Devotionals from my Bible app: The Source of All (John 15:4-5)

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “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 15:4-5, NKJV

Note before sharing the devotional: I initially thought about combining yesterday's post with today's, as I felt the verse above followed perfectly (and ministered perfectly) regarding the challenging points from the sermon I shared yesterday. I decided against doing so, instead opting to continue what I've been doing, keeping sermon posts as sermon posts and devotional posts as devotional posts.

A couple years ago at a New Year's Day prayer and praise event with some friends, this devotional's verse was one of the reflective Bible passages used that day. I think it's a good reminder anytime and especially a great way to start off a new year, a new chapter. The standard for following Jesus is high. But what has been critical for me to remember (and to be reminded of) is that we cannot satisfy God's high standards of holiness and obedience on our own strength. We're helpless, hopeless sinners without Jesus.

[Just now, I was reading back through the post from 2 years ago that I linked. I didn't really follow any of what God was highlighting for me for 2023. I'm not sure how I failed so completely as I did, but I did. I repent.]

The point I just want to make for today's post is that the points from yesterday, letting go of guilt, letting go of grudges, letting go of bitterness, letting go of burdens, and letting go of unbelief -- all these are possible (and only possible) through staying connected with Jesus and deeply rooting with Him every day. He has the power to do all these things and more.


The Source of All


Look around…


Everything’s been masterfully designed: The skies, the trees, the mountains, the oceans. The animals, the people, the seen, and the unseen.


You can breathe because you've been given lungs, oxygen, and an environment that sustains life. You can move because you've been given muscles, tendons, and a brain that instructs your body. You can think, dream, plan, design, create, build—because you've been given the desire, ability, and some raw materials.


So if you want to live a life that matters, a life that leaves an eternal legacy, you must stay connected to the source of life. Jesus said it like this, using an illustration that was familiar to His listeners:

“Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”

John 15:4-5 NLT

When Jesus says, “I am the vine,” He’s making a statement. He’s saying that He is the source—that anything that’s made is because of His life-giving power.


So if you long for real truth, for genuine wisdom, or to make a lasting difference in this world, stick close to God—because anything worth being or doing starts with Him.

Prayer: God, apart from You I can do nothing. Forgive me when I try to go it alone. I need You every day. I need Your wisdom and guidance in my life. Strengthen my spiritual habits. Help me remain in You, and prune any unrighteous fruit I may bear. In Jesus's name, Amen.