Dear Friends,
As I read the letters of Paul, I am always
encouraged by the way he opens each one by telling those he is writing to that
he always gives thanks for them. I have come to understand his feelings a
little better as I have worked at sending out these letters each week (almost).
God is building that same kind of thanksgiving in my heart for each of you,
along with the sincere prayer that he will show you His mercy and give you His peace
in each of your situations.
Jeannie and I are
still working at recovering from our traveling pains. I guess it just takes a
lot longer when we get older. I have been thinking a lot about people who are
in constant pain and have been encouraged to pray.
Sunday was the
kick off day for the opening of the season of small group meetings. They stop
having them in the summer and then start them back up in the fall. The message
was directed toward building community and the importance of being part of each
other’s lives. Then after the second service there was a really nice lunch served
and a presentation promoting small groups and encouraging everyone to sign up
for one.
David began his
message by saying that small groups is something RVCC is passionate about, because
we cannot really become close to one another meeting for an hour in a large
group. But small groups of people getting together can get to know each other
and care for the needs of each other more genuinely.
David read from
John 15:1-4:
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 one that bears fruit, He prunes it so
that it may bring forth more fruit. Now you are clean through 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 remains in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.
Grape vines are
kind of amazing. One vine can produce over 80 pounds of fruit in a season. They
can do this and remain alive even in drought conditions because they have
extremely deep roots, sometimes reaching 150 feet down and out to find the
water and nutrients needed to produce the fruit.
In the same way
Jesus is the true vine for our spiritual life. If we abide in him we will have
life that produces fruit that is beneficial to all. His roots go all the way to
the Father of all life. And from the Father he supplies nourishment for our
life if we stay connected to him.
David also
pointed out the part about pruning. Pruning is often not pleasant but our
Father does it anyway just as we disciplined our own children for their good.
Probably we didn’t do it always with their best interest in mind but God ALWAYS
has our best interest at heart and only prunes or disciplines us so we can be
more fruitful.
Branches that are
not pruned bear less and less fruit until they bear no fruit at all. Then the
branches become weak and eventually die. So it will be with us, and if we can
learn to accept the pruning with thanksgiving God will use it to make us more
fruitful.
In the hall of
the church building are 3 banners that form 1 larger banner. The center banner
shows the form of a tree with branches reaching up and out at the top and roots
reaching down and out into each of the other 2 banners at the bottom. The
banner on the left says “Connect”, reminding us that we must be connected to
the root that is Christ. The center banner says “Grow” and the silhouette of
the tree reaching up and out signifies our growth in Christ. Then the banner on
the right says “Serve” encouraging us to serve Christ by serving one another.
Each of us is
pruned of God in some way, that we may bear more fruit. Sometimes it seems
there is nothing that I can do, but in my spirit I always hear, “You can pray.”
We can each of us in our own place speak to our Father and care for the church
and one another in prayer. Please remember the leaders of RVCC as they work to
help us grow, and as they work through the transition from Russell to David
being the senior minister. I am sure there are other needs that you know of.
The greatest need that we each have is to grow closer to Jesus and to our
Father in Heaven. I do thank God for each of you as I write these letters and
as I address and prepare each one to be sent. Then through the week often God
will bring you to mind and I will pray with thanksgiving for each one.
Do
not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication,
with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God
which passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ
Jesus. (Philippians
4:6-7)
Be Faithful in your
place
