Friday, January 10, 2014

"Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing."  John 15:4-5

The word "remain" means to "continue to exist, endure, last, persist, stay around".

This definition seems to imply that remaining is not something that comes easy. It means that there will be things that come your way that will try to sever your connection to God. Circumstances will overwhelm you and make you want to throw in the towel. But we must remain. Why?

Because apart from Him we can do nothing.

Without our connection to God, we are spiritually dead, lifeless beings. We can't accomplish the things we were placed on this earth to do without Him. He is the vine. The nourishment we need to survive can only come through a connection to Him. And that connection will be challenged and pulled and sometimes even get to the breaking point.

Being connected to God requires being intentional in our relationship with Him. Satan will do whatever he can to pull us away from God. We have to be purposeful in strengthening our connection to God so we won't be swayed. This can only come through spending time in His Word, His presence and His will.


God, I confess that my connection to you is often weak. Sometimes I feel like I am at the breaking point. Remind me that no matter what storm tries to tear me from you, you will never let go. Help me to be intentional in spending time with you so that our connection is strengthened and I can do all that you've created me for. I want to be a Christian that bears fruit for your name.