Daily Worship

The Father’s Growing Conditions

Jo Black June 18, 2024 7 6
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John 15: 5-8

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. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

For any budding horticulturalist there is a wealth of information and advice available about ideal planting times, soil pH, fertilisers, tools, pollinators. So many things to get right.

Yet our Father does not ask us to complete a massive checklist in order to fulfil ideal conditions for our fruition. He merely asks that we abide in Jesus.

So why not take some time today to do just that. Abide. Remain in Jesus.

Cast your cares on Him – if you feel that your current circumstances speak of poor soil, if you feel that the stresses of life are suffocating weeds, or if you are struggling to see where buds of life and hope are forming.

Let go of the fear that you are withering. While you are in Him and He is in you, you are ripe for harvest.

Seek nourishment from Him – through His presence, His words, His healing. The Father isn’t looking for an independent, single pot plant. Get tangled up in the flow of the Spirit available to every branch of His vine.

Abide. Remain. Trust in Him for the growth. For a haul of fruit to the Father’s glory.

 

Prayer:

 

In the busyness, help me abide.

In the stress, help me abide.

In the distraction, help me abide.

In the grief, and the loneliness, and the conflict, and the pain – help me abide.

And may all your fruit bring you glory, because You abide.

Amen