365 Devotionals

Abiding In Christ

Abiding In Christ

"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches; he that abideth in me, and I in Him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." John 15:4, 5

You are just as dependent upon Christ, in order to live a holy life, as is the branch upon the parent stock for growth and fruitfulness. Apart from Him you have no life. You have no power to resist temptation or to grow in grace or holiness. Abiding in Him, you may flourish. Drawing your life from Him, you will not wither nor be fruitless. You will be like a tree planted by the rivers of water. - E. G. White

Apple blossoms bursting wide

    now beautify the tree

And make a Springtime picture

    that is beautiful to see . . .

Oh, fragrant lovely blossoms,

    you'll make a bright bouquet

If I but break you branches

    from the apple tree today . . .

But if I break your branches

    and make your branches mine,

You'll bear no fruit in season

    when severed from the vine . . .

And when we cut ourselves away

    from guidance that's divine,

Our lives will be as fruitless

    as the branch without the vine . . .

For as the flowering branches

    depend upon the tree

To nourish and fulfill them 

    till they reach futurity,

We too must be dependent

    on our Father up above,

 For we are but the branches

    and He's the Tree of love

                        - Helen Steiner Rice