Day 17

Be Still:  Dear Father, thank you for Jesus, the Vine.  Thank you that You love us enough to prune us, even though it can be painful.  In Jesus’ name, through the power of the Holy Spirit, Amen

Be Strengthened:  John 15:1-8

¹"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. ²He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. ³You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. ⁴Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

⁵"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.

⁷If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. ⁸This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”

Be Stretched:  What did Jesus mean when He said branches that bear fruit are pruned?  Have you experienced any ‘pruning’ in the past year?  Spend some time pondering how it felt at the time.  What does it mean to be fruitful?  Reflect on how your pruning may be bearing fruit.  How does it feel to read that you can do nothing apart from Jesus?  Take time to confess to our loving Father those times when you have tried to ‘go it alone’.  Ask Him to help you to remain in Him, bearing much fruit.