John 15:5
I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing
~ Jesus
• I Christ, I am a fruit-bearing branch bringing glory to God wherever I go in the name of Jesus.
Pondering Point
Thursdays in IMMERSION devotions focus on a disciple’s response to God.
In this instance, the response seems straightforward: bearing fruit. BUT this doesn't mean bearing any old fruit.
Jesus acknowledges in His Sermon on the Mount that you can recognize a tree by its fruit, with good trees bearing good fruit and bad trees bearing bad fruit. Apparently everyone bears some type of fruit. What we are shooting for is bearing the fruit of the Spirit, a fruit that glorifies God according to verse John 15:8, "this is to My Father's glory that you bear much fruit showing yourselves to be My disciples."
We are looking for fruit that identifies us as disciples of Jesus. The Apostle Paul listed some descriptors of that fruit of the Spirit, though I doubt it is an exhaustive list. Let's review with God’s glorifying fruits of the Spirit.
Review
Are you producing love, joy, peace? Are people seeing you be patient, kind, and good toward others? Are you exhibiting faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control as you live out your daily life?
Repent if necessary
Spend one minute repenting over a lack of spiritual fruit (nine areas): lack of love, lack of joy, lack of peace, lack of patience, lack of kindness, lack of goodness, lack of faithfulness, lack of gentleness, lack of self-control. Repent of any poor connection to Jesus in minute ten.
Return as necessary
Return to God by revisiting the last ten minutes of prayer in reverse. Pray to stay connected to Jesus and exercise self-control with His help; to display gentleness, faithfulness and goodness to people; to be kind and patient and at peace with others; to show joy and love to everyone you encounter.
Prayer
Heavenly father, as a disciple of Jesus, may I be laden with the fruit of Your Spirit in my life. As I am connected to Jesus, may others who hunger for You be able to find nourishment from You as they connect in relationship with me. May they experience Jesus in me, Amen.