November 11 I Monday

Jeremiah 50

Hebrews 8

“I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”   —John 15:11

In Jesus’s teaching to His disciples, He tells them to remain in three things. Firstly, “Remain in Me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine” (John 15:4). Jesus tells His disciples to remain in Him, to draw from Him as their life source so they can be fruitful. We can only bear fruit if we acknowledge we cannot but Jesus can.

Secondly, “If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you” (John 15:7). Jesus tells His disciples not only to remain in Him but also in His words. If having alone time in the Word of God is not a regular part of our life, we are not going to be fruitful because the Word of God reveals the life and agenda of God to us. This is why Paul writes, “Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly…” (Colossians 3:16, NKJV). There is no fast track to growth. There is an effort we must make to abide in His Word and allow the Word of God to speak to us. The result, Jesus says, “…ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you” (John 15:7). Many refer to this verse as the “answered prayer verse,” but this verse does not mean we pray, “Give me this, give me that, I want this and I want that...” and God answers. On the contrary, as we abide in His Word, we will know the mind and heart of God, which will lead us to pray according to the mind and heart of God by asking ourselves, “What is the agenda of Jesus Christ?” God’s mind and heart becomes our concern and He answers willingly.

Thirdly, “As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Now remain in My love. If you keep My commands, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commands and remain in His love” (John 15:9-10). Jesus tells His disciples to remain in His love. Why do we need to remain in His love? Because our security and our sense of value come from knowing that we are loved by the Lord Jesus. Even though God may discipline us as a means of pruning us, we know He is doing it because He loves us.

When we remain in Christ, His Word and His love, we make His joy complete. By remaining in Christ, we are empowered to remain in His Word that will
lead us to pray effectively and remain in His love that will lead us to obey fully.

Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, I desire to remain in You, Your Word and Your love. Help me to live a life that honours You. Thank You, Lord.