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. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 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.

 John 15:1-11

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. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 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. John 15:2-5

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 15:1-11, where Jesus seeks for believers to abide in Him as He is the vine, the Father is the vinedresser, and believers are the branches - ultimately God seeks for us to bear fruit in His Name. Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God wants believers to bear fruit, so if we don't He will take us away (eternal condemnation) (see also v6).  Even if we do bear fruit, God prunes us and this process may not be enjoyable from an earthly perspective but He does this so that can be a healthy vine for His purpose. We need to abide in Him to bear fruit as "apart from Him we can do nothing" (v5).  We have this incredible promise that if we abide in Him, and His Words in us, whatever [we] wish, and it will be done for [us]" (v7).  However, we should be careful to misinterpret this text to think that anything we ask God will give us - without conditions.  The conditions are important.  We must abide in Him and His Words in us - this means that we seek what He seeks - there is alignment to His will.  If we know His voice we follow Him as He is the Good Shepherd. We then glorify the Father by doing His will - Jesus provides the example of how this is done - by keeping His commandments (v10) and abiding in His love just as He abides in the Father's love. Jesus shares these words with us so that His joy - which is incredible - will be in us and that this joy be full (v11).    
• What do we learn from the text about people?: People either bear fruit (believers) or they don't (non-believers), and if they don't there is eternal condemnation.  If you do, you are a believer, and you will have both eternal life and God's joy. 
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid not abiding in God's Words - be in the Word daily.  Claim the promise that if we abide in Him, God's joy will be in us and it will be full - incredible. Follow the example that Jesus did to abide in the Father's commandments by following Jesus' commandments.  Abide in Him.       

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves.  You prune me and keep me bearing fruit. Thank You for Your patience as I know there is more pruning to do in me!  I am not deserving of how You love and save.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.   

All things are full of weariness; a man cannot utter it; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.

Ecclesiastes 1

All things are full of weariness; a man cannot utter it; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. Ecclesiastes 1:8

I continue my study today of Ecclesiastes using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for this book.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Ecclesiastes 1:3-11, which per the commentary, is the first division of the first chapter of the commentary. The commentary shares the following in its introduction to commentary that unpacks Ecclesiastes 1:1-18 and 12:8-14: "[w]e are stuck in a monotonous prison where nothing we do really changes anything, and the only way to live a meaningful life in this meaningless existence is to find satisfaction and contentment in what God has given us."  The book of 1 Kings captures the story of Solomon, the author of Ecclesiastes, as he asks God for wisdom, is then granted wisdom, as well as great wealth and power.  Ultimately, this evolved into a life of sin and ungodly pursuits.  The commentary shares how Solomon's words in Ecclesiastes are just as relevant today as when first written: "[p]eople think to themselves all the time, If I could just have more money, more pleasure, or more success, then I would really be happy. Solomon had everything and tried everything, and in Ecclesiastes, perhaps at the end of his life, he tells us, 'No! All of that is meaningless.'" See also my post yesterday, where I am encouraged to read Ecclesiastes in the context of the Fall and with understanding and knowledge of the Gospel where believers know that we exist to glorify God and this purpose should drive all that we do. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me - thank You Jesus! I am not deserving of how You bless me - my cup overflows...again I am not deserving.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

All things are full of weariness; a man cannot utter it; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.

Ecclesiastes 1

All things are full of weariness; a man cannot utter it; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. Ecclesiastes 1:8

I start a new study today of Ecclesiastes using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for this book.  Today, my focus is an unassisted review of Ecclesiastes 1:3-11, which per the commentary, is the first division of the first chapter of the commentary.  Solomon, referred to as the son of King David, authors this chapter of Ecclesiastes, where he writes about the emptiness of life, and how humanity, left to its own natural inclinations, falls prone to sin and sinful pursuits - separated from God.  This is certainly true since the Fall in Genesis 3 where sin entered the world and has followed ever since.  John 15 comes to mind where Jesus shares how He is the Vine and we are the branches.  In v5, Jesus shares how "apart from me you can do nothing."  We are encouraged to abide in Him.  We must remember that we exist to glorify God, and this broadly directs our lives as we seek to more specifically identify and develop our spiritual gifts and use them for His glory.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me...giving Your children spiritual gifts to develop and use for Your glory.  These gifts are then distributed among the church such that we can work in unity...again for Your glory.  Thank You for Your church and the community it provides, including prayer, encouragement, teaching, spiritual growth, etc.  What incredible blessings...thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and blessing.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.