John 15:1-8
In Hershey Park, grape vines grow among the foliage. They don’t look like much now, but experience tells me it won’t be long. Every year I pick a bowl full of grapes. Every branch grows off of a vine. The vine draws life from the ground and produces fruit. This is God’s design. Jesus may have pointed up to the cluster of grapes on the facade of the temple as he walked toward Gethsemane. “I am the true Vine,” he said. In is final, "I am," saying Jesus not only tells us who he is, but who we are. Apart from Jesus we can do nothing. But what could we do if we remained in vital, life-giving connection with him. Wouldn’t you like to see? Let’s abide in him and see what he does through us. This is God’s design.
Quotes: David Clod, a vinedresser: He will tend his vineyard in winter, tracing gloved-hands along the dull legs of grapevines. In search of brittle dead wood, revealing a pale green circle of life that promises renewal in the spring.
Annie Ortlund: The quality of your life will be determined by the amount of time you spend alone with God in reading, praying, and planning.
Dallas Willard: True, as Jesus said, “Without me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) But it is also true that if we do nothing it will be without him.
Henri Nouwen: Some of us might be productive and others not, but we are all called to bear fruit: fruitfulness is a true quality of love.
C. T. Studd: Only one life. It will soon be past and only what is done for Christ will last.
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