MEMORISE:
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. John 15:5
READ: John 15:1-7
1I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
MESSAGE
A common practice in the Body of Christ today is the preference to fellowship in big congregations. This idea is favored by many because it affords them the opportunity of attending church without participating in any form of service, thereby evading responsibility and commitment. People who indulge in this are the category of people Jesus refers to as unfruitful branches in today’s Bible reading. Although they are born-again members of the Church and branches in the Vine, they are unwilling to make serious commitments to the Lord’s service or be tied to any responsibility in His Church. Such people are ignorantly denying themselves great blessings from God. Incidentally, without active participation in church activities, spiritual growth and fruitfulness will be stunted. Children of God should know that fruitfulness is mandatory and highly rewarding. It is mandatory because God commanded it in Genesis 1:28. Which says:
“And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it…..”
The blessing that God bestowed on humanity here is the source from which all other blessings flow to mankind. This scripture also defines a very important principle of life: fruitfulness comes before multiplication. A person that is fruitful will automatically multiply, and anyone who refuses to be fruitful may never multiply.
God has provided everything that is required for our growth in the Vine. Therefore, barrenness or unfruitfulness in any branch of the Vine may be due to sickness, detachment from the vine or a lack of willingness to bear fruit. The Holy Spirit makes it clear that a branch in the Vine can be sick or attacked by pests, saying in Psalm 107:17:
“Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.”
It is also possible for a branch to be detached from the Vine, making it possible for the fluid of life flowing in the Vine to reach it. Such a detached branch will not only find it impossible to bear fruit, it also stands the risk of dying off. It is possible to find a branch in the Vine that is unwilling to be fruitful, as exemplified by the man given one talent in Matthew 25:24-25. Fruitfulness is a covenant benefit of God’s children that can affect every area of their lives. You can be fruitful spiritually, materially, academically, socially, physically and financially. Deuteronomy 7:12-14 reveals that God expects you to be fruitful in your body, in your business and in your livestock. This implies that everything associated with you is to carry the mark of God’s blessing. Praise God!
PRAYER POINT:
Father, please make me a fruitful branch in all ramification of life in Jesus’ Name.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 92-99
Habakkuk 3
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 4: TAKE MY LIFE.
1. Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
*Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in endless praise.
2. Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee.
3. Take my voice and let me sing,
Always, only for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee.
4. Take my silver and my gold,
Not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
Every pow’r as Thou shalt choose.
5. Take my will and make it Thine,
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own,
It shall be Thy royal throne.
6. Take my love, my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee.
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