Welcome to our new project, the Daily Bible Devotional. The goal is to help you understand and apply

scripture as you go through a New Testament Bible read five days a week, Monday through Friday,

as we move from Matthew straight through to Revelation. In under four minutes each morning, we will recap the chapter,

make some application, present thought questions for the day, and offer a prayer together.

I'm excited about exploring God's word with you, so let's get started. Thank you for joining today

as we explore together John the 15th chapter.

Jesus continues his discourse with the apostles.

He identifies himself as, quote, the true vine.

His followers are like branches that draw nutrients from him.

To, quote, abide in him is to be connected to Jesus, to hear his words and to gain strength from his

power. This must result in good fruit borne by the branches. To bear the fruit of good works is to prove to

be his disciple. Love binds the vine to the branches. Jesus has shown his love by laying down his

life for his friends. His friends show love in return by keeping his commandments and loving one another.

The world hates Jesus and his followers, but love will define his people.

Jesus again promises the apostles that the Holy Spirit will help them in their work.

As noted in the previous chapter, some of this content is unique to the

apostles. The Holy Spirit would testify through them in miraculous ways. The Holy Spirit is also at work for

us. He teaches us through the scripture. Many other elements of this chapter apply to us as well.

Jesus is the vine, and we are the branches.

We must remain connected to him and bear fruit, lest we be cut away by the Father.

Specifically, Jesus demands that we keep his commandments and love our fellow believers.

We will be maligned by the world for serving Jesus because people of the world reject

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