Day 30

30- Remaining: Apart from Him We Can Do Nothing 

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

When I fly, I hate connecting through Chicago. Why? Besides the potential of weather delays, both O'Hare airport and Midway airport have limited their free wi-fi to your first 20 minutes. Houston, Denver, Cleveland, Bozeman, Orlando, and others have unlimited free wi-fi. I'd much rather spend time in those airports, wouldn't you?

Imagine having the latest iPhone or iPad, but no WIFI to use it. How would you ever stay connected on Facebook or Instagram? Or more importantly, how would you stay up to date on the scores on ESPN. Without that connection, you’re left with a blank screen.

An ongoing connection with Jesus is absolutely essential if we’re going to bear fruit spiritually. We must "remain in him." Just like a branch withers and is fruitless when it is disconnected from the vine, we too wither and remain fruitless when we’re disconnected from Jesus.

What do you think is needed in your life for you to remain connected to the Vine, Jesus?

Read Galatians 2:20 and Romans 8:34.

• Where is Jesus right now? 

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Read Hebrews 1:3.

• What is Jesus doing right now as He sits in Heaven?

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Jesus is at the Father's right hand in heaven, praying for you and sustaining you, helping you and strengthening you to walk as a disciple and bear fruit. He is also living inside you in the person of the Holy Spirit, giving you power to bear fruit.

Read Acts 1:8.

• What kind of fruit does Jesus want to produce through us by the power of the Holy Spirit?
• It's critically important that we "remain" in and "abide" with Jesus (the word for "remain" also means "abide"). How do we remain though?
• How do we stay connected to Jesus like a branch connected to a vine? How is that practically lived out? 

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Read Galatians 2:20.

"Christ lives in me!” He is not currently living on planet earth in physical form, where we can see Him, talk to Him and get direction and encouragement from Him. However, He does live inside us, and we can talk to Him, asking for sustaining strength to bear fruit by making and multiplying disciples. We can also ask for direction and get encouragement from reading the Bible.

Remaining in Christ means having an active relationship with Him, spending time with Him daily (like you're doing with this 40 Day devotional), asking Him to lead you to whom you should reach out to, and asking Him for the power to do it, just as He promised His disciples in Acts 1:8. If you stay connected to Jesus in this way, you will be able to bear much fruit!

Read Matthew 25:14-30.

• How could being connected to the master help the first two servants "bear much fruit?" How could being disconnected from the master keep the last servant from bearing fruit? 

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Whatever level of ability or giftedness (Matthew 25:15) God has entrusted to you, leverage it to bear much fruit for Jesus. You will be rewarded, both in this life and in the life to come. You will live your life with a sense of joy and purpose, and then in heaven you will receive great treasure! And maybe best of all, one day Jesus will say to you, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share in your master's happiness!" Remain. It’s so worth it! 

Apart From Him…

• Ask Jesus for power to be a witness for Him. Talk to God throughout the day, asking Him to show you who He wants you to start a gospel conversation with. 

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Walking As Jesus…

• Keep your eyes open as you go about your day, looking for people to impact and encourage, and listening to Jesus for where and when He wants you to cultivate, plant and reap. 

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• My Personal Disciple-Making Plan: