The Vinedresser and His Branches

John 15:1-11New American Standard Bible (NASB)

15 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He [a]prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already [b]clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit [c]of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. 5 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. 6 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. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so [d]prove to be My disciples.9 Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.10 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. 11 These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.

A verse I just read in a prayer book, that stood out even before I could finish the whole verse. The word Vinedresser is a beautiful word because of the way it sounds to me. Other versions will say Gardener which does not differ in meaning from the former. 

Just as a fashion designer meticulously measures and put finishings on a dress he or she designs, the God who designed us in the likeness of His image is meticulously shaping us to be who He wants us to be.

A dresser dresses someone to make them beautiful, enhancing their being, God the Vinedresser is cleaning/pruning us to be a man and woman of substance. So that we can bear fruit- we exude characteristics of a person that glorifies God.

And we can only bear fruit if we abide in Christ,  we all know that generally.  In practical,  we abide by being God conscious in all we do in life and continually growing in His Word for His Word has already made us clean as said in verse 3. Why would we want to be 'not clean' when we are already made clean in the first place? Why would we not want to receive the fullness of His joy when He freely gives?

And God says "My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you" 

It may sound supernatural but its as simple as watching a plane fly through the clouds. We see alot of situations through our own eyes and not through God's many times, we do things with our own wisdom and strength instead of asking Him to show the way. 

These verses began to strengthen my faith once again and I know if I want to maintain, I need to dwell and meditate upon His word and making it real in my life. And I hope you will join me as well.

Just remember apart from our Vinedresser, we can do nothing but abide in Him and nothing is impossible through Him.