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Day 15: John 15/Psalm 32
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Wednesday March 10, 2004
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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.
John 15:7-8 (New International Version)
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Rooted in
the Word
In his book, The Best Is Yet To Be, Henry Durbanville told the story of
a little girl in London who won a prize at a flower show. Her entry was
grown in an old cracked teapot placed in the rear attic window of a
rundown tenement house. When asked how she managed to raise such a
lovely flower in such an unlikely environment, she said she moved it
around so it would always be in the sunlight.
In John 15, Jesus
likens our relationship to him to that of a vine and its branches.
Jesus promises that if we maintain a healthy connection to Him, the
vine, the result will be that our lives will be very fruitful,
regardless of our circumstances. Like the girl’s flower, a primary
factor in the health of that connection is staying in the sunlight of
His word. That is, as we stay in the light of God’s word, it will
automatically result in fruitfulness. Notice the responsibility is not
on us to bear the fruit, but rather to stay in the light of His word.
The fruit simply is a natural byproduct. The fruit on a tree doesn’t strive
to become a piece of fruit, it just stays connected to the tree!
In the remainder of
the chapter, He further identifies what that fruit looks like: a
sacrificial depth of love for others, joyfulness, friendship with the
Father, and telling others about Him. However, He also warns us that
this is likely to result in some persecution from others.
A further
note on being a friend of the Father
Our English word friend comes from the same root as the word freedom. A
genuine friend sets us free to be who and what we uniquely are. That’s
what our friendship with the Father does for us. It’s not meant to
conform us into something we’re not, or place restrictions on our lives
that aren’t in our best interest. Rather, we can trust the light of His
word to lead us into a friendship with Him that will be the most
genuine and freeing that we could ever experience.
Today’s
prayer:
Jesus help me to faithfully absorb your word into my life, knowing
that the fruit will follow. I desire to trust in our growing friendship
more than any other.
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Memory Verse of the Week:
“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.”
John 15:7-8 (New International Version)
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For a complete
listing of all the previous devotionals in this "50 Day
Experience," click here.
To read the chapter or psalm of the day online, click on one of the
following links:
o
John
15
o
Psalm
32
Bill Koontz, koontz@cincyvineyard.com,
Director of Generous Living at VCC
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Reminder:
Wednesday, May 7th is a day of fasting.
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