Reflect: Did you notice a primary thought that Jesus is communicating in these verses? The words abide or remain are used interchangeably eight times – that’s significant. In Greek the word for “abide/remain” is mĕnō. It is a verb meaning to stay in a given place, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand, tarry. In verse seven we are told that if we remain (mĕnō) in Jesus as a branch does to its vine, then we can ask for anything we want and it will be granted. The word “ask” in the Greek is aitĕō. Other words it encompasses are to beg, call for, crave, desire, require, insist, request. Let’s put these two ideas in this passage together. If you are abiding in, staying present, continuing in your relationship with Jesus, then you are allowing God’s Word to take an authoritative role in your heart and mind, and you are growing in Him. You are being transformed in your thinking and will. Now, you are ready to experience this aitĕō kind of prayer where you boldly, courageously and confidently come to God’s throne and ask for anything. Why? Because your heart and mind are aligned with God when you are abiding in Him and you are praying in His will. It is usually dry rot, lack of water or other diseases between a branch and a vine that breaks the abiding relationship the branch needs to survive. When we sin and make bad choices (which we all do), , it creates this dry rot and disease between us (as branches) and Jesus (as the vine). Are you remaining and abiding as a healthy branch on the vine? Here’s a good way to do a check-up and determine if you are connected to the vine in a healthy way. A healthy branch produces healthy fruit. In our lives it is demonstrated by showing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). If your fruit is smelling or appearing a bit rotten it may be shown by actions such as: cursing, pride, rage, lying, judging, hatred, intolerance, or out-of-control behavior.