To Be Fresh And Flourishing
Thursday, February 8, 2024Key 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)
Text — John 15:1-10
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.
About Author - Pastor W.F. Kumuyi
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
