Daily Devotion: Chosen and Appointed — Living with Purpose by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: John 15:9-16 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you." - John 15:16 KJV

 

Chosen by Christ

Jesus reminds us that our relationship with Him did not begin with our choice, but with His.

“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you…” (John 15:16, KJV)

This means:

• You are intentional in God’s plan
• Your life has meaning because Christ has called you

“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world…” (Ephesians 1:4, KJV)

Daily Devotion: Love One Another — The Overflow of Abiding by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: John 15:9-16 KJV 

Key Verse:  "This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you." - John 15:12 KJV

 

Love Is the Evidence of Abiding

When we abide in Christ, His life flows through us, and that life is marked by love.

Love is not optional; it is a command and a result:

• A command we are called to obey
• A result of staying connected to Christ

“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God…” (1 John 4:7, KJV)

Daily Devotion: The Joy of Abiding — Fullness of Joy in Christ

Bible Reading: John 15:9-16 KJV 

Key Verse:  "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." - John 15:11 KJV

 

Joy That Comes from Christ

Jesus does not just offer temporary happiness, He offers His joy.

“…that my joy might remain in you…” (John 15:11, KJV)

This is not joy based on circumstances. It is joy that comes from abiding in Him.

“…in thy presence is fulness of joy…” (Psalm 16:11, KJV)

Joy is found in His presence, and abiding keeps us there.

Daily Devotion: Abiding in His Love — Living from His Love

Bible Reading: John 15:9-16 KJV 

Key Verse:  "As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love." - John 15:9 KJV

 

The Foundation: Christ’s Love for You

Before Jesus tells us to abide in His love, He reminds us of something powerful:

“As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you…” (John 15:9, KJV)

The same love the Father has for the Son is the love Christ has for you. This is not a weak or conditional love, it is perfect, constant, and unchanging.

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8, KJV)

His love is not based on your performance, it is based on His character.

Daily Devotion: Pruned to Grow — Why God Removes Things by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: John 15:1-8 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit."
- John 15:2 KJV

God Prunes Fruitful Branches

Pruning is not punishment, it is purposeful care.

Notice that God prunes the branches that are already bearing fruit. This means:

• Difficulty is not always a sign of failure
• Sometimes it is a sign that God is working more deeply

God removes what hinders growth so that more fruit can come.

Daily Devotion: Bearing Fruit — The Evidence of Abiding by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: John 15:1-8 KJV  

Key Verse:  "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."
- John 15:5 KJV

Fruit Is the Result, Not the Effort

Jesus makes it clear: fruit is not something we force, it is something that flows from abiding.

A branch does not strain to produce fruit. Its only responsibility is to remain connected. When the connection is right, the fruit comes naturally.

“Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” - John 15:8

Fruit is the visible evidence that a life is truly connected to Christ.

Daily Devotion: Abiding Daily — Staying Connected Every Day by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: John 15:1-8 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me." - John 15:4 KJV

Abiding is a daily choice! Abiding in Christ is not something we do once, it is something we choose. We wake up either leaning on: Our own strength, Or Christ’s strength.