How is your relationship with Christ? How is it with your soul? How is it with your witness?

You are on Jesus’ mind constantly too. He cares about your spiritual, physical and emotional wellbeing. Or as he calls it…your life. He cares so much that he offers a promise in John 15 that guarantees our flourishing personally and as a congregation.

Here is what Jesus’ promises. If you abide in me…choose me as your interest, let me form your opinions, take your cues from me about what to do, then you will bear fruit. You will be peaceful. You will be faithful. You will have self-control. You will have patience. Not only these personal traits but you will find yourself being filled with the Holy Spirit to the point where everything else gets pushed aside. We call it holiness. You will have power over evil and no fear of death. Oh, and you will be a person in whom others will find compelling as an example of life lived well to the point that they will explore your “why” and find it is Jesus. The kingdom will grow because of you. One more tiny thing. If you ask anything of the Father in heaven, it will be done.

How do we abide?

1) Be a branch. Know your place through faith in Christ. Refuse to follow idols.
2) Abide/Remain/Dwell means we have purity of focus on Christ. Matthew 6:33 says "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness" and the promise is that "all things will be added."
3) Accept Pruning. No pruning...no long-term fruit. Times of loss, suffering, pain, and backward steps are part of life which God uses to grow us.