By Bruce H., Dr., with Kopp, Davi Secrets Of The Vine - Breaking Through To Abundance - The Breakthrough Series, Little Books, Big Cha

by Bruce H. Wilkinson

In this powerful follow-up to his bestseller The Prayer of Jabez, Dr. Bruce Wilkinson explores John 15 to show readers how to make maximum impact for God. Dr. Wilkinson demonstrates how Jesus is the Vine of life, discusses four levels of "fruit bearing" (doing the good work of God), and reveals three life-changing truths that will lead readers to new joy and effectiveness in His kingdom. Secrets of the Vine opens readers' eyes to the Lord's hand in their lives and uncovers surprising insights that will point them toward a new path of consequence for God's glory.

Genres: Christian, Christian Living, Nonfiction, Faith, Christianity, Religion, Spirituality

Hardcover

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Bruce Wilkinson is recognized as one of the world's foremost Christian teachers and speakers. But he is best known as the author of the New York Times #1 bestseller, The Prayer of Jabez, and other bestsellers including A Life God Rewards, Secrets of the Vine, and The Dream Giver. He is the founder of WorldTeach, a global initiative to train Bible teachers in every nation. Wilkinson also founded Dream for Africa, a humanitarian agency that has taken on AIDS, orphan care and hunger in sub-Saharan Africa. Bruce and his wife, Darlene, have three children and six grandchildren. They live outside Atlanta.

Reviews

[Nino Guarisco · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will rarely give a book "five stars", but this one is deserving. Bruce does a phenomenal job describing the various seasons of life we go through as disciples of Christ. By looking at John 15, the author describes four different "seasons of fruit bearing". No fruit, fruit, more fruit and much fruit. Are you a relatively new follower of Christ? This book is a must read. Have you been serving Christ for several years, experienced much fruit in your life, but now feel like there's a ceiling over your ministry? This book is a must read for you also.

Advice about what version to purchase: I purchased the audio book, but don't recommend it. I suggest that you purchase the e-version or hardcover, and read it yourself. Bruce's voice sounds almost exactly like the old Twighlight Zone narrator, and it can be quite distracting. When I first began to listen to the story, as read by the author, I thought I was at Disney World getting ready to step onto the Tower of Terror:-)

Buy the book, pray and get ready to see your relationship with Christ go to a new level of frutifulness.

[Stephanie Blake · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book helped my understanding of what Jesus was saying in John 15. I especially appreciated Bruce's conversation with a vineyard owner and his explanation of why the new vines often need to be lifted up off the ground and cleaned. Often John 15:2 is translated "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away," but "takes away" can also be translated as "takes up" or "lifts up." That picture makes sense.

[Valerie · Rating 1 out of 5]

The assertion by the author that God is pruning you by causing bad things to happen to you due to your sin, is quite frankly, insulting and demeaning. I had hoped that kind of thinking had died out with the Puritans. Yes, we will all go through trials, because all have sinned and fallen short, but to imply that getting cancer (as one example) is because of the magnitude of your sin is ridiculous. Do not read this book.

[Atlantis · Rating 1 out of 5]

I could not finish this book, I thought there were a lot of things the author was writing was just wrong and I felt like the whole metaphor of the vines and pruning were just overdone and made the message that much more confusing. I don't think that God is trying to keep secrets from me, I believe (to quote Fr Barron) that God has loved us all into existence and He loves us just the way we are-we are the ones that have to let God in and through our free will accept what he wants for us.

[Michael Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book about Abiding in God's love and recognizing God's discipline in our lives. John 15

[Adrienna · Rating 2 out of 5]

IT could be me since I write nonfiction/Christian Living material that I found the book mediocre. I recall reading his other book "The Prayer of Jabez" and have it somewhere around the house--loved it. People in most churches still speak about "enlarge my territory"! Therefore, this book stuck with me all these days thereafter reading it.

This one, on the other hand, is about pruning which deals with "correction" but also being connected to the vine--the One, Jesus, our true vine and Savior. I seemed to not be as in tune with this one as I was with the other book he wrote. Yet, I did like the "abiding in Him" since we had a series at COP (Center of Praise) Ministries this year of 2018; and was truly a blessed lesson.

What left me in tears literally is the portion about our Christian walk, where he states "Surrender does not even seem to be an option...God may be asking you to give up your 'right' to be married, to have children, or to achieve a particular kind of success...If so, He is pruning closely to what really matters to you--not to take something good from you, but to become Lord of all you desire." I found these statements on page 80 troubling and discouraging as a believer. These three desires I believe in greatly according to Psalm 37:4-5, by submitting to Him, he will give me the desires of my heart. And in this passage, surrendering is no longer an option but duty or obligation is how I take it. To not be granted the things I desire greatly, in order to become the Lord of all that I desire? Pruning seems like punishment instead of correction.


Leisure read 2018

[Lucky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is worth reading over and over again. It makes a walk with Jesus so much more functional and fulfilling.

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

I re-read this book after a small group discussion about the difference between God's punishment and bad things happening just because we live in a fallen world.

This little book has some big truths in it, and I would recommend it to any Christian.

Wilkinson talks about the vine/branches passage in John 15 and it is very eye-opening. Here are the three "secrets" he discusses:

#1 If your life consistently bears no fruit, God will intervene to discipline you. (Fruit being anything of eternal value in our lives. When we live in unconfessed and unrepented sin, God will punish us to lift us out of the pit. So if something bad happens when we are living in forgiveness instead of sin it is safe to assume it is NOT punishment from God.)

#2 If your life bears some fruit, God will intervene to prune you. (God asks you to let go of things that keep you from His kingdom purposes and your ultimate good.)

#3 If your life bears a lot of fruit, God will invite you to abide more deeply with Him.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-Read this book after many years of it sitting on my shelf. It is amazing how certain things can come through at different stages of your life. The same words, but spoken differently to the heart and mind. The second time reading this book, this is what I am coming away with:
1. Pruning is how God answers your prayers that your life will please Him more and have a greater impact for eternity.
2. God asks you to let go of things that keep you from His kingdom, purposes, and your ultimate goal (p 62)
3. Pruning turns your empty basket into one that is being filled.

Those that have been pruned do not focus on what was left behind, but to the future.

A. Break through to abiding, deepen the quality time devoted to God
B. Savor God's word
C. Set apart time that builds the relationship
D. Talk and listen to God (the person)
E. Keep a daily written record of what God is doing in your life
F. Broaden devoted time to an all-day attentiveness to his presence

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

great little book. not as good as Prayer of Jabez, but still excellent lessons fir Christians. It is a study on John 15 and Wilkinson has included 3 principles to apply to one's life: discipling, pruning, and abiding. I was inspired enough to choose 'abiding' as my word for 2016!

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this book at least 3 times. It was life changing the first time that I read it and I continue to grow and transform each time that I read it.

[Jesse Jaeger · Rating 4 out of 5]

GOOD book but not nearly as popular because Bruce goes into what kind of life God expects His children to live.

[Lori Ingram · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book... not as much as Prayer of Jabez, but it is equally as powerful.

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye opening and even more convicting. John 15 is one of the most needed passages for every Christian to study. The author does a phenomenal job working through the different levels of fruitfulness.

[Anna Wilkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read in one sitting on the plane. This will be a vulnerable review… A few weeks ago my dad and I had a raw conversation about the toughness of the last several years for me and he reminded me of John 15 how when we are bearing fruit God will prune you so that you can bear more fruit. I thought of the red geraniums on my balcony and a gardening instagrammer’s hydrangeas that have to be “dead-headed”. Gorgeous flowers whose heads were cut off completely so they can grow back better and more beautiful. And that’s how I felt: Deadheaded. That passage of scripture and these concepts were the bulk of this book’s message. I found it to be practical, concise, and beautifully written. These are concepts I’ve heard taught before but right now, when I have agonized over if I’ve made the right moves in the will of God, if God likes me, and wanting more of Him in this tough time, I was primed to receive the message it had to offer. I will reread it again, and I know this season has already begun to look different because of this book.

[Leslie Maughan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved the dedication at the beginning of the book. Sadly, that really set my expectations high, and I was disappointed overall. The dedication: "For disciples who have ever wondered if a life of extraordinary abundance just might be their birthright." I loved the way he worded that.

I'll start with the positive:
-He mentions that the words "fruit" and "good works" are used almost interchangeably in the Bible, so for a person to be fruitful, it does not mean that they HAVE to be a great evangelist. There are other ways to bear fruit for God. Galatians 5:22 "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." Jesus mentions love in the passage that Wilkinson's book is about. More on that later...

-I really appreciated how he explains John 15:2 "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away," explaining that the Greek word translated here as "takes away" is "airo." He writes, "a clearer translation of the Greek word airo, rendered in John 15 as 'take away,' would be 'take up' or 'lift up.' We find accurate renderings of airo, for example, when the disciples 'took up' twelve baskets of food after the feeding of the five thousand (Matthew 14:20), when Simon was forced to 'bear' Christ's cross (Matthew 27:32), and when John the Baptist called Jesus the Lamb of God who 'takes away' the sin of the world (John 1:29). In fact, in both the Bible and in Greek literature, airo never means 'cut off'. Therefore, when some Bibles render the word as 'takes away' or 'cut off' in John 15, it is an unfortunate interpretation rather than a clear translation." What a positive message to hear. If a Christian is not bearing fruit, God won't cut that person off. God will lift that person up, like a vinedresser caring for a vine. "When the branches fall into the dirt, God doesn't throw them away or abandon them. He lifts them up, cleans them off, and helps them flourish again."

-"What you appreciate in a best friend is precisely what God offers you. He is trustworthy and patient. When He looks at you, He does not call to mind the sins you've asked Him to forgive. He sees only a beloved child, a worthy heir."

And now for my criticisms:
-The entire book is based on John 15, which Wilkinson didn't bother to include in the book. Odd.

-He writes "Chastening is something you feel as emotional anxiety, frustration, or distress. What used to bring you joy now doesn't. Pressures increase at work, at home, in your health or finances." I have a really hard time with this idea. Either it's a mistake of poor wording, or it's (in my opinion) a very dangerous theological idea that anything not perfect in your life is because God is disciplining or punishing you. If someone gets laid off and "pressures increase" in their finances, is it because they have sinned? If I have extra stress at work, dealing with hundreds of people (mostly 12-13 year olds) every day, am I to believe that's because I've sinned? Is he arguing that every bump in the road or pressure is part of God's discipline? Conversely then, everything will be smooth for people who aren't sinning? This is a bit too "name it and claim it" for me, and I think for people who have a tendency to view God as a bit of a puppet-master, this could be very destructive. God never promised us an easy life. I don't believe that any difficulty or discomfort in life is because of something we have done wrong.

-He suggests that if we're not sure if we're being disciplined, we should pray, "Lord, I want to know. If You do not show me within a week from today that it is discipline, then I will take it by faith that it is pruning." I'm not sure I feel great about giving God a timeline like that.

-Overall, I was unclear about discipline versus pruning versus chastening. I'm wondering if he's splitting hairs. I also wonder why he spent so much time on those concepts, but very little time on the ideas about love that Jesus mentions just a few verses later. In verses 11 & 12 Jesus says, "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you." I wish Wilkinson had spent more time on this idea. How do we bear fruit? By loving people as Jesus loved them!

-I felt like the last chapter was a plug for his other book.

-I felt like he over-inflated the importance of his ideas on this passage. Much of the book, including the title, felt like he was letting us in on the most important secret that only he knew. A couple of times he asserts that this is the final message Jesus chose to tell his disciples. But Jesus isn't even arrested until chapter 18, and I feel like there's a lot of great stuff in between. Additionally, Jesus teaches us many lessons by his behavior and words throughout his arrest, trials, and ultimate crucifixion. And I have a hard time with Wilkinson's statement near the end of his book: "Now that you know how God is always at work in your life, and you see His face of love toward you, you need never again misunderstand His ways." I guess I'm supposed to be able to put to rest all my questions, doubts, and misunderstandings after 122 pages of Wilkinson's secrets?

Overall, I feel like it was a great concept poorly executed.

[Cora Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

super insightful. inspires thought-provoking questions. i loved it!

[Jeanette]

"...what God wants from me - a fruitful harvest for Him." (15)

"[Fruit in the Bible doesn't mean evangelism only] ...fruit symbolized the best result or sweetest prize in life." (20)

"The fruit from your life is how God receives His due honor on earth . . . You bear inner fruit when you allow God to nurture in you a new, Christlike quality... You bear outward fruit when you allow God to work through you to bring Him glory." (21)

"'New branches have a natural tendency to trail down and grow along the ground' he explained. 'But they don't bear fruit down there.' . . . 'What do you do?' I asked. 'Cut it off and throw it away?' 'Oh, no!' he exclaimed. 'The branch is much too valuable for that. We go through the vineyard with a bucket of water looking for those branches. We lift them up and wash them off.' He demonstrated for me with dark, callused hands. 'Then we wrap them around the trellis or tie them up. Pretty soon they're thriving.' . . . God doesn't throw them away or abandon them. He lifts them up, cleans them off, and helps them flourish again. Suddenly I had a burst of insight. Lift up... clean... I have never read John 15 in the same way again." (34)

"I know [about misconstruing God's pruning as discipline]. For years I struggled with anger and confusion because I mistook the process of pruning for discipline. When intense periods of distress seemed to lay siege to me, my family, or my ministry, I turned things upside down looking for the kind of major sin that would warrant the discomfort I was experiencing. I asked Darlene to help me see what I was missing. I pleaded, 'What else do you want from me, Lord?' I confessed every known sin and waited for relief. But when nothing changed, I frequently slipped into anger toward God, then into bitterness, then mistrust. The result was a break in my relationship with Him." (63) // this is how i feel about the last 5+ years of my life. the positive is that whenever i feel this, i turn *to* Him instead of from Him.

**p66 has a chart defining discipline and pruning.

"...early pruning is mostly about your outward activities and priorities, mature pruning is about your values and personal identity." (72)

"Tests of faith are various trials and hardships that invite you to surrender something of great value to God even when you have every right not to. You will feel assaulted or stretched by circumstances, but not distant from God; tried by Him, but not judged or guilty." (73)

"God doesn't apply pain when a more pleasant method would do just as well. Pruning is always the only and best answer to our deepest desires..." (74)

"Even though the duration, depth, and breadth of pruning seasons vary, no season lasts indefinitely. A season is coming, I promise, when you will know that you are no longer under God's shears. Everywhere you look you'll see amazing evidence of personal transformation and expanded ministry for God." (75)

"Lord, let me make a difference for you that is utterly disproportionate to who I am." (85)

**pp93 God doesn't want me to do more for Him, He wants me to do more with Him.

"The only limitation on the amount of sap that goes tot the fruit is the circumference of the branch where it meets the vine. That means that the branch with the largest, least-obstructed connection with the vine is the most and will have the greatest potential for a huge crop." (95)

"In abiding, it's always our move!" (97)

"Unless my friendship with God became my first priority, George predicted that I would never fulfill my true destiny as a Christian or a leader." (98)

"Nothing pleases God more than when we ask for what He wants to give." (115)

[Jennifer Tse · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good short book about how to start bearing fruit or bear more fruit for our Lord, both inwardly (our character issues) and outwardly (bringing people to Christ). It has a great chart about the difference of the seasons of disciplining or pruning to understand whether God is trying to help us overcome sin issues or correcting our values. Author Wilkinson acknowledges that either way, it is a very painful process. However, the less we struggle with God the faster the process is & the more fruit we will reap in the end. I like how he tells us the truth straight forwardly, in addition to comforting his readers about why we are bearing no or very little fruit. He also ensures us how God always loves us and explains why disciplining and pruning are necessary in a love relationship.

Favorite Quote:
"While early pruning is mostly about your outward activities and priorities, mature pruning is about your values and personal identity. God moves in closer for more intensive pruning because now you are ready to really produce. What God asks of you may seem difficult. But the results, if you say yes to the Vinedresser, will be dramatically more than you could have imagined. Many Christians never get this far. In fact, if you're not really committed to reaching the next level of abundance -more fruit- you probably shouldn't read this chapter. When Jesus told His friends what it would cost to follow Him, many turned back. Yet the impact of those who didn't is still shaking the world. If you know by now that God has a unique and important destiny for you -and you want it with all your heart- this chapter will take you across the next threshold to your future... Tests of faith are various trials and hardships that invite you to surrender something of great value to God even when you have every right not to. You will feel assaulted or stretched by circumstances, but not distant from God; tried by Him, but not judged or guilty. A psalmist described the refining experience...and the priceless result." (P.72-73)

[Chenley Cabaluna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am into spiritual stuff also so I am stocking up more more more spiritual book. :)) Spiritual stuff are life changing, perspective broadening and you can't just put it into words but you feel enlightened. Like you're connected to the Source or to God or to Whatever you call it. I love this year. So much learning is bestowed upon me and I'm not even worthy lol. Before this year, I am into "my-religion-is-the-best-attitude" then I went to "Do God even exist" to "Is there any God at all?" and if there is "Where is the proof?" to "There is no proof" "Science ain't proving it" "Therefore there is no God" and therefore becoming the ultimate atheist ever... but lo and behold...2014 came and I am saved from eternal damnation! lol. What I realized is, I was very egoistic in my past years that's why I cannot see the reason why there should be God and why there is God. I am relying on my little knowledge and as I've said, I was too egoistic that I relied much on myself for explanations and reasons. I forgot that I am not the ultimate source of knowledge....but google! haha kidding aside, I love that I am back to the light and love and I know I sound crazy for the most especially for the non-believers but believe me, I've been on the same shoes like you guys for the longest years and it is no fun. Living like that is not creative, not lively and dull. I am not going back to my old ways and I cannot, once you're enlightened, you simply cannot turn back. Plus and the biggest plus is, I was introduced to Quantum Physics which is a branch of science that deals with the explanation of why there is god and fourth dimension and non-physical beings and place making me believe more in what i believe now. See? I thought science can't prove, but year after year, we're discovering that the teachings of the spiritual leaders like Jesus or Buddha are well,THE TRUTH. :)

[bLueRLyN · Rating 5 out of 5]

Secrets of the Vine: Breaking Through to Abundance is beyond a beautiful read. I thank the Lord for this book, in the same way I am grateful for the Mr. Wilkinson's other book - The Prayer of Jabez. The spiritual truths and insights in this book has been instrumental in making me learn about what it is like to break through from daily routines and devotions that feel rather empty and more of a chore in the past.

Today, whenever I see a bunch of grapes, I see more than just a juicy and succulent fruit that later on turns into wine. I am enriched with the message on how our good Lord alluded his discipline and pruning to that of a grape vine.

I pray that God will always grant me the discernment to know when I am receiving discipline and correction and when I am being pruned, and that I will always be moved to respond accordingly. In the same way, I pray that God will move me from a non-bearing fruit vine, into one that is overflowing in abundance in all aspects of my life - spiritually, emotionally, materially, financially, health and socially.

This book is a must have for everyone Christian, because when God calls someone to be his child, abundance is inevitable. After all, a child is always given provision by his Father and is an heir to all that his Father owns.

[L.S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A aduce roadă nu înseamnă doar a aduce oameni la Cristos. Roada sau fructul este orice lucru bun pe care credinciosul îl trăieşte – fie gând, atitudine sau acţiune, care au valoare înaintea lui Dumnezeu pentru că Îi aduc glorie. Fructul este acel rod al Duhului Sfânt care te face mai asemănător lui Cristos. "Dar roada Duhului este dragostea, bucuria, pacea, răbdarea, bunătatea, generozitatea, credinţa, blândeţea, înfrânarea. (Galateni 5:22)"

Don’t compare your progress to anything or anyone but God’s gracious will for you. (Bruce Wilkinson)

Autorul spune că fiecare persoană, parte a Viţei, este curăţată, este tăiată pentru a elimina acele obiceiuri sau activităţi care îţi consumă timpul şi energia dar care îţi dau în schimb mult prea puţin în relaţia ta cu El; te “taie” şi atunci când ceea ce faci este prea mult orientat spre eul tău – îţi cere să renunţi la egoism; vrea să aloci mai mult timp acelor activităţi care te fac să aduci mai multă roadă pentru gloria Lui; sau poate Dumnezeu vrea să îţi arate noi modalităţi prin care te poţi pune în slujba Lui.

Nothing pleases God more than when we ask for what He wants to give. (Bruce Wilkinson)

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book and thought I would try it. I loved that it gave new perspective when things are not going the way you want them to. That instead of focusing on what you don't have or that God doesn't listen or like you, it says that God is pruning you and making you rely more on him. I really liked this and I think it will be helpful as I go through this season in life. God wants a personal relationship with him. We find time for friends, family, work, gym and fun, but do we schedule the same time with God? He is ready and available anytime for us. We need daily devotion with him.

[Jennifer Wells · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was only okay. I usually keep my books, but I don’t need to keep this one.

Initially, Chapters 1 and 2 really got me—had me see John 15 in a new way. I want to know more about the Vinedresser with his grapes to truly explore different roles in my relationship with Christ in bearing fruit, “a fruitful harvest for Him” (Chapter 1, Page 15.)

The book got drier after the beginning so I wouldn’t recommend it. Not horrible, just average.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book explains what Jesus meant in John 15 in a very applicable way. I certainly makes me ponder deeply this season of my life. This is a book that I will read again in the future.

[Elizabeth Meadows · Rating 5 out of 5]

An in depth look at John chapter 15. Very good!

[Piper Rinehart]

To read with John 15… so so good. Borrowed a copy but will def need to buy my own ~for future ref~

[Jacinta Stokes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very inspiring. To grow and keep putting in daily action 🙏

[Dario Ferko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abide in this Book to learn the value of abiding in Christ, the Lord who heals us!

[Avery Boney · Rating 5 out of 5]

1000/10 recommend!!!!