Coffee With The Lord

The secret of “fruitfulness” as a Christian in an analogy

Here it is… I read it this morning during “Coffee with the Lord in my Bible. Decided to find some pics on Google to illustrate it. Have a feeling I’ll be reflecting on the significance of it in my life all day long… Why don’t you join me?

Jesus said it… “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit… Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 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. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples… You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. (from John 15:1–17 ESV)

The basics… Some preliminary observations…

• Jesus is the “vine” – the source of our life and fruitfulness!
• To be “fruitful” in my life as a Christian I must “abide in Him!” – that’s the secret of “fruitfulness” … without Him I can do nothing!!
• The Heavenly Father is the “vinedresser” – He will do whatever he needs to in my life to make me “fruitful”
• The second secret of fruitfulness – responding positively to the “vinedresser” – my Heavenly father’s “pruning”
• The Father is glorified when I “bear MUCH fruit”! That is why he “chose” me… that I would “bear fruit”… “MUCH fruit”!
• And finally, this morning… to not “bear fruit” has sad consequnces (verse 6)! To “abide in the vine” and “bear fruit” has wonderful results (verse 7 and 16)!

A wonderful, rich analogy!! Yes, I’m going to be reflecting on it all day!

Given the sad condition of our nation morally and spiritually, it just seemed appropriate to post this adaptation of Daniel 9 as a intercession guide for our nation… (It was my Bible reading this morning during “Coffee with the Lord.”) I urge you to make it your prayer this morning! (I did!)

“O Lord, You are a great and awesome God! You always fulfill Your covenant and keep Your promises of unfailing love to those who love you and obey Your commands. But we have sinned and done wrong. We have rebelled against You and scorned your commands and regulations. We have refused to listen to Your servants the prophets, who spoke on Your authority to us as a nation – its leaders and its people.

“Lord, You are in the right; but as You see, our faces are covered with shame. This is true of all of us who stand under your judgment… O Lord, we are covered with shame because we have sinned against You. But You are merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against You. We have not obeyed You, we have not followed the instructions You gave us through Your servants the prophets. We have all disobeyed Your instruction and turned away, refusing to listen to Your voice.

“So now Your promised judgment has been poured down on us because of our sin. You have kept Your word and done to us and our rulers exactly as you warned. Every judgment You promised as a result of our sin has come true. Yet we have refused to seek Your mercy by turning from our sins and recognizing Your truth. Therefore, You, oh Lord have brought upon us the disaster You prepared. Lord You were right to do all of these things, for we did not obey You.

“O Lord our God, You have brought lasting honor to Your name by rescuing Your people over and over again. But we have sinned and are full of wickedness. In view of all Your faithful mercies, Lord, please turn Your furious anger away from our nation and its people. Other nations mock us because of our sins and the sins of our ancestors.

“O our God, hear Your servant’s prayer!  Listen as I plead. For Your own sake, Lord, smile again on us!

“O my God, lean down and listen to me. Open Your eyes and see our despair. We make this plea, not because we deserve help, but because of Your mercy.

“O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and act! For Your own sake, do not delay, O my God, for the sake of Your people and our nation!”

(An adaption of the New Living Translation for personal and corporate intercession for our nation)

I found myself desiring to be found “faithful” after reading the following passage this morning during “Coffee with the Lord”

“Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest. He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house… Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house… But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory.” (from Hebrews 3:1-6)

Did you pick up on the message? We should consider or contemplate Jesus… He was faithful to the Heavenly Father and the mission He was given. Moses was also faithful. We also, are called to faithfulness… and our challenge is to “hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory”

Three things came to mind about my faithfulness as I considered and reflected on Jesus and His faithfulness today. I want to be faithful to…

1. The Master – The faithfulness of Jesus to the Father – totally committed to God’s will even though it lead to the cross, calls me to be faithful God, even if it leads to death… “faithful unto death” if you please!

2. The Mission – I want to be able to look God in the eye one day and be able to say what the apostle Paul said: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith!” (2 Timothy 4:7) I want to be comfortable in His presence with the knowledge I have done my best to fulfill the “Great Commission” (Matthew 28:19-20)

3. The Message – I want to share the gospel message with clarity and integrity! I never want to be guilty of distorting or misrepresenting God’s word! (2 Corinthians 4:1-2)

So reflecting the Biblical significance of the word “faithful” today… I want my “faith” in God to be reflected in concrete, practical ways. I want to live by my commitments to Him! I want my loyalty to Him to show! I want to be dependable – I want God to be able to count on me! And when all is said and done, I want to hear Him declare the “Amen!” to my life.