Shortly after buying our present home, we began clearing the backyard of weeds and brush left in their natural habitat along with the many pine trees. I was delighted to discover three small dogwoods in the mix, yet survival in the cramped quarters was questionable. After removing some of the pines, I watched with great anticipation as spring rolled around each year for proof of the health of those dogwoods. The first few years, striking presentations were made. However, it became quite evident that some of the branches were not remaining connected to the life-sustaining sap. So, this summer, we had three large pines cut down and now, under the direct sunlight, two dogwood trees are growing and thriving.  Yet, as autumn 2023 approaches, it is regrettable that several branches in the third dogwood will need to be removed for the well-being of the tree. Even though these branches are still connected to the tree they are no longer receiving nourishment to thrive and, instead, dried up. They are no longer functioning branches. Becoming useless for bringing me any satisfaction, they will be cut off and burned in our firepit. At times, a tree is nurtured to flourish while with others, direct pruning is in order. These actions illustrate the work of God in our lives. Purposefully, He lifts us up and enables growth toward the Son, while at other times our gracious God prunes back so that we bear much fruit. Fruit is the result of God’s ongoing work resulting in a calming of our hearts.

 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 bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.

You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.

I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned.

If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.

Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.

If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.

These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.*

John 15:1-11, NASB

Earlier, at the end of chapter 13, Jesus informed His followers of some distressing news which caused great trepidation.

Dear children, I will be with you only a little longer…you will search for me…You can’t go with me now…

John 13:33a & 36b, NLT

Jesus continues teaching and sharing the remedy for calming their fears! With chapter 14, He reveals a Helper will be given to them: none other than the Holy Spirit of God.

I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, so that He may be with you forever; the Helper is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him; but you know Him because He remains with you and will be in you.

John 14:16-17, NASB

Through chapters 14 and 15, Jesus continued His reassurance, there is no reason to fear. Knowing Jesus returned to the Father and is preparing a place for us to be with Him dispels any fear. Knowing Jesus IS the Way, the Truth, and the LIFE should dispel any fear. Knowing Jesus is One with the Father dispels any fear. Knowing when we obey His commandments and abide in His Word, we can ask anything in His name, dispelling fear. Knowing the Helper will remain with us until His return dispels fear. Knowing we are not left as orphans dispels fear. Knowing He LIVES and we will LIVE too, dispels fear.

Charles Swindoll says,

“Their only hope of overcoming fear was to allow confidence in the truth of Jesus Christ to grow and to gradually displace it.”

Swindoll’s New Testament Insights

Thus, as we practice abiding, living in Him, and obeying His commands, despite His physical absence, our fears will dissipate and Swindoll says,

“confidence displaces fear (1 John 2:28; 4:18), resulting in joy.”*

I cannot afford not to abide; in fact, my life depends upon it!

[Part 1 Link  & Part 2 Link]

Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2023