God's Gospel Truths
John 15:1-11
The Vine and the Branches
1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
Pondering Point
Our life in Jesus is not just about coming to be with Him (such as in worship, in prayer or in devotional times); it is also about 'going' with Him (such as into our home, at work, or in social relationships). As we 'go' and bear fruit for God, we are to do so connected to Jesus. According to Him, that is the ONLY way it works.
So make a mental choice to not go anywhere without being connected to Jesus, abiding in Him, making Him our abode. Maybe that means praying before you leave the house, the car – or even the bedroom.
Maybe that means pausing to acknowledge Jesus before you transition to a new environment. Maybe it means wearing a piece of jewelry on your hand or head, similar to Deuteronomy 6:8.
Deuteronomy 6:8
8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.
Learn to invite Him into moments as they occur, such as will be worded in our prayer for today. More on that Thursday, but for now let’s invite Jesus into every aspect of our living and breathing, our work and our play.
Prayer for the Day
Jesus, I know that You are always with me. Have Your Holy Spirit bring You to mind in the many moments of my day. I want to take advantage of our connectedness during the anxious and uncertain moments, during the fun and celebratory moments – even during the ordinary and repetitive ones. Thank You for being there. Let me be there with You mentally, spiritually, emotionally, and relationally. Amen.