What a sweet reminder

This morning I read through John 15. The first 11 verses seemed to jump off the page at me, every line was alive. Whether it was a reminder of my amazing Lord and Savior, or of how I should be thinking and living my life. Take a read...

John 15

Jesus Is the Vine—Followers Are Branches

1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. 9 Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. 11 These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.

For right now I just want to point out verse 2. I know we want the word Every to not mean what it means; however, I am pretty sure God does not discriminate towards the branches (things, relationships, and desires of my heart) that don't produce the fruit that glorifies His name. No matter what it takes, he extracts it from our lives because He knows the true pain that it will cause to us in the long run. It's this verse that I feel most awe struck by. How painful the extraction is but how much beauty comes with the finished product. Think of the big picture!

So, friends, as you live through this day it is my prayer that you would allow the true vine and My Father the vinedresser, to prune you into a beautiful masterpiece. Know that His love will heal your wounds and will draw you closer to His amazing strength in order to get through the pruning process. Don't try to live this life on your own, trust Him and He will show himself so faithful to you. Thanks for walking this road with me. May we all desire the things that bring Him most glory.