The Gardener
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Audio: Being Radical For Christ
Message
Jesus tells the disciples, “I AM the true Vine, and My Father is The Gardener,” John 15:1
He is saying, “Remain in Me and I will remain in you.”
“For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and we cannot thrive and be fruitful unless we remain in Jesus.” John 15:4
Here on the blog we refer to Springs of Zion as His Presence, but in the past, I have referred to His River of Peace as His Presence. Each are a metaphor for entering the Presence of the LORD.
We are told in the book of Revelation 22:1-4, The River of God’s presence is the place for which He desires for you to serve Him.
The River of Life
“And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads.” Revelation 22:1-4
When the Angel showed John this River of the Living Water, He saw The Throne of God and Jesus, the lamb.
John also saw God’s servants, with His Name written on their foreheads, worshipping Him as they gazed upon His Face.
When we reflect on these verses, we can see the River of His Presence is the place we are called to serve Him.
The River or waters through out His Word are God’s presence and this is where we will come to know the boundaries of our authority in Christ.
I want to encourage you to seek His Presence first above all things. Wait on Jesus and ask Him for the specifics of how, when and where in areas of your life needing guidance.
He will speak to you in this place and provide you with new ideas, and steps to take prior to making any decision. If you do not hear anything, wait on Him.
Today, it’s very hard to live and seek Jesus. We have so many demands made upon our lives and time.
We are all over committed, pressured and obligated in every direction. As a result, it can feel like there isn’t enough time in the day to do everything we need to do. This mindset will keep you from God’s presence.
Seeking First the Kingdom of God all things will be added to you. That’s what this verse in Matthew 6:33 actual means.
Seek God’s Presence
It’s clear God designed His Garden for man. Jesus was our example. He went up on the Mountain and into the wilderness to receive His daily bread.
Jesus going away alone to pray with His Father is what we are meant to do as well. Going to church is great, but time alone with The Father is where we receive nourishment to bear fruit.
When we seek The Father, His Waters enable us to receive from Him above the demands of the world. We are strengthened to serve out of His Abundance rather than from a depleted and dry branch.
Jesus warns us in John 15:5b-7,
“‘Apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you’”.
We must work to keep our spiritual garden healthy by seeking The Father in His Presence.
In the Book of Ezekiel, he turns the metaphor of the vine upside down. Ezekiel enlists the metaphor of the vine three times in the space of five chapters within the book of Ezekiel. (Ezekiel 15:1–8; 17:5–10; 19:10–14).
The vine usually suggests a positive image in the Bible per the Book of John 15. But, the prophet criticizes the vine’s very nature: the worthlessness of its wood, as compared to the wood of trees because The people of Jerusalem were worthless.
The sole purpose of any tree is to bear fruit. When it does not bear fruit, it is inferior to other trees, losing its distinctive purpose by becoming unprofitable.
We see this today when one is full of fear and anxiety or maybe even anger for the times we are living.
Ezekiel states the purpose of Man’s existence is to live for God, by bearing precious fruit, if he fails in this, he is of no use but to be destroyed.
Let us beware of the worthless branch metaphor.
Let us spend some time in quiet and ask The Father to increase our sensitivity to His Presence.
Or maybe enter His Presence with Singing and Praise like Paul and Silas in Acts 16:19-25.
God loves our songs, no matter how they seem to us, it’s our heart he hears not our voice. Let us come to Christ, and seek to abide in Him, and to have His words abide in us.
The is our journey here in the Springs of Zion blog. We must set our mind and faith like flint towards finding God’s Glory. Our ultimate goal is to see Jesus Face to Face.
Be prepared Citizens, God’s love comes at a high price!
Are you ready for the journey?
Francios Fernek a 17th century author said,
“Each step made towards prudence (wisdom), temperance (moderation of desires), fortitude (courage) and justice (righteousness) will prove far above any temporal goods as the heavens are above the earth.”
This little book called “Let Go” is so wonderful. I want to encourage each of you to obtain a copy today.
I want to encourage each of you to read some of the 17th century authors like John Owen and others. Their perspective isn’t washed out like some of the authors we read about today!
As we mature in our journey, a deeper understanding of the truths are given to strengthen ones souls to find peace by detaching itself from one’s carnal mind.
What is God’s goal? It is about who we are becoming.
God is our gardener and there is a process in which He transforms us and our character. He wants to plant and grow new ways within our hearts until we look and act just like Him!
Step #1 — We must seek to cherish each revealed truth by avoiding everything that tends to make us forget these truths!
WORD from the LORD
So without another moment of delay, I’d like to begin with my conversation with The Father while communing in His Garden, but floating Spiritual in His River.
His Spirit comes to prays within us for the very things which The Father himself wills to reveal.
Today is February 1, 2023: “A new year filled with Hope,” says The Father.
The Father began speaking as I followed Him around His Garden — which is actually My Garden within my spiritual temple.
I see new rows of vegetation and fruit. My soul cultivates this garden as my will surrenders to it. The flowers are in full bloom revealing heavenly colorful treasures that I have sought-out.
Each reveals a little hidden weed I must pull before it takes root spoiling any new growth or fruit.
As I am pondering, I hear the Father say, “We are about to uncover many hidden treasures together, not just for you, but for all those just entering My Garden.
My Springs are over flowing for those needing guidance within their garden. I AM making corrections for those just entering My Fiery Furnace. Rejoice in Me for My Hand sustains you from the skies above.
Do not be astonished Angela, that men do so little for me that costs them so much.”
I felt His Sadness. I was reminded of the verse in Matthew 4:9 when Satan promised Jesus , “All this I will give you,” as he said, “If, you will bow down and worship me.”
The Church, who have bowed to the enemy schemes, still believe they are working for God, but actually this is soul work, and it must be reconciled, as they are feeding their pride.
And then The LORD said, “This indifference among man is due to their souls distracting them with passions and affections for objects their flesh desire.
For They do not know Me; or scarcely do,” says the Father!
“Their knowledge of Me has been blinded by refusing to examine themselves and following wolves in sheep clothing. The extent of this disease is so extreme, I AM unable to convict those are so full of themselves.
Remember, I always save a Remnant. My Remnant Citizens shall meet in Springs of Zion as they are not swayed by the impressions of the world.
These Ones know they are empty without Me and trust that I AM their God in Heaven.
Each spending time to relish in My Truth(s) [Word of God] satisfying their souls appetite. Knowing My Ways are just and they are filled with everlasting peace.
Angela, what Man needs most is the knowledge of thy Sovereign God.
Have they not seen my ordained series of events to wash out their world view?
Have those shaken awake found the corruption and instability of their worldly things?
Are any convinced?
Do they see there is a need of reformation of moral principals for daily living? Such things can not be pardoned, unless one yields to their Creator.
Beloved, once yielded, I shall fill each with My Pure love that casts out all fear and ceases their soul from refusing to embrace ME with sincere affection.
I shall plant a tree within each to bear fruit that takes root by its fecundity.
Once a sincere love takes hold; My Spirit of Fire will come to ignite them!
Then they shall find an earnest almost ravenous hunger building within their soul — only My Presence will satisfy!
They will thirst to know all they can about Me!
This is their battle ground. . . Soul against Spirit.
He lives and We Live they shall say until that day not too far off, I shall hear them crying with courage, “He has Risen!”
They will say, He is with us, please lead us and we shall follow!
AND I shall answer, Yes My Child, Come, Follow Me!
Mercy, Peace and Love be multiplied to you, with Love,”
Your Father in Heaven, King of Kings, Yahweh and His Son Yahshua.
I earnestly pray everyday for each of you to seek His River. Please be encouraged to follow The Spirit of God to reconcile any unrighteousness within one’s heart and soul.
The teachings of man are so watered-down and convoluted, it’s hard to know thetrue spiritual path to God.
I will leave you with an A. Z. Tozer another well know and humble Saint of Christ.
““If ye then be risen with Christ . . .” That word “if” is not an “if” of uncertainty. The force of the word is “since ye are then risen with Christ.” Paul declared in Romans 6:4, Ephesians 2:6-7 and elsewhere that when Christ rose from the dead, His people rose with Him. Mortality rose with Him. Spirituality rose with Him. And this rising from the dead was and is an accomplished fact.”
A. Z. Tozer
When we display His Fruits of love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, we know we have entered His Springs of flowing waters.
Be blessed. Do not settle for less by giving God Everything today!
May you be filled with His Joy, His LOVE and Spiritual Fire.
I am excited for this journey with you.
Shalom!
Scriptures:
“The word of the Lord came to me: Son of man, how is the wood of a vine different from that of a branch from any of the trees in the forest? Is wood ever taken from it to make anything useful? Do they make pegs from it to hang things on? And after it is thrown on the fire as fuel and the fire burns both ends and chars the middle, is it then useful for anything? If it was not useful for anything when it was whole, how much less can it be made into something useful when the fire has burned it and it is charred? “Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: As I have given the wood of the vine among the trees of the forest as fuel for the fire, so will I treat the people living in Jerusalem. I will set my face against them. Although they have come out of the fire, the fire will yet consume them. And when I set my face against them, you will know that I am the Lord. I will make the land desolate because they have been unfaithful, declares the Sovereign Lord.” Ezekiel 15:1-8
“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love….
…… And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them…..
……. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:8;16,18
“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9
“I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.” Revelation 3:18
The Cost of Following Jesus
“As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”
Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
He said to another man, “Follow me.”
But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”
Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”
Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.”
Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”” Luke 9:57-62
“So, because you are lukewarm — neither hot nor cold — I AM about to spit you out of My Mouth.” Revelation 3:16
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23
Shalom
~ Angela Reese
Angela is the owner of “Fruits of His Vine” website, to encourage and equip those still in wandering, or in captivity, to find our Savior in His Holy Tabernacle.
Amen.