One Vine Many Branches

We find ourselves in a time when spiritual apathy has become a persistent matter in question for believers. The constant barrage of digital distractions, social media platforms, work, school, family responsibilities, and even the government has become the present-day boogeyman for Christians. Amid our busy lives, it is easy to forget the importance of prayer and talking to God. While these practices can undoubtedly lead to a more blissful life, it doesn’t mean we won’t face worries or challenges.

To remedy this, it is a positive to intentionally plug into the source of all inspiration, God, daily. By setting aside dedicated time for spiritual nourishment, we can strengthen our relationship with God, find peace in His presence, and gain the guidance and wisdom we need to navigate the twists and turns of life.

Out of the 24 hours we are given daily, how much time have we set aside for prayer and meditation in the word of God? This is a question that each of us should reflect upon and answer honestly. Spending time in the word is like the athlete training for an event. They follow a daily regimen to prepare their body, grow more robust, and get faster, stronger, and better than the day before. But for the born-again believers, we train our spirit man through prayer, fasting, and meditation on scripture; in doing so, we build our faith for our lifetime journey when trouble comes, move mountains along the way, and intercede with prayer for our fellow sisters and brothers in the faith.

By setting aside dedicated time for spiritual nourishment, we can strengthen our relationship with God, find solace in His presence, and gain the guidance and wisdom we need to navigate the hardships of life.

John talks about the relationship of believers to Christ. In this parable, in the 15th chapter of John, Jesus says he is the true vine, and his Father is the gardener. Everyone who is not in him, the Father snips off and throws to the side to bundle and burn, and everyone who is connected to him, who is loving, joyful, peaceful, gentle, reasonable, faithful, and meek, the Father trims for growth Ephesians 5:9-10. So then, if we continue in his word, he will remain in you so you may abound. “If anyone does not remain in me, he is thrown aside like a branch and withers.” John 15:6.

In verse seven of John 15, Jesus says if you remain in him, you can ask anything you want, and it will be done for you. John 15:7. This means that if you stay connected to the source of life, God, study, and meditate on his word, including memorizing scripture, you will not ask for anything outside of his will for you. The more time we spend in the word of God, the more we perform and become like the word of God.

What is the will of God? The law of God is synonymous with knowing the will of God. Law means principles or instruction and includes the volume of the bible. By dividing the time of day for study and meditation in the books of the Bible and other Holy Spirit-inspired books, we learn the will of God and how to perform the will of God in our daily living, including understanding the differences between the perfect will of God and the permissive will of God.

God’s perfect will is that all humankind be saved. Paul encourages prayer, intercessions, and giving thanks for a quiet and peace-filled life, praying for presidents, kings, and all in authority, proving this to be good and accepted in the sight of God and our Savior, Jesus, who wishes to have all men be saved. 1 Timothy 2:1-4.

Additionally, the conduct of the born-again believer should all be in one accord, not giving in to evil deeds, and praying for those who mistreat and take advantage of us, as the renewed mind and spirit abound. Let all believers become conscious of the words spoken since the very eyes of the Lord are over the righteous in Christ, and his ears are open to their prayers.

God’s permissive will is that which God grants to satisfy the desires in the hearts or the lust of the flesh of believers. This usually occurs when believers desire or crave something outside God's will, the lust of the flesh, violence, hatred, and sin; there will be discipline. God chastises the ones he loves. God’s permissive will also allow many to refuse to come to Christ and receive salvation-rejecting his perfect plan.

See then that ye walk carefully, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. For that cause be ye not unwise, but understanding the will of the Lord. Ephesians 5:15-17.

Falling along the journey is a prerequisite. When we fail, the guilt of sin can make us feel unworthy, quit, or give up our faith; in some ways, this is good; it means you are becoming conscious of a sinful nature. It means the Holy Spirit is at work purifying your spirit. This is what it means to be born again. Don’t quit; Jesus says that if we confess our sins, he is faithful and will forgive us for our sins and cleanse us of all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9.

Let your joy be complete in knowing our Lord and Savior; Jesus paid the price for us with his life. Therefore, make your body the temple of the living God, and let us always fellowship with him with prayer and meditation. Let us serve him with obedience and sacrifice our will for his will for our lives. We are no longer a factor of the sinful world system but have been transformed into the likeness of our Father. Genesis 1:26-31.

In conclusion, I urge the body of the Messiah to find complete joy in knowing Jesus sacrificed his life for us so that we might live. He is not calling for perfection but obedience. Treat your body as a temple of the Most High, maintain fellowship through prayer, fasting, and meditation in the word of God and other Holy Spirit-inspired books, and align your will with his; in this way, we stay connected to the vine.