A Branch of The Vine: Recent Episodes
Brandon Bates
He is the True Vine. The Father is the Vinedresser who prunes the Vine that it may bear much fruit. It is by His design that fruit doesn't grow from the trunk, yet uses BRANCHES to bear the glory of the Vine. For His glory...Be a Branch. John 15:5
In the OT, we see this phrase, "the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob..." And what stemmed from this is a very entitled bunch chosen people. A bunch of people who had come to believe that their choice was made for them because a choice was made before them.
Look at how that worked out....
Do we understand the choice that looms before us (individually) or will we continue to ignore the mistakes of the past and take the same paths?
Of course it has something to do with John 3:16... We tend to focus on God's love and Him giving us His Son which is great. But WHOSOEVER..... SHALL..... BELIEVE.....
We know what God has done... What we do is equally as important and a condition of this promise.
Denial is at a all-time high... Truth is in the eye of the beholder.... which is not truth at all. Join me as I examine how the lack of personal accountability (finger-pointing) relates to a lack of personal value (given by God of course). I also added a personal from the vault at the end.
For the most part, we do our best to overcome obstacles or setbacks. As the title reads.... If we can do it, God most certainly can!!!
In this episode, we answer the question of more importance. Knowing vs. Believing. Which is better to have, or is more needed as it pertains to our spiritual development.
There are many questions that challenge what we believe...
In this episode, we will answer:
- Who lied? God or the serpent?
- How can Adam and Eve be judge for evil they did not know?
- Why did God withhold knowledge? What did God not want them to know?
In part 1, we asked the question, "what part of this walk with God is supposed to plateau?" It is an uphill climb/walk up the mountain. This is what came after "resting". This is our climb continued....
Let this mind be in you which is also in Christ... does that look like? Let's scratch the surface...
What's the difference between a gift and a talent? Is this difference, something that could seem so small and insignificant, be a way to measure the heart of the believer... CORRECTION: around the 6 minute mark, I say talent is always used as a unit of measure for money....WRONG! It's a unit of measure period. A talent of gold, a talent of silver, or a talent of feathers... money was the unit for this episode....
We are made in His image...this we know. But to bear His likeness, to truly resemble Him and His characteristics is the choice we must make.
Who is lord of your life....if it's not the Lord Himself? Most of us don't realize how easy it is for things/issues to become our god.
There is more than one lord, yet only ONE can reign in your life. Who is Lord in yours?
One body...One Spirit...Now it's one hope. Better make sure it's a good one if it's the only one!!!
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
There is only ONE way to truly wall in a worthy manner and you are NOT able to do it by your power or might, neither by your spirit.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
There is only ONE body. We should be in Him, not staying next to Him.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
The mind and the heart of one who is walking worthy of the calling they were called for...
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Walking doesn't start with your legs...it starts with your heart and mind.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
A continuation of understanding biblical unity as what is necessary for us to truly become the body of Christ and fulfill the our purpose in Him.....for Him.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
This is the the beginning of the study to understanding our ministry and the importance of our walk as it pertains to the whole body of Christ.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
After listening to the Good Words podcast featuring Chance the Rapper, we can clearly see that the people of God are divided and culture is responsible for it.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
This episode is a reflective one. One where I reflect on where God has brought me from and through to get to this....Branches. From 1999 to the present, and as expeditiously as I, a long-winded person such as myself, can.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Is your purpose for your life and God's purpose for life the same? Are you still dragging that net around you used to fish with? Through the Word, we'll find out exactly how to find our purpose in God and what the point of our purpose is.
What is the difference between belief and faith? When Jesus healed people according to their faith, or when He looked up at the paralyzed man's friends, what did He see when He saw their faith? He saw something. Something is tangible. Likewise, shouldn't what you believe have something tangible attached to it?
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
It's no longer a question. No matter which choice you choose, you have chosen to be that you have chosen. However, one of the choices only truly allows you "to be' as He is. There is no way around it...He is, and if He isn't to you....then who are you really?
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
The Word tells us that we wrestle not against flesh and blood...but principalities (Ephesians 6 NKJV). So...the battle you're fighting is not against someone else or what they did! It's not against God either, because He will not tempt us, nor with evil for that matter. It very well could be you are fighting against your very own principles because what you used to do and are used to doing is contrary to what God is asking of you now....
Have you ever consider how the mind of God thinks concerning your situation? Most decisions we make that we think we include God in the process....We don't. And find ourselves outside of His will. But the way to make wise choices, is to know that your wisdom is limited. While God's wisdom is infinite.
When speaking of spiritual warfare we almost always are talking about the opposition, most notably...THE DEVIL. Why is the adversary fighting a war he knows he will lose? Truth is, if we don't realize that coming to Christ meant we enlisted...he (Satan) may be winning the battle.
How well do we think/plan our future and how far out? More than likely, no matter the plan, if everyone is not included in it....it won't work without Him.
Romans 8:18
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Day 3....Psalms 139:23. Today we are to ask God to reveal any sins that we are unaware of that could be limiting your production. Matthew 25 says it this way, what talent (thing of value), did God give you that you've buried. It's time to uncover that thing and put it to use!
What are you seeking of God? Is it what is the right way for you and your little ones, for all your substance?
Scriptures of reflection during our fast.
Ezra 8:21-23 and Rev. 15:3-4.