Abide and Bear Fruit
01/09/2026
“Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”
— John 15:4 (NIV)
Jesus paints a picture we can all understand. A branch doesn’t strain to produce fruit. It doesn’t wake up each morning determined to be more fruitful than yesterday. It simply stays connected to the vine. Life flows through it, and fruit is the natural result.
So much of our exhaustion comes from trying to produce spiritual fruit without practicing spiritual connection. We try harder, serve more, push longer, and fix ourselves faster yet still feel empty. Jesus gently reminds us that fruitfulness is not the reward for effort; it is the result of abiding.
Remaining in Christ is not a one-time decision but a daily posture. It’s choosing closeness over competence. It’s learning to sit with Him before running for Him. Think about a phone unplugged from its charger. It may still look fine for a while, but eventually it drains. In the same way, we can look spiritually active while slowly running on empty when we neglect abiding.
Abiding happens in the ordinary moments. You pause to pray before responding, you sit with Scripture instead of scrolling, you invite Jesus into your worries instead of carrying them alone. Over time, His patience becomes your patience. His love becomes your love. His peace becomes your peace. Fruit grows quietly, steadily, almost unnoticed, until one day others begin to taste it.
Jesus isn’t asking you to do more. He’s inviting you to stay closer.
Today, choose connection over striving. Let the Vine do what only the Vine can do.
Action Steps:
* Take a few minutes today to be still and acknowledge Jesus’ presence with you.
* Open your Bible and slowly read John 15, asking God what it means for you to remain in Him.
* Notice one area where you’ve been striving instead of trusting and surrender it in prayer.
* Build one small habit that keeps you connected, morning prayer, Scripture at lunch, or worship on the drive home.
Today’s Challenge:
Before you try to fix anything, produce anything, or prove anything, just abide.
Prayer:
Jesus, thank You for inviting me into a life of connection, not exhaustion. Forgive me for the times I try to live on my own strength. Teach me to remain in You, to rest in Your presence and trust Your life flowing through me. Let my life bear fruit that reflects Your love, grace, and truth. I choose today to stay connected to You. Amen.
Pastor Jeff
#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign
“Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”
— John 15:4 (NIV)
Jesus paints a picture we can all understand. A branch doesn’t strain to produce fruit. It doesn’t wake up each morning determined to be more fruitful than yesterday. It simply stays connected to the vine. Life flows through it, and fruit is the natural result.
So much of our exhaustion comes from trying to produce spiritual fruit without practicing spiritual connection. We try harder, serve more, push longer, and fix ourselves faster yet still feel empty. Jesus gently reminds us that fruitfulness is not the reward for effort; it is the result of abiding.
Remaining in Christ is not a one-time decision but a daily posture. It’s choosing closeness over competence. It’s learning to sit with Him before running for Him. Think about a phone unplugged from its charger. It may still look fine for a while, but eventually it drains. In the same way, we can look spiritually active while slowly running on empty when we neglect abiding.
Abiding happens in the ordinary moments. You pause to pray before responding, you sit with Scripture instead of scrolling, you invite Jesus into your worries instead of carrying them alone. Over time, His patience becomes your patience. His love becomes your love. His peace becomes your peace. Fruit grows quietly, steadily, almost unnoticed, until one day others begin to taste it.
Jesus isn’t asking you to do more. He’s inviting you to stay closer.
Today, choose connection over striving. Let the Vine do what only the Vine can do.
Action Steps:
* Take a few minutes today to be still and acknowledge Jesus’ presence with you.
* Open your Bible and slowly read John 15, asking God what it means for you to remain in Him.
* Notice one area where you’ve been striving instead of trusting and surrender it in prayer.
* Build one small habit that keeps you connected, morning prayer, Scripture at lunch, or worship on the drive home.
Today’s Challenge:
Before you try to fix anything, produce anything, or prove anything, just abide.
Prayer:
Jesus, thank You for inviting me into a life of connection, not exhaustion. Forgive me for the times I try to live on my own strength. Teach me to remain in You, to rest in Your presence and trust Your life flowing through me. Let my life bear fruit that reflects Your love, grace, and truth. I choose today to stay connected to You. Amen.
Pastor Jeff
#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign
Recent
Archive
2026
2025
January
Embracing the New ThingBe TransformedPleasing God, Not PeopleThe Power of Repentance and BaptismThe Power of Forgiveness and LoveLiving in the LightSharing the Good NewsRecognizing and Worshiping the Son of ManStand Firm, Unmovable, AboundingThe Power of TogethernessResting in God’s RhythmThe Greatness of GodHeld by His HandLoving Beyond LimitsSowing RighteousnessThe Danger of Self-RelianceHeld by His HandProclaiming His Glory to AllHonoring One Another In LoveHidden TreasureTrusting God’s PlansThe Treasure of the KingdomStay Alert and Be PreparedGuarding Against GreedA House DividedYou Are the Light of the WorldEars to HearAll For The OneThe Beginning of WisdomUnashamed of the Gospel
February
Drawing Near with ConfidenceDaily Bread and Daily TrustEvery Good and Perfect GiftA Call to BlessingWalking by the SpiritStrength in the Lord’s RewardThe Power of Your WordsLiving in the Grace of GodOvercoming Evil with GoodPerfect Peace in an Imperfect WorldFrom Death to LifeOvercoming Evil with GoodResting in God’s WorkA Friend Who Loves at All TimesThe Lord Delights Over YouGo Into All the WorldImitating What Is GoodStrength in WeaknessBe Still and KnowTake Heart in Troubled TimesGuarded by God’s PeacePursuing PeacePeace That Cannot Be ShakenLiving Out the Law of LoveBlessing the Poor, Honoring the LordSinging of God’s Strength and LoveWorthy, Worthy, WorthyA Vision of Heaven’s Multitude
March
Go and Make DisciplesBe Strong and CourageousChoosing the Path of LifeUnchanging in a Changing WorldRedeemed by GraceWalking in Step with the SpiritPutting Faith into PracticeGo and Tell the Good NewsDwelling in the Shelter of the Most HighBehold, the Lamb of GodTo Live is Christ, To Die is GainSwallowed by GraceFor Such a Time as ThisSeeking Wisdom from GodBe MercifulA Heart That Seeks GodExtending Mercy to the DoubtfulThe Word Was GodThe Knock at Your Heart’s DoorThe Sacrifice That Pleases GodSharpening Souls TogetherMade for RestA Way OutApproved and UnashamedAll InClothed with CompassionLove That CoversRoots That Never Run DryRemain in MeThe Great ExchangeGod at Work Within You
No Comments