He is DeVine

"Just remember.......He is DeVine, you are DeBranch!" - Keith Green

Please open your bibles to John 15:1

Intro
So, I've been thinking a lot about vineyards! I don't want you to think: "Oh boy, another one of those vineyard devotionals, how original Micah.....". This is a vineyard devotional, but I'm very very excited about it!!! In fact, I think it is one of the most exciting things that Jesus ever talked about! Ok, now if you are anything like me, you probably don't know anything about vineyards except that they are where grapes come from. I do imagine however, that most of you have at one time or another owned your own apple orchard. Right? No? Hahaha, yah, I hear ya! In fact most of us have only seen trees on TV! Well, the concept of vinedressing is simple, even though the technicalities may not be (we don't really have to worry about it though because God the Father is the gardener Jn 15:1), so get ready, because this is "grape" stuff, hahaha, oooooo.....puns.

Context
The reason that I am so enthused about this passage is because of the context. Pastor Penney once told me, rather excitedly, that when I read from John 12 - John18, I should remember the timing of these chapters. Jesus has been walking with the disciples for several years and now, in these chapters, he is living his last few days on Earth! I like to think about what I would tell the people around me if I had a day or so to live. I certainly would not use my last few hours to kid around or ramble on, that's for sure. Now think about it! You have in your hands the last words that the Son of God spoke to his closest friends before he left. Jesus is slamming down some big tips, so we would all be wise to pay attention!!


The Vine's Job
First things first. God is the Gardener, Jesus is the main vine and we are branches (Jn 15:1). This is important because you need to know your job. You are responsible for making big juicy grapes. If you don't grow any grapes, you're done, kaputt. Dead and fruitless branches are not cool. About twice a year in the Peterson house, we had a little backyard bon-fire. We gathered up every box, branch, newspaper, burdox plant and batteries (we wanted to see if they would explode.....they never did, very disappointing) we could find and torched it! Then we got out the marshmellows!! I will never forget the image of all those branches getting roasted. The crackling and popping. Well, that's what it's going to be like for dead and fruitless branches and Satan is bringing the marshmellows! (Jn 15:2, 15:6)


The Right Grapes Growing Conditions
At this point, we're kind of nervously thinking: "Ok ok, so....so....so, how does one go about growing these grapes? And what do these grapes look like?". Well, we'll get there, it's kind of a suprise ending, so don't get bored and change the blog on me or anything!


You can't grow grapes unless you are attached to the vine. I'm no gardener, but I sure have cut off a lot of tree branches in my day!! In fact, one time I constructed an entire tree fort using cut down evergreen branches. It was all camouflaged and green and you couldn't see inside it. It had all these secret entrances. Well, you may have guessed by now, but the fort was cool for about a week...........until all the branches died and all that was left was a see-through twig shack!!!

No my friend, for a good many reasons, the branch must be attached to the vine. This is so important. Jesus says that unless we abide in him (it's like being tight with Jesus, you hang out all the time and live with him), we are not going to grow any grapes (Jn 15:4). So let's stop grunting, stop striving, stop huffing, stop puffing, stop gritting our teeth, stop "trying" to squeeze grapes out and let's plug into Jesus. Let's hang out with him. Then you'll have grape juice in your veins!

I'm preaching to myself of course, but sometimes I need a good preaching and you might as well benefit from it and keep me accountable too. The ONLY way that we are going to abide in Jesus is if we start giving up little things. For me, this is how simple it is. I often get distracted. When I am tired of working, I like to play video games and stuff (maybe TV, eating, reading novel type books, etc...). This is not "bad", but maybe a waste of my time. Lately I got the book of John in pocket form and now I read it when I'm on a break, or waiting at the doctors office or on the Jon! Or sometimes I pray. Stuff like that, the basics. But it always comes down to a descision between two things, hanging out with Jesus, or doing the "stuff" that I want to do. It will knock your socks off when you trade this time!!!

Plus, Jesus said that if you abide in him, you can ask for anything and it will be done for you(Jn 15:7)!! Sweet.

How To Grow Grapes
Obey Jesus commandments (Jn 14:15, Jn 14:21, Jn 14:23, Jn 15:10, 1 John 4:3). Ok, that one was easy.

Ummmmm, Jesus Said a lot of Stuff....
I know, that's the suprise ending part! Growing grapes is ridiculously simple (not easy, simple). Jesus said: "This is my commandment, that you love another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command." (Jn 15:12-14). There you have it. We grow grapes when we love others around us. We grow grapes, not necessarily when we take a physical bullet for someone, but when we lay down our time, energy, money, gifts, talents........everything, for others. This is who God is. He showed us the highest love by sending his most precious treasure, Jesus, to die a horrible death for those he created. This is who we ought to be. If you need practical ways to do this, read the bible! I would suggest starting at Matthew Chapter 5-7. It's the sermon on the mount and it's jam packed full of useful day-to-day things that we can do to love others. Another easy one is to write down all the things that you are good at and start thinking about how you could use those gifts you have to bless someone you know. Start with your family and work your way out. It's awesome!!


Well.....I'm Sort of Lazy, Why Should I Grow Grapes?
Well, besides getting burnt to a crisp in the lake of fire (not enough inspiration for some, I know).............. , there is something special hidden (well it's not really hidden of course, we just don't take the time to find it : ) in this passage. I think it is one of the keys to the kingdom of God. You won't hear about it on TV or in music videos. You likely won't hear about it on the popular radio. Most magazines seem to miss it as well. In fact, I don't think the secular world really wants you find out what is in this passage. Jesus says that the reason that he would like us to grow grapes is so that we can have his Joy and that that Joy may be made full.......................whoa mama. This is it folks! Dig in! This is what I was so excited about! It's not a grape competition!! It's not a game to see which vine can produce the most grapes! It's not a popularity contest (who has the biggest/purplest/shiniest/juiciest grape)!! It's not a chore! It's not a cruel punishment! The task of growing grapes (ie: loving one another) is so that every fiber of your being is saturated with FULL JOY! The world would have you believe that when you serve yourself, you will be happy. You will be happy I guess, happy like a selfish child. It runs out pretty fast. Jesus is talking about lasting Joy. Not gratification, not a fix, not a high, not a quick laugh, not a rush............but the joy that makes your insides well up until you feel like you will explode. Have you tasted it? There's nothing like it! Try it, I dare you! Let's quit serving ourselves, and start serving others! Woot woot woot! *Crowd chanting* Serving! Serving! Serving! *End chanting*

*If you are not a Christian and you think that this is all well and good, but that anyone can be a nice person and you don't need Jesus, I would challenge you to really think about your existence. Most people believe that there is a higher power who has created the earth. It is no stretch that he loves us and wants to save us from death. When you accept the gift of Jesus work to defeat sin on the cross, Jesus says in John 14:23 "If anyone loves me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him." When you accept Jesus and ask him to forgive your sin and keep his words (follow the bible), God comes and lives with you!!! It's true. I know it. I can talk to him every day and he listens to me and answers me and it is really the best thing in the world! And why work your whole life to serve others when you are just going to die and stop existing. It doesn't make sense. And don't kid yourself by thinking that maybe there is a God, but you can work your sin off by being good. You can't. Plain and simple. Why turn away the salvation that God has offered? Accept Jesus and you get eternal life in heaven, a sweet life on earth, a new spirit, life. If you really step out in faith and accept Jesus into your life, you won't be dissapointed! More to come on this.........