"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. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. John 15:1-4 [NIV]
If you are remaining connected to the vine, you will be supplied with everything you need to bear fruit. What is the fruit we are talking about?
We bear fruit by connecting with God in prayer. As we pray, God will answer our prayers (as long as we are praying in accordance with his will). By maintaining a good connection, spending time in the Word and in listening to God in prayer, we will have a deeper knowledge of God's will and his direction for our lives. We will have joy, we will grow in faith and in our actions.
Are you fruitful today? If you are connected to the vine it will be possible to see the fruit growing in your life. What are the fruits of the Spirit?
- love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, kindness and self control (Galatians 5: 22-23)
Apple trees produce apples, orange trees produce oranges and plum trees produce plums. The fruit that you bear is the fruit of the vine (grapes!) – a vine cannot produce plums, oranges or apples. So if you are connected to the vine your life will show the fruit that comes from Jesus. You do this by putting the Words into practice (like our memory verse states).
Lord, help me to bear fruit in my life today – thank you for the connection I have with you. Thank you that I can bear the fruit of your Spirit which recognisably comes from you. In Jesus name, Amen.
Memory Verse: Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. Matthew 7:24 [NIV]
Dave MacLellan
(based on Saddleback Church resource material)
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