A few years back, my husband and I were at the Waiheke Island in Auckland, New Zealand. after exploring the city, we decided that we have time to take a ferry to see the vineyards at the island which is near the city. When we got there, we signed up for a guided tour of a few vineyards scattered all over the island. We noticed there were different slopes, sizes, depths and heights; because the landscape dictates what kind of grapes will grow best. One thing that struck us was that apart from the olive trees, there was nothing else that can be grown where the vineyards are except the rosebushes. And it is to be noted that the rosebush were planted at the head of each line of grape vines. We asked the tour guide and he said that whenever a disease occurs in the vineyards, since the roses are more delicate and susceptible that it manifests the disease before it gets to the vines. So the vineyard keepers were alerted as to what precaution to take once they check on the growth and progress of the disease in the rosebushes. There are certain varieties of grapes that are quite sensitive to diseases, and roses can serve as early warning! That is like the Holy Spirit in our lives, He warns, rebukes and convicts us of sin and if we listen to Him, we will be victorious! we are the grape branches of the Vine and if we keep close to Him, we will grow in the knowledge and wisdom that is our birthright from the time we made a decision to be His children. We really do not have to undergo defeat and disease but humans as we are and living in a fallen world makes it easy for the Enemy to prey on us. But God be praised, we have the Spirit's power to be "the best variety of grapes" there is - our inheritance is to have a fruitful life, because we are more than conquerors!
John 15:1-3 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful."
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