GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN (series) | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN (series) | Previous Challenge Entry
By Nina Phillips
11/28/05
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They call me a little twiglet, just beginning to sprout a few leaves down my short twisted limbs. I'm a vine re-born, full of life and vitality. Today I'm just hanging out, and checking out the scenery around here.

I was grafted in to an original, sturdy vine that has been tried, tested, and true. It's timeless beauty is beyond compare, a treasured priceless gift of God. Hearty vines spreading out around me, with green bountiful branches.

Those once barren and forlorn branches, have been swaddled with supernaturally fertilized soil, and blessed with a faithful caretaker. I am often amazed at the True Vine, how it sustains us and quickens (keeps) us lively. That is, if we remain connected, as we live in Him, and Him in us.

The right(eous) name, or proper name for this immeasurable, fruitful vine is: THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. The most beautiful name I know, and exalted above all other names in heaven and in earth.

He loves all of us equally. Off shoots, grafted in branches, new and old spreading out all over the world. He has a unique family that has found a place in Him, separated from the world. He is our Father, our mother, our brother and sister, and a friend closer than any brother.
We carry his message, the gospel.

"How could the world be so blind? God's glory shining in each and every one of his branches?" I said, contemplating his magnificent power, forgiveness and mercy. Grace twines around each of us, binding us together with him. Tender cords not easily broken.

"My, my..., I can't even begin to count all the winding branches from where I am now," I whispered, gazing through the masses.

I see Him that has his feet planted on the earthly footstool, and a throne in heaven, where He is set down with the Father. Exalted, high and lifted up.

How boundless is his love? "So, high we can't get over it!, So, low we can't get under it!, So wide we can't get around it!" In wonder I worship Him, admiring the view.

I have witnessed branches that were "attempting to make their own way." I beheld them stretch downward, searching for some other place to take root and grow. But their efforts were futile attempts, as they became broken, dryly cracked exiles. While the True Vine continued to grow and flourish. Soon they would be taken away and burned, for they could never produce one precious fruit in their season.

Other vines sometimes, crept in as though we were un-aware. One was a subtile fellow, and quickly took his place among us. Displaying his three pointed shiny leaves proudly, offering another gospel, another doctrine, another way.

They were easily removed from us, as their roots were not strong enough to hold them firmly in place. These vines were so lengthy, they went back through ages, where it was found clinging to a tree, in the midst of a magnificent garden. They had no height or width of their own, but cling to the things of this world.

Truly, they came to steal, kill and destroy, often pulling several wayward branches away with them. We would pray one for another, lifting each other up from their strongholds.

These were cast out, as we called on our Lord Jesus Christ for deliverance from these wicked and rebellious vines.

This one cursing as he fled, "My name is Misery, Suffering, Pain, Poison Ivy, the Devil of all wicked vines! My world!, my worrrldd..."

*Revelation 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away: and there was no more sea.

This is our portion, and those faithful, fruitful branches are called the saints of the Most High. Speaking as a branch in a world that gives us trouble daily, "holding on to Jesus is my refuge." It is a promise worth holding on to for the duration.

I think what a glorious paradise that will be. I am looking forward to garnishing the house of the Lord forever. Planted beside the river that flows from the throne of our God and the Lamb of God, without the weeds, brambles, or poison Ivies of this current world. We'll stand with Him without spot or blemish.
Connected with the True Vine.

"Peace on earth, goodwill towards all men."

*KJV.

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