Every Christian I know wants to live an effective life for Jesus. The key to

succeeding in this is abiding in Him. Abiding in Christ is foundational to

center in your whole life around God. Tapping into Christ's presence and power

is what will allow you to bear good fruit in this life.

It's my hope that after today you are more equipped and empowered

to live out a life centered around God.

Welcome to the First of Team Podcast. Our verse for today cuts from John 15-5.

Scripture says, whoever abides in me and I in him,

he it is that bears much fruit,

for apart from me you can do nothing.

So often out of a right desire to do good in God honoring works,

we try and force fruit out of ourselves. Without taking the time to rest and receive

the nutrients we can only get from abiding in our Heavenly Father, a branch disconnected from an apple tree can no more produce good fruit

than you and I can do good works apart from continually abiding in the love, grace, and presence of God.

Without truly sintering our lives around meeting with God,

we'll never produce the fruit we were created to make.

Jesus taught us in John 15, 1 through 5.

I am the true vine, and my father is the vine dresser.

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.

Already you are clean because of the word that I've spoken to you.

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