My photo: an orchard laden with apples near our home

“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” (John 15:5, NLT).

Each of us awake to a new day. However, will we fulfill our calling from God or waste the day? Once it is gone, we cannot get it back. It is God’s purpose to empower us in using our day for His glory, our good and for the eternal destiny of others around us. In other words, our day is intended to be a fruitful day—reflecting the character and heart of God in an ungodly culture. This is the intention of Jesus who calls us to live in the world but not live like the unbelieving world. (John 17:15-16).

 As God the Father sent Jesus, so our Lord sends us into this world so that He might be exalted, and our Heavenly Father glorified through us.  So, how do we accomplish God’s purpose?

Jesus gives us the answer in the verse quoted above. Choose to remain in or depend on Jesus continuously throughout each day. Jesus says that we must abide in Him as a branch abides in or is connected to the vine. You cannot bear spiritual fruit and proclaim God to others in your own power. It is only God who can change your life and the lives of others. In Philippians 2:13, we are reminded that it is God who works in us to will (to motivate us) and to do (to empower us) — accomplishing His divine purpose. God desires to work in us and through us so others may know that Jesus wants to be their saviour and bring them into our Heavenly Father’s forever family!

• Next Steps:
• Begin your day by imagining yourself as being solidly rooted in Jesus as a healthy branch stays rooted in the vine.
• As you live your life today, keep intimately relating to and totally depending on Jesus, allowing Him to bear the fruit of His character and life through your thoughts, words, and actions! (John 15:16)