The Choice Is Yours

Last night, while sitting among a diverse group of individuals, the familiar passage of scripture of Jesus as the Vine and God as the Vine-dresser or Gardener ( John 15:1-17 ) discussion was underway, when a dogmatic no-nonsense CEO asked several questions that basically boil down to a main concept: so what? As a business how does this passage relate to the structure of bearing more "fruit" or favor? How does this help with all of the jealousy and envy I encounter among my employees? This bearing of more fruit just doesn't happen in the real world, let's have some real talk? Jesus is the Vine, God is the Gardner, His people are the branches. If His people abide (active remaining) in Him, they will bear more fruit: So What? Time for some more real talk. First, time needs to be spent on the first intended audience to whom this parable (allegorical story) was being told, the original implications of the message, the practicalities of the messages impact on the lis...

God's view of you is far different than your own self-perception.  In general, people tend to value themselves by either their character, their surroundings, or their successes. When God shows that His value of you is not based in any of these criteria or even in you, but rather in HIM, your mind should be blown. Paul, an Apostle of Jesus Christ, to bring good news to the Gentiles, -------------This upholder of Jewish law to a level of religious fever that compelled Saul/Paul to kill the people of the WAY (new terms for the first people to follow Jesus), becomes God's instrument of Grace to the unclean, degenerate, horrible pagans?!------------------------------------------------------- On a job application for God's special campaign, Saul/Paul should probably leave his track record out.........That's what I would suggest! BUT GOD, He had a plan for His creation. He had a plan for the passion of Paul to follow the Law of the Jewish people. God had Paul on hi...