A WORD FROM THE PASTOR

"I am the vine, you are the branches.  He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."  John 15:5 (NKJV)

Jesus used the imagery of the vine and branches to explain the importance of being in the vine, but not just being, but abiding.  He directs us to the method of our abiding.  We build a life centered on our relationahip with Jesus.  We make time for Him, each and every day.  We meet with Him in His Word, meditating on it day and night.  Jesus speaks to us the truth our souls need to hear.  We take Him in like water for our thirsty souls.  While the world seeks to conform us to its pattern.  Jesus seeks to transform us by the renewal of our minds.  Abiding not only renews our minds--it transforms our desires.  And abiding in Jesus also connects us to every other branch.

We are not meant to live apart from others any more than we live apart from Jesus.  So to abide in Christ is to participate in the life of His body, the church.

Adapted from:  https://learn.ligonier.org/devotionals/abiding-in-the-vine