Stay Connected to the Vine

Dr. Donald Grey Barnhouse, in his sermon "The Day-by-Day Christian Life," described his daily activities showing the possibility of looking to the Lord for guidance. For instance, his secretary brings in his mail. "A swift prayer must be sent heavenward....Every detail has to be done in the strength of the Lord, in a moment-by-moment looking to Him....I have come to the place where I never take one of the letters that is brought to me without a quick prayer to God for the ability to meet the need."

When Jesus said, "I live because of the Father" (John 6:57), He was saying He receives His life continually from the Father. This is an important concept because He asks that we recognize that we, too, draw life from Him moment by moment.

"I think most of the time I have the sense of the Holy Spirit's leading," an older godly gentleman told me. "Of course, I tend to pray about just about everything."

Jesus compared our relationship with Him to that of a vine and a branch. For us to remain in Christ is for us to receive His life as continuously as a branch draws sap from the vine. As long as the branches stay connected to the vine, the sap constantly flows into these branches. Andrew Murray taught that the sap represents the Holy Spirit.

Just as Christ continually drew life from the Father, so we continually draw life from Christ. As we go through our day, we simply look to Christ trusting that He is providing what we need. When Jesus says, "Remain in me and I will remain in you" (John 15:4), He was saying "to the degree that you remain in Me, I will remain in you."

Thank You, Jesus, that You can help us cultivate the habit of looking to You throughout our day.

"Remain in me, and I will 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).