Experiencing God's Presence #121

Experiencing God's Presence #121

I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. . . . You are the branches.

John 15:1, 5

“I am the true vine. Isaiah once told a parable about Israel being a vineyard and My Father being disappointed in the fruit, but I want you to know that I am the true Israel. I came to represent everyone My Father has ever called to be His own. Everything He wanted His people to be, I am. You never have to worry about fruitlessness if you let Me live in you.

“That’s what branches do: they sit on the vine. Did you really think you had to strain and strive to eke out some semblance of fruit? What would your efforts accomplish that My Father needs? Yes, He appreciates the heart behind your effort, but He appreciates even more your awareness that without Me, you can do nothing. When you rest in Me and let Me live in you, fruitfulness will happen. I will spill out of you and affect those around you. I call you to be before I ever urge you to do. Whatever it takes, you must learn to be in Me and let Me be in you.

“I don’t want you to ask me how to do that. Any words I can say about ‘how’ will cause you to shift into self-effort to make it happen. What I’m telling you instead is simple but difficult. Though it isn’t complicated, it goes against the human nature you have been steeped in since birth. I want you to meditate on Me by faith to envision My life flowing through your legs and out of your feet, through your arms and out of your hands, through your heart, into your head, and out of your mouth. Hold that image in your mind. Then go live. That’s it. Trust Me and see. I am the life that flows through you.”

Jesus, tune me to Your flow. Fill my mind and heart with a picture of Your life within me. And please bear much fruit for Your glory.