Bible thought: “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me and I in Him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

Thirty-two years ago I planted a fragile concord grapevine seedling next to a wooden picket fence in our backyard. There is a perpetual stream of water nearby and a consistent supply of nutrients in the soil.

Recently, I built a trellis on top of the wooden fence, four feet high and twenty feet long, to accommodate the vast extension of vines and help make picking accessible.

Because the base of the plant now measures more than sixteen inches around, I thought, “He is like a tree planted by streams of water, that yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.”

In our daily life, God’s Holy Word has a perpetual supply of refreshment and hope and a consistent supply of nutrients necessary for growth, maturity and fruit-bearing. Good things such as solid faith and trust, patience, stability, knowledge and wisdom all take time.

I love to think that God appoints, my portion day by day. Events of life are in His hand and I would only say

“Appoint them in Thine own good time and in Thine own best way.” Author unknown

Bob Bland, Bellvue, Colorado

“Power for Today”

“Holy Father, may Your Spirit within us empower a more wholesome balanced life in these stressful times. In Jesus’ name. Amen”

Day by Day By Oscar Ahnfelt, 1872

Day by day and with each passing moment,

Strength I find to meet my trials here.

Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,

I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.

He whose heart is kind beyond all measure

Gives unto each day what He deems best.

Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,

Mingling toil with peace and rest.

Every day the Lord Himself is near me

With a special mercy for each hour.

All my cares He fain would bear, and cheer me,

He whose name is Counsellor and Power.

The protection of His child and treasure is a charge that on Himself He laid.

As Thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,

This the pledge to me He made.

Help me then in every tribulation

So to trust Thy promises, O Lord.

That I lose not faith’s sweet consolation

Offered me within Thy holy Word.

Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,

E’er to take, as from a father’s hand.

One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,

Till I reach the promised land.