The Vine and the Branches
John 15:1-8
15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
5 “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. 6 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. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
Our topic for today is "Filthy Lucre." Why try to gain the whole world and lose your soul?
I get so anxious in my preschool business some times that I don't want to turn anyone away. I find myself saying yes to clients that don't fit the scheme of my services because I get too excited about filling the spots and the money I can make.
God reminds me to be careful of how I handle the people in my business, be anxious for nothing, but pray about everything. A lot of times we can get caught up in the income potential and forget our first love. As a child of God, called to send God's word to the people, my work and ministry must flow together and be balanced. First things first is the kingdom of God and then the other things follow.
I shouldn't be so concerned about money that I will accept any client just like people should not take any kind of job just because they need money. The blessings will come through our obedience, Amen!
Money can never have the upper hand because it is the root of all evil. Greed can't wait to sift you like wheat until you are consumed with the lust of money. Our adrennaline has to stop pumping for money and start pumping more for God! Amen!
Jesus overturned tables in the temple over filthy lucre. Don't we know we are the temple of God?
We should be running to Him first before runnning to the next dollar. Am I seeking His face on this diligently?
Chronicles 7:14 New International Version (NIV)
14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”
Your face, Lord, I will seek.
The mind of filthy lucre is a mind that focuses on the material first and then the spiritual. Its time to put on our flip flops and reverse this way of thinking.
Matthew 6:33 New International Version (NIV)
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
When we put God first, not only do we have His favor but we have a righteous order of all things. God puts in order all things when we are in His will and follow Him.
It's a battle, but we can do all things through Christ! Apart from Christ we can do nothing! It's time for a pruning so we can bear MUCH fruit! Put "Filthy Lucre" in its place...under your feet! Money does grow on trees. A tree of righteousness bears much fruit...Christ First! Amen!
Walk in the Spirit,
Prophetess Deanna Mack
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