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Vines, Branches and Trees – Grow Up Into Jesus

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James 1:5 If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him.

Years ago, while driving a semi in the winter, from central Colorado to Western Wyoming , I discovered I had a lot of time on my hands. While driving I got this crazy thought: You’ve got parts of the book of James memorized – Why don’t you memorize the whole book? When I began the undertaking one thing that annoyed me was that it seemed to be a mixture of disjointed thoughts. But as I was provoked with questions I slowly began to see their interconnectedness. For example in verses 2-12 you see that if you are going through trials – you should consider it joy. Why? Ask for wisdom. To ask for wisdom during the trial requires belief, and humility. As you submit to the process above – you grow and mature, become integrated (no longer double-minded or two souled), and you receive the Crown of Life. Now that should be counted ALL joy!

This wisdom provides an understanding of the process. Understanding the process empowers you to cooperate and grow rather than kicking, screaming, and resisting the Hand of the Lord. For example yesterday I was reviewing some Scripture memory. Before I began I asked two questions: Is this empowering me to be connected to Jesus? Am I making room for Jesus in this process? After checking myself spiritually, and focusing my minds attention on connecting with the Lord – not just reviewing Scripture, John 15:1-2 stood out to me: I am the True Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser. 2 Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit [that stops bearing] He cuts away (trims off, takes away); and He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit.

What struck me was that Jesus was identifying with the Vine. The Vine He is – is being pruned by His Father the Vine Dresser. Even more startling is that Jesus had some branches that weren’t bearing fruit, and branches that were. The branches that were – got exposed to the process of pruning in order for them to bear more fruit.

When I was around 14 years old I began searching for God. One of the things I was drawn to was a simple little devotional called My Daily Bread. One of those devotionals pointed out the promise found in James 1:5 and so I began praying this promise almost everyday of my young life into adulthood. As I began to see the promise manifested I added other promises to my daily routine. I added insight, knowledge, foresight, discernment, and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit – and those grew. But what I failed to see was that I was growing even though I was heavily demonized, self-centered, arrogant, angry and proud. In our maturing process the enemy will often remind us of our failures, regrets, and shame. But the tares always grow with the wheat. The question is, Are we sowing more wheat than tares – every harvest? Eventually the wheat of God’s Word will choke out the tares and you don’t even realize it. (You didn’t even have to help God by tearing out your tares).

Back in May 2023 we were doing a prophetic exercise with our church in which everyone received a number. These numbers were folded in half, thrown into a basket, and jumbled up. Our facilitator then took the basket and had everyone blindly choose one of the folded pieces of paper. The only person who knew their number was you. Matt Wagenmaker drew my number and wrote the following on a 3×5 index card: Extremely large tree, with a thick trunk and a large canopy of leaves which is flowing next to a river. I still have that index card. Why? Because it sums up everything James is talking about. What Matt “saw” was Psalm 1:2-3 But his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night.3 And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity]. That word blesses me to this day. I keep it in my Bible as a treasure, a reminder and an encouragement.

As followers of Jesus our process is daunting, but simply stated: Grow up into Jesus. You might ask, How? Start with Wisdom (that’s Jesus in the Old Testament. He’s Truth in the New Testament). Get understanding regarding the Words meaning. (Wisdom commands that) Obey and apply all that you know and understand.

You see Jesus is not only the True Vine, He is the Tree of Life planted by the Rivers of the Holy Spirit and His leaves never wither. While focusing on this simple process you eventually become assimilated into Who He is. Small things pay off into eternally, big dividends and rewards – AND – Wisdom crowns us with Life.

That screwed up, nobody teenager took God at His Word, and started becoming His tree. And all of it begins with simple faith.

Confession & Declaration 32

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Luke 12:6-7 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And [yet] not one of them is forgotten or uncared for in the presence of God. 7 But [even] the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not be struck with fear or seized with alarm; you are of greater worth than many [flocks] of sparrows.

This statement is made in Matthews,’ and Lukes’ Gospels. In both accounts the context involves four things: obedient discipleship, persecution, fear, and death. When studying the topic of hair throughout the Bible you come to some interesting conclusions. Hair can be a symbol of vanity or self glory; sin or separation unto God.

For example, in the Old Testament there was what was known as a Nazarite Vow. During the time dedicated to the vow the participant would not cut any of their hair. At the end of their “fast” they would shave all of their hair as a sacrifice to God. As I read this passage in Luke I couldn’t help but ask, Why did Jesus use the topic of “hair” to make His point? The answer is two-fold. First He is making a contrast and comparison between our lives, and something as insignificant as sparrows, and hair. Second He is drawing attention to our consecration, and dedication. The Nazirite vow is taken by individuals who have voluntarily dedicated themselves to God. The vow is a decision, action, and desire by its participants to yield themselves completely to God. By definition, the Hebrew word nasar, simply means “to be separated or consecrated.” Our lives were yielded to God to be separated, and consecrated for His Glory. Our lives are our sacrifice unto Jesus. Yet it would be real easy to discount or belittle our sacrifice when clumped together with all those who have surrendered their lives to Jesus. What we must understand is that to Jesus, our sacrifice is no small thing. He wants you to know that your life is such a treasure to Him, that He not only notices your sacrifice, but how many hairs are on your head. He wants you to realize that if He cares for the little sparrow, then your life means much more to Him than them.

Next He wants us to know that even when we are suffering for our consecration; suffering from religious authorities, or civil authorities that He knows – and He cares. He wants us to know that even if we are being attacked or rejected by our friends and loved ones that He is aware. And Lastly He wants us to know that even when we are facing death that He is there and cares deeply for our sacrifice, and consecration unto Him.

But there’s one more thing. Jesus is known as Jesus of Nazareth. This is not to be confused with the Nazirite vow. He was from the town of Nazareth. Nasar in Hebrew means to be separated, or consecrated. The noun for the root word means branch or root. Interestingly enough the same Hebrew letters used to make the word can also mean crown. Thus a “nasar” can be a branch, or a crowned one.

What’s the significance behind all of this? First we must understand that there are several prophecies referring to Jesus the Messiah as the Branch: Isaiah 11:1-4 And there shall come forth a Shoot out of the stock of Jesse [David’s father], and a Branch out of his roots shall grow and bear fruit. 2 And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the reverential and obedient fear of the Lord— 3 And shall make Him of quick understanding, and His delight shall be in the reverential and obedient fear of the Lord. And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, neither decide by the hearing of His ears; 4 But with righteousness and justice shall He judge the poor and decide with fairness for the meek, the poor, and the downtrodden of the earth; and He shall smite the earth and the oppressor with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked.

The second thing that I want you to recognize is how Jesus sees you: John 15:5 I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing.

Thus you can see the significance that you are His branch; you are His crowned one. What’s interesting about the Hebrew word is that it also applies to unpruned vines (thus the allusion to the uncut hair of the Nazarite). Even more profound than that is the allusion to Jesus, the True Vine.

Yet there is one more play on the word “nasar.” It means to watch, guard or keep. It describes the diligent endeavor of keeping something shielded from an intervening outside world and maintaining this thing’s constitutional integrity. It may describe keeping a promise or covenant or edict, or an attitude of kindness.

Thus we have come full circle. Jesus is our Nasar. He watches over us, guards and keeps us. Yet we are those who keep His covenant, guard and watch over it. That’s powerful. And as His branches, we are crowned with His Spirit, and upon us the seven manifestations of His Spirit reside. He has anointed us to shine forth His Light, and manifest His Spirit to the poor, and the downtrodden of the earth. He has called us to smite the oppressor. Are you beginning to get a glimpse of why the devil hates you so much?

Declaration 32: Son of David, True Vine, and Branch of God I worship You! Son of Jesse, the Living Root, and Rod of God – You are my Rod and Staff. Covenant Keeper, Defender, and Way-maker – I praise glorify Your Holy Name. Once again I marvel at the greatness of Your salvation that You have entrusted to me. I praise You and thank You that my life is so precious to You that even the number of hairs on my head is of significance to You. I thank You that You see my yielded consecration to You as a precious thing. Who I am matters to You. I praise You, that through Your precious Blood You have made me Your branch and crowned me with Your Spirit! Thank You Jesus! Upon me rests the Spirit of Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Power, Knowledge and Holy Fear of Father God! I praise You Jesus that through Your Fire burning in me I am a light to the downtrodden, poor, and the oppressed. But greater than that Your Holy Fire burns agains the oppressor who comes against me and these. Fuel me full with Your Holy Spirit and burn, and blaze through me. Flame up through my life to vanquish Your foes and mine. Explode like a firestorm through me advancing Your Kingdom against the oppressive darkness. Flare up a holy, unquenchable passion, that no devil of hell can squelch, nor circumstance put out. Rise higher, and higher in me. Thank You Jesus that by Your Blood I have conquered the oppressor, and the Author of all oppression. Hallelujah!

Who’s Your One?: Day 30 – Tuesday, February 11