Faithfully Yours Forever

River Run just began a four part study series of the Secrets of the Vine, a book by Bruce Wilkinson.  We, again, are taking this study on the road.  Four outings are planned this fall.  We hope to be inspired by the beauty of the fall foliage season and by the Word of God.  We will be learning about God’s vineyard.  The workings of the vineyard are described in John 15:1-8.  See below.

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 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. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. ⁴ Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

“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. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

John 15:1-8 (NKJV)

On our way up the Old Canada Road Byway,

we learned Jesus is the vine, Father God is the vinedresser, Christians are the branches, and fruit of the vineyard are those things Christians do to meet the needs of others or that they do that give glory to God.

As we viewed The Falls (Jim Mac Falls), up near the Canadian border, and had a picnic lunch,

we realized that God wants us to bear fruit, more fruit, and much fruit.

We concluded the day’s study at the base of Moosehead Lake in Greenville.

We learned that, as we develop and grow into more Christlike disciples, we give glory to God.

River Run recently completed a four part summer outing study series.  We studied The Prayer of Jabez, by Bruce Wilkinson.  The passage of Scripture that contains the prayer is 1 Chronicles 4:9-10.  See below.  The prayer has been highlighted.

Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name, Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested. [NKJV]

Session 1 was at Lily Bay:

We learned we should ask for God to bless us.

Session 2 was at Cathedral Pines:

We learned that territory is not necessarily geographical.  It can simply be opportunities to join God in His work.

Session 3 was at Moose Point State Park:

We learned that the Holy Spirit must be our guide.

Our final session was at Peaks Kenny State Park:

We learned that temptations can separate us from God; hurting us and others.

We were blessed throughout this series.  We decided to try to get in another outing study series before winter sets in.  We will be studying the next little book in Bruce Wilkinson’s series; Secrets of the Vine.  I hope to post updates as we work our way through the study and more places in the state of Maine.