A brief prayer is offered that you can add to your daily
prayers this week. The scripture is from our Sunday Service Bulletin. We
continue a seven Sunday series on “Making Disciples”. Today, we continue a nature-based four step
metaphor for making disciples: Plant, Sprout, Grow, Bear Fruit.
Gospel Reading- John
15:1-6
I am the true vine, and my Father
is the vinedresser. 2 Every
branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that
does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of
the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in
me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides
in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the
vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is
that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If
anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and
withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.
Devotion: Grow
Discipleship is learning and living the
ways of Jesus so that others learn and live his ways, too, so that others can
learn and live His ways, too, and so on…. Therefore, to disciple someone you
should follow and obey Jesus in your own life and be willing to help someone else
do the same. I saw a wonderful quote from Coach Lou Holtz (Born:1937), that says,
“In this world,
you’re either growing or dying so get in motion and grow.” He gives an example
of a business, a relationship, a sports team, and an individual’s spiritual
growth. Coach Holtz also says you can make a ton of money, buy all the toys and
Knick knacks your house will hold, and be a great sports hero with high honors.
But none of that stuff can you take with you when you leave this world. One of
the things that you can take with you to your reward is the loving
discipleship that you have provided for a fellow Christian’s spiritual growth.
The Gospel text talks about a vine that does not abide in Him will be thrown
into the fire. God is speaking to us and the message is “I want you to grow and
make disciples, don’t be a vine that does not produce.”
We pray: “Lord help
us nurture our fellow Christians. Amen”
