Secrets of the Vine: Breaking Through to Abundance

I absolutely love this little book so I was getting another to give to a friend. I bought the "like new" option and it's old and faded from green to a blue color. Very disappointed and will be unable to pass it on. I am not concerned that it's used but like new is a complete misrepresentation.

This is a great book on spriritual growth and pruning by God, for your growth. A must read.

Good book

I'VE BEEN PRAYING THE PRAYER OF JAZEB FOR ONE MONTH AND WOW!!! HOW MY LIFE HAS CHANGED. TRY IT AND SEE HOW YOUR LIFE CAN BE CHANGED.

This book offers a perfect one day break to read something uplifting, refreshing and full of wisdom in a single sitting. This book will have you appreciating the relationships you built in life and understand the importance of giving thanks for the good and bad.

"Secrets of the Vine" is a sequel to Bruce Wilkinson's best selling "The Prayer of Jabez". In this book he uses grapes and vineyards as analogies for our lives and the fruit we are called upon to produce. He tells about 3 "secrets" or stages in life where God can intervene and help us to bear more fruit. He details the stumbling blocks we can come across in our Christian life and shows us how God can rescue us in any stage of despair or period of life when we are not bearing fruit. As always, Wilkinson has a way of encouraging the reader to look deeper into himself and shows how we can live life more abundantly in the way God intends us to live.

Bruce did a wonderful job of expounding on Jesus teaching about the vine and the branches. His analogy of the four baskets--from "no fruit" to "much fruit" is enlightenng. And his insight into the difference between discipline and pruning shows that both processes are painful and how we can discern between the two. Something we can all benefit by knowing, because at some time in our lives, if we are truely in the vine, we will experience both. I have.It's encourageing to know that even during times of discipline the vinedresser--our loving Father--is caring for us in a tender, loving way, in order that we might bear fruit. If only we would choose to bend in the way that He chooses. And when He prunes us, even though it's painful, it's so that we will be more fruitful. While reading this little gem, I was able to recognize that the pain I suffered a couple of years ago, was a result of God's pruning in my life. It brought me joy to be able to recognize the fruit that's sprung forth as a result of that pruning. Now, all I have is the task of living in obedience and abiding in Him, waiting for the pruning shears to cut again, in order for more fruit to come forth. What could be better? But because I'm not perfect, at some time I'm sure the hand of disciple will touch me again. Only after reading this book, now I know what to look for in discering why the pain is there, whether it be pruning or discipline.By applying the Prayer of Jabez and the principles in Secrets of The Vine my life has been enriched. But something that struck me as I read this book, was how often I miss out on understanding a spiritual truth because I didn't take the time to really study. I have a Strong's Concordance, so I have no excuse. Why do I like so many others, leave it to someone else to do the footwork for me? Jesus gave the analogy of the vine and the branches for a reason. But how many of us have looked into what tending a vineyard is all about? If we had, we wouldn't need Bruce to show us.2 Timothy 2:15 says, "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." NIV How can we correctly handle the Word if we don't read it--study it? Each of us has a responsibility to study for ourselves. I want my life to be as enriched as Bruce's, because I took the time to find out for myself by thorough study. By Bruce's faithfulness, he is bearing "much fruit", and I am thankful that God is using him to help others have a better understanding of what scipture teaches, including myself.This comprehensive book can help your understanding of the vinedresser's work in your life. Do you desire to bear fruit and then more fruit? Do you want to learn what it means to abide in the vine? Are you suffering through painful circumstanes and wonder why? Then I highly recommend you read this book, along with careful personal study, and begin to bear the fruit you were destined to bear. The Lord Bless Yo

The most profound lessons are most often the simplest. That's true of these lessons/secrets of the vine. Discipline, chastening, and pruning are things we try to avoid, no matter how often God tells us it's for our own good. Are you are follower of Christ? Is there sin in your life? Then pay attention because God wants to change you.An excellent follow up to the Prayer of Jabez.