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Today is Friday September 04, 2009 and we are continuing our studies in the book of Ezekiel, please read chapters 14-16 in your Bible or Click Here to read them. http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-september-4

Today's Message: Abide In The Vine
The grape vine was created for one purpose, to bear fruit. Jesus is the vine and we are the branches, if we want to be fruitful we need to abide in the vine.

Although the Israelite's regularly offered sacrifices to God, they also worshiped the heathen idols of other nations. This caused the the House of Judah, to be brought into captivity by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, while the House of Israel had been scattered for several hundred years by the Assyrians. After seeing these things come to pass certain elders of Israel came to consult Ezekiel, as if they desired to know the will of God. Knowing what they were up to, God said, “Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them? Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the LORD will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols; That I may take the house of Israel in their own heart, because they are all estranged from me through their idols.” - Ezekiel 14:3-5. What God is saying here is that the House of Israel has set up all sorts of stumbling blocks between themselves and Him. For many years this ancient house of Israel carried on with many abominations. They were killing their children for sacrifices, worshiping golden calves that they had made, and they refused to go to the Temple in Jerusalem to worship as God had instructed them to do. They put up their own stumbling blocks and now they are seeking help from God, knowing that they have no intentions of changing their ways.

People who like to play religion must understand that we are entering a generation where the religion of the Antichrist is a religion of one on one. Satan, the Antichrist is going to give every person the answers they want to hear, and make whatever promises it takes to claim their obedience, and take their soul. Each person that sets up his own idols in his mind, puts a stumbling block between himself and God. This is an individual thing and is addressed to all the people of the House of Israel, which are the ten tribes that were scattered throughout the world and now call themselves Christian nations. “For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.” - II John 1:7-9.

To illustrate their one purpose as the people of God, God presented a parable to Ezekiel, “Son of man, what is the vine tree more than any tree, or than a branch which is among the trees of the forest? Shall wood be taken thereof to do any work? or will men take a pin of it to hang any vessel thereon? Behold, it is cast into the fire for fuel; the fire devoureth both the ends of it, and the midst of it is burned. Is it meet for any work? Behold, when it was whole, it was meet for no work: how much less shall it be meet yet for any work, when the fire hath devoured it, and it is burned? Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; As the vine tree among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for fuel, so will I give the inhabitants of Jerusalem.”- Ezekiel 15:2-6. What God is saying here is that those of the vine that are inhabiting Jerusalem will be like a vine amongst the trees of the forest. They are not much good for anything, not even to burn for heat, for there is no substance to them. Every Israelite knew that the grapevine was valued only for its fruit and was worthless for making anything useful or of lasting value. Ezekiel also spoke of the vine as representing Israel, who was chosen of God to let the world know there was only One True God, who would bless all who honored Him by keeping His Word. But the vine had failed to produce fruit, consequently, the only alternative was for it to be uprooted and cast into the fire.

Today, Christ is the vine and we are the branches, the fruit of the vine is the wine, which is symbolic of Christ's blood that was shed for us all. Jesus said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.” - John 15:1-6. The time is coming shortly when another vine that claims to be the true vine comes, however he is an imposter. Men will think that this is the true vine, only they will be deceived. Those of God's elect are of the True Vine, which is of Christ, and there is great value to them, however many will attach themselves to this false vine, and we will see how God will get rid of the vines that are of no value to Him. Those that look to the Antichrist will end up cast into the fire and burned.

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
Lord, You taught us that You are the vine and we are the branches. If we abide in You we will bear much fruit. Fruitfulness in our lives is not automatic nor can it be purchased or inherited since You are the sole source of our fruitfulness. Help us to be healthy vines bearing much fruit so that we bring glory to You and also bear witness to the world that we are truly Your disciples. Remind us that although You purge us at times, it is to make us even more fruitful and all things work together for our own good and Your glory. In Jesus' Name...........Amen.

Have a wonderful and blessed day/night and enjoy your weekend.
God Bless You,
Christina

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