Empty Baskets or Filled to the Brim…

In our  recent study, we have been looking at abiding in the Savior and in our last writing; we took a quick peek at the scriptures that deal with bearing fruit. In our study today, let’s examine more closely what Jesus says about those that bear fruit and how much is enough.

In John 15, we read the following; “He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that bears fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me, and I in him, he will bear much fruit. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” Verses 2,5,8

In Dr. Wilkerson’s book, Secrets of the Vine, he tells a very poignant story of a person visiting a vineyard at harvest time. As they travel throughout the different terraces of vines, they notice the baskets set at the end of each row of vines. Peering into each one as they pass, they notice four distinctive levels of productivity from the corresponding vines….

EMPTY….barren vines produce no harvest

SOME FRUIT…..some work and some care produces some fruit

MORE FRUIT …. At last, hard work and some careful pruning produce a reasonable harvest….and lastly,

ABUNDANTLY FILLED TO OVERFLOWING….This is the harvest the vineyard keeper expected when he planted his vineyard.

These are the levels of abundance that God sees in the lives of His children and He is either very proud or greatly disappointed in the harvest….God created us to bring about abundance and to produce a great harvest, so the question that faces us all….are you an empty basket or one brimming and overflowing with the fruit you have produced for your Heavenly Father?

If you have a desire to learn more about the abundance that God expects from you and how He is prepared to help you breakthrough as His disciple, I challenge you to get Dr. Bruce Wilkerson’s book and dive in….your empty basket is waiting to be filled!

Living in the abundance …tending the vines,

WPQ

 Thought for the Day:

Whatever task God has given you

Be filled with holy zest;

For when you’re working for the Lord

He expects your very best.

All of you, our Lord requires

It’s what He ask of you.

Your works for Him will overflow;
In His mercies, you're made new!

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