A
deeper understanding of the truth that we are branches on the Vine will set us
free. What does a branch do? Nothing…It simply hangs out with the Vine. It
bears the fruit sent to it by the Vine, and the branch stays healthy by remaining
continually connected to Vine.
A
branch may get beaten up by the storms of life, pecked by birds and drilled by
bugs, but it continues to receive all of the life-giving nutrients and the
constant support from the Vine. It blossoms with this vital life flowing
through it.
As
long as we remain in Christ, we are eternally secure. We did nothing to earn
our place on the Vine, and we can do nothing to remove our self from the Vine. Our
union with Him is our most prized possession.
The
Vine Dresser will prune us in order to allow us to bear more fruit (John 15:11).
This discipline is painful in the moment, but the wisdom that we learn brings
us fulfillment for the rest of our life (Hebrews 12:11).
Even
when we discover a flaw in our thoughts, words or deeds, we do not need to
obsess over it. We simply repent of it, and trust God's Spirit to perfect that
area in us. God's grace is always sufficient for us.
It
is by believing in our heart that Jesus is Lord and that God raised Him from
the dead, by praying without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17-19), and by
declaring our faith in Him to anyone who will listen, that we find our true joy
in salvation and our intimate union with God (Romans 1:17, 10:9-10).
Prayer:
Father
God, Your grace is sufficient to see us through every trial and shortcoming in
our day. You fill-in our cracks, bolster our weaknesses, perfect our
deficiencies, and redeem us for eternity. We need You every moment of our day
and night, and we trust in Your faithfulness to walk with us and in us all the
moments of our life.
You
are all we ever need to bring us peace, joy and fulfillment in this life. In
our hopelessness, You give us Your power; in our discouragement, You give us
Your truth; in our lack, Your provide for our needs; in our confusion, You give
us direction. You are our all sufficiency (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Thought
for the Day:
God
did not create us, pat us on the head and send us out into the world alone;
instead, He gave us the Bible for encouragement, hope and direction; He gives
us His Spirit to sanctify and perfect us; and He gives us His love every moment
of every day.
