Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
December 7, 2024
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! All good gifts come from God.
As a novice gardener, I always found removing and/or trimming branches difficult. Part of this came from a period when I was happy that my plant showed any sign of life, so removing a living part seemed counterproductive. Only later did I begin to understand that trimming and removing made the plant healthier.
I quickly learned that if I accidentally nicked a branch, it struggled and died without special nurturing. I also discovered that too much weight could cause the branch to break off, and all the fruit on the detached branch shriveled up before reaching its potential.
Jesus uses this idea to describe our relationship with God. When we break away from God, we can no longer function as God’s children. We rely on the nutrients (the Word) to sustain our lives as fruit-bearing witnesses. The Holy Spirit is ready to nurture us back to health when we are broken. The Good News is that all who seek redemption are welcomed home.
Dear Lord, We are your children! We are a lot of work. Thank you for not giving up on us. Thank you! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Staying connected to God helps us to flourish.
Grow into the being that God created! Pastor Liz
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