More on the Vine July 23, 2019 T.G. Whitaker

THE VINE Part 2

Finding a note on my desk, I read: “Because of their deception, the Lord shall cause thine enemies to be smitten before thy face.  They shall come out against thee one way and flee before thee seven ways.” - Deut. 28:7-8. Lord, I receive this Word.  I do not know who precisely this was in reference to, but I believe He will perform His Word when the situation arises, and I shall declare this Word that He has said, and it shall come to pass. It is a promise; it is a creation; it has legs and life. 

Many of the things I now know, were taught to me by Holy Spirit through the Word, the teachings of those who sought the Lord 200 plus years ago, and others proclaiming the Gospel untainted by doctrines of man. Many of the churches I have attended through the years had nothing in place to disciple the recently reborn, leaving me and many vulnerable to false doctrine teaching and legalism within the church system.  It is when I began to see the doctrine unravel and Holy Spirit showed the depth and the understanding of the heart of God, that there is security in my faith.  I found one church that was church.  It was a family, and although I was not there very long, they left an impression of love and caring I have not found, except in a blessed sister-in-law, who dropped everything to help me when I was recovering from an accident. 

We are to be knitted together, our hearts entwined with His; branches off the same vine, all growing out of the same root and good ground. All the branches nourish and hold each other up, and they produce the same fruit – that is, act in accordance with God’s ways - say the same Word.  They do not put forth of themselves – they put forth the precious fruit of the vine – for the benefit and enrichment of all.  So simple, and so wonderful, the humble excellency of our Lord, Jesus. There is no other way except His way.

John 15:4-8

4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abides in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing.

6 If a man abides not in Me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

7 If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so, shall ye be my disciples.