a]
² I will say ^b]">[b] of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."
³ Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
⁴ He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
⁵ You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
⁶ nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
⁷ A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
⁸ You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
⁹ If you make the Most High your dwelling—
even the LORD, who is my refuge-
¹⁰ then no harm will befall you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
¹¹ For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
¹² they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
¹³ You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
¹⁴ "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
¹⁵ He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
¹⁶ With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation."

Over the past few months I have come to the place that I almost can’t watch the news. I get so depressed! Our world has been turned upside down with the economic crisis. The stock-market keeps hitting new lows. Many people are losing their jobs and their homes. Each day there is a new headline that seems worst than the last. At times, it is almost too overwhelming. The future seems very scary, not just for us but our children and our grandchildren.

In the midst of all of this turmoil, when I read passages like this from God’s word and literally a wave of peace flows over me. The peace comes from abiding in the Vine. Absorb these words, “Then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.” Psalm 91:10-12.

When you read this Psalm passage, you realize that God is not shaken by the events of this world. Our Vine is NOT shaken. There is absolutely nothing that is too big or out of His control. In the midst of chaos “He is our refuge and fortress who we can trust” Psalm 91:1 We can have peace, even in such uncertain times knowing He will see us through.

So my challenge for you today when the headlines of this world begin to overwhelm you and your world gets turned upside down with life’s circumstances draw from the Vine to help you look to Him and give you peace.

Written by Mike Canny, Media Minister

6. John 6:53-59

2009-03-13T06:00:00.002-04:00

John 6:53-59 - Abiding is making it our life

⁵³Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. ⁵⁴Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. ⁵⁵For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. ⁵⁶Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. ⁵⁷Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. ⁵⁸This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live forever." ⁵⁹He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.

In this teaching, Jesus is offering food and drink. This food and drink is different; it offers more than just a full belly and quenched thirst. He is offering eternal nourishment that gives everlasting life.

At this point Jesus’ self-giving sacrifice is not about suffering and dying to offer us eternal life, it is about giving us his whole life. Offering us who he was and how he lived. We are to take Jesus’ life and essentially make it our life. We are to learn and grow from his example so we can be fruitful. Communion isn’t about just hearing what Jesus did, it is about taking part in it. We are to take his nourishment and grow from it.

Written By Steve Evanoff, Operations Minister

5. 1 John 4:13-15

2009-03-12T06:00:00.001-04:00

1 John 4:13-15 - Abiding begins By Acknowledging

¹³We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. ¹⁴And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. ¹⁵If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God."

Abiding begins by acknowledging. In verse 15 we see that in order to live in (or abide) in God we have to acknowledge that Jesus is the Son of God, he is our Savior and Lord. That is the critical decision of faith that makes every other decision of faith possible. We do not choose to follow, submit, or obey until we have first settled the question in our hearts, "Who is Jesus?" And the answer must be, "He is who he says he is and he can do what he says he can do."

There is more at work in our hearts than just our own reasoning and intuition that leads us to this conclusion. The entire Trinity, or Divine Community, is at work. In this passage we find the Father, Son and Holy Spirit working together in complete harmony (3 operating as ONE) to confirm in our hearts that Jesus is really the one and only Son of God who came to save us from sin and give us life in all of its fullness.

Without God doing his part first we would be completely unable to do our part. And our part of course is to TRUST that Jesus really is who he says he is and that he really can do what he says he can do. Because of Jesus we have the presence of God's Spirit living in us, making it possible for us to abide, to do life deeply with God. God is most definitely at work in our lives to bring about what he desires for us--a close, lasting connection with him that results in the most fruitful lives possible.

God, thank you for doing your part to make a relationship with you possible. I am completely incapable of abiding in you without you doing the work that only you can do. Now God move in me and help me make the most of what you have already done. I acknowledge that Jesus is the Son of God. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Written By Danny Curry, Spiritual Development Minister.

4. 1 John 3:4-6

2009-03-11T06:00:00.003-04:00

March 11 - I John 3:4-6 (NAS)- Avoiding Sin by Abiding in the Vine

“Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness. You know that He appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin. No one who abides in Him sins; no one who sins has seen Him or knows Him."

This portion of scripture really used to trouble me because I knew that even as a Christian, I still sinned. Did this mean that I wasn’t really a saved believer? So I did a little reading on the background of this portion of scripture and discovered that John was very concerned about false teachers. He wanted to make sure that Christians knew how to distinguish the genuine from the false, so he put forth this little test.

The key phrase here is “practices sin”. Practicing sin means making it a habit, so even though Christians have a tendency to sin, it is not a habitual practice. We have been born again and have a new nature that opposes sin, or lawlessness. Sin will remain a struggle for us because sanctification (being made holy) is a process, not a “quick fix” for sin.

Abiding in Him carries the same connotation as practicing sin, meaning to live in habitual, constant sin. If a person doesn’t have the Holy Spirit to convict us of our sin, John says that he never saw Him or knew Him. He really isn’t saved.

What a relief it was to learn that even though I still sinned, I really was saved after all!

Written by Sharon Farmer, Park Chapel Receptionist and Administrative Assistant.

3. 1 John 2:20-24

2009-03-10T06:00:00.004-04:00

March 10 - Abide in the Vine for Anointing & Knowledge

^{²⁰But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.^a]">[a] ²¹I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth. ²²Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist—he denies the Father and the Son. ²³No one who denies the Son has the Father;
whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.
²⁴See that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father.}

In I John 2: 20-24 we are given this amazing request from John to tap into this AWARENESS of two major strengths.

#1 is this: You and I have been anointed by The Holy One.
#2 is this: & We have knowledge.

Whenever I find myself struggling to Abide in Christ, I can generally chalk it up to an un-awareness of His presence. It's moments like these that cheapen our redemptive relationship with God. Why is it so easy to forget? And yet we're given this simple challenge from I John. He says in just a few words: "Think man! Think! Use your brains! I made you, your mind, your nature, and on top of all that, I set you apart, and promised my presence as we go along."

In weak moments...I pray at times, and I forget that God is on the other end listening.
In weak moments... I lead out in a worship song on a Sunday, forgetting that God is present with us as we praise.
But in strong moments, when I'm living out these verses in I John... my prayers, conversations, service, & worship are so full of life, that they become Godly.

Share some of the things that you are doing to grow in your Knowledge & Awareness of God.

Written by Dean Nester, Discipleship Minister.

2. John 15:1-15

2009-03-09T06:00:00.004-04:00

John 15 - The 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. ¹²My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. ¹³Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. ¹⁴You are my friends if you do what I command. ¹⁵I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

The first five words strike me as awesome! Jesus is the true vine. He is a gift for every Christ-follower for the sustaining power to face every trial and circumstance this world offers. Jesus also implies that there are false vines. There are too many times I find myself clinging to a false vine for hope and nutrients which only leads to extreme disappointment and wilted branches and no fruit.

In our Vine study, I am looking to the true vine for more nutrients and sustenance. Jesus is the true vine and I am looking to Him for every gift of mercy, grace, compassion, and love that He has to offer and that I can pass along to others. I want lasting fruit that only He can provide as our true vine.

Lord, help me to always recognize that you are the only true vine for the sustaining nutrients and truth in this world. Amen.

What are some insights that grab your attention from this passage?

Written By Don Crane, Fine Arts Minister.

1. The Vine and the Branches

2009-03-05T15:15:00.001-05:00

Over the next few weeks we are going to study a passage that describes the relationship between a gardener (God), the vine (Jesus), and the branches (the followers of Jesus). Each has a specific task to accomplish. The gardener cares for the vine and the branches by providing the best in all that is needed for the branches to be fruitful. The vine supplies the nutrients and the very essence of life to the branches, again in order to benefit the branches fruitfulness. The branch is to be fruitful, and all the branch has to do is “remain” in the vine in order to accomplish its’ task. As long as the branch “remains,” fruitfulness is a guarantee.

According to this passage there appears to only be two kinds of branches, those that bear fruit and those who do not. It also indicates the plight of those that do not bear fruit—they are drastically pruned back and destroyed.

So, why would a person choose to be barren? It does not make sense that a person would willingly choose to be barren. I suppose that is it possible that a person could feel that it is a mistake to trust the gardener. If a person felt that the gardener was not truly a caring, loving, giving, gardener than they would try to find someone or something to provide what they need. When a gardener prunes a branch he does so with the best in mind for the branch. The idea of being cut and pruned does not sound pleasant or helpful in the short term, but it is the only way to ensure a healthy branch. A careful reading of John 15, yields an understanding that it is the one who “remains” that is fruitful, and that the one who lives apart from the vine (15:5b), is the one who can do nothing. We should battle through our moods, feelings, and emotions into absolute devotion to the Lord Jesus. It is only when we break out of our own little world of experience into abandoned devotion to Him that we understand His true character and His desires for each of us. Only by investing in a quality relationship with Him will we come to understand what it means to be fruitful.

One of the wonderful things about Park Chapel Christian Church is that everyday we invest in connecting people to Jesus. Everyday we pray that the gardener would do exactly what needs to be done in order to have a fruitful harvest. We desire to keep our lives so constantly in touch with God that His surprising power can break through at any point. Therefore, we have outlined daily scripture readings for each of us to read and seek out the gardener so that we might abide in Him and He in us.