Remaining in the Vine....

Today as I was reading John 15:1-11 I realized that I need to remain in Jesus, the vine, for I, the branch, can not bear fruit without the vine. Yet so often I try to bear my own fruit. So often I try to do my own thing, control my own circumstances. Everytime I do it fails. I fall flat on my face.

When I do remain in Christ and allow Him to bear fruit He produces the fruit of JOY. In verse 11 Jesus says, "My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full."
Jesus says His JOY may be in me
And that my JOY may be made full
This is the fruit that is produces when I ABIDE in Him

So I must remain in Christ. Remain in the Word. Remain absorbed in His love.

When I remain in Christ there will be fruit. That fruit is JOY. I need to remember that without remaining in Christ I can not produce any kind of fruit. For it is NOT me who can produce anything at all but rotten fruit, only Christ can produce good fruit. I am the branch, Jesus is the vine, my life, my fruit and all that is good comes from the vine who gets life from the vinedresser, God.

Jesus thank you for this wonderful reminder today of how much I need you. You are my life source. Without you I would wither up and become a dry branch. Jesus help me to remain in You, to produce the fruit that you have planned in my life. I pray that your joy would remain in me and fill me up to overflowing. Amen.