Saturday September 09th, 2023
« I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you stay joined to me, and I stay joined to you, then you will produce lots of fruit. But you cannot do anything without me »
1 “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener.
2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and He prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.
3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you.
4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.
5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.
6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned.
7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!
8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.
9 “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love.
10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.
The Bible reading of today tells us that abiding (staying connected) in Jesus Christ is the secret of bearing good fruit.
This is why being born again is just the beginning of a life of fruitfulness; abiding in Jesus Christ in unbroken continuity is the secret of fruitfulness.
How then can we abide in Jesus? John 15:7-8 CW says:
« 7 Stay joined to me and let my teachings become part of you. Then you can pray for whatever you want, and your prayer will be answered. 8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father »
Here we discover three things: One, Jesus is the secret behind true fruitfulness and without Him we can do nothing good. Two, abiding in Him is the attitude required of us to bear good fruit. Three, living by His words (teachings) is the practical way of abiding in Jesus Christ.
He said in Matthew 11:29 AMB
« Take My (Jesus’) yoke upon you and learn from Me [following Me as My disciple], for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest (renewal, blessed quiet) For your souls »
Everyone will eat out of whatever fruit he or she bears.
Everyone is capable of bearing good fruit, provided that persons comes to Jesus Christ through faith, living according to His word. John 8:31 CEV says:
«… If you keep on obeying what I have said, you truly are my disciples »
God is the ultimate in all ways, even where fruitfulness is concerned. Whoever desires to be fruitful must be connected to Him.
Psalm 23:1 says that those who follow God will not lack.
John 10:9 AMB further describes the blessings of those who connect with Jesus:
« I am the Door; anyone who enters through Me will be saved [and will live forever], and will go in and out [freely], and find pasture (spiritual security) »
All things work together for good to them that love God and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).
Beloved, these Scriptures above and many more confirm that if you are connected to God, your all-around fruitfulness is guaranteed.
Are you connected to Him?
Prayer point : Father, please keep me, connected to You forever, in Jesus’ name.
Author: Bishop Enoch. A. Adeboye.
Edited by Naomie
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