September 20th, 2025
by Carol Harwood
by Carol Harwood
“I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing. If a person does not dwell in Me, he is thrown out, like a [broken-off] branch, and withers; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, and they are burned.” — John 15:5–6 (AMPC)
How many times have I said to myself: “Hey, I got this! I can do this. I’m self-sufficient. Independent. I can do this on my own.”
And lo and behold, I fall flat on my face, often humiliated and reminded of my limits. How often I forget that I “can do nothing apart from Him.”
And lo and behold, I fall flat on my face, often humiliated and reminded of my limits. How often I forget that I “can do nothing apart from Him.”
When we live in Him, and His words remain in us and dwell in our hearts, we can be successful and bear much fruit. As we trust in the Lord and lean not on our own understanding but acknowledge Him in all our ways, He directs our path (Proverbs 3:5–6).
In doing so, He is honored and glorified, and His joy and delight are in us. His desire is for us to be full of joy — complete and overflowing — as we trust in Him. (John 15:8–11)
In doing so, He is honored and glorified, and His joy and delight are in us. His desire is for us to be full of joy — complete and overflowing — as we trust in Him. (John 15:8–11)
Dependence Over Independence
Our culture promotes independence, but God honors DEPENDENCE — dependence on Him and trust in Him. A mature Christian knows that anything of eternal value will be done only through God’s grace and favor.
Truths to Hold On To
- God wants us to live in vital union with Him.
- His joy and delight are in us as we depend on and trust in Him.
- He is honored and glorified when we bear fruit.
Pause and Ponder
God delights to be gracious to us as we trust and depend on Him.
- Do we really want to live apart from Him (not trusting, not depending on Him)?
- How do you see your faith walk when you are trusting in Him?
- How do you see your faith walk when you go it alone?
Live It Out
This week, look for ways to include the Lord in your decisions and actions — trusting, depending, and asking for His guidance. Invite Him into the small as well as the big choices.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
Help me to know You as my vital source. I want to be successful in all that I do, and all that I think and say. I want to bear fruit to Your honor and glory. Thank You that You desire for me to be joyful as I make You the vital part of my life.
In Christ’s glorious name, Amen.
Help me to know You as my vital source. I want to be successful in all that I do, and all that I think and say. I want to bear fruit to Your honor and glory. Thank You that You desire for me to be joyful as I make You the vital part of my life.
In Christ’s glorious name, Amen.
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