The next time you pass a vineyard laden with a healthy crop of grapes (or any other fruit bearing tree or plant) stop and listen. You will never hear the branches straining or grunting in order to bear delicious fruit. The only requirement of the branch, in order for the farmer to harvest a bountiful crop, is for it to simply abide or remain in the vine.
Jesus says in John 15:5 CEV 'I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you stay joined to me, and I stay joined to you, then you will produce lots of fruit. But you cannot do anything without me' that His followers will be productive and bear much fruit, not by exertion or grunting but by abiding in Him.
The word abide means to 'dwell down deep within.' Jesus is the Vine; we are the branches. If we are deeply connected to Him, He will cause much fruit to come from our lives."
Confession: I have been stressing instead of abiding. Today, I do believe I will try to do it His way!
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