Hi, I’m Joe Manno, pastor of Orlando Family Worship Church in Orlando, Florida, and welcome to God Today. Okay, check this out. You’ve got John 15, one of my favorite chapters and verses and books in the new testament. I love it. You’ve got the vine and the branches. Jesus says, “My father is a gardener. I am the vine and you are the branches. That’s where the fruit grows – on the branches.” He says, “Apart from me you can do nothing.” That rocked my world one day. It’s like taking a rope and wrapping it around your hand, that’s the vine – that’s Jesus. It’s connected to the Father. Everything flows from the Father, through the Son, to us. He says, “Apart from me you can do nothing.” You can do nothing.
But, the part that rocks my world – everybody wants peace and joy. You can’t buy it. You can’t find it. It only comes from God. He said, “When you hold on to me my joy is in you and your joy is complete.” You know what we do to God? We put the vine in our pocket and then we walk around. When the vine falls out of our pocket we are lost. We go, “Why did you fail me, God?” God didn’t fail you. We let go of Him. So, pick up that vine and hold on to it today. In other words, hold on to the word of God even when life doesn’t make sense to you.
I believe, right now, somebody needs to hear that out there. Somebody is watching it going, “That’s me! That’s me!” It’s very simple. Father, in the mighty name of Jesus, let me pray for you. In the mighty name of Jesus, you Father, who are worthy to receive glory and honor, power and might, and strength and wealth, I send these words into the hearts of the people that are watching right now. Pierce their hearts. Let your word be so real to them that the vine in their hand is more important than the life around them. You’re going to have an amazing day – you just know that. Don’t let go of the vine, don’t put it into your pocket, hold on to it strong. In Jesus’ name. Amen.