Abiding in the VINE

 Praise the LORD!!!

    Let us go today, to a point of focusing on a position every Christian should seek to maintain, that of "abiding" in CHRIST!!! It is no secret that I seek out wisdom through the great masters of old, those preachers which came before this current age. An age when life was less hectic and their focus was more intent on that which they studied. Many of you know the names that populate this list, names such as C.H. Spurgeon, Andrew Murray, Matthew Henry and Thomas a Kempis.

   Recently, I've been reading one of Andrew Murry's books, "The True Vine." As with a good percentage of his writings, this too is a devotional style volume, broken up into daily readings. Much is the wisdom that is found in this small volume, for it is not always the mass of a book that makes it valuable, but the spiritual presence that prevails from within it's pages.

   This book focuses upon John 15 and JESUS' WORDS to HIS faithful followers, being given after Judas Iscariot has parted company with them. This is a leading, to understand it as something that is very important to those that are faithful servants of the LORD. Now, there are many that will maintain that they're faithful servants, but our verse here will bring to the forefront an important item to hold this title.

   John 15:5
"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." (KJV) 

“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. (NIV)

   We all know JESUS is the "Vine" and we're the "branches" that draw our subsistence from HIM. HE is the very source of the 'life blood' that flows through our veins. The 'sap' have you, that causes us to function as a member and active participant of works of GOD, a 'branch' in the vine of Christianity.

   As can, or should be clear from the multiple version posting, the word 'abide' means to remain within the influence of this 'life blood.' In other words, to remain in and intimately focused on JESUS. Not our focusing on bring a disciples, or even doing the works for the KINGDOM of GOD on earth, but focusing on, dwelling upon the very source of our faith, JESUS HIMSELF and HIM alone.

   Where are your intents, your focus and your actions focused? Are they focused upon drawing closer in relationship to JESUS? Or are they focused on some other aspect of life or Christian walk? Let us each seek to draw closer in our personal relationships with JESUS. Not on that which we can receive through this relationship, or that which we must do in it, but in the actual act itself, of drawing closer, closer to HIM alone!!!
   
 Prayer request can be sent to: prayers@vineofchrist.org 

GOD bless and good day,

Rev. Marshall Barth

Vine of CHRIST Ministries