Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
November 28, 2022
Read 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, This is a day of rejoicing!
The idea of cutting something or removing something so that the whole will prosper is interesting. In the case of plants, we know this to be true, but too many times I have been resistant to pruning my plants because I see the momentary value. There is a flower bud on the end of this long, scraggly branch that I don’t want to remove. When I finally realize that this branch must go, the other branches of the plant flourish.
I find that this same idea occurs in writing. When we are putting together words for a paper, a book, or even a letter or memo, it is easy to become attached to our words. I remember times when I had a well-crafted sentence or paragraph that just didn’t belong because it was off-topic or redundant, but like the long scraggly branch, I was resistant to getting rid of it.
I imagine that we’ve all had the experience where we’ve lost our work due to a computer or power glitch. It can be frustrating or even devastating because we believe that we had written just what we wanted. I have learned that trying to recreate the exact words that were lost does not work. Once I move past the moment of panic, I set about writing a new paragraph, and even when I don’t want to admit it the new work is often better than the lost work. Once the old work was trimmed away, the new work grows into a stronger product.
God is the vine and we are the branches. Without the vine, the branches wither and die because they can no longer receive nourishment and sustenance. Without God, we become like the branches that have been trimmed away; we might survive for a while, but overtime we wither and die.
We are called to be fruitful. What does this mean? We are to remain centered in Christ by praising God, praying, reading Scripture, and joining together in fellowship. Without this nourishment, we become like overgrown tomato plants with beautiful leaves, but no fruit can be found. What is our fruit? The outpouring of love, mercy, joy, and peace that we share with all we meet. Others will recognize us as children of God by our fruitfulness.
Gracious God, Thank You for loving us. We love You. Sometimes we lose focus on what is important. Help us to remain steadfast in You. Thank you! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: When I clear my mind of negative thoughts, God’s power flows more freely in me.
Be fruitful! Pastor Liz
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