Monthly Archives: March 2015

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:57 am on March 18, 2015
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The True Vine – Rev. David J. Schreffler

March 18, 2015

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.” John 15:1-11

“It needs time to grow into Jesus the Vine; do not expect to abide in Him unless you will give Him that time. It is not enough to read G*d’s Word, or meditations….and when we think we have enough hold of the thoughts and have asked G*d for His blessing, to go out in the hope that the blessing will abide. No, it needs day by day time with Jesus and with G*d. Therefore…take time each day…read, and while you read, and after you read, to put yourself distinctly and consciously to (G*d’s) blessed influence…” Andrew Murray (1828 – 1917)   “For All The Saints” volume I

I have read a devotion that insists that the word translated as “remove” is better translated as “lifts up”. Therefore the text would read “He “lifts up” every branch in me that bears no fruit.” This actually is a better translation if you read this from the perspective of the vine grower. Every branch that is not producing fruit is often a vine that is on the ground – covered with dust – and unable to see the sun, choked off from receiving the same amount of nourishment, etc. So, the vine grower will go around and tie up those branches that are on the ground, thus “lifting them up” so they can see the sun, receive the same amount of nourishment.

Do you see how G*d does the same with you and I? When life chokes us off, throws us in the dirt, keeps us down, who is it that comes to lift us up? How often are we surrounded by our Christian brothers and sisters when we are having a bad go of it – who surround us with their prayers, their presence, and their care, which lifts us up and helps us see that G*d is active through them. When we cut ourselves off from Jesus, who is the vine, then we will surely find our way clouded with doubt, uncertainty, without spiritual nourishment. But when we abide in the vine, when we stay connected through reading the Word, and prayer and worship, then we place ourselves distinctly in the influence of Jesus the vine, who will give us the nourishment we need to thrive.

Pastor Dave

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:06 am on March 17, 2015  

St. Patrick – Rev. David J. Schreffler

March 17, 2015
St. Patrick’s Day

“Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions just as I handed them on to you.”
1 Corinthians 11:1-2

“Saint Patrick’s Day, or the Feast of Saint Patrick (Irish: Lá Fhéile Pádraig, “the Day of the Festival of Patrick”), is a cultural and religious celebration occurring annually on 17 March, the death date of the most commonly-recognized patron saint of Ireland, Saint Patrick (c. AD 385–461). When he was about 16, he was captured from his home in Great Britain by Irish Pirates, and taken as a slave to Ireland, where he lived for six years before escaping and returning to his family. After becoming a cleric, he returned to northern and western Ireland. In later life, he served as an ordained bishop, but little is known about the places where he worked. By the seventh century, he had already come to be revered as the patron saint of Ireland.” Wikipedia.org

It is interesting how our secular society can turn a religious holiday into a secular shadow of its former self. In many college towns and on many a college campus, the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day has nothing to do with his ministry, and everything to do with drinking any alcohol that can be turned green. It literally has become a day that local residents and police dread. For the country of Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day is a day of national celebration. Saint Patrick’s Day has been a holy day of obligation for Roman Catholics in Ireland in the past. It is also a feast day in the Church of Ireland, with the secular celebration held on March 17. In 1903 Ireland made it an official public holiday. The question I would ask today is, besides wearing something green, what will you do to remember St. Patrick and his ministry?

We are to be imitators of Christ. We can also be imitators of those who were imitators of Christ – like our man St. Patrick. We are part of a great cloud of witnesses who have gone on before us – and as people of faith we actually carry on their legacy. I do not want my participation in this great cloud of witnesses to be simply wearing green. Instead, I can live in the manner that St. Patrick did – to not give up in the face of danger and difficulty – to witness to my faith no matter where I am – to persevere in difficult surroundings. Whether it is St. Patrick, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Peter, or St. Matthias, remember, Martin Luther said we are all saints – we are simultaneously saint and sinner – we carry on the priesthood of all believers. Today, yes, wear your green, but don’t forget to live out your faith.

Pastor Dave