“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 15:5 (LAB).
How long do I have to be plugged into God through a quiet time or prayer or reading a book to get the charge I need to go out and live for God?
But Jesus never said, “I am your power cord; you are the iPhone.” You don’t plug into God’s power like that. You abide like a branch in a tree.
Jesus said,“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 15:5LAB)
Notice the word remain. It’s constant, not sporadic.
A branch does not decide to be independent of the tree. It needs the life of the tree moment by moment. In a similar way, we were not created to live in our own strength, but in the strength of Christ. We cannot be independent of Christ and expect to flourish.
If Jesus Christ lives in us, we have the resource to conquer all things because there is nothing bigger or mightier than He is. Paul says “I can do everything through him who gives me the strength I need” (Philippians 4:13 LAB).
As he infuses his life, his power into you, you have what it takes to live your life as God intended.
What are you facing right now? Remember in Christ you have the resources to overcome that challenge.
Lord Jesus, I need you right now. Infuse your strength into me. Thank you for taking over now.
By Helen Lescheid
used by permission
FURTHER READING
- Our Source of Strength – by Marilyn Ehle
- Your Source of Strength – by Bill Bright
- Be Recharged – by Mary Pinckney