"Abide in the Vine in 09"

Abide: to dwell, remain, to last and endure.

In the book of John 15:5, Jesus says, "Yes, I am the vine; your are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing." NLT

Well, Well. That's an interesting statement. What is also interesting is the fact that every year at this time Christians get a thirst for something new. They want to do something different. Something that will bring about change in their personal lives. This is why so many make "New Years Resolutions." Their looking for a change.

Christ has no problem with change. He talks about change through out the Bible. He endorses change. Changes that are in our best interest. Changes we need and changes we can use. Now, where have I heard this before.

The problem is not that one wants to change, but how we go about it. This time every year people are looking for change and want to change, but because they do not attach themselves to the vine, (Jesus) they fall short by February.

January 1st of every year, millions of Christians make "New Years Resolutions", that consist of things like, weight, health, finance, family, but almost never will you hear them say that they are going to get closer to God.

Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit.

Christians tend to exclude the very one that is able to give and help us accomplish the changes we desire. In other words, we choose to detach ourselves from the "Vine". The very one that is able to see us to completion is the last one we go to for help. Hence why many will never accomplish what they set out to do for the new year. They will not produce the desired fruit. "For apart from me you can do nothing."

Here is the key to accomplishing those, "New Years Resolutions", Abide in the Vine in 09. "Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit."