And you who are left in Judah,
who have escaped the ravages of the siege,
will put roots down in your own soil
and will grow up and flourish.
JOHN 15:4 (NLT)
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.
THE ESSENCE
Our purose is to grow through our connection with Christ Jesus and to live fruitful lives.
DAILY FODDER
Not all fruit is good. How do you know if you're living fruitfully? Galatians 5:22-23 (MSG): But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.
PRAYER
Thank you, God, for grafting us onto yourself. Forgive us for trying to make our own way through life. There is just no fruit in that. Help me to stay so close to you that your sap is flowing through me. As crazy as it sounds, I'm expecting a bumper group of divine fruit to develop on my branches. Amen.
Our Father in Heaven,
we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
so that everything that happens here will align
with what is happening in heaven.
and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.
