Read John 15:5-8 in your personal Bible or at the link provided.
Review
1. What can we do apart from Jesus?
2. How is God glorified?
3. What will happen to those who don’t believe in Him?
Reflect
After a storm, it’s common to find branches lying on the ground near the trees they used to be attached to. Strong winds can sever weak connections, and with this picture, Jesus warns His disciples that they must focus on remaining in Him, the true vine. Storms will always come, and they reveal the strength of the connection between the branch and vine.
When we put our faith in Jesus, we’re sealed and secured in Him, but for the rest of our time on earth, He wants more for us. He knows that unexpected storms, unchecked sin, and imitation vines can take our focus off of our relationship with Him and onto ourselves or our circumstances. Instead, God wants us to look more like Him, and that happens when we prioritize our connection to Him.
Building spiritual disciplines will help you remain in Christ as He instructs. Regular time in prayer and His Word will grow you closer to Him as He reveals His character to you. Having a strong community of other believers allows you to have support in fighting sin and temptation. And when you seek Jesus, you’ll trust more and more that He’s the only one worth remaining in.
Respond
Between unexpected storms, unchecked sin, and imitation vines, which of the three have you found yourself in recently? How has it affected your relationship with Jesus? What is one step you can take toward Him this week?