Morning Devotional 100725 Be Fruitful and Multiply

Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room

October 7, 2025 

John 15:1-6

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.

Good Morning! Remain in Christ and be fruitful!

What does it mean to be fruitful? To be fruitful is often used to indicate procreating and populating the earth. To be fruitful also involves bearing spiritual fruit, such as good character, sharing one's faith, contributing to God's kingdom, and making the Earth a better place through stewardship and responsible creation. 

The meaning is both literal, as in biological reproduction, and symbolic, encompassing spiritual growth, multiplication of positive influence, and the responsible use of God's gifts. 

In my gardening experiences, I have planted seeds and seedlings that did not produce the expected fruit. The plant spent all its energy growing tall and full, and then there was no energy left for producing fruit. 

We, as the church, can also be guilty of this. When a church congregation spends all its time gathering in new members to increase the roll but fails to nurture those gathered, the seedlings often wither and die. Another issue is when the seedlings grow too quickly without establishing a foundation. These seedlings become tall and spindly. At the first challenge, they bend under their own weight because they are weak and are unable to continue on their faith journey.  

We are God’s earthly vineyard keepers, and we are charged with producing good fruit. Vineyard keepers tend, nurture, provide nutrients, and prune their vines so that they yield the best crops of love and kindness to be shared with all. 

Loving Lord, you bless us abundantly! Help us work to care for one another as Jesus cares for us. Thank you. We love you, Lord! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen

Thought for the day: Care for the seedlings we produce!

Be fruitful and multiply! Pastor Liz