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Written by Beliz Kocev, Brazil Coordinator with Iron Rose Sister Ministries

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. 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. (Jn 15:4-5 NIV)

When I first became a Christian, I was under the impression that some things were spiritual and others weren't. In other words, I thought that God was involved and interested in some parts of my life, but that there was no room for God in the other areas, and He wasn't interested in them anyway.

My spiritual life seemed to have nothing to do with the rudeness I directed at my mother or the clothes I chose to wear to class. But guess what? It did! And by not involving God in my choices and actions, I wasn't bearing fruit as I could have been. I was a branch that thought it could connect and disconnect from the vine as it pleased. In other words, I was a branch about to die at any moment.

...so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God. (Col 1:10)

It was only when I understood that everything is spiritual, and that God must be involved in all areas of my life, that I was able to begin bearing fruit along the way wherever I went. God is interested in everything that is part of who I am, from big decisions like where to live, what profession to choose, how to spend my salary, to things that seem small: how I treat strangers, how I react to unexpected situations...

And in each of these scenarios, there is an opportunity to please God in everything, bearing fruit along the way.

A plant that is not healthy cannot bear fruit. A branch that does not receive nutrients from the tree dies. We, as branches connected to the true Vine, being nourished by the Word, are renewed, and we grow. And it is impossible to have the presence of God through the Holy Spirit without change. The conversion of our hearts produces the transformation of our actions and words as fruit: "Produce fruit in keeping with repentance" (Mt 3:8).

The fruit of our repentance is a powerful testimony that leads to one of the most incredible parts of bearing fruit—multiplication. “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Mt 28:19).

I want to encourage you to remember that everything is spiritual, to nourish yourself with the Word, and to reflect on the impact your actions have on the people around you (whatever they may be and in any environment)! I want to encourage you to bear fruit along the way, wherever you go—so that the fruit of the transformation of your heart will be seen and heard by everyone. And may God's will always guide your choices.

May we be “like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither” (Ps 1:3).

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Written by Deanna Brooks, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries

2 Timothy 2:2 reads: “What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also” (ESV).

Paul is reaching the end of his life, and he wants this precious message to continue to be passed on. 

“Entrust” indicates responsibility and stewardship. “Faithful” means those who will treasure what they have and handle it as God intended. 

We, as disciples of Jesus, are the only way others will learn about Jesus and why He came to earth. We have been given a mission, and in John 15, Jesus shares His plans with His disciples. 

Jesus paints a word picture of Himself as the Vine and His disciples as the branches that bear the fruit. Some of His statements are:

Verse 2: “Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”

Verse 4: “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.”

Verse 5: “Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

Verse 8: “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.”

Verse 16: “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.”

When a branch bears fruit, it provides the way by which other fruit can be produced. The branch that does not bear fruit is considered dead.

If you have ever grown a garden or fruit trees, you know an important part of having a healthy plant is to cut off dead or diseased limbs, so they do not weaken the healthy branches. Likewise, Jesus says He will remove those branches that are not bearing fruit.

Some of Jesus’ last words were, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” (Mt 28:19).

There is joy in seeing someone you have taught become a follower of Jesus. 

“Each one teach one” is a common saying among believers, indicating each of us is responsible for reaching someone who can then reach someone else, just as 2 Timothy 2:2 says. 

Teaching about Jesus should be a normal part of our lives. Deuteronomy 6:4-9 emphasizes the importance of teaching when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise.

Some ways to reach out to others are:

• Invite someone to VBS, gospel meetings, or a Bible study.
• Invite your friend for coffee and tell her you have good news you want to share… Then share your faith story and the path that led you to be a Christ follower (to discipleship).
• When you are with a friend, ask what she believes, then listen. Be ready to share your common beliefs, but if she mentions something not in Scripture, gently ask where she gets the authority for what she said.
• When you are asked a question, turn to Scripture instead of sharing your opinion.
• Stay “on target” in your study with others.

If you do not know how to teach someone, find a friend who does and ask them to help you learn.  It may be that you are like Andrew and can seek people out and invite them to a Bible class or worship services, leaving the more formal teaching to someone else. 

It is important to be alert and realize when a friend may be receptive. Life changes often create an interest that has not been present. When a new family moves into the neighborhood and is making new friends can be an excellent time to set up a study. 

For us, it is important to:

• know who our authority is.
• know what and why we believe.
• be willing to search if asked a question we don’t know.

Are you willing to put 2 Timothy 2:2 into practice in your life?