I Am The Vine; You Are The Branch

I came across an article the other day that listed multiple tree facts so I thought I would read through it real quick.  I found a fact that I think we all have heard before but this time I saw it in a different light;  “A healthy tree can increase your property value by as much as 27 percent while trees with dead branches, hollow cavities and other problems can decrease your property value” (http://www.ncsu.edu/). After reading that tree fact I instantly thought of;

John 15: 4-8 - Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “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. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

Amazing that a healthy tree in your front yard could get you extra money when you sell your house but yet if you have a dead tree you have to take a pay cut when selling it.  This is pretty symbolic of life with and without Jesus isn’t it?  When we are attached to the vine we are living life to the fullest and getting our money’s worth.  If we depart from the vine we are living a dead end life that has a negative value.So what did Jesus mean when he told us to be the branch?  As I was thinking about that question I began to realize that as a branch you don’t have to work for food or anything.  It’s supplied straight from the vine or base of the tree.  Everything you need is supplied and you can blossom (pun intended) into whatever God naturally created you to be.  This whole relationship is so natural that neither side has to strain to make it come to fruition.So what are some of the steps we need to take?Read your Bible every day - Even if it’s just 1 verse, make this a top priorityJournal - This may come across as awkward and silly but God can reveal so much to if you open your mind and heart and write a personal letter to your heavenly father every morning.Spend little moments with God throughout the day - One trick I learned from a friend is to take a poster, picture, certain door in your house or office and every time you walk by it or look at it say a quick and small little prayer. That simple.And of course, get plugged into a good church - Volunteer and be active in small groups.