Day 5 | Hold On To The Vine

Command:

Bear fruit that lasts. John 15:16 (NIV)

Read:

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. John 15:5-6 (NIV)

Reflect:

To remain or abide means hold to, endure, continue to exist even after people or things have ceased to exist. When I genuinely made Jesus my Lord and savior and decided to go all in and follow him, I thought it was going to be an easy transition. I quickly realized the more I walked deeper with the Lord, I began facing opposition and what seemed like a loss is various areas of my life. Things I used to do before Jesus I had no desire to do anymore. Relationships and friendships I’ve had most of my life started to gracefully leave. I thought following Jesus was going to add to my life not take things away. Little did I know at the time, following Jesus full heartedly will cost you. It will cost you old habits, old relationships, old mindsets and thinking that no longer serve you and not in alignment with God's will for your life. During this pruning process I clung tight to Jesus and his word, and still do, like it was my life line. I had to put action to my faith and stay connected to Jesus regardless of what's going on. God knew exactly what I needed, when I needed it, to be fruitful for his kingdom. He blessed me more than what I thought I lost and because of his faithfulness I’ve made it my life's mission, freely I receive, freely I give away. Our job is not to bear the fruit but stay attached to the true vine, Jesus. 

React:

Are there areas in your life hindering you from being fruitful in God’s kingdom that need pruning?

Pray:

Lord Jesus, draw me close to you. For in you I live and move and have my being. Lord, let the fruit I bear glorify you in what I say, what I do, and how I live.