Pastor’s Bible Reading Schedule: Ezekiel 30-32; John 15
Devotional Thought:
Jesus starts this chapter with the theme of the last chapter, the theme of exalting His Father. Jesus said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.” (vs. 1) Jesus never lost sight of His role and responsibility, and He never lost sight of the authority and position of His Father. Jesus then explains the role and responsibility of the child of God. We are the branches. We receive our nutrition, health, and life from Jesus Christ, and our Heavenly Father removes branches that do not bear fruit and he prunes other branches in order for them to be more fruitful. Verse two once again teaches that the character of Christ that is essential for the Christian life comes from the word of God. We are clean through the word! Jesus teaches us of our dependence upon Him; “…for without me ye can do nothing.” (vs. 5) There will never be any eternal fruit born without the power and principles of Jesus Christ. Parents, pastors, and business owners are foolish to think they can build anything that will last apart from God and the principles of His word. Jesus finishes this chapter with an example of leadership. He models what He expects. “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Fathers commandments, and abide in his love.” (vs. 10) Jesus pleads with His disciples to love one another as He has loved them. The world is going to hate you as it hated me, but you are to bond in your love for each other. I am fearful that too many Christians today have made each other the targets of their aggression rather than striving to band together to face a world that is opposed to the very plan of God. Jesus teaches us in this passage that we can love each other and complete the commands of God as we draw strength from the Lord Jesus Christ. Are you abiding in Christ today? Are you bearing good fruit that will remain?
Personal Requests:
• Lord, please help me to constantly be reminded of my need to exalt God in every avenue of my life.
• Lord, thank you for being a powerful presence of my life, a constant source of strength, and the supply for any fruit that I may bear.
• Lord, help me to live in unity with my brothers and sisters in Christ. Please help me to show my confidence in God by a demonstration of my love for other Christians.