“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing”. John 15: 5

Scripture Meditation: John 15

Definition: Reflux- A flowing back
Words Related: decrease, decay, waning, lessening, retreat, withdrawal
Dictionary.com

I woke up with the Lord’s voice speaking to my heart. “I am removing everything not of me.” From that time and for many days I experienced a scourging exposing my life pattern and the reasons for the lack of God’s power in my life.

I have been experiencing problems with blood circulation in my legs and feet. Whenever I stand or sit for a long period of time, my feet turn purple.  I become fatigued and there is cramping in my feet. That limits how long I can stand and walk.  Wounds take longer to heal in my legs, and this has been the worse symptom.  I have been diagnosed with Chronic Venous Insufficiency, whereby, some of the blood vessels carrying the blood back to my heart are weak, and lack the ability to return the blood efficiently.  So there the blood lays dormant, while in the meantime, that part of my body lacks the oxygen needed for strength and the blood resource to heal.

The treatment I am undergoing is called Venaseal which works to seal the vein causing the problem, so the blood will start flowing through the healthy vessels, instead. This procedure is uncomfortable and a little painful, but is necessary to bring about healing.

This reminds me of how Christ compared those who believe in Him as His branches. His life’s blood flows through his branches to produce the fruit or result intended. But if the branch is unable to abide in Him, then His life source is unable to be carried where needed. As the blood has to return through the blood vessels back to the heart to be oxygenated and continue to flow, so do we as His instruments need to remain connected. It is not an off again, and on again occurrence,  but an abidance of permanent attachment, whereby the believer and Jesus Christ become one and the believer learns to keep His commandments of love. (John 14:20, 2 John 1:6)

There are things in the believer’s life that block the steady flow. Sometimes it is sin, and other times it is fear or complacency. Whatever stops the flow of the power of His love working in us to bring others to Christ, He must address. In His metaphor of the Vine and the Branches, Jesus says He must remove the branch that quits producing. This is not a permanent removal but a temporary time of isolation, one which brings about healing, and His vessel is made available again. This process of healing takes place through Christ’s discipline Who cleanses and refines our motives and purpose. (Hebrews 12: 5-6)

To become a branch in the Everlasting flow of God’s grace, acknowledge your sin, asking for His forgiveness. Believe in His Son who died on the cross for your sins, and was resurrected from the dead. Then, you will be eternally connected, sealed with His grace, by His Holy Spirit with the living water flowing from His heart to yours.
(John 3:16, John 4: 13-14, Ephesians 1:13-14, John 7:38-39)

By allowing Christ to examine our hearts and expose sin and possible wrong motives, we can have His love flowing through us again, and be empowered to bear the fruit of His character and His work. For “apart from Him, we can do nothing.”
(John 15:5, Psalm 139:23)

Resources:

Bible Hub: biblehub.com

Secrets of the Vine by Bruce Wilkinson

Chronic Venous Insufficiency