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Articles from May 2015

Consider the Source

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 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

John 15:5, NIV

roots-of-powerWe all know what happens to branches that are cut from the plant: they wither and die. On the surface, this seems kind of obvious, but stick with me here.

The roots of plants draw water from the soil, and combined with the process of photosynthesis in the leaves, create “food” for the plant to survive. The leaves cannot perform photosynthesis on their own, away from the plant, because the water drawn from the soil by the roots is necessary for the process. Branches that are cut cannot produce fruit. They will die because they no longer receive what they need from the plant.

Jesus used this simple illustration in verse five to remind us what our “source” should be. “If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit. Apart from me, you can do nothing.” As branches, we are dependent upon the “living water” that comes from the “vine” – Jesus – for our branches to bear fruit. Apart from Him, our “branches” cannot produce any fruit. We must remain in Him, or we can do nothing.

How do you remain in Jesus? Spend time with Him. Spend time reading His Word. Talk to Him. Get to know Him. Spend time with others who know and love Him. He doesn’t care if you have thirty minutes a day for deep Bible study or if you talk to Him throughout your day, thanking Him for even silly things like a good parking spot at Walmart. (Both are great, by the way.) He just wants you to remain in Him! Be aware of His presence in your everyday life. Let Him know you know your “source!”

Sister, if you find yourself in a “fruitless” situation, it might be time to check your source.

Remaining in Him,

Amy

Pruning Isn’t for Sissies.

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“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.  He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”

John 15:1-2, NIV

vegetable_gardenMy grandparents (on both sides) always grew real vegetable gardens – big ones, not those postage-stamp size backyard plots people call a garden today. Early on summer mornings, we would pick vegetables with my father’s mother. We’d put old bread bags over our Keds to keep them dry in the dew. Anyone else ever do that? My mother’s parents had a huge garden and usually harvested so much that even after canning and storing enough for themselves, they had excess to sell at a farmer’s market.

All that food didn’t come without an enormous amount of work. Plants will grow on their own in the right conditions, but without care, they will be overcome by weeds, pests, and possibly lack of water. Plants must be tended if they are to bear the most fruit (or vegetables) possible.

When a plant is overgrown, it expends a large amount of energy trying to keep those long, fruitless limbs alive. When those limbs are removed, the plant can then divert that energy into the remaining branches, allowing those to become stronger and bear even more fruit.

In John 15, Jesus told us that He is the vine, and God is the gardener who cuts off any branches that are not fruitful—and prunes the ones that are—so they will become even more fruitful. If we are the branches, as John 15:2 says, then this pruning also applies to us.

If there are things in your life needlessly sapping your energy, ask God to show you the excess foliage that is draining you and allow the Master Gardener to cut it away so that you may begin to produce fruit in abundance. “For this is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” (John 15:8)

Remaining in Him,

Amy

Questions: Why are you afraid?

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Whether talking with the disciples, speaking in a public forum, or defending Himself before His enemies, Jesus consistently asked questions.  In the four gospels, Jesus asked over 300 questions.

 

Why are you afraid?

And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.  And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?”

Matthew 8:23-37

friday_57595743_SFear. It’s something I wish I could say that I rarely feel since becoming a believer.  But even though I professionally counsel many who struggle with fear and anxiety, I can’t deny my own battle with it as well.

I know that because we live in a fallen world, we will always feel a measure of fear. In fact, God designed our brains to detect danger and to feel fear in order to prompt us to take action. A portion of our brain is constantly scanning our environment to detect threats. If this automatic and reactive region of the brain decides that something poses a threat, then a signal is sent to get our mind and body ready for whatever may be looming in our midst. Adrenaline pumps, hearts race, hands sweat, and stomachs lurch. hands are sweating and our stomach feels awful. We can’t always prevent this rapid surge from happening; it is naturally associated with dangerous situations.

The most advanced and rational region of our brain, the cortex, has the opportunity to either fuel or override the fear. Our knowledge of who God is, our memories of Scripture and our past experiences all play an enormous role in how the cortex will handle what we are experiencing, both externally and internally.

If we choose to trust God for wisdom, discernment, direction and leading, even if our lives are truly in danger, we can still experience a powerful peace amidst the storm. If we look at the situation and refuse to place our trust in God’s providence, His love, and His guidance, we can quickly go into panic mode.

I think this is what Jesus detected in this scene on the water. The storm would have been viewed as a threat to anyone, simply based on the way that we are created. But, once they assessed the situation—yet refused to trust that Jesus, who was right there with them, was in control—they moved from instinctive fear to panicky fear. Instead of believing in Jesus’ power, the gravity of their situation led them to doubt both His position and His passion for them.

In a similar situation my response has everything to do with what I choose to focus on. Once my physical symptoms alert me to the fact that I am feeling fearful or anxious, if I don’t allow the steadfast character of God and the truths of Scripture to be my anchor, I will inevitably flounder like the disciples did that day. My interactions with Him will be characterized by frightful cries instead of faith-filled conversations that affirm I know who He is, what He is about, and what I can lean on in the midst of the storm.

God knows that we will feel fear at times. But, as soon as we become aware of what is happening, we must take time to answer the question as well. “Why are you afraid?” Will your mind believe or doubt the omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent God?

Jackie