Tag Archives: I am the vine

Bear Much Fruit

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 244 - John 15:5 - Bear Much Fruit - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 244 – John 15:5 – Bear Much Fruit – Growing As Disciples

“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. John 15:5 (NIV)

Bearing Fruit 

I know that you want to bear an abundance of fruit for my kingdom and my glory. How do you know that? I have heard you pray that prayer many times. That was you wasn’t it? You’re kidding me. What do you think? Yes, you are kidding me. It was me. That has been a frequent prayer of mine. Yes, I know. I hear all your prayers. 

Let’s talk about fruit bearing. I will start by asking you some questions. Go right ahead. When have you worked really hard and seen absolutely no fruit from your labor? I’m not sure. Go ahead, make a guess.  Sometimes I have dreamed up a project all by myself. I didn’t really consult with you about it. The project just seemed like a good idea to me. But, after a lot of hard work I knew that it was not bearing fruit. Your hand was not on it. It was just a lot of self-effort on my part. It was my good idea. It was not your good idea. It was not what you were calling me to do for you. Let’s take a step back for a minute. I have another question for you. What is it?

What is fruit? That’s a good question. It’s important to know. Yes, it is. The fruit that I want to bear is fruit that will last for all eternity. There is a lot of activity in life that might look like it is accomplishing something important. If that activity doesn’t stand the test of time and last forever it isn’t the fruit that you are calling me to bear for you. No, it is not. Apart from me you will never be able to bear this kind of fruit. Do you know why we took a step back to consider this question? My good ideas will never be able to bear fruit for you. No, they will not. You must listen to me. You must hear my call. You must go where I guide you to do what I ask of you. Then and only then will you be able to bear fruit that will glorify me. This kind of fruit will last for all eternity. 

Let me clarify something for you. What’s that? The amount of fruit you will bear for me will correspond to how you abide in your relationship with me. Do you want to abide in me? Yes, I do. Will you spend time with me? Yes, I will. Will you spend time meeting with me in my word? Yes, I will. Will you listen to all that I have to say to you? Yes, I will. Will spend time talking with and listening to me in prayer? Yes, I will. Will you bow yourself down to worship me? Yes, to all your questions. My life is fully devoted to loving, following and serving you. Yes, I can see that it is.

As you abide in me and my word abides in you I want to know what I will be doing. What’s that? My word will be purifying and cleansing your life. My word will work in you, with you and for you. My word will prune from your life what is not pleasing me to me. As you remain in me and I prune your life you will be able to bear an abundance of fruit for my kingdom and my glory. Then people that look at you will see me. Then they will know that you are one of my disciples. Is that what you want? Yes Lord, I want that more than anything in all of life. Then that is what you will have.

Lord, I will remain in you. Apart from you I can do nothing. Use your word to change my heart, transform my mind, and purify my life. Help me to live a life that bears an abundance of fruit for your glory. Help me to show that I truly am one of your disciples. Amen

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

Promises – Day 244 – John 15-5 – Bear Much Fruit – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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By Jon Ulrich © All rights reserved                   Copying not permitted                      www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

The Vine

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Life In Christ- John 15:5 - The Vine - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Life In Christ- John 15:5 – The Vine – Growing As Disciples

“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. John 15:5 (NIV)

Vitally Connected

I know what it is like to be disconnected from you. How so? I have a lot of experience living a life that is not vitally connected to you. Tell me about your experience. I have run myself ragged trying to accomplish great things. I have come up with some really good ideas. Who says? Me. What has been the outcome of your really good ideas? Not much. I have worked myself weary trying to do something that would accomplish something great. In the face of defeats and setbacks I have just run faster and worked harder. It sounds like you have really wanted to make a name for yourself. Yes, I suppose so. You suppose so? Well, I know so. That’s more like it. That’s not good. I know.

I will tell you a little secret. What’s that? I think some of your ideas have been really good. You do? Yes, I do. Why is that? Why do you think? I’m guessing that some of my really good ideas have come from you. That’s close. Maybe, I should have said all of my really good ideas have come from you. Why is that? Everything I have, everything I am and everything I will be that is any good has come from you. That’s true. That’s a good realization on your part. How will keeping that thought forefront in your mind help you? I humbly give thanks to you for all that you have given to me. That’s good. You will never suffer by having more humility. I agree. That’s also good.

I do have a question. Go ahead, I’m listening. Why have I not been successful implementing good ideas that have come from you? You tell me. I thought you would say that. You do know the answer. Yes, I do. I have gotten a good idea and raced off to implement them. I have not considered your timing. I have not relied on you. I have not remained vitally connected to you. I have not asked for your help. I have come to a realization. What’s that? Apart from you I can do nothing. Apart from you I can’t accomplish your purposes or fulfill your plans. A good idea, even one that comes from you, will never bear fruit unless I remain vitally connected to you. That’s true. I need your help to be able to know and do your will. I need your power and strength to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Yes, you do. Will you remain vitally connected to me? Will you rely on me for all that you need? Will you ask for my help? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good. 

Lord, I don’t want to get caught up in the busyness of life. I don’t want to fruitlessly chase after what is unimportant. I want to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name by being vitally connected to you. I will remain in you as you remain in me. Amen 

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

Life In Christ – John 15-5 – The Vine – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

Please consider sharing these devotionals with others through the social media you use.

Individual users may save the Discipleship Devotional Study Guide to their desktop for private use. All the blanks in the study guides are fields that allow typed responses. To use the fields on the study guide you may need to open the guide with a free version of adobe reader.

By Jon Ulrich © All rights reserved                   Copying not permitted                      www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

You Are The Branches

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Identity - John 15:5-8 - You Are The Branches - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Identity – John 15:5-8 – You Are The Branches – Growing As Disciples

“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. If anyone does not remain in me, he is 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 given you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. John 15:5-8 (NIV)

Connected

Apart from me you can do nothing. That seems hard to believe, doesn’t it? You would think that you would be able to accomplish something all on your own. Think about one of your greatest accomplishments that you accomplished with your own efforts. Do you have something in mind? Yes, I do. How highly will your accomplishment be regarded in 50 years? Will it be remembered? Will it amount to something of great value? Will it have stood the test of time? Before, you answer that last question let’s evaluate your accomplishment a million years from now? Now, you can answer my questions. In a million years from now, or in the light of all eternity, my own accomplishments will amount to nothing. They will have been forgotten. They will have turned to dust. They will not have lasted. They will not be remembered. My own accomplishments will not even be a very small foot note in history. That’s true. Now, do you believe me when I say, “apart from me you can do nothing”? Yes, I do. You are saying that I can do nothing on my own that will bear fruit for all eternity. That’s right.

I would like to bear fruit that will last for all eternity. I would like you to use my life in ways that will bear fruit for your kingdom and glory. I would like to live my life so that I remain vitally connected to you. I want what you want. How will you remain vitally connected to me? How will you allow me to use your life to bear fruit for all eternity? I will live in an intimate relationship with you. I will draw near to you. I will come into your presence. I will listen to everything you want to say to me. I will submit myself to you. I will receive your guidance. I will follow your directions. I will go where you guide me. I will do what you ask of me. I will allow you to use my life as a tool in your hands. Then you will bear fruit for my kingdom and glory.

Lord, you are the vine and I am a branch. Help me to remain vitally connected to you. Feed, nourish and sustain my life. Help me to receive all I will need from you so I will be able to bear an abundance of fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Amen

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

Identity – John 15-5-8 – You Are The Branches – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

Please consider sharing these devotionals with others through the social media you use.

Individual users may save the Discipleship Devotional Study Guide to their desktop for private use. All the blanks in the study guides are fields that allow typed responses. To use the fields on the study guide you may need to open the guide with a free version of adobe reader.

By Jon Ulrich © All rights reserved                   Copying not permitted                      www.GrowingAsDisciples.com