Good fruit requires a good connection.

Grace and peace to you dear friends,

  

Yesterday I ended by asking what Psalms 1 tells us is the answer to the problem of feeling dry, withered and useless. Your responses were all on the mark. The follower of Christ bears fruit by staying connected to God's Word. Here are Jesus own words to His disciples on this very topic. 

  

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. ” John15:5

“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” John5:7-8

“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” John5:11

 

His words here are very plain but I want to point out that Jesus confirms our Old Testament passage on delighting in the Law of God as the means to fruitful living by saying that a big part of our staying connected is keeping His Word in us. The Psalmist described it as meditating day and night. For most of you and me included, that doesn't sound like an attainable goal at all. However what is attainable is having God's Word regularly crossing your mind throughout the day. If this is not some thing that you're having any success with then let me make one simple recommendation. Start today and make the choice to believe that it's more important than anything else this world has to offer you.

 

We all have the same amount of time available to us each day. So it really comes down to whether we treasure God's Word enough to take the time for it. Jesus Himself speaking to Satan during His temptation said, "The scripture says ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" Mathew 4:4 

 

Your Fruit Bearing Life depends on your connection to the Word. Be strong, make the commitment to get into the Word, every day if possible. If you can't set aside time each morning then try taking a few minutes once during the week to write out 3 or 4 little note cards/paper notes with a verse to focus on and every couple days put a new one in your pocket. You get the idea. Start small and let the Word grow in you. It sounds simple but even the simplest of ideas requires you to Decide if it's worth the cost. Share with us, how do you find time or make time for the Word? What do you do to over come your flesh tempting you to "do it some other time" or "put it off until later"?

 

Gracious Lord God I pray that you would fill your people with greater affections for you and a deeper Joy in Christ. You are the all sufficient King and ruler of our hearts. May you be praised forever. Amen.

 

For the Joy of Your Faith,

Teagan