Jesus is the vine, we are the branches. Nutrients from the vine don’t just show up once in a while; it’s the constant, ongoing flow of power from the vine to the branch. It’s why the word “remain” is mentioned so many times in John 15.
It’s a matter of constant connection – and without it, there will be no bearing fruit.
The Greek root word is “mino” – which means to abide, stay, do not depart, stand, be present – and it is a verb.
But though it’s an action word, it can too easily be disguised.
We may try to passively remain. We would like to think we’re abiding in God’s word or staying in his presence, but we may fall into a place of doing it half-heartedly, living off the past, or only in the presence of others.
Another danger is to replace abiding with doing. Too often I tend to chalk up the business of ministry with being close to God. I love this quote:
“I find that I keep offering God my service when what he wants is my fellowship.” -John Paul Warren
True remaining is active – being near, staying connected – in a genuinely authentic private connection to Jesus and his word.
My prayer is to bear fruit. My prayer today is asking for forgiveness for trying to do it on my own or in short, quick spurts. Help me Lord to remain – seeking you each moment for strength and leadership in my life.
I write with church leaders in mind and I would be honored to have you join me by subscribing to the blog. You can take a look at the top posts here. The posts are categorized: pastors, worship leaders, student ministry and kids ministry. In case we’re just meeting, here’s little about my life.
Other Posts:
Why Church Leaders Need Daily Devotions To Be Successful
Ten Ways To Mentor Worship Leaders
The Difference Between Fruit and Results
