Are you Remaining?
Remain in Me
“Remain in me, and I will remain in you.
For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine,
and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.”
— John 15:4
Sons and daughters, we are either remaining in Jesus or we are severed.
This is not something that simply happens to us—it requires intention.
Remaining is a daily choice to be present with the Lord. We are active participants in this relationship.
So what does remaining—or being severed—look like practically?
One of the clearest signs of being severed is misaligned priorities.
It can look like waking up and checking your phone before acknowledging God.
It can look like being led primarily by your emotions—acting on feelings without processing them or bringing them to the Father.
It can look like becoming more motivated by the standards and expectations of others than by God, which ultimately leaves us feeling empty and striving.
Severing also shows up as impulsivity: emotional eating, emotional reactivity, or allowing our words to cut others down because we were triggered.
It shows up when God’s Word no longer holds the standard of truth—when it becomes minimized among the opinions of others.
And sometimes, being cut off looks like shutting God out altogether because people have hurt us or life has disappointed us.
Jesus reminds us to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.
Remaining simply means making a conscious decision to stay present with God.
When we remain, we live with an awareness of His constant presence. We are no longer trying to manufacture fruit—we are connected to the Source.
When we are connected to the Vine, our feelings may still fluctuate. We can have hard days. We can feel tired, discouraged, or overwhelmed. Yet our spirit continues to bear witness to the character and sovereignty of God.
This is why, like Psalm 100 teaches us, we can worship regardless of circumstances—because our spirit is connected to the Spirit of God.
We see His faithfulness in the sun rising in perfect timing each day.
We experience His goodness through mercy that is renewed every morning.
Each of us has a choice: to remain with God or to reject Him.
There is only one way to be truly fruitful, and that is to share in the life of Christ—to stay connected to the Vine.
Journal with Joy
What are some signs in my daily life that may indicate I am becoming misaligned or disconnected from God?
What competes most for my attention and presence before I intentionally remain with the Lord?
What would it look like for me to practice “remaining” with God in a practical, daily way this season?
Until next Friday, remain connected. There is fruit forming, even now.
