How can Christians live spiritually productive lives?

"God is our grapevine; you and I are the branches" says Annamarie, 11.

"The stem and roots give nutrients to the fruit. If God tells us to do something and we do not do it, then we do not have goodness and self-control. But God gives us a choice to be loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, gentle and self-controlled."

Annamarie read what Jesus told his disciples in John 15:5: "I am the vine, you are the branches."

Jesus went on to say that his disciples would live productive lives if they continued to "abide" in him. Just as the branch remains connected to the vine to produce grapes, Christians should stay connected to Christ in the sense of allowing his life to flow through them to produce spiritual fruit.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control," wrote the Apostle Paul (Galatians 5:22). He also added, "Against such there is no law."

No government has ever passed a law against any of these nine fruits of the spirit. Think of how different your life would be if you relied on the Prince of Peace (Jesus) instead of getting upset.

Try abiding in the peace of Christ the next time a difficult person gets under your skin. Instead of stress, decide to rest in the Lord's peace! Your blood pressure will thank you.

If someone is mean, show them kindness. You might befuddle them and make them wonder why you gave them the opposite of what they expected.

When Jesus urged his disciples to abide in him, he was really saying, "Make your home in me just as I do in you," says Gabriela, 9.

Home is where you live or hang out. Jesus wants all his people to make their homes in him. Living in spiritual ghettos like fear, worry, anger, revenge, jealousy and greed is not really living at all.

The good news is that Jesus makes his home in all who have trusted him as their savior. He's home to stay. He will never leave (Hebrews 13:5). Too many Christians live like Jesus is not present, but that's not the case. He indwells every believer (Galatians 2:20).

Nothing is more transformative than an awareness that Jesus lives in you. Living in God's presence is living from the inside out. Outward circumstances can't control you when you bring God's presence and peace to the table.

"God our Father is our gardener," says Hannah, 11. "He prunes people who believe in him so that they may produce more fruit."

"God is always concerned about bringing Christians into a fuller experience of him," said Graham Cooke of BrilliantTV.com. "All your circumstances and situations in life are about empowering you to be like Jesus."

If you have an annoying person in your life, Cooke said God is probably trying to teach you patience. Look at problems as opportunities to draw upon God's presence. When facing adversity, Cooke's favorite question for God is "What do you want to be for me now?" With this question, life becomes an adventure in discovery.

Think about this: Life in Christ is a cycle. When you receive God's love, you're free to love God and people. Because you're filled with God's love, you give without expecting anything in return. You can now live boldly! You're not looking for love in the wrong places.

Memorize this truth: John 15:5 quoted above.

Ask this questions: Are you experiencing the wonder of Christ's life in you?

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