Producing Quality Fruit - Part 3

"I am the True Vine and my Father is the Gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn't bear fruit and prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more." John 15:1&2 (NLT)


Every year I would watch my husband pruning my orchids. At first, to a novice like myself this seemed unnecessary and counter productive, until later in the year when the new flowers came out.  What a delight!

Christians often have difficulty with God's pruning as this often takes place through testing and trials.

"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for GREAT JOY. For you know that when your faith is tested, your ENDURANCE has a chance to grow."  James 1:2&3 (NLT)


James tells us that there are two main benefits to God's pruning:

1. GREAT JOY.
2. ENDURANCE.

The last couple of weeks I have been struggling with these. After lots of prayer and speaking with friends I made the decision to take 2 months off work and children's ministry.  Work wasn't so difficult, as my boss had already found a couple to replace me. But my children's ministry - now that was another matter.

a) I have felt guilty.  All my wonderful devotions about `producing fruit' and `good works' and I want to take time out.

b) I am not sure I want to be `replaced'. I know these young ones have a lot more vitality than I have these days, and I've given a good 30 years. But the fact is, watching others do what I love doing doesn't come easy.

I've learnt over the years that pruning is never easy. But there is a goal - the production of more fruit. This new fruit `custom suited' to our individual needs, and like discipline, it is only as effective as we allow it to be.

Paul was one of many bible heroes that allowed God to prune his `branches'. Through imprisonment (Philippians 1:12-14),  through his weaknesses (2 Corinthians 12:7-10) and through self sacrifice (Philippians 3:7-9).


I have also read about a number of fruitful men of God, who seemed to have grasped this concept well too.
 
  George Mueller was an evangelist, but spent most of his life working with orphans in  Bristol, England.  He is most well known for giving education to over  10,000 orphans and was accused of allowing them status above their station in life.  He was probably what we would call the founder of the Christian school.

"Our Heavenly Father never takes anything from His children unless He means to give them something better."  George Mueller.   1



Then there is our old mate Charles Spurgeon - a Baptist Minister - known not just for his amazing preaching, but also for his encouragement and teaching of Bible College students, having started charities and Bible Colleges that changed the lives of many young people. Of course, his writings can still be read today.

"I owe more to fire, the hammer and the file than anything else in my Lord's workshop."  Charles Spurgeon.  2




Pruning is future orientated.  Like Paul, George and Charles, I have discovered that loss happens, so that gain can come later. In pruning God is shaping us into who He has created us to be. It may not be easy, it may even hurt a little, but if you allow God to prune you the new blooms or fruit you produce will be a delight.

"We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28 (NLT)


"You didn't choose me, I chose you.  I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name."  John 15:16  (NLT)

1. Wikipedia - George Mueller.  


2. Wikepedia - Charles Spurgeon.
















                                                       

PRODUCING QUALITY FRUIT - Part 2

Now we know that we have been created for a fruitful life, let's look at what happens if our fruit becomes diseased.

"When you obey my commandments you remain in my love, just I obey my Father's commandments and remain in His love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with joy. Yes, your joy will overflow."  John 15:10&11

As I've said many a time, I am not a gardener. The other day I was picking vegetables in the garden and came across what looked like a `dead branch' that had fallen to the ground.   I was about to throw it away when my husband said, `Don't do that. I'll pick it up and re-attach it.  It will grow again.'  Whatever!

Later that morning when reading my devotions I came across these words:

"A grape branch does not bear fruit when it becomes diseased and barren, and falls into the dirt. But the branch is too valuable to be cut off. So the vinedresser takes up the branch, cleans it off and refastens it to the trellis. Soon it is thriving again.' 1


When Christians become dirty and unfruitful because of sin, God lifts them up and cleans them off, so that they can be fruitful again. This is what is known in the Bible as `God's discipline'.

"My child, don't reject the Lord's discipline and don't be upset when he corrects you. For the Lord corrects those He loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights." Proverbs 3:11&12 (NLT)


Of course how we respond to God's discipline makes a difference in how fruitful our lives will be. Hebrews 12 talks about the positive and negative responses to discipline.

"Do not despise the chastening of the Lord, and don't be discouraged when he corrects you." Hebrews 12:5a (NIV)


"My child, don't make light of the Lord's discipline, and don't give up when He corrects you." Hebrews 12:5a  (NLT)


Do you remember a time when you were a child and your parents disciplined you? Maybe you sulked, argued or got in a rage, because you `despised' this discipline.  In the NLT the words `make light' are used. I like this, as how often do we not take not the Lord's discipline very seriously, consequently becoming self centred - wanting to do things our way and not God's.  When this happens not a lot of change or growth takes place.

Discouragement or `giving up' (NLT), usually sees you sitting around feeling sorry for yourself. To ward off this discouragement the best thing to do is to go straight to God, talk to Him and then do what he says to make your mistake right.

"Look carefully..... lest any root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble."  Hebrews 12:15b (NIV)


"Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many" Hebrews 12:15b (NLT)


In the NLT they call it a `poisonous root'. Now we all know what poison does to our bodies, just imagine what this bitterness (poisonous root) does to our souls. My experience of allowing bitterness to take hold is one of both physical and spiritual `illness'. Not wanting to take responsibility for my own actions, I make excuses or blame others.

Healing has come only when I have gone to God and allowed Him to lift the burden of bitterness so that I can begin my journey of growth and fruitfulness again.

The best result of discipline is a lasting, positive change. This make take time, especially when a value, habit or character quality is the problem. Remember though, that God's love is bigger than any problem. With endurance and perseverence we will again harvest the fruit of right living.

"The Lord disciplines those He loves and he punishes each one he accepts as His child." Hebrews 12:6 (NLT)


"God's discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in His holiness. No discipline is enjoyable when it is happening - it's painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained by it."  Hebrews 12:10&11  (NLT)


1. "Secrets of the Vine" (2002) Bruce Wikinson, Multnomah Publishers. 

Producing Quality Fruit - Part 1

"Yes, I am the Vine and 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

"I want to be a tree that's bearing fruit

That God has pruned and caused to shoot.

Oh, up in the sky so very high,

I want to be, want to be a blooming tree." 1.

This has become the latest tune that has been stuck in my brain.  As I think about abiding in Christ, I now want to make sure I am producing quality fruit.

There are 2 types of fruit that I have discovered in the Bible. 

1. The first is found in Galatians 5:22&23, which we know as the `Fruits of the Spirit". 

"The fruit of the Spirit is LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, GENTLENESS, FAITHFULNESS and SELF CONTROL.". 

To really learn how to produce these fruits in your life you need to read the whole Bible, but for today, we'll begin at Verse 16, of Galatians 5. It says: 

"Let the HOLY SPIRIT GUIDE YOUR LIVES. Then you won't be doing what the sinful nature craves."

No matter how much we try to live `good' lives, our sinful nature will always be fighting our good intentions. Without abiding in Christ and allowing the Holy Spirit to work within you, that sinful nature will always win. 

Oh it may not be anything drastic like `drunkenness or sexual immorality'; but how many times have you quarrelled with someone, been selfish, jealous or had an outburst of anger.  I know I have. 

But as believers, we can thank the Lord that the `passions and desires of our sinful nature' were `nailed with Christ and crucified there". 2 As Christ's followers we can now have these FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT, as we follow the Holy Spirit's leading in every area of our lives.

What I love most about producing fruit, is it's not a matter of``having to' (the law) anymore, but because of God's grace and the Holy Spirit living in me, I now WANT TO. 

"God has promised His Holy Spirit

Will water our roots and help us grow. 

Listen and obey and before you know it,

Your fruit will start to grow, grow, grow". 1

2. The second kind of fruit is what is often known as `good works'.

"God saved you by GRACE when you believed. You can't take credit for this, it is a gift from God.

Salvation is not a reward for the good things you have done, so none of us can boast about it."

                                                                                       Ephesians 2:8&9

Many years ago I was given the opportunity to speak on this passage at a Seventh Day Adventist Church.  Nothing thrills a speaker more than to look out and see people with tears of joy, as they come to the realization that they are SAVED BY GRACE and not works. 

As you come to this realization you become even more fruitful as your `good works' are now bringing glory to God. Again, they are something you WANT to do, rather than have to.

"For we are God's masterpiece.  He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the things He planned for us long ago." Ephesians 2:10. (NLT)

"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so the Father will give you anything you ask for in His name." John 15:16 (NLT)

God has chosen you to bear fruit that no one can produce exactly like you. The more you abide in Christ, the more your fruitfulness becomes a passion and your life is filled with joy in the Holy Spirit. 

"You'll be a tree that's bearing fruit

With a very, very, very strong root.

Bright colours like daisies, more fruit than Sainsburies,

You'll be a blooming tree." 1

1. "I Want to Be a Blooming Tree", 1996, Doug Horley, Thankyou Music.

2. "Secrets of the Vine", 2002, Bruce Wilkinson, Multnomah Publishers.