"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me."

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The branch of a fruit tree cannot produce fruit unless it stays joined to the tree trunk. Likewise, we cannot produce fruit unless we stay joined to, remain on, and stay vitally connected to Jesus. Our relationship with Jesus is life giving. We draw our strength and nourishment from God by abiding in the Son.

The Message Bible says: "Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can't bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can't bear fruit unless you are joined with me."

Jesus said we are to "abide" in Him. That means to stay in a given place, state, or relationship. It means to continue, to dwell, to endure, to be present with, to remain with, and to stand. Do you get the feeling we are going to be in this for a long time? That's what it's all about. It's Jesus with me, and me with Jesus, for the long haul.

Today's Thought to Take With You:

I abide in Jesus and He abides in me, therefore I am fruitful for God as His child.

• Reading Plan A: Acts 15:22-41
• Reading Plan B: Proverbs 16
• Reading Plan C: Job 40-42; Acts 15:22-41

Source: A Verse A Day
by Tim Davidson
Excerpt permission granted by
Word of Faith Church & Outreach Center