My Father is The Vinedresser

John 15:1. Jesus says that His Father is the Vinedresser.

Let’s look at the second part of John 15:1

“… and My Father is the vinedresser” A vinedresser, or husbandman, is not merely a farmer. Grapes are more than an annual crop that is pulled up after harvest and forgotten. Here in New Hampshire, our growing time is not long. When my husband and I plant our garden, we know it will only be for a few short months. Come Fall, we harvest whatever has grown and we pull up the rest and put it in the burn pile. We do not have much of a chance to get to know our plants.

Not so, with grapevines.

The vinedresser’s grapevines remain with him for decades. He comes to know each one in a personal way, much like a shepherd with his sheep. In early Israel, the branches of cultivated grapes were either allowed to trail along the ground or were trained to grow over a pole. When the stems were trained along the ground the grape clusters were propped up to keep them from contacting the soil and rotting.  Vineyards were smaller and the vinedresser could know each vine. He knew how the vine was faring from year to year. He knew which ones were more productive and healthier than others. He would know what they responded to and what special care each one needed.

Much like us, each vine has its’ own personality ( so to speak) and the Vinedresser knows each one. He has been caring for each vine for years. He lovingly nurtures it, pruning off the dead areas in the correct amount and at just the right time. He fertilizes it, giving it the nutrients to grow strong and healthy. When the fruit or branch is dragging in the dirt or is low on the ground, He gently lifts the branches by propping them up and tying them. He is involved in the care and He takes measures to protect them from insects, disease

So, when Jesus calls His Father the Vinedresser, He is the only One. Again as Jesus uses the as a definite article to describe Himself in the first part of the verse in John 15:1. (See my previous blog post titles, “Jesus is The True Vine”). In sentences and speaking, we use the as a definite article when there is just one of something in that place.

As Jesus earlier described Himself as The True Vine, now Jesus is describing His Father, the Vinedresser, the Only Father, the only Vinedresser in charge of the branches. He is also describing Him to the disciples and to us in terms of His relationship to us, His attitude toward us, and His action in our life.

He cares for them (and us) personally and He is the only One wise enough to know us, to know our heart, to know our potential…to know exactly what to do to make them (and us) fruitful. God alone is responsible for the results. We cannot always see what the outcome will be. We must trust the vinedresser and His process.  

Rest assured, my fellow branches…with such a caring and intimately involved Vinedresser, as His branches, we can experience complete confidence and security.

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Jesus is The True Vine

In John 15:1 Jesus says that He is the true vine. 

We are going to look at the first part of that verse today.

“I am the true vine…”

The True Vine. When Jesus describes Himself as the vine, He calls Himself the “true” vine. By “true” He means, “genuine, real, authentic.” Those of you who know me well, know that I love grammar and parts of speech. I noticed that He uses the word the — to describe Himself.  In sentences and speaking, we use the as a definite article when there is just one of something in that place. Here Jesus declares, I am “the” true vine, not “a” vine or one of the vines. But the True Vine.

Why does He say the “true” vine? What is happening in the culture? Who or what is being followed?

According to the NAS New Testament Greek Lexicon, the word used here is Alethinos (al-ay-thee-nos’) Adjective

• Definition: real, true, genuine
• The opposite of what is imperfect, defective, frail, uncertain.

 Who or what is the vine that was not true?

For Jesus to say it this way, Himself being “the” true vine…it must be in some type of contrast to something else that the disciples might have considered the true vine. What could that be?

Maybe following the Jewish law at the time or the many works and rituals that the Pharisees told people to follow. Looking forward in Galatians 2, we read about a dispute between Peter and Paul, it seems it is more likely to do with the thinking at that time,  that a person is part of God’s family simply by being joined to the nation of Israel; by being of Jewish descent… Jesus says they need to be joined to Him. In the Old Covenant, the vine is the symbol of Israel as God’s covenant people.  Jesus makes a new covenant. He is the true vine, the true Israel, of which all believers will grow from. He wants to make sure they understand that they need to stay connected to Him. To obey what He told them and to practice what they saw Him doing.

And it goes for us too…. As we can see all around us… the “world” certainly values other things, believing there are other ways to God, and allowing idols to fill our lives. Those worldly systems and beliefs contrast with who Jesus is saying He is. We need to be discerning. To follow Jesus, accept No substitute!

Jesus says in John 14:6, He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. I love this verse! Again, Jesus is using the definite article. The Way. The Truth. The Life. The Only One.

Question for us to ponder—Are there things in the world that look genuine to us, that look like the truth but they are false?

Majesty

Majesty. What do you think of when you hear that word? I think of purple mountains rising above a sea of smoky haze, the sunrise exploding with vibrant color to usher in a new day, the intricate transforming life cycle of a butterfly, and all the beauty and vastness of this universe we live in. Most of all though…my thoughts focus on our Creator God!

Genesis 1:3, says, Then God said, “Let there be light”, and there was light. God spoke the universe into existence! The Majesty of His voice, the Power in His Words created everything.

The voice of the LORD is powerful. The voice of the LORD is full of majesty. Psalm 29:4 NKJV

Wow! Doesn’t that make you sit up and take notice? We have His Majesty all around us. There are so many vibrant colors, textures, and signs of His creative genius that it makes my heart swell in awe and wonder!

I have had the spectacular privilege these past few years to witness up close the life cycle of the Monarch butterfly. It is truly majestic! They start from a tiny egg, barely the size of the head of a pin, carefully laid on the underside of a tender milkweed leaf. When disturbed milkweed oozes a sticky, milk-like substance that is toxic to most creatures. The caterpillar hatches and feeds exclusively on milkweed, initially on only the fine hairs under the leaf. Then it moves onto the actual leaf. Yet, the caterpillar instinctively knows through God’s excellent plan, how much to munch without breaking through into a vein. If it broke through, the milk would glue its’ tiny jaws shut and it would die.

The caterpillar goes through five instar stages, growing from about 1/10 of an inch to sometimes more than 2 inches as it reaches the end of this caterpillar stage. It is amazing to watch as the caterpillar hangs upside down in a “J” formation. Soon it wiggles and squirms to shed the skin one last time revealing a beautiful green chrysalis or exoskeleton.

Then all appears quiet for several days. As each day goes by, many wonderful changes are underway! We cannot see what is going on inside, but God knows and the metamorphosis continues. It may seem like all the newly forming creation can see is darkness. That may be right, but it trusts the process.
I think we can be like that. Sometimes we cannot make sense of life. It seems dark. We are truly in darkness until the Light of Jesus shines into our lives-then we too, burst forth as a new creation!

We can see the orange & black of the wings! Almost ready to burst forth!!

When black and orange are visible through the membrane of the chrysalis, a breakout is near. Upon emerging, the wings are tiny and wet.

Drying her wings

Much energy is needed to pump the wings up to full size. Like the butterfly emerging, our “wings” are small and need to be pumped. Pumped with the power and majesty of God running through our lives. As the Monarch stretches her wings, so we too must stretch our faith and trust, and as we do…we grow and fly.

This is only a tiny part of the glorious world that God has created for us! It is far from stagnant and boring. It is as Majestic as our God is!

O LORD, our Lord, how majestic and glorious and excellent is Your name in all the earth! Psalm 8:1 Amp.

I hope you take a moment to witness His Majesty firsthand in the beauty and splendor all around you. It is truly breathtaking!

My new friend!

Privileges-His Peace

I am sitting on my front deck, amid an array of beautiful plants as we receive, here in NH a soft, late summer rain. I can hear the gentle tap, tap of the raindrops as they fall on my canvas umbrella. I look out at the birds flying to and from my feeders. They flutter and squawk as they all vie for a sunflower seed. Of course they scattered when I brought out my camera. But if you look closely, there is a chipmunk in the house feeder!

I am reminded of how peaceful the outdoors can be. I am at my most serene here in my garden.

That got me to thinking about being a child of the God Most High. It is not about religion. It is not about what church we belong to or go to. It is about the Creator of the universe sending His Son Jesus to take our place… to take my place and your place on that wooden cross. Jesus alone bore the burden of our sin and disobedience as He died in our place.

It is about a relationship. It is about saying, “Yes, Jesus I need You as my Savior. Yes, I believe You died for my sin. Forgive me. I repent. I believe You rose again and I will rise with You and I can rise above earthly circumstances because You are with me. You share all that is Yours with me. I have an abundant inheritance of privileges from You!

As a believer and follower of Jesus…He offers us privileges that we would not naturally have any claim to. We have privileges that we can “Own” because of His sacrifice and His restoration of our relationship with God.

One of those privileges that I want to mention today so we can lay claim to is… His Peace. Jesus tells us Himself that He gives us His peace.

“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27 NKJV

He knew we would be disheartened, persecuted and fearful. Again, He encourages us that we may have peace in Him,

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NKJV

There are many more verses that you can look up on peace when you have a few minutes. I want to close with one more.

Galatians 5:22 says that peace is a fruit of the Spirit. As we abide in Christ, we will not only have His peace to deal with tribulation but also have peace in Him as we acknowledge Him as Lord and develop a friendship with Him, but there is more…peace will be a fruit that is produced by the Holy Spirit through us.

May you find His peace today. Claim Jesus and claim His peace in your life!

Abounding

I have been mulling this word, abounding, over and over for the past month. I have scribbled a few thoughts here and there and have not gotten back to fully investigate it until today. I love that word, abounding…it is a word so full that it overflows in my mind and fills my heart with wonder.

Last year I was abounding in Monarch caterpillars! Thank You Jesus!

The dictionary says abounding means to have or possess in a great quantity; existing in or providing a great or plentiful quantity or supply, abundant. Teeming with, swarming, and thronging are some synonyms.

Abound appears 30 times in the Bible is various forms.

Few things in life are abounding until God becomes a real part of our lives. Then we begin to see that He lavishes on His children many wonderful things, starting with love and faithfulness.

Even things that seem so simple, yet are a joy. God has lavished on me many Monarch caterpillars through the years. Last year I was abounding in them, with over 120 healthy, hungry babies that grew, went through their metamorphosis and emerged as beautiful butterflies!!

Psalm 86:15 NIV says, “But You, LORD, are a compassionate and loving God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.”

In an earlier blog post, I have talked about how much God loves you and I. I think He loves to make us smile! He is abounding in love and faithfulness. To abound in love is to have a great attachment to and great affection for. God is not stingy in His love for us. It abounds, it pours out onto us because God’s very nature is love.

“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8 NKJV

God is able. He is the One who makes His Grace abound to us. Abound so that we will have the ability in abundance to do every good work that He calls us to do. WOW!

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 NKJV

Be encouraged! God is the one Who fills us—fills us to OVERFLOWING with all HIS BEST…all we have to do is say “YES! I Believe! Yes!

May you ABOUND in HOPE by the POWER of the HOLY SPIRIT.

Bear Fruit

Jesus tells us in John 15:1-2, “I am the vine and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away, and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”

In verse 2, I had to take a pause. I have read that verse many times. “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit”, Jesus is saying, “the Father takes away.”

Wait! Wait a minute. If we are in Jesus, how can that happen?! My take on it is… some of those branches may “appear” to be connected to Jesus, the Vine… but are not—those branches are “dead” and will never produce fruit. Perhaps they are those who sit in a comfy pew and sing all the right “religious” songs and say all the right “churchy” things, but their hearts are far from God. (Matthew 15:8-9 and Isaiah 29:13) God, the vinedresser removes those branches, so that the “living” branches, those truly “abiding” in Jesus can accomplish their purpose.

Cucumber on the vine

Have you ever looked at a vine? Let’s look at one of my cucumbers on the vine…(Isn’t this baby cucumber so cute!) When the branches stay connected and get all their nutrients from the vine—they bear fruit, they bud, blossom into a flower, and through a maturing process—become a full sized cucumber—identical fruit to what that vine produces. They must stay connected. They cannot just show up on Sunday, grab a few sips of the Holy Spirit and expect to bear the fruit of the Spirit. It is an “all in” relationship. NOT a religion or merely an affiliation with a church.

In both the cucumber vine, and in our relationship with Jesus, we cannot just be “around” or “attached” to the concept of Jesus. That is not enough. I think it is possible for a person to claim the name of Jesus and miss Who He Is. The Great I Am!

I think it is possible for a person to go to church and associate with believers, even think they are doing all the right things, yet not have the life-giving benefits of being fully attached and fully abiding in the TRUE vine.

Many years ago, I had an ivy. I was watering it one day and as I moved it to soak the soil, one of the branches broke. Not all the way through, but almost. It was such a beautiful branch, healthy and green. I did not want to lose it. Thinking I was so smart, (bear with me) I got out my Scotch tape and taped it back together. You can probably guess what happened. For a few days, all seemed well. It was going to make it!

Nope, sad story. At the end of a week being only partially attached to the main vine, it shriveled up and died.

We can be like that. We can join a church, sit in a pew every Sunday, tithe, sing all the praise songs, shout out an amen when the message is good, and yet—be so far from Jesus. We can be attached to the church, or attached to the idea of God but not connected to the Source of life. Eventually, God the vinedresser, the One with ultimate knowledge and authority—will remove those false branches and discard them.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be discarded. How can we bear fruit?

Jesus says in John 15:6 (NKJV) “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him bears much fruit, for without Me you can do nothing.”

We must “abide” in Him and He will abide in us. His life source flowing through us. Producing the fruit of the Spirit as we totally depend on the Vine for all things, all direction, all wisdom, all power to accomplish His will in our life.

Jesus was crystal clear in saying, We can do NOTHING without HIM. And in case we think “we” chose Him. He goes further in John 15:16 (NKJV). “You did not chose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.”

He has all the POWER, He gives us DIRECTION, He has CHOSEN us. He has APPOINTED us. The FRUIT comes from Him. Fruit that comes from Him REMAINS. It does not die on the vine but is His LIGHT to others. His LIFE BLOOD flowing through us produces FRUIT that RESEMBLES HIM! How cool is that!

We need to fully obey and abide in Him. Hold tight to the VINE. He does the rest! THANK YOU, JESUS!

You are CHOSEN, & APPOINTED to BEAR HIS FRUIT! You are EQUIPPED, now GO!

See you in the garden!

He shall strengthen your heart

I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD, be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the LORD! Psalm 27:13-14 NKJV

Are you struggling? Ready to give up, ready to “lose heart’? I have been there myself. It is a dark place, a place where fear & anxiety rule. To lose heart would be to give up, to give in and not have the strength to overcome whatever struggle is in our life.

King David, the author of this Psalm, knew heartache and betrayal. If you read all of Psalm 27, you will hear his anguish as he begged the Lord to hear his cry. I have begged the Lord to hear my cry. Maybe you feel that way right now.

You and I need to know that we can go on. Through whatever is happening in our life, we can go on. We need strength. Sometimes our hearts are so weary, so tired…we want to give up, but we must not quit.

Do not give up. Believe that you will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. As a child of God, a follower of Jesus Christ, we will definitely see the goodness of the Lord when we get to Heaven. But to see the goodness of the Lord while we are here among the living…yes, sometimes we need that encouragement now. To know that God is in control.

The verse goes on to say, “Wait”, have courage that you will see the good things that are here and God shall strengthen your heart.

It is as we wait, that we must be of good courage, to be in a positive mindset and then the Lord shall strengthen our heart. He will strengthen our heart. He will help us hold on.

He will help you hold on. Go to the Lord with your struggles and as you wait, perhaps for answers, trust Him and let Him strengthen you through it all.

Hush, My Child

My grandson Kaleb has been picking out a weekly Bible verse for me by choosing from cards with a verse on each one. This week he chose Psalm 46:10,

“Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

A verse I think of often.

As I meditated on it this week, I wondered what it meant to be “still”? Merriam-Webster defines it as meaning:

• Devoid of or abstaining from motion
• Uttering no sound, quiet
• Calm, tranquil
• Free from noise or turbulence

I like the thought of resting quietly in the Presence of God. God is saying, “Hush my child, be quiet and trust Me.”

In this fast-paced and chaotic world, it is difficult to be quiet.

How many times have I asked God for something, to answer a prayer or help me with a trial in my life, but have I lingered in His presence to hear His response? Not often, I am sad to admit. I usually throw up a quick prayer, hope God is listening, and I move on with my day. I am sometimes too busy with my day that I forget who is the Giver of my days.

My thoughts are all over the place and they are far from “still.” I read a recent study that says humans have about 6,200 thoughts per day. Wow, that is a lot and how many of them flip flop back and forth? I must tell my anxious thoughts to be still, to shut up the thoughts and ideas that hinder me from following God. I must hear what God is saying…I must acknowledge He is God. He is in control. He is aware of the situation and He will be exalted through it all. I must trust Him.

Being silent or still before God can seem awkward at first. But it is the time that the Holy Spirit speaks into our heart.

We need to be still to hear His voice, to receive His peace, His joy, His guidance.  The next time we pray, let us pause to remember that He is God and deserves our attention and praise.

Keep Seeking God

I have written on this topic before. To seek the Lord with all that I am. I keep going back to it for myself…SEEK…to seek Him in ALL things. I struggle to keep my eyes on Him,. When life is going smooth, do I need to still seek Him? I can handle life right now, it’s all good…or so I think…can you relate?

I seek His comfort and strength when I am weary and emotionally drained.

Do I seek Him when I am so full of praise and joy because I have remembered that He is an Awesome God? I searched my heart and I cannot say that i always do that.

To seek Him means to build a relationship with Him, to want to be with Him. If I seek Him often, longing to get to know Him, then when I am feeling low, or want something, He will listen. Not that I will get all that I ask for, or in the way that I would want. That is Not the main reason to seek Him. I believe it is vital to seek the Lord in my walk, in our walk with Him because we want to know Him, and we want to grow closer to Him and serve Him. Why do I say that…why should we seek Him? What is the benefit? Here are but a few…

Psalm 16:11 (NKJV) “You (meaning God, our heavenly Father) will show me (you and I) the path of life, (life through the death and resurrection of JESUS) in Your presence (At His feet, in His Throne Room, in the middle of you busy life—you focus on Him!) is fullness of joy (Overflowing, cannot hold anymore); at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (words) added by me.

Wow, who would not want direction to the path of life and fullness of joy! I know I would! The path to life through Jesus. The path away from death and sin! Joy, not just a fleeting moment of happiness, but fullness of Joy in His Presence. Time seeking God and spending time in His Presence is pure, overflowing JOY! Praise His Holy Name!

“The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him.” Lamentations 3:25 (NKJV)

God is good to us as we wait and seek Him. To the soul who seeks Him. Our very core of our person, that chooses to seek God. We should be careful not to seek Him only to get what we want or to have Him be like a genie in a bottle to do our bidding. It is in our best interest to seek God to get to know Him, to receive wise counsel and direction from Him, to want to spend time with Him.

King David pleads with God in Psalm 27:7-9 (NKJV),

“Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me and answer me.                                   When you said, “Seek My face.”  My heart said to You, “Your face, LORD I will seek.”                                            Do not hide Your face from me; Do not turn Your servant away in anger;                                                   You have been my help; do not leave me nor forsake me, O God of my Salvation.”

“I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4 (NKJV)

When we cry out to God as we seek His face, He will hear us. Let that sink in! The God of all Creation hears you! He hears you and He gives an answer!

There have been times in my life where I have felt that no one was hearing what I was saying. Maybe they politely listened, but they did not hear what my heart was saying. God hears what our heart, our deepest inner place, is saying in the way a father would. A perfect Father who is God! How comforting.

God goes beyond hearing us…He will have mercy upon us and answer us. He will never leave us or forsake us. Although life will not instantly become perfect, we will have God with us.

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you…” James 4:8a (NKJV)

When we seek God, we draw near to Him. We come into His presence to ask Him what His plan is for us. What He thinks of our situation. What His wise counsel and direction is for each moment. He is with us, willing to guide and instruct. Willing to give us Salvation, new life, His peace and strength and many other good things, IF we SEEK Him to genuinely want to know Him more.

May you be richly blessed by God as you seek Him.

God Rejoices Over You

“The LORD, your God is in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 (NKJV)

The LORD is in our midst! Right in the middle of where you are, where I am. He is all around us, and He is in all things and Creator of all. If you call Him LORD (as I do and and I hope you do!) we, you and I are His children…AND He is in the middle of our lives. When we allow Him to have His rightful place as King of our lives, He is intimately involved, as a Father would be, in our lives. He is aware of everything and is carefully watching.

“The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.” Proverbs 15:3 (NKJV)

He first & foremost wants to save us. Salvation comes through God’s Son, Jesus Christ…His death on the cross for our sin (Romans 5:8) , AND even more important is His RESSURECTION on Easter morning! He arose from the dead and gave us the opportunity to share His inheritance and His Father in Heaven! Though we die a earthly death when our time has come, we have a forever home in Heaven! (John 14:1-6)

We are saved from God’s wrath. As His redeemed child, He looks at us with love, compassion and mercy. We are made righteous through Jesus! We are saved from eternal damnation and hell. Did you know that we are also saved from the power of sin to control us? It is true! Satan, the evil one has no power over us. We will still be attacked and tempted because we live in the world, but through the Power of the Holy Spirit living within us, we can resist, we CAN OVERCOME! (John 16:5-15)

Look at the verse again, there is so much more! God rejoices over you with gladness and singing. I can just picture Him…can you?! Gleefully rejoicing over me, rejoicing in all of the wonder of you…raising His voice and singing over you, His beloved child! Wow! I pray that you are letting that sink in. How special you are. How loved, how wanted you are!

One more thing I want you to notice in this verse…“He will quiet you with His love.”

Have you ever been so anxious or worried that your heart is racing—what is going to happen??;

So scared you can’t catch your breath—will I survive this??;

So sad or heartbroken that you can’t think straight and your mind is churning in a million directions like the swirl of a tornado—will this drown me??

Lift your head in hope my beautiful friend!

If you have children or grandchildren, think on this. Remember when they were little and they woke up scared, maybe they had a bad dream and they were unsettled, anxious. Did you go to them and just hold them close, smoothing back the hair across their forehead, whispering words of love and comfort. I bet you did! As they got older, maybe they were sick or were hurt? Older still, an issue at school, breakup, disappointment…a long list of hurts and noisy times in our lives. I am speaking as a Mom and Grammy, however I am sure this is felt by Dads and Grampa’s, as well as many other relationships & family dynamics. I had such love swell up within me for my children, my grandchildren. My pure, unselfish love for them, a love that quieted their anxious thoughts, chased away their fears and soothed their sorrows.

How much more does God do that for us! A love not like the world loves. Deeper than human love. A forever love. An all-encompassing love. A love for who you are, right where you are, especially in the middle of your mess, loved unconditionally. A wonderful, life changing love…a secure, warm, constant, sustaining, solid, eternal, comforting, able to quiet your anxious thoughts, able to give you His peace (His quiet) as you face whatever it is. That kind of love.

God quiets us with His love. when the world is tossing us, we need peace. His peace. The quietness within that let’s us know we will get through this.

JESUS tells us “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubles, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27 (NKJV)

PLUS, you get God…you have Him in your midst. Oh, what a wonderful God and Savior!