How to Have the Best Year Ever!

2013 was a year of ups and downs. But thankfully, there was WAY more ups than there were downs! In fact, when it comes to serving Jesus…there ARE NO downs!

As I began reading in John 15, I noticed some things Jesus said we should do that would help ensure this new year will be better than any year before. If we want 2014 to be our best year yet:

1. We Must Make Sure We Are “IN” Christ. (John 15:1-2a) says, ” I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2) Every branch in me..” In verses 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7 He uses the words “in me.” That’s the key; being “IN” Him. To have your best year, yet, be sure you are “IN” Christ; that you have trusted Him as your Saviour.

2. We Must Determine to Bear Fruit. (v.2) “Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.” God is concerned about the fruit we produce as a Christian. The trouble is we think we can just manufacture fruit on our own without the help of the Holy Spirit. But have you ever noticed… you will see car factories, clothing factories, and even toy factories. But what you NEVER see are fruit factories. That is because fruit is grown not manufactured. The fruit of the Spirit cannot be manufactured; it must be grown in our hearts through His power. To have the best year, yet, determine to bear fruit.

3. We Must Allow God to Purge Us. (v.2) “..every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.” Purging (or pruning) is not a pleasant experience for the tree, but it is a necessary one. As believers, for us to produce the maximum amount of fruit possible, we must allow God to prune the unnecessary things out of our lives so we can be more like Him.

4. We Must Stay in God’s Word. (v.3) “Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.” The Word of God has a cleansing effect on us. The more we stay away from it, the dirtier our lives become. Determine to stay in God’s Word this year, and you will have your best year, yet.

 5. We Must Abide in Christ. (vs. 4-5) “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5) I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” To abide in Christ is to relinquish your right to live as you please. It is to let Christ live His life through you. Why is this so important? Because Jesus said that without Him we can do NOTHING! Wow! That’s pretty powerful, isn’t it?

If you will do these five things Jesus said, it doesn’t mean you will not have any “downs” this coming year. But it does mean that even through those “downs” you will still have your best year yet, because God will be with you blessing you every step of the way!

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