Name Tags: You are… Branches & Trees
I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me, you can do nothing.
John 15:5 (NKJV)
Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.
Jeremiah 17:7-8 (ESV)
Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Matthew 3:10 (ESV)
If you've ever been into gardening, you know trees and plants get sucker branches: weak, useless limbs that sap a good tree's strength.
Often, they grow on the dark underside. Sometimes, they stand straight up, but have few leaves: kind of like “all talk, but little action.”
Either way, these fruitless appendages should be located, trimmed, and discarded. At the same time, even healthy branches should be carefully pruned of their dead parts. Therein, the plant grows even more fruitful!
Actors, models, and talent for Christ:
In your calling as “branches of the Vine,” your direction is to bear lovely fruit. In this role, the Lord is perfectly clear. Therefore, consider 4 fruit-prompting tips:
Hypocritical Christians are suckers: sucking the Life out of congregations through compromises and twisting God's Word. Within your own inner circle of saints, learn to spot the suckers and cut them off.
Healthy branches can get sap-suckers, too. If you let them linger unattended… and they pull you into dark directions, the Master Gardener will prune you, too. Even so, the quick pain will bring better growth.
The Bible calls you trees of righteousness.* In this role, picture yourself standing tall, growing skyward, and reaching to the Son. As such, you’re big, strong, and easily seen. You offer shade and fruit to passersby.**
Apart from Jesus, a.k.a. the Vine, all branches and trees will wither or burn. While their leaves may make a short, pretty show, their fruit will be bad or non-existent. Don't depend on or become such a tree.***
Name Tags: You Are… Branches & Trees (Part 15)
* 'That they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified' (Isaiah 61:3, NKJV).
** 'The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control' (Galatians 5:22-23, NASB).
*** Short article: What is the meaning of the Parable of the Fig Tree? What is the meaning of the Parable of the Fig Tree? | GotQuestions.org
*** Short article: Why did Jesus curse the fig tree?
Why did Jesus curse the fig tree? | GotQuestions.org
NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players.’ Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.