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19 February 2008
Word on the Web
John 15 v 5-11
"I am the vine, and you are the branches. If any remain in me and I remain in them, they produce much fruit. But without me they can do nothing. If any do not remain in me, they are like a branch that is thrown away and then dies. People pick up dead branches, throw them into the fire, and burn them. If you remain in me and follow my teachings, you can ask anything you want, and it will be given to you. You should produce much fruit and show that you are my followers, which brings glory to my Father. I loved you as the Father loved me. Now remain in my love. I have obeyed my Father's commands, and I remain in his love. In the same way, if you obey my commands, you will remain in my love. I have told you these things so that you can have the same joy I have and so that your joy will be the fullest possible joy.
So, it's easy... if as Christians, we stay close to Jesus by spending time with him and other Christians, and read our Bibles, we'll produce lots of fruit - we'll be more like Jesus and see others drawn to him by our witness.
So why does this sometimes seem far from our experience? Perhaps one of the reasons is that fruit needs seasons, including a time to be in a passive state, receiving the nutrients and moisture it needs from the soil and the rain. It needs a period of resting before the bursts of growth in the spring. God uses 'seasons' in our lives too. Are you in a time of obvious growth where you feel really close to God and excited about your faith? Or are you in a time of harvest where the fruit is obvious - you can clearly see God at work in your life and in the lives of others? Or are you in a "resting" period where, although you may not be aware of it, God is quietly at work, moulding and shaping you into the person he has created you to become? This latter period can sometimes test our faith, as we can't see 'results'. But it's vital, in order for us to be fruitful in the future.
Dear Lord, thank you for the seasons of life, and that you're with us in all of them, helping us and enabling us to grow. Help me to look for you at work in my life each day, and help me to remain open to what you want to do. Amen
Written by Debbie Orriss
Word on the Web
John 15 v 5-11
"I am the vine, and you are the branches. If any remain in me and I remain in them, they produce much fruit. But without me they can do nothing. If any do not remain in me, they are like a branch that is thrown away and then dies. People pick up dead branches, throw them into the fire, and burn them. If you remain in me and follow my teachings, you can ask anything you want, and it will be given to you. You should produce much fruit and show that you are my followers, which brings glory to my Father. I loved you as the Father loved me. Now remain in my love. I have obeyed my Father's commands, and I remain in his love. In the same way, if you obey my commands, you will remain in my love. I have told you these things so that you can have the same joy I have and so that your joy will be the fullest possible joy.
So, it's easy... if as Christians, we stay close to Jesus by spending time with him and other Christians, and read our Bibles, we'll produce lots of fruit - we'll be more like Jesus and see others drawn to him by our witness.
So why does this sometimes seem far from our experience? Perhaps one of the reasons is that fruit needs seasons, including a time to be in a passive state, receiving the nutrients and moisture it needs from the soil and the rain. It needs a period of resting before the bursts of growth in the spring. God uses 'seasons' in our lives too. Are you in a time of obvious growth where you feel really close to God and excited about your faith? Or are you in a time of harvest where the fruit is obvious - you can clearly see God at work in your life and in the lives of others? Or are you in a "resting" period where, although you may not be aware of it, God is quietly at work, moulding and shaping you into the person he has created you to become? This latter period can sometimes test our faith, as we can't see 'results'. But it's vital, in order for us to be fruitful in the future.
Dear Lord, thank you for the seasons of life, and that you're with us in all of them, helping us and enabling us to grow. Help me to look for you at work in my life each day, and help me to remain open to what you want to do. Amen
Written by Debbie Orriss
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