11 times in 10 verses, the word ‘remain’ lit up as I read this morning. "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.
God is telling me I have to put effort into my faith. I have to work at my faith. I have to remain in the faith… and obedience to Jesus’ commands is the key to remaining. ‘If I (you) obey then we will remain,’ says Jesus.
Immediately the Spirit drives the message home, “Bill, what must you do today to remain in Jesus?” Spending time in God’s Word is a good start,after that, treat people like Jesus would have; listen for the voice of the Father and do what He says like Jesus would have; be open and available for ‘God-orchestrated moments’ like Jesus would have…
Lord God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit may it be so… may I live this way, not only today, but everyday. To You be the honor and glory. Amen and Amen.
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