PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: John 15:1-8
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” (John 15:2)
I am not a fruitless branch, but I could certainly be more fruitful.
These words describe what the life of a Jesus follower is like.
God is not being a demanding gardener, only looking for more and more.
God created us to bear spiritual fruit, the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).
God’s desire for more fruit is for us to be more fully human, more fully alive!
In our relationship with Jesus, we are fully accepted as God’s loved children.
In other words, God sees us as fully human, fully alive.
The life we now live in Jesus is a life of growing into that identity.
We do not become better by trying harder, but by clinging to Jesus by faith.
The same ‘word’ that restored us now renews us, equipping us for good works.
He helps us, warns us, prunes us, teaches us, trains us through life.
His pruning may be painful at times, but it is always beneficial.
As we read the bible with Jesus, we slowly learn what it means to do good.
What are some things he wants to grow in my life, or things he wants to prune away?
PRAYER
Lord, I am fully restored by grace, and now I am growing in that same grace. May your life flow through mine, that I may bear much fruit with, like and for you!
All I have to do is reflect on my life and I see how Jesus saw me through: “If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” I testify that none of it could have been possible without Jesus. He led me through. Still I get anxious as I look forward. Help me Lord to be a peace in the present for the future – whatever it brings. Lord, help me to be calm in the storms of life especially as my faculties dim!
Finally I am back after my computer which crashed was fixed (now to find everything again) and I have been under he ‘weather’ for four weeks.
God created me to serve – serve Him and others. That also brings me out of my comfort zone especially in third world countries. But all this has taught me to let go of self and let God take control. Others need to see God in me because it is not what my hands have done but What He enable me to do – a vessel in His hand. He has made me grow out of my comfort zone. Soon I pray I my continue to serve Him here locally when my health is totally restore. In the meantime, I will continue my walk with the Lord.
When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.