"Picked" - Wednesday's Devotional

John 15:5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing."

My wife and I have a rose bush on our front porch. It isn't very big or even look very healthy, but it produces some of the most beautiful double pink roses I have ever seen (see photo above). Problem is whenever we get a big new rose, my daughter wants to pick it and give it to my wife. While that is sweet...it also marks the beginning of the dying process for the flower. While it's attached to the bush, it is being fed and has roots firmly in place to keep it safe. When picked...the withering starts and the flower never looks quite as healthy.

Look at today's verse...Jesus is speaking here and describes Himself as a vine by which we are attached. He is the root, the nutrients, and the protection that we need in order to "produce much fruit". What fruit is that you might ask? Turn in your Bible to Galatians 5:22-23

"But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!"

Do you ever feel like there are none of these traits in your life? Feel like you have lacked self-control lately? How about kindness and goodness? When was the last time you felt truly at peace? If you struggled to answer these questions...I would guess that somewhere along the line you pulled away from the vine...disconnected yourself from God daily...lost touch with your Creator. When was the last time you truly connected with God. Not in a "I have to do my quiet time so let's get it out of the way" type of connection...I'm talking about a sincere "Jesus, please give me a hug and let me know you're there" time.

Are you fearful today? Challenged with a lack of patience...not feeling like loving others because you yourself don't feel loved? I've got good news...we don't share ALL the characteristics of a flower... We can reconnect ourselves. If you feel like your passion for Christ has wilted from what it once was...I challenge you to re-fasten yourself to Him. Lengthen your quiet time...find a small group (Thursdays @ 7PM www.frclive.tv)...pray...fast...serve...give...journal... never give up. Christ has promised in today's passage to produce fruit in you...and He will. You are as beautiful as a rose and infinitely more valuable to God...don't let the worries of the world "pick you away" from the Vine.

See you tomorrow,
Pastor Brian