A Parable of the Blackberry Bush

Before

When I planted blackberries about four years ago I didn’t know a thing about growing them.  All I knew was how much I like eating them.  So I went to the internet and found a page that told me the best varieties to buy, how to plant them, and how to care for them.  I learned that once they finish producing berries each summer, the canes that had produced berries should be removed.  There are new canes that grew this spring, but it is the previous year’s canes that produced this year’s berries and that need to be cut out.  For, you see, these canes will not produce fruit again.  Next year’s fruit will be produced only on the canes that grew this year.

Before

When I learned about removing the blackberry canes, I was reminded of what Jesus taught his disciples.  His followers lived in an agrarian society, so they knew about unproductive branches and what needs to be done with them:

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 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. . . By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples (John 15:1-5, 8).”

Good Fruit

Jesus was telling His followers that those who have truly given their lives to Him (those who abide in The Vine) will bear good fruit, because He will give them the ability to bear fruit.  The Bible goes on to tell us what good fruit is and how we can bear good fruit:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-25).”

After

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God . . . Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord (Ephesians 5:1-2, 8b-10).”

“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace (James 3:17-18).”

The instructions I found about my blackberries went on to say that once the unproductive canes are removed, they should not go into the compost pile, but should be burned.  Apparently, the older canes are susceptible to disease that can spread to the newer canes, as well as to the rest of the garden.  The same holds true in God’s garden.  Those who are not producing fruit will be cut off and thrown into the fire to be destroyed.  They cannot be allowed to remain, or their sinful lifestyle can infect those who are younger, weaker, and easily deceived:

“If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned (John 15:6).”

The Old Canes, Ready to be Burned

“But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them . . . Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. (Ephesians 5:3-7, 11-12).”

“And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15).”

My prayer for you and for me this week is adapted from Philippians 1:9-11 –

(Dear Jesus,) it is my prayer that (our) love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that (we) may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through (You,) Jesus Christ, (My Lord), to the glory and praise of God.

All Scripture references are from the English Standard Version.

The Garden Path

Last week I told you about the jasmine that grows along the path to my garden.  Today I want to tell you about the path itself.  It is made of flagstone, edged with cut stone that was left over from the rock that is on our home.  I created the path by first outlining the edges of it with the cut stone.  Then I filled the walkway with crushed limestone or road base.  In South Texas, we call it caliche.  The crushed limestone then had to be leveled so that the flagstone doesn’t wobble or shift when it is stepped on.  Since the flagstone is not uniform in thickness, each stone had to be leveled with more or less base to make it sturdy.  Then, since the flagstone is of random shapes, it was like putting a jigsaw puzzle together to make all the pieces fit without having too wide of a space between the stones.  That’s why this was my project and not my husband’s.  He doesn’t like to work puzzles.  Once the puzzle pieces were in place, I filled the space between each stone with concrete to hold them all together and to make the pathway strong and stable.

My pathway is long and narrow.  There are branches off the main path that lead to other areas in the yard.  One branch leads to the grandkids’ play area.  One branch leads to a bench that sits under an arbor, a quiet spot to sit and relax.  Another branch leads to the compost pile and further on to the rose garden.  But the first branch leads to the vegetable garden.  That’s the pathway that is used most often.

When I look at the flagstone in my pathway, and when I think about how all the stones fit together, I am reminded of the Church.  Not just “my church” or “my denomination” or even the “American church.”  The flagstone reminds me of God’s universal church – the church that began over 2,000 years ago when Peter preached and the Holy Spirit came into the lives of believers for the very first time, the church that has grown and continues to grow all over the world, the church that will live in eternity in Paradise with King Jesus on His throne.  The church where we will worship Him in heaven will most likely be a whole lot different than what we are used to here on earth.  After all, when we stop and think about all the nations, all the people groups, all the different kinds of churches that exist in the world today, and have existed for the last two millennia, do you think the church in heaven will be just like mine?  Or yours?  I doubt it.  I think it will be something entirely new, but something that we will all

agree glorifies God in the most complete, perfect way!  God is using all kinds of churches today to usher in His Kingdom.  Each of those churches is like one piece of my flagstone pathway.  Each church is held together with all the others by the Holy Spirit and our faith in the same Jesus.  We are each different in our language, our customs, our music, our buildings, and our form of worship.  But we are all alike in our trust in the same Savior, Jesus Christ, and His blood that was shed for each of us.  We are each sealed with the same Holy Spirit, and we will all worship together in the same heavenly chorus as we sing, “Holy, holy, holy, worthy is the Lamb Who was slain!”  Just like God uses many different individuals with different gifts within each church, He is using many different individual churches with many different looks, missions, and customs to make up His world-wide church! 

 

Read with me, Romans 12:4-6(The Message): 

“In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we’re talking about is Christ’s body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn’t amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ’s body, let’s just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren’t.”

All my life I have read that passage, and I have understood it to mean that a church is made up of many individuals with unique talents and gifts, none more important or less vital than the other.  That is true.  But think about that passage in a broader sense.  Think about all the individual churches, each with its own language, its own customs, and its own mission reach.  No matter its size or its location, each church is just as precious to God as any other, and each unique congregation is vital to His plan for this world. 

When we watch the news and hear about Christians in other parts of the world who are being brutally murdered because of their faith, or when we hear about churches that have to meet in secret, or when we hear about churches that have only a page or two of the scripture, do we give them a second thought?  I hope so.  I hope that we who have it so much easier will do all that we can to support our brothers and sisters around the world who are truly being persecuted, and that we will never forget that God is fitting us all together to form His church.  Just like my pathway would not be complete and would not serve its purpose if any of the stones were removed, God’s church would not be complete, it would not function as He planned, if any of His precious congregations did not exist.  God told us that His church would face persecution.  “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted (2 Timothy 3:12).”  But He also told us that His church would never fail.  “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18).”

Does that mean that people of all beliefs are a part of God’s church?  Not by any stretch of the imagination. 

 

Just like my pathway, the road to heaven is straight and it is narrow.  Jesus said, “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few (Matthew 7:13-14).”   On my path, if you turn off in another direction, you will not get to the garden, but in my yard, every path leads to somewhere equally pleasant and beneficial.  However, if you stray from God’s straight and narrow path, Jesus said your way will end in destruction.  Not all paths are beneficial or pleasant.  Don’t be fooled by all the “feel-good” doctrine that says there are many paths to heaven.  “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6).’”  He also said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven (Matthew 7:21).”

What path are you on today?  Is your life invested in a church that is a part of God’s straight and narrow pathway to Heaven?  Is your church bound together with all God’s other churches by the concrete of His Holy Spirit?

My prayer for you and for me today is that we will be vital, active participants in our own local churches, and that we will each be more sensitive to the needs of the churches in other parts of the world that may have needs that we do not even understand.  I pray that our hearts would be broken when we hear of the persecution of our brothers and sisters in other parts of the world, and that we would thank God every day that we are free to worship Him.  I pray that we would never take that freedom for granted.

“Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all (2 Corinthians 13:11-14).”

Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture is from the English Standard Version.

A Parable of The Jasmine Vine

Many times I’ve said that I feel nearest to God when I am in my garden.  For the next few weeks I want to share with you some of the ways He has spoken to me, using my garden as a classroom.

On the pathway that leads to my garden, I have a wrought iron, arch-shaped arbor and a fence.  Growing on that arbor and fence is some star jasmine.  It is so fragrant in the springtime when it blooms.  I wish the blooming season could last all summer, but we enjoy the beautiful, sweet, white blossoms for only a few weeks.  After the blooms have faded, the vine goes into its growing season.  It seems like the new growth appears overnight, and it must grow several inches every day.  That’s good because it makes the vine fuller and promises even more blossoms the following spring.  But it also creates a problem.  The new growth becomes unruly, shooting out vines as much as three feet long, wrapping around other plants, dangling into the pathway, generally making the walk toward the garden less than pleasant.

Every few days I must tend to the vines.  When it’s possible, I weave the new growth into the fence or the arched arbor, adding fullness to the overall growth.  But sometimes the vines are stubborn and woody making it hard to weave them into the desired structure.  And sometimes the new growth is in an area that is already full and there is no more room to weave it.  In those cases, I have to trim the vines.  You see, I have a plan for this jasmine.  My plan is to create a privacy screen on the fence and shade on the arbor.

God has a plan for you and for me, too.   “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope,” (Jeremiah 29:11).  He wants us to have a full life. “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly,” (John 10:10b).
 
But just like the vine, we tend to go off in every direction unless we yield ourselves to God’s plan for our lives.  “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death,” (Proverbs 14:12). “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths,” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

God has a way of weaving us back into His plan when we get off track, just like I have to weave my jasmine when it becomes unruly.  Sometimes He uses Scripture or our Christian friends to point out to us when we are headed in the wrong direction.  “The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.  Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence,” (Proverbs 15:31-32).  When we listen to His instructions, even if we have strayed from His plan for us, He mercifully weaves us back into the pattern of life that is pleasing to Him.

If we refuse His instruction we will face His anger, and our future is death.  That is when people face the danger of being pruned out of the vine.  “They abandoned the Lord and served the Baals and the Ashtaroth. So the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he gave them over to plunderers, who plundered them. And he sold them into the hand of their surrounding enemies, so that they could no longer withstand their enemies,” (Judges 2:13-14).  “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind,” (Ephesians 2:1-3).

But when we listen to Him, and when we agree with Him that His way is the only way, He forgives us and, once again, He weaves the branches of our lives into His perfect plan.  “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin,” (Psalm 51:1-2)!  “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.  For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them,” (Ephesians 2:4-10).

That is why God tells us, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it,” (Proverbs 22:6).  Just like I am “training” the vine to go where I want it to go, we are taught to “train” our children.  We need to teach them, beginning the day they are born, that God loves them, He has a plan for them, that His way is the way of abundant life, and any other way leads to destruction.  That does not mean that our children will always do the right thing and make the right choices.  We all get off track sometimes.  But when we train our children, and ourselves, to submit to His plan for our lives, the end result will be a life that is full and that glorifies Him.  And the ultimate result is a life with Him in eternity.

Just as I expect my jasmine to conform to my plan for it, my prayer for you and for me this week is that our hearts and our desires will be transformed by God and that our lives will be conformed to His perfect plan for us:

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect,” (Romans 12:2).

All Scripture references are from the English Standard Version.