Wednesday, August 10, 2022

Much Fruit


Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch can not bear fruit without the branches, neither can ye unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit because you can do nothing without me
. (John 15:3-4)

Much fruit. Later in that chapter, we're told of the promise of the Counselor or the Comforter. He would be in us at all times. He's the believer's secret weapon because we produce the fruit of the spirit through Him - love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. 

As we bear much fruit, we can truly become fishers of men. But many of us are fishing with no bait because we haven't cultivated our relationship, and we're not producing fruit. The more fruit we produce, the more others are attracted to us, and our lives speak for themselves.

Simon Peter was an experienced fisherman. He knew he had to be patient and wait for the fish to bite. Yet he'd spent all night fishing and caught nothing. Then Peter encountered the Master Fisherman, who instructed him to go to deep water and let down his nets. Peter was initially hesitant, considering he'd fished all night. But because Jesus gave the instruction, Peter let down his nets. He complied. He obeyed. And then he caught more fish than he'd ever seen - two boatfuls. From this point on, Peter followed Jesus. The entire story is found in Luke 5:1-11.

I confess that I've struggled with being fruitful. I've been a Christian since I was eight, and I wonder if Christ in me has made a difference to those I connect with. In hindsight, I know it has, but often at the moment, I feel as if I'm lacking. At these times, I remember the promise of abiding. I examine my life to see what I can do differently. Abiding isn't easy because so many things compete for my attention - good and bad. Whether it is a responsibility or filling my time with nonsense, it's a constant struggle. Sometimes I feel so close to God, I think I've figured out this abiding thing; I guess that's some sort of pride, and indeed, I am humbled by a challenge in my circumstances.

When Peter encountered a holy Jesus, he listened, obeyed, and was more fruitful than ever. Let's stop fishing without bait. Let's meet Jesus and remain in Him so that we bear much fruit. When we follow Him, we walk in our purpose - bearing much fruit and drawing others to Him.

Prayer - Dear Lord, draw me closer to you. So close, there is nothing that separates me from you. So close that I can hear you whispering in my ear and feel your presence. So close it seems that I can touch you. Help me to abide in You. And just like a vine needs tending to produce, Help me to remember that by abiding, you are taking care of me. In you, there is joy, peace, grace, and love. Now more than ever, I need the fruit of your spirit to be fruitful - fertile, productive, and helpful. This world needs fruit-bearing Christians, and this world needs you. Thank you for your promises to us. Amen.
--Nylse

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7 comments:

  1. "When we follow Him, we walk in our purpose - bearing much fruit and drawing others to Him." Praying to follow Him closely for all of my days to bring Him honor and so others may also be drawn to Him.

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  2. If you are walking by faith and not by sight, living as you should for Jesus, then you are a light...n someone is always watching. How you daily show up in the world matters, it matters tremendously!

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  3. Let me bear much fruit, Lord! Draw me close.

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  4. I was just reading and writing about this myself, we certainly don't want to bear no fruit or bad fruit as believers, cultivate is the exact word to define our relationship to Christ.

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  5. I Love your insights and encouragement within. I've struggled when it comes to baring fruit too. This >" The more fruit we produce, the more others are attracted to us, and our lives speak for themselves." Is so true indeed.
    Your neighbor at Let's Have Coffee #25

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  6. Such a powerful message. Great insight that many of us are fishing without bait. Yikes. And this is inspirational, "When we follow Him, we walk in our purpose - bearing much fruit and drawing others to Him." Yes!

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  7. Love this message.
    Thank you for linking up with Sweet Tea & Friends this month my friend.

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