Fifth Sunday of Easter
John 15:1-8 (NRSV)
Christ the vine
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.
DEVOTION
Today is a wonderful reminder that we can do nothing apart from God. It is God who gives us life and it is through Jesus that we can live it abundantly!
You know, it just doesn’t make any sense to try to do anything well without the blessing of God! Have you ever tried to make something work by your own strength, power, wisdom, or effort? You tried and tried and then tried again and your efforts simply failed! Just when you were about to give up, you whispered a prayer. What did you find? I bet you learned—like me--that in the absence of the blessing of God, no good thing is possible. (laughing…)
Today we are reminded that in order to “bear much fruit” we must abide in Jesus. This means that we need to remain or stay in close relationship with Jesus.
Now, there are a lot of things that cause us to fail to abide in Jesus. First of all, our sin cuts us off from close relationship with Jesus. We sin, we feel guilty, we don’t pray, we run from God, and we end up in a mess!
Secondly, our busyness keeps us from close relationship with Jesus. Let’s face it we get so worried and anxious about money, power, and people that we sometimes forget to abide in Christ. We work, fret, and strive seeking earthly riches and/or pleasures and we forget to rest into the loving care of Jesus Christ!
Finally, our fear prohibits us from abiding in Jesus. This one always amazes me! Many Christians are afraid to get too close to Jesus. They are afraid that God will ask them to do something or give up something that they are not ready to share. They are not ready to “surrender all,” so they will give God Sunday, but on Monday-Saturday they live for themselves. They are afraid to do what God says do because they are afraid of failure, ridicule, or even success!
Oh my goodness! It seems that as human beings we often try to live “cut off” from the source, God, who is the vinegrowerer and Jesus, who is the vine.
There is no life if we are cut off from the source. We can’t get the living water and bread from heaven that we need to live truly healthy, happy, holy, and whole lives!
I don’t know about you, but I’ve tried to do things my way, and I’ve failed. I learned a long time ago, that I must abide in Jesus. I must stay in close relationship with God through prayer, Bible study, charitable good works, and fellowship with other believers.
God is always speaking. We just need to get still enough to listen! God is always calling us to Kingdom Come work that will cause us to love God and neighbor as ourselves!
Today we read that if you abide in Jesus you can, “for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”
See, the true secret to “success” and lasting joy is to abide in Jesus. As you tend to your relationship with God your hopes, dreams, and desires will line up with the heart of God. You will begin to “wish” for the same things God does and God will empower and equip you to carry out Kingdom Come work in your spheres of influence!
Isn’t it amazing that scripture teaches that when we abide in Jesus we “bear much fruit and become Jesus’ disciples?”
Are you Jesus’ disciple? The world should be able to tell. Someone on Twitter wrote this week, “If you were accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?”
Wow! This question bears much consideration, my friends. Does your life currently bear the fruit of abiding with Jesus?
If so, keep up the good work! If not, let’s get started now!
Will you make a commitment to being in relationship with God through abiding with Jesus? Will you share the GOOD NEWS with others?
When we abide with Jesus, we walk with Him, introducing Him to all of our friends.
I love to tell people that God loves, gave and saves. God loves us so much that God gave Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sins and to gift us with eternal life!
As you share this GOOD NEWS message, God will allow you to bear much fruit! It will be the joy of knowing that you are doing all that you can to enlarge the family of God!
Now, ain’ta that GOOD NEWS?!
Holy God, please help me to abide in Jesus. I know that when I am “cut off” from you, I don’t function very well. Help me to daily walk with you, trusting that you will lead and guide me in the way that I should go! I want to be truly “successful” by pleasing you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Happy Mother's Day to all of the wonderful women celebrating the ministry of motherhood! May God richly bless you today and always. Peace!
Congratulations to the people who have recently put all of their faith in Jesus! We are so excited about your new-found faith in Jesus! You are in our thoughts and prayers!
If you would like to put all of your hope in Jesus today, please visit my blog entitled, “Putting All Your Hope In Jesus” located at
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/04/putting-all-your-hope-in-jesus.html
If you have additional questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, "Come to Jesus"
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/03/come-to-jesus.html
Pastor Yolanda is now publishing another blog entitled, “A Spoken WORD” in celebration of Holy Hip Hop, Gospel/Christian Rap and Spoken Word. Please check it out @ http://aspokenword.blogspot.com/
You are invited to follow Pastor Yolanda on Twitter www.twitter.com/PastorYolanda
Good News has now added a Prayer Ministry. http://www.kindlejoy.com/groups/goodnews
You are invited to leave comments or questions regarding today’s devotional. These comments are public.
EACH ONE--REACH ONE! To share GOOD NEWS with a friend please click the "Share With Friends" button to the right!
Thanks for reading and please come again. Pastor Yolanda extends a very special welcome to all of our friends reading outside of the United States of America! We are honored that you are sharing with us today.
From Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com
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