Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
July 1, 2022
Read John 15:1-9
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. 9 “As the Father loved me, I too have loved you. Remain in my love.
Good morning! Jesus is the vine, we are the branches!
Let’s begin this morning by asking ourselves about the fruit that we produce. We have been trimmed by the Word of God and now it is time to produce fruit. Just as each plant experiences seasons, we the children of God have seasons. Every good gardener understands that it is necessary to care for your plants even during the dormant times so that the plants will come back stronger each year.
I think that we have several questions that we must ask to understand this passage. First, what does it mean to be pruned by God or by the Word? When we choose a life of Christ, we cast away our sinful ways. We make a choice to walk as Jesus walked. When we stay on our paths, we grow spiritually, but when we stray from the path, we begin to wither and wilt. The nourishment (fertilizer) needed to replenish our souls is prayer and reading Scripture.
What is this fruit that we should be producing? We are producing fruit of the Spirit. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…" (Galatians 5:22-23, NIV) These virtues are in direct opposition to those esteemed by earthly values like greed, wealth, power, hate, and jealousy.
What is the benefit of this “fruit”? All of God’s children will be treated as valued members of the body of Christ. Within our earthly constructs, there are many who are classified as outcasts: the poor, the weak, the diseased, and any who do not resemble those in “power”. Christ taught us that even the least of these . . . "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me" (Matthew 25:40 NIV)
Finally, how do we “grow” this fruit of the Spirit? Well, we don’t! To grow a bountiful harvest we must submit ourselves to God and allow the Spirit work within us to produce our fruit. When we choose to be intentional about our relationship with Christ, we become connected and through God we begin to produce the fruit that God cultivates within us. "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide…" (John 15:16 NIV)
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)
Loving and Gracious God, Thank You for loving us. Without the vine, the branches cannot exist. O God, help us as we joyfully submit ourselves to You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: I gain perspective when I let go of my plans and look for God.
Grow in Love! Pastor Liz
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