The Vine existed long before the branches ever grew, and
He sacrificially shares His love and life with us (1 John 4:19). We choose to fully
commit to our relationship with the Vine (John 15:16).
Separated from the Vine, we can do nothing (John 15:5).
We display the fruit of the flesh, which is envy, strife, hatred,
self-centeredness, criticism, worry, depression, pride, bitterness,
complaining, quitting, backbiting, loving our self more than others, loving
money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to our parents, ungrateful,
unholy, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; inventing ways
of doing evil; disobeying our parents; and as adults, we put work and fun ahead
of God (2 Timothy 3:2; Romans 1:30).
Abiding in the Vine gradually renews our heart and
replaces these negative issues with the fruit of God's Spirit, which we bear
through our obedience to Him. This is the evidence of our union with the Vine
(John 15:13).
We rest in His grace and renew our strength as we wait on
Him (Isaiah 40:31). His Spirit directs us each moment of the day (John 16:13).
We increase God's Kingdom by our obedience to Him and His Word (Mark 4:26).
God's fruit in our life is proof of our faith in God (James
2:14-26). We abide in Him, but He also abides in us, completing the sanctifying
work of holiness, which He started in us at salvation (Philippians 1:6,
2:12-13).
Prayer:
Father God, let us never break our connection with Your
Vine. The life we receive through Your presence in our spirit is not paralleled
by anything this world has to offer.
Help us to exhibit affection for others, an exuberance
about life, serenity through the storms, determination and patience, a
compassionate heart, and kindness that pervades our entire being (Galatians
5:22-23).
We trust that You have this world in Your control and
have a perfect timetable for its culmination and the renewal of all things.
Remind us to live humbly in service to You and others, and continually guide us
by Your Spirit.
Thought for the Day:
Our God, who called us, is faithful to us and will
fulfill us and care for us until we abide with Him in eternity. - 1
Thessalonians 5:24
