You know by now how much I love Anne! This struck me since many times I am concentrating on bearing fruit, and evaluating which one is lacking in my life, when I need to just focus on my relationship with God and then the fruit will just come naturally. Anne always has something for me and I hope you find her to be encouraging too! Have a great day filled with love, joy, and peace!
The Sap of His Spirit
"As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me."
John 15:4, NKJV
The branches of a vine "abide" by just remaining connected to the vine. Permanently. Consistently. Day after day, week after week, year after year. They simply rest in their position, allowing the sap of the vine to flow freely through them. They exert no effort of their own. The fruit that is subsequently borne on the branch is actually produced by the life-giving sap within.
To abide in Christ means to remain connected to Him so completely that the "sap" of His Spirit flows through every part of your being, including your mind, will, and emotions as well as your words and deeds. The "fruit" that you then bear is actually produced by His Spirit in you through no conscious effort of your own. If you and I want to be fruitful, we do not concentrate on fruit-bearing; we concentrate on our personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Blessings,
Anne Graham Lotz
