John 15: fruit

I am the vine, you are the branches . . .

Where does fruit grow?  It grows on the branches.  The branch though can not produce fruit by itself.  The branch produces fruit because of the life (sap) that comes up through the tree and into the branches.  We can not produce love or other fruit of the spirit by ourselves.  The Holy spirit has deposited these things in our hearts and we must nurture those things so they can mature.

Ideas came from a letter to LHOP from Doug Stone in 2008.

15:16

You did not choose me, but I chose you and set you aside that you should go forth and yield fruit and that your fruit should remain, so that the Father should give you whatever you ask in my name.

God understood what He was working with when He chose you and me.

God has a proven track record of using ordinary people to do extraordinary exploits.

He used a man who had committed murder to later lead his people into the promised land (Moses).
He used a convict who later became the 2nd most powerful man in a nation to bless others (Joseph)

He uses people who had made grave errors. He uses people who have human weakness.

God is not looking for perfect people. He is looking for people who will admit their need and turn their heart toward Him and follow Him.

Many times human talent can be a hindrance to God using us. We rely on it instead of relying on God.

God desires to use all of us.