1-23-2022

 Good Morning All,

        John 15:5; “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

    What do you call a branch that is not hooked to a tree? It is called a stick. What are branches good for? They produce flowers, fruit; provide shade and a place for birds and squirrels to live. What is a stick good for? Kindling.

    Ok, so I am not very good at writing riddles, but I think you get the point. Even the largest branch, once it is no longer connected to the tree, is dead. A branch that is connected to a tree, even a tiny branch, produces more fruit than any branch that has broken off. All of this seems quite logical so why do we have trouble seeing that this applies to our lives?

    Jesus is telling us that He is the vine. The vine is the source of all nourishment and strength. Even if the branch cracks, as long as it is connected to the vine it will survive, even flourish as it continues to be fed by vine.  The vine also serves as protection for the branch. It remains anchored safely as the wind buffets the branch. It is through the nourishment of vine that the branch is able to produce flower and fruit.  We are the same.

     Yet we often head off in our own direction thinking we can produce better fruit without any nourishment. We see ourselves as really quite capable of going our own way and making our own choices; all the while we are drying up and shriveling to nothing.  As soon as the next hot, dry spell occurs, we will really be a goner!!  Soon we will be picked up and disposed of burned in a fire somewhere. We will not survive by ourselves.

    Think of the times in your life when you have been buffeted by the winds of trial and trouble. We have illnesses or relationship strains, financial woes, job woes; we have enough woes to float a ship. That is the nature of mankind living in a sinful condition.  If we are not attached to the true Vine (Jesus), we will soon be used as kindling in the fire of the power of the devil. He will cause you to live as if there is no hope. The devil will toy with you and harm you. The devil will make your life miserable. We need to stay attached to the true vine.

     God gives us all we need to stay attached. He gives his Word for us to hear what he has to say. He gives us prayer so we can speak to him. He gives us the body and blood so we may be fed the spirit-lifting, soul-refreshing meal which we need. God does all to keep us attached we need only to not let go. We need to trust in him as the true vine to rescue us and to keep us safe and strong, to keep us nourished and fed. It is only through him that we can survive the onslaught of this world’s perils. We can never win the battle alone we can only win through God’s grace.

Father of all mercy, without you we are completely lost. Hold us close, keep us connected to you. Feed us, nourish us, and protect us from the attacks of the evil foe. Give comfort to those who need it most, in Jesus precious name we pray, amen

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret