Devotionals for May 3, 2023
READ
John 15:5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”
REFLECT
How long does it take for a vine to produce good fruit? Good fruit meaning a good harvest that is plentiful enough to make good wine. General consensus is that a backyard vineyard can take up to 3 years. It is not necessarily an overnight process. Vines need tending, pruning, and shaping. If you have ever seen pictures of more commercial vineyards, the vines always seem to follow guide wires that allow them to spread out their branches. In your journey, Christ will guide you by moving through the Holy Spirit and speaking to us in prayer. These actions are essential to our journey, but we have to be willing to be led and shaped, receiving the actions of God that bring us closer to Him. Just as keeping a vineyard properly produces strong and healthy vines that produce good fruit, Jesus and the Holy Spirit do the same in all who believe in Him.
The good fruit produced by believers is a blessing to the rest of the world. Sometimes that good fruit is bringing others into the Kingdom of God, other times it’s being a good friend, a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on, financial or physical help in a time of crisis, or being a prayer warrior. A branch of a vine by itself cannot produce fruit unless it is part of the vine (John 15:4). God will prepare you for the fruit you will bear when you BELONG TO CHRIST. Without being close to Jesus, none of this fruit will be possible.
APPLY
Q: How long does a branch belong to the vine? How long do we belong to Christ?
Q: Where does the vine branch get its nourishment to produce fruit? Where do we get the same to produce Godly fruit? Is this an act of obedience?
Q: What fruit is God producing through you that can be shared with others?
SING
“Remain” - Victory Worship
PRAY
"Give us today our daily bread."
Lord, you have promised to see to our every need. We are grateful for Your physical and spiritual nourishment. Help us to share with our brothers and sisters and those whom You have made in Your image.
John 15:5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”
REFLECT
How long does it take for a vine to produce good fruit? Good fruit meaning a good harvest that is plentiful enough to make good wine. General consensus is that a backyard vineyard can take up to 3 years. It is not necessarily an overnight process. Vines need tending, pruning, and shaping. If you have ever seen pictures of more commercial vineyards, the vines always seem to follow guide wires that allow them to spread out their branches. In your journey, Christ will guide you by moving through the Holy Spirit and speaking to us in prayer. These actions are essential to our journey, but we have to be willing to be led and shaped, receiving the actions of God that bring us closer to Him. Just as keeping a vineyard properly produces strong and healthy vines that produce good fruit, Jesus and the Holy Spirit do the same in all who believe in Him.
The good fruit produced by believers is a blessing to the rest of the world. Sometimes that good fruit is bringing others into the Kingdom of God, other times it’s being a good friend, a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on, financial or physical help in a time of crisis, or being a prayer warrior. A branch of a vine by itself cannot produce fruit unless it is part of the vine (John 15:4). God will prepare you for the fruit you will bear when you BELONG TO CHRIST. Without being close to Jesus, none of this fruit will be possible.
APPLY
Q: How long does a branch belong to the vine? How long do we belong to Christ?
Q: Where does the vine branch get its nourishment to produce fruit? Where do we get the same to produce Godly fruit? Is this an act of obedience?
Q: What fruit is God producing through you that can be shared with others?
SING
“Remain” - Victory Worship
PRAY
"Give us today our daily bread."
Lord, you have promised to see to our every need. We are grateful for Your physical and spiritual nourishment. Help us to share with our brothers and sisters and those whom You have made in Your image.