Beth (B) – Holy Spirit, what does John 15 say about me? Say about you in me? Say about You? Lord help me receive the message you yearn for me to hear and embrace in this word –
John 15:4a (TPT) “So you must remain in life-union with me, for I remain in life-union with you.”
B – In union is where you reside. How does that look when I choose opinion, anger, resentment, judging, withholding, it looks ugly. Can you reside, remain in life-union, with ugly? How does that look?
John 15:5 (TPT) “I am the sprouting vine and you’re my branches. As you live in union with me as your source, fruitfulness will stream from within you – but when you live separated from me you are powerless.”
John 15:1-2 (TPT) “I am a true sprouting vine, and the farmer who tends the vine is my Father. He cares for the branches connected to me by lifting and propping up the fruitless branches…
(Footnote in part: Greek “he takes up [to himself] every fruitless branch.” He doesn’t remove these branches, but he takes them to himself. As the wise and loving farmer, he lifts them up off the ground to enhance their growth. In the context, Christ’s endless love for his disciples on the last night of his life on earth seems to emphasize God’s love even for those who fail and disappoint him. Peter’s denial didn’t bring rejection from Jesus.)
…and pruning
(Footnote: The Greek word for “pruning,” kathairo, can also mean cleansing.)
every fruitful branch to yield a greater harvest.
B – So Lord, all this is true because you say it is. You are tenderly, lovingly, attentively caring for every bit of each of us. A branch doesn’t see what a farmer sees. A branch doesn’t decide or know how to care for a branch. You ask/invite me to live in union with you, which brings the fruitfulness. Without union, I am powerless. I sense that I am in the powerless place. I see the visual of standing on the rock and blocking your way. Oh God, show me your way. I do not want to be in the way. I don’t want to dwell on me, but I do want your fullness. I want to lay all down that is not in union with you and pick up your cross. I don’t even fully know what that means. I want to pray first and more. I want to think less. I want to rest in you. I want to repent, turn from the old and embrace your new. I want to be in you more. I want to fully rest knowing you are tending, lifting, helping, guiding. I want to be fully in trust. My joy is not dependent on anyone or anything. My joy is in you.
John 15:4 (TPT) So you must remain in life-union with me, for I remain in life-union with you. For as a branch severed from the vine will not bear fruit, so your life will be fruitless unless you live your life intimately joined to mine.
B – That is a promise about you and me.
God (G) – Be still – it is mine. And I am able – watch and see. Relax, let go and watch and see – watch for me – use your earnestness to see me and my way. I am in every thing and I want to show you in every area that I am good, that I love you and my way is best.
B – Thank you Lord. How does this apply?
G – Watch and see – lay it down – I am is big enough. Let me do the work, the lifting, the tending, the loving and agree with me and my way – be in union and not in battle – be in peace and not in war – lay aside the petty to lift up the greatness. Watch and see – it is going to be fun – laugh with me and smile with me and love with me and agree with me and you will see what I see, hear what I hear and feel what I feel. I do not need you to correct. I need you to be still and listen well and go slow and love.
B – Lord, help me to be with you and see what you see and feel what you feel. Help me Lord to be in union – help me to value and adore and love and respect. Help me Lord.
G – So pray – let me do in you what I want to do and let me have my way in every area – do not fear – I am safe – unusual, unique and creative but definitely safe. I want to show you the real deal – what I see, and I want you to have all I desire for you. Let me have my way.
B – Lord, I want this more than fear, my way, my view, my idea, my feelings – I want you and your way. I want to see your glory. I want to see you Lord. Help me today to pray more and love well and be still. Thank you, Lord.
Excerpt from An Encourager’s Heart