Jesus & Tea

“I am the vine, and you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him bears much fruit; for without me you can do nothing.”John 15:5 (NKJV)

Christ is after something on this earth. He has something he has determined to accomplish, and as Christians we can be part of that if we remain in him. I love that Christ is so simple. He explains the key to bearing much fruit so directly. Anyone who has a vision for what the appearance of their most fruitful life would be, must lay it down at the foot of the cross and press into the presence of God asking “Lord, what do you desire?”

I can tell you that He is never tired of His children coming to Him. The development of this habit is like working a muscle. In the beginning it feels like work, but not long after, it becomes part of our nature. Spending time with Jesus is one of the most important practical disciplines we engage in as Christians who desire to bear fruit, exalt the name of Jesus, and leave a mark on this earth.

Through intimacy with Jesus, our spirits develop a certain familiarity with his presence, and over time long for his presence more and more. Abiding is when our spirits are so accustomed to the presence of Jesus, that seeking his presence becomes a place of continual inward rest. From this place our desires are transformed into the likeness of Christ’s desires. This is when when our vision for bearing fruit begins to align with his.

As stated in Psalm 37:4, the solution to man’s sick heart as described in Jeremiah 17:9, is that we take delight in the Lord, which is ultimately by abiding. To take delight in the Lord is not merely to be fond of the Lord, but is also an active process. To delight in the Lord is to choose him at all times (which does become natural over time). I will tell you it is the most enriching choice a Christian can make. Once in the habit of exercising this practice, you will ask yourself how you ever lived before without abiding in him. His presence is the place that every action we take should flow from, after all, our ultimate goal as his children is to bear much fruit, proving ourselves to be his disciples.