Three Simple Steps to Bearing Fruit

I know that nowadays it's hard for us concentrate for more than 10 seconds on anything, hence why vine videos are so popular. But take a minute to read this passage from John 15. After I've noted down some of my own thoughts.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you.No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit;apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in meand my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.

Why is it that as Christians we really struggle to see the difference God is making in our lives? I know personally, I feel that a lot of the time pretty distant from God and a rather poor representative for Him. But why?

In this passage in John, Jesus gives us three commands:

1) "Remain in me"

2) "Obey my commands"

3) "love each other"

He also highlights the result of following these simple guidelines:

"This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples"

There is evidence to living a life with God. Fruit. The fruit of the Spirit! Clear godly characteristics that will shine through in our lives as a result of following these 3 instructions. There's a good chance that if you're struggling to see fruit - it's because you're not doing one of these things. I know that's my case anyway.

I challenge you to focus on these 3 things, and

  God will radically change you.

Kissing the badge

What a few days it has been for sport! We had Ireland winning the 6 Nations Championship in Rugby on Saturday! I was able to watch UFC 171 on Saturday night, and then I was able to sit down all day on Sunday to watch Liverpool v.s. United and Spurs v.s. Arsenal. To top it all off, today I was at the School's Cup Rugby final at Ravenhill between Sullivan and Methody.

In case you haven't noticed... I love sports. It's okay if you don't though. Because this post isn't about sports. It's about God. So keep reading!

Of course as a sports fan, and a rather imaginative person, I always find myself day dreaming about scoring the winning goal in a football match or winning the UFC title by knock out. For a guy that likes sports, there is no greater dream! Dreams are all they are however - I have no chance!

But have you ever thought about how great it must feel to accomplish something like that?! Even just to represent your country must be a unbelievable honour. Could you imagine pulling on that green top for Ireland and lining up on the pitch in Paris for the chance at winning the 6 nations?! Amazing...

As Christians we too are all representing. Regardless of sport or country, however, we are all representing Jesus. Every day our life is the game. He is the coach. And we are the players.

There isn't a team in the world, in any sport, that wins all the time. As Christians we too have our tough times, and we also have our good days too. There's struggles, and there's highlights. But all the time, keep in mind, we are representing something much greater than ourselves - our Father, and His Kingdom.

Sometimes I lose sight of this. Of the big picture. I see me, and my life, at the centre of the universe. How small picture! I think my life would change dramatically if I was constantly remembering that I am representing Jesus. Things I wouldn't do. Words I wouldn't say. Perhaps, things and words I would say too! Imagine if your life was one big sports game that everyone could watch.

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." - Matthew 5 v 14-16

Remember guys, the world is watching. This is our game.

Represent the coach as best as you can!

Almost over - Jelgava Outreach Part 3

'Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honouring each other.' - Romans 12 v 9 + 10

Tomorrow evening we are leaving Latvia to fly home to NI. It's been an amazing week - to be back in Latvia, to see old friends, to make new ones, but most of all to be part of the work of God's kingdom here in Jelgava.

The last three days - Wednesday to Friday - we've been visiting homes to deliver bags of food to people who are in need. It's always a great way of spending time with people to just chat and be their company for a short time. I've been on this outreach for three years now, and I've done lots of home visits. I understand that actually people just need someone to talk to, someone that will listen to them and someone to simply spend time with. They need this much more than the food bag more times than not.

'He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.' - 2 Corinthians 1 v 4

Yesterday my group had an amazing time at the home of a deaf man called Valdis. His 80 year old mother lived beside him and joined us in his house also. Usually on home visits we'd spend around 30 minutes in a home, maybe up until an hour if it's an especially great time. We were Valdis and his mother for 2 hours yesterday!

They told us all about their lives, their families, and of course the struggles of being a deaf person. His wife had left him 20 years ago and he now lived alone. Valdis is such a generous and kind man - he kept making us food and tea, whilst all the time showing us all his pictures of his family.

Valdis couldn't hear, and as a result couldn't speak either. At first I thought it would be really awkward and we'd leave after 10 minutes. I was very wrong. Even after 2 hours I didn't want to leave, I could have stayed there all day - it's not an exaggeration.

I see the importance of spending time with people like Valdis, who don't get many visitors, simply because they're pushed to the margins of society. The way of the world is broken. God was clearly showing me His heart for these people and how much He loves them.

I wanted to share this to hopefully either challenge you or encourage you. Maybe both. Remember God is not just your father. He is father for the homeless, for the disabled, for untouchables. Don't ever forget to show His love to these people too.

'We love each other because he loved us first.' - 1 John 4 v 19