DCLM Higher Everyday 8 February 2024 — To Be Fresh And Flourishing
Topic: To Be Fresh And Flourishing
Text: John 15:1-10
1I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
3Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
4Abide 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.
5I 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.
6If 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.
7If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
8Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
9As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
10If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
Key Verse: “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” (John 15:2)
Message
A gardener had spent months watering a particular apple tree. Thankfully, his labour was rewarded when the tree handsomely fruited. It meant that in a couple of months he would be reaping the fruits of his labour. But to his dismay one morning, he discovered that a branch that bore many fruits was withering. On a closer look, he noticed that the branch had long been splitting from the stem. It finally detached, and wasted with the fruits.
The anecdote further reinforces the message in the Bible reading. The life of a true Christian is dependent on Christ for growth, freshness and fruitfulness. The detached branch is like a backslider that leaves Christ. Such will wither away and become fruitless because he/she can no more derive nutrients for growth, strength, and victory that Christ provides. Abiding in Christ means daily fellowship with Him and obedience to His word. Doing so will make believers fresh, flourishing, fruitful and receive blessings. If you are a child of God, pray against whatever Satan may use to detach you from the True Vine.
Quote: Abiding in Christ means daily fellowship.
Challenge: The Christian life is Christ dependent.
Prayer for today: Holy Father, grant me daily grace to abide in Christ. Amen.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
