John 15:1-16: Connected to the Vine

Every vineyard must be pruned if it would bear much fruit,

Cared for by the Garden Master from leaf to bud to shoot.

Jesus is the fruitful vine, the Father its caretaker

We are the branches carefully dressed by the divine Creator.

Every branch should bear fruit, for that is the master plan.

The season for bearing spiritual fruit is this earthly lifespan.

The healthy branch sends forth grace enabling fruit to grow

This is how our life work has spiritual fruit to show.

The branch relies upon the vine for its strength and energy

It is carefully pruned and further refined or its fruit will never be.

These times of pruning are for our good, cutting the dross away

Thus enabling the very best fruit to thrive until harvest day.

God has a pattern revealed here about the fruit-bearing process:

Four terms within this passage describe increasing fruitful progress.

Fruit to more fruit is first ascribed and then by much fruit explained.

The final term so skillfully described is hailed as fruit that remains.

Bearing fruit honors the Father; brings glory to our savior.

How sad when believers do not bother to think about their behavior.

If you think little of stewarding your life here on planet earth,

You call into question the validity of a genuine spiritual birth.

Here’s how you grow into fruitfulness: Live in the Father’s love.

Keep His commandments; love one another, receiving grace from above.

There are the things that bring fulfillment with joy that will truly remain.

Sweet is the life with purpose here and the promise of heaven gained.

Knowing that He was soon to die, Jesus expressed a thought

Pertaining to the cruel cross where salvation would be wrought.

True friendship imperishable, the kind that makes you cry,

Is expressed for those one loves, when he lays down his life and dies.

This is what Jesus did for me and for all who believe His Word

He died to be our redeeming Lord. How my heart is stirred!

He does not call us servants now; He calls us His dear friends.

His death provides a new life now and a future that never ends.

I’m so thankful our dear Lord forgave my sin and shame.

On the cross He qualified me for heaven’s glorious gain.

I find myself attached to Christ, the glorious, life-giving vine.

I’m glad the Father’s pruning knife trims me to His design.

Here are the thoughts I wish for you, thoughts both kind and true:

I wish for you to know our Lord the way that He wants you to.

I wish for you to possess His peace; His joy to fill your soul.

I wish for you His very best plan, and a life that is full and whole.

© Copyright 2016 George M. Cuff, All Rights Reserved

Ephesians 6:13-18 - Dressed for Success

Did you know we believers are in a war?

Our enemy is vicious, not one to ignore.

In order to triumph in this test,

Let’s check out the manual to dress for success.

We buckle on the belt of truth;

Works best if we wear it from our youth.

The breastplate of righteousness does its part

Providing protection to the heart.

Fitted with peace, our feet are ready

To stand strong in battle or stand steady.

The shield of faith provides protection

When arrows are fired from every direction.

Our minds we protect from evil temptation

By putting on the helmet of salvation.

We pick up the fearsome Sword of the Spirit

So lethal to demons they won’t come near it.

This is how we dress each day,

But before we head out, we stop to pray.

We exalt our God with prayers and praises

Trusting His guidance in all its phases.

There’s coming a day when we’ll battle no more,

But until then we fight in this war.

The armor, the weapons and giving of thanks

Help us defeat the enemy’s ranks.

So get up tomorrow; be ready to fight,

Put on the armor; go forth in God’s might.

Soon our Lord will call us up higher,

But the devil will land in the Lake of Fire.

John 15: The Coming of the Comforter

Jesus had said He was going away to be in the presence of God.

The disciples were stunned to hear His words; they seemed so very odd.

They had been sure He would build a kingdom right here on the earth,

But first the message had to be preached about the spiritual birth.

“Though I must leave you,” said the Lord, “I will send the Spirit true.

He will help you through life’s trials; actually abide in you.

He will comfort, guide and instruct just as I have done.

I must go, but He will come after the battle I’ve won.”

Fairly soon I will be gone and the world will see me no more,

But you, dear friends will know I’m alive to live forevermore.

Though I’m in heaven with the Father, I will also be in your heart.

Fellowship, wisdom; eternal life by the Spirit I will impart.

Our spiritual union will be complete, at rest in constant communion,

The Father, Spirit, Savior and man in holy, transcendent union.

If you love me, you will be loved by My Father in heaven above.

Sweet communion with God and man abides through the grace of love.

Judas wondered how God is unknown by those who refuse to believe?

Is it true that one is condemned if salvation he fails to receive?

The Bible declares all have sinned; it has changed our eternal condition,

But Jesus came to bring us new life, to effect our transposition.

When we place faith in Christ alone as our savior and Lord,

We are cleansed of all our sin, our spiritual life restored.

We love our Father and our Lord and the Holy Spirit within.

All who believe will find themselves loved in return by Him.

There is a reason this is important: These are the Father’s words.

The message of man’s spiritual hope is the greatest ever heard.

Triune God, independent of need, with love for this world so deep

Created in Christ the road to redemption that led to Satan’s defeat.

If you will trust Him, He will save you, forgive your sin and shame.

You can serve Him here on earth free from judgment and blame.

You can know you are going to heaven when life’s journey is o’er

You can gather with saints and friends on heaven’s glorious shore.

© Copyright 2016 George M. Cuff, All Rights Reserved

John 13:34-35: A New Command

                                        John 13:34-35

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; 

as I have loved you, that you also love one another.  ³⁵ By this all 

will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

Here is counsel to be observed, a directive not always followed.

For when the flesh rises up within, we find it difficult to swallow.

But we don’t live this Christian life in the strength of man’s strong will;

We live by faith in the Spirit’s might as believers Spirit-filled.

Jesus commands that we love others in the manner He loves us.

This is more than a lofty goal to ponder and discuss.

There is a clear identity for those who follow the Lord:

The manner in which they live with others certainly strikes a chord.

“A new commandment,” Jesus said, so this is not a suggestion.

Deciding whether to love your brother is not open to reflection.

“I give to you,” is His word. It seems to be quite explicit.

It’s a command for every believer; be sure you do not miss it.

“As I have loved you,” is the example given by Christ quite clear.

If we would truly follow our Lord, love must be always near.

“By this all will know,” Jesus said, “that you are my disciples.”

Loving is more than a platitude uttered in endless cycles.

How are you doing in the manner you follow this command?

Have you surrendered your attitude to be guided by His hand?

The proof of godly love and life is not how you sing and shout.

It’s whether the grace of God flows in and how His love flows out.

© Copyright 2016 George M. Cuff, All Rights Reserved