We have had a lot of thunderstorms lately. Praise God for the rain! We definitely need it. With this rain came winds. These winds decided to clean my oak trees a bit. Yesterday I was walking across the lawn to go to my neighbor’s house. I noticed that there were quite a few branches on the ground that had fallen from the trees. Now these branches are not about to sit and grow new leaves and limbs or even a new tree. They are dead. In order for new growth to occur on that limb, it needed to remain on the tree.
Well, we are just like those branches. If we remain with God, we will grow and go through many seasons, and create new growth too. If fall from the tree, God, we are dead.
Now, I don’t fear death because I know where I am going. But, I’m not talking about a physical death (even though it could lead to one). I am talking about a death spiritually.
Advice: “Stick” close to God. Grow. Create new life through Christ. Continue in His love. Obey His commands. Don’t get dried up and rot.
Checkout John 15:1-10:
Jesus Is Like a Vine
Jesus said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch [a] of mine that does not produce fruit. [b] He also trims every branch that produces fruit to prepare it to produce even more. 3 You have already been prepared to produce more fruit by the teaching I have given you. 4 Stay joined to me and I will stay joined to you. No branch can produce fruit alone. It must stay connected to the vine. It is the same with you. You cannot produce fruit alone. You must stay joined to me.
5 “I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you stay joined to me, and I to you, you will produce plenty of fruit. But separated from me you won’t be able to do anything. 6 If you don’t stay joined to me, you will be like a branch that has been thrown out and has dried up. All the dead branches like that are gathered up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 Stay joined together with me, and follow my teachings. If you do this, you can ask for anything you want, and it will be given to you. 8 Show that you are my followers by producing much fruit. This will bring honor [c] to my Father.
9 “I have loved you as the Father has loved me. Now continue in my love. 10 I have obeyed my Father’s commands, and he continues to love me. In the same way, if you obey my commands, I will continue to love you.
Happy growing!
| June 12 |