Abide in Me (Day 3) Connected by the Word and Prayer

In John 15 Jesus uses the picture of a vine and branch to describe what it means to be in a relationship with Him. Christianity is about a personal relationship not about doing a checklist of things and not being a bad person. In John 15 Jesus is stressing the importance of this relationship using this picture we see in nature everyday.

Yesterday we looked at what it means to be disconnected from the vine. Today we look at what it means to be connected to the vine. How does life flow from the vine to the branches? We will read the passage to find out.

John 15:1-11 ESV - “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. [2] Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. [3] Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. [4] Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. [5] I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. [6] If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. [7] If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. [8] By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. [9] As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. [10] If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. [11] These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

I have highlighted 3 statements in the passage that share a common theme. This theme reveals itself in these 2 statements, “words of Jesus” and “keep my commandments”. We get our commandments through the words of Jesus so we begin to pick up on what it means to abide by focusing on this theme. In John 1:1 Jesus us called the “The Word”. In John 14:6 Jesus said “I am the way the truth and the life”. Jesus is “the Word”, The Way”, “The Truth”, and He is “The Life”. 

What we learn from this is that Jesus is Life and the Word. Life is found in the Word. To abide in Jesus means that we get our life from Him through His words which we find in scripture. This is not just words written in red, the entire bible is the very Word of God. The Word of God provides life for us. We get life from the branch by consuming and living on the Word of God. It is through the bible that we get the very commandments of God that are good for us and give us life. It is through the bible that God speaks and reveals Himself to us on a daily basis.

If you remember high school biology class you know that this connection is a 2 way street. The 2 way street for us in abiding in Jesus is “The Word of God” and “Prayer”. To abide means to hear, receive and obey God’s word and to pray and seek His will. Our work in abiding is to read and memorize the word of God and to pray. This is how we stay connected. This is how we get life from the branch.

As I am writing this I am looking out my window at 2 trees behind my house that are thriving. They are thriving because the flow of life is continuously connected. 

This was spoken about also in Psalm 1:1-3. Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; [2] but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. [3] He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.

This is a picture of abiding and finding life. We find life in the law of the Lord (The word of God). I love this verse because it says the tree is planted by a stream. Not a pubble or even a lake. A stream is continuously flowing, it will never run dry, it will never run out, there will always be enough. 

Here is my encouragement for you today. Plant yourself beside the stream each day and be supplied more than you could ever imagine. Delight yourself in the law of the Lord. You will not wither.

Today I want you to pray for yourself. I want you to pray that God would help you delight in the law of the Lord. I want you to meditate on Psalm 1 and John 15 today. I want you to ask God to renew your love for Him through His word. 

I also want you to pray for people in our church family at Refuge. Pray that they will be planted by this stream of water and delight in the Law of the Lord. Pray for people whom you know who have drifted away from God, pray that God will draw them back to Himself. 

I also want you to be blessed, Psalm 1 says blessed (happy) is the person who delights in the law of the Lord. The news is so depressing these days. Turn off the news and be blessed in the law of the Lord.

I also want you to bless someone else. Share this devotional with at least 1 person you know. You can also share it on facebook and twitter. If we are blessed (happy) when we delight in the law of the Lord then we can bless (make others happy) by sharing the law of the Lord with them.