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Daily Inspirational Devotionals
Bearing Fruit Remain in me, and I will remain in you. (John 15:4) So how does a branch keep from being pruned from the vine? If God is the divine gardener and we are the branches, how do we make sure that he doesn’t target us for trimming? How can we make sure that we survive the gardener’s shears? The answer seems simple enough, doesn’t it? Most would say that the key is to “bear fruit.” To produce product. To make sure that we do enough to please the gardener. To work hard, to look good, to stay in the light, and to try to keep our grapes from wilting. But Jesus had a different perspective. His formula for staying useful was to stay connected to the vine. “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 apart from me” (John 15:4). According to Jesus, the secret to growth is connection. The way we stay healthy is simply to stay attached. The formula for more fruit is to remain on the vine. To feed from its roots. To stay plugged into the source of all life. How many times do we try and force ourselves to grow fruit? We think we can will our way to a better yield. We grit our teeth and read our Bible, checking off the commandments one at a time. “Let’s see … haven’t lusted this week. Haven’t envied the neighbor. Certainly haven’t robbed or killed anyone. I went to church, gave my tithe, said my prayers, even smiled at someone I didn’t like. If that isn’t fruit, I don’t know what is.” The trouble is, the branch could no more grow its own fruit than a fish could live in a bird’s nest. Without the vine, the branch will wilt and die. Without Jesus, you and I will suffer the same fate. A branch cannot exist apart from the vine. You and I are destined for spiritual death apart from Jesus. That’s why the gardener prunes with such vigor. He will do anything to keep us plugged into his will. “My true disciples produce much fruit,” says Jesus. “This brings great glory to my Father” (John 15:8). So how do you know if you are plugged into the vine? What is the one test that shows if you are remaining in God’s will? You see the fruit growing from within, because of your relationship with Christ. Though you had nothing to do with its growth, you benefit from the harvest. The credit goes only to the gardener.
Today’s Reading John 15:1-8 Reflection In what ways do you try to bear fruit on your own? How can you stay plugged into the vine of Christ?
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The best-selling Left Behind series has captured the attention of millions of readers, and it has changed lives. It has brought millions of believers the motivation to examine their hearts. Are you ready to embrace eternity? Live each moment as if it could be your last? Your future is more important than your past. Where you are going matters more than where you have been. What you do from this day forward means much more than what you have already done. You may be affected by your past, but you are not defined by it. Not in the eyes of God. What does it mean to embrace eternity? It means grasping each breath as if it could be your last, living life moment by precious moment with your feet planted firmly on earth but your heart aimed squarely at heaven. It means learning to embrace the role of dual citizenship—living in one world while belonging to another. It is a lifestyle of living like there’s no tomorrow and then dying so that your real life can finally begin! This 365-day devotional explores the themes introduced in the Left Behind series—themes of salvation, grace, obedience, and faith. New believers as well as mature believers will find a message of faith that will inspire and motivate daily.
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