96 ‘I Am the Vine’

John 15:1-27, TBC Book Two, Chapter 96
God had often described Israel as a vine, and Jesus had that image in mind as he taught his disciples one last time. “I am the true vine,” he said, “and my Father is the one who cares for the vine. Every branch from my vine that doesn’t bear fruit will be cut off. And every branch that is fruitful will be pruned so it can bear even more fruit. No branch can bear fruit unless it draws nourishment from the vine. So stay connected with me.

“I am the vine; you are my branches. If a person stays connected with me, that person will bear a great deal of fruit. Apart from me, you cannot bear any fruit. . . . But if you stay connected to me and remain obedient to my teachings, you can ask for anything, and my Father will give it to you.

“Just as the Father has loved me, so also have I loved you. If you obey my commands, you will continue to receive my love, just as I have obeyed my Father and continued to receive his love. There is joy that comes with knowing that you are pleasing the Father and that he loves you. . . . 

“To know that joy, you must obey my commands, and they can be summed up in this one command. . . .”

(See THE BIBLE CLICKS, Book Two, Chapter 96, for the rest of the story.)
​Available in book, e-book, and audiobook formats, sold by Amazon and your favorite bookstores/vendors.​

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Today’s Takeaways
     A proverb to guide you: A relationship with God connects us to a living vine—not to fire insurance. It demands growth, pruning . . . and bearing fruit.
     A promise to cling to: “ ‘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.’ ” John 15:5          NIV
     A praise to fill you: First Love  Petra     [Can skip ad after first 5 seconds]

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