Bearing More Fruit

Jesus said, “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.  Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit,” John 15:1-2 (NASB)

The owner of the vineyard tells me she removes the branches that are dead. That she added a new branch (root) which is already entwined with the older vine.

 Jesus continues, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.”

When growing grapes, the entire plant is considered the grape vine. It is this portion from which all other branches, leaves, and fruit, must grow.  Rosalie went on to explain for the fruit to reach its maximum potential, it must receive plenty of sunlight. This means that even some of the beautiful leaves and young shoots must be pruned away. This makes room for the sun to shine through. She said she didn’t like to do that part but, if she didn’t, then there wouldn’t be tasty grapes to eat.

Jesus used the examples of vines, branches, and fruit to help us see ─ our lives are a lot like a grapevine. The dead wood (sin) must be removed and destroyed. Unnecessary parts of our busy days need to be carefully pruned to allow the Light of the Son to shine through. When Jesus, the Son, shines in our lives then fruit will grow.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…” Galatians 5:22-23 (NASB)

 

How We Live Now Matters

During an early morning thunderstorm, I sat quietly at my desk reading my Bible. Waiting for the storm to pass before heading off to work. Pondering the convenience of a flexible schedule that allowed me to make these choices.

The passage for today in 1 John is captioned “The Promise is Eternal Life”. Many people may ask, “Who wants to live forever anyway?” Yes, I’ve heard these words spoken before. The answer is — those who rejoice in living in the Presence of God. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Our eternal life doesn’t begin in heaven, it doesn’t begin when we die. It’s here, and now. When we believe.

“Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming,” 1 John 2:28 (NASB).

Our eternal life is NOW. How we live NOW matters.

#howwelivenowmatters  #Christianliving #eternallife #God’spromises

 

The Maze of Life

Have you ever been lost and didn’t know which way to go? Struggled to see the end of the path, only to find out there are several turns? Wanted to get to the finish line, but the finish line wasn’t close enough? Which direction to turn? How far until the end, the answer, the finish, the solution?

Well, if you are out enjoying autumn fun in the countryside these are the questions posed while navigating the corn maze. Increasing in popularity, these treks can be torture (for older ladies like me), challenging (mothers with small children may find it so), but still – fun.

Following Jesus is a lot like walking through a corn maze. You don’t always know which direction to turn. You can’t see the path ahead. We will make wrong decisions. But, just like the staff members watching over the maze and its travelers, God watches over us. He can set our feet on the right path. He can block the wrong direction and tell us which way to turn.

For the corn maze, there is a map, and the counsel of the people who work there. For the maze of life, we have the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit.

Don’t stay lost.

“… He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake” Psalm 23:3 (NASB).

For corn maze fun in Lexington, SC:

http://agbusinessdmi.wixsite.com/clintonsease