God calls us to
live as Spirit-filled Believers (Ephesians 5:18). This starts when we receive the Holy
Spirit at salvation (Romans 8:9). A renewal of His fresh anointing in us each day
allows rivers of life to flow from within us
(John 7:38). This Holy Ghost power enhances our life and empowers our ministry for
God’s Kingdom.
Sin clogs the
communication between us and God and it grieves the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30).
Therefore, we confess every sin, great and small, on a daily basis. The Spirit
leads us to live a consecrated life and to put down addictions and vices, which
cripple us. Even an unkind word, a fit of temper, an unscrupulous act or a
little white lie are all things we deal with on occasion.
Staying
confessed of our sins humbles our flesh and gives us greater victory over those
sins the next time Satan tempts us with them. Humility allows us to willingly
surrender our day for God’s purpose. Of course, we must go to work to earn a
living, but we can do our job directed by God’s Spirit. This way, we accomplish
more and are in the right place at the right time to live out God’s will for
us.
We are branches
on the Vine of Christ (John 15:5). Consider a branch. It does not work or stress or struggle. It simply rests
in the vine. That is the life God prepared for us. We rest in Christ and His
life flows through us and nurtures us. When we bear fruit for Christ, it does
not separate us from Him, but flows from our union with Him.
Our ministry is
not a drain or wearisome, but a natural outpouring of the nutrients from the
Vine to the branch. Ministry does not rob us of time for prayer, but is the
result of prayer and our union with the Vine. The Spirit strengthens us with
might from within (Ephesians 3:16). He anoints us to accomplish God’s will for our
day. He blesses us with perfect peace, rest, joy and strength.
Prayer:
Father God, as
branches of the Vine we are absolutely dependant upon the life of Christ
flowing through us. You are the Vinedresser and You prune us so that can bear
more fruit (John 15:1; 15:8). You know just where to separate us from the aspects of our life that are
dead wood and preventing our fruitfulness.
Thought for the
Day:
The branch
depends on the vine for everything.
