THE POWER SOURCE OF A FRUITFUL LIFE
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.”
John 15:5-6 (NIV)
On a cold, dreary Saturday morning just a few weeks ago, I decided to settle in at home for the day and unwind with a movie or two. I nestled into my favorite spot on the couch, wrapped up in a cozy blanket and reached for the remote. I pressed the power button once, then twice, and finally a third time before I realized the batteries were dead. The device that would give me access to hundreds of channels and movies had no power. It was useless.
Scripture tells us that apart from the Lord, we can do nothing; we are useless. He is our power source. Without Him, everything we strive for is futile. Our good deeds, kindness and efforts are dead apart from the power of the Holy Spirit working in us. Just as a vine provides life for the branches, He provides us with salvation, abundant life and eternity with God. True power comes from salvation through Jesus Christ. In John 14:6, Jesus says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”. Once we plug into the power of the Holy Spirit by accepting the gift of salvation, we become alive in Christ and begin to flourish.
APPLICATION: Reflect on your source of power. Are you relying on God to guide you, or are you relying on your own limited strength? What evidence do you see in your life that reveals God’s power at work? Spend time in prayer and ask Him to reveal areas in your life where you need to rely on His power so He can use you for His glory.
PRAYER: Father, thank You for Your accessibility. I need You to be my source of power and strength. Show me how to follow closely to You and abide in You so You can produce fruit in my life to be used for Your glory. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?