Connecting To The Source

In summary of John 15:5-8, it says "Yes, I am the Vine; you are the branches.  Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit.  Apart from or separated from me you can do nothing.  Anyone who does not remain in me is like deadwood, thrown away like a useless branch, something that withers and cannot grow.  Such branches are gathered up and burned.  But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home with you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon.  This is how he shows who he is; when you produce much fruit."

Bottom Line:
Jesus is like a vine and we are like branches off of it.  Staying connected to the vine we are close to him and he to us, through this we can produce fruit.  If we become disconnected for the source we won’t have what we need to produce fruit.  Once we are disconnected, what we do is worthless other than being used for firewood.  But making ourselves at home and absorbing his words will allow us to live more in line with his will and purposes.  Then we can ask for what we see that needs to be done and the Father will act upon it.  This is how he shows who he is.

What this means for me:
The Lord is our source of nourishment, encouragement, and everything we would need to live a life that makes a real difference.  Scripture is telling us that like branches on a vine, if we get cut from the source, we can’t produce any longer (at least the things that really matter.)  Staying connected, plugged into the source allows God to work through us, even when it seems we don’t have everything internally we would need to do the task on our own.   Producing good fruit it is how God works and shows who he is. I need to keep plugged in daily in prayer to him and study of his word.  Just yesterday, I missed my actual getting into the word / study time.  I almost felt numb, lifeless.  In retrospect this is what the Scriptures are pointing out.  I’ll need to find time to get a little of God’s word into my life each day.  On days like yesterday when I’m traveling, I’ll just make it a point to look at / meditate on the daily verse on my phone.