He Is The Vine, I Am The Branches

Point of View:
When I was young, I remember picking grapes from my neighbor’s yard. We would lean over the fence and grab as many as our arms could reach. One day, we took a bottle full of them to our base in the woods, to eat later. We came back in a week, and to our surprise they where all mushy and fermented. We learned that day that grapes were no good when disconnected from the vine for an extended period of time.

I tell this goofy story because John 15:5-8 reminds me of this childhood memory. In Verse 5, Jesus tells us: “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.” Stick with Jesus and fruit will grow. Just like when a branch is connected to the vine that feeds it, fruit grows. But what good is a branch if it is disconnected and not producing anymore? Burning… right? Dried Wood + A Spark = Fire. Let’s be honest, none of us want to be in the fire.

The Challenge:
So my question to you is this: do you want to be a branch connected to the Vine, full of life and used by the Lord, or a branch that is disconnected and only good for the fire? The choice is yours. I want to challenge you to stay connected to the Vine. Let the Lord continue to feed you with knowledge, and through that bond, you will produce fruit (gifts) that will bring Him attention and glory.

Prayer Points:
• Pray that the Lord will continue to show you ways that can bring Him glory/attention.
• Ask for wisdom and the boldness to share what the Lord is teaching you.
• Thank the Lord for giving you second chances, for transforming you from a withered branch, to one connected Him and full of life.


The Word:
(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. - John 15:5-8