Nashville, Tennessee, United States - The Upper Room Daily Devotional "Source of Life" for Friday, 29 August 2014 - Read John 15:1-8

Nashville, Tennessee, United States - The Upper Room Daily Devotional "Source of Life" for Friday, 29 August 2014 - Read John 15: The Vine and the Branches
15 1-3 “I am the Real Vine and my Father is the Farmer. He cuts off every branch of me that doesn’t bear grapes. And every branch that is grape-bearing he prunes back so it will bear even more. You are already pruned back by the message I have spoken.
4 “Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can’t bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can’t bear fruit unless you are joined with me.
5-8 “I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing. Anyone who separates from me is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire. But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. This is how my Father shows who he is—when you produce grapes, when you mature as my disciples.
Jesus said, “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 15:6 (NIV))
West Virginia was recently hit by a big storm with high, damaging winds. Our area was one of the most severely affected, with several trees damaged and others blown down.
A week later, I noticed that in such a short time the leaves of the trees left unattended had turned brown and were dying. Once they were cut off from their source of life, they were unable to live and continue to grow.
I was reminded that this is true of my spiritual life and my relationship with God. I am like the brown, wilted leaves on the trees when I fail to stay faithful with my Bible study, prayer life, active worship, and interaction with other Christians. I have become removed from the source of life — Jesus Christ and my relationship with God. This reminded me of how important spiritual disciplines are in helping me remain faithful.
The Author: Betty L. Wigal (West Virginia, USA)
Thought for the Day: What practices keep me connected to Christ?
Prayer: O Holy One, help us remain connected to you so we can bear much fruit. We want to be your disciples and show your glory. Amen.
Prayer focus: Those affected by natural disasters
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