COVENANT MINDED MINISTRIES

The True Vine and The Branches

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. (John 15:1)

Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. (John 15:2)

You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. (John 15:3)

As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. (John 15:4)

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. (John 15:5)

The branches (Christians) connected to the true vine (Jesus Christ) produce the fruit of the Spirit, and the vinedresser (God the Father) prunes those branches that they may produce more fruit. 

No branch produces fruit instantaneously, but rather, a branch's fruit is the result of a process of knowing and being obedient to the word of God.

Once a branch produces fruit, the vinedresser prunes or cleanses the fruit of any types of contamination. 

From a spiritual prospective, a branch's fruit (words and actions) is done continuously through the word of God. 

For a branch to produce more fruit, it must abide (to dwell, to stay, to settle in, to sink in deeper) in the word of God.

Believers who lovely obey the Word of God produce much fruit.  Apart from Christ, believers cannot accomplish anything of permanent spiritual value; and a non-believer cannot accomplish anything of spiritual value.

Not abiding in Christ has serious consequences.  A Christian not abiding in the true vine is cast out as a branch (meaning a loss of fellowship), he or she is withered (meaning a loss of vitality), he or she is burned (meaning a loss of reward). 

The failure to abide in the true vine produces spiritual disaster.  Rather than being more than conquerors, Christians not abiding in Christ become weak and easy prey for those of the world.

Unbelievers gather those who do not abide in Christ and throw them into the fire (fiery trials and tribulations). 

Unbelievers laugh and mock believers not abiding in Christ as they see them doing many of the same ungodly things they themselves are doing. 

Rather than resisting the devil so that he will flee from them, Christians not abiding in Christ are yielding to all types of temptations and being taken captive by him to do his will.

In the true vine (Jesus Christ) dwells the power of God (Holy Spirit) unto salvation to everyone who believes; to the Jews first, and also the Gentiles.

Those who do not believe in Him do not and cannot obtain His wisdom, knowledge, and understanding because of being disconnected from the Source; such a disconnection causes one to remain in darkness and not be brought into His marvelous light.

Even after being connected to the true vine, it is vitally important for one to abide in Christ in order to produce good fruit.  Those who do not abide, that is, practice disobedience, will suffer serious consequences.

Although saved from the penalty of sin, a non-abiding Christians subject themselves for the power of sin to exercises dominion over them because of their lack of vatality in the word of God.

Such individuals are weak and vulnerable (susceptible to temptation and open for attack), and sinning is easily accomplished, because their resistance is low or not existing at all.

Satan already has the unbelievers until they repent and come to Christ, and he gets all the evil work out of them that he can.  However, those that have come to Christ, thrills him even more, because he knows they belong to Christ, and deceiving them into during his wickedness is extra thrills for him.

To do evil is like sport to a fool, But a man of understanding has wisdom. (Proverbs 10:23)

An ungodly man digs up evil, And it is on his lips like burning fire. (Proverbs 16:27)

A man of great wrath will suffer punishment; For if you rescue him, you will have to do it again. (Proverbs 9:19)

The sacrafice of the wicked is an abomination, How much more when he brings it with wicked intent. (Proverbs 21:27)

He who plots to do evil Will be called a schemer. (Proverbs 24:8)

The devising of foolishness is sin, And a scoffer is an abomination to men. (Proverbs 24:9)

But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. (2nd Timothy 2:23)

And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, (2nd Timothy 2:24)

in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, (2nd Timothy 2:25)

and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will. (2nd Timothy 2:26)

But where there is good fruit, there are also seeds for propagation (multiplication or increase, as by spiritual reproduction); therefore unbelievers cannot throw those who abide in Christ into the fire; such ones have a resistance to sin and a will to destroy the works of the devil.

The Three Stages of Salvation

In the past, believers have been saved from the penalty of sin. 

In the present, believers are being saved from the power of sin.

In the future, believers will be saved from the very presence of sin. 

Faith is at the begining of the salvation process and faith is the goal as well.

When a person first exercises faith in Christ, he or she is saved from the penalty of sin and declared righteous. 

As  he or she lives by faith, God continues to save him or her from the power of sin to live righteously.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek (Gentile). (Romans 1:16)

For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith." (Romans 1:17)

For we walk by faith and not by sight. (2nd Corinthians 5:7)

Therefore do not let sin reign  in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. (Romans 6:12)

And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. (Romans 6:13)

We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one. (1st John 5:19)

Be Doers and Not Hearers Only

Obedience to the word of God prevents death and protects believers from sinful behavior that can lead directly or indirectly to physical death.

Believers who hear the word of God must receive it with "a teachable spirit," and apply it daily in their behavior practices of life-styles.

To hear the word of God only and not obey it is to deceive oneself.  Remember, rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, which is abomination to the Lord.

Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. (James 1:21)

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. (James 1:22)

A Change for the Better

Change (to cause to become different; alter; transform;) is the direct result of during something different than what has been done previously.

Change is not spontaneous (produced without being planted or without human labor/effort); it requires an acknowledgement of need for change and a will and effort to change.

Do not expect a change for the better if you're sowing the same ungodly and unacceptable behavior practices over and over and again and again.

The harvest of the fruit is determined by the seeds, whether godly or ungodly, you shall reap what you have sown.

Change for the better will not occur in a individual nor a nation unless there's acknowledgement of need for change and a will and effort to change.

Change for the better comes only through God.  Those who do not acknowledge Him as God must first do so and become His people if they expect a change for the better. 

Remaining in the category of not being a people of God subjects such ones to all types of adversities without remedies of relief, as seen in many of the humanitarian crisis in the world.

Humanitarian Crisis

A humanitarian crisis (or "humanitarian disaster") is an event or series of events which represents a critical threat to the health, safety, security or wellbeing of a community or other large group of people, usually over a wide area.

Armed conflicts, epidemics, famine, natural disasters and other major emergencies may all involve or lead to a humanitarian crisis.

Humananitarian crisises or disaters in many nations are the direct result of idolatry (worship of idol gods), the primary downfall of such nations.

These idol gods have no resources nor any power to heal their bodies and land.  The people of such lands dependance and reliance on their idol gods are futile (frivolous and incapable of producing any effective results; useless and worthless).

Do not turn to idols, nor make for yourselves molded gods: I am the LORD your God. (Leviticus 19:4)

For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the LORD made the heavens. (1st Chronicles 16:26)

Let all be put to shame who serve carved images,Who boast of idols. Worship Him, all you gods. (Psalm 97:7)

Moreover Josiah put away those who consulted mediums and spiritists, the household gods and idols, all the abominations that were seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, that he might perform the words of the law which were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in the house of the LORD. (2nd Kings 23:24)

Avoiding Calamity

Calamity (a great misfortune or disaster, as a flood or serious injury; grievous affliction; adversity; misery) can be avoided through obedience to the word of God.

Vengeance is Mine, and recompense;Their foot shall slip in due time; For the day of their calamity is at hand, And the things to come hasten upon them.’ (Deuteronomy 32:35)

Wherever they went out, the hand of the LORD was against them for calamity, as the LORD had said, and as the LORD had sworn to them. And they were greatly distressed. (Judges 2:15)

They confronted me in the day of my calamity,But the LORD was my support. (2nd Samuel 22:19)

Then they will answer, ‘Because they forsook the LORD their God, who brought their fathers out of the land of Egypt, and have embraced other gods, and worshiped them and served them; therefore the LORD has brought all this calamity on them.’”  (1st Kings 9:9)

‘Behold, I will bring calamity on you. I will take away your posterity, and will cut off from Ahab every male in Israel, both bond and free. (1st Kings 21:21)

“See how Ahab has humbled himself before Me? Because he has humbled himself before Me, I will not bring the calamity in his days. In the days of his son I will bring the calamity on his house.” (1st Kings 21:29)

And while he was still talking with them, there was the messenger, coming down to him; and then the king said, “Surely this calamity is from the LORD; why should I wait for the LORD any longer?” (2nd Kings 6:33)

I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes, (Proverbs 1:26)

Therefore his calamity shall come suddenly; Suddenly he shall be broken without remedy. (Proverbs 6:15)

He who mocks the poor reproaches his Maker; He who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished. (Proverbs 17:5)

For a righteous man may fall seven times And rise again, But the wicked shall fall by calamity. (Proverbs 24:16)

For their calamity will rise suddenly, And who knows the ruin those two can bring? (Proverbs 24:22)

Do not forsake your own friend or your father’s friend, Nor go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity; Better is a neighbor nearby than a brother far away. (Proverbs 27:10)

Change What You're Sowing

Sow for yourselves righteousness; Reap in mercy; Break up your fallow ground, For it is time to seek the LORD, Till He comes and rains righteousness on you. (Hosea 10:12)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (Galatians 5:22)

gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:23)

Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (James 3:18)

Action Required for Change

Firstly, people must become people of God (saved) and serve and worship Him only. 

Then, the people of God are required to do three (3) things and God would respond in three (3) ways.

The people of God need to humble themselves, that is, confess their sins; they need to pray, that is, repent of their sins; they need to turn, that is, change from their wicked ways.

After faithfully confessing, praying, and turning, then God will hear, forgive, and heal.

This is the process required for change for the better.  Nothing will happen for the better until God's requirement is fulfilled.

Consider the work of God; For who can make straight what He has made crooked? (Ecclesiastes 7:13)

In the day of prosperity be joyful, But in the day of adversity consider: Surely God has appointed the one as well as the other, So that man can find out nothing that will come after him. (Ecclesiastes 7:14)

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man's all. (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil. (Ecclesiastes 12:14)

Beware of Bribes

Bribes (monies or any other valuable considerations given or promised with a view to corrupting the behavior of a person, especially. in that person's performance as a public official and other positions of power and authority.

And you shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the discerning and perverts the words of the righteous. (Exodus 23:8)

For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe. (Deuteronomy 10:17)

You shall not pervert justice; you shall not show partiality, nor take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous. (Deuteronomy 16:19)

‘Cursed is the one who takes a bribe to slay an innocent person.’ “And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’  (Deuteronomy 27:25)

But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside after dishonest gain, took bribes, and perverted justice. (1st Samuel 8:3)

Now therefore, let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take care and do it, for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, no partiality, nor taking of bribes.”
(2nd Chronicles 19:7)

For the company of hypocrites will be barren,And fire will consume the tents of bribery. (Job 15:34)

He who does not put out his money at usury,Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved. (Psalm 15:5)

In whose hands is a sinister scheme,And whose right hand is full of bribes. (Psalm 26:10)

He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, But he who hates bribes will live. (Proverbs 15:27)

A wicked man accepts a bribe behind the back To pervert the ways of justice.
(Proverbs 17:23)

A gift in secret pacifies anger, And a bribe behind the back, strong wrath.
(Proverbs 21:14)

The king establishes the land by justice, But he who receives bribes overthrows it. (Proverbs 29:4)

Surely oppression destroys a wise man’s reason, And a bribe debases the heart. (Ecclesiastes 7:7)

Woe to men mighty at drinking wine,  Woe to men valiant for mixing intoxicating drink, (Isaiah 5:22)

Who justify the wicked for a bribe,  And take away justice from the righteous man! (Isaiah 5:23)

Therefore, as the fire devours the stubble, And the flame consumes the chaff,  So their root will be as rottenness, And their blossom will ascend like dust;

Because they have rejected the law of the LORD of hosts, And despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. (Isaiah 5:24)

The Love of Money Defiles

“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. (Matthew 6:24)

Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?
(Luke 16:11)

All money belongs to God.  However, how one obtains and/or uses money is what determines whether it's righteous or unrighteous gain or prosperity.

Unrighteous prosperity offered as a sacrifice to the LORD is abomination. 

God cannot be bribed nor is He impressed with someone giving Him money earned dishonestly, regardless of how huge of an amount.

Such giving only impresses in flesh and those seeking to receive it in the flesh. 

God doesn't need it; it's already His!  He can get what He wants, when it wants, from whom He wants, at anytime and any place He wants.

Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him. (Luke 16:14)

But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. (1st Timothy 6:9)

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (1st Timothy 6:10)

But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. (1st Timothy 6:11)

Justice for All

Justice (conformity to moral rightness in action or attitude; righteousness; the upholding of what is just, especially fair treatment and due reward in accordance with honor, standards, or law) should be administered without partiality.

“You shall not circulate a false report. Do not put your hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness. (Exodus 23:1)

You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert justice. (Exodus 23:2)

He administers justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing. (Deuteronomy 10:18)

“You shall appoint judges and officers in all your gates, which the LORD your God gives you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with just judgment. (Deuteronomy 16:18)

So David reigned over all Israel, and administered judgment and justice to all his people. (1st Chronicles 18:14)

Blessed be the LORD your God, who delighted in you, setting you on His throne to be king for the LORD your God! Because your God has loved Israel, to establish them forever, therefore He made you king over them, to do justice and righteousness.” (2nd Chronicles 9:8)

Then the king said to the wise men who understood the times (for this was the king’s manner toward all who knew law and justice, (Esther 1:13)

Great men are not always wise,Nor do the aged always understand justice.
(Job 32:9)

For I am with you,’ says the LORD, ‘to save you; Though I make a full end of all nations where I have scattered you, Yet I will not make a complete end of you.

But I will correct you in justice, And will not let you go altogether unpunished.’ (Jeremiah 30:11)

But let justice run down like water, And righteousness like a mighty stream. (Amos 5:24)

God's Answer to Solomon's Prayer

Then the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said to him: “I have heard your prayer, and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice. (2nd Chronicles 7:12)

When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, (2nd Chronicles 7:13)

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 will forgive their sin and heal their land. (2nd Chronicles 7:14)

Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place. (2nd Chronicles 7:15)

For now I have chosen and sanctified this house, that My name may be there forever; and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually. (2nd Chronicles 7:16)

As for you, if you walk before Me as your father David walked, and do according to all that I have commanded you, and if you keep My statutes and My judgments, (2nd Chronicles 7:17)

then I will establish the throne of your kingdom, as I covenanted with David your father, saying, ‘You shall not fail to have a man as ruler in Israel.’ (2nd Chronicles 7:18)

“But if you turn away and forsake My statutes and My commandments which I have set before you, and go and serve other gods, and worship them, (2nd Chronicles 7:19)

then I will uproot them from My land which I have given them; and this house which I have sanctified for My name I will cast out of My sight, and will make it a proverb and a byword among all peoples. (2nd Chronicles 7:20)

“And as for this house, which is exalted, everyone who passes by it will be astonished and say, ‘Why has the LORD done thus to this land and this house?’ (2nd Chronicles 7:21)

Then they will answer, ‘Because they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, who brought them out of the land of Egypt,

and embraced other gods, and worshiped them and served them; therefore He has brought all this calamity on them.’” (2nd Chronicles 7:21)

Change: Yes We Can

Barack Hussein Obama II, born August 4, 1961 is the President-elect of the United States of America.

The first African American to be elected President of the United States, Obama was the junior United States Senator from Illinois in 2004 and served until his resignation on November 16, 2008, following his election to the Presidency.

Obama's term of office as the forty-fourth (44th) U.S. president will begin January 20, 2009.

Obama's primary slogan for his campaign was "Change; his secondary slogan was "Yes We Can!"

We Can Through Christ Jesus

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2nd Corinthians 5:17)

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation. (Galatians 6:15)

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:2)

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)

Our Leaders Must Acknowledge and Trust in the God of Israel 

No society (nation, state, city, town, government, church, school, ect.) that abandons God's moral standards can avoid wickedness and strife.  Those who protest against the usage of God's name and His moral standards are Satan advocates aimed at getting our nation's priorities out of order, in particular, our acknowledgement and reverence to the God of Israel. 

Leaders who allow this to happen will provoke God's anger as the kings of Israel who did evil in His sight by allowing idolatry, which is as the sin of witchcraft.  When the sin of a nation or any given entity is reduced or eliminated, the problems and issues associated with such sins are equally reduced or eliminated.  Obedience takes the sting out of sin!

Careful preparation is called for when we undertake any task. When our priorities are right, we can expect God to give us additional gifts as He did with Solomon. However, we should remain aware that great strengths are no guarantee against failure, as seen in Solomon's policy of cementing foreign relationships (alliances) by marriages against God's expressed will.

Leaders of the people of God must live and conduct themselves in righteousness son that they come to boldly to the throne of God daily, making their requests known unto Him, that they may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.  It is foolish for the leaders of our nation to disregard God's promises and act out of fear from what the ungodly is doing andor threatening to do. . 

Each leader is responsible to respond to God's will as he or she understands it, regardless of whatever others may say and/or do.  No weapon formed against the people of God shall prosper, and in no way should we fret ourselves becuase of evildoers; God's promises are true and faithful.

Safety of Abibing in the Presence of God

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. (Psalm 91:1)

I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress;  My God, in Him I will trust.”  (Psalm 91:2)
         
 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler  And from the perilous pestilence. (Psalm 91:3)

He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge;  His truth shall be your shield and buckler. (Psalm 91:4)

You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, (Psalm 01:5)

Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. (Psalm 91:6)
         
A thousand may fall at your side,  And ten thousand at your right hand;  But it shall not come near you. (Psalm 91:7)

Only with your eyes shall you look, And see the reward of the wicked. (Psalm 91:8)
         
 Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, (Psalm  91:9)

No evil shall befall you,  Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; (Psalm 91:10)

 For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. (Psalm 91:11)

In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone. (Psalm 91:12)

You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra,  The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot. (Psalm 91"13)
         
“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;  I will set him on high, because he has known My name. (Psalm 91:14)

He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;  I will be with him in trouble;  I will deliver him and honor him. (Psalm 91:15)

With long life I will satisfy him,  And show him My salvation.” (Psalm 91:16)