Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
May 23, 2023
John 15:1-8
1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vineyard keeper. 2 He removes any of my branches that don’t produce fruit, and he trims any branch that produces fruit so that it will produce even more fruit. 3 You are already trimmed because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. A branch can’t produce fruit by itself but must remain in the vine. Likewise, you can’t produce fruit unless you remain in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, then you will produce much fruit. Without me, you can’t do anything. 6 If you don’t remain in me, you will be like a branch that is thrown out and dries up. Those branches are gathered up, thrown into a fire, and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want, and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified when you produce much fruit and in this way prove that you are my disciples.
Good Morning; Be fruitful and multiply!
The parables about growing things are especially helpful to me. Growing up, my dad had luscious flower and vegetable gardens. Everything he planted seemed to flourish. My brother and I would dutifully go out and help plant the seeds, but once our duty was done, we weren’t required to do much until it was time to harvest the vegetables. We planted, and then we harvested.
As a young adult, my first attempts at gardening were abysmal. I planted the seeds as I had been taught as a child. I even did some occasional watering when I saw the plants start to wither. My crops were far from bountiful, and some plants never produced any fruit at all. By reading and asking others, I began to learn about all of the other essentials of growing vegetables and flowers. I didn’t realize all of the nurturing that my dad did before to prepare the soil before planting and the care required to allow the plants to produce abundantly.
When I examine my life in Christ, I start with my childhood. My parents took me to church and provided a nurturing home in which I developed a robust root system. They trimmed my branches with love and support as my seedling sprouted so my stem would grow to its potential. I learned to read the Bible, pray to God, join in the fellowship of believers, and always be thankful for my blessings.
Through the years, I have had fruitful times and barren times. There have been times of life-giving rains and times of drought. Because of my well-developed root system and strong stem, God leads me through the storms and offers me the nourishment I need to be fruitful. Now, God has called me to feed his sheep as I share the word he places upon my heart. Praise be to our gracious and loving God!
Loving God, We thank you for Your blessings. Through the Holy Spirit, we are being transformed into the beings you created. Help us to grow strong in our faith so that we might become fruitful in Your kingdom. Thank You! In the name of Christ, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: God is always near, waiting for me to draw closer.
Nurture your soul with God’s word! Pastor Liz
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