My grandmothers and my mother used to preserve fruit. They took fresh fruit, washed it, peeled and cored it, and removed the seeds. Some fruit they canned and other they froze. Either way the fruit was preserved for future enjoyment. Even in the winter we could enjoy our preserved peaches or frozen berries. In today's text Jesus said, "...I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit - fruit that will last" (John 15:16c NIV).

God wants us to be fruit-bearing branches. He wants to see fruit, more fruit, much fruit, fruit that remains. The fruit of the Spirit will never spoil or become rotten. It contains a divine preservative. The fruit of love, joy, peace, etc. will never go bad. Fruit that remains will never draw "fruit flies." Love will outlast everything on this planet. An old quartet song I heard in college ended with these words: "When all this world shall pass away, there will always be the precious love of God!" There is not enough darkness in the world to put out the candle of one small light. In our patience we will actually win our souls (Luke 21:19). This is fruit that will last. It will last for all eternity!

Prayer: "Blessed Lord, reveal to my soul, I pray, that You have chosen me to bear much fruit. Let this be my confidence, that Your purpose can be realized. Let this be my power to forsake everything and give myself to You. Draw me to dwell in the love and the certainty of that eternal purpose, that the power of eternity may possess me, and the fruit I bear may abide...to Your glory" (By Andrew Murray, revised)