John 15:1-17
Reflect
What is the most urgent need of our church? A few years ago, we knew we needed a new building, but that was not the most urgent. We always have more people looking for a Small Group, but more leaders is also not our most urgent need. The most urgent need of McKernan, and every other church throughout the world, is found in this passage: abide. Abide in Christ. Our only hope for attaining who we are called to be and what truly satisfies comes by abiding in Jesus. When we abide in Jesus, we bear fruit: the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. How appealing does that list look to you? That fruit is not intended to only be experienced when we reach ‘heaven’. It is available to you and me right now. However, no tree becomes fruitful without being pruned, and pruning hurts.
Apply
Are you being pruned right now? If not now, it will come soon. God is cutting away everything that is hindering you from truly growing, though it may not feel that way. What will you include in your rhythm that will cause you to abide in Jesus? What posture do you have when God prunes you for growth? What is an indicator of how receptive you are to His grace-filled ways?
Pastor Dan
Pray
- Pray for the Prime Minister, Premier Notley, Mayor Iveson, your MP, your MLA, and any other government officials God brings to mind.
- Pray for Dave Schneider, our Youth Ministry Pastor.
- Pray for our Daycare in its service to children and their families this week. Pray for the director, Kristy Thomas.
- Pray for Karen Alksne, our Congregational Life Intern.