John

Fruit-bearing Branches 

John 15:5   “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. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples”

We bear fruit for God’s kingdom by remaining connected to Him, as branches to the Vine!  We grow out of God; we have divine DNA as our branches are made from the same source of God Himself.  He gives us abundant life where He wants us to flourish.  He prunes back the dead parts of our lives for the life-filled parts of us to bear fruit that will last.  He loves to remain connected to us and flow life through us.  Let us be intentional in remaining in Him and bearing His fruit.  Amen!

Photo: US Virgin Islands

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God is Greater 

1 John 4:4 ….the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 

God is greater than our culture and outside influences, and He is inside you. He is greater than the world, and it’s constant need to consume, judge, condemn and disparage, and He is inside you. God is all you need to find approval with yourself.  He created you. He’s in your DNA. You’ll not find contentment in the world of consumerism and self-focus, designed to leave you wanting more. Fortunately, God is greater than the discontentment, clamor and pettiness of the world.  He is the loudest voice inside of us, even when He whispers, for He speaks powerfully with wisdom, truth, non-judgment, approval and love. He wants you to be God-focused and listen for His voice above the noise of the world. He tells you constantly that you are worthy, loved and His precious child.  His voice is greater, His love is greater, and His worth is greater. 

Photo: The Metropolitian Museum of Art, New York City  

Receptive heart, active feet 

James 1:22-25 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

Ask God to open your heart to receive His Word of truth.  Then act in faith on His promises.  The Lord has made our hearts receptive and our feet active to live out His Word, move into His blessings, and share His good news.  We don’t just hear God and forget, we listen with our hearts and act! This means we love like God, we forgive like God, we persevere like God, and we show grace, mercy and compassion like God!!!  Open up, listen, and act in faith!  

Photo: Austin, TX