Connected to Him

I have a young nectarine tree that I planted in my backyard a couple of years ago. I am excited because it is growing and becoming healthy and strong. It is flowering and looking like it will bear fruit this year – Yay! :-) A lot had to happen before this tree came to where it is at today. It started as a seed, then was transplanted into the ground and later transplanted again into my yard. In addition to that, it also needed proper fertilization, watering, and sunlight.

Like my tree, we, as the body of Christ, were created to bear fruit. Jesus said, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. John 15:16  Bearing fruit is not an option as a Christian; it is what we were called to do. As a matter of fact, bearing fruit is what declares that we are indeed a disciple of Christ. Jesus said, “This is to my Father’s glory that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” John 15:8

Bearing fruit is not something we can do on our own because it can only happen when God flows through us. Jesus said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. John 15:1-2

No branch of my nectarine tree can bear fruit unless it is connected to the tree’s trunk. Similarly, you and I cannot bear fruit unless we are constantly connected to God. The moment you remove a branch from a tree, it begins to wither and die – bearing fruit at this point is impossible! Jesus also said, “For, without Me, you can do nothing.” John 15:5 We are not able to produce fruit without the flow of God in our lives. Apostle Paul said, “For from him and through him and to him are all things.” Romans 11:36  Everything originates from God and is sustained by his power.

A great question to ask ourselves today is, am I living connected to Jesus – and is my life bearing fruit for God? So much of the New Testament is directed toward our thought life and how important it is for us to be meditating on God’s thoughts about us. Why? Because only as we set our minds on things above can we produce the life of God.

Colossians 3:1 Since then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

My dear friend, God dearly loves you and longs for you to live your every moment connected to him. As I pray for you today, I am asking God to empower you to live a life that produces his fruit because your moments are spent…

Connected to Him