
John 15:5
"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."
Living as a Christian is not just a label we put on ourselves on Sunday. We are Christians because we believe the Good News, yes, but just as importantly we live every day with Jesus as our guide and teacher. One really cannot live as a Christian in name only- they "can do nothing." Jesus has given us the power of the Holy Spirit. With the Holy Spirit we can do great things, both large and small.
Holy Lord, I am a Christian because of what I believe, but I live as a Christian by your gifts and your grace. I am truly thankful. Amen.
John 15:5
This is a very neat scripture you have such a powerful statement, promise, assurance that the base of the foundation or the structure is strong and secure and will hold up with the assurance that you support each other showing each other that you can bear fruit keep each others strength to build together and remember that will God all things are possible
Dear Lord,
Help me to remember you are the vine and I am the branch and that with you we are stronger together doing your work.Amen
Our identity as Christians
Wednesday January 31st 2024
John 15:5
I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man abides in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit, apart from me you can do nothing.
If I do not remain in Jesus, if I allow myself to be apart from him I can do nothing . If I live, dwell in and remain in him I will grow and bear good fruit. Yesterday was a perfect example of this scripture. Yesterday I did several things independently by myself. God has created my life to thrice only when I abide in Jesus , the vine.. some lessons are harder to learn. The branch is entirely dependent…
John 15:5. From the message:
I am the vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relationship is intimate and organic, and the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce anything.
When any fruit (apple, etc.) is on the branch of a healthy tree with deep roots, it will grow to be wonderful. So, too, will we be nourished and grow to do wonderful work for Him because we stay connected by our Bibles, our studies, our prayers, and our people.
Prayer: Gracious God, remind me often to stay connected to you when I lose my way. I want to remain connected and nourished by your love. Amen
John 15:5
Jesus’ words from John’s Gospel are a perfect extension of so much of what we discussed last night. The hard things that need to be done in order to address and even prevent conflict are beyond our capabilities. Without the Holy Spirit, our natural tendency is to engage and escalate. A critical aspect of our identity as Christians is bearing the fruit that is evident only be remaining faithful branches on the true vine.
Prayer - Jesus, while Your pruning may be difficult, it is always necessary, as I am prone to disobedience. Grant me the grace to remain joined to You in all that I do, bearing fruit that establishes my identity as a follower of Christ…