A Vine-Ripened Life: Spiritual Fruitfulness through Abiding in Christ (Gale)

The grace that stimulates the fruit and maturity of a sanctified life comes to us through Jesus Christ. We bear much fruit only as we abide in Him.

In A Vine-Ripened Life, author Stanley Gale points us to Jesus, the Vine of life of John 15, in whom we, as branches, must live and grow to bear the fruit of a grace-grown life. He explains, “Having begun in Christ we remain in Christ, continuing to draw our life from Him and maturing in grace.” With pastoral sensitivity and an engaging style, Gale teaches readers both about the fruit of Christian character and how to cultivate it. Questions at the end of each chapter make this an ideal study for individuals or groups.

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Table of Contents:

1. Fruit of the Vine
2. My Father, the Gardener
3. No Ordinary Love
4. Joy Inexpressible
5. Peace beyond Understanding
6. The Leaven of Patience
7. Not-So-Random Kindness
8. Gracious Goodness
9. A Great Faithfulness
10. Gentle Strength
11. Self-Control or Willpower?
12. Potent Humility
13. Grace Grown 

Author 

Stanley D. Gale serves as senior minister of The Reformed Presbyterian Church, West Chester, Pennsylvania. He is the author of numerous books and articles, leads seminars on various topics, and is the founder of Community Houses of Prayer.

Endorsements 

“A Vine-Ripened Life will encourage, empower, and equip you to be all you can be in Christ so you are able to produce fruit in accordance with God’s Word and will. Stan Gale has whet my appetite, and I look forward to devouring his next publication!” — Leslie Montgomery, author of The Faith of Condoleezza Rice and Redemptive Suffering

“Looking for a Christ-centered, Spirit-empowered vision for spiritual growth and maturity? That’s what you will find in A Vine-Ripened Life. In this compelling and challenging book, Stan Gale guides us through a study of the fruit of the Spirit that connects our active growth in Christian graces to the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus had a reason for calling Himself the vine and us the branches. This fine volume explains why. If you want to grow in your walk with Christ, a prayerful and attentive reading of A Vine-Ripened Life is an excellent place to start.”  — Rhett Dodson, pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church, Hudson, Ohio

“An authentic Christian is ‘rooted’ in Christ, the Vine, and the result will be ‘fruit, more fruit, and much fruit.’ If there is a root, there will be fruit. Nurturing a growing, fruit-bearing life is called discipleship. Here is a volume that not only outlines and defines the ‘vine-ripened life’ in Christ but also provides an effective disciple-making tool. With no hesitation and with great anticipation I recommend this biblically accurate and discipleship-friendly volume thoughtfully prepared by Stan Gale for the reader and the disciple-maker.” — Harry Reeder, pastor of Briarwood Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, Alabama, and author of Embers to a Flame

 “This was too important to read just once. The possibilities for growth were too good to pass up, so I read it again. So consider reading it this way: go through it slowly, try to do it with someone else, read it aloud, and pray together as you go. Blessing and growth will follow.” — Edward T. Welch, counselor and faculty member at the Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation (CCEF) and author of When People Are Big and God Is Small.