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"The Master Gardener"

God is the gardener, Jesus is the true vine.

We are the branches that contain the sap of His life.

God cuts of every branch in Jesus that bears no fruit,

or is ineffective, dead or dried up.

Every branch that produce fruit, God also prunes them

so that it will be more fruitful, more productive and effective. If the branch does not remain in the vine it

is cut of and thrown away, rendered useless to anyone.

It is gathered up and burned.

A dead branch usually saps the life from other branches,

thus rendering them less fruitful as they should be,

stumping their growth. Everything that hinders

growth in other branches must be cut of, plucked

up and destroyed.

The same is with the christian who are just there

trying to influence the ones who are trying to be

fruitful, by always trying to stump their growth in Christ.

God may be trying to seperate you from some

influence in your life that may be keeping you

from being as effective as He would have you to be.

He may be pruning you to encourage new,

healthier growth. If the branch is not rooted in Christ

we can do nothing. We must remain in the true vine.

Instead of trying to stump ones growth in Christ,

we should be trying to help them grow

spiritually by encouraging them to listen to

the Master Gardener. By listening to Him they

will be making spirit-led rather than people-led

decisions. When we need encouragement, we

should spend time with someone who knows how to

build us up, not with someone who is always

critical and always leaving a negative influence

on us.

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"My Commission"

In Mark 16:15, when Jesus said "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation," he wasn't asking me to travel all over the world or to be a missionary. He has provided different ways of preaching good news.

We can speak good news in our neighbourhood and our neighbouring towns, where there are most often people waiting for someone to share the good news of the gospel with them.

This can be done in several different ways. Through church ministries such as Women's Ministries and Men's fellowship events. Even inviting people into your home for coffee, tea or even a meal, remembering that all the while we are to be reflecting God's love. Others should be able to see Christ in our daily living.

When God does something in your life, you should be willing to share it with others by whatever means possible.

I beleive I have found a way to share to many parts of the world what God is doing in my life. This is through my website. Since so many people are constantly searching the web it is possible for them to come upon my website and find some refreshment in reading about things God is doing. My prayer is that whoever enters my site will find something that would change their outlook on life.

"What Is His Name"

I am the true vine; you are the branches, if a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers, such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. John 15:5-6 (NIV)

"What Is His Name"

There are still today many people in this world who ask the question, "What is his name, Who is he"? The whole fate of humanity hangs on the answer to this question.

The Psalmist says, "They that know thy name will put their trust in thee, and the Name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous runneth into it and is safe."

To the Israelites God himself answered this question. "I am that I am". God told Moses to tell the children of Israel that "This is my name forever, and this is my memorial to all generations."

God tells us through all the pages of His Word who He is.

"I am" He says, all that my people need. I am their strength, I am their wisdom, I am their righteousness, I am their peace, I am their salvation, I am their life, I am their all in all. I am the rest for the weary. I am peace for the storm tossed. I am strength for the strengthless. I am wisdom for the foolish. I am righteousness for the sinful. I am all the neediest soul on earth can want.

I am the word of life. I am the true vine. I am the bread which cometh down from heaven. I am the stone which the builders rejected. I am the good shepherd who giveth his life for his sheep. I am the sun of righteousness with healing in his wings. I am the lamb that was slain from the foundation of the world. I am the truth and the life. I am exalted to be prince and savior to give repentance and forgiveness of sins. I am Alpha and Omega, the begining and the end. Behold I live forever. I am the author and finisher of your faith. I am he who endured the cross, despising the shame and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. I am my Fathers beloved son in whom He is well pleased. I am the bright and morning star. I am before all things and by me all things exist. I am your bridegroom, you are my bride.

I am exceedingly abundantly beyond all you can ask or think of blessing and help, and care. I am not the stern judge and hard taskmaker that some fear I am but I am a God of Love revealed to you. The God who cares for you as I care for the sparrows, and for the flowers of the field, and even number the hairs of your head.

This unfinished name is the most comforting name because it allows you to add to it without any limitation. This unfinished name of God is like a blank cheque signed by a rich friend given to us to be filled in with whatever sum we may desire, whatever we feel the need of and even exceeding abundantly beyond all that we can ask or think.

I'm glad I know who Jesus is, Don't you?

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory,

that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

John 15:7-8