“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

Some thoughts from me: 

Our verse this month has really gotten under my skin. It honestly bothers me. I’d like to say in a good way, but not yet. As I’ve been dwelling on what it looks like to dwell in Jesus, I’ve realized just how unattached I can be throughout my day. Have you been there? (Are you there right now???) As I’ve considered what it looks like for Jesus to dwell in me through the person of the Holy Spirit, I’ve become acutely aware of how little I am actually listening and seeking his input. 

So I’ve made one change: I’ve started the practice of praying in the middle of my day. Here’s my hope for my mid-day prayers:

• They’ll shift my head-down, get-it-done perspective to a look-up and worship the one who made it perspective.

• They’ll remind me where my help comes from. 

• They’ll help me choose Jesus's path if (and when) I get off track. 

Now it’s your turn. 

What about you? Have you stopped to consider what Jesus might want to give you as you meditate on remaining in him and he in you? Below are some questions for you to consider. Don’t feel like you need to answer them all, but maybe one or two will jump off the page. Ask the Spirit to guide you and reveal what he has for you in this time. 

• Consider the past week. How have you lived like this verse is true? How haven’t you?

• It’s humbling to admit that all of your efforts are in vain without Jesus. But how might living this way actually free you?

• What is one thing you could do to “attach” yourself to Jesus today?

• Jesus says that we can’t do anything apart from him. Tell about a time when you tried to do something in your own power without seeking Jesus for direction or relying on him for his strength. How did that go for you?

• Read John 15:1-17. Circle (or take note of) every time Jesus uses the word remain (or abide). What/who should we remain in and what/who should remain in us? 

• Jesus has just promised the Holy Spirit in John 14:15-21. How does this passage about the Holy Spirit help us understand what it means to allow Jesus to remain in us?

• How does Jesus’s vine-and-branches metaphor help you understand what he’s saying about remaining in him and in his love? 

• There are really two options before us. What are they? And what do they look like?

• How do you (practically and specifically) remain in Jesus and in his love?