Sweeter Than Honey: A Branch and a Chosen Friend

What if we spent a few quiet moments with God each morning? What if we were intentional about making time for it? What if we committed to doing that all year long and by the year’s end we found that we had read the entire Bible!?

How many times, on January 1, have you committed to reading the Bible from cover to cover in a year? I have made that commitment too many times to count, and I have failed too many times to admit.

​A few years ago though, I used a one-year, chronological order of book authorship, Bible Reading Itinerary.

Did you know that Genesis was not the first book of the Bible written? While plans like this vary somewhat, because it is simply impossible to put an exact date on some books of the Bible, the plan I used begins with the book of Job.

​Sweeter Than Honey is a 365-day devotional journey ​that leads the reader
​through God's Word ​in chronological order of book authorship.

AVAILABLE AT AMAZON [PAPERBACK | KINDLE]

Let me introduce you to Sweeter Than Honey, friend. It is patterned after that Bible Reading Itinerary.

On Tuesdays, now through the end of the year, I would love it if you and I could take a trip through Sweeter Than Honey together! I'd also like to encourage you to Join us over at the private, Sweeter Than Honey Facebook group and share your thoughts. You'll find like-minded, Christian friends there. Let’s do this! Come join us as we move through the book and God's Word together.

We're waiting for you!

John 13-15: A Branch and a Chosen Friend

I love studying the “I Am” statements in the Bible. If you’ve never done that, you should! “I Am the True Vine” found here in John 15, is one of my favorites! This passage paints a vivid picture of Jesus as the vine and believers as branches. We, as believers, can do nothing apart from the Vine.

“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…. 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. 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. If you abide in Me, and My Words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be My disciples. As the Father has loved Me, so have I 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, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another.” (John 15:1-17)

God the Father is the Vinedresser. A vinedresser is a centuries-old profession and an important component of production. The vinedresser is intimately involved in the daily pruning and cultivation of the vines. Without daily pruning and proper cultivation, the vine will not bear fruit. John tells us here that even if we bear fruit, the Vinedresser will prune us. Pruning is necessary in order to bear more fruit. Verse 8 tells us that the Father is glorified when we bear fruit and that bearing fruit is proof that we are disciples of Jesus Christ. The passage goes on to say that by abiding in the Vine we will be filled with joy

Then, my favorite part of this passage—Jesus calls us “friends” (15:14). “You are My friends if you do what I command you,” He says. But wait! There’s more! In verse 16, He calls us “chosen.” “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide” (15:16). We are not just friends, we are chosen friends! I don’t know about you, but I like being called a friend of God! I’m sure you do as well. Today, let’s welcome the pruning to bear more fruit and respond to Him as the branch and chosen friend that we are.

I love the analogy of a vinedresser that John presents here in this passage. Pruning is painful, yet so spiritually rewarding! How have you seen God's pruning in your life produce growth?

About Sweeter Than Honey

When I read God’s Word each morning, I find inspiration and insight that keeps my day on track. Join me on this journey. Let’s settle in with His Word—it’s His Love Letter to us. Did you know that? Let’s read it like a Love Letter, expecting to glean something for our walk with Him every day. Let’s look for peace in the chaos and strength for our weaknesses. Even on our busiest days we can carve out a few minutes to refocus on the important. Can’t we? We may have to get up a little earlier, when the house is still and quiet, or stay up a few minutes after the others are tucked in for the night, but we can do this! I know we can!

Let's be intentional about focusing on God’s Word and the truths found there. Let's let it inspire us to live out our faith each day in a way that causes those we come in contact with to want what we have found. God sees you. He knows you by name, He knows the number of hairs on your head, and He cares about every detail of your daily existence. He wrote you a Love Letter. Let’s dive in! ​

JOIN THE SWEETER THAN HONEY PRIVATE FACEBOOK GROUP

---

Thanks for joining the InstaEncouragements weekly Christian link-up! We would really appreciate it if you would grab this IE link-up button, place it on your blog, and link back to this post. Thanks! Have an awesome week! 

If you're new to link-ups, checkout our IE LINK-UP page for a brief explanation and a list of other link-ups to participate in.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

---