Glory in the Morning

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. John 15:4 NIV

Connections are great to have. How often have we used our connections to call in a favor from a friend? How often have we been called on to help someone else? I see connections as sort of a vine that nourishes all who are entwined. When we share our resources and talents, we are better together. I am thinking specifically about the church, followers of Christ. We have such an opportunity to connect to each other and accomplish something bigger than our single selves.

Jesus tells us this connection is what He wants with all of us, too.

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. John 15:5 NIV

We need to use our connection to Jesus, because we cannot produce fruit without Him. As I was typing this just now, I realized that verse four and five are almost copies of each other. Throughout the Bible, I have notice that Jesus often repeats the same wisdom in slightly different ways, to encourage full understanding. I love that! It works for me! I get what Jesus is saying here.

WE NEED HIM. By ourselves we can do some things, but we cannot bear the healthy fruit that a connection with Him brings. Jesus wants us connected to Him, so we can not just bear fruit, but MUCH fruit. And it is all to God’s glory!

I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other. John 15:16-17 NIV

Connections may benefit us, but how much sweeter the fruit that comes from benefitting others! Through our connection with Jesus, we can connect to others as He commanded. It is like we are a living branch, reaching out to add another branch to our vine or tree. We were meant to connect with Jesus and use our connection wisely.

So, if someone we encounter has a spiritual or physical need, how about we use our connection to Jesus to help them? Just think…we are in Jesus and He is IN us! He says that Himself!

Jesus,

Thank you for this thought about connections this morning. When I am connected to You, You nurture me, so I am able to produce fruit. Will you please keep this word, ‘connections’, in my heart today? Help me to stay connected to You so I can connect to others in Your name, all to our Father’s glory. Thank You for sacrificing Your life for me. In a way, You are God’s fruit and You purposely connected to me and changed my life! Use me to purposely connect with others, to act out of this love that binds us together. I want to produce fruit for God! I love You so much! Amen

Sidenote…Does a song come on sometimes at JUST the time you need it? That just happened!

“Without Him, I could do nothing. Without Him I’d surely fail. Without Him I would be drifting, like a ship without a sail.” just played in my headphones! (Josh Turner singing words written by Mylon LeFevre )

I love when that happens, that a song comes on that punctuates what the Lord is teaching me! Isn’t He wonderful?

Love you all with the love of the Father. Let’s be ‘connected’ to Jesus and bear fruit!

Christina