Today's Passage - John 15:16-17

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english John 15:16-17   "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit - that will last - and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other."   Lord Jesus said here that it's not that we chose God, but God chose us first, but we might think that, isn't it we who chose God, choose to walk in God's way in our daily life, and choose to reject the way of the world?  From another perspective, however, who can proclaim Jesus as the Lord without prompting on the Holy Spirit?  It is God's Spirit who first prompted us in our hearts, then we were able God's way, that's why we can't boast about anything.  If it wasn't for the Holy Spirit, no one can proclaim Jesus as the Lord.  We didn't choose God, it's God who chose us.   So why did God choose us in the first place?  It's clearly stated here - God chose us to bear fruit in our daily life.  First, we need to bear the fruit of Gospel, to spread good news of the Gospel to people around us and lead them to turn to Lord Jesus Christ.  God not only wants us to enjoy all the benefits of the Gospel, He also wants us to share the benefits with people around us.  May God help us not to just receive God's grace and not letting it flow out through us, like how the Dead Sea only has water going in and become salty and stinky.  May we become river of living water, not just receiving God's grace, but also let us spread His grace around!   Next, we need to bear the fruit of our lips, which is to praise with our mouth.  We need to stop complaining with our mouth, but to praise God in everything.  Some said that complaining is like give glory to devil Satan, but praising is to give glory to God!  No matter what you current circumstance is, let us learn to bear the fruit of praise with our lips.  When we praise God, His presence will be manifested within us.   Third, we need to bear the fruit of Holy Spirit.  Galatians says that we need God's love, faithfulness and perseverance in our lives.  These are not outcome of our natural life, but we need to bear the fruit of Spirit with the power of the Holy Spirit.  The most important thing is certainly to love one another.  When we love one another, others will recognize that we are disciples of the Lord!  The Lord promised us here that when we bear fruit and love one another, whatever we ask in the Lord's name He will give us!  This is such a precious promise!  Of course we still need to follow the principle of abiding by God's will when we ask, so may the Lord help us!                                   Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord, we thank you because you call us your friends, and you promise to give us anything we ask for.  May the Lord help us to bear the fruit that pleases you and to love one another, so that people will know that we are your disciples.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!