Prayer and Promises

THE PROMISE

I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. 

— John 15:5, NASB

THE TESTIMONY

Jesus illustrated the union that exists between himself and his followers by the vine and its branches.  

He also prayed that his disciples might be one as he is one with the Father. Satan heard this prayer; he knows that in union there is strength; and he works hard to bring in dissensions and divisions. 

We are one in Christ. In his sight, the bond that unites believers is more sacred and enduring than any other tie. Christ is the Vine; we are branches, and only branches. 

“Except ye abide in me,” says Christ, “ye can do nothing.” We need him every day; we cannot part with him for an hour... We must be daily learners in his school. We must know the way ourselves before we can teach others how to walk in it.

Take the Bible, and on your knees plead with God to enlighten your mind. If we would study the Bible diligently and prayerfully every day, we should every day see some beautiful truth in a new, clear, and forcible light. 

Let us become Bible students ourselves, and teach all who hear us to search the Scriptures. Preach your own words less, but establish Bible-readings. Let the Lord speak through his word directly to hearts; thus the truth will impress many minds, and the memory will retain it longer than it would a sermon. 

Should trials arise, tell all your troubles to Jesus. Should a branch of the vine lean away from its parent stalk, and depend upon some shrub to which it is not united? Shall those who profess Christ seek the friendship of worldlings, but have no communion with the Saviour?

Take everything to him who gave his life for us. Oh! he loves us with a love that exceeds that of a mother for her helpless child.

— Review and Herald, March 4, 1884 

THE RESPONSE

Take the Bible, on your knees plead with God to enlighten your mind.

Study the Bible diligently and prayerfully every day.

Establish Bible-readings. Let the Lord speak through His word directly to hearts.

Should trials arise, tell all your troubles to Jesus. Take everything to Him who gave His life for us.