Good Morning Friend,
The only way to live a truly good life is to stay close to Christ, like a vine connected to a branch. Jesus says, “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). Here, Jesus uses a simple garden analogy to help his disciples understand the importance of a right relationship with God—God the gardener, Christ the vine, and we are the branches. And the fruit of the branch is JOY.
Galatians 5:22 speaks of the fruit of the spirit also. “The harvest of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, fidelity, gentleness, and self-control.” As a branch on Christ’s vine, how would you describe the fruit in your life? Are you filled with kindness and goodness or is your fruit wormy and rotten? Is your fruit green—needing more time to ripen into spiritual maturity? Much like a grocer selects quality fruit for his market, take a look at each fruit of the spirit and give a grade. What is your peace quotient now? Where do you need Jesus’ peace?
This week pay particular attention to your words and actions. Do you have patience in traffic? Were you a loyal friend? Did you use self-control and not take that extra piece of cake or second drink? Were you kind to the slow check-out person at Publix? Jesus said, “I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last” (John 15:16). Remain in Christ and bless others with your wonderful fruit.
Prayer: Father, I desire a right relationship with you. Help me cling to the vine.
From on branch to another, grow in peace, Linda