Dear Partners and Friends, this past month has been tremendously productive because of our partners’ support and generosity. I want to thank our partners and every giver who has graciously sown into us and the mission of a million for a billion. Much of what we do every day involves investing many hours into everyone who has an ear to hear, and beyond that, by the Spirit of God, we influence influencers—by saying that, I don’t mean in a shallow way. The influence God has allowed us to have with leaders and current or rising influencers is an assignment to advance the body of Christ by helping leaders find their way and stay on the way.

By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

—John 15:8

Think about that verse for a moment! God is glorified by you bearing much fruit. Much fruit, not a little fruit; and it doesn’t say that God is glorified by you being fruitful. Rather, Jesus clearly states that you bear much fruit. To get a better understanding of what Jesus is saying, let’s get a running start at that verse. Often without a running start what we can experience is a text without its context, a pretext. Let’s look at what Jesus said.

I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. ⁶ If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. ⁷ If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. ⁸ By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

—John 15:5-8

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