QT 24/04/2024 Wednesday John 15 Do with "less", for more Fruitfulness. "减少"，为了更多。

QT 24/04/2024 Wednesday John 15. Do with "less", for more Fruitfulness.
http://www.esvbible.org/john15

Fruitfulness of the branch requires it to be alive and attached to the vine. Jesus' word cleanses (John 15:3). His followers' nutrition supply comes from this word.

Beware of the myth that a person can abide in the love and abundant life of Jesus without obeying Him. Rather, keep His commandments and be alive and fruitful (John 15:5-8,10).

Be confident about being fruitful. Remember Jesus' word, 'You did not choose me, but I chose you' (John 15:16). Your status are 'friends' (John 15:15). The vinedresser would cut off unfruitful branches (they consumes kingdom resources but do not contribute). Even fruitful ones would be pruned and cleaned so that their energy and nutrients get focused on their main job—fruitfulness.

REFLECTION: Check if you have these: Are you receiving blessings from God and blessing others with it in return? Are you advancing the kingdom of God? Ask others if you manifest more and more of the fruit of the Spirit.

Be willing to go through the sometimes uncomfortable pruning process, e.g. when you are restricted from growing in all directions you want while being part of the vine. But seeing the wonderful fruit that glorifies God later, it is worth the surgical effort of the vine-dresser.

星期三2024年4月24日 今日读经：约翰福音15章
http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/Jhn/15/
"减少"，为了更多。

枝子要结果子必须是有生命的且是连在葡萄树上的。耶稣的话能够洁净(约15:3)。祂的跟随者营养的供应就来自这话语。

当心人家所传的错误:一个人无需顺服耶稣就可住在爱和丰盛的生命里。相反的，要遵守祂的命令并结出许多果子(约15:5-8,10)。

对结果子这件事要有信心。记住耶稣的话：不是你们拣选了我，而是我拣选了你们(约15:16)。你是“朋友”的身份(约15:15)。那栽种葡萄树的会将不结果子枝剪掉(他们摄取国度的资源却没有任何贡献)。就连结果子的也会被修剪和洁净以致他们的精力和养分会全部集中在他们主要的工作上--结果子。

反思：审查看看自己是否具备这些:你是否得到神的恩惠并将之赐福于他人？你是否致力于拓展神的国度？问问你周遭的人你是否越来越多地体现了圣灵的果子？

要甘心乐意地接受被修剪，虽然被修剪的过程有时很不好受；如当你连着葡萄树时，四处向外伸展却被限制住了。但当你看见荣耀神的美好果子时，栽培葡萄树的人的修剪工作是值得的。