“Fix these words of mine in your hearts . . . tie them as symbols on your hands” Deuteronomy 11:18

Forgotten God

Today's Verse

I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me.
John 15:1-5, 15:26 · NIV

The Devotion

Years ago, I remember a popular Christian book called "Forgotten God." The title was meant to draw your attention to the fact that many Christians are clueless when it comes to the Holy Spirit. Some misunderstand who He is and what He does, but knowing what the Bible teaches about the Holy Spirit is truly a matter of life or death.

In John 15, Jesus said He's the vine, and the Father is the gardener. No branch can bear fruit on its own; it simply must remain connected to the source of life: the Vine. In John 14, Jesus said He is the life. In John 16, He tells us that we can do nothing of lasting spiritual value ("bear fruit") apart from Him.

In John 15:26, Jesus explains how bearing fruit is possible: the Advocate, the Spirit of Truth, the Helper, the Comforter: the Holy Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit is a Person. He lives in us and gives us the power to do what we cannot do. Jesus said the Spirit has one purpose: "he will testify about me." The Holy Spirit puts the spotlight on Jesus. The Holy Spirit helps us stay connected to God the Father. The Holy Spirit produces the fruit of the Spirit in us. Our job is to crucify our flesh and allow the Spirit to make us more like Jesus.

A Prayer for Today

Lord, thank you for sending the Helper, the Holy Spirit, into my life. Ephesians 1 says "And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory." Thank you, Lord, for sealing me with the Spirit. Now, help me walk in step with the Spirit today. In Jesus' name. Amen.

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